Spring 2020
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All Things
Irish
Canada’s “Queen of the Fiddle”
Natalie MacMaster
Receives Eighth JUNO Award Nomination for Latest Release, Sketches
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ith over 300,000 albums sold, Canada’s most endeared and revered fiddler Natalie MacMaster has received a 2020 JUNO Award nomination for her newest release — and first solo album in eight years — Sketches. The number eight factors in further, as the nod for Traditional Roots Album of the Year at this March’s 2020 JUNO Awards counts as her eighth nomination. Previously, the Canadian ‘Queen of the Fiddle’ has received a GRAMMY Award win and nomination, two JUNO Award wins and seven previous nominations, 19 East Coast Music Association awards, and five Canadian Country Music Association’s “Fiddler of the Year” nods — as well as three honorary doctorates, an induction into the Casino Nova Scotia Hall of Fame,
and a member of the Order of Canada. For Sketches, the Celtic music superstar is drawing on a different set of numbers for inspiration. “It is a moment during my 47th year of life, my 37th year of fiddling, my 16th year of marriage, and my 13th year of parenting,” MacMaster says of Sketches, and in reference to her seven children and husband, and fellow fiddler Donnell Leahy. “It’ll be a moment of joyous appreciation inspired by years of parenting, marriage, friendships, music, and life.” This is a professional life that includes performances with Béla Fleck, Faith Hill, Carlos Santana, The Chieftains, Sharon, Lois & Bram, Buddy MacMaster and Jesse Cook, as well as award-winning collaborations with Yo-Yo Ma, and
a blended line with award-winning collaborations with Donnell and their children. And speaking on the familyfront, she’s distantly related to fiddler Ashley MacIsaac and rocker Jack white, and spends much of her time collaborating with Donnell as well as putting her teaching degree to use homeschooling their children. Sketches is a return to a solo sound, and the result is a fiery, must-hear collection of traditional tunes and medleys mixed with new compositions. The album teems with retrospect and legacy as MacMaster reflects on her extraordinary journey in both life and career. “I have something to say through my fiddle,” she says. Hear what it is; Sketches is available now. CELTIC CANADA | SPRING 2020
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St. Patrick’s Day in Whistler By Rachael Hopwood
S
t. Patrick’s Day is fast approaching and people around the world are gearing up to celebrate in style. In Whistler, the ski season is in full swing, but that won’t stop the village going all out to show their love of the Irish and use it as another excuse for an epic celebration. Expect green and gold flags galore, a raucous atmosphere and locals wearing their finest green attire. For the last ten years, Whistler has been one of the flagship locations in Tourism Ireland’s Global Greening program, an initiative that sees iconic global locations such as the Leaning Tower of Pisa, Empire State Building in
One thing Whistler has that the Emerald Isle does not is epic skiing. And the great news for anyone heading to Whistler on St Patrick’s Day is that the ski season is still in full swing. March is often Whistler’s snowiest month with an average of 231cm. As North America’s largest ski resort, the mountains of
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New York and Trafalgar Square in London illuminate in shades of green. Whether you’re heading to Whistler for the legendary skiing, lively apres or just for the craic, here’s our checklist guide to St Patrick’s Day in the mountains of BC.
Cover Image “God’s Stamp on Ireland” The Emery Celtic Cross, Killea, County Donegal, Ireland Source: Gareth Wray
CELTIC CANADA | SPRING 2020
Whistler and Blackcomb provide some of the most exhilarating powder in the world, and skiing to suit every skill level is on offer.
Green is the new black at Forged Axe Throwing Axe throwing is one of the top group activities to enjoy in Whistler and is perhaps one of the most Canadian pastimes around. Plaid and axe throwing go together like Guinness and Ireland, so don your finest green tartan and unleash your inner lumberjack at Forged Axe Throwing. The
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Facebook www.facebook.com/celticcanada1 Twitter @CelticCanada Disclaimer: Opinions or viewpoints expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of Celtic Canada and/or ECG. Where materials and content were prepared by persons or entities other than CC/ECG, the said other persons and /or entities are solely responsible for their content. We reserve the right to edit all submitted articles prior to publication.
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Continued from page 4 – ST
PATRICK’S DAY IN WHISTLER team will be on hand to teach you the art of axe throwing if you’ve never picked up a hatchet before as well as keeping the all-important scores as you compete with your friends. Expect plenty of Ireland vs Canada tournaments for visitors attending from across the pond.
Drink Guinness at an authentic Irish pub While there are plenty of lively bars and restaurants to drink Guinness and enjoy a lively crowd, the Dubh Linn Gate Irish Pub is a Whistler institution. A local landmark for twenty-three years, the pub was designed, crafted and transported piece by piece across the pond to Whistler in 1997. Expect 20oz pints, live music, and hearty food as standard. If Guinness isn’t your thing,
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sip on Murphy’s, Smithwick’s, Kilkenny or one of the BC specialty taps on offer. Happy Hour or “After Apres” as it’s commonly known runs from 5-7 pm and several special events and promotions take place during St Patrick’s Day week. Oh, and don’t miss one of the Irish breakfasts complete with Black Pudding. You can work off all that cholesterol later on!
Represent Ireland at the Winter Olympics OK, so you’ll be ten years too late for the Vancouver Winter Olympics and Ireland doesn’t have a glittering medal history in the winter games, but that doesn’t mean you can’t imagine! Head to the Whistler Sliding Centre and experience the thrill of the world’s fastest ice track with a bobsleigh or skeleton experience. This is a gold medalworthy experience and one to cross off the bucket list.
Compare and contrast with a little sightseeing Both Ireland and Canada are home to stunning landscapes and natural beauty, but which country offers the best views? Here in Whistler, there’s only one place to check out your surroundings with a bird’s eye view. The Whistler zipline is a fun-filled sightseeing experience and is essential for those with a head for heights. While comparing these two great countries isn’t really fair, you’ll be able to enjoy an epic sightseeing experience nonetheless. You can even ride side-by-side thanks to the specially designed harness.
Get your horsey fix Ireland loves horse racing! They’re pretty good at it too. While you won’t find any horse racing in these parts, you can still get your horsey fix by heading out on a sleigh ride in Whistler. These horses are a little
slower than their Irish Thoroughbred counterparts, but that means you’ll be able to sip a hot chocolate while taking in the snowy backcountry sights. So there you have it. Six ways to celebrate St Patrick’s Day in the heart of Canada. While we’ve picked out a handful of Irish things to do, Whistler has an abundance of adventures ready to explore. Create your own Whistler adventures with a bespoke itinerary or just go with the flow and relax. Either way, Lá Fhéile Pádraig sona duit! That’s Happy St Patrick’s Day to you.
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10 of Ireland’s Top Experiences
T
hink you know Ireland? We’ve compiled a list of authentic experiences around the island, as told by the people who
have been there, done that, and bought the t-shirt.
The Titanic Experience, Belfast
1. Visiting Titanic Belfast
2. Cruit Island, County Donegal
“The building struck me first, with its glimmering sail-like shapes. Inside was no different: Titanic Belfast is a world-class exhibition right at the heart of the ship’s story. From clanking shipyard rides to an underwater journey to the Atlantic wreckage site, it turns emotions upside-down.”
“Out of all my memories of this rugged part of the world, a cycle to Cruit Island on the Wild Atlantic Way remains the sharpest. I never imagined there could be somewhere so beautiful. Gorgeous beaches (12, no less), wild horses on the shore, and a tiny population. Paradise.”
The Rock of Cashel, County Tipperary
3. The Rock of Cashel, County Tipperary
4. Local GAA match, County Galway
“I first visited The Rock as a child and spent the day escaping Mum by darting in and out of nooks and crannies – giving the Viking sarcophagus a wide berth. Even now I’m older, it still holds a certain fascination. Fields, ancient history and a High King’s HQ: what’s not to love?”
“There is no place more emotional than the sidelines of a Gaelic football match. At a recent game, county rivals and objective spectators alike surrounded me, all sharing their commentary at full volume. When the full-time whistle went, we were so hoarse we could barely cheer!”
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The Cliffs of Moher, County Clare
5. The Cliffs of Moher, County Clare
6. Exploring Dingle, County Kerry
“It was a particularly blustery day and I could hear the wind gushing in my ears as I stared down at the main attraction: the crumbling cliff edges, the huge drop to the Atlantic waves churning underneath – and the serious adrenaline rush when I took it all in.”
“To me, Dingle is perfect. Where else can you take a boat to meet a celebrity dolphin (Fungi), have a pint in a pub-come-grocery store (Foxy John’s), and treat yourself to an ice cream of toasted Irish oats (Murphy’s)?”
Lough Erne, County Fermanagh
7. Cruising Lough Erne, County Fermanagh
8. Game of Thrones Territory, Northern Ireland
“Water lapping against the side of the cruiser, a feeling of calm…I saw things I’d never see from the road, like Boa Island, with its strange, two-faced Janus figure. Life on the water is slower, quieter and a little bit more mysterious around here.”
“I’m addicted to HBO’s Game of Thrones, and the fact that it’s filmed here makes it even easier for me to follow my passion. I took an archery lesson in Castle Ward Estate (House Stark), where Jon Snow and Robb gave Bran archery tips. It’s also probably the only place in the world where a person like me can play at being a GoT star shooting – and losing – arrows.”
The Dublin Coast
9. Dublin Coastline “I love getting the DART train from Dublin to Dun Laoghaire: you can see right across Dublin Bay to the headland out at Howth. After a walk along the East Pier, a legendary Teddy’s 99 ice cream is pretty much compulsory as a reward.
10. Moynalty Steam Threshing Festival (August), Meath “Vintage farm machinery, dog shows, ladies selling homemade jams and blacksmiths demonstrating the best way to shoe a horse. This is one of Ireland’s longest-running agricultural shows, and I’m there every year. It’s a glimpse of old Ireland.”
Eager for more on the island of Ireland? We’ve even got plenty of FREE things to see and do – perfect for making your own memories! Source : Ireland.com CELTIC CANADA | SPRING 2020
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IRELAND PAVILION CARASSAUGA Paramount Fine Foods Centre - SportZone Lobby 5600 Rose Cherry Place, Mississauga
Friday, May 22, 7:30pm - 12:00am Saturday, May 23, 1pm-12am Sunday, May 24, 1pm-7pm
Immerse yourself in a bit of Ireland - stay for the craic. Hosted by
The Graham School of Irish Dance
Visit us on Facebook or Twitter @IrelandPavilion For Carassauga passports contact Toby Warnell at toby.warnell13@gmail.com 10
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YOUR HOME AWAY FROM HOME
• Traditional Irish Meals • Live Sporting Events Via Satellite (Home to all the Live Rugby Six Nations and the summers G.A.A. Action)
Keep an eye on our website for upcoming events.
A Better Pint From Start to Finish!
365 Days a Year
The Galway Arms Lounge Bar & Restaurant 840 The Queensway (Between Royal York & Islington) • (416) 251-0096 www.thegalwayarms.ca The Galway Arms Irish Pub CELTIC CANADA | SPRING 2020
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Tracing St. Patrick in 9 Steps T
he story of St Patrick has fascinated the world for centuries, and you can still see his legacy clearly all around the island of Ireland
site near a massive St Patrick statue on Slieve Patrick.
prove to the King that the Christian God was far more powerful than the pagan god, using the three-leafed shamrock as an example of Christianity.
3. Lough Derg, County Donegal 1. Slemish Mountain, County Antrim The story of St Patrick is a story of endurance. When he was just a teenager, St Patrick was captured in Wales and brought to the island to work as a slave herding sheep on Slemish Mountain, County Antrim. He spent six tough years on these heather-laden slopes with only sheep for company. But it was also here that Patrick found consolation in God. Today, you can walk the 1.2 mile trail up to the summit of Slemish, and look out on to the landscapes that inspired the saint himself.
The enigmatic tranquillity of Lough Derg sets the scene for two exceptional stories regarding St Patrick. One tale sees him hunting the last snake in Ireland here and turning the lake red with its blood. The other has Christ dramatically revealing the entrance to Hell to Patrick inside a cave. With drama like that in Lough Derg’s past, it’s little wonder this beautiful spot has been a spiritual destination ever since. With its calm waters, and isolated aspect, it still attracts pilgrims from all over the world.
5. The Rock of Cashel, County Tipperary The Rock of Cashel is one of the most important heritage sites in Ireland. This grassy hill above Cashel is where Patrick baptised Aenghus, the King of Munster – accidently stabbing him in the foot with a crozier while he was at it. This marked the end of paganism and ushered in a new era of Christianity. Amidst the crumbling cathedral walls, look out for the 12th-century St Patrick’s Cross: one face depicts Christ’s crucifixion, while the other shows an image of a bishop – some say it’s St Patrick himself. Nearby St Patrick’s Well in Clonmel (where the saint baptised locals) is said never to freeze in winter.
4. Hill of Slane, County Meath 2. Saul Church, County Down St Patrick escaped his slavery and fled the island, but he was called back to Ireland in a dream, and once he returned, he got busy converting pagans by the thousands. So effective was Patrick, that one new convert donated a barn in which Patrick could hold his services. This is now known as Saul Church and is where Patrick lived leading up to his death. Both a commemorative church and replica round tower now stand on the 12
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As missions go, Patrick’s plan to convert Celtic pagans in Ireland was not always a popular one. Once, when Druids were celebrating a pagan feast with the ritual Bealtaine fire on the Hill of Tara, County Meath, Patrick chose to defy the reigning High King by lighting his own unquenchable paschal fire on the neighbouring Hill of Slane. Did Patrick suffer for his insolence? Amazingly, no. To answer for his actions, Patrick performed feats and miracles to
6. Croagh Patrick, County Mayo Nothing could illustrate the enormity of St Patrick’s impact on Ireland better than the annual pilgrimage by up to 3,000 people on the last Sunday of July (Reek Sunday) to the top of Croagh Patrick barefoot. Translating
as “Patrick’s stack” in Irish, it was on this scree-covered mountain that Patrick, echoing Christ’s travails in the desert, fasted for 40 days during Lent. With shoes optional, the all-consuming effort to rise to its peak has been described by one pilgrim as a voyage of curiosity that ended with fulfilment and peace. What better testament to the island’s patron saint could you get?
7. Down Cathedral, County Down Situated on the site of an ancient Benedictine monastery, Down Cathedral is where the mortal remains of Patrick were buried after his death in 461AD. It stands proud on Cathedral Hill, staring out across the town of Downpatrick. The exact site of St Patrick’s burial remains a mystery, but a carved Memorial Stone – made from local Mourne Mountain granite – traditionally marks his grave. The cathedral is now a place of pilgrimage and prayer.
8. Saint Patrick Centre, County Down St Patrick is at the very heart of Ireland’s Christian heritage, and there are few more engaging places to learn about Patrick than the Saint Patrick Centre (the only exhibition in the world devoted to the saint). Here, you can view collections of art and intricate metalwork from the Early Christian period, as well as intriguing interactive displays. It’s a far cry from the cold and lonely spot on Slemish Mountain but more worthy of the saint’s impact on Ireland.
9. St Patrick’s Cathedrals, Armagh city
Saint Patrick stained glass window from Cathedral of Christ the Light.
The beautiful city of Armagh is where you’ll find not one, but two gracious cathedrals named after the great saint. The Church of Ireland cathedral is on a site that in 445AD housed a church built by Patrick; while the neighbouring Roman Catholic cathedral has its roots in medieval times. Legendary High King of Ireland, Brian Boru, who died at the Battle of Clontarf in 1014, is said to be buried in the North Wall of the Church of Ireland Cathedral. CELTIC CANADA | SPRING 2020
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Sinn Fein
Wins Popular Vote - Electoral Earthquake Hits Ireland
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ince the founding of the Irish Free State in 1922 (Ireland officially became a republic in 1949), Ireland has been a duopoly, with government alternating between Fianna Fail and Fine Gael (although the two centre-right parties sometimes had to depend on smaller parties such as Labour). This all changed on February 8th in the Irish general election. To the astonishment of the pundits, Sinn Fein, under the leadership of Mary Lou McDonald, the first woman leader of a major Irish political party, received the highest popular vote (24.5%) and won as many seats (37) as Fianna Fail. The governing Fine Gael party was reduced to 35 seats. Although Sinn Fein’s goal is a united Ireland, the election was less about Irish unity or Brexit. Sinn Fein focused on bread-and-butter issues such as dealing with the housing crisis, soaring rents, and the ailing health care system. Its message resonated particularly with young people who voted overwhelmingly for Sinn Fein and its message of change. Outgoing Taoiseach Leo Varadkar campaigned on his handling of the Brexit negotiations and a growing economy but was rebuffed by working people tired of austerity, high rents, and long waits in hospitals. This leaves Ireland in a complex situation, and it will take some weeks to resolve itself. Sinn Fein has a mandate to try to form a government and has approached the smaller left parties to see if a coalition is feasible. Fianna Fail at first said it would be willing to talk to Sinn Fein but has now ruled out negotiations. Fine Gael has rejected any
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coalition with Sinn Fein, but it is unlikely that Sinn Fein would be interested in working with Fine Gael anyway. There is now talk of a Fine Gael/Fianna Fail coalition to keep Sinn Fein out of government. Both the establishment parties are now attacking Sinn Fein for having supported the IRA’s campaign and say they could not possibly work in coalition with the party. This argument is not getting much traction as both FF and FG had been urging Sinn Fein to get the Northern Assembly running again and work with the Democratic Unionist Party. The idea that Fianna Fail and Fine Gael are too pure to work with Sinn Fein while they expect the DUP to work with the Republicans strikes many as hypocritical. The real reason behind the establishment
refusal to countenance working with Sinn Fein is the latter’s call for change and an end to austerity. Moreover, Sinn Fein intends to push for a border poll on Irish unity within the next few years while Fianna Fail and Fine Gael at best pay lip service to Irish unity. Given the clear message that young people in Ireland want change and new priorities, the machinations of the establishment parties could prove politically risky. A recent poll shows that Sinn Fein’s post-election support has now risen 10 points to 35%. If there is another election soon, Sinn Fein could win an outright majority. Whatever the outcome in the coming days, politics in Ireland, in the words of W.B. Yeats, are “changed, changed utterly”.
A Pint of History
Where people have socialised for centuries... If you’re wondering where to find warm welcomes, lots of craic (fun) and toe-tapping tunes, join the regulars and discover the history behind a real Irish pub!
community over the years. There are intriguing artefacts on the walls, hanging from the low-hung ceilings, and perched above the open fireplaces. On a typical night, a group of musicians in the corner keeps the party going as you settle in for the night!
1. McCarthy’s, County Tipperary
4. Gus O’Connor’s, County Clare
Open since the 1850s, McCarthy’s operates not only as a pub, but also as a restaurant and undertaker as well! They even have a very memorable catchphrase: “We wine you, dine you and bury you”. It has retained its old-fashioned charm, with the interior unchanged since it first opened. Visitors love browsing the curios hung on the walls and in packed cabinets. McCarthy’s also has County Tipperary’s only beer on tap, from the White Gypsy brewery in nearby Templemore.
When it first opened in 1832, Gus O’Connor’s was another tiny spot. In fact, it could hold only 20 customers... Now it’s a powerhouse in Doolin on the Wild Atlantic Way, and has firmly established itself in the trad music scene with its legendary sessions. Join the party and fall in love with the magic of Gus O’Connors.
2. Sean’s Bar, County Westmeath Over 1200 years old, Sean’s Bar has aged well. Located on the banks of the River Shannon, its owners are immensely proud of the part they’ve played in the Athlone
3. Mary McBride’s, County Antrim Named for its original owner, Mary McBride, this was once the smallest pub on the island of Ireland, measuring only 5 x 9 ft! Thankfully, it’s not such a tight squeeze anymore, as they’ve since expanded with a bar and cosy restaurant. If you’re a Game of Thrones® fan, you’ll love this place even more as it is home to one of 10 intricately carved wooden doors, which were created when the famous Kingsroad trees fell in a storm.
5. McConville’s, County Armagh McConville’s has been a stalwart of main street Portadown since the 1800s, and its moulded ceilings, etched glass and Victorian tiled flooring all add to this pub’s charms. Just outside Belfast, it’s believed that some of its oak fixtures are modelled after the Titanic. Make sure to grab a seat in one of the original wooden snugs (private seating areas) – you even have a button that you can press to tell staff that you need a refill! Source : Ireland.com CELTIC CANADA | SPRING 2020
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30 Years
To Dublin I
arrived in Canada from Ireland on July 15, 1989 just before I was 18. I was always a lover of music and lyrics; I could hear a song and be transplanted back in time. For those first few years being pulled back to Ireland when a song came on the radio could be bitter sweet. I never imagined that I would take those memories and share them in a book, and certainly not a book of poetry. My recently published book, 30 years to Dublin, is largely a reflection of growing up in the 70s and 80s in Ireland and the transition to life in Canada. The Ireland I grew up in would look nothing like the Hollywood portrayals of it with rolling green hills and epic sweeping landscapes. It looked more like a Roddy Doyle novel, life on a housing estate, unemployment, poverty, heroin epidemics. I now live in the town of Acton with my wife and two daughters. I commute to
Toronto everyday for work as a Carpenter. It has been a long path and I bounced around doing a bit of everything before becoming a Carpenter. In 1981 when I was 10 a fatal fire took place at the Stardust nightclub, the fire devastated Dublin, with most of the dead coming from Artane, Kilmore and greater Coolock. My cousin was lost that night along with 47 others. This is just one of the memories that I began to write about 7 years ago. As the stardust anniversary comes and goes each year I think of my cousin and her family, this year I am sharing with the readers of this magazine a little of my story and this poem. Forty-eight young spirits out for fun on Saint Valentines Eve. Forty-eight sets of hopes and dreams torn asunder. No one in the city is untouched by the Banshees keen. Forty-eight tombstones for future generations to ponder. Saturday and the news washes over a stunned nation intently listening. Solemn visits begin to relatives across the north and south of the city. The hardest news is heard, Sandra is missing. Brave faces conceal what they already know in their hearts. A statement that forever changes things. Families pull together to hope against hope.
Soon enough word comes from Coroner’s Court. Cold clinical dental records confirm that all is lost. The family gathers now to mourn the loss of one of its own. At the graveside Granda stands watching his son bury his child, He stands stoic, unable, though he wants to, undo what is done. The coastal winds blow, cutting at mourners faces, unrepentant and wild. This scene is played out another forty-seven times. It need not have happened!t I’ll say it, greed always succeeds. They were trapped by an inferno behind chained doors. Generations later and the innocent are still paying. Monuments were erected to pay them tribute. Politicians talk of inquiries, to this day. On and on they drone, but the fact remains, they never came home. Forty eight beds made-up, forty eight still lie empty. Dara Nolan, 30 years to Dublin; an immigrants story available on Amazon
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The Irish Cookbook A rich collection of recipes for home cooks showcasing the true depth of Irish cuisine, its ingredients, and its fascinating history.
W
hen the first people migrated to Ireland around 10,000 years ago, they ate out of necessity. Yet, these first peoples ate food that we still encounter today: oysters, seaweed, nuts, berries, and fish; and brought with them knowledge and foods from other lands. Since then, Ireland continued to cement its gastronomic character as nations collided and combined—the Celts, Vikings, Normans, Anglo-Saxons, and later the English all brought with them their own culinary traditions.
Lamb, Mutton and Goat: Lamb Hotpot. Photography and Styling: Anita Murphy and Zania Koppe (page 263) In The Irish Cookbook (March 1, 2020; $49.95 US/$59.95 CAN; Hardback), acclaimed chef Jp McMahon masterfully brings these varied influences together, demonstrating the high quality of the ingredients that have been the backbone of Ireland’s cuisine, celebrating the unique culinary culture of the island, and honoring the historical roots of its hearty flavors. Several years in the making, The Irish Cookbook contains more than 500 homecooking recipes. McMahon undertook the mammoth task of bringing together hundreds of authentic Irish recipes into one impressive volume: he sought out and adapted old recipes, drew on the wealth of archival material available in the National Library of Ireland, and trawled through the books of Ireland’s best food writers, 18
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pulling together classic dishes, seeking out lost recipes, and learning about the uses of ancient ingredients. The featured dishes have been organized into 15 chapters by ingredient: eggs and dairy; vegetables; shellfish; freshwater and saltwater fish; poultry; wild game; boar and pork; lamb, mutton, and goat; beef; breads, scones, and crackers; cakes, pastries, biscuits, and desserts; pickling and preservation; stocks, sauces, and condiments; and drinks, shrubs, and syryps. The Irish Cookbook spotlights both authentic traditional recipes such as Colcannon, Bacon and Cabbage, Coddle, Dingle Pies, Soda Bread, Gur Cake, and Barm Brack as well as fresh new takes on classic dishes or native ingredients, such as Oysters with Wild Garlic Butter; Baby Carrots with Buttermilk and Tarragon Oil; Crab Claws with Seaweed and Samphire; and Chicken with Morels and Cider. The Irish Cookbook also includes an index of the wild Irish herbs, plants, seaweeds, and fungi that McMahon values for their culinary uses. These ingredients have been a common thread in Irish cuisine through the ages, and though some may only be found in a particular part of Ireland, reading about them will add depth to any understanding of the history and development of Irish food, and should inspire readers to look differently
Cakes, Pastries, Biscuits and Desserts: Buttermilk and Elderflower Tart. Photography and Styling: Anita Murphy and Zania Koppe (page 327)
at their own food culture and cooking. With beautifully evocative images of over 120 recipes and landscapes, and exquisitely designed with a rich mossy color palette, The Irish Cookbook vividly evokes the warmth, hospitality, and culinary spirit of the Emerald Isle.
About the Author Jp McMahon is a Galway, Ireland-based chef, restaurateur, author, food educator, and thought leader. He is Culinary Director of the award-winning EATGalway Restaurant Group, which includes Aniar Restaurant, Cava Bodega, and Tartare Café + Wine Bar. Aniar Restaurant has been awarded a Michelin star every year since 2013, and Tartare Café + Wine Bar received a Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand Award for 2019 and retained the award for 2020. McMahon also runs Aniar Boutique Cookery School and is the Symposium Director for Food On The Edge, the much talked about, two-day, global food convention that has taken place annually in Galway since 2015. He also writes a weekly column for The Irish Times.
Shela-Na-Gig Sacred Celtic Images of Feminine Divinity By Jack Roberts
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heeta-na-gig, the squatting, bald woman with comically large ears holding herself open in the most blatant way has long been a figure of mystery throughout Ireland where the stone carvings are most prevalent. A multiplicity of theories have left Sheela-na-gigs the subject of curiosity and fodder for novelist, artists and musicians. Researcher Jack Roberts has spent decades documenting and discovering Sheela-na-gigs in all her incarnations. His work places them as a critical element of Gaelic and Celtic culture at the crossroads of the Christian conversion of Ireland. This rigorous survey shows they are neither graven images nor warnings against women as the source of lust but highly spiritual images of female divinity and power. Roberts takes readers to the Ireland of the Middle Ages, a land filled with mystery, conflict, and contradictions as he brings the world in which the Sheela-na-gig thrived. This edition is filled with rare images allowing readers to immerse themselves into this magical world. This edition includes recent discoveries, historical timelines and a phonetic pronunciation guide to Irish Gaelic names and phrases.
“...Look at these, my child-bearing hips Look at these, my ruby red ruby lips Look at these, my work strong arms and You’ve got to see my bottle full of charm I lay it all at your feet...” Sheela-naGig by PJ Harrey
Author Bio Jack Roberts was born in southern England and moved to the south of lreland in the early 1970s. His interest in ancient Irish archaeology began in the late 1970s as he worked on a significant archaeological project in the Boyne Valley. His work there and on related monuments earned him credit as co-researcher in the classic book on Irish archeology, The Stors & the Stones by Martin Brennan. He published a precursor study on Sheela-na-gigs with Joanne McMahon in 2001.
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Hitching for Hope Hitching for Hope (May 2020) is a modern travel tale—part personal pilgrimage, part political quest—that captures the power of human resilience
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“McKiernan sticks his thumb out, and somehow a healthy dose of humanity manages to roll up alongside him... This book is a paean to nuance, decency, and possibility.”
uairí McKiernan is a popular podcaster, renowned social campaigner, TEDx speaker, and was recently named one of the top 10 changemakers in Ireland. He is also ~Colum McCann, National Book Award winner and New York Times the European Director bestselling author of Let the Great World Spin and Apeirogon for Colum McCann’s NYC-based organization Narrative 4 where he serves as an empathy ambassador, using stories to help shatter stereotypes, break down barriers, and ultimately - make the world a better place. In his new book, McKiernan embarks on a hitchhiking odyssey with no money, no itinerary, and no idea where he might end up each night. His mission: to give voice to a people emerging from one of the most painful periods of economic and social turmoil in Ireland’s history, known as the Celtic Tiger economy. Engaging, provocative, and sincere, Hitching for Hope is an inspirational manifesto for hope and healing in troubled times.
“A breath of fresh air, awakening us to the adventures in store when we embark beyond well-trod routines into new encounters.” ~Joanna Macy, author of Coming Back to Life
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CELTIC CANADA | SPRING 2020
A Chairde,
from Irish Ambassador to Canada Mr. Jim Kelly
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am delighted to once again send St. Patrick’s Day greetings to the readers of Celtic Canada magazine. St. Patrick’s Day, our National Day, is a proud occasion for Irish people, and in particular for our Irish diaspora around the world. Every March 17th, we gather to proclaim our Irish heritage and identity, and to celebrate the best of what Ireland has to offer. The popularity and reach of St. Patrick’s Day here in Canada is evident in the countless wonderful celebrations and festivities which take place across the country throughout the month of March. With events ranging from film festivals to parades, there is something for everyone who wishes to
celebrate their Irish heritage. I would like to take this opportunity to offer my sincere thanks to the teams of community volunteers all across the country who organise so many joyous celebrations of Irish culture and identity from St. John’s to Victoria Island, and all points in between! I hope that you enjoy the festivities and wish you all a very Happy St. Patrick’s Day. Beannachtai na Féile Pádraig oraibh go léir. Jim Kelly Ambassador of Ireland
Celebrating Canadian Celtic Heritage
The Celtic Maple Leaf Collection A wonderful gift for a host of occasions for that special person in your life! Each hand crafted piece symbolizes your heritage. The Maple Leaf, Canada’s National Symbol surrounds the Celtic Knot a symbol of Celtic ancient culture. Each piece is individually handcrafted by an Irish Silversmith deeply rooted with Canadian presence forged in Canada. Crafted from sterling silver, Hallmarked 925. With 3 keepsakes to collect (Earrings, Pendant & Cuff Links) with a retail price range at $49.99 to $99.00 plus shipping... reserve yours today!
celticcanada.com/celtic-maple-leaf-collection/ CELTIC CANADA | SPRING 2020
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Mundy! I
n 1993 aged 18, Mundy moved to Dublin from his home town Birr, Co.Offaly. He began busking and frequenting Dublin’s open mike circuit. After a break up with a girlfriend he penned some of his most loved songs like ‘Gin and Tonic Sky’ and ‘To you i Bestow’ (which later featured on Baz Luhrmann’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’ movie soundtrack). It was these first songs that drummed up massive interest from a lot of major Record Labels in the U.K and that’s how Mundy ended up getting signed to Sony’s Epic Records. Jelly Legs was released in October 1996. He also signed a publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music. Since 1996 Mundy has released 8 Albums showcasing his eclectic styles in music from Rock,Americana, Folk and Indie. Six of these albums have been in the Top Ten in Ireland
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including ‘Raining Down Arrows’ which went straight in at number 1! Mundy has enjoyed gold and multi platinum record sales in Ireland and also picked up Meteor awards for ‘Best Male’ and ‘Most Downloaded Song’ (for 2 years running) with Steve Earle’s ‘Galway Girl’. He recorded the song live with Sharon Shannon with no plan or agenda…and the rest as they say is History! Mundy tours both solo and with his band and has played all over Ireland, U.K, Europe, Asia, Australia, USA and Canada He has played support to many of his favourite acts like Bob Dylan, Neil Young,
Lucinda Williams, Emmylou Harris, R.E.M, White Stripes, The Waterboys and the Pogues to name a few heavy weights. After a last minute promotion to Headline Act at Webster Hall in New York at a fundraiser, he was invited to perform for Barack Obama at the White House as part of their St.Patrick’s Day celebrations and even got his picture taken with Barack and his Wife for the second time! The first time was in Dublin on their first visit. What does the future hold for the Singer Songwriter? “Well, I’ve written a lot of new songs, some that are going down great live and i have more than enough for an album, but i am waiting to meet the right Doctor to do the operation with. I am in the process of making an E.P with Producer and old friend, Karl Odlum (Mic Christopher, Gemma Hayes, The Frames, Interference) for a 2020 release” he says confidently. Mundy playing with a full Canadian band. The other two acts on the night are Donna O and Michael D’Arcy. Tickets are $25 from Eventbrite.ca or $30 on the night. Mundy will be joining his friend Irish Mythen on her tour as Special Guest in Alberta and British Columbia.
Irish Mythen I
rish Mythen was born in Ireland and now resides in Charlottetown Prince Edward Island Canada. “This Island creates music and musicians, art and artists. I found a shift to take things more seriously when I moved here.” And she did just that. Her latest release, Little Bones, gained her recognition around the globe, including a 2020 JUNO nomination for Contemporary Roots Album of the Year, seven Music PEI 2020 nominations and two wins — Touring Artist of the Year and Roots Contemporary Recording of the Year, and a Canadian Folk Music Nomination for Solo Artist of the Year. Her previous self-titled album, Irish Mythen, garnered awards and nominations from Music PEI, East Coast Music Association, Folk Alliance International and SOCAN. Write-ups in Australian Guitar Magazine, Rollingstone and a plethora of other print and online media world wide have helped plant Irish firmly on the map of Must-See Artists. Irish’s live performances are a thing of raw power, emotion and a connection with her audience that just has to be seen to be believed.
Recent Highlights Juno Awards 2020 - Contemporary Roots Album of the Year nomination Canadian Folk Music Awards 2020 - Solo Artist of the Year nomination Music PEI Awards 2020 - nominated in seven categories; two wins
2015 - Irish Mythen 2012 - Open Here 2009 - Sweet Necessity 2006 - Fallen Here
They Said about Irish I had no idea what to expect when this five foot nothing lady took the stage, all smiles and twinkling eyes and guitar. Then, she opened her mouth and out flew a voice that came straight from the Heavens with all the power and the glory and the truth of someone destined to be a singer. I’ve been blessed with seeing and hearing a lot of talented musicians in my life, but I have never experienced anyone quite like Irish Mythen. She is a force of nature and a gift from Almighty Herself. ~ Lisa Schwartz, Philadelphia Folk Festival
Irish Mythen is one of the few performers I have seen who bowls me over each time I see her, she makes me cry with her poignant lyrics and passionate vocals and makes me laugh with her cheeky Irish banter, I love her work and cannot understand why the whole world doesn’t agree with me. Now living in Prince Edward Island in Canada, Mythen has played worldwide and at last seems to be gaining the recognition she deserves. ~ Rachel Griffin, Brighton and Hove News
I was amazed at your ability to hold such a massive crowd as if it were a tiny one. ~ Dougie MacLean, Artist
Concert at the Sydney Opera House 2017 Australian Tour with Melissa Etheridge 2016 Saturday night main stage Bluesfest in Australia 2016 and 2017 Closing the Philadelphia Folk festival 2016 Winner of Roots Album of the year East Coast Music Awards 2016 Nominated for international folk artist of the year by FAI 2017 Discography 2019 - Little Bones
By vote, the three most requested artists to return to Mariposa Folk Festival have been 1) Joni 2) Gordon, and 3) Irish Mythen ~ Mike Hill, AD Mariposa Folk Festival CELTIC CANADA | SPRING 2020
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Did Celts Invade England in 1066? By Anthony Murphy Barrett
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NA results from one particular 2,500-year-old Celtic tribe is challenging established English history. Author Anthony Murphy Barrett has discovered a revealing pattern of 400 surnames associated with an Irish sea-faring people which recorded history says should not be associated with Normans. Barrett claims many Norman surnames are turning out to be of Irish, Scottish and Welsh origins. This conclusion comes after a 6-year study on Celtic DNA Tribe R1b-L513 first discovered by genetic researchers in 2011. There is a clear double-migration pattern moving from Brittany, France around 50 BC to Ireland, Scotland and eventually Wales, before returning to Brittany around 500 AD. This is then repeated through England during the Norman invasion, says Barrett, who is a historical researcher, journalist, and author. Traditional historians say a “migration” of Celts into Brittany between 400 to 800 is the result of Britons (from Britain) fleeing from Saxon invasion. However, Barrett points to Gary D. German at the Centre de Recherche Bretonne et Celtique’s report entitled, Breton Patronyms and the British Heroic Age. It states that ancient Breton (from Brittany) names don’t reflect history’s assessment. German states that, considering the warlike nature of these names, the overwhelming evidence concludes that these peoples were certainly not fleeing the Anglo-Saxons as is so often repeated in history books but were, in fact, invading Brittany. Part of the historical confusion is the repeated suggestion that they all come from Britain. DNA results now clearly show a strong flow of Irish, Scottish; as well as Welsh Britons invade Brittany around 500. When you follow Breton names to modern surnames, they follow the same DNA pattern, says Barrett. Both sexes have Y Chromosome DNA and Mitochondrial DNA, but only men pass on their Y Chromosomes to their sons and only women pass on their Mitochondrial DNA 24
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to their daughters. Through science we can follow generations of ancestors from either the male or female ancestral branches. “The Tribe Within” follows men’s Y Chromosomes to connect the science with surnames since both follow a male lineage. Studying surname history is like looking at the back of a deck of cards, Barrett says. You can’t take a surname at face value but must turn the card over (using DNA) to see whether it is a diamond, club, heart or spade. DNA gives us opportunity to reveal the “suit” or tribe, along with matching surnames, which in turn, allows us to build patterns, cultures of behavior and location or movement of people. When you line up surnames with the same tribe (or haplogroup, in this case R1b-L513) and search all various surname histories to find common threads, you find repeating locations and can track down families where they intersect historically – in this case, around the time of the Norman Conquest. This is relevant as this same haplogroup pattern returns back to the British Isles after their ancestors invaded Brittany 500 years earlier, he says. The strongest evidence begins in Ireland. Barrett says that his study is further supported by Brad Larken’s study called “DNA vs Irish Annals”, published in 2014 (updated in 2017). Larkin states that a branch of R1b-L513 are the Dál Riata from north-east Ireland and Dalriada of western Scotland. Larkin is one of the first to identify tribes using DNA markings. His report compares DNA with surnames, their locations and with historically recorded Irish annals. Barrett says, well documented names from the Dalriada kingdom around 6th to 9th Centuries, within the family R-L513, include: Ferguson, Beatty, Duncan, Findley, Gordon, McGregor (a.k.a. Murray), McCloud/McLeod, McDonald, McIntosh, McNabb, McAdams, McAffee, McAdoo, McAuley, MacLean\McLean, MacMhathain, (Matheson), and Mathews of the Dalriada
[all R-L513, Subgroup A1] along with Buchanan [R-L513, Subgroup A2], MacDougall [R-L513, Subgroup B2] Nesbitt [R-L513, Subgroup D1] and Downie [RL513, Subgroup D2]. Moving to Brittany, the Bretons’ alliance with Norsemen of Normandy, France in the year 1000 gave them an opportunity to participate in the up coming invasion of Saxon England. However, given the multitude of R-L513 surnames coming from this well documented event, Barrett suggests their participation was far greater than previously recognized. Most historians record Bretons as representing about 15 – 20% but Barrett’s research suggests it is more equal to the Norse-Norman contribution. He uses William of Poitiers’ 11th Century book, “Life of William the Conqueror”, to support his DNA findings. The book paints an eye-opening picture of Breton warriors, says Barrett. From Poitiers’ book: Brittany, a vast country which, more than it is possible to imagine, is populated by an incredible number of warriors. This large population devotes itself principally to the warfare and horsemanship; they neglect the cultivation of fields. They nourish themselves with abundant quantities of milk but eat very little bread. Fertile pasturelands nourish their herds, vast tracts of land for harvests are practically unknown. As Poiters points out, while most Normans will be harvesting their fall crops, Bretons are more available to participate in an Autumn invasion of England as they don’t have fields to harvest. History has conveniently lumped them all together to call them “Normans” but Bretons were very different in culture, language and politics. Most remarkable, Barrett suggests, is that these Bretons knew their Irish, Scottish or Welsh ancestry. This is seen by the repeated symbols they used. He discovered the ermine symbol is much older than previously recorded and has been used in Ireland long before it became a symbol of Breton independence. It was used in Ireland before
the 6th Century and may go back to ancient origins of R-L513 from the Veneti tribe of Brittany, France in the time of Julius Caesar, around 50 BC. At first, Barrett thought because there are so many R-L513 families involved in the Saxon invasion, the Irish, Scottish and Welsh R-L513 surnames were of Viking or Norman lineage since Norse heritage will find its way to these countries. But there is a separate Irish R-L513 clan who are well documented over 1,200 years and who lived in isolated bays of Kerry, Ireland which clinched its Celtic origin. These people on the south shore of Dingle Bay chose the name of an ancestor called Seaghdha to become Clan Ua Seaghdha, giving rise to the current Irish surname of O’Shea [R-L513, Subgroup O1]. Their isolation in the far south-west is reflected in their DNA as O’Sheas from Kerry carry perhaps the highest concentration of R-L513s among surnames. O’Shea, along with Ua Congaile or O’Connell/McConnell [R-L513, subgroup O1], are long noted in Ireland from recorded history linking them to the Corcu Duibne. Family researcher James O’Shea states on his website, that the Corcu Duibne developed Ireland’s first form of writing, the Ogham script. It was introduced to west Ireland by this group since about a third of all Ogham writing is found on their lands. This physical evidence of writing on stone is dated back to the 1st Century AD. Irish annals record the Corcu Duibne as a branch of the Dáirine tribe which also supports Barrett’s DNA findings.
the Saxon invasion. Adam Fitz Hugh will be his descendant. His descendant is Adam de Glendonwyn of Ravensworth. His family will take the various names of Glendinning, Glendennin, Clendennin and Clendaniel [R-L513, Subgroup A1] as they settle in Scotland.
This flag is from Clan Campbell [R-L513, Subgroups A1, E1, K1], perhaps the ancestral flag-bearers of the Dalriada of Scotland. Note red and gold colors (the same colors as the Breton fireplace mantle) and the distorted black ermine symbols. This matches DNA findings of Clan Campbell and Breton families of the Rohan region. Image: Wikipedia.
Phillips Welsh
Coat of arms of modern surname Pritchard, family from Wales [R-L513 Subgroup K1] (left). Ermine symbols on rampant lion in black and white : reverse of Walkenline de Ferrers’ coat of arms (right), father of Henri de Ferrers BretonNorman (modern surname Wilson [R-L513 Subgroup K1]). Images: Wikipedia.
Phillips: [R-L513, B2 origin Dáirine tribe of Ireland] is not native to Wales but migrated from Ireland around 325. According to Welsh genealogy, Philips comes from west Wales. Members of this family will invade Brittany around 500.
D’Aubigny Breton Crawford Breton This artwork is on the main chimney within Josselin Castle, Brittany, built by the House of Rohan a thousand years ago. Image displays red and gold diamond-shaped or lozenges crest, the Rohan emblem; while a crest includes the black on white Breton symbol. The letters on the fireplace are the family motto: “A Plus”, meaning “Beyond Rohan.” Image: Wikipedia.
Crawford: [R-L513, Subgroup A1 origin Dalriada of Scotland] Historian William Anderson is credited in identifying Alain Le Roux’s (Breton general at the Battle of Hastings) descendant, grandson Gregan de Crawford [R-L513, A1]. Alain Le Roux’s father was Count Odo de Penthièvre of Brittany. Odo’s other son is Bardolf de Ravensworth, of Yorkshire, England after
D’Aubigny: [R-L513, B2 origin Dáirine tribe of Ireland] This is a later group of families from the same ancestry as Phillips. The House of d’Aubigny of Brittany which develop surnames of Walsh, Welsh, Welch, and Barrett, from this subgroup, will invade England in 1066 returning to Wales and eventually Ireland.
Continued on page 26
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Continued from page 25 – DID
CELTS INVADE ENGLAND IN 1066?
Heron Irish Heron: [R-L513, B2 Dáirine tribe of Ireland] St. Ciarán was born in the 4th Century at a place now known as “St. Ciarán’s Strand”, near Cape Clear Island in south-west Ireland. He established the monastery of Seir-Kieran, the central monastery of Ossory. Irish annals speak of one man who is a servant to St. Ciarán. His name is Mac Giolla Chiarain. Over the centuries this surname will evolve, according to Irish history, to the surname Herron. This family will remain in Ireland.
Duff Irish Duff: [R-L513, Subgroup A1] The O’Dubhda line continues down to Sen Bhrian from the Clann Donogh O’Dubhda. O’Dubhda has a long history in the Kingdom of Bréifne. In 790, according to Irish records, the line began with Cormacc mac Duibh (Duff) Dá Críoch. Tiernan: [R-L513, Subgroup A2] Both Tiernan and Duff are from the ancient Vennicnii tribe from Donegal. Tighearnán is followed by Ruarc mac Tighearnáin (Tiernan) who will be grandfather to Sean Fergal who will become King of Bréifne in 964. According to the Guild of Name 26
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Newton: [R-L513, Subgroup A1] Begins with Henry de Beaumont, 1st Earl of Warwick who is born around 1050. He was overshadowed by his elder brother, but was granted by his father one of his lesser lordships in Normandy, the lordship of Le Neubourg, 10 kms from Beaumont-leRoger, from which his own family adopted the surname Anglicized to “de Newburgh or Newtown” which would evolve to Newton.
Tiernan Irish Studies: Fitzpatrick [R-L513, Subgroups A2 and D2] is also from the Briéfne Irish; the two distinct groups, one related to Clan Maguire [R-L513, Subgroups A2]; and the other to Clan O’Rourke [R-L513, Subgroups D2] are centuries earlier than their BretonNorman descendants. The Guild’s surname research lines up perfectly with DNA.
Stewart: [R-L513, Subgroup A1] It is now historically accepted that Alan FitzFlaad of Dol, Brittany is the ancestral origin of Stewarts of Scotland. Alan’s son, Walter, will be the steward for the king of Scotland and thus the Stewart name came into being. Walter has a half brother, Flaad FitzAlan of Monmouth, Wales. Flaad FitzAlan is another son of Alan FitzFlaad or “Little Alan”, becoming Alan Little. The Little family [RL513, Subgroup A1] ancestry source states Little is also a neighbor of Walter and joins him in Scotland. The Littles, Lytles, etc. will settle on the southern borders of Scotland.
Butler: [R-L513, Subgroup D2] Another well documented and famous family begins in Kerlouan, Finistere, Brittany and is first documented in 979. The family may have migrated to the Cotentin peninsula to take land ownership of county Eu in Normandy. This family’s name begins with Gilbert FitzGilbert de Brionne, Count of Eu. He is a steward to Duke Alan of Brittany in Dol, Brittany. According to Geni.com his descendants will be: Richard FitzGilbert de Clare, seigneur de Bienfaite et d’Orbec (born around 1024); next is Gilbert FitzRichard, Lord of Clare, Tonbridge, and Cardigan Wales (born 1065); then Hervey De Clare (born 1100); Hervey Walter de Weeton (born 1130); and his son Theobald “le Boteler” (Butler) FitzWalter. The Butler family will be numerous in Ireland and Great Britain. Barrett invites readers to explore the origins of 400 R-L513 surnames associated with this tribe in his new ebook. “The Tribe Within” is available for free to Celtic Canada readers by following this link: https://www. smashwords.com/books/view/401207 Enter passcode: RW100 at the time of on-line purchase for a free copy. All images: Wikipedia.
The Stewart checkerboard on its coat of arms (left) with blue, yellow and white colors are also in the modern town crest of Dol, Brittany (2nd crest). Coat of Arms of Henry de Beaumont of Warwick (3rd crest). This crest has the same checkerboard design as Stewart’s coat and colors of House of Dol. The 4th crest is from Theobald Walter, the ancestor to the surname Butler.
“God’s Stamp on Ireland”
The Emery Celtic Cross, Killea, County Donegal, Ireland
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his giant 100 meter long cross is now known as the “Emery Celtic Cross” which is proudly named after its creator Liam Emery. Liam intelligently planted 2 different species of pine trees in the shape of this giant Celtic cross design 10 years ago in these woods of Donegal. The reason being that the outer trees are evergreen and don’t drop their needles during Autumn but the trees used for the actual cross design are not evergreen & turn a golden colour right before they drop their needles for the cold seasons ahead. After a decade of this forestry secretly growing all the same colour, it was only a few years ago that these trees finally matured
enough to shed their needles during autumn. This hidden wonder became visible for the first time & the “Emery Celtic Cross” was first sighted by local passenger plane pilots who believed it to be an actual miracle of some form! Unfortunately Mr Liam Emery passed away 7 years ago and never got to witness his stunning creation expose itself, but I’m sure he is now smiling from ear to ear with pride when he stares down from heaven at his now miracle famous “Emery Celtic Cross” We thank you for this lasting Legacy Liam, you have certainly helped God put a stamp on Ireland.
Photo Credit: Gareth Wray
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Irish Style By Shauna Dickson
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t. Patrick’s Day is an enchanting time, a day to begin transforming winters dreams into summers magic - an anonymous quote that certainly hits the nail on the head. It’s our first wake up call from a cold and dark winter. Gathering together, singing songs and wearing green on this magical day is perhaps foreshadowing the spring days to come with the birds chirping their own tunes and colourful gardens coming into bloom. It’s only right then one could argue that the best way to enter into this new season is through a pop of colour, new textures to savour and of course a few Irish garments to transition us all between seasons in the most tender way possible. Filling our closets with beautiful merino
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wool and luxurious cashmere is easily done with so many stylish options coming out of the Emerald Isle. The centering thought around the 2020 collection from luxury brand Ireland’s Eye Knitwear is to just breathe, go back to basics and truly appreciate the beauty in every moment. Which, judging by the pieces they’ve created makes plenty of room to do so. Classic aran stitching fused with simple and contemporary sweaters are what sets this collection apart from the rest. With their colour choices of vibrant pinks, greens and terracotta to mimic a lush Irish garden, their pieces will surely liven up any dull day. Throw
on one of their simple cardigans over cotton trousers or skirt on those days where it feels like winter hasn’t quite disappeared and you’ll feel like you’re wrapped in an Irish hug. It’s back to basics for menswear this spring, however this doesn’t mean the extra luxurious merino jumpers aren’t something special. The charcoal greys, earthy greens and warm russet oranges are something to take notice of, not only because of their hues but the designs they adorn. From contemporary lightweight fine wool v necks to the traditional Fishermans quarter zip pullover, there’s something for every man in the 2020 range. For the classic Aran sweater lover, Aran Crafts Knitwear and Aran Woollen Mills provide the most beautiful zip and button cardigans, sweater coats and polo neck fisherman sweaters. Breathable fabrics like merino wool are only getting softer as time goes on, making these old favourites even more enjoyable as every day staples. Of course a good Irish tweed can’t be left out when mentioning classic Irish style. Jack Murphy truly showcases the best of Irish tweeds with the most flattering shapes and youthful colours in their ladies jacket collection. If you add anything to your personal collection this spring, let it be one of their short or long jackets. The divine styling and unmatched quality with a price tag that is hard to beat won’t leave you feeling disappointed. So whether you decide to go out on the town and wear green head to toe, or simply stay home with a nice Irish coffee in hand, celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in your authentic Irish garb is the best way to bring some spring to your step! Lá Fhéile Pádraig sona duit!
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Trip idea: flavours of
Ireland’s Ancient East G
et the inside scoop on food and drink from the fertile Boyne Valley down to Ireland’s sunny south east
Immerse yourself in Ireland’s traditions of food and hospitality. Start your journey in the historic surrounds of the Boyne Valley. Then follow your appetite for adventure on a trail that takes you to historic distilleries in the midlands and the dynamic food scenes of Kilkenny, Tipperary and Cork. Finish up by exploring the coastal communities and agricultural heritage of Waterford, Wexford and Wicklow. Ready for a taste sensation?
The Boyne Valley The Boyne Valley’s 5,000-year-old Brú na Boinne was a legendary centre of hospitality in Celtic mythology, and the locals haven’t lost their touch.
to neighbouring County Cavan or County Monaghan for their great farmers’ markets and food festivals.
A: Drogheda’s bounty, brews and botanicals One of Ireland’s oldest towns and a 19th-century centre of brewing, Drogheda has become a dynamic hub for Ireland’s contemporary craft brewing, cider-making and distilling scene. The Boyne Brewhouse and its sister Boann Distillery are building an ambitious visitor centre and tap room. For now, you can sample their brews at the stylish Eastern Seaboard Restaurant – or perhaps enjoy an aperitif featuring locallyproduced Dan Kelly’s Cider – while grazing on the best eats of the area, such as brown crab from blue flag shores. North of the town, visitors to Listoke Distillery and Gin School can take home their very own botanical-infused creation. If you have more time: Head westwards 30
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beef at Browne’s Bar or the Gandon Room Restaurant. You can glamp onsite at the bucolic Rock Farm Slane, which also offer self-guided electric bike tours to awardwinning cheese-makers, farmers and farmhouse cider producers within the Slane Food Circle. If you have more time: Pride of place is top of the bill at the Vanilla Pod Restaurant in Kells, a short hop from the headquarters of Sheridan’s Cheesemongers and its Saturday food market.
Midlands magic B: Slane’s eco-treats and castle tipples From Madonna to the Rolling Stones, who hasn’t played a concert in the idyllic grounds of Slane Castle? Ever the funloving innovators, the heirs to this stunning property have teamed up with the family behind Jack Daniels to create the impressive Slane Distillery: take a tour to sample their Triple-Casked Slane Irish Whiskey before dining on organic estate Dexter
A creative new food scene is winding through the medieval streets and lush landscapes of the midlands. C: T he future of distilling is at Tullamore D.E.W. Head over to Tullamore D.E.W. Distillery in County Offaly. Named after stable-boyturned-distillery-owner, Daniel E Williams, the distillery first opened in Tullamore town
a smorgasbord of deliciousness on its doorstep. Enjoy the picturesque Goatsbridge Trout Farm visitor centre, Michelin-starred
in 1829, but you wouldn’t know it as you step inside – not a musty barrel in sight, this is futuristic distilling at its finest. Take a tour of the original 19th century warehouse and learn about each stage of the whiskey making craft, where you will have the chance to create your own unique blend before the day is over! And if you want to learn more about Ireland’s whiskey, Kilbeggan Distillery – the oldest licenced distillery of its kind on the island – is just a 15-minute drive away.
D: A city to savour Kilkenny has many talents, including being a fabulous food destination. Local treasures like the Michelin-starred Campagne and Cake Face Patisserie (a cosy bakery with a state-of-the-art lab) are reason enough for the coveted title, even before you add gastropubs such as Paris Texas and the harvest-time Savour Kilkenny food festival. The Smithwick’s Experience and Sullivan’s Taproom offer insight into the city’s brewing past and present. Quench your thirst at Highbank Orchards, Ireland’s smallest distillery, where you can sample a range of ciders, spirits, juices and liqueurs that have made this organic orchard a local treasure. E: Culinary creativity at Thomastown Thomastown’s thriving creative community of artists, writers and musicians have long made this an attractive town to visit – but these days, its foodie credentials are just as strong. Home to the Thomastown School of Food, which offers short courses and a regular schoolyard market, it has
Lady Helen Restaurant at Mount Juliet Estate and Knockdrinna Farmhouse in Stoneyford, where one of Ireland’s most celebrated cheesemakers offers cheesemaking courses and runs a pretty café in her farm shop.
Tipperary and Cork Follow the journey of Ireland’s local produce all the way from farm to food vendor by meeting the makers in Cork and Tipperary.
F: Taste the landscape at Cashel Farmhouse Cheesemakers The green pastures of Ireland’s Ancient East have led to something delicious in County Tipperary – Cashel Blue cheese. Visit Cashel Farmhouse Cheesemakers and you can meet the makers, get an insight into how cheese develops and, of course, enjoy sampling the range of farmhouse cheeses. If you have more time: Add a sweet moment to your day with a visit to the Galtee Honey Farm where you can chat to the beekeepers, taste the local honeys and even don a bee suit if you’re feeling brave! G: Meet the vendors at The English Market Serving the city since 1788, the English Market in Cork city is filled with traditional tastes and exotic foods served with a local twist. Vendors sell creamy chocolates and cheeses, fresh fish, and bread straight out of the oven. There are incredible, sights, smells
and flavours at every turn – so walk the stalls, chat to the traders and sample all of the food that you possibly can!
If you have more time: When in Cork, you simply must add a visit to the Jameson Experience in Midleton to your itinerary. Just a half hour drive from Cork city, a tour will take you through whiskey production from field to glass.
The south east coast Seafood traditions served with a contemporary twist, the secret is out on the incredible food scene in Waterford and Wexford.
H: Fun is the flavour at Dungarvan Dubbed ‘Fungarvan’ by regulars at its annual West Waterford Festival of Food, Dungarvan is unmissable. Think crisp and fluffy chipper chips with the freshest hake battered to perfection at And Chips. Or glistening oysters harvested by Harty Oysters and served at The Tannery wine bar and restaurant. The Tannery Cookery School (with adjacent guesthouse), meanwhile, makes a stylish setting for learning insider skills from owner Paul Flynn, one of Ireland’s finest chefs. If you have more time: That glorious view from The Cliff House Hotel terrace and dining room in Ardmore makes an unforgettable backdrop for Martijn Kajuiter’s modern Irish cuisine.
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IDEA: FLAVOURS OF IRELAND’S ANCIENT EAST
I: Forging forwards at Waterford city One of Ireland’s oldest cities, this sea port has centuries of stories to tell. It’s signature bread roll – the blaa – was brought here by French Huguenots fleeing persecution, while Waterford crystal glassware has travelled to dining tables the world over. Today, the city’s stories are still unfolding. At Everett’s, you can adventure in modern Irish dining in the 15th-century wine cellars of the city’s most famous mayor, while Grow HQ is an inspiring spot to learn how to grow, cook and eat great food. At their bright café, sample Walsh’s bakehouse blaa or a Seagull Bakery sourdough sandwich bursting with fresh garden produce and washed down with Metalman craft beer.
J: E scape to the Hook Peninsula in Wexford For a tiny rural village at the mouth of the Three Sisters estuary, Arthurstown offers a wealth of delicious offerings. Overseen by chef-proprietor Kevin Dundon, Dunbrody House Hotel alone combines fine-dining at the Harvest Room Restaurant with an onsite cookery school, Champagne seafood lounge and craft brew pub boasting a Sunday market and jazz brunch. At Tintern Abbey, discover one of Ireland’s oldest pear trees in the 200-year old Colclough Walled Gardens (featured in Gallivanting Tours’ Ireland’s Ancient Feasts tour, along with Ballyhack Smokehouse) or explore Hook Head Lighthouse before feasting on toasted crab sandwiches or scones from their café’s in-house bakery.
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K: Sea-fresh food in Wexford town Besides being famous for its annual opera festival, Wexford town is a short drive from Kilmore Quay, where some of the best seafood in the country is landed – and its best-loved restaurants reflect this. At La Côte, Michelin-trained chef Paul Hynes brings new twists to classic fish dishes, while at Greenacres bistro and wine merchant you can sit amongst its well-stocked wine shelves and tuck into Wexford Mussels cooked in local Yellow Belly Beer. Just outside town, the excellent Kelly’s Café is a superb choice for breakfast, lunch or simply something sweet.
Wexford and Wicklow Step into a sweet-tasting paradise with a tour of the fruit farm, winery and chocolate haven of Wexford and Wicklow.
L: History and heritage in Enniscorthy Enniscorthy town is rich in history and filled with intriguing local food producers. Stroll uphill to The Wilds Café to sample some of the best, or head out to Wheelocks Café – a family-friendly fruit farm and – to pick your own punnet of sweet strawberries during the summer months. Better still, book a Gallivanting Gourmet Flour, Feathers & Fruit tour to meet the folks behind Wheelocks, Regans Organic Farm, and the 185-year-old Ballyminane Watermill, where flour is still stone-ground 3rd thirdgeneration miller, John Murphy. If you have more time: See Taste Wexford’s calendar of bookable events, including hands-on chocolate workshops at Bean and Goose.
M: P aradise at the Chocolate Garden of Ireland The Chocolate Garden of Ireland… sounds heavenly, doesn’t it? And the name doesn’t lie – nestled in rural bliss on the Carlow-Wicklow border, a visit here is paradise for anyone with a sweet tooth. Offering workshops where you can learn about all things chocolate and ice cream, you can see a chocolate making demonstration and even get to make your own chocolate to take home. This is everything you want in a chocolate experience and more! And, of course, tasting is all part of the pleasure at this award-winning artisan chocolate maker, so enjoy!
N: Wander Ireland’s first fruit winery A winery in Ireland? Yes, you’ve heard right! Take a personalised tour of Wicklow Way Wines and sample artisan wines made from local raspberries, strawberries, blackberries and elderberries. Once you taste them, you’ll want to bring a bottle home with you! Source : Ireland.com
Irish Person of the Year
I
n this the 30th year of
with the “Volunteer Toronto
the Toronto Irish
Legacy Award” and more
Person of the
recognition to those among us that have done so much for our community, or whose
recently the “Sovereign’s
achievements have brought us great pride.
Medal for Volunteers”,
No doubt many of the new arrivals passing
committee recently
from the Governor
through the doors of the ICIC will go forth
announced this year’s
General of Canada.
to emulate the good work of these fine Irish-
honoree as Dubliner,
Gerry will complete
Canadian men and women!
Mr. Gerry O’Connor
the Triple Crown
- as if those Dubs
when he is awarded
Year award, the IPOY
weren’t winning enough
the prestigious Irish
already!
Person of the Year
Gerry emigrated to
Congratulations to Gerry, his wife Mary
General Management. Since his retirement
and their entire
a few years ago, Gerry has given over a lot of
family on this richly
his time to volunteering – both in the Irish
deserved award! To mark the
primarily in the Philippines, with CESO
30th anniversary
(“Canadian Executive Services Overseas”);
of this award, the
in fact this past January, Gerry completed his
IPOY committee
30th tour of duty to that country.
– through the
Most notably from an Irish community
generous support of
perspective is the fact that for the 7 years
Mr. Oliver Murray
since the Irish Government opened its
- has commissioned
“Irish Canadian Immigration Centre” here
a ‘Scroll of Honour’,
in Toronto, Gerry has mentored hundreds
listing the names
of young Irish immgrants to this City,
of each of the
hosting a regular employment seminar at
honorees over
the ICIC; advising job seekers on matters
the past three
such as resumes, employment agencies, and
decades. Quite
introducing them to other Irish Canadians
appropriately this
in their respective fields. Gerry has made
Scroll will be on
a very tangible and practical contribution
permanent display
to helping many such new arrivals find
in the offices of
their feet in this City and for this reason,
the Irish Canadian
he is being admitted to our Community’s
Immigration
unofficial Hall of Fame.
Centre, to give
Gerry has previously been recognized
ipoytoronto@gmail.com.
honour on Sunday March 8th.
successful career in Human Resources and
Community here, and indeed further afield,
Person of the Year award in general please contact the IPOY Chair, Shane O’Neill, at
title at a luncheon in his
Toronto in 1971 and enjoyed a
For more information on the March 8th luncheon or for information on the Irish
permanent
ALAN G. McCONNELL B.A. (Hons.), M.A., LL.B. Barrister & Solicitor
Employment Law, Human Rights, Workers’ Compensation, Litigation, Real Estate Serving the Irish community since 1995 466 Dupont Street, Toronto, Ontario M5R 1W6 Tel. (416) 537-0108 x2 • Fax (416) 537-1604
alan@mcconnelllaw.ca www.mcconnelllaw.ca
CELTIC CANADA | SPRING 2020
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6 Irish Food Recipes Traditional Food with a Modern Twist
F
ood in Ireland is steeped in traditions of home-cooked classics and comforting favourites. These contemporary
1 Born and Braised Voted Northern Ireland’s signature dish and developed by leading chefs, Born and Braised (shin of Northern Irish beef served with beetroot and bone marrow gremolata) is a recipe packed with flavour and voted by the public as the epitome of Northern Ireland cuisine. Where to try: Look out for Born and Braised in restaurants across Northern Ireland. Or sample the work of its creators: Niall McKenna from James Street South in Belfast, Ian Orr from Browns Restaurant
2 Guinness bread From the home of the black stuff, we give you Guinness bread. Nothing says Ireland like brown soda bread, but combined with the rich taste of Guinness, this loaf is sure to leave you wanting more. Where to try: Head to the Brewer’s Dining Hall on the fifth floor of The Guinness Storehouse and pair this tasty bread with beef and Guinness stew. 34
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recipes preserve that sense of home and offer a whole new dimension to the taste buds
and Ardtara House in Derry~Londonderry and Chris McGowan from Wine and Brine in County Armagh. What’s nearby: Northern Ireland is packed with food festivals and exciting food trails. Discover food gems at St George’s Market, Belfast, eat like the ruler of the Seven Kingdoms on a Game of Thrones® Medieval Banquet Night experience at Castle Ward in County Down or take a ferry to Rathlin Island for the Rathlin Food Tour and immerse yourself in the traditions and tastes of this prehistoric volcanic isle off the Antrim coast.
What’s nearby: Take a tour around historic Kilmainham Gaol, scene of some of the most dramatic and tragic events in Ireland’s history. Or visit the National Museum of Ireland at Collins Barracks to see one of the world’s largest collections of Irish silver.
3 Lobster Lawyer When it comes to fresh seafood, Ireland’s coasts are laden with treasures delivered to shore daily. This Lobster Lawyer recipe by chef Aidan MacManus of the King Sitric in Howth is simple, luscious food at its best – caught daily by fishermen in Balscadden Bay, just outside the restaurant.
4 Chargrilled spring lamb chops with herb crushed Comber potatoes County Down is rightly proud of the Comber Earlies, potatoes, known for their nutty, sweet taste and EU Protected Georgraphical Indication status. So it’s hardly surprising that they are beloved of chefs who have a respect for tradition and a passion for innovation. Try this flavour-packed recipe from Balloo House chef Danny Millar.
Where to try: It would be rude to go anywhere but King Sitric, wouldn’t it? What’s nearby: You’re right in the heart of charming Howth village here, with its many seafood restaurants, bustling market and nearby medieval Howth Castle. Venture a little further and you can enjoy breathtaking views from the Howth Cliff Path Loop walk.
Where to try: Why, Balloo House, of course! This 400-year-old inn nestled in the County Down countryside delivers a wonderful mix of comfort and charm that nicely complements its award-winning food. What’s nearby: The town of Comber is situated on the northern end of Strangford Lough, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and a haven for nature lovers and foodies alike. Keep an eye out for turreted Scrabo Tower, a 125-foot-high charity monument offering astounding views of the lough and countryside.
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IRISH FOOD RECIPES
5 Bacon and cabbage terrine Any Irish person worth their salt has had more bacon and cabbage dinners than they care to remember, and this tasty staple meal is elevated to new heights thanks to The Olde Post Inn’s sophisticated recipe by head chef Gearoid Lynch. Even more impressive... it’s coeliac-friendly.
6 Rhubarb bread and butter pudding Although traditionally used in pies and crumbles, Irish cook, Darina Allen’s comforting combination is a warm and welcoming delight, merging the tart taste of rhubarb with the richness of cream and vanilla. Where to try: The celebrated Ballymaloe Cookery School in Shanagarry, County Cork, situated on its own 100 acre organic farm and offering courses centered on country cooking.
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Where to try: Go straight to the source – they know a thing or two about good food at the Olde Post Inn. What’s nearby: This part of County Cavan is an angler’s paradise with a multitude of lakes to choose from. Wander a little further afield and you can explore the stunning Crom Estate on the shores of Lough Erne – a jewel of the Fermanagh Lakelands.
What’s nearby: Ballynamona beach in Shanagarry is a wildlife haven and The Old Pottery by Stephen Pearce offers world-famous handcrafted designs from local craftspeople. Source : Ireland.com
HOP HOUSE 13 LAGER MORE TASTE. MORE CHARACTER.