Established 1966
Volume 49
Harp Strings
Keeping Irish history and culture alive in South Texas. December 2015-January 2016
Issue 2
The Harp & Shamrock Irish Festival 2016
The Harp & Shamrock Irish Festival will be held on Saturday March 19, 2016 on the campus of UIW from noon till 8 pm. The event will once again celebrate the rich Irish heritage and traditions in south Texas with a full day of activities. The day will start with a St. Patrick’s Day parade at noon, followed by Gaelic football and this year we will also host a hurling competition. The NOLA GAA team from New Orleans has been invited to the tournament this year. Entertainment this year includes performances by the Kelly singers, Ravenmoor, San Antonio Pipes and Drums and Inishfree. This year we have two new groups performing, both from the Austin area, Sean Orr & Celtic Texas and Black Irish Texas. We are creating a special area in the festival called Passport to Ireland where we will have informative and interactive exhibits that will tell the story of the Harp & Shamrock Society 50 year history, Irish Texas history, Irish culture and traditions, and highlights of famous Irish.
There will of course be Irish food and beverages, as well as craft vendors, and a genealogy booth. We again will be hosting a St. Baldrick’s Foundation fundraiser for childhood cancer research. Last year we raised over $40,000 at the festival for this worthy cause. This year we hope to raise even more. Make plans to join us. Check out our website and our Facebook page in the new year for more information, updates, schedule information, maps and much more.
Irish Happenings Around Texas
The new Irish Consul General Adrian Farrell, Kevin Dowd, Helen Tate, Secretary of State Carlos Cascos, Carolyn Dowd and Bernadette Barry Bonin all met at the new Irish House in Austin, TX in November.
All Star Hurling action took place in Commissioner Tommy Adkins and his wife Marlyn join Eileen Faught to help support the Ceili for a Austin December 13, Cause at St. Pius X. $7,000 was raised to help the 2015. More pictures retired Irish nuns! See what the Irish community can and info page 7. do when we get together!
www.harpandshamrock.org
INTEGRATING YOUR LEGAL, TAX & FINANCIAL PLANNING IS SO IMPORTANT! Come and learn why presented by:
HARP AND SHAMROCK SOCIETY OF TEXAS, INC P.O. Box 15306 San Antonio, TX 78212
PRESIDENT Melissa Schulz 210-831-2072. VICE PRESIDENT Melinda Britten 210-699-8632 2nd VICE PRESIDENT Elissa O’Brien 210-348-6877 TREASURER J.T. Norris 210-621-3407 SECRETARY Dana Goodman 210-219-7356 CHAPLAIN Bill Merriman 210-259-3482 BOARD of DIRECTORS Carolyn Dowd 210-896-1598 Darryl Britten 210-215-9952 Joan Moody 210-656-2666 Erin O’Brien 210-348-6877 Derek Cossey 210-886-8640 J. Sean Habina 210-523-9267 Allison Hicks 210-822-1182 Mike Dodd 210-373-7986 Michael O’Brien 210-422-2446 Eileen Faught 210-379-8462 Kevin P. Dowd 210-845-4424 Linda Grosse 720-987-6318 Elizabeth Hajek 210-861-3813 Jerry Mulvey 210-257-6707 IRISHMAN OF THE YEAR Terence Peak 2015 Editor in Chief Kevin Patrick Dowd The Staff: Carolyn Dowd John McCarthy Mariee Pilkington Eileen Burke Faught Pat Peak Erin Binkley ©2015 Dowd Ranch Publishing
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We are a group of lawyer’s, CPA’s and financial advisors who provide all three disciplines as one service to ensure our clients assets go to their children and grandchildren without the need for probate. You will learn why you should have a trust and how you can protect your children and grandchildren with this important document.
Diana Jordan, presenter
Longtime Member & Sponsor of The Harp & Shamrock Society Free! Appetizers & Refreshments will be provided! January 30, 2016 at 5pm Beethoven Mannaechor 422 Pereida
From the Laptop of Your Editor “They think that they have pacified Ireland. They think that they have purchased half of us and intimidated the other half. They think that they have foreseen everything, think that they have provided against everything; but the fools, the fools, the fools! - They have left us our Fenian dead, and while Ireland holds these graves, Ireland unfree shall never be at peace.”
Padraig Pearse’s famous oration at the graveside of O’Donovan Rossa.
Many believe that his speech in August 1915 set the tone for the Easter rising. The call to arms was a long time coming for the oppressed peoples of Ireland. Now 100 years later the entire nation is celebrating the year that started the push for independence. Amazing things are planned and already happening in Ireland and across the Diaspora. Since we are the Wild Geese of Ireland we’ve got our own plans. Since this coming year also coincides with the 50th Anniversary of the founding of our Society we are planning a huge 50th gala. There will be much more information in the next issue and plenty of opportunity to help out where and when you can. We’ve got the Harp and Shamrock Irish Festival where we need you also. I just want to take this time to wish you all a Happy Christmas and wonderful New Year. Please be safe and enjoy! Kevin Patrick Dowd shamrockeditor@gmail.com 210-845-4424
From the President Dear Members, Ireland, like most countries, has a number of Christmas traditions that are all its own. Many of these customs have their root in the time when the Gaelic culture and religion of the country were being suppressed. Here are just a few: The Twelve Days of Christmas The holidays wouldn’t be the same without music and did you know this carol is Ireland’s own? During the centuries when it was a crime to be Catholic in Ireland and England, “The Twelve Days of Christmas” was written to help young Catholics learn the beliefs of their faith. The Lit Candle In The Window Placing a lit candle in the window of a house on Christmas eve is still practiced today. It has a number of purposes but primarily it’s a symbol of welcome to Mary and Joseph as they travelled looking for shelter. The candle also indicated a safe place for priests to perform mass during times when it was not allowed. The Laden Table After the Christmas eve evening meal, the table was again set with a loaf of bread filled with caraway seeds and raisins, a pitcher of milk and a large lit candle. The door to the house was left unlatched so that Mary and Joseph, or any wandering traveler, could find rest. The Wren Boy Procession There was once a plot in a village against the local soldiers. They were surrounded and were about to be ambushed when a group of wrens pecked on their drums and awakened the soldiers. The plot failed and the wren became known as ‘The Devil’s bird’. On St. Stephens day a procession takes place where a pole with a holly bush is carried from house to house and families dress up in old clothes and with blackened faces. In olden times an actual wren would be killed and placed on top of the pole. This custom has to a large degree disappeared but the tradition of visiting from house to house on St. Stephens Day has survived and is very much part of Christmas. Little Christmas Also called Women’s Christmas or Nollaig na mBan is observed by Christians in Ireland, particularly women, on January 6th. The celebrations center around religious services, gift giving and family gatherings that observe the visit of the Three Kings to Jesus and is the former date of Christmas. Now, it ends the Christmas Season. All decorations are traditionally taken down on Little Christmas (January 6th.) and it is considered to be bad luck to take them down beforehand. Even decorations have a start in Ireland. The placing of a ring of Holly on doors originated in Ireland as Holly was one of the main plants that flourished at Christmas time and gave the poor plenty to decorate their homes with. continued page 7
Harp History
Editors note: Last issue I asked about the wooden Claddagh that has been passed down from president to president for the last 25 years. Who knew it was going on that long? Thanks to Joan we’ve finally gotten some history to answer the mystery and she has given us a hidden glimpse into the 50 year history of the Harp. By Joan Moody In 1990 some members of the Harp and Shamrock Society of Texas went to Ireland. On the trip were President Eleanor Beck, Mae and Ted Kelly, Betsy and Joe Kobell, myself and some others. We went as a thank you to the then Minister for Energy, Robby Molloy who had accepted Pat Dowd’s invitation to be our Grand Marshal. Minister Molloy, no relation to the late Tom Molloy, and his wife, Phyllis thoroughly enjoyed their visit here and felt proud of the Irish who fell at the Alamo. Minister Molloy and his wife hosted us in his home at Rockbarton in Salthill, which was near the hotel we stayed. Willy Fahy accompanied us on our tour around the west and Dublin. We stayed at the Salthill Hotel overlooking
Betsy & Joe Kobell, Joan Moody, WIlly Fahy, Ted Kelly.
Article from the Galway Advertiser.
www.harpandshamrock.org
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Harp History
(continued from page 3)
the promenade and Galway Bay. Peg and Martin Murray owned this hotel; who also owned Cregg Castle, a working farm where they got their beef and veal. Their daughter Ann Marie and son-in-law Pat Broderick and their daughters, whose names I no long remember, ran Cregg, which was being developed as a B&B. Peg and Martin hosted us with a special meal in Castle along with live Irish folk music headed by their son-in-law Pat Broderick. Richie Quinn, a friend of Willy’s, wanted to do something nice for us and so he arranged for the reception and presentation of the Claddagh Plaque. Robby Molloy was there as was Angela Lupton, the Mayor, and Liz Hackett, Martin Connolly and Bridie Flaherty of Galway City Council. The local Galway media were there for both the Connaught Tribune and Galway Advertiser. The Advertiser clipping shows Eleanor with Mayor Lupton and Richie Quinn. The Betsy & Joe Kobell, Mae & Ted Kelly, Willy Fahy, Eleanor Beck. most humorous part of this reception, being on a Sunday as it was, was that Eleanor and another person wanted to buy some jewelry. Richie was in a quandary because at that time Ireland still had what we call a blue law, which is no trading on Sunday. He asked Robby Molloy what to do and a political answer was given “if you don’t tell I won’t!” How the trip to Quinn’s Jewellers started was thanks in no small part to the late Willy Fahy, who in 1990 convined Eleanor, Mae, Ted, Betsy, Joe and myself to go to Ireland. There was another lady on the trip whose name I don’t remember but Mae might. I suppose in some ways it was a thank you to Ireland’s then minister of energy, Robby Molloy who accepted your uncle’s invitation to be Grand Marshal in 1990. Robby came with his wife Phyllis. We visited Richie Quinn’s shop on a Sunday for the reception and that is when he presented Eleanor with the Claddagh Kobell’s, Kelly’s, Joan, Willy Fahy, Eleanor Beck & unknown lady. plaque. This was before Ireland went to the Euro and so the Irish pound was the currency of the day and I think it was close to 2000 Irish pounds that he made off us. He told me this helped him get through hard times that winter of ‘90. Galway officials present at that reception were Gerry Connelly (deputy mayor), Liz Hacket and Bridie Flaherty. All three were members of Galway City Council. I remember that in 1995 then President Mary Robinson visited San Antonio and the reception was held at the McNutt Gallery at the Old Ursuline (now the San Antonio Art Center). I asked the then consul if he would do a special invitation for a nun, a native of Castlebar, Mayo who had celebrated her 100th birthday on March 17, as Mayo was Mary Robinson’s county. He did and she was shocked but pleased. I was able to get a picture of her with Mary Robinson and when the nun died at the age of 103 that picture was on top of her casket. Who knew the pleasure small things give?
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Unknown musicians playing somewhere in Ireland. Ed: Thanks you Joan Moody for finding these great photos and digging through her memories to share these stories with us. I look forward to more and hope this will become a permanent column in our newsletter.
www.harpandshamrock.org
A Harp and Holly Holiday!
The Harp Christmas party was at the Barn Door again this year, a crowd favorite. The Kelly Singers did an outstanding job entertaining during the cocktail hour. Thanks go to the superb leadership of Tom Ewing. Madame President Melissa Schulz helped hand out the door prizes. Special thanks to David and Barb Patrick for organizing this special event. New members were made welcome and included Rita and Paul Simonetta, pictured bottom left. New members Dennis & Barbie Moroney, pictured bottom right with Jim Egan and Linda Grosse. New board member Jim Gorman with his beautiful wife Michelle and wonderful daughter Grace, pictured right . New member Jeanne Albrecht chats with Margaret Burke and Barbara Warnock, pictured left. A very special thanks to Linda Grosse for the great photography!
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Book Review Around Ireland With a Fridge By Tony Hawks
Movie Review
Brooklyn (2015 PG-13) 112 min.
Director John Crowley, written by Colm Tóibín and Nick “An epic journey well told,” was Hornby: featuring Saoirse Rohow I ended a book review last isnan, Domhnall Gleeson, Emory sue. This book is the flip side of that Cohen, Julie Walters, and Jim Broadbent. coin. English songwriter and comic The little brother from the ItalTony Hawks loved to tell of seeing ian family, James DiGiacomo is a hitchhiker with a refrigerator on a such a funny part of this otherprevious trip to Ireland. This hilarious wise dramatic movie. He basistory led to a bar bet that then turned into an advencally repeats what his family has ture. been saying about the Irish his The bet of “100 £... that he cannot hitchhike round the entire upbringing. So for him to have a real live ‘Ireesh’ circumference of Ireland, with a fridge, within one in the house is amazing. The great Jim Broadbent does a calendar month.” What could possibly go wrong? Evgood job of playing the priest who arranges the move. At erything. My favorite chapter was Surf City where he one point his Fr. Flood says: “Brooklyn needs Irish Girls.” meets a local surfer and after another pint-fueled night Eilis Lacey (Ronan) response is: “Doesn’t Ireland need in the pub the decision is made to take the fridge surfing Irish girls also?” Or something like that! Julie Walters is the other lighter element as the boarding house lady trying off Strandhill in County Sligo! He was helped around to keep a decent house with these young Irish girls running the island by occasional radio interviews that lead to around in this brave new world. The return trip to Wexford a few folks actually looking for Tony and his Fridge. I is where the true drama unfolds and decisions have to be think you will enjoy this traveler’s tale. made. Have your hanky ready. This is a beautifully filmed and perfectly written story for any immigrant. ©2000 Thomas Dunne Books. St. Martin’s Press Still in theaters.
Only Wounded: The Stories of the Irish Troubles By Patrick Taylor
Ellis (2015) 15 min. Director JR, writer Eric Roth, with Robert Di Nero Filmed in the hospital complex Anyone interested in the history on Ellis Island during a snow behind The Troubles will appreciate storm this moody artful film the complex stories that the author perfectly compliments the film has compiled here. They are told Brooklyn (above) and captures from both sides and dive deep into the forgotten tales of the imthe complex mix of characters on all migrant who made our country sides of the fighting in Northern Ireland. The most what it is. It is the story of sober part is the small section between stories that have one person but it could be any of our reletives who the actual statistics of the years covered. One chapter called “Gerry” was very close to the story passed through these doors on the way to a better future. From the official web site: “It is the story of in the movie ’71(reviewed last issue), and leaves you with the feeling that there were no winners. For the 30 the ghosts of our countries past, the individuals who years that this raged on over 3,000 lives were lost. One fled poverty, discrimination, and dictatorships, for a chance at a new life and eerily foreshadows the character quotes Yeats line: “Peace comes dropping slow.” Hopefully that peace is here to stay. This book I plight of those who currently seek the same opportunities and safety in this country and other parts of highly recommend. the world.” Available hardcover, paperback or Kindle. This amazing film is available on iTunes for free! Do yourself a favor and make a point of seeing this film. ©2015 Forge Books 6
SAGAC News
‘TWAS THE DAY OF GAELIC FOOTBALL By Chris A. Hayes
‘Twas the day of Gaelic football and all through the stands, People were cheering and clapping their hands! The numbers were hung on the scoreboard with care, In hopes that big points soon would be there! The players were nestled all snug in their cleats, Ready to show off their award-winning feats! And I in my braces over ankles and knees, Had just settled down on the bench if you please. I am not an athlete, I am not a jock. For most of the game I was watching the clock. I have a few aches and a wee bit of pain, I kind of was hoping it would start to rain. Our opponents were skilled and very unkind, It soon became clear we were falling behind! They ran us so ragged all over the pitch, We sure didn’t know which way was which! Then a noise on the lawn as I was sipping my cup, I sprang from my seat to see what was up! A teammate was hurt while during a clash, So out to the field I flew (sort of) like a flash! When, what to my wandering eyes should appear, But a tiny round ball and it was coming quite near! And following behind it were two ginger bruisers, They wanted to win and not be sore losers! I grabbed the ball fast and took a quick stride, Then gave it a kick and boy did it glide! It passed the goal’s keeper and earned us a point, There was then mad-cheering all through the joint!
From the President (continued) However you celebrate your holidays, I hope that you are enjoying “the most wonderful time of the year” (well, after March!) Speaking of which, planning of the 2016 March is going strong. We have new and much experienced support with organizing that we hope will elevate our Festival to another level. Our run registration is already open and a 50th Anniversary is being planned for September. The next event I hope to see you all will be our Social on January 19, 2016 at the Hard Rock Café starting at 5:30pm. You don’t want to miss the Awards dinner in February where we will announce the new Irishman of the Year, Cusack Awardees and 2016 St. Patrick’s Day Grand Marshall. We still need members for our events committees. Please reach out to anyone on the Board, read our Blog, keep an eye on our Facebook and web pages to see how you and your family can be more involved. I’m sure we can match your interest to a committee or event. On behalf of the Board of Directors, we want to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. ‘Nollaig Shona Duit’ Melissa Schulz
Croke Park comes to Austin! The feeling was like being on the field at Croke Park, Dublin, Ireland. Most folks will never get this close to the action! The GAA GPA All Stars from 2014 versus the All Stars
I scored several more and fixed our team brand, Then the coach said, “Let’s blow this pop stand!” So we took off our cleats and packed up our gear, (A legend was born from what I could hear!) On Brian and Darryl, Garrett and Kevin! We’re meeting at the pub a bit after seven! We’ll drink up our pints until the last call, Then we’ll dash away, dash away, dash away all! I have a few aches and a wee bit of pain, But for once I was glad we did not get rain! I couldn’t be happier, I couldn’t be gayer, Because on that day I was the most valuable player!
Thanks to Pat Doab and the Celtic Cowboys and our Consul General Adrian Farrell for making this amazing Irish weekend happen right here in the heart of Texas. More info: gaa.ie
from 2015. GAA is Gaelic Athletic Association, and GPA is the Gaelic Players Association. To see this level of play is a treat, but to see it right here in Texas was extraordinary!
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The Harp & Shamrock Society of Texas Newsletter Editor P.O. Box 15306 San Antonio, TX 78212
The best part of the GAA GPA All-Star Hurling weekend was the quick youth game that went on between the halves.
Cultural
Educational
Civic
Patriotic
Social
Thank Our Sponsors
January 2016
14th Board Meeting 19th Social @ the Hard Rock Cafe
February
11th Board Meeting 20 Annual Awards Dinner th
March
10th Board Meeting 13th St. Patrick’s Day River Parade th 17 St. Patrick’s Day Alamo Wreath Laying 19th H&S Donovan’s 5k Fun Run 19th Harp & Shamrock Irish Festival
Waxy O’Connor’s Irish Pub Lion & Rose Restaurant & Pub McCombs Foundation
Please check the calendar on our web site for the latest happenings!
Shamrockeditor@gmail.com
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