Established 1966
Harp Strings
Keeping Irish history and culture alive in South Texas. Volume 48
Jan-Feb 2015
Issue 2
Irish Consul General Visits the Irish in SA
Another Christmas has come and gone and the Harp once again got the season started off just right. The Irish know how to have a good time and have always had a deepseated love of this time of year. A big Thank You to Jim and Deby Jean Stelling for the donation of a beatiful stained glass shamrock. It was a great fundraiser. We were joined at our party by Adrian Farrell, the Consul General of Ireland in Austin.
Pictured above: Margaret Burke with Consul General Adrian Farrell.
From the Irish Consulate website introducing our new Consul General: “Ireland’s relationship with Texas and southwest dates back to the 18th century. Since then, Irish and Irish-Americans have contributed enormously to the development of Texas and the US southwest, and this proud legacy continues today. The opening of the Consulate General is a new chapter in this long and fruitful history between our peoples. I look forward to working to further develop the close ties that exist between Ireland, Texas and the southwest by forging new business, trade and economic links and by encouraging more US friends to visit or study in Ireland or to enjoy our rich culture, heritage and our unique language and sports.” Website: https://www.dfa.ie/irish-consulate/austin We’ll need to be watching for the grand opening of the Irish House, the permanent home to the Austin Consul General opening this year.
Call For Volunteers This year’s festival will be on March 14th! We will need over 90 volunteers in order to make this event happen successfully. Won’t you please sign up . . . get your family, neighbors and friends to also help. There are a variety of fun jobs and most shifts are only 2 hours. Volunteers will get free admission, drink ticket and your name entered in the “volunteer only” raffle for prizes valuing big $! Volunteers will get additional instructions and specific orientation about each position below prior to the event. All the information is in the link on our website.
Above: Carolyn Dowd and Melinda Britten present Consul General Farrell with a small token of our appreciation and his first of, hopefully, many President’s medals. (More photos on pages 3&7)
(continued page 6) www.harpandshamrock.org
Veterans Day Parade 2014
HARP AND SHAMROCK SOCIETY OF TEXAS, INC P.O.Box 15306 San Antonio, TX 78212
PRESIDENT Dana Goodman 210-219-7356 VICE PRESIDENT Melissa Schulz 210-445-2777 2nd VICE PRESIDENT Melinda Britten 210-699-8632 TREASURER J.T. Norris 210-621-3407 SECRETARY Diana Jordan 210-872-7092 CHAPLAIN Fr. Francis McHugh 210-416-4516 BOARD of DIRECTORS Carolyn Dowd 210-896-1598 Darryl Britten 210-215-9952 Elissa O’Brien 210-348-6877 Joan Moody 210-656-2666 Erin O’Brien 210-348-6877 Rob Holden 210-243-5067 Derek Cossey 210-886-8640 J. Sean Habina 210-523-9267 Allison Hicks 210-822-1182 Barbara Patrick 210-658-1506 Mike Dodd 210-373-7986 Michael O’Brien 210-422-2446 Terence Peak 210-829-3920 Kevin P. Dowd 210-845-4424 IRISHMAN OF THE YEAR Eileen Burke Faught 2014 Editor in Chief Kevin Patrick Dowd 210-845-4424 The Staff: Carolyn Dowd John McCarthy Mariee Pilkington Terry Peak Eileen Burke Faught Pat Peak ©2015 Dowd Ranch Publishing
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Once again the Irish were well represented at the annual Veterans Day Parade in San Antonio. Thanks to all the members who came out to join us. Let’s keep this tradition going. We had a fun time at the Barn Door for our annual Christmas party. Please excuse the oldstyle pictures throughout this issue. We used a very, very old disposible camera and the pictures that we could use all came out blue. But Carolyn had done such a good job of getting many of the folks that I felt I’d rather have the pictures. Thanks to Eileen’s and Wayne’s new iPhone 6 for the great shots that made it into the leading national newspaper The Irish Echo. 2016 is going to be a big year for the Harp as well as for Ireland. The Harp and Shamrock Society will reach the milestone of our Golden Anniversary. Our 50th year. It will also be the 100th anniversary of the Easter uprising at home. There’s already preliminary planning going on for an amazing Golden Gala. We had a practice run back in ‘06 when we celebrated our 40th. Also talks have started about a possible summer trip that year to the Emerald Isle. I don’t think my cousins can fit everyone, but if we get an early start I’m sure we can get this trip arranged. Kevin Patrick Dowd shamrockeditor@gmail.com
Matt and Debra Henderson, on left, joined in with the fun festive atmosphere that filled the room at the Barn Door this holiday. Bill Merriman was all smiles as Barbara Warnock and I get ready to enjoy the Harp christmas party.
From the President
Happy New Year! Here’s to a great 2015!
Irish Christmas Party @ The Barn Door
Calling all golfers! The St. Patrick’s Day Golf Scramble will be March 20, 2015 at Fort Sam Houston Golf Course. Sign up and bring friends! This is always a fun event. The 2nd Annual South Texas Alamo Irish Festival is coming up March 14, 2015 and is just a few short weeks away! I would like to thank the The University of The Incarnate Word for allowing us the use of their campus again! This partnership has been amazing and here’s hoping for many years of continued partnership! We are working hard to grow the Festival and to become the premiere South Texas St. Patrick’s Day event! I encourage all of you to come out and bring your friends and family. There are activities for those of all ages. There will be food, Irish music and dancing, Gaelic Football and the amazing band, Blaggards, will be returning. Donovan’s Run will take place on the morning of the Festival and will end at Benson Stadium. The St. Patrick’s Day Parade will be back again! It will begin at 11:00 and will be at Benson Stadium as well. I also encourage all of you to keep a lookout for volunteer opportunities. These events do not happen without your help. We are coming up on a very busy time of year for us Irish. Please check the website for upcoming events and volunteer opportunities. I must say, taking on the role of President of this great Society has excited me and yet humbled me. I really want to thank the Board for all the encouragement and kind words. Especially Eileen Burke Faught and Kevin Patrick Dowd, I couldn’t do this without you! Until next time…Slainte!
Dana Goodman
Our Society is once again involved with this amazing day of giving. This years date is May 5th 2015, Cinco di Mayo, let’s party! We were part of the $2.1 million raised last year. Let’s set a goal to exceed last years. It was just like Christmas in Killarney! 70% of organizations that set a goal had an engaged A great night was had by all! board and they were also 4x more likely to finish in the top quarter of participants. www.harpandshamrock.org
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Winterfest Helotes
One of the great volunteer opportunities was the second annual Winterfest in Helotes. It brings together many childrens’ charities and has a parade around the fair grounds in Helotes. Plus Santa-Wan Kenobi (above) was there! Our very own March chair Carolyn Dowd and Parade chair Linda Grosse were the parade lineup coordinators. They took the lead in getting folks lined up. Diana Jordan also volunteered to help lead the parade. Carolyn also got to drive Santa! As someone was heard to say: “It’s like herding kittens.” And just as much fun! We were enlisted by our number one volunteer J. Sean Habina. See you next year!
Watch our website and FaceBook for other volunteer oppourtunities!
“If You Find Mistakes in this publication, please consider that they are there for a purpose. We publish something for everyone, and some people are always looking for mistakes.” (Ed note: I found this in an ‘70s era newsletter. Thanks Uncle Pat!)
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www.harpandshamrock.org
As seen in the Irish Echo
Ed note: This halfpage spread was in the Dec. 31 issue of the Irish Echo on page 12. To subscribe go to www.irishecho.com.
H.E.B. Feast of Sharing 2014
This year’s H.E.B. Feast of Sharing was bigger than ever. The Harp members have been involved for years and our hard work doesn’t go unnoticed. Thanks to everyone who came out to lend a hand. Pictured left: Kevin & Carolyn Dowd, Terry Peak, Linda Grosse, Pat Peak, Chris Hayes, Hal & Cheryl Carson, Gracie McGrew, Michael O’Brien, Elvira Barrera and Rob Holden. Pictured right: Derek Cossey, Melinda Britten (on left) and Melissa Schulz (on right) join Rob, Michael, Gracie, Cheryl and Pat for the after duty meals for the volunteers. This is one of the most fun filled volunteer opportunities we have and starts the holiday season off just right. 5
Movie Review Calvary(2014)
This amazing film Calvary is the sophomore effort from Irish director John Michael McDonagh. It reunites him with his leading man from his first film The Guard, Brendan Gleeson. It was while filming The Guard with Gleeson and Don Cheedle in late 2009 that McDonagh conceived the idea for Calvary and wrote the screenplay. McDonagh explained the intentions he had for the film: “There are probably films in development about priests which involve abuse. My remit is to do the opposite of what other people do, and I wanted to make a film about a good priest.” He elaborates that it is tonally “in the same darkly comedic vein as The Guard, but with a much more serious and dramatic narrative.” Filming began in September of 2012 and they spent three weeks shooting in and around County Sligo primarily in the town of Easkey where the film is set and also on the Streedagh beach. Gleeson does a wonderful turn as a disillusioned priest. The first 5 minutes of the film are all concentrated on Fr. James face and reactions in the confessional box when he is told a disturbing story from behind the screen. He’s told he is going to be killed in a week’s time and to get himself ready. Can he find out who it is who wants him dead? Can he stop the inevitable showdown? It is well worth your time to take this journey. If you enjoyed Brendan Gleeson in The Guard you can’t go wrong with Calvary. It is available on Bluray, DVD and also Amazon, iTunes and many other digital providers. The new season has just started! Are you ready to play one of the most popular and exciting games from Ireland in Texas? Well you are in luck. The new season has just begun and training is underway for March 14. Even though this is a centuries old sport a beginner can pick up the basics in minutes. There is also talk of a 2016 footballers trip to Ireland. Maybe we can all go together? I’ll keep you posted. 6
The SAGAC is a 501(c)3 so your donations are tax deductable.
Festival Volunteers (contined from page1) To sign up, go to this link:
www.SignUpGenius.com/go/10C0848AFAA23AAFE3south/15559698
Or e-mail David Patrick: dwpatrick01@gmail.com Please review this list and contact him with the activity and time you would like to volunteer. VOLUNTEER BOOTH Check-in volunteers, vendors and performers. Provide each volunteer with name badge, etc. Provide volunteer responsibilities information, as necessary. SET-UP & DECORATE Decorate booths and stage, organize and stock booths. Hang display signs and advertising signs. Supply Officer is in charge. PARADE Assist with parade lineup, reviewing area, carry parade banner and Harp and Shamrock banner in parade, set up sound system and reviewing area. ENTRANCE TICKET BOOTH #1 Collect entrance fee. Verify Active military ID for free admission. Hand stamp individuals leaving who want to return. ENTRANCE TICKET BOOTH #2 Collect entrance fee. Verify Active military ID for free admission. Hand stamp individuals leaving who want to return. DRINK TICKET BOOTH Sell tickets for beer, soda, water only. WATER/SODA BOOTH Collect tickets for water / soda purchase. No cash. Stock water and soda, replenish ice as needed. HARP MERCHANDISE STORE Sell Harp & Shamrock distinctive merchandise, i.e., medals, t-shirts, etc. RAFFLE TICKET SELLERS Wander through crowd and sell raffle tickets for giveaway item(s) on display at Harp store. TAKE-DOWN & CLEANUP Under the leadership of the Supply Officer, return Harp & Shamrock items to supply truck, i.e., tents, signs, decorations, etc.
More Harp Christmas Pictures Thank you very much to the following members and friends who have generously given financial support to the South Texas Alamo Irish Festival!
Richard & Janice Duggan Father William McNamarra Jerry & Anita Lindner Michael Sharp & Therese Norris Philip & Peggy Harris Philip & Carla Burke Judge Sarah Garrahan Clem Lyons John Downes Patricia Alvarez David & Barb Patrick Wayne & Eileen Faught Tom & Paula Ewing Michael O’Brien Darryl & Melinda Britten George & Regina Tracy Mark & Terri Patrick James & Michele Gorman Betty Krueger John Smith Elvira Puig Barrera Mary Jo Quinn Julie Hasdorff & John Convery Bob Meade Joan Moody Chris Price Bill & Sharon Kennedy Carolyn & Kevin Patrick Dowd SAGAC Chris Hayes
A Blast From the Past! Pictured at right are our two Founders Sean Burke and Patrick Dowd with Gini Dowd. Group hugs are just part of Irish life. I’ve come across lots of old photos of early Harp events and parties. (Not sure if there was much of a difference!LOL!)
Volunteer opportunity!
We are still looking for someone to step up and help with our festival Kid zone. A ton of fun was had last year even with the weather. We’ve got folks ready to help we just need a point person. Won’t you help your Society, and this little one, and make this year’s festival bigger and better than ever? Only you can make it a reality. Please reach out to us to help. Thanks!
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The Harp & Shamrock Society of Texas Newsletter Editor P.O. Box 15306 San Antonio, TX 78212
Cultural
Educational
February
Civic
Patriotic
Social
Thank Our Sponsors
21 Awards Diner Ft. Sam Houston GC
March
1st Irish Heritage Day Leon Valley 14th Sat, South Texas Alamo Irish Festival University of the Incarnate Word Donovan’s Run Texas Gaelic Football Parade 15th Sunday, River Parade 17 Tuesday, St. Patrick’s Day Alamo Ceremony
Lion & Rose Restaurant & Pub McCombs Foundation Waxy O’Connor’s Irish Pub
th
20th Friday, Golf Scramble
Shamrockeditor@gmail.com
www.harpandshamrock.org ©2015 Dowd Ranch Publishing