Celtic Canada Fall Issue 2018

Fall 2018 $4.99

Hit Man Triumph’s

Gil Moore

celebrates over 40 years of making hits, recording hit songs for music icons, hitting the drums... and the links.

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Welcome to the Fall issue of

Celtic Canada!

W Eleanor Reynolds Publisher/Editor

TRIUMPH. His story from TRIUMPH to METALWORKS - Canada’s longest standing Recording Studio.

Delighted to share some wonderful articles such as Summerside’s New Celtic Performing Arts Centre Using Science to Accentuate Its Sensational Acoustics! It’s a technological marvel that not only

ECG www.ellie-corp.com Sales, Marketing & Creative Direction

celebrates all the disciplines taught at the College of Piping and Celtic Performing Arts of Canada, but

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wonderland, it has quickly become a go-to destination during the hot sunny months of summer too.

Contributors Paul Loftus Colin Barry Shauna Dickson Sinead Canavan Desiree Anstey Rory O’Donovan Rachael Hopwood Deirdre Slowey James Burt Ann Shortell Gerry Grennan Advertise Now Visit: www.celticcanada.com Email: info@celticcanada.com Call: 416-845-9900 Articles for submission Visit: www.celticcanada.com Email: info@celticcanada.com Subscribe Now Online: www.celticcanada.com 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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e are delighted to feature Gill Moore drummer and vocalist of the Canadian Rock Legends,

CELTIC CANADA | FALL 2018

represents the next chapter of cranking up the quality as well as the volume in Summerside, Prince Edward Island.

Fall into Whistler this Autumn, despite Whistler’s reputation as a world renowned winter But what about those months between sun and snow? We have a list of fun activities for you to enjoy.

This Autumn could possibly be the coziest yet as the fashion we are seeing from Irish designers are softer and lighter than ever check out fabulous designs inside!

Chef Stephen is sharing some grand recipes that are sure to tantalize your taste buds from GOATS’ CHEESE, POTATO & BACON SODA BREAD to SCALLOPS in pastry finishing off with LEMON AND POPPY SEED DRIZZLE CAKE! We hope you enjoy this issue as much as we have putting it together!

Come join us!!

Are you a member of a Celtic club or institution? Why not drop us a line. Are you in charge of a special Celtic event? Let us know. Do you own a Celtic business or provide a service that you would like to share with the 9 million Canadians claiming Celtic Heritage? Advertise with us.

If it’s Irish, Welsh, Scottish, Breton or Cornish, we want to know about it. If you have a Celtic related story, interview, review or production, we want to see it. Together we can build the most comprehensive multi-media platform for all things Celtic in Canada. Please join us on the journey.

6 Insta-worthy lighthouses around

F

Ireland

rom the shores of Ireland’s Ancient East and Northern Ireland to the magnificent coastline of the Wild Atlantic Way, light up your Instagram feed with these great lighthouses

Blackhead Lighthouse, County Antrim

today it has become a popular spot for people exploring with their cameras at the ready...

5. Blackhead Lighthouse, County Antrim (@alexandermorris) 3. S t John’s Point, County Down (@dub_lens) 1. Loop Head, County Clare (@shanemcg14) Loop Head Lighthouse’s humble beginnings are just one thing that makes this place so charming. Originally, a simple fire on the roof of the lighthouse keeper’s modest cottage was all that passing vessels could rely on for guidance away from the Loop Head Peninsula in County Clare. And it was locals that made the World War II navigation sign that lies sprawled across the grass. During war times these were used to inform pilots of their location while flying. It is said that nearly 80 of these signs were plotted, and today around 21 remain.

Not everything is black and white on the island of Ireland. This striking structure sits on the beautiful coastline of County Down and has been transformed recently into a wonderfully unique place to stay. Complete with books, board games and plenty of maritime paraphernalia, you can spend the evening in this cosy old lighthouse keeper’s home. Be soothed to sleep every night by the sound of the waves splashing against the rocks. We’re quite sure your followers will be green with envy!

4. H owth Lighthouse, County Dublin (@shotbymaguire) 2. Hook Lighthouse, County Wexford (@keith_walsh_agram) Tucked away along Ireland’s sunny southeast, you’ll find the oldest operational lighthouse in the world, County Wexford’s Hook Lighthouse. A must-visit in Ireland’s Ancient East, this monochrome lighthouse stands 36m high, offering breathtaking panoramic views to those determined enough to climb the 115 steps. Originally built as a warning beacon by the early Christian monks who lived on this rocky peninsula,

Venture beyond Dublin city centre to the coastal village of Howth and you’ll find this beauty sitting quietly beside the sea. Howth Lighthouse has been admiring the vast waters of the Irish sea since 1818. Sit on the pier and listen to the boats gently knocking together or spoil yourself with more amazing views with a walk along the stunning Howth Cliff Path Loop. You’re guaranteed to nab some beautiful shots here!

Northern Ireland’s Causeway Coastal Route is dotted with spectacular sights, but one that may fall under the radar is County Antrim’s Blackhead Lighthouse. Carrying out its duties since 1902, the Titanic was once guided safely past this coastline towards its ill-fated journey. Today Blackhead Lighthouse is the ideal place to escape to and be at one with the wide-open spaces of the coast.

Stay the night and watch the sun set on the horizon as you relax on the balcony of the old lightkeeper’s home. Clutching the ragged edges below this beacon is the Blackhead Path. Hold on to your camera tightly above the splashing sea to Smuggler’s Cave where more fascinating tales await…

6. Galley Head Lighthouse, County Cork (Ray Fogarty) County Cork is renowned for its dramatic coastline, but we’re still left speechless when we see images like this one at Galley Head!

Once the most powerful lighthouse beacon in the world, today this trinket of 19th century history opens its doors to visitors wishing to avail of its self-catering accommodation. To many sailors roaming the seas, these gleaming white walls have been a welcome sight on the most southern point of Dundeady Island since 1875. Shots captured here are sure to brighten up anyone’s newsfeed!

Source: Ireland.com CELTIC CANADA | FALL 2018

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Boxing Ontario

By Matthew Kennedy

B

oxing was born when first a person lifted a fist against another in play.

Different eras of the sport have been distinguished by the various incantations of rule sets.

Carvings and paintings show people lifting their fists over 5,000 years ago in ancient Sumeria and over 3,000 years ago in ancient Egypt. It’s not understood these fights were a regulated sport, or a form entertainment like gladiator fighting in ancient Rome. But by the time of the ancient Greeks, boxing had become a sport and it was part of the Olympic Games as early as 688 B.C. It then became popular in other parts of Europe.

The popularity of the sport was enjoyed by a range of cultures and at some point the sweet science was brought to the Island. And like a grudge it wouldn’t fade, but grow, giving the sport a rich history.

The language of the sport became entrenched in common speak, it formed social capital, built cultural identify, helped the marginalized navigate lives against a backdrop of economic, social strife and other barriers.

The fists continued to be thrown, the sport continued to breed . Now the names of Boxings greatest champions list like a Dublin phone book. The early hero’s; Sullivan, Corbett, McLarnin, Dempsey, Sharkey, onto the more recent McGuigan, Collins, McCullough, Egan, Barnes, Nevin, Carruth, Conlan, Taylor and on..

The evolution continues as we in Canada take a look at the recent investments the Irish have made to win record number Olympics medals. One of the greatest benefits to the development of your high performance system is to meet foreign Boxing groups in 6

CELTIC CANADA | FALL 2018

Irish: Droichead Átha, meaning “bridge training and competition. The outcomes of the ford”) is one of the oldest towns in strongly enhance the officials, coaches and Ireland. It’s known for its tourism and as athletes. This September we have the great a centre of industry and medical care. It is honor and pleasure of hosting a squad from mostly located in County Louth, with the the historic town of Drogheda. The Holy south of the town in Family Boxing Club is an County Meath, on indomitable team which the Dublin–Belfast has graced us a few times corridor on the with their first landing east coast of being on the special date Ireland, 49 km of 12/12/12. Through the or 30 miles talents of team manager north of Mr. Jim Gorman we have Dublin, with a worked to empower both population of our sides and enjoyed approximately victories, story, song 41,000 inhabitants and travel together. This (2016). It is the last engagement should be bridging point on better than any. The competition will be held on the River Boyne before it enters the Irish Sea. The UNESCO World Heritage Site of September 22, 2018 during Newgrange is located 8 km west of our annual award evening. On this occasion the town. we will be celebrating the achievements of Olympian Sean O’Sullivan. It’s a special evening our friends from Drogheda didn’t want to miss nor should anyone.

Boxing Ontario will continue to be recognized as a leader in combative sport in the Province. We will continue to develop comprehensive programs that supports the Athlete, Coach, and Official COME JOIN US TODAY! learning process and Become a member today!! lifelong participation New members are invited to join the club, we offer and wellness through lunch on Tuesdays with a singalong after, line dancing our implemented Wednesday,Bingo on Friday we also have pool,darts and table LTAD pathway. tennis. Throughout the year we have trips to various locations.

We value personal For more information please call the club at development, 416-469-5394 you can also visit our website at collaboration and www.emeraldisleseniorssociety.org. We are located at professionalism. We 2452 Danforth ave just west of the Main Subway station. look to grow through collaborative efforts 2452 Danforth Avenue - Toronto to create partnerships Street parking is available. Close to the main subway station. in order to achieve 416-469-5394 excellence within all www.emeraldisleseniorssociety.org facets.

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he Cellar Salon is an Irish owned salon nestled in Toronto’s esteemed Yorkville neighborhood, and provides high-end services at a reasonable price point. From trendy

cuts to classic styles, their highly skilled team prides themselves on their balanced approach, helping their clients look as amazing as they feel. With rustic barrels and aged wood, this glamorous salon in the heart of Toronto transports you to a warm and cozy pub in Dublin, the owner Aaron’s hometown. The salon has a large Irish following as well as some amazing Irish stylist’s who carry their craft and integrate it into the Canadian way. Aaron is the lead stylist on The Marilyn Denis show, and works along with his team of stylists at The Cellar Salon to create fabulous makeovers. Guests can kick back and relax, while enjoying a glass of wine or a pint of beer during their service. First time clients are welcomed to enjoy haircuts priced at under $40, or a 40% off full balayage or highlights with a full price haircut. For every service, The Cellar Salon donates $1 to a charity

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Take Care of the Pennies and the Pounds Will Take Care of Themselves

By Colin Barry

W

e have all heard the old phrase “Take care of the pennies and the pounds will take care of themselves”.

You might ask: “In today’s electronic world how do I manage my expenses?”. Here are a few simple ideas that are easy to put in place.

They make the world of difference in helping you manage your expenses.

Pay Yourself First When you are paid, who do you pay first? It’s certainly not you. It might be the bank that holds your mortgage, or your cell phone company. Even before that you have paid taxes and payroll deductions. Then once those are paid, you can use the rest for personal spending or your long-term goals.

With that approach you are putting your needs last. Put your needs first and make your income work for you.

First you need to decide to save a small amount each pay for an emergency fund.

It’s not only a good habit, it is a great way to build financial security. A good rule of thumb is to have about six months of expenses in an emergency savings account. When you are no longer living paycheque-to-paycheque, you can focus on longer-term goals.

Saving for Vacation Most of us are happy to book a vacation on a credit card and figure out how to pay it off later. A more effective approach would

be to put aside a little each pay into a savings account. $100 biweekly would add up to $2,600 per year for vacation. If you find yourself asking “can I afford this trip?” Look at your vacation savings account and you will know.

Set up Automatic Recurring Payments for Utility Bills Many utility bills vary by season and have severe consequences if they are unpaid.

Fortunately, utility companies allow you to sign up for automatic monthly billing. Some companies also allow for equal payments for bills that change depending on the season, like gas and electricity. This reduces the impact of seasonal variation in the utility bills. It takes the guesswork and stress out of paying important utility bills.

If you were to miss a utility bill, or cell phone bill, it may be reported on your credit report. A series of missed or late payments can reduce your credit score. Automatic payments reduces that risk.

Line Payments up With Your Income Make sure as many bills as possible are paid when you are. If you are paid every two weeks set up your mortgage payments to be paid on the same day you are. It sounds trivial, but if you were to graph your account balance over time you would see how this

(905) 829-0094 www.colinbarry.ca 8

CELTIC CANADA | FALL 2018

smooths cash flow. Many payments like your mortgage, or car payment can be paid biweekly. Many more can be paid monthly.

So why is that important? It means that you are making the most of your money. As soon as you have earned it you can reduce your mortgage and a little more interest.

Also, you know exactly where you stand and can make better decisions on how much you can spend on the weekend.

Property Tax In my practice I meet a lot of families that pay property tax too early. They pay the quarterly amounts when they are due. It’s tough to plan for a hefty quarterly property tax bill. A better approach is to pay monthly and later than you would with quarterly payments.

Most municipalities allow you to do just that. Just go the municipal tax website and download the form, or call them to enquire.

It’s a simple step that takes away the worry of large quarterly installments.

Summary None of these ideas alone are difficult, or big changes. You may have already implemented some of them. However, the benefit of doing them all puts you in a much better financial position. It protects you from surprise expenses, protects your credit score. It also allows you to take that guilt-free summer vacation!

About Colin Barry – Canfin Financial Group Colin Barry is a Certified Financial Planner who works with families and small businesses to plan their finances and make the most of what they have. Visit www. colinbarry.ca for more information. Fee for service financial planning and investments provided through Canfin Magellan Investments Inc. Insurance provided through Canfin Capital Inc.

The Ballina Salmon Festival (Féile na mBradán, Béal Átha an Fheadha)

By Paul Loftus

B

allina is the largest town in County Mayo and the third largest town in Connaught after Galway and Sligo.

It is one of the most strategically located towns in Ireland for tourists and residents alike. It is situated near the estuary of Killala Bay with Enniscrone on the north side of the bay and Killala on the south side.

Enniscrone in Co. Sligo is one of Ireland’s leading tourist destinations boasting the second longest beach in Ireland at over three miles. Killala is a popular fishing village with a famous and perfectly preserved round tower. The river Moy which flows through the town enters the sea at Killala Bay. The Salmon Festival gets its name from the salmon fishing on the river Moy. The festival celebrated its 54th anniversary this year. Ballina is the Salmon Capital of Ireland and its famous Ridge Pool is renowned worldwide for its fishing. The festival is the longest running festival along the Wild Atlantic Way The festival packs a lot in during its eight days. Some of the highlights are the Night at the Proms, the Country ‘n Western Night, the Teddy Bear’s Picnic, the River Swim, the Mardi Gras , The Fireworks Display and the most popular event, Heritage Day. Each year the festival committee brings something new in its efforts to cater to all tastes. This year the festival had a special Showband Night organized by Liam Brennan called “Those Were The Days.” Liam remains a great fan of the Irish Showband Era. We will look at some of these events in more detail.

The festival is family friendly and plays special attention to children with a large Children’s Programme. There was a family Fly Casting Open day hosted by the Game Angling Instructor’s Association in cooperation with Inland Fisheries Ireland.

In all there were 50 events specifically geared to children. These included film-making, first aid, children’s yoga, martial arts, dance, various sports and stand up paddling. Many of the events offered to the children were educational and offered the children an opportunity to try an activity they may not have previously tried or even considered. The younger children enjoyed the Tedy Bear’s Picnic.

Each year the festival committee holds The Lady of the Moy competition. This is somewhat similar to the Rose of Tralee Event in Toronto, Ottawa and other centres across Canada and the Selection Evening in Montreal (which is organized by the United Irish Societies of Montreal). The winner represents the Ballina Salmon Festival during festival week. However, her duties don’t end there as she continues to act as an ambassador for the town during the following year. The title brings a memorable honour for the winning lady and provides lots of opportunities and photo opps. She can be seen at numerous events during the festival sprinkling goodwill to the festival goers.

“Those Were the Days” was a new event this year. Those of you Irish immigrants who have been in Canada for a while will remember the golden era of Irish showbands who toured all over the country. These showbands also travelled overseas to Irish immigrant communities in England, Scotland, the United States and Canada. Some of you may remember their appearances at the Maple Leaf Ballroom in Toronto. Dancehalls, the forerunner to Discos, provided live entertainment with the showbands. The reason that they were called showbands is that not only did they play the dance music but they also put on a show.

For many people the most popular event is Heritage Day. Over 40,000 people decend on the four main streets of the town. The center of the town is converted to look like what it did in the old days. There is a big stage at the top of two of the streets and bands rotate with their music all day. The highlight is the Garda (Irish police) band.

Many people dress in period costume for the day and relive the past. There were street musicians throughout the center of the town.

Many towns people (including myself) who live overseas come to their hometown for the festival and on this day meet up with the friends of their youth. This year I met some people I hadn’t seen for many years. There are always pleasant surprises. Crafts men and women display their skills and musicians and bands provide entertainment throughout the town. Some of these bands comprise talented young children. There are stalls providing food, crafts, natural skin care creams and souvenirs. I had some lovely mackerel and mussels from Killala Bay. Ballina is twinned with the town of Pittsfield in Massachuttes and each year a group from this American town comes to Ballina to help the locals and visitors celebrate. The Ballina Municipal District holds a reception for the American visitors.

The festival was organized by Billy Lewis, festival Chairman and a local businessman, together with a team of dedicated volunteers.

Paul Loftus is a Montreal-based Industrial/ Organizational Psychologist, an Intercultural Consultant and a Freelance Journalist. He is a prominent member of Montreal’s Irish Community. He can be reached at (514) 2829111; ploftus@colba.net; www.paulloftus.com CELTIC CANADA | FALL 2018

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Celtic singer Christine Gallant accompanied by the rich and clean flowing notes of the bagpipes in the new Celtic Performing Arts Centre located in Summerside, Prince Edward Island.

Pitch Perfect Performances Summerside’s New Celtic Performing Arts Centre Uses Science to Accentuate Its Sensational Acoustics

By Desiree Anstey

I

t’s a technological marvel that not only celebrates all the disciplines taught at the College of Piping and Celtic Performing Arts of Canada, but represents the next chapter of cranking up the quality as well as the volume in Summerside, Prince Edward Island.

Behind seemingly insignificant or merely decorative details – from the curves in the ceiling that create a visual cloudlike beauty that float above 300 red cascading chairs leading to the stage – is meticulous planning that assembled the Celtic Performing Arts Centre into a world-class acoustic reality for the city.

Jay Perry, owner of Points East Audio and technical director at the Centre, acknowledged before the new engineering marvel was even built, “Computer aided auditioning technology was used to move around the space virtually, and with some degree of accuracy, predict how sounds would react.”

Surface areas were changed during the design stage from the overhead acoustic 10

CELTIC CANADA | FALL 2018

panels, tapered side walls, and the acoustic slat wall at the back of the auditorium, to effectively absorb and reflect sound back to the audience.

In other venues the dynamic range of the pipes produce a muddy sound, but in this high-tech ‘invented’ facility even the most complicated rhythms are “refined and real” according to well-known Canadian bagpiper and composer Bruce Gandy. He performed at the Centre in April of this year.

“As I blew up the pipe, I was immediately given wonderful harmonic feedback from the floor and surroundings.

As I circled around the floor finding my way, it became evident that there were no hot and cold spots on the stage and the pipes seem to vibrate wonderfully no matter where you were positioned,” chimed Gandy.

Long-time College of Piping supporter, lecturer, best-selling author, inventor, as well as television and radio host, Doug Hall said the Centre is a game changer in sound.

“When you hear the bagpipes here there

Scene from the spectacular summer production called Great Scot, which featured all the great Scottish characters through time including Mary Queen of Scots played by Abbey Mage. is no noise or clutter on top. The sound is amazing. There’s nowhere else on the planet where you can hear the bagpipes as good as

Double Gold Medal whiskey – a first in Canada whiskey tasting opportunity.

Over the past year his products have won top awards including a unanimous choice Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Championship and a 95 rating in the Ultimate Spirits Challenge.

Hall plans to partner with distillers and brewers across the Island to bring his whiskey from Cincinnati, Ohio, to the province next year.

“A significant percentage of profits from each bottle sold from the proposed P.E.I. partnership will go to support the College of Piping because it makes a huge difference in children’s lives. It’s a real cultural and musical treasure,” observed Hall, the founder and chairman of the Eureka!

Ranch and Brain Brew Custom Whiskey.

He declared, “The new Centre is amazing - it is a professional World champion Highland dancer Daniel Carr leaps into the air during a theatrical rehearsal scene for the College of Piping and Celtic Performing Arts summer experience of show, Great Scot! world-class quality. And, the new theatre’s computer designed acoustics written and directed by multiple Gemini elevate the sound from the pipes and drums and Canadian Screen Award winner Shelagh to an acoustic experience that rivals even the O’Brien.

Symphony Hall in Boston.”

“My goal was to celebrate the Celtic Hall has been a summer resident on Arts that are being taught at the College of Prince Edward Island for 51 years. As a Piping, raise the bar theatrically and give thank you to the province he and his wife people an experience that makes them want Debbie sponsor a Pipe Band Scholarship to return again and again, while at the same program at the College of Piping that time fundraising for the Centre,” remarked enables all Island youth aged 8 to 18 to take O’Brien. bagpiping or drumming in group lessons at O’Brien, along with the help of a worldno cost. class team, cherry picked local performers to To date, the couple have provided support seamlessly transport the audience through for over 50,000 lessons. Signups for the fall time and place with military precision session of lessons are available now. dancing, silky smooth Celtic harmonies, However, the opulent multi-purpose storytelling and enchanting musical numbers Centre is not just intended for students that all celebrated and injected life into the of the College. It can cater to weddings, Centre. business, conferences or social gatherings.

Hall, in partnership with the P.E.I. Half the seats are retractable too, allowing Liquor Control Commission, helped get the floor to expand, so productions can the audience into the spirit of the Scottish range from colossal to intimate throughout production by raising a wee dram of his new you can here.” Hall stressed, “If you don’t like this, never listen to the pipes again because the difference is truly amazing.”

The stage itself is designed to utilize all the College disciplines from the pipes, drums, Highland dance, and step dance. There’s even some give to the floor, enabling the world champion dancers to spring into the air while adding to the animated ambiance for the audience.

Even the light fixtures go beyond making sure the audience can see the stage, although that’s important. Lights enhance the mood and atmosphere, establish a time or location, and create shadows across the cast or even play with a theme.

Lights, stage and sound were effectively used in the recent summer production called Great Scot! The spectacular production was

Doug Hall, a long-time College of Piping supporter and inventor, brought his Double Gold award-winning whiskey from Cincinnati, Ohio, to Summerside for Canadians to try for the very first time during the intermission of Great Scot.

He plans to partner with distillers and brewers across P.E.I. to bring his whiskey from Cincinnati, Ohio, to the province next year, while all in support of the College of Piping. the year.

For more information on the College of Piping and the new Celtic Performing Arts Centre that opened on Wednesday, July 11, with the summer production Great Scot, visit www.collegeofpiping.com.

Danielle Chiarotto on the bagpipes, Samantha MacKay, step dancer and instructor, and Austin Trenholm on the drums, present a uniquely live inspiring experience in front of the Celtic Performing Arts Centre.

CELTIC CANADA | FALL 2018

11

Toronto’s 2018 Rose of Tralee,

Carly McGrath

By Sinead Canavan, Toronto Rose of Tralee Selection Ball Chair

I

n early June, the Toronto Rose Centre announced its 54th Toronto Rose, Carly McGrath.

Toronto-born Carly moved to Cooley, Co. Louth with her parents when she was two.

As the only Canadianborn member of her family, she always knew she would come back to her “home city” and did so when she completed her Bachelor of Arts International Honours Degree from National University of Maynooth Ireland and University of Vienna Austria.

Since her 2014 arrival in Toronto, Carly has been actively involved with the Durham Robert Emmetts GAA club as a player, volunteer and referee; she views her GAA team as her family away from home. Carly is also keen on Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and achieved several accomplishments in this sport.

Once she was announced Toronto’s 54th Rose, Carly had much work to do in order to prepare for her trip to Tralee. This included completing a detailed application for the International Festival, and ensuring she had the necessary pieces for her wardrobe (many dresses, shoes, and headwear) for the robust itinerary arranged for all 57 international roses attending the Rose of Tralee International Festival.

Carly arrived in her hometown greeted by signs of support posted by her family. Her official Rose experience began on Monday, August 13 at the Glen Royal Hotel in County Kildare, which included a welcome reception with the Mayor of Kildare, Directors and CEO of the Kildare County Council, consultations with Tipperary 12

CELTIC CANADA | FALL 2018

Crystal and the group photo with Daithi O’Se. August 14 the Roses enjoyed activities in the Kildare and Dublin area involving the Guinness Store House. On August 15, the Roses arrived in Tralee to participate in the Celebration of Light and events at the Greyhound Races.

On Thursday August 16, the Rose made visits around Kerry, rehearsed and attended the “Celebration of Roses” under the Dome. On Friday, August 17, the Roses met their Rosebuds and attended the Rose Ball.

In between the many wonderful community activities, the Roses had several interviews with the final selection of 32 Roses who would appear on the televised portion of the Festival announced on August 18. The weekend leading to the televised interviews was a whirlwind of rehearsals, interviews, parades, fashion shows and most importantly pub twinning and a walk through Tralee.

Carly was twinned with Kirby’s Brogue Inn and was greeted by a crowd of 40+ of family, friends, volunteers from the Toronto Rose Centre & Irish Cultural Society and supporters.

Monday was a busy day preparing for Carly’s including rehearsals, hair and make up for her big interview with Daithi on Selection Night One. Carly was one of 18 Roses interviewed in the live Television broadcast. Carly did Toronto proud she accepted Daithi’s “hot water bottle” gift with grace and was well able to demonstrate her tough side with Daithi showing her Jiu Jitsu skills with Daithi as her “victim”. Carly wasn’t the only Canadian Rose interviewed night one, the Newfoundland & Labrador

Rose - Bridgette Abbott was the last Rose who demonstrated the use of the ugly stick and Daithi threw away his cue cards!

Following her great night in the Dome Carly and other Roses visited local hospitals and a palliative care centre. Selection night two consisted of 14 interviews and the announcement of 2018 Rose of Tralee - Kirsten Mate Maher from Waterford was announced, following which all 32 Roses attended the parade and midnight madness fireworks finale on Denny Street.

Tralee was a remarkable, life-changing experience for Carly and the women in her class – she has certainly made new friends for life forged by this experience and her family and friends showed her their immeasurable love and support throughout her week.

Namely, her parents, James and Fiona who were there Carly’s journey begin in Toronto in June and again through Tralee at the festival.

Carly returned home in time to play in her Gaelic Football team’s semi-final championship match. With her feet firmly on Toronto soil, she and the other 2018 Toronto Roses have a great year ahead attending the many events hosted by Toronto’s Irish Community.

Follow Carly over her next year and the Toronto Rose Centre, on Facebook “Toronto Rose Centre” and Instagram – @torontoroseoftralee More information about the Newfoundland & Labrador Rose Centre is available online: www.newfoundlandroseoftralee.ca

What Next?

Navigating Later Life Transitions

Y

ou’re on your own now. The kids are on their way, and the financial planner tells you that your house is your biggest financial asset. If you were to move to something smaller, it would free up some money and you could take some of those trips you have always wanted to do – in the style you’ve always wanted.

But there are so many memories, every room has a story to tell and that pull cannot be ignored. The lines where the kids marked their height every year, the creaky third stair that told you when they were coming home late, and your garden – a mixed blessing. You love it, even though it demands your time and your joints are not so sure that they can keep it up.

Security is suddenly a concern. The house makes odd noises at night that you never noticed before. You know it’s just the house but it doesn’t stop you from holding your breath and listening one more time to make sure it’s not something more sinister.

It would be nice to have some more peace of mind. And Bev, the financial planner, has said the place could be worth a lot of money.

Really?

So should you consider letting go of the house and moving? Where would you go?

Here are some questions to help you with that decision.

•C an I still work in the garden?

Do I want to?

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• Can I cut the grass or shovel the snow?

Do I want to?

• Am I comfortable living here alone?

• Do I foresee problems going up or down stairs?

• Am I a prisoner in my own house?

• Do I have independent outings?

• Can I clean this house? Do I want to?

• Is this house too big for me?

• Do I truly enjoy my house?

• Does the house need expensive repairs?

• Is the house in need of modernization?

• Are the property taxes and other bills creating hardship?

• Has the neighborhood changed? Do I still like it?

• What would be better if I moved?

• Why should I stay?

Let me help you as I have assisted many who are deciding to find a new home.. big or small…

Meet Deirdre Deirdre has been successfully selling real estate in Toronto since 2005. In this time, her business has followed a positive trajectory so that she has consistently received a Royal Le Page Sales award which recognizes her as being one of their top agents in Toronto.

Deirdre is known 15-02-16 3:35 PMfor her personal and

straightforward approach, professional expertise and consistent commitment to customer service. “Growing up in a family business and then working with patients in hospitals across the world, means that care for the customer has become second nature to me.”

With a strong sense of efficiency and integrity, my goal is to help clients navigate through the real estate transaction as smoothly as possible. “I want my clients to move into their new home, loving it and the excellent service they received from me” Deirdre has been involved in many cultural endeavours from chorister to volunteer. With every deal she completes, she contributes a percentage, to the Royal Le Page Shelter Foundation. She is an active member of the Ireland Canada Chamber of Commerce and enjoys listening to the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Always in pursuit of new challenges, she achieved her pilot’s license in 2002.

Find your new home – contact Deirdre today!!

Deirdre Slowey ABR, SRES Broker Royal Le Page Real Estate Services Ltd Office: 416 762 8255 Cell: 416 875 0499 Email: home@dslowey.com

Working with the Irish Communitiy, both new and established, to find value and security in their new Toronto home.

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dslowey.com • home@dslowey.com

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CELTIC CANADA | FALL 2018

13

Scottish Company The

W

ith Fall fast approaching and Christmas just around the corner, many of you may be ready to hit the stores and browse the internet.

If you’re looking for something cozy and warm for yourself or maybe looking for that perfect gift for your favourite Celtic friend, The Scottish Company has many specially curated products from Scottish and Irish Artisans for you and your loved ones.

Started by April and Bill Somerville in 1995, and hailing from Newton Mearns and Glasgow, the Scottish Company was the realization of their dream to bring a little bit of Scotland to Canada.

Today, as Bill and April ease into retirement, The Scottish Company is now being managed by the next generation of Somerville’s who continue to do their upmost to provide excellent customer service and offer unique and traditional Scottish & Irish goods.

When it comes to all things Scottish, whisky would be top of mind. Although at the Scottish Company they can’t sell you whisky, they do enjoy a wee dram and can offer a good selection of items that any

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whisky connoisseur would appreciate. Whether its beautiful Waterford crystal tumblers, whisky glasses designed to enhance the tasting experience or books that explore the history of Whisky or Scotland’s Island Distilleries, there is something for every whisky fan.

Scotland and Ireland are also known for their fine quality woollen scarves, sweaters and blankets and the Scottish Company offers the best of the best in a wide range of styles and designs. Sweaters are available in men’s, women’s and children’s sizes in magnificent colours inspired by the Scottish and Irish countryside. Blankets and throws are available in mohair, cashmere and wool blends, in bright and subtle colour combinations and designs and range in size up to 142cm x 183cm.

For those of you wishing to connect with your kinfolk and dress the part, the Scottish Company can provide you with a custom kilt, made in-house with tartan imported directly from Scotland’s finest weavers. They also offer a large selection of coordinating jackets, vests, sporrans, sgian dubhs and many more Highland accessories.

Interested in just a touch of tartan? The Scottish Company carries a large selection of ties, scarves, shawls, sashes and vests, available in 100’s of tartans. Should you be looking for a special

rare or ancient tartan, The Scottish Company can order it for you and custom design and manufacture many items including clothing to your exact specification. And yes, if your heart is set on designing your very own tartan, the Scottish Company can help with that too. Need a kilt in a pinch for a special occasion?

You can select from a large range of kilts and Highland attire available for rent.

There are a few things that remind us of home and food would certainly be one of them. The Scottish Company has many of the best British brands including teas, biscuits, oatcakes, jams, chocolates plus much more. They also carry meat pies, black pudding, square sausage, beans, scones and a few other items essential for a fry up and a trip down memory lane.

In the next few weeks their store will be decked out for Christmas and many new and interesting gifts, tartan holiday décor and Christmas goodies will arrive.

Pop by for a visit or shop online from the comfort of your settee. You and your pals will be “well chuffed”!

We are a Scottish family owned business that is dedicated to offering products from the finest Artisans in Scotland & Ireland.

With a special focus on creating beautiful inhouse custom-made kilts and offering a wide selection of kilt rental packages, we ensure that your Highland look is tailored to perfection.

We’re delighted to also offer tasty treats from your favourite British brands.

Visit us at 2001 Leslie Street, Toronto.

416-223-1314 or Shop Online

www.scottishcompany.com

Est.

1995

CELTIC CANADA | FALL 2018

15

Whistler

Fall in

By Rachael Hopwood

D

espite Whistler’s reputation as a world-renowned winter wonderland, it has quickly become a go-to destination during the hot sunny months of summer too. But what about those months between sun and snow?

Arguably the jewel in the Whistler calendar, fall brings vibrant red and orange colors, crunchy autumn leaves, and a laid-back pace ahead of the peak winter season. While every season is special, the months of September, October and November seem to offer the ability to enjoy the best of both worlds.

Here’s our guide to visiting Whistler in autumn.

Great Weather There’s no doubt that Whistler looks stunning in the snow, yet even the Whistler natives enjoy a little respite from the freezing temperatures each year. In fall, you can expect temperatures ranging from 8 degrees Celsius (high 30s) to about 20 degrees Celsius (the mid-50s), so you’ll enjoy crisper, cooler weather without

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having to trundle through thick snow.

In terms of what to pack, layers are a great idea during fall, particularly if you plan to enjoy the many outdoor activities still on offer at this time. No frostbite, no heat stroke, it really is perfect!

Sparkling fall sunshine means you’ll be able to take in the fantastic foliage set against the dramatic backdrop of the Whistler Blackcomb Mountains; a crunchy mix of vibrant greens, russets, golds and purples. To get closer to nature, head out on the many nature trails through Whistler village, backcountry trails, and Rainbow Park near Alta Lake.

you dust off those skis and snowboards. Here’s our pick of things-to-do during the months of September, October and November.

GO AXE THROWING: Yes, axe throwing really is a thing. A very popular thing. Formerly reserved for Canadian lumberjacks keen to liven up a day in the forests, Forged Axe Throwing has brought this enticing pastime to Whistler and made it even more fun! Put simply, you and your guests will hurl axes down an alley with the goal of hitting a bullseye. The indoor venue is great for chilly fall days, and you and your tribe can even compete in your own axe throwing tournament to rustle up that competitive spirit. It’s popular with groups particularly bachelor and bachelorette parties, and there’s absolutely no experience necessary.

The Forged team will provide a safety briefing and even help you with those trick shots!

Whistler Activities There are a number of great activities just waiting to be enjoyed in Whistler, even before

GO HIKING: Fall is arguable the very best season to go hiking in Whistler. The last of the snow at higher elevations usually melts

away by late July to early August, so fall offers perhaps the very best access to the many backcountry routes. Enjoy stunning views of Whistler, and access the many trails that prove simply too busy or too dangerous during the peak winter and summer months. Check out this list of guided hikes.

GO BIKING: OK, so no visit to Whistler would be complete without carving down a mountain, so the great news is that the mountain is still open at this time of year. The Whistler Bike Park is a world-famous bike park attracting novices and downhill bike pros alike. During early fall (until around midOctober) you’ll be able to enjoy regular season availability albeit without the huge crowds!

Perfect for the ultimate, gravity-fed, downhill biking fix.

GO FISHING: Fall and fishing go together perfectly. Total beginner or seasoned pro, you’ll find everything you need to get started at Whistler Fishing Guides. They have all

the insider knowledge when it comes to the local rivers, lakes, and hidden fishing holes, and can instill a whole host of useful tips and tricks.

Whatever type of fishing you’re after, Whistler has it all, as well as the opportunity to take in the breathtaking scenery as you enjoy a moment of serenity. Oh, and you won’t have to deal with ice fishing in fall!

GO ZIP-LINING: Yes, zip-lining is a great activity at any time of year, but what better way to check out those autumn colors than from above the treetops at Superfly Ziplines? Travelling of speeds up to 100 km/ hour 600 ft above the ground, there’s no more thrilling way to enjoy Whistler in fall.

Fall Festivals Taking place September 11th-16th, hundreds of people will flock to the 2018 Whistler Beer Festival for a six-day festival brimming with craft beer, tasting events, beer battles, cask nights, and plenty of great food. With over 120 beers from 60 distinct breweries, you can expect this festival to go down a treat with everyone!

What better way to celebrate the long Canadian Thanksgiving weekend than with the Whistler locals from October 5th-8th? Check out all the Thanksgiving events right here to plan your weekend in style.

For something a little more serene, the Whistler

Writers’ Festival brings together renowned authors, panels and budding writers, in a celebration of the written word. Alongside workshops and panel discussions, the festival has plenty of food, music and fun. This year’s festival takes place October 11th-14th.

Much later in the fall season, the annual Cornucopia is traditionally one of the last premiere Autumn events that marks the end of a successful season. For 11 days, Cornucopia offers an unforgettable culinary experience with delicious tastings, winery dinners, and a true taste of British Columbia. Cornucopia falls from November 8th to 18th this year, and it’s highly advisable to book accommodation early!

So you see, while both winter and summer have plenty to offer, autumn seems to strike the perfect balance. An eclectic mix of festivals, special events and outdoor activities, alongside the customary Whistler welcome, make autumn truly unique.

Start planning your fall trip today! See you there...

CELTIC CANADA | FALL 2018

17

Obama

is still a Major Attraction and his Words Continue to Inspire

By Paul Loftus

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coming home. He visited his ancestral home in Moneygall and had a pint of Guinness in the local pub. He was of course a big hit with the locals. He met his distant cousins in Moneygall. Many of his Irish cousins were subsequently invited to the White House as guests of the President. He was pleased to have met his Irish cousins and treated them with great respect.

The highlight of his visit to Ireland was when he spoke to a huge audience in College Green in Dublin. He had his slogan (We can do it) translated and delivered it in Irish “Is feider linn.” The huge crowd loved it.

One of my favourite Obama stories is about two African Americans watching Obama’s inauguration ceremony on TV in a bar in New York.

One said “Isn’t it great to finally have one of our boys in the White B.A. (Hons.), M.A., LL.B. House. His friend replied “Yeah, but Barrister & Solicitor if he screws up, he’s Irish.”

he name is Obama not O’Bama and contrary to Trump’s “facts” he was born in the United States, not unfortunately, Ireland. However, we have a right to claim him as one of our own. The President’s great-great-great grandfather, Falmouth Kearney, was born in Moneygall, Co Offaly. Like hundreds of thousands of others, Kearney left Ireland during the Great Hunger (often erroneously referred to as the Famine).

He was 19 years old. He sailed from Liverpool on the Marmion and arrived in New York on March 20th, 1850. The rest is history.

The President and his wife Michelle made an emotional and triumphant trip to Ireland in 2011. Enda Kenny was Prime Minister of Ireland at the time and said the President was

ALAN G. McCONNELL

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

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The Conference Former President Barack Obama was the opening keynote speaker at the Association for Talent Development (ATD) Conference, in San Diego, this year There was an audience of over 11,000 in attendance for his session.

Rather than giving a keynote speech it was a sit-down Question & Answer session with ATD’s President, and CEO Tony Bingham.

Conference attendees knew that there would be a full house so they started lining up outside the San Diego Convention Centre at 5:30am for the 8:30 session. I was lucky as I joined the line at 7:30 and was seated by 8:00am.

The 44th President of the United States’ entrance was greeted with laud applause, a standing ovation and a contagious enthusiasm.

His first words were “This is a feisty group for this early in the morning.” When someone emotionally shouted “We miss you” he replied with “I miss you too.”

In his 60 minute appearance he covered a lot of material. I’ll cover as many of his topics as space will allow.

The President put a strong emphasis the importance of values. Like the excellent speaker he is, he told a story to demonstrate his point. He told us about an Asian-American from Los Angeles who was in his 20s and worked on his presidential campaign in Iowa.

For some strange reason he was assigned to a conservative rural community. Despite enduring an ethnic slur the volunteer carried on and endeared himself to the local community. He had a booth outside a grocery store and helped elderly shoppers by carrying their bags to their cars. He also volunteered to coach a Little League that was looking for a coach. He became so popular that “Some of the moms would cook for him.” Obama continued “he could have been elected Mayor [in that community].” Obama, who champions empowering youth, attributed this young man’s success to “a set of values that he carried into that situation, transmitted to him by his parents.” The former president went on to tell how certain values helped him be successful during his campaign and in his presidency. The values he espoused were honesty, hard work, respect, kindness and being useful. Values are so important that he said “I worry when our values are not upheld.”

He talked about his time at the White House when there would be various leaders of departments and agencies present around a table. There would also be an outer ring of people who were aids, staffers and assistants whom he referred to as those who “actually do the work.” These background people would be passing notes to the leaders at the main table. He said that these were the people who knew what was really going on, jokingly. The president would sometimes ask these people for their opinions on the topics being discussed. By doing this he was sending a message to the inner ring that these people should be listened to and asked for their feedback. He tied this in with his point of being inclusive. He said that there is a lot to be gained when we listen to those in the outer ring or those at lower levels in the chain of command, His other point here was the importance of treating all workers with respect, one of the values he advocated.

Organizations need to get the message across that “you’re important enough that we’re going to invest in you,” he said.

When he talked about change he told another story. This one was about the time he quit smoking. He didn’t feel the need to quit as he was playing basketball, in good shape and looked good. This led to a round of applause, particularly from the women present. His response to the applause was “I wasn’t fishing for those, but…thank you ladies.” He’s still in good shape for a 56 year old. He knew that his smoking bothered his wife. He didn’t smoke in the house. His daughters could smell the smoke when he would return to the house and ask him about it. He had a choice at this stage.

He didn’t want to lie to his daughters and he didn’t want to pass on his bad habit so he quit.

When he covered the importance of planning he said it took six months to prepare for the Osama Bin Laden attack. “We tested everything that could go wrong.” He spoke further about planning and learning from failure when he gave an example of when he decided to run for the Illinois State Senate in 2000 in Chicago. His Illinois staff said that he had a good chance of beating the incumbent Democrat. However, it turned out that only 11% of the people knew who he was. That led him to say “Always do the poll before you announce you’re going to run.” This is certainly sound advice and can be applied to many situations. He said that “it was ok to fail as long as you learned from it.”

While he made no reference to the current incumbent of the white House he put his hand on a table in front of him and said “This is a table.” In other words it is a fact. His audience knew what he was referring to. For us journalists it has become more difficult to report when we hear people like Kellyanne

Conway, a White House spokesperson, talking about “alternative facts.” We now hear terms that we didn’t when President Obama was in the white House. We are now required to do fact-checking because of so much fake news coming from what were previously reliable sources. There are far too many weapons of mass deception around these days; enough said.

The following Obama quotes will stay with me for a long time: People respond when you expect a lot of them.

Treat others with respect, kindness and generosity Be ambitious for what you want to be rather than the title

Progress is not inevitable We can do it Over 13,000 people attended the conference with 2,450 international attendees.

The largest of the international groups were the Canadians, understandably, with 349, but there were no recorded Irish in attendance.

Paul Loftus is a Montreal-based Industrial/ Organizational Psychologist, an Intercultural Consultant and a Freelance Journalist. He is a prominent member of Montreal’s Irish Community. He can be reached at (514) 282-9111; ploftus@colba.net; www.paulloftus.com

Democracy is something that has to be nurtured CELTIC CANADA | FALL 2018

19

Triumph Drummer & Singer

Gil Moore His story from Triumph to MetalWorks - Canada’s longest standing Recording Studio.

By Richard Frayne

D

rums and drumming have a long and deep history within Celtic culture. The drums are an integral part of the earliest origins and the very soul of Celtic music and military marches.

From the beginning of Celtic music through to modern day festivals, hip hop, metal or rock, drummers have always kept the beat, the band, and even the armies movin’ on.

Celtic ancestry is a rich element within the DNA of Canada and over 30 percent of all Canadian’s roots. Its not that surprising that some of today’s most prolific writers, poets, musicians and entertainers share the same noble surnames as many of Ireland’s most famous wordsmiths and melody makers from bygone eras. Thomas Moore, 20

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one of Ireland’s most celebrated writers and musicians wrote the courageous battle march The Minstrel Boy, a drum based ballad commemorating the Irish rebellion of 1798.

It is still played today at military ceremonies and is in the sound track of action picture, Blackhawk Down.

Canada’s musical presence across the globe has been led into the proverbial battle of the bands by another famous Moore.

That man being, Gil Moore, drummer for the legendary, multi platinum Canadian power trio, Triumph. With over 27 gold and platinum albums to their credit, (1975-89) Triumph’s legacy most certainly exemplifies their name. With hit songs like; “Lay it on the line”, “Magic Power”, “Hold On”, and

many more, Triumph played live to sold out stadiums and arenas across N. America, The Carribbean and The UK throughout the 70’s and 80’s. One most epic event was the US Festival in 1983. Produced by long time friend to Moore and his band, and another guy who also started off in his garage, Steve Wozniak of Apple Computer. The US Festival hosted over 400,000 very enthusiastic fans gathered in the California desert.

Following their hiatus from the late 80’s, Gil and band mates Rik Emmet and Mike Levine re-united in 2008 for a couple of special performances and to receive a Hall of Fame Juno Award, following many years of successful performing and legendary recordings. Triumph hits are still heard daily

on classic rock formats over the airwaves around the world.

Is it a “co-obrachadh” the Gaelic word for coincidence, a channeling of the past, or perhaps a”Magic Power”of its own that poet laureate Thomas Moore also had a partner in his kindred pursuits by the name of Emmett?

Or perhaps “Moore so” that Gil and Thomas also share some very similar lyrical and parallel themes that transcend the centuries across the oceans; “The light that lies in Woman’s eyes has been my undoing” -Thomas Moore,... “Fire in her eyes made my blood run cold, she took me by surprise...a second glance was my first mistake”. - Spellbound, Triumph, “It’s only to the happy that tears are a luxury.” -Thomas Moore, ...”Tears in the rain, here it comes again, I can’t explain the reasons why I cry these tears in the rain”.Tears in the Rain, Triumph, “There’s nothing half so sweet in life as love’s young dream” Thomas Moore, ...”Hold on , hold on to your dreams, Listen to your heart and hold on to your dreams”. - Hold On, Triumph.

Much like Thomas Moore’s The Minstrel Boy, Triumph’s inspirational songs, Fight the Good Fight, Never Surrender, Take a Stand and Allied Forces are greatly appreciated by those in the military and by anyone who embraces battling for the virtues of positive perseverance in their lives. Triumph was never drawn into the tragic dark side of the music business and always served as good role models to the youth of the day. Many of those “kids” are now in their 50’s, 60,s and their kids are our second generation of fans.

Behind the scenes and sometimes even right out front, a good donnybrook was occasionally enjoyed. Another band’s roadies once once carelessly damaged some of Triumph’s lighting equipment. A rock version of a bench clearing brawl ensued adding some unprecedented intermission entertainment. Triumph, always full value for the fans! On another occasion, an enraged and somewhat over-served singer from a one time opening act stormed into Triumph’s dressing room screaming, looking for blood and Rik Emmett. A gossipy groupie had falsely informed this irate Australian that guitarist Rik, had somehow slagged him. As a side note and a true testament to Triumph’s magnitude, that singer was a feisty soul named Bon Scott, front man for an up and coming band named AC-DC. With the discernment of

an NHL linesman, the diplomatic savvy of Gerry Adams, and some cold beer, Gil and band mates were able to mediate a successful truce. They toasted to peace and international relations proving evermore, it is indeed “a long way to the top if you wanna rock ‘n roll”.

Not only a gentleman and a diplomat, Gil Moore is a consummate showman. Aside from having one of the fiercest rock screams and most awesome drum stages in the world of rock and roll, Gil performed about 40 percent of the vocals during every Triumph show. That factor created an element of diversity in styles and vocal textures in Triumph’s performances, as well as their recordings. It also gave Rik a chance to rest his most distinctive vocal cords following his signature operatic high notes. Like others within an elite cast of rare musicianship such as; Ringo Starr, Levon Helm, Phil Collins, Don Henley and even Karen Carpenter, Gil did all his vocal work while drumming, and never missed a beat.

In addition to originating levitating drum risers, specialty laser shows and unprecedented levels of innovative stage lighting effects, Triumph often used more pyro-technics and fireworks than some towns do during a civic holiday. That fascination with pyro and fireworks created all kinds of legendary excitement from once igniting Rik Emmet’s hair on fire to an unfortunate show cancellation at Toronto’s 2,700 seat Massey Hall. The Fire Marshall just may have been aware of a perilous Triumph incident. One that caused some stage curtains to catch fire and deployed the sprinklers at a certain Toronto hotel.

Not risking Toronto’s most cherished and historical music venue going up in flames was a temporary crisis and opportunity, one that eventually paid permanent rewards.

A defining dilemma had emerged. A new venue had to be found. Taking a bold and career changing step forward, Gil approached CPI’s Michael Cohl about Toronto’s 18,000

seat Maple Leaf Gardens, gambled and adapted their performance to a concert bowl format. The show was a huge success.

A new era of bigger and better arena venues had begun for Triumph across the continent.

Special thanks to the Toronto Fire Dept.

Playing at Maple Leaf Gardens was a childhood dream for Gil. Only this opportunity involved his drum sticks instead of hockey sticks and everyone on the team being one of the night’s three stars. Bassist Mike Levine fondly endeared the band to locals everywhere by donning the jersey of their favourite local sports team. This special night, it would be the sacred blue and white of their own home town Toronto Maple Leafs.

Any canny Irishman knows that the best way to make money is to not spend it, un-necessarily. Triumph used the best of booking agents but were a very unique and successfully self managed, self controlled band. Gil apparently learned a few things along the way. Whether it was due to starting out as a roadie, dealing with condescending high school principals or shifty bar owners with short arms and deep, or perhaps empty pockets, many lessons were learned and applied. Gil’s experience of sitting down to hash out venue negotiations, concession splits and merch sales was put to the test with one of Canada’s shrewdest businessmen, the legendary and lovingly despised owner of Maple Leaf Gardens, Harold Ballard. This was no doubt a very special moment in itself.

Given Ballard’s Leafs original namesake, The Toronto St. Pat’s, some faithful fans might say that once again, a blessed miracle, that of a humble musician successfully snake charming at a national level was witnessed through divine providence. For indeed, the show must go on!

Deep in the heart of Texas another most eventful turning point occurred for Triumph. Realizing early that an American fan base and market was a crucial necessity, Continued on page 22 CELTIC CANADA | FALL 2018

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MOORE

Triumph toured the clubs, theatres, arenas and ballrooms of America. Offering their US neighbours and especially the girls next door their own special songs; “Little Texas Shaker” and “American Girls” paid huge dividends in US loyalty and exposure.

Being nice Canadian boys with manners, proper etiquette and good relationships with promoters may go against the image of most rock n’ roll bad boys. However, its nice to be nice, and there are benefits. Sammy Hagar’s last minute departure from the line up of a Texas stadium show, going off to open for KISS, was another such opportunity.

The promoter then called Gil and Triumph to now play in Hagar’s place. It would be Triumph’s first large scale American stadium show. A surreal ascension, like making the cut at Augusta or stepping onto to the field in the Premiere League for the very first time.

In 1978 Triumph did something very few bands have ever done by building their own recording studio, Metalworks, located

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in Mississauga, Ontario. This allowed their own scheduling freedom and unhurried ability to perfect their albums with some of the best producers, recording equipment and audio engineers in the world. Metalworks is owned by Gil Moore and has been named Canadian recording Studio of the year for 18 years, proudly and recently celebrating 40 years in business. Many notable acts and performers have come to record there. Those names include; Drake, The Cranberries, Guns and Roses, Justin Bieber, The Weeknd, David Bowie, Prince, Bachman-Cummings, Bruce Springsteen, Anne Murray, David Clayton Thomas, Allanah Myles, Ian Gillan, Tom Cochrane, Myles Goodwyn, Kim Mitchell, Richard Gere, Renee Zellwiger and a wee few special Celts like; Natalie MacMaster, Ashley MacIsaac, Johnny Reid, Alan Frew and Glass Tiger.

In addition to serving the needs of professional entertainers, Metalworks Studios is also open to anyone from church choirs to aspiring karaoke singers, Elvis impersonators or even poetry readers and bed time story

tellers a who would like to be professionally recorded and leave their own personal audio legacy, guided by the studio’s very capable team. www.metalworksstudios.com Years of touring experience and staging concerts for Triumph have also been put to good working use by Metalworks Production Group, Gil’s expert logistical sound and light team that has put the show on the road for many acts from Alice Cooper to Alexis on Fire. This specialty enterprise provides professional sound and lighting for venues ranging from the smallest of clubs to mega festivals like Boots and Hearts and large scale indoor venues such as The ACC, Scotiabank Arena, Copps Coliseum, The Rogers Center and others like them across the country.

Fans of the Celtic Thunder musical performance series have also enjoyed the work of Gil Moore’s production team and their magic. Metalworks Productions and Studios has participated in the staging and local production of Ireland’s globally renowned entertainment spectacle, produced

by Dublin’s Sharon Browne, featuring the

musical directorship of Phil Coulter. Gil and his team converted a one time Toronto area aircraft factory into a multi-set movie studio, complete with an indoor forest, a brook and seating for several thousand audience members who attended the taping.

Its said the best way to actually learn how its done, is to learn from those who’ve actually done it. Metalworks Institute , where higher learning and the music business meet, is that place personified . A registered career college and the leading edge educational facility, Metalworks Institute is literally attached to the famous recording studio and production company. Over 300 students from near and far, across Canada and around the world have come to learn all aspects of the recording industry, music business, entertainment, live event production, engineering, performer management and more. Teaching instructors are professional graduates have gone on to rewarding careers including working with some of the biggest acts in the world. metalworksinstitute.com As busy as Gil is at work, at play and being with his family, we managed to chat about a few things, as the Irish are apt to do...

Tell us a bit about your Irish spirit and your family roots.

I’ll always love the Irish spirit and really I have no choice in the matter; I’m 2/3 Irish On both sides my ancestors are from Ireland with some English mixed in as well.

I’ve been told that you are living proof that someone who thinks they should be a rock star performer should first know how to be a star roadie. Tell us a bit about the ground floor on your road to the top.

In grade 9 in high school my friend Fred and I convinced a local band to let us be free roadies. That was our ticket to the big time in showbiz.Lol

You once had a band with a bit of a Gaelic or Old English sounding name called “Abernathy Shagnaster”. Who was Abernathy and just who was he shagging? Lol. That’s a secret between a certain leprechaun and yours truly.

One of Triumph’s albums was named “The Sport of Kings”. Are you a horse racing owner or an enthusiast like many Irish folks?

I’m not but Mike Levine was. In fact, he went to the track regularly and he owned a trotter.

Your mother was a marketing genius, an innovator in the field of local print media re-selling. Did her influence in that regard teach you a few publishing or creative publicity tricks?

She taught me so many things it’s hard to enumerate, and to this day I’m in awe of her impact, but I would say her influence was primarily spiritual rather than logistical.

You have some rare talents but I’ve heard that you are probably the only rock star that knows how to actually go out and change a tire on a tour bus or transport rig if you had to.

Your father owned a tire business.

Was that a big part of your work ethic, people management and safety awareness?

I always thought the fundamentals were important in drumming and also in life.

People need to educate themselves to the extent that they are able to, in some of the basics of survival, including such glamorous tasks as changing tires Lol

Continued on page 24 CELTIC CANADA | FALL 2018

23

Continued from page 23 – G IL

MOORE

Did you ever work as a sideman or a hired gun with any big or even small names before Triumph?

One of my early bands worked as a backup group for Chuck Berry, Del Shannon, Freddie Cannon and other legends of that era.

You couldn’t help but learn from this group; it was an education I’ll never forget.

Is Gil short for your full name?

(Gilford) ... Did you know there’s a town in County Down N. Ireland named Gilford?and it even has a Gilford castle? I think it recently went up for sale. You might want to check it out, I hear there’s a nice golf course nearby...

Gil is short for Gilford which came from my paternal grandfather. Locally you can find Gilford Ontario only an hour north of Toronto, as well as the Irish town. My son Myles’s middle name is Gilford.

There’s no such thing as a bad Gilford!! Lol

As a kid growing up in Mississauga, in a rather Irish sounding area called Erindale, who were your musical influences and what were your past times?

Early on it was Chicago blues and Memphis R&B for the most part. When I got into rock it was Hendrix, Deep Purple, and Led Zeppelin

How important is practice, perseverance and patience?

It’s everything if you aspire to play well and if you don’t believe me you’re kidding yourself – 10,000 hours is a fact not fiction

I heard that you also learned to golf the same way you learned the music business, working in the back ground or the back shop as it were caddying, cleaning clubs, learning your chops and shots from some skilled journeymen. Were there any special golf teachers in your life?

My entry into golf was caddying and working in the back shop at Credit Valley CC where I’m now a member.

The late great PGA Tour professional Ben Kern was my golf mentor, and I have been lucky to have several other excellent instructors over the years. I just wish I had more talent !!!

You have certainly kept up your passion for the game. Do you practice golf as much you ever practiced for music?

With music it was obsessive and went on for hours every day when I was a kid whereas 24

CELTIC CANADA | FALL 2018

golf is a hobby as an adult. Having said that I practice 3 or 4 times per week for an hour or so.

May I ask your handicap?

Currently 5.

Have you ever been overseas to golf?

I’ve played most of the the best Scottish tracks that were Open Championship sites.

Do you ever play golf with any friends from the music world?

Tom Cochrane is my best friend-soul brother and co-accused golf aficionado/compulsive / obsessive yahta yahta there’s also; Alex LifesonRush, Gord Sinclair/Paul Langois- Tragically Hip, Alice Cooper, Jeremy Taggart-Our Lady Peace,Tim Oxford -Arkells, are all muso’s I golf with when the stars align.

If a Leprechaun ever set you up for a fantasy round with maybe Padraig Harrington, Rory McIlroy and Darren Clarke, with David Feherety doing the commentary and the jokes, where in Ireland do you think you’d like to play?...

Ballymena in Northern Ireland is where my ancestors are buried so that territory is sacred ground. Royal Portrush would be the Holy Grail in that region.

You are quite a family man with a lovely wife and three great kids. Are they involved in the business too?

I want my children to seek there own unique destiny. Having said that my oldest daughter Lauren has thus far made Metalworks her life’s work. She is absolutely incredible and is Metalworks’s Controller. Myles and Holly are still in the educational phase of their lives so it remains to be seen what transpires. They are both more than welcome but I really want what’s best for them and a career that fulfills their dreams, not mine.

What is it like watching over the education of over 300 of someone else’s kids?... They can’t all be A plus students. How do you motivate any lower performing students to pick up their game if you ever have to?

We jump through hoops to motivate underperforming students and our school support system is very robust. Over reaching parents are the really the biggest problem – I’ve yet to meet a student that couldn’t be motivated by a balanced, measured approach. Some parents are ill-informed, demanding and out of touch.

We savour the participation of the good parents who are the silent majority.

We’ve all been told of the luck of the Irish, and sometimes its better to be lucky than good. Was there one special lucky break that you can share about your life?

Having Herb and Martha Moore as my parents was the luckiest break of all time for me – we don’t choose our parents, it just happens to us. God bless all good parents !!!

What aspects of your success might you attribute to your Irish ancestral work ethic and heritage?

Again I’m back to my parent’s influence and the respect they showed for all people in so many ways .. do unto others as you would have them do unto you… say no more

What is your advice to aspiring musicians towards keeping it real and how to still keep reaching for the stars?

In the new world – pay attention and research emerging technologies and business models, but also take time to learn the history of the recorded music business (which is fascinating) and realize history repeats - there are lessons here.

Gaelic Football Youth Development In The GTA

By Gerry Grennan

T

he Toronto Chieftains, the GTA’s only Gaelic Football program for kids has just brought gold back from the Continental Youth Championships (CYCs) in Boston. We are going to take a few minutes to review the many elements of participation that contributed to Canada’s greatest success to date in International Gaelic competition.

It is surprising to many that the Gaelic Athletic Association, the GAA, is

the largest amateur sports organization in the world. There are clubs all over the world and all are tied to the central committee in Dublin. There have been competitive adult Gaelic football leagues in Toronto for over 50 years and games have even been played in

Rogers Centre.

Given the organizational foundation and the history here in Toronto, a number of people from the various clubs in town came together and pooled their efforts to develop a children’s program.

In their growth and development, the Toronto Chieftains have been actively supported by both the local clubs and the greater global GAA organization. The 2018 year was kicked off with the arrival of Student Teachers from Ireland who were placed in local schools to provide an introduction to Gaelic Football.as part of the physical education curriculum. The schoolbased introductions were followed by a March Break camp and then the Chieftains held 6-week indoor session to develop skills. When the weather turned warm the Chieftains went outdoors and ran a 6-week house league.

Newly introduced players from this year combined with veterans from past years and the club brought players from the ages of 6-15 to compete in the CYCs. The Chieftain Under 10 boys and girls made it to the tournament’s semi-finals. The Under 14 boys did the same. The Chieftain’s Under 12 boys and girls outdid everyone by winning the championship by a very large margin. Along the way to the trophy, the Chieftains beat their sibling program, the Ottawa

Gaels in the first ever clash of Canadian clubs in International GAA competition. (https://www.facebook.com/CYCGAA/ videos/2106413466248339/?t=55 ) Looking ahead, the in-school program will be expanded. In addition to Ottawa, there are clubs all across the country looking for games and there is next year’s CYC tournament in Philadelphia. The club is growing and always looking for new members to come along for the ride. Look up the Toronto Chieftains on Facebook!

CELTIC CANADA | FALL 2018

25

Did Whelan Shoot McGee?

Author believes not, and therein hangs a timeless mystery

O

n Tuesday, September 16th, 1868, a jury in Ottawa found Patrick James Whelan guilty of the assassination of Thomas D’Arcy McGee. McGee, a Father of Canadian Confederation, had been shot in the back of the head early on the morning of April 7th that year.

McGee had been a poet, a journalist, a great orator and finally a politician. He was the man who had the vision of joining together disparate provincial colonies to form the country Canada.

A rebel himself in Ireland in 1848, McGee had become the most outspoken critic of Irish Fenians operating in Canada.

But when McGee was shot, the Fenians did not claim ownership of the killing.

Whelan, a tailor from County Galway, was arrested two days after the assassination.

Many other Irishmen were also arrested and a few were charged. But Whelan was the only one found guilty of the deed.

The week-long show trial had featured suspect testimony, claims of bribery, the repetition of jailhouse utterings, and an eye witness who called a white hat black – while testifying in his second language.

It also featured believable testimony as to Whelan’s threatening demeanour on the night of the shooting— he had been at Parliament that night, armed with a gun.

That gun had been recently fired, although not necessarily by Whelan.

Whelan, according to a trial transcript prepared by the Ottawa Times newspaper, was not silenced by the jury’s judgement and the judge’s declaration that he would hang.

“All that sentence, M’Lord,” Whelan said, “cannot make me guilty.”

Indeed, whether Whelan pulled the trigger has always been in doubt. Now, a hundred and fifty years later, it remains a timeless Canadian mystery. Historians, lawyers, amateur sleuths, and fiction writers like me 26

CELTIC CANADA | FALL 2018

have always sensed that there was a good story behind the story. A final truth, buried along with Whelan.

I do present an answer in my historical mystery, Celtic Knot.

But without giving away the plot of my novel, I am going to state here my own strong hunch: Whelan didn’t pull the trigger.

Why do I believe this?

While imagining and recasting the scenes of McGee’s death, the trial and the hanging in my novel, I kept coming back to the idea that Whelan could have been claimed the killing during the months between his guilty verdict and his February, 1869 hanging – and become a hero to Irish republicans.

He could have died a legend, a man for whom ballads may have been written, who would have been lionized in Fenian circles as having died for the cause.

In jail, Whelan declared he wouldn’t tell tales on others. He said his mother would be proud of him, as she was proud of a brother imprisoned in Ireland. He did change his story a number of times. But at the last, when he knew he would hang on the morrow, the closest Whelan came to a confession was to say he had been present on the street at the time of the shooting.

That admission made him an accessory to the crime. For that alone, he would still have hung. Yet still, he insisted that he didn’t pull the trigger.

Claiming culpability would have made no difference to his family in Ireland. His wife of one year was already infamous for her connection with him, yet she returned to Montreal and lived out her days quietly.

So why not claim the glory? I can only believe that, when faced with certain death, Whelan chose to tell the truth.

If not Whelan, then who did pull the trigger a hundred and fifty years ago in Ottawa?

That mystery has given this fiction writer much with which to fashion a tale.

In my twist of history, CELTIC KNOT, here’s the way my heroine, McGee’s maid and scribe Clara Swift, saw the opening of the trial: By nine o’clock, the angels and the devils had gathered in the courtroom.

The judge was a Mr. Richards. He used to be a politician. Like Mr. McGee, he’d started out on the other side of the floor of the pre-Confederation legislature from Mr. Macdonald. And, in time, he too was won over, by the man Mr. McGee joked should be called Machiavelli.

The Prime Minister entered from a private door alongside the judge now, with Mr. Macdonald’s new English wife on his other side. Mr. Macdonald climbed right up and into the catbird seat—on the platform, next to the judge. Sergeant O’Neill had to squeeze another seat onto the dais for M’Lady. She was wearing a rich green velvet dress, with a cap to match…

“She looks to be in a family way,” Mrs. Trotter said. …

“What makes you think so?” I said.

Mrs. Trotter nodded. “She has the brooding look about her.”

Hannah leaned across me. “How far along do you think she is, then?”

“Four, maybe five months,” Mrs. Trotter said. “That’s why she’s wearing such a high waist.”

Hannah nodded like she saw something, though I was closer to the lady and it was still a mystery to me.

“She’s a tiny thing, so she’s showing all the sooner,” Mrs. Trotter said.

“April . . .” I said. “When we lost Mr. McGee.” …

At a nod from the judge, the guards grabbed poles and swung open the upper windows by their hinges. The breeze that blew into the courtroom was as hot and heavy as the air weighing us all down.

As grand as this room was, with its fine plasterwork and leaded glass, I felt the stones of the building pressing down upon me. ’Twas as if I were sitting in the shadow of a cairn.

The door that led to the jail opened, and Jimmy Whelan was ushered in.

From his months locked up, Jimmy came out looking like what folks thought of when they cursed the Irish. His beard long, red and a lot more unkempt than it had been last New Year’s Eve. His eyes wild. Even his black frockcoat picked up a sheen of green in the light of the courtroom.

He was clearly happy to be out among us all, despite the circumstances. His hands were clasped together behind his back, so he looked like he might as soon break into a jig, as take his seat between the coppers. He breathed the stale, humid air deeply, like he was facing a clean sea wind.

It wasn’t only my shame that an Irishman was charged with killing Mr. McGee that made me worry over his fey manner. Hannah had been visiting her Mike at the jail. He’d told her it was as if the faeries had addled Jimmy’s brain. He’d been living too close to the world yet to come, she’d said.

Of course, Hannah said the cells were hardly large enough to lay out a body, the stench such that the men may as well be breathing from a midden.

In that place, she said, there was no need for a faery curse to turn a man barmy.

That much is history. Did Whelan do the deed?

Celtic Knot.

It’s reimagining a crisis that tested a nation.

It’s history with a mystery.

It’s A Clara Swift Tale.

And it all begins with a shot in the dark.

ISBN 9781525520914

90000 >

9 781525 520914

CelticKnot_SC_18-01-11_Friesen.indd All Pages

ANN SHORTELL

What if Clara Swift, a mere slip of a girl, sees the trace-line of a buggy turn off Sparks Street, moments after the murder? What if housemaid Clara understands her dead mentor’s shorthand, and forges an unlikely alliance with the Prime Minister’s investigator?

And ends up being trusted by the condemned man’s wife — and by Lady Agnes Macdonald . . .

CELTIC KNOT

D’Arcy McGee is assassinated. As John A. Macdonald cradles his friend’s bloody head, he blames transplanted Irish terrorists: the Fenian Brotherhood. Within a day, Patrick James Whelan is arrested.

After a show trial, Whelan is publicly hanged.

Especially if he were a bit daft at the start.

My protagonist Clara Swift has a number of encounters with Jimmy throughout the course of the book. Here, she is sent to the jail by Jimmy’s ill wife:

The warden opened the door to a room with a wooden table, four chairs, and two window slits. A low fire burned, with no logs or kindling set aside to build it up. …

I set my basket on the table. A guard had rooted through it at the entrance, confiscating the meat tarts and sticking one in his mouth as I stood there. But there was still milk and mash and a bit of cake left.

I’d barely seated myself when the door swung in, and there was a man I barely recognised as Jimmy.

He was all bones. There was a sheen to his skin, like his layers of muscle and gut had been all but dissolved by the jail’s dank chill.

Continued on page 28

A C L AR A S W I F T TAL E

CELTIC KNOT ANN SHORTELL 2018-03-10 9:17 AM

CELTIC CANADA | FALL 2018

27

Continued from page 27 – D ID

WHELAN SHOOT MCGEE?

Jimmy’s sandy mop of hair was dark with grease. A few of his teeth were missing. He was sucking at a sore on his lower lip. His hands were both fisted.

“I’m Clara. Bridie asked me to come in her stead.”

“Thank you, Miss Clara.” He eyed the food, then bent to the table and opened his fists, laying a pair of tiny wooden boxes between us.

Then Jimmy set to. The milk went down his throat in one steady stream. He choked on the mash—he was swallowing without chewing. He still had mash in his mouth when he began to stuff in cake. He took in air along with the food and wheezed until I was afraid he’d upchuck, but he squirrelled what he’d yet to chew until he could breathe again. And then he was running his tongue around his mouth, sucking the inside of his cheeks for aftertaste.

He rose and knocked on the door twice.

A guard looked in. “I’ll take that milk bottle. For safekeeping.”

“Don’t worry yourself, man. February promises to be short enough for me,” Jimmy said. “I’m not going to make it easy for the bastards, and slit my throat on the first day of the month.”

In CELTIC KNOT, I’ve moved the February, 1869 hanging outside of the Carleton County Jail, and reimagined the scene in a way that allows Clara Swift to fully witness it: “What we’re about to experience is a real dose of ritual sacrifice, Clara.” Pierce said. “I’ve been to many hangings, and none of them left me with a good taste. I advise you to look away at the moment of truth.”

Sergeant O’Neill let all the Macdonald staff past the barrier, though he gave me the fisheye.

“Perch in these seats,” Pierce told us. “Keep them warm for the dignitaries.

You can step over to the front of that crowd when you see Mr. Macdonald leading the parade out the door.”

Parliament’s tower bell rang the hour. Ten in the morning, and nobody in Ottawa was at work once again. It looked to be as big a crowd as had turned out for the procession to the train, with Mr. McGee. The day I’d learned what thousands really looked like. Only instead of mourning a death, they were gathered together in expectation of one.

They kept coming, through the snowstorm.

Merchants’ wives and their well-dressed 28

CELTIC CANADA | FALL 2018

daughters stepped out of carriages. A man boosted his young girl onto his shoulders.

Then a group of Orangemen marched up, holding banners. One of them read NO DOGS OR CATHOLICS. There was no doubt, though, that Jimmy’s own had shown up to see him out as well. It looked like every lad who’d been at yesterday’s Mass was in the crowd.

The ashes on their foreheads had been smeared by sleep.

You had to know the thumbprint of the Lenten season’s onset, to identify the grey smudges on their brows now. A few more minutes in this storm and they’d be cleansed of the most obvious marking of their Catholicism.

Yet having been forced to remove my own ashmark, I felt somewhat a stranger to my tribe.

It began to snow harder then. Those without the sense to have them in place already pulled their caps out of their pockets.

A cry went up. “Clann na Gaedeal.”

The coppers and militia were going to need to move with all speed, if the Orange began mixing with the Green.

The big men began to appear, guided over in groups of three and four. One group included the coroner, and Dr. Gillivray.

As Mr. Macdonald walked across the grounds, Pierce and a number of his men at the Prime Minister’s side, a chant rang out.

“Where’s Devlin and Enright and Buckley, Oh Boys?

Where’s Devlin and Enright and Buckley, Oh Boys?

They’re not for the noose, John A. let them loose, For Jimmy’s to hang and it gives John A. joy.”

Joy. So the crowd didn’t yet know about Mr. Macdonald’s private sorrow.

The Prime Minister’s right glove flicked across his coat pocket. I’d filled the flask for him.

I hadn’t taken a swig.

We moved off the dignitaries’ seats.

Hortense, the twins, Miss Stewart, and I were let right in front, to some grumbling from those who’d come early for a good spot. …

I pushed Jimmy’s boxes further into the pockets of my cape.

Following after Mr. Macdonald, and his Constabulary guard, were those Cabinet ministers and Parliamentarians who’d made a special trip for this. …

Then everyone was looking at Mrs. McGee,

still shrouded in widow’s weeds, and protected under an umbrella by Miss Frasa.

Mr. McGee’s daughter’s dress and veil were also the same she’d worn at the funeral and the trial, though she was allowed to wear grey now. …

The jail door opened again. Bridie stepped out.

Miss Frasa startled the crowd by rising, and raising her veil. Tears were flowing down Miss Frasa’s cheeks, and for a moment I wasn’t sure whether Miss Frasa might be planning to confront Bridie, or perhaps even to comfort her. …

Bridie had ideas of her own as well, no surprise. As prison guards steered her toward the special benches, Bridie pointed to the crowd. Then she looked Sergeant O’Neill up and down, and stepped past the barrier. As close as possible to the scaffold. …

Despite her bold move, Bridie didn’t look like she’d be making a holy show of herself today. She looked turned into herself. Shriveled.

Not big enough for her coat. Not the woman she had been in court.

Pierce elbowed his way over to me. He lay a glove on my sleeve. “Let Mrs. Whelan have her patch of land,” he said.

“Later, you’ll come over to her with me.”

The crowd and the officials all waited a long minute. Bridie stared across the yard.

Then the warden and four guards flanked Jimmy as he stepped high through the powder, across to the platform.

A fifth man followed behind. His face was hooded.

A whisper passed from man to man. The guards had played dice, they said.

Continued on page 30

What is a Bidding War and what to expect?

By Rory O’Donovan

W

ith summer nearing completion

conditions, we just prepare in advance in

binding contract, “you just bought that

and we head into the fresher

order to protect the buyer. Finance and

house” So if you are considering removing

temperatures of the fall, the real

inspection are the two most common

those conditions to remain competitive

estate market tends to shift a gear. Not that

conditions with freehold property and with a

in a bidding war situation make sure you

biding wars had ever gone away but heading

condominium a condition to review a status

work with an agent that can prepare you for

into the busier fall market, It can be expected

certificate is also included.

that situation in advance and protect your

to see an increase in bidding wars as new

In some cases the listing agent may have

properties become available coupled with

already done a pre-listing inspection. If so

lots of pent up demand from interested

the buyer can review that allowing them the

buyers.

option to remove their condition and if not

When an agent takes a listing a strategy

interests.

About Rory O’ Donovan Rory O’ Donovan is a licensed Real estate

the buyer can get a home inspection done

professional who works with first time

commonly used in Toronto is to hold an

themselves in advance of the offer night. The

buyers, repeat buyers, sellers and investors.

offer night for that property. The offer

same would apply to a status certificate. If

Visit www.roryodonovan.com or

night is typically one week from the day the

you know you are going to be in competition

www.emeraldproperty.ca for more

property became available and the objective

it would be prudent to get the status

information or contact

in most cases is to expose the property to the

certificate reviewed by a lawyer in advance

directly +1 (647) 202 3748

market at a slightly lower that market value

allowing you to remove that condition.

rodonovan@bosleyrealestate.com

price to attractive more potential buyers.

This strategy works by creating a lot of

With financing its crucial to make

traffic through the property resulting in

sure you know what

increased interest, translating in to multiple

you can comfortably

offers and bidding wars. This is especially

afford allowing

between more affordable price points. The

you the option of

bottom line is, if a property in Toronto is

also removing that

in a good location, priced right and shows

condition. Keep

well expect a bidding war. If you are going

in mind when in

to be involved in a bidding war, be prepared.

a bidding war be

Your agent will review all recent comparable

prepared to over

sales, history of the property, year over

pay. If you do end

year appreciation, price per SqFt, similar

up over paying for

properties currently available, garages, lot

a property and the

sizes etc. But note, all other interested buyers

banks appraisal

are looking at the same information so when

comes in under

in a bidding war be prepared to over pay. In

what you payed, be

a bidding war situation the seller has all the

prepared to have

power. The seller has the luxury of sitting

extra cash to cover

back and waiting for a buyer to bring their

the difference.

best offer. And their best offer is normally

Buying a

a clean offer with the highest price, no

property without

conditions, a closing date in favour of the

conditions means

seller and a large deposit cheque.

you have a firm

A clean offer doesn’t mean we ignore

deal, it’s a legally CELTIC CANADA | FALL 2018

29

Continued from page 28 – D ID

WHELAN SHOOT MCGEE?

The loser had to act as the hangman.

The men who’d been leading the chant pulled their hats off and placed them over their hearts as Jimmy climbed up the makeshift steps of the wooden scaffold.

He faced the scaffold’s crossbeam. The rope was looped, and hanging from a hook attached to one of the scaffold’s side beams.

“Standing here on the brink of the grave, I wish to declare to you and to my God that I am innocent.” Jimmy was hoarse, our view of him blocked by the guards.

Bridie began to weep, and Pierce to cough.

They both kept it up as Whelan described his service in Her Majesty’s army, his desire to settle down. I wasn’t sure if Pierce was trying to draw attention away from Whelan, or from Bridie.

“My dear wife Bridget was to join me here in Ottawa,” Jimmy said. “To make a new home together.”

I knew that was a straight-out lie. I had it from Bridie’s own mouth that she’d always wanted her Jimmy in Montreal.

“I’m only standing here, to be sent to hang, because I’m a good Irish Catholic.”

There was a cheer at that, and a chorus of boos. The men were all calling out and shushing one another so loudly, I missed the warden’s call to move Jimmy forward.

“What did Jimmy say?” An elderly man asked.

“Whatever the man said or didn’t say is of no matter,” said his son. “He’s going to our Lord and there’ll be a proper judgment of him yet.”

The crowd settled, though, so that when Jimmy Whelan spoke his last, his words carried through the crisp, cold air.

“God save my soul, and God save Ireland.”

The winter light jumped bright off the snow. My eyes watered from it. My lips tasted the wool of my scarf, and the damp of my breath ran through its threads.

My cheeks burned from the air’s sharp dryness. I pulled my scarf higher, tied the hood of my cape tighter. I shifted my weight, pushing my stiff toes into the ground for purchase. The snow under my boots scraped like fine chalk powder on a board. I shivered. The powder began to blow then, so that I couldn’t tell which snow was being carried with the wind and which was falling from the heavens above. I rubbed the skin of one gloved palm across the beading on the back of the other.

Jimmy’s wrists were tied behind his back, his hands bare. He wore no coat, and the collar of his grey prison shirt was unbuttoned. His shirt billowed where it was tucked into black trousers. He’d been allowed his boots. Perhaps 30

CELTIC CANADA | FALL 2018

for the weight.

Father Clement anointed Jimmy with oil, on his forehead and lips, and each cheek. Then the priest touched a wooden crucifix to each side of Jimmy’s throat in blessing. Finally, Father stepped to one side and bent his head in silent prayer.

Jimmy didn’t bend his head. Two guards had to restrain him, while another two helped the hangman place the noose. He tried to kick the stool away.

One of the Orangemen shouted, “be a man about it, you Dogan.”

Jimmy closed his eyes at that, and gave himself over to the guards. They guided him up onto a stool. The hangman tightened the cord, and tucked it behind Jimmy’s left ear.

I wanted to close my eyes as well, but I granted Jimmy my full attention.

The hangman kicked the stool.

Jimmy hung, suspended from the crossbeam. His face turned a deep red. He choked, spittle ran from his open mouth.

“God in heaven, but they’re making a botched job of it,” said the man who’d brought the young girl. He swung his daughter back to the ground.

The tower bell rang the half hour. The rope was taking the Lord’s own time to do its job.

Jimmy’s face turned grey; his tongue hung out; his body swung the smallest bit.

Finally, the call came. “Cut him down.”

Jimmy’s body dropped to the wooden stage.

Blood flowing, his head almost severed from his body by twisting.

“Turn away Clara, for the love of Jesus,” Pierce said, as his gaze swept the scene. …

All around us, there was a wiping of eyes with hankies, men loosening their scarves to spit in the snow. Turning to one another.

“You got to give it to Jimmy. He didn’t die easy.”

“He didn’t die calling out names. He was no weasel, Jimmy.”

“A bad death for a good enough lad.”

“I’ve been to twenty hangings,” said the old man who couldn’t hear. The only one still looking at the scaffold. “And I’ve never seen one. My eyes look right past the man. Can’t take him in.”

And then, from more than one mouth, “I need a drink.”

As if to order, one of the men who’d chanted pulled out a fiddle from a burlap bag and set it under his chin. Another placed his hands behind his back and began to dance to the dirge. Boots clicking and kicking up the snow as if he were wearing the finest, lightest slippers.

“Hanging is a thirsty business,” the old man agreed.

A young man eyeing Hannah called out, “There’s our beauty. She’ll be handing out the drinks at Docherty’s.”

Hannah gave him her barmaid smile. She’d told me it kept the lads happy while holding them off. “I’ll see you there, all night,” she called.

“Aye, we’ll take the party to the pub, and wake Jimmy in right style,” said the old man’s son.

Like that would make what happened any better. Only these men would say it had to.

It was our way.

Then a man’s voice rose in the air to match the fiddle, and another and another joined in with a rebel song of love and death, and the cycle between sinking into the land and rising up from it. They sang about the barley every Irishman carries in his pocket, in case he needs to eat on the march. How when an Irishman is in the ground, the barley grows over him, until the breeze blows and the Irish rise again.

The Orangemen tore the banners from their planks and started to swing the wood at the singers. From their separate flanks, the coppers and militia both rushed into the fight.

Pierce motioned. “Step over, Clara.”

We left Hannah amidst a mess of men who were singing, and dancing, and fighting.

And made our way over to Bridie’s island of sorrow.

“O’Neill, we’re getting Mrs. Whelan out of this,” Pierce ordered. “It’s like St. Paddy’s and the July Twelfth Orangeman’s Parade, out there, all at once.”

In a lower voice, he told me, “We can’t make martyrs of Jimmy and his wife both today. You’ll let her talk of her loss.

Even if you can’t sympathise, after seeing what the man really was.”

But I could; I did. And yet, I would also do my job.

“Jimmy said he knew the killer,” I replied.

“Did he let slip a name, in the end?”

--excerpts are from Celtic Knot © Ann Shortell 2018. The situations, incidents and dialogues concerning historical figures are entirely fictional. Any resemblance to persons living or dead is entirely coincidental.

CELTIC KNOT is available in hardcover, softcover, and ebook formats.

Author Ann Shortell will be appearing at Perfect Books in Ottawa on Saturday September 15th, and at Indigo in Toronto on Saturday, September 22nd. Further information available at www.annshortell.com

CELTIC CANADA | FALL 2018

31

Irish Style

By Shauna Dickson

I

s there anything better than crisp leaves under your feet, fresh clean air and the smell of spices in the neighbourhood? For many Canadians, Autumn is the best time of the year. Summer has come and gone and Winter is still not in sight. There are those few months in between the two harshest seasons where we can all breath a little easier, slow down our schedules and wrap ourselves in cosy outfits from head to toe. Scarves, socks, boots and sweaters take centre stage as we pack away our swimsuits and sandals.

This Autumn could possibly be the coziest yet as the fashion we are seeing from Irish designers are softer and lighter than ever. Merino wool is getting silkier and ultra smooth but still holds up to the elements in the way that one would expect from an Aran knit. With sweaters like the reversible alpaca cowl neck from Donegal’s Fisherman Out Of Ireland, your Autumn wardrobe could be taken to the next level of superior warmth and comfort.

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Pair it with a skirt and booties and you’ve got yourself an effortless go to style that you will enjoy wearing day in and day out. This is the ultimate put together look that feels as light as air and as comfortable as anything.

For another effortless style, look no further

than the garments from Branigan Weavers of Drogheda, County Louth. Run by a father and son team, they have been weaving and fabricating traditional Irish tweed capes with a contemporary twist for more than 50 years.

They are also one of only six woollen mills left in Ireland producing authentic Irish made products. It comes as no surprise that they’ve perfected the ultimate lightweight cape.

Earthy brown and a bright indigo are this season’s must have colours when it comes to this beautiful garment. It’s an extremely versatile, very loose fitting garment with lovely deep pockets, but still manages to flatter every body type. Just throw it on and wrap yourself up with the built in scarf that doubles as a hood and you are ready for virtually any occasion. Or try out one of the beautifully crafted capes and ponchos by Mucros Weavers

of Killarney, Co. Kerry. These bright and multicoloured tweed garments bring a cheerful twist to a traditional style. Paired with a matching tweed hat or handbag, you can transition effortlessly from fall to winter.

When it comes to styling for the seasons, Autumn is usually the favourite among most Canadians and Irish alike. That being said, it is easy to fall into the same pattern of duller and darker colours. There’s no need to leave the bold and energetic colours solely to our spring and summer fashions. Branch out from the regular earthy tones and mix in some bright colours like vibrant blues, purples, greens and mustards, along with maroon, pinks and creamy nudes. What’s great about fall is you do not need to bundle up too much and there’s more room for creative twists in your wardrobe. You can dress up any daytime look with lighter merino wool or alpaca scarves and of course throw on a tweed hat to keep that chilly air at bay and complete your look. Stimulate your cooler weather wardrobe with Irish tweeds and Aran wool sweaters and you’ll find your style can morph into something quite striking and completely on trend.

IRISH DESIGN 75 queen street, notl 905-468-7233

@irishdesignniagara

@IrishDesign

www.irishdesign.com

Specializing in high quality authentic clothing and gifts straight from Ireland.

Autumn 2018 arriving Sept 7th.

CELTIC CANADA | FALL 2018

33

Stephen’s Feast!!

I

’ve been passionate about food all my life. For a long time, that passion was focused on the world of high-quality restaurants and commercial cooking. It shaped my whole approach to food. And then my career took an unexpected left turn, and I found I was teaching more and more – especially cooking for the home. And I loved it. Yes, the techniques, equipment and methods were different. But there was something else. I found it vastly more rewarding.

It was a revelation, and it changed my outlook entirely. I realised that I could bring many of the tips and tricks of restaurant cuisine to home cooking – home cooking that’s authentic, exciting and delicious. And best of all, home cooking that anyone can do.

That was the beginning of a project that has since grown into a school that’s teaching hundreds of people every year – giving them the skills and the confidence to produce wonderful dishes for themselves, their families and friends.

So now I’m on a mission I call great food made simple. I’ve set out the mission in these pages. Come with me. You’ll enjoy it – promise!

Let’s Get Baking There really is something magical about bread. Good flour, liquid, a raising agent – yeast or bicarbonate of soda – and time. That’s about all you need to make great bread.

Like a lot of Chef ’s, my passion for food began with baking – a simple wheaten loaf I made when I was in my teens. It seemed a truly miraculous thing. And that got me hooked. More than thirty years later, I still feel the same.

GOATS’ CHEESE, POTATO & BACON SODA BREAD Ingredients

Method

175g self-raising flour 175g grated Maris Piper potato 100g goats’ cheese 1 tsp sea salt 50g pancetta lardons 2 tsp English mustard powder 2 medium free-range eggs 3 tbsp whole milk 4 scallions, chopped

Set your oven to 190°C.

Chef ’s note This is a brilliant brunch bread. Serve toasted with scrambled eggs mixed with a dollop of hollandaise and peppery watercress.

Fantastic!

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CELTIC CANADA | FALL 2018

Place the flour, mustard powder and sea salt into a mixing bowl and whisk until well combined.

Crumble the goats’ cheese into the mix along with the scallions. In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs, milk and grated potato.

Meanwhile, fry the lardons in a non-stick pan until crisp and add to the wet mix – including all the lovely bacon fat. Gently add the wet mix to the dry. Place into a buttered 1lb loaf tin and bake for 45 minutes.

Special Occasions Made Extra-Special For me, great food is at the heart of every special occasion, and here are a few of my favourite recipes that will really make a moment to remember. I’ve a couple of extra hints too. Firstly, don’t skimp on the ingredients. These are special occasions, after all. And secondly, keep your ingredients as local as possible. You’ll taste the difference, believe me.

BAKED SCALLOPS IN PASTRY Ingredients - Serves 2

Method

4 large scallops with shells 100g puff pastry, cut into 4 rounds

Place a non-stick pan on to a high heat and brush scallops with oil. Fry scallops for 30 seconds on each side. Dry on a clean tea towel. Set the scallops into the cleaned shells.

Sauce 1 shallot, finely chopped 1 garlic clove, grated 1 tbsp fennel, finely chopped 50ml Pernod 150ml fish stock 100ml double cream tarragon flat leaf parsley ½ lemon 20g butter

Sauce Place the shallot, garlic, fennel and Pernod into a small pot on a medium heat and reduce by half. Add the fish stock, bring to a boil and again reduce the stock by half. Add the cream and increase heat.

Reduce to a sauce consistency.

Whisk in diced butter and finish with lemon juice and herbs. Season if required, then leave to cool.

Gently pour sauce around scallops in the shell, cover with puff pastry and brush with egg yolk.

Set oven to 200°C. Set the scallops on a baking sheet and cook for 7–10 minutes until golden.

HORSERADISH POTATO PANCAKES Ingredients - Makes 4 large or 8 small

Method

125g dry mashed potato 125g grated raw potato 75g plain flour 65ml buttermilk 2 tbsp horseradish sauce ¼ tsp baking powder ¼ tsp sea salt

Sieve flour and baking powder into a large bowl. Squeeze the grated potato through a clean towel to extract the starch. Add the potato and mash to the flour and mix well.

Gradually add the buttermilk and horseradish, forming a batter. Finish with the sea salt.

Set a non-stick blini pan on a medium heat and cook for 3 to 4 minutes on each side, using up all the batter.

Horseradish & Chive Crème Fraîche 100g crème fraîche 40g cream cheese ½ lemon (zest & juice) 2 tsp horseradish sauce chives pinch of sea salt

Horseradish & Chive Crème Fraîche Whisk crème fraîche and cream cheese until thick. Add the zest, juice, horseradish sauce, chives and salt.

Leave to chill for 45 minutes before serving.

Go On, Treat Yourself…

We all love something a little sweet nice in a while, don’t we? And these are just the thing, from simple tea-time favourites to real showstoppers. Just remember when baking your way through this section to keep an eye on weights, temperatures and methods.

There’s no cheating or cutting corners when you’re baking. But it’s worth it in the end. So let’s get started.

LEMON AND POPPY SEED DRIZZLE CAKE Ingredients - Serves 8

Method

4 unwaxed lemons 250g caster sugar 6 free-range eggs 200g ground almonds 50g chickpea flour 1 tsp baking powder 1 tbsp poppy seeds

Put two of the lemons in a pot of water and bring to the boil, then simmer for an hour until completely soft.

Drain and leave to cool, then cut the lemons in half and remove the pips. In a mixing bowl, beat the sugar and eggs well together. Purée the halved lemons with a hand blender in a measuring jug and add to the egg mixture along with the zest and juice of the remaining lemons.

The Drizzle 4 tbsp lemon juice 115g caster sugar

The Drizzle Simply mix both ingredients, prick the top of the cake with a skewer and drizzle the lemon juice mixture over. Leave to cool.

Now carefully fold in the almonds, chickpea flour, baking powder and poppy seeds. Place into a prepared cake tin and bake at 170ºC for 1 hour and 10 minutes.

Chef ’s note Want that lovely drizzle a bit thicker? Just add more icing until you get your desired consistency.

CELTIC CANADA | FALL 2018

35

Scotland

Opens Its Doors In September

S

cotland is full of surprises –

Join Roger Guthrie of the Alexander

whether you’re visiting for the first

Thomson Society for a guided walk around

time or holiday here every chance

Cathcart Cemetery in East Renfrewshire

you get, you’re never far away from an

to see gothic tombs, Egyptian temples, and

exciting new discovery. In the Year of Young

Greek, Romanesque and art nouveau designs.

People 2018, the annual Doors Open Days

Enjoy a day trip on the banks of Loch

gives visitors the key to some the country’s

Lomond and climb aboard the Maid of the

best-kept secrets, offering access to places

Loch, a historic paddle steamer ship which

that are often closed to the public.

dates from the 1950s. Located at the family-

Organised by the Scottish Civic Trust,

friendly Loch Lomond Shores, it’s a great

this month-long festival sees hundreds of

place to take the kids. Visit the engine rooms

architectural gems, fascinating museums,

of both the boat and the slipway winch

historic sites and other hidden treasures

room.

open their doors to the public on Saturdays

Standing on the site of the medieval

and Sundays throughout September, with

castle close to the banks of the River Ness is

different regions revealing some of their

Inverness Sheriff Court. Get a glimpse inside

finest buildings each weekend. You’ll also

and see the impressive central stair, which sits

find expert tours, guided walks, exhibitions

under a panelled vaulted ceiling, and original

and other activities on offer, all completely

furnishings, including a Tudor gothic canopy.

free. Please note, booking in advance is

Maid of the Loch, Loch Lomond in a fire station? Then head to the state of the art Kilmarnock Fire and Rescue Station in Ayrshire to see vehicles, training facilities and more. The site has a fascinating history; the fire station was built on the spot where Riccarton Castle once stood, which is where Alan Wallace, father of William Wallace, was born!

Learn all about a Dumfriesshire-born

recommended for many of the guided tours,

hero of the American Revolution at the John

and opening dates and times should be

Paul Jones Museum. See the cottage where he

checked before you go.

was born and raised as a boy, which retains

Dysart Clocktower and Town Hall, Fife

styles, personal items and features from the Here are a few highlights to look forward to:

1700s. Step into the magnificent replica of his cabin from his most famous ship, the Bon Homme Richard.

WEEKEND ONE 1 – 2 SEPTEMBER

Oil & Gas Technology Centre in Aberdeen is opening its doors to let visitors see the Innovation Hub and give an insight into how this forward-thinking organisation is

Areas: Dumfries & Galloway, East

WEEKEND TWO 8 – 9 SEPTEMBER

Renfrewshire, Fife East, Highland: Inverness

Areas: Aberdeen City (Saturday), Angus,

oil and gas industry.

and surrounding area, West Lothian and

Ayrshire, Dundee, East Dunbartonshire

West Dunbartonshire

(Saturday), Fife Central, Highland: Black

large five-storey building, which also stored

Isle and Easter Ross, Inverclyde, Midlothian,

whisky from Greenock whisky distillers and

North Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire

other products, as well as providing shelter

Plan a walk along a section of the Fife

The Tobacco Warehouse in Greenock is a

for American soldiers during World War Two

Coastal Path and make a visit to the pretty St Monans Windmill where you’ll learn

working towards transforming the North Sea

See the historic Dysart Town Hall and

about former salt production in the area, and

Tolbooth in Fife and find out about the

more. but also about how sailors are made

village as it was in days gone by, including its

– graffiti and messages from back then can still be seen inside.

Built in 1590 on a cliff edge, Ballone

safer off this coast, from the volunteers of

former industries, and its harbour which has

Castle was left a roofless ruin after the

the Coastwatch St Monans team doing extra

featured in the hit TV series Outlander.

Jacobite rebellion, but was restored as a

duty today for Doors Open Day. 36

CELTIC CANADA | FALL 2018

Want to know what happens day-to-day

family home by the Stewart family. Step

inside this three storey tower house and

gorgeous building you might have admired

a fascinating 17th century alms-house. Learn

grasp a rare opportunity to see an incredible

in the past, but step inside to see a wonderful

about the strict rules for people living here

restoration project, and an insight into living

civic palace in George Square.

back in the difficult days of the 1600s.

in a castle.

Grab a cup and learn more about

Constructed to house the town’s bell

Glasgow’s coffee-making history during

and clock, as well as containing temporary

in Ayrshire. Built in 1965, the facility was

a tour of the Dear Green Coffee Roasters

lockups, is the Falkirk Steeple. Ascend the

designed to report on nuclear explosions and

(Saturday 15) or perhaps beer is your

stairs and see the two original prison cells,

fall out in the Firth of Clyde.

beverage of choice? There are special

complete with their original reinforced

30-minute tours over the weekend of the

doors.

Climb into Skelmorlie Secret Bunker

Did you know guide dogs have been trained in Forfar for over 50 years? At the

Drygate Brewery too – both are in the East

Guide Dog Centre in this Angus town, take

End.

WEEKEND FOUR 22 – 23 SEPTEMBER

WEEKEND THREE 15 – 16 SEPTEMBER

Areas: Argyll and Bute: Dunoon and

Areas: Aberdeenshire, Falkirk, Fife West,

and Strathspey, Highland: Wester Ross

treasured buildings, Dudhope Castle. In

Highland: Caithness and Sutherland, Perth

(Saturday), Moray (Saturday) and Perth &

the 1680s it was home to John Graham of

& Kinross: Eastern and Highland Perthshire,

Kinross: Strathearn & Kinross-shire

Claverhouse, Viscount of Dundee, a key

Scottish Borders and Stirling

a look at the kennels and learn about how these hard working, helpful pooches are trained.

See one of Dundee’s oldest and most

surrounding area, Highland: Badenoch

figure in the first Jacobite uprising of 1689.

In East Dunbartonshire, discover the beautiful Cadder Parish Church and its wonderful stained glass windows. In the graveyard, you can see a mort safe and a watch-hut, designed to discourage grave robbers.

GLASGOW DOORS OPEN DAYS FESTIVAL 10 – 16 SEPTEMBER Glasgow’s doors are open for a week with

Covesea Lighthouse, near Lossiemouth Stonehaven Harbour, Aberdeenshire Explore the lovely harbour at Stonehaven

Dating back to 1846, the Covesea

with a visit to the town’s oldest building The

Lighthouse was manned by light keepers

special exhibitions, guided walks and places

Tolbooth, a former courthouse and prison.

until 1984, since then it has been controlled

to explore as part of Glasgow’s Doors Open

Or, take a wander to admire the Clock

remotely from Edinburgh. Join a guided

Days Festival.

Tower – look above the doorway to see the

tour and see the ins and outs of a working

Get a look inside the projection box and

large barometer (dating back to 1852) that

lighthouse, and enjoy amazing views of the

hear fascinating talks at the Glasgow Film

fishermen would have relied upon to predict

Moray Firth.

Theatre. Dating from before World War

the weather forecast.

II, it’s considered to be Scotland’s original independent cinema.

Making beverages from locally cultivated

Keen to learn more about green living?

Visit AES Solar in Forres for an insight

and foraged fruits, leaves and flowers is

into the only company in the UK that

Perthshire’s Cairn o’Mohr Winery. Their site

manufactures solar thermal collectors, and

see inside the Arlington Baths Club, a private

includes old farm buildings dating back 140

find out more about how you could benefit

members club and a peaceful retreat for busy

years ago and there’s a vibrant ranch style

from solar energy.

citizens of Glasgow. See the unique Turkish

shop, café, and play area to explore.

A fine example of Victorian architecture,

Suite and stylish members lounge, reading room and billiard’s room.

See an early 19th century mill, complete

Considered to be the oldest masonry fortification in Scotland, Castle Roy near

with working water wheel, at the Mill of

Nethy Bridge in the Highlands is nearing

Benholm, Kincardineshire, as well as the

the conclusion of a 24-year of consolidation

beautiful, medieval Glasgow Cathedral, built

former miller’s house, former byre, old grain

project. The site is almost ready to welcome

over the burial place of St Mungo, the patron

store and community garden.

the public, but this is a unique chance for a

Discover over 800 years of history at the

saint of Glasgow. Another key building to

Founded to treat the poor members of

check out is the Glasgow City Chambers, a

Stirling society, Cowane’s Hospital Stirling is

sneak preview!

Continued on page 38 CELTIC CANADA | FALL 2018

37

Continued from page 37 – S COTLAND

OPENS ITS DOORS IN SEPTEMBER

The Argyll Papers are housed in the farm

In Perth, go behind the scenes of the

for the family’s cars and stood empty for a

offices at Cherry Park, Inveraray. These

fascinating Perth Museum & Art Gallery, an

documents relate to the archaeological

age-old building dating back to 1784 and

discoveries made by the dukes of Argyll. Over

its Library Room to see some rarely seen

Clackmannanshire, restored as part of the

the weekend, there will be a tour of Inveraray

exhibits and volumes from the library and

Ochils Landscape Partnership programme.

and a second tour which delves into the

museum stores.

Dating from the early 1800s, the ice house is

contents of the archives and the discoveries held inside the stores.

Step inside the once-forgotten Leith Theatre in Leith, Edinburgh. Unused since the 1980s, the theatre is being brought back

number of years.

Chill out in Alva Ice House in

of an elaborate design, with its long entrance passage and heptagonal corridor.

Sutherland & Co.’s architect’s studio, in

WEEKEND FIVE 29 – 30 SEPTEMBER

to life and will become a vibrant cultural

the charming seaside town of North Berwick

centre for performance, visual arts and

in East Lothian, invites you to explore their

Areas: Clackmannanshire, East Lothian,

community events.

amazing art-deco inspired creative space,

Edinburgh, Highland: Fort Augustus, Perth & Kinross: Perth City and South Lanarkshire

Leith’s important shipping history can be discovered at Custom House, an impressive

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CELTIC CANADA | FALL 2018

m deep and just 3 m wide.

building once used to oversee the payment

Of course, there are many more amazing

of duty for importing and exporting goods

places opening their doors across Scotland,

through the Port of Leith.

with events taking place during the whole

See where amateur actors have tread the

month of September. Please always check the

boards at The Coach House Theatre in Alloa.

Doors Open Days website for further details

Home to the Alman Dramatic Club, the 63-

and always check dates before you visit.

seat performance venue was originally built

Source: VisitScotland

in the early 1900s as a coach house for the Perth Museum & Art Gallery

dating back to the 1940’s and measuring 45

Patons of Inglewood. It later became a garage

PLEASE ENJOY RESPONSIBLY. Can shown is Hop House 13 Lager Beer 500mL 5.0%