The Irish language, or Gaeilge, has been making headlines recently thanksto the film KNEECAP ? a semi-biographical comedy-drama about a rowdy Irish rap trio who have become the modern face of a growing movement to revive and promote their native language Features begin on page KNEECAP
Irish Arts & Entertainment
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Dear Friendsand Readers,
April may well be the most important month of the year on the Irish Calendar In more recent history, the eventsaround Easter in 1916 which fell in late April of that fateful year shaped the destiny of Ireland and led to the Ireland that we know today That alone backsup my assertion fairly well
But beyond, the April Rebellion of 1916, there isa great reverence for the Easter Season in Ireland Our shared Christian traditions and love of family are high on the list Both Protestant and Catholic adherents are seriousin the observance of Lent, Palm Sunday, Easter Week and Easter Sunday
Dig deeper into the climate and Spring and the Agrarian Cycle and you get an appreciation for the Irish love of Eastertide The impact of spring in Ireland isglorious After the long, often harsh, and wet Irish winter, April marks a significant turning point in the natural world. It isa time of Renewal and Growth as the land begins to awaken, with new growth appearing in fieldsand gardens. This visual and tangible sign of renewal would have been deeply important in an historically agrarian society It signified the end of a lean period and the promise of future sustenance.
Planting Season: April isa crucial month for planting crops. The weather, while still potentially changeable, generally becomesmilder and the soil begins to warm, allowing farmers to sow seeds for the year's harvest This directly impacted livelihoodsand the well-being of communities. I think as we are Irish, our souls, our very being experiences this psychological boost as well. I wasvery fortunate and spent a few weeksin County Down last year in Spring and it was a magnificent time to be there Driving around just to see the flowers and livestock became a daily routine. With the arrival of spring, grazing becomesmore readily available, easing the burden of feeding livestock through winter stores. Lambing season often continuesinto April, representing new life and prosperity for farming families I had friendly Irish hosts who were happy to share their routines with me. Pure joy and great memories for sure. Lastly, while Irish weather isnotoriously unpredictable, April typically seesa noticeable improvement compared to the preceding winter months Throw in the longer daylight hoursand you have Ireland at itsbest!
HAPPY EASTER!!
McIlroy Wins Mast ers t o Com plet e Grand Slam !
Northern Ireland' native, Rory McIlroy won the Masters on Sunday, April 13, at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, He defeated Justin Rose in a playoff to secure his first green jacket and complete the career Grand Slam, becoming only the sixth player in history to achieve thisfeat in the modern era, and the only European to do so.
Rory Daniel McIlroy was born on May 4, 1989, in Holywood, County Down. Hisparents are Gerry and Rosaleen "Rosie" McIlroy. Rory's Dad, an avid and skilled, scratch golfer introduced him to the sport at a very young age Much like, the Tiger Woods' story both legendswere introduced early
and golfing became their life'swork
In recent years, McIlroy hasbeen living in Florida now most of the time However, he returned to Belfast this past week to a jubilant welcome. He will be returning to the states in a few daysto defend his title at the Zurich Classic in New Orleans. from April 24-27 Thistournament isunique on the PGA Tour asit isa team event Instead of individual stroke play 80 teamsof two golferscompete The format changesover the four rounds. They then continue to alternate shots until the final ball.
McIlroy isdefending the title ashe teamed up with his fellow Irishman, Shane Lowry, to win the tournament in 2024 in a playoff against Chad Ramey and Martin Trainer The two Irish golferswill be partnersagain this year
Daily Lunch Specials
Scot t ish Fest Set For OCFairgrounds & Event s Cent er Over Memorial Day Weekend.
Get ready for one of the absolute best Celtic Eventsof the year! The annual Scottish Extravaganza will soon be here.
Once again, the Irish Arts& Entertainment will be part of the Irish Contingent. Asalways, the organizersremind us that one of the very best elementsof Scottish Fest: "Thereisnoneedtobe Scottishtojointheexcitement! ScottishFest is theperfect way tocelebrate, explore, andmake lastingmemories!"
Thisis a Family Friendly event, held at a World Class venue that i easy to get around There is leanty of convenient parking and the location is an easy drive from anyplace in SoCal Visit the website dor a comprehensive tour of everything that is in storefor you, your family and friends, Also, ticketsare a great entertainment value. Discountsonline are available now on the website at: www.scottishfest.com
May 24 & 25
Entertainment Confirmedasof April 15th:
Scottish Fest USA offersa wide variety of entertainment that embodies Scottish and Celtic culture, as well as some American elements Confirmed acts for the 2025 event include World-classCeltic music with a variety of bands and performers Bandswill include folk, rock, bluegrass, All with a Celtic twist. You can expect fiddles, pipes, and harps. Confirmed acts include Craic in the Stone and Wicked Tinkers.
Highland Dancing Competitions:
Witness the skill and tradition of Highland dancing, including reels, flings, jigs, and sword dances
Scottish Fest Headliners Include the W icked Tinkers and Craic in the Stone
Wicked Tinkers are: Aaron Shaw , great Highland bagpipes, The Reverend Dr Tiki King, Big Drum , rhyt hm pole, Ukulele, and CJHenderson, didgeridoo, Bronze Age Irish Horn, bodhran
Craic in t he St one m em bers are: Mat t Brislaw n, Janelle Vione, Chris Caput o, Jay Rofsky, Scot t Well & Bill St rongin
ScottishFest frompage4
Piping and Drumming Competitions:
Enjoy the stirring soundsof massed pipe bands and individual piping and drumming competitions showcasing world-classperformers
Scottish Heavy Athletics:
Experience the strength and tradition of events like the caber toss, hammer throw, shot put, and weight throw.You might even see professional athletescompeting for prize money
Sheep
Herding Demonstrations:
A popular attraction where skilled handlers and their dogsdemonstrate the herding of sheep
Imperial KnightsJousters:
Adding a touch of medieval pageantry with jousting competitions
Guinnessand Scotch Whisky:
You can typically find Guinness for sale at the festival Additionally, Scottish Fest usually hosts whisky tastingswhere you can sample a variety of Scotch whiskies For the 2025 event, specific whisky tasting sessionswith special guests from distillerieslike Wolfburn, Isle of Raasay, and Kilchoman have been arranged. Separate tickets are usually required for the whisky tastings See the website to order.
Other Itemsof Interest for a Family:
Scottish Fest USA offers a wide range of activities and attractions suitable for families:
- Children'sGlen: Thisarea is specifically designed for kidsand often includes inflatable obstacle courses, bouncy castles, and other fun activities.
- Clan and Genealogy Tents:Explore your Scottish heritage by visiting the variousclan tentswhere you can learn about different Scottish families and trace your ancestry.
- Vendors: Numerous vendors offer a variety of Scottish and Celtic goods, including kilts, tartans, jewelry, crafts, and more. This is
great place to find unique gifts.
- Scottish Food:I Indulge in traditional Scottish fare, such ashaggis, meat pies, and other savory and sweet treats
- Cultural Demonstrations: Besidesthe main events, you might find demonstrations of traditional craftsor other aspects of Scottish culture
- Memorial Service: On Sunday morning, there istypically a memorial service to honor veterans
- Costumesand Pageantry: The festival is full of people in traditional Scottish attire, including kiltsand formal wear, aswell as participantsin historical costumes, creating a visually interesting and immersive experience for all ages
- British Cars: In some past events, British car displayshave been part of the festival.
Overall, Scottish Fest USA in Costa Mesa over Memorial Day weekend provides a rich cultural experience with a wide array of entertainment, activities, food, and drink, making it a potentially interesting and fun outing for the whole family
Scottish Fest USA isorganized by the United Scottish Society, which is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation
USShasbeen running annually on Memorial Day weekend and isconsidered the oldest and largest festival of itskind in Southern California. The festival was established in 1932.
24 April 1916, THE EASTER RISING
The Rising began on Easter Monday, 24 April 1916 and lasted for just six days: the official surrender occurred on Friday 28 and all fighting ceased on Saturday 29 April
The Irish Easter Rebellion, also known asthe Easter Rising, was an armed insurrection in Ireland during the week after Easter Sunday in April of 1916
The majority of the fighting ended with the surrender of the rebels in Dublin on Saturday, April 29, 1916. Isolated actionsdid continue until Sunday, April 30th.
Groupsand Leaders Involved:
The main groupsinvolved were the Irish Volunteerswhose leaders were Patrick Pearse and Eoin MacNeill. It isworth noting that MacNeill ultimately tried to call off the Rising because he thought more preparation wasneeded but he wasover-ruled
Another rebel group, the Irish Citizen Army wasinvolved They were a smaller socialist and trade unionist coaltion led by James Connolly.
Cumann na mBan: The women's auxiliary of the Irish Volunteers played a significant role in planning, logistiics, food , medical and first aid support
Finally but very importantly, the Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB) were key players This wasa secret society that heavily influenced the planning of the Rising. Key figureswithin the IRB who were central to organizing the rebellion included Tom Clarke and Seán Mac Diarmada.
The Easter Proclamation
The Easter Proclamation, which declared the establishment of the Irish Republic, wassigned by seven leaders, who formed the Provisional Government The signersare revered in Irish History just asare the signers of the American Declaration of Independence,
- Tom Clarke
- Seán Mac Diarm ada
- Pat rick Pearse
- Jam es Connolly
- Thom as MacDonagh
- Éam onn Ceannt
- Joseph Plunket t
And just as the American Revolution pressed ahead, so did the Irish fight for freedom The time framesare different but the outcomes were the same Initially, the Easter Rebellion did not have widespread public support in Ireland
Many Dublinerswere confused or even hostile to the rebels, especially due to the disruption and the fact that many Irishmen were serving in the British Army during World War I.
However, the British were still seen by many Irish asoccupiersand their brutal reaction to the rebellion significantly shifted public opinion The execution of the leaders, the large-scale arrests, and the imposition of martial law were seen as heavy-handed and unjust by a growing majority. Seepage8
Thisled to a surge of sympathy for the rebels and their aims, and a growing resentment towardsBritish rule The executed leaders became martyrs in the eyes of many Irish nationalists, galvanizing support for the cause of Irish independence.
Were the British Ruthless?
The British response to the Easter Rebellion can be described as firm and in itsaftermath, but also considered by many as ruthless While the British government viewed their actionsas necessary to quell a rebellion during wartime, the severity and handling of the aftermath were widely criticized and proved to be a
Harsh ReactionsFollowed
The imposition of martial law acrossIreland was seen asan overreaction
Prolonged fighting and heavy artillery use The British Army used significant force to dislodge the rebels, causing substantial damage to Dublin city center and resulting in civilian casualties.
Massarrestsand internment
Thousandsof people were arrested, many without clear evidence of involvement in the Rising
Executionsof the leaders
The swift execution by firing squad of fifteen leadersof the rebellion, after brief court-martialsheld in secret, shocked many in Ireland and internationally. Figures like the wounded James Connolly being executed while strapped to a chair particularly generated fierce opposition
An Am azing Online Resource; w e found t his sit e w hile researching t his st ory!
ht t ps:/ / libguides.ucc.ie/ 1916Proclam at ion
major turning point in the Irish struggle for independence, ultimately fueling the movement against British rule
Truly, only in Belfast and Dublin were pocketsof pro British sentiment, In the West and South, the vast majority of people turned against the Crown
The Irish in America became more active and moral support for Irish independence and and financial contributions increased dramatically. The Rising failed but the cause flourished
SEEBOX ON LEFTFORBRITISH RESPONSE
25 Years!
?Kneecap is more than a film. It?s a movement"
By JohnMcNally
The Irish language, or Gaeilge, hasbeen making headlinesrecently thanks to the film KNEECAP
? a semi-biographical comedy-drama about a rowdy Irish rap trio who have become the modern face of a growing movement to revive and promote their native language In the film, the trio playsthemselves, tracing their wild, hilarious, and politically charged rise as a cultural phenomenon
Their music blendsresistance with humor, proving that wit hasalwaysbeen one of Ireland?s superpowers.
The Belfast group represents a post-Good Friday Agreement generation, using music as a tool for healing and expression.
The rootsof Ireland?srelationship with itsindigenous Celtic language run deep. During English colonization, Irish was actively discouraged and suppressed. Policies were put in place to "anglicize" the Irish population: the language was banned in schoolsand government, and people were even fined for speaking Irish in public.
During the massemigration of the mid-19th century, many Irish people adopted English willingly? mainly for economic reasons, asit helped them secure jobsabroad in America, England, and Canada Still, the loss of language came at a cultural cost A tragic example of the consequencesof this suppression occurred during the Land Warsof the 1880?s when several Irishmen who spoke only Irish were wrongfully convicted of murder in English-language trials held in Dublin without an interpreter They were hanged for crimesthey did not commit
By the late 19th century, it wasclear that Ireland wason a path toward freedom The devastation of the Great Hunger? more of a holocaust than a famine? had made it evident that the English could never be trusted to humanely govern Ireland In response, a Gaelic Revival took root
TheConradhna Gaeilge(Gaelic League) was founded in 1893 with the mission of reviving the Irish language Writers, poets, and nationalistscame together in a cultural resurgence that helped build the foundation for an Ireland free from British rule.
The 1937 Irish Constitution declared Irish the first official language of the state. Yet in everyday life, English remained dominant, and over time, some grew to resent being forced to learn Irish in school. This stood in contrast to the North of Ireland, where the language continued to be suppressed under British rule? making Irish a powerful symbol of rebellion and resistance. The 1998 Good Friday Agreement gave Irish Parody of Esteem, and after being banned for hundredsof yearsIrish wasaccepted in the North in 2022 as one of the official languages along with Ulster Scots. But Irish isstill looked on with suspicion from many unionists
who associate it with Irish Republicanism Prisonerstaught themselvesJailic,and the prisonsbecameJailtachts.Another phenomenon isso-called Hiberno-English, a blend words created by phonetics and altered by dialectswhich gave us craic, galore, and eejit
Once confined mainly to the Gaeltacht regions of Western Ireland, Irish isnow gaining popularity in urban areas Statistical evidence suggests that fluent Irish speakers in Ireland benefit from language-based networks, which can lead to better job opportunitiesand higher social standing
My father wasa member of the Gaelic League in the 1930s, so when I heard a chapter wasstarting in LosAngeles, I joined right away. Today, CnaGGaelic League LA teaches Irish and much more as part of a broader global resurgence. I don? t expect to become fluent in Irish anytime soon, but I?m happy to use a little in my daily life and encourage others, especially the next generation, to keep the language alive, if only with a Cúpla Focal.
Loyola Marymount University screened KNEECAP
recently as part of their Global Perspectives and with the support of the Irish Studies Department
The panel discussion after the film included John Houlihan, Film Music Executive at 20th Century Studios. Jacob Martin S.J. Clinical Professor of Irish Film, Caitríona Weafer of the Los Angeles Gaelic League, DeirdreO'Neill Machin of The O'Neill Group Inc, Victoria Graf, Professor Emeritus, and Mary O'Neill, Director of the Irish Bar Association
KNEECAP?S director Rich Peppiatt said: ?Kneecap is morethan a film It?s a movement and it?s about how everyoneshould have their language, their culture and their homeland respected.?
From our cover, t he Irish hip hop group Kneecap is com posed of t hree m em bers:
- Mo Chara (real nam e Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh)
- Móglaí Bap (real nam e Naoise Ó Cairealláin)
- DJPróvaí (real nam e JJÓ Dochart aigh)
The m em ber of Kneecap w ho alw ays w ears t he balaclava isDJPróvaí. He t ypically w ears a balaclava in t he colors of t he Irish t ricolor (green, w hit e, and orange). He init ially w ore it t o keep his m usic career separat e from his job as a t eacher in a Cat holic school.
Ir eland' s Econom ic Landscape
Researched and written by by John McNally
In a sw eeping m ove w it h global ram ificat ions, President Trum p's "Liberat ion Day" t ariffs and t rade rest ruct uring have cast a shadow over Ireland, a pivot al EU m em ber st at e heavily reliant on t ransat lant ic com m erce Under t hese new m easures, EU export s face a st aggering 20% t ariff w hen ent ering US m arket s, m arking a st ark depart ure from t he era of free t rade t hat shaped Ireland's econom ic prosperit y.
For decades, Ireland t hrived on it s open econom y, fueled by foreign invest m ent and robust export s Now , t he im posit ion of t ariffs t hreat ens t o disrupt t his delicat e balance A com plex challenge loom s part icularly for Ireland's cross-border dynam ics: goods from Nort hern Ireland w ill be subject t o a 10% t ariff, cont rast ing sharply w it h t he 20% levy
on goods originat ing from t he sout h.
The im pact ext ends beyond goods alone. Pharm aceut ical giant s, crucial t o Ireland's econom y, face height ened cost s shipping product s t o t he US, pot ent ially passing t hese expenses on t o consum ers and healt h insurers Moreover, changes in US t ax policies m ay prom pt com panies t o reconsider t heir int ellect ual propert y st rat egies, pot ent ially reshaping Ireland's role as a hub for int ernat ional business.
As Ireland navigat es t hese uncert ain w at ers, t here is a palpable sense t hat t he golden age of econom ic t ies w it h t he USA m ay be fading The nat ion m ust brace for profound shift s in t rade dynam ics and econom ic st rat egy, preparing t o adapt in an increasingly unpredict able global landscape.
John McNally
Our frequent Cont ribut ing Writ er is Insight ful and w ell t raveled. He is also an Irish Com m unit y act ivist and organizer
Ireland's Counsel General Marcella Symth
& Ken O'Malley Honored at LA Irish Civic Day, held in Van Nuys
Irishwoman of the Year
HONORABLEMARCELLA SMYTH
LA'sIrish Consul General, who isfrom County Cavan She will be leaving thissummer for a new post in Latvia Irishman of the Year
KEN O'MALLEY
Irish singer, songwtiter and Dublin native
Above; Liam Fount ain, Irish Fair Board CEO
Grif Healy. Marcella Sm yt h,Irish Balladeer (and Ireland's best export so far,) Ken O'Malley Pict ured w it h t hem are Marcella Sm yt h and fellow honoree
Top Right: During his community-focused visit to Nevada, Vice Consul Cono rDoherty-Greene had the privilege of meeting Irish Boxing legend Wayne McCullough
Center Right: Mem bers of t he Irish Legislat ive Caucus
Lower right: Marcella Sym t h and visit ing Irish dignit ary
SEASIDE CHIEF JOHN LOWRY RIP
Wit h a heavy heart , w e are very sorry t o report t he deat h of our great friend and fellow Celt , John Low ry.
John is survived by his beloved w ife, Nellie and his children; Pam ela Low ry Marbell and Bill Low ry. His son Pet er preceded him in deat h. John also leaves grandchildren and great grandchildren as part of his legacy
Chief John w as a Past President of t he St Andrew 's Societ y of Los Angeles and w it h t he Nellie, t he founder of t he Seaside Highland Gam es of Vent ura, CA over 20 years ago, We agree t ot ally w it h t he m essage from t he St . Andrew 's Societ y t ribut e t o Chief John w hich said; "If you w ere fort unat e t o know Chief John, t hen you inst ant ly loved him Not only w as he t he epit om e of a great and gent le Scot , but he w as also a m an's m an, a fam ily m an, a hum ble and decent m an Chief John t ook Scot t ishness t o a level of w arm t h and dignit y, and creat ed an am biance around him of cam araderie "
We m et John and Nellie Low ry at t he Brot hers of St . Pat rick in 2004. We w ere int roduced t o t hem by Jam ie Horricks w ho suggest ed w e w orkt oget her prom ot ing t he soon t o be Seaside Highland Gam es. A freindship and associat ion w it h t hem and t he Seaside Gam es began t hat day w hich has last ed t o t his day. The leadership and loyalt y from t hem w as superb and t he
Seaside Highland Games t ruly becam e a Celt ic inst it ut ion and a m em orable event each Oct ober.
To read a m ore in-dept h biography of Chief John, go t o: w w w.craw fordm ort uary.com / obit uaries/ john-low ry
In lieu of flow ers, please donat e t o t he Seaside Highland Gam es:
Seaside Highland Gam es |
East er Treat s are packed t o t he raft ers!!
Ye Olde King's Head Shoppe 2nd St & Sant a Monica Bl Sant a Monica, CA
Sat urday & Sunday
May 24 & 25
Ir ish M usic: News& Reviews
Loreena McKennitt to be inducted into Canadian Music Hall of Fame
Recognizedfor her ?astoundingcontributions?
In a live ceremony on May 15th , Loreena McKennitt will be inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in recognition of her ?astounding contributions to Canada?smusic history?
The Canadian Music Hall of Fame wasestablished in 1978 It recognizesCanadian artiststhat have attained commercial successwhile having an artistic impact on the Canadian music scene and/or around the world, with careersthat span at least 20 yearsfrom their first recording
This recognition means McKennitt, a two-time JUNO Award winner, will now be joining the ranks of Canada?s most esteemed talent, including AlanisMorissette, Barenaked Ladies, Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen, Nickelback, Oscar Peterson, RUSH, The GuessWho, Sarah McLachlan and Shania Twain.
?I am extremely honoured to be acknowledged in this way It hasbeen, and continuesto be, a fascinating, enriching and at timeschallenging journey,?says Loreena. ?In this era of unregulated technology, building a career like mine all over again would be almost impossible today I am now humbled to find myself in the company of all the other artistswho?ve been inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame and I?m most grateful for the enjoyment and enrichment I?ve experienced through their creative work.?
The live ceremony will take place at Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre in Calgary, Alberta
Abrief bio:
Loreena McKennitt, her music and work
McKennitt is a highly acclaimed Canadian singer-songwriter, harpist, accordionist, and pianist She iscelebrated for her world music style with strong Celtic, Irish and Middle Eastern
influences. McKennitt's music hasbeen described as "eclectic Celtic" as she blendstraditional Celtic sounds with elementsfrom variouscultures, including Middle Eastern, Spanish, and Mediterranean traditions. Her lyricsoften draw inspiration from Irish and other poets, literature, history, and mythology
We had the priviledge of doing interviewswith Loreena McKennitt a few times over the past 30 year or so The conversationswere a rare experience because she was so genuine, humble and open. One story that was memorable washow in her early days, she would drive around in her VW mini-bus to Canadian cities and sing asa busker and sell her cassette tapes. This washer devotion and passion for creating her own brand from the onset of her musical career She turned down offersfrom big labels just to protect her artistic integrity. She isa an ethical and pure human. More recently, she closed her Facebook account with thousandsof followere because she did not want to be part of the unethical side of big tech and media.
www.quinlanroad.com
LOREENA McKENNITT
Ir ish M usic: News& Reviews
It?sALongWay fromDonegal! Altan Celebratesover 3 decades On The Road
Story & Photos By Lorraine Chambers Lorraine92627@yahoo.com
Altan performed in San Juan Capistrano at The Coach House in March, It was an intimate performance to about 150 dedicated fans on a very rainy wet night.
Mairead the co founder of Altan said onstage ?It wasthe band?s2nd tour stop and it rained on their first night aswell in Arizona Hopefully we didn? t bring the rain from Ireland with us!? Their next stop was San Francisco.
The band isalmost 40 years touring with traditional Irish language songs from Donegal and they have sold over a million records They were on a UStour when Covid happened and they had to quickly return back home to Ireland
Originally I saw Altan at the Irvine Barclay Theatre in the 1990swhen my daughter wasin grade school and now she is married with her own family How time flies I saw Mairead sing at Whelans in Dublin for a fundraiser in spring 2012 So it wasa treat to see them for the third time here in OCagain. Anytime I am at a record shop, Irish Import Shop, etc , i look for their albums, CDs and cassettes
Now the band has added a beautiful book entitled Altan - The Tuneswhich isa must for all Altan fansand fans of Irish language After the great concert the band came to the merchandise table in the venue entrance to meet and greet the fansto sell their merchandise, do autographsand take pictureswith fans Thankfully they just got their books to sell on tour with their new Donegal titled cd, plusthe tour tshirt and hoodie with the same cd artwork
Each chapter of the book begins with an insight into the thought process behind the maker of each album underpinned by an in-depth introduction from Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh that paintsa vivid picture of the people, places and eventsthat inspired the band to begin and to continue its journey ?We play music which comesfrom the people that we loved and respected, and we?re proud to have known as friendsin the cycle of life. A lot of these wonderful musicians are no longer with us, but their music and memoriesand storiesremain What ishere in this book and above all we tried to carry their humanity and every note."
ALTAN, c
ontinued
For 30 years, 12 Studio albumsand comprising 222 tunes across its206 pagesthisbook delvesinto the history, folklore, and the composers and musical heroes from whom the music was collected. The harmonic arrangementshave been specifically edited for accompanist and a range of photos are placed throughout that chart. The photos are from the many friendshipsand adventuresthat come from yearsof playing music around the world.
The book wasassisted through the support from the ArtsCouncil funding of traditional Irish arts and culture.
The ArtsCouncil of Ireland, An Chomhairle Ealaíon, supports and promotestraditional arts through variousinitiatives, including funding for projects and bursaries, policy,
development, and public engagement. w w w.art scouncil.ie w w w.alt an.ie
ALTAN are Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh on lead vocalsand fiddle, Ciaran Curran on bouzouki, Daithi Sproule- guitar, vocals, Mark Kelly - guitar, Dr Martin Tourish - accordion and Clare Friel on fiddle and lead vocals
Chef Paul Wat t ers has been nam ed spokes-Chef for Mr Franks Spices. The popular Irish chef is w ell know t o our readers for his recipes and Facebook Page You will need
Lam b St eak at least 1 pound
250g cooked m ixed grains (quinoa, barley or rice if you prefer)
2 red onions (peeled and chopped)
2 red pepper (chopped)
4 sprigs of rosem ary (picked and chopped)
2 cloves of garlic (crushed)
4 t ablespoons of olive oil
200g pom m e granit e seeds
8 t ablespoons of Greek nat ural yoghurt
1 lem on (cut in half and juiced)
Sum pt uous East ert ide Feast
With Chef Paul Watters
A
Beaut iful
LAMB
STEAK on a bed of m ixed grains roast ed red pepper, pom egranat e and a lem on yogurt dressing w it h rosem ary
First off m arinade t he Lam b St eak in t he olive oil along w it h t he garlic, rosem ary and a lit t le salt and pepper.
Allow t o m arinade at least 2 hours before cooking (chef 's t ip m arinade at room t em perat ure)
Preheat t he oven t o 180. (350 F)
Add peppers, and onions t o a roast ing t ray and add a lit t le olive oil, salt and pepper. Mix w ell and cook for 10 m inut es.
Place 2 frying pans on t he st ove, one on high heat and t he ot her on m edium heat .
In t he hot pan, add t he Lam b and allow t o cook for a few m inut es on each side, depending on how you like. In t he ot her pan add a drizzle of olive oil and add
grains. Whilst t hese are cooking, m ix t oget her t he yogurt and lem on dressing.
By t his st age, all t he ingredient s should be cooked and ready t o plat e up. Add t he grains t o t he plat e, roast ed red pepper and onions. Place Lam b cut on t op, spoon over t he pom egranat e and t he lem on and yogurt dressing, and enjoy.
Bobby Sands MP
Irish Poet & Pat riot
W EEPING W INDS
By Bobby SandsM P
O h ! Cold M ar ch w i n d s you r cr u el lam en ts
A r e h ar d on p r i son er s?h ear ts,
For you br i n g m y m oth er ?s p lead i n g cr i es
Fr om w h om I h ave to p ar t.
I h ear h er w eep i n g lon ely sobs
H er sor r ow s sw eep m e by,
A n d i n th e d ar k of p r i son cell
A tear h as w ar m ed m y eye.
O h ! W h i stli n g w i n d s w hy d o you w eep
W h en r oam i n g f r ee you ar e,
O h ! I s i t th at you r p oor h ear t?s br ok e
A n d scatter ed of f af ar ?
O r i s i t th at you bear th e cr i es
O f p eop le bor n u n f r ee,
W h o li k e you r w ay h ave n o con tr ol
O r sover ei gn d esti n y ?
O h ! L on ely w i n d s th at w alk th e n i gh t
T o h au n t th e si n n er ?s sou l
Pr ay p i ty m e a w r etch ed lad
W h o n ever w i ll gr ow old .
Pr ay p i ty th ose w h o li e i n p ai n
T h e bon d sm an an d th e slave,
A n d w h i sp er sw eet th e br eath of God
Up on m y h u m ble gr ave.
O h ! Cold M ar ch w i n d s th at p i er ce th e d ar k
You cr y i n aged ton es
For sou ls of f olk you ?ve br ou gh t to God
Bu t sti ll you bear th e m oan s.
O h ! W eep i n g w i n d th i s lon ely n i gh t
M y m oth er ?s h ear t i s sor e,
O h ! L or d of all br eath e f r eed om ?s br eath
T h at sh e m ay w eep n o m or e.
The Life and Tim es of BOBBY SANDS
Irish Republican Activist, Hunger Striker, and Member of Parliament
Bobby Sands died at t he age of 27 in 1981 for t he cause of Irish Freedom . To t his day, he rem ains a highly significant and oft en cont roversial figure in m odern Irish hist ory. His part icipat ion in and event ual deat h during t he 1981 hunger st rike at t he Maze Prison in Nort hern Ireland brought int ense int ernat ional scrut iny t o t he ongoing conflict know n as t he Troubles and t he t reat m ent of republican prisoners by t he Brit ish governm ent . The act ions of Sands and nine ot her hunger st rikers had a profound and last ing im pact on Irish nat ionalist polit ics, cont ribut ing t o a shift in t he st rat egies of t he republican m ovem ent and leaving a legacy t hat cont inues t o be debat ed and com m em orat ed.Even w hile im prisoned and engaged in a fat al prot est , Sands achieved a rem arkable feat by being elect ed as a Mem ber of t he Brit ish Parliam ent , underscoring t he com plex int erplay bet w een polit ical act ivism and arm ed st ruggle during t his t um ult uous period.
Gerard "Bobby" Sands w as born on March 9, 1954, in Dunm urry, a t ow n sit uat ed near Belfast in Nort hern Ireland He w as t he eldest of four children born t o John and Rosaleen Sands His younger siblings included sist ers Marcella and Bernadet t e, and a brot her nam ed John Sands' fam ily w as Cat holic, and t heir experiences early in his life w ere deeply m arked by t he sect arian t ensions prevalent in Nort hern Ireland. At t he age of t en, his fam ily faced int im idat ion and w ere com pelled t o relocat e from t heir hom e in a predom inant ly loyalist Robert area This early exposure t o sect arianism appears t o have significant ly influenced his developing w orldview and cont ribut ed t o his lat er radicalizat ion Furt her highlight ing t he im pact of t hese divisions, at t he age of eight een, Sands w as forced t o leave his apprent iceship as a car builder due t o ongoing int im idat ion from loyalist s.These repeat ed inst ances of displacem ent and discrim inat ion likely played a crucial role in shaping his decision t o becom e act ively involved in t he Republican m ovem ent . Sands' involvem ent w it h Irish republicanism int ensified in his lat e t eens He joined t he Republican Movem ent at t he age of 18 and becam e a m em ber of t he Provisional
Irish Republican Arm y (IRA) in 1972 He cam e t o believe t hat m ilit ancy w as t he only viable solut ion t o t he syst em ic problem s and discrim inat ion faced by t he Cat holic com m unit y in Nort hern Ireland. His com m it m ent t o t he IRA led t o his first arrest in 1972 for possession of w eapons Consequent ly, he w as im prisoned in Long Kesh Det ent ion Cent re, w here he w as grant ed "special cat egory" st at us due t o his involvem ent w it h t he IRA Follow ing his release in 1976, Sands quickly reint egrat ed int o Irish republican act ivit ies How ever, his freedom w as short -lived Lat er t hat sam e year, he w as arrest ed again on anot her w eapons charge relat ed t o a bom bing incident and subsequent ly sent enced t o 14 years of im prisonm ent in Maze Prison, w hich w as previously know n as Long Kesh. While incarcerat ed, Sands rose t o becom e a prom inent IRA act ivist and event ually a com m anding officer for t he IRA m em bers w it hin t he prison syst em This rapid ascent w it hin t he IRA st ruct ure suggest s a st rong dedicat ion t o t he cause and an abilit y t o com m and respect and aut horit y am ong his fellow prisoners
Init ially, due t o his IRA affiliat ion, Sands w as accorded "special cat egory st at us" during his first im prisonm ent . This st at us acknow ledged a degree of polit ical m ot ivat ion behind t he prisoners' act ions and grant ed t hem cert ain privileges, akin t o t hose afforded t o prisoners of w ar. These privileges included t he right t o w ear t heir ow n clot hing, t o associat e freely w it h ot her special cat egory prisoners, and t o refrain from prison w ork. How ever, in 1976, t he Brit ish governm ent init iat ed a policy of "crim inalizat ion." The aim of t his policy w as t o underm ine t he perceived legit im acy of republican param ilit ary groups by port raying t heir m em bers as com m on crim inals rat her t han polit ically m ot ivat ed act ors. This shift in policy led t o t he gradual w it hdraw al of special cat egory st at us for IRA prisoners In response t o t his change, republican prisoners, including Bobby Sands, began a series of prot est s The first of t hese w as t he Blanket Prot est , w hich st art ed in 1976
Part 1 of 2; Conclusion in Mid April issue
The Maze Prison, also known as Long Kesh was a high-security prison in Northern Ireland that housed paramilitary prisoners during THE TROUBLES Closed in 2000
Staff of Author Services, Inc. and Galaxy Press with 2025 Writers and Illustrators of the Future Winners and Judges The 41st Annual event honoring "The Best in the Genres of Science Fiction and Fantasy" was held on April 10th at the Taglyan Com plex in Hollyw ood, CA
Irish-Canadian aut hor Pat rick MacPhee, SciFi Aw ard Winner for his t im ely novel
Thanks to Steve Moyer and Author Services, Inc. and Galaxy Press Present Writers and Illustrators of the Future for photos and submission.
Tim Pow ers w it h his w ell deserved Lifet im e
Achievem ent Aw ard
Lorraine Cham bers and fellow ext ras for t he indie m ovie ?House of Wild? at t he Moose Lodge in Dow ney. The film feat ures m any of t he Wild Records art ist s and bands of Dubliner Reb Kennedy w ho lost his fam ily hom e and recording st udio in t he Alt adena fire.
Our Expansion continues with m or e calendar and news fr om the West Coast & Ar ound the States
From t he nat ive Irish in Galw ay Cit y, Count y Galw ay in t he w est of Ireland t o California's Ye Olde King's Head Tradit ional Brit ish Pub in Sant a Monica~~~t he Craic w as m ight y and t he Guinness flow ed on St . Pat rick's Day, 2025!!!
IRISH ARTS & ENTERTAINM ENT CALENDAR
By Date OnGoing Trivia & Around The States
On-Going
Every Week
Sundays st art ing @ 4:pm
Irish Music Session
Tradit ional m usic live/ No
Cover
Auld Dubliner Irish Pub Long Beach
w w w.aulddubliner.com
See advert this issue on page 9
Wednesdays st art ing @ 9:pm
Irish Music w it h Niall Cash
Irish Music Maker from Wexford. Follow him on
w w w inst agram com / niallcash
The Auld Dubliner Irish Pub, Long Beach
w w w aulddubliner com
EVERY MONDAY
CELTICARTSCENTER
CAC/ACS Open Session, Irish Language Classes & Socials Full Bar CAC@The Mayflower Club 11110 Victory Blvd., North Hollywood, CA www.celticartscenter.com
Saturday, April 19 starting @8:00pm
Whiskey Sunday
Acoust ic Trio
Rousing Irish Am ericana
The Three St ags Irish Pub
328 Orange St reet , Redlands, CA
info@t het hreest ags.pub (909) 792-8335 w w w t het hreest agspub com
Sat urday, April 19t h
st art ing @ 10:00pm CRAIC HAUS is back w it h t heir oroginal genre of Sham rockabilly!!
Auld Dubliner in Long Beach w w w.aulddubliner.com
See more from Auld Dubliner this issue on pages 5
Tuesday, April 22, Singer Songw rit er Night
Want t o Join our t alent ed lineup of songw rit ers, Please provide a quick Bio and Video t o Glen at glenlyst ne@gm ail.com 7:00 PM ? 10:00 PM,
The Harp Inn, 130 E 17t h St .
Cost a Mesa, CA w w w.harpinn.com
Whiskey Sunday
Acoust ic Trio
Rousing Irish Am ericana
The Three St ags Irish Pub 328 Orange St reet , Redlands, CA
info@t het hreest ags.pub (909) 792-8335 w w w.t het hreest agspub.com
Mult iple Dat es...please check t he w ebsit e...
IRISH ARTS & ENTERTAINM ENT CALENDAR
By Date OnGoing Trivia & Around The States
Em m y-nom inat ed Irish singer
Michael Londra
has ret urning t o PBS w it h a new season of his show , "Ireland Wit h Michael " The fift h season prem iered on January 9,, and w ill feat ure eight half-hour episodes t hat explore t he beaut y and cult ure of Ireland! More inform at ion about t he show , including episode descript ions and clips w w w irelandw it hm ichael com
Check your local PBS list ings for air t im es and det ails.
Sat urday, May 3
Dublin and t he World Celebrat ed t he Anniversary of t he w orld prem iere of George Frideric Handel's orat orio Messiah in Dublin. The dat e of April 13, 1742 st ands as a pivot al m om ent in Irish and World Music hist ory.
The Germ an-born com poser had found considerable success in London w it h It alian operas
Irish Pub 2226 Wilshire Sant a Monica, CA w w w.obriensla.com
GAELIC STORM!! Did you know t his am azing Irish Trad/ Rock group is part of Oscar Hist ory. Never before have t he TV audience been as high as w hen t he Tit anic w on Best Pict ure. 85 Million w at ched!
but lat er shift ed his focus t o orat orios as public t ast es evolved This t ransit ion and Handel's Irish connect ions set t he st age for t he creat ion of Messiah, a w ork t hat w ould ult im at ely t ranscend it s init ial cont ext and achieve enduring global popularit y. The decision t o prem iere t his significant w ork in Dublin is rem em bered each year w it h a m agnificent perform ance in t he Irish Capit ol Much m ore online at : w w w.dublincit y.ie
Breakfast
Check back every few days for
The SoCal Irish Fair and Music Fest ival t hat w as planned in Torrance for t his past July has been rescheduled t o Fat her 's Day Weekend 2025.
Please follow t he Reorganizat ion New s and Plans on t heir Facebook Page. Irish Com m unit y input is im port ant . So, please join t he page and support t his im port ant event !
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IRISH LANGUAGE An Ghaeilge
The View From Ireland Feat ure last year about t he Irish Language by our great friend and Irish Art s and Ent ert ainm ent colum nist Maurice Fit zpat rick really resonat ed w it h us. We use t he m ont hs of t he year in each issue but our collect ive Irish is very lim it ed.
In fact , w orking on t he folio (t he t op of each page) recent ly, I forgot t he w ord for Oct ober in Irish and had t o look it up. I found t his really int erest ing YouTube video and share t he link below.
m ast ered Digit al Market ing and w e can enhance your out reach for a very cost effect ive rat e.
The digit al age has been good t o us and w e have been able t o prosper and grow our subscriber base. We w ill have det ails soon on our expansion plans and our Affiliat e Program s. We are also going t o enhance our Very Irish Perks and st art a new series of very excit ing Draw ings and Cont est s!
The Holidays are alm ost here and w e w ill be doing Special issues for Hallow een and for Christ m as!
I w ould like t o change m y lack of Irish t oo so st art ing now and in fut ure issues, w e w ill be offering our readers a few w ords or phrases in our Mot her Language
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PUB QUIZES & TRIVIA
Mondays
The Auld Dubliner
Every Monday w e host Trivia Night , gat her your friends and com e in t o com pet e and enjoy a pint 71 Pine St . Long Beach, CA w w w.aulddubliner.com
O'Brien's Irish Pub
Trivia Night s are Mondays and Wednesdays
Monday st art s at 8PM t ill 10:30PM
WED: 8PM t o 10PM Form a t eam or t ry t o form one at t he pub. Play for cash prizes of $150 No ent ry fee 2226 Wilshire Sant a Monica, CA w w w.obriensla.com
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Ye Olde King's Head Brit ish Pub & Rest aurant Trivia in t he pub at 7:30pm 116 Sant a Monica Bl Sant a Monica, CA w w w yeoldekingshead com
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