Harp Strings Vol50 no2 by Harp and Shamrock Society of Texas

Harp Strings Keeping Irish history and culture alive in South Texas for 50 years! Volume 50 Issue 2

The Official Newsletter of the Harp & Shamrock Society

James Joyce (Talk)Thein Austin Consulate General of Ireland – Austin, wel-

comed renowned James Joyce expert Dr. Tom Staley to lecture on the Irish novelist and poet on Jan. 12, 2017. As the former director of UT Austin’s Harry Ransom Center and founder of the James Joyce Quarterly, among other things, Staley has greatly contributed to the international study of Joyce’s life and works. During the lecture, Dr. Staley discussed his experiences, as well as some of Joyce’s most famous works, including “Ulysses” and “Finnegans Wake.” The event drew a full house, also featuring a Q-and-A session and a reception. By Erin O’Brien

As Seen in the Irish Echo

Elizabeth Hajek, is pictured with New York Police Department Commissioner, James O’Neill at the Irish Echo Law & Order Awards held at Rosie O’Grady’s in Manhattan. Elizabeth is a Criminal investigator in the Special Crimes Section of the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office. She was the winner of the Advocate for Justice Award. Commissioner O’Neill delivered the keynote address at the eight annual event. www.irishecho.com

Become Part of History

Become part of history and represent your family’s Irish heritage. Your family crest can become a permanent part of the Harp and Shamrock Passport to Ireland Interactive Exhibit. The Passport to Ireland is a family friendly exhibit highlighting Irish History, Irish Texas History, famous Irishmen, legends, genealogy and more. It is a traveling, durable educational display and you can see it this year at the Murphy’s Irish Festival at La Villita on March 17 and 18. The Passport to Ireland will also be part of the United Way Kidsfest, a Fiesta sponsored event on April 29, 2017. We also are invited to display at the San Antonio Central Public Library. Show your support of the Harp & Shamrock Society and help us to tell your story by sponsoring your family crest. Make at least a $50 donation at Harpandshamrock.org and use key word: “crest” in the note. Or send payment to

Winter 2017

Harp and Shamrock Society, PO Box 15306, San Antonio, TX, 78212. Then forward a high-resolution picture of your family crest to me at cdowdpa@hotmail.com. Please include who is the sponsor or if it is in memory of a family member. DEADLINE MARCH 1, 2017.

One More 50th Anniversary Memory!

PRESIDENT Melissa Schulz

210-831-2072

VICE PRESIDENT Melinda Britten

210-699-8632

2nd VICE PRESIDENT Elissa O’Brien 210-348-6877 TREASURER Wayne Faught

210-835-6766

SECRETARY Dana Goodman

210-219-7356

CHAPLAIN Bill Merriman

210-259-3482

IRISHMAN OF THE YEAR Melinda Britten 2016 BOARD of DIRECTORS Carolyn Dowd Darryl Britten Joan Moody Erin O’Brien Michael O’Brien Eileen Faught Kevin P. Dowd Linda Grosse James Gorman Elizabeth Hajek Terence Peak John Smith

210-896-1598 210-215-9952 210-656-2666 210-348-6877 210-422-2446 210-379-8462 210-845-4424 720-987-6318 210-954-0713 210-861-3813 210-218-8795 210-240-7736

Editor in Chief Kevin Patrick Dowd

shamrockeditor@gmail.com

The Staff:

Chris A. Hayes Eileen Faught Mariee Pilkington John McCarthy Pat Peak Erin Binkley Carolyn Dowd

This letter and photo from the President arrived too late to make it into the 50th Gala program.

Launch of Emigrant Support Programme 2017

“I am constantly impressed by the incredible work being done by organizations around the world to support Irish emigrants and the global Irish community, from grass roots community and voluntary groups to non-profit organizations operating at a large scale. The Government of Ireland looks forward to continuing to support this work for the 2017-18 funding year.”

Joe McHugh T.D.

Ireland’s Minister of State for the Diaspora and International Development

Adrian Farrell, Consul General of Ireland in Austin and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade are pleased to announce the launch of the Emigrant Support Programme (ESP) for 2017. Information on the ESP programme: www.dfa.ie/ourf rolefpolicies/ thefirishfabroad/emigrantfsupportfprogramme/

Letter from the Editor

“Virtus Ipsa Suis Firmissima Nititur Armis”

“Bravery is Best Sustained By Arms” O’Dowd family motto.

Exciting times are here for the Harp and the Irish in South Texas. This town loves a party and has started gearing up for the 300th anniversary of San Antonio. We’ve made it a point to make sure the Irish contribution is part of the story that makes this city great. It isn’t just about looking at our history but looking to the future and the history we are going to make. Enjoy this issue and let me know what you think. www.harpandshamrock.org Kevin Patrick Dowd

Letter From The President I’m proud everyday to be Irish, never more then

when working side by side with members to preserve and promote our Irish history and culture. New opportunities to forward our mission presented itself and last month as we joined forces with the City’s Office of Historic Preservation (COHP), Tricenntial 300 and CENTRO –the Downtown Public Improvement District. COHP and the Harp and Shamrock are working on the March 2017 SA Preservation 5K. This is a guided tour through some of San Antonio’s most historic locations. On March 25th the focus is downtown Irish heritage (Irish Flats). As runners pass through the Irish flats they have the option of stopping and listening to the Irish history of a house or a spot. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Melinda Britten, 1st Vice President and Chair of our Education and Culture Committee. The Harp and Shamrock was granted official Tricentennial 300 status for 2018 March events. That announcement was made as part of its second round of Community Partners celebration on January 24th. In addition, Gerry & Allison Mulvey continue to represent the Harp as members of the City of San Antonio Tricentennial‘s education and culture subcommittee. CENTRO has jumped on board with our efforts to “green” SA. Landmarks and buildings throughout the city—including the Tower of Americas, The Quarry and Bank of America—will “Go Green SA” in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day and the Harp & Shamrock Society, in keeping with the Global Greening initiative started by the country of Ireland seven years ago. We are urging local landmarks to join the Colosseum in Rome, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, the Freedom Tower in NYC and Fenway Park in Boston, in the “greening” fun. Harp & Shamrock is also reminding San Antonians to color their Facebook and Instagram pages green during March. The kick-off to March will be the Annual Awards Dinner on February 18th. Be there to hear the announcement of the Irishman of the Year, Cusack Awardees, see what volunteer spots in March we have, view our 2017 President’s medal and the FIESTA medal, and enjoy each other’s company. • Saturday, March 11, 2017, 8:30 a.m. the 34th

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3 Annual Harp & Shamrock Society 5K Run & Fitness Walk – “Guinness at the Finish” - Lady Bird Johnson Park. Friday and Saturday, March 17 & 18, 2017 – Go Green SA (see above). Friday, March 17, 2017, Noon -1 p.m. – Harp & Shamrock Wreath Laying Ceremony – Entrance to The Alamo. 50th presentation honoring Irish heroes present at the Battle of the Alamo. Friday, March 17, 2017, 1 p.m. – Dyeing of the San Antonio River in the downtown River Walk area – River dyed green and renamed “The River Shannon.” Friday, March 17, 2017, 2 – 9 p.m. – Murphy’s St. Patrick’s Day Festival & Harp & Shamrock Music Festival – Arneson River Theatre in La Villita. Co-sponsored by Harp & Shamrock Society and Paseo del Rio Association, it offers free non-stop schedule of Irish bands, singers and dancers. Saturday, March 18, 2017, Noon – 9 p.m. – Murphy’s St. Patrick’s Day Festival & Harp & Shamrock Music Festival – Arneson River Theatre in La Villita. Co-sponsored by Harp & Shamrock Society and Paseo del Rio Association, it offers free non-stop schedule of Irish bands, singers and dancers. Saturday, March 18, 2017, 4 p.m. – Murphy’s St. Patrick’s Day River Parade – San Antonio River Walk - the only one of its kind in the world. Co-sponsored by Harp & Shamrock Society and Paseo del Rio Association.

March is always the time when interest in the Society peaks. By volunteering at our many events listed below and wearing your Society shirts, we can recruit new friends, parents and members. You can now purchase our shirts through our website. Order now to have yours by March! In closing, our year end appeal was a success. Thank you to all of those that gave a little extra piece of their heart to our Society. Slán go fóill, Melissa Schulz President 210-831-2072

www.harpandshamrock.org

Harp & Shamrock Celebrates the Holidays!

www.harpandshamrock.org

the SA 300 Celebration

Newscaster Ursula Pari of KSAT was the MC at the SA300® Community Partners unveiling and celebration at the Guadalupe Arts Center.

Harp History

From the archives we have Don Mach, St. Patrick’s Day Parade Commissioner on the left, and Patrick Clark, Harp President on the right, presenting a certificate of appreciation to Edward Davis, (if I’m reading it right) March 17, 1978. If any members have any information on this, or have any old photographs of the Harp, please contact the editor. Thanks.

2016 H.E.B. Feast of Sharing

Members were all smiles at the 2016 Feast of Sharing. This is one of the greatest Holiday traditions. Just being a part of this event gives all involved the best feeling in the world. Volunteers were: Phil, Sean & Amanda Burke, Casey Donnelly & Tim Knight, Wayne, Shannon & Sean Faught, Pat Peak, Terry Peak, Linda Grosse, Frances Ford, Darryl & Melinda Britten, Alister Smith, Brenda Tobey, Chris A. Hayes, Hal & Cheryl Carson, David Patrick and Melissa Schulz.

www.harpandshamrock.org

In Memorium Richard “Dick” McCracken December 29, 1938 – December 5, 2016

never forget the call that my dad received from Dick that Corky was seen walking up Hildebrand and Richard “Dick” McCracken was ended up grazing on the lawn of a beautiful mansion honored at our 50th Gala this year off Devine Road. The McCracken house, named after in recognition of his contribuDick, sits next door to that mansion. tion to Education in San Antonio He had a passion for cooking and was a master chef and his on-going support of Irish and plum pudding aficionado. Dick served on almost Culture in Texas. Who would’ve every faculty and administrative committee over the known that less than three months past forty plus years at UIW, and was once heard to later, he would enter eternal life? say that if “heaven has committee meetings I am not Dick was always a part of my life and I’ll always going.” remember receiving the first Christmas card from him, Dick will be missed by so many, but especially me. just after Thanksgiving. Growing up around the University of the Incarnate Word a/k/a Incarnate Word “There is nothing wrong with being tough and pushCollege, Dick and my father, the late Dr. Seán Burke ing someone with talent and terminal low self-esteem; were two of the few men on campus in the 60’s, as it and nothing better than hearing the words ‘you know, was all-female for many years. I had a Shetland pony you were right.’” named Corky that lived on campus, before 281. I’ll Eileen Burke Faught James “Jim” Youngson Jr May 29, 1937 - December 25, 2016

James “Jim” Youngson, Jr., Colonel, USAF (Retired) After retiring from the Air Force, Jim was very involved in volunteer work, including 30 years as a Docent at the Institute of Texan Cultures, 12 years on the Board of Directors of Security Service Federal Credit Union, volunteering at Wilford Hall Medical Center, KLRN’s Wine Festival, and as an Ambassador at San Antonio James Frederick McMahon August 25, 1916 - January 29, 2017 James Frederick McMahon, Major USAF Retired, passed away at the age of 100. He was born in Roslyn, Long Island, New York. In 1934 James entered the Army Air Corps, was commissioned and went to pilot training in Ft. Stockton, Texas. After a mid-air collision James asked for reassignment back to the Army Air Corps. Instead, they asked him to be a bombardier/navigator on B24s. He flew 35 missions in the European Theatre in a B24 named “Stud Hoss”. James earned the Distinguished Flying Cross, 4

Airport. Jim’s work at Wilford Hall earned him a Volunteer Excellence Award from the Air Force Chief of Staff. Jim spent 25 years volunteering with the North Texas Irish Festival, many of which as a Manager of Volunteers. Other volunteer work included the Alamo Chapter of the AFA (Executive Vice President) and the Alamo City Chapter of ASMC (Chapter President and Chairman of a successful National Professional Development Institute). Additionally, he volunteered with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Lymphoma Research Foundation, American Cancer Society, Harp & Shamrock Society, Irish Cultural Society, and San Antonio Scottish Society.

Air Medals, American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern-Theatre Campaign Medal with 1 Silver and 3 Bronze stars, World War II Victory Medal, and many more awards, too numerous to mention. After returning from the war, James went back to Long Island and was a Nassau County Policeman for approximately 5 years before being recalled to active duty with the Air Force during the Korean War. James retired from the Air Force in 1966, finishing out 32 years of service. He was a long-standing member of the Harp and Shamrock Society, among many other organizations. “He loved wearing his Harp and Shamrock Society jacket on St. Patrick’s Day and was a great Irishman at heart,” said Susan and Jane McMahon.

Tales From the Pitch

BUILDING A BETTER FUTURE By Chris A. Hayes

SAGAC player Brian Thackaberry was born in Ireland to Adrian and Mildred; and he eventually became the big brother of Craig and Anna. Brian grew up in the village Tullow, Co. Carlow; it’s 60 miles (96 km) south of Dublin and its population is approximately 4,000. Tullow is also home to the St. Patrick’s which is an award-winning GAA Gaelic football team. Brian wasn’t a member, but he did belong to the Tullow Rugby Football Club; and his own father helped train the players. Brian began attending boarding school in nearby Kilkenny City at the age of 12. When he finished his studies there he continued his education at the Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) on Bolton Street. He studied “construction economics and management” so he could become a quantity surveyor—a person who assesses the cost of a construction job. After graduation, Brian lived in Australia for a year and travelled to New Zealand and Asia. He then returned to Ireland where he met architect Sinead O’Rourke at a party. They compared notes and realized that in addition to

attending DIT at the same time, they also took classes in the same building. But somehow their paths never crossed. They married in 2014 and have recently become the proud parents of Flora Ellen. The construction company Brian works for transferred him to San Antonio just a few short years ago. At Sinead’s suggestion, he joined the SAGAC as a way of staying active and meeting new people—which he has done in spades. Brian says he enjoys Gaelic football and especially playing midfield. And for two years now he has served on the team’s execu-

tive board and last year Sinead served as the club’s secretary. But the most important thing Brian and Sinead have done since coming to San Antonio is join the Harp and Shamrock Society of Texas!!!

Online Store is still open!

So shop till you drop! Just click the menu on the Harp page and click on SHOP! You’ll go to: harp-and-shamrock.myshopify.com There you will find our one-of-a-kind 50th Anniversary collectors items that you can only get from us! You can also help generate some income for our Society by going to: smile.amazon.com This is a simple and automatic way for you to support your favorite charitable organization every time you shop, at no cost to you. Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to your favorite charitable organization. Just pick The Harp and Shamrock Society of Texas and every time you shop, you help! It doesn’t get any easier.

If you or someone you know is interested in joining the SAGAC, please check out “San Antonio Gaelic Athletics Club” on Facebook and visit sanantoniogac.org. Football practice is on Wednesdays and Sundays and scrimmages are held throughout the year. The SAGAC also attends out-oftown games that have included Austin, Dallas, Houston, New Orleans and Seattle. (Denver and San Diego are possibilities this year.) The club also has a hurling team. If you would like to make a financial contribution to help support the club, please go to “SAGAC Store” on its web site. sanantoniogac.org

Photographer Wanted

We are looking for a photographer able to take high quality high resolution photos of our March events. If you have such equipment and are willing to donate your time to capture some of our events please contact Carolyn Dowd at 210-8961598. We will use these photos on our social media sites and submit them to local and national media for possible publication.

Thanks to Our Sponsors

Feb 9 Board Meeting 14 Happy Valentine’s Day 18 Saturday, Annual Awards Dinner General Membership Meeting Petroleum Club 26 Sunday, ICS Heritage Day Leon Valley Community Center

March 2017

Happy St. Patrick’s Month 9 Board Meeting 11 Saturday 8:30 a.m. The 34th Annual Harp & Shamrock Society 5K Run & Fitness Walk “Guinness at the Finish” Lady Bird Johnson Park, 10700 Nacogdoches Rd 17 Friday @Noon, Harp & Shamrock 50th Alamo Wreath Laying Ceremony @2 pm Paseo del Rio Irish Festival H&S Passport to Ireland 18 Saturday @ Noon, Paseo del Rio Irish Festival H&S Passport to Ireland @4pm, 49th St Patrick’s Day River Parade Please check the calendar on our web site for the latest Irish happenings! www.harpandshamrock.org Twitter: @harpshamrocktx Facebook: The Harp and Shamrock Society of Texas Instagram: harpshamrocktx

The McCombs Foundation All of our Amazing Members and Volunteers! The Harp and Shamrock Society of Texas P.O. Box 15306 San Antonio, TX 78212