This Friday, May 30, I’ll be playing at Sieb’s Irish Pub on Babcock Blvd. Sieb’s is a very comfortable pub with great food. Come out and relax with an evening free from the pressures of a hockey night in Pittsburgh.
Sieb’s address is 3382 Babcock Blvd, Pittsburgh PA 15237. Phone: 412-364-8511.
Hope to see you there for a mix of Irish and Acoustic Classics.
Pittsburgh Irish & Classical Theatre A Special E-Deal WILDE TALES Discount for walk-up ticket sales at the door only:
$17 for adults $10 for youth (under 25)
(Must mention E-Blast discount. Offer valid on door sales ONLY - not good for pre-purchased tickets.)
Only four performances left: -- Thursday and Friday, May 29 and 30, at 7 p.m. -- Saturday May 31st at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Performances are in the Charity Randall Theatre, located at the Stephen Foster Memorial, 4301 Forbes Avenue, Oakland.
Wilde Tales -- A world premiere musical by Bruce Dow, based on Oscar Wilde's children's stories "The Happy Prince" and "The Selfish Giant".
May 29-31, 2008 The Charity Randall Theatre.
Directed by Sheila McKenna. Featuring David Cabot, Kelley Krepin DeFade, Joshua Desjardins, Jamie Fair and Kelsey Robinson. Musical Direction - Melissa Yanchak; Choreography - Andre Koslowski; Scenic Design - Gianni Downs; Costume Design - Meredith Murphy; Lighting Design - Nicole Ellis; Sound Design - Zachary Brown. Click here for more information on Wilde Tales
ACT I "The Happy Prince" Kelley Krepin DeFade, Jamie Fair and Joshua Desjardins. The happy prince's statue sits high on a pedestal from whence he sees the misery of the people he once ruled. Desperate and forlorn, he enlists the help of a friendly swallow to distribute his jewels and gold leaf among the poor...but to what end?
ACT II "The Selfish Giant"
David Cabot, Jamie Fair, Kelsey Robinson. The touching story of a giant who prohibits children from playing in his garden. It is always winter inside his walls...until his heart is softened by a very special boy. Pittsburgh Irish & Classical Theatre Great Stories. Well Told.
I received a call from Jim Williams who has worked tirelessly on the great looking new color AOH State License Plate. (Please see link below.)
Our Order deserves to have its own plate but we need your help. They look great. Here's our chance to show all of PA the strength of Our Order, our reach and the quality of our members. Please consider putting the AOH Plate on at least one of your family's cars.
Time is limited. Please fill out the application and return it this week. Thanks for your time and consideration. I hope you had a great Memorial Day Weekend.
Priestly Ordination and Role Models One of the questions that a priest is frequently asked is “When did you know that you wanted to be a priest.” In my life, the call to priesthood may have come very early. My dad, Bartley, was the janitor at St. Laurence O’Toole Church in the Garfield neighborhood of Pittsburgh for over thirty-five years. As soon as I was able to walk, my dad would take me with him down to the church, rectory and convent. At an early age I got to know all of the priests and Dominican Nuns. On one visit to the rectory when I was about three years old, my dad told me that the pastor, Father Callery, picked me up in his arms and asked me: “Now, Tommy, what do you want to be when you grow up?” My dad tells me that even at that early age, my answer was: “I want to be a priest like you, Father.” Father Callery died in 1938 when I was four years old. At that time Father Paul Campbell who was in residence at St. Laurence and was the Superintendant of Schools was name the pastor. At the same time a newly ordained priest, Father Joseph Regis Berkmeyer, became the assistant pastor. The people quickly fell in love with the new assistant priest. Father Berkmeyer was a true role model for the children and young people of the parish. His holy, warm, jovial, and affable spirit was constantly present around the church and school. It was no wonder then that Tommy O’Donnell wanted to follow in the footsteps of the elderly Father Callery and young Father Berkmeyer. I talked to Father Rege as the school children called Father Berkmeyer and he advised me to go to the seminary which he had attended, the Pontifical College Josephinum. Father Rege got all of the necessary papers and even took me to the doctors to get the necessary physical so that I would be admitted. In September of 1948 the young fourteen year old, Tom O’Donnell, enrolled at the Pontifical College Josephinum where I remained until I was ordained to the Priesthood on May 21, 1961. I credit my vocation to the example of love in the marriage of my parents, Bartley and Nellie and the role model of two wonderful priests, Father Callery and Father Berkmeyer. In my own life I would like to think that I have also been a role model for some of the young men who are now priests or soon to be ordained priests. My first assignment was St. Kieran Parish in Lawrenceville. Father Ben Vaghetto was in grade school at the time and is now the pastor of St. Raphael in Morningside as well as being a Judge in the Marriage Tribunal. As an assistant at St. Norbert in Overbrook, I baptized Father Tom Burke. Father Tom has always told me that I gave him a good beginning and as Father Tom Burke says: “Good beginnings last a lifetime.” Father Tom Burke recently received his first assignment as a pastor of Good Shepherd Church in Braddock. From 1975-1983 I was pastor of Annunciation Parish on the North Side. A young man, who was in grade school when I was pastor at Annunciation, was Thomas Gillespie. Tom is presently studying at Theological College in Washington, D.C. and will be ordained a priest in a couple of years. After eight years at Annunciation parish I was appointed pastor of St. Wendelin Church in Carrick where I served as pastor for eighteen years. When I first arrived at St. Wendelin Church, I became acquainted with a four year old boy by the name of Nick Argentieri. Every Sunday John and Nancy Argentieri would come to nine o’clock Mass with their sons, Dominic and Nick. The Argentieri family would always occupy the first pew in the church. Inevitably, while I was preaching, little Nick would drop his misalette over the pew onto the floor and then would look up at me and giggle with the greatest delight. From his earliest years in grade school, Nick possessed the social graces, good humor and maturity of some one much older than he. Nick has always been a multi-talented individual. In grade school he was a good athlete and showed his talents in the school plays in which he sang, acted and danced. His talents also included his artistry as a master magician. As a magician he was given the name, Slick Nick. As a young adult, Nick continued to pursue his love of acting in high school and college. I encouraged Nick and went to see him in most of his stage productions in high school and college. Frequently I spoke to Nick about the possibility that God was calling him to the priesthood. After his college years Nick began to answer that call and entered St. Paul Seminary in Pittsburgh. After his years at St. Paul, the Bishop sent Nick to North American College to complete his theological studies. On June 21, 2008 Nick will be ordained a priest for the Diocese of Pittsburgh. I am very proud that I was able to play even a small part in Nick’s priestly vocation. The circle of spiritual life and formation will continue when Father Nick becomes a role model for young men in the parishes where he will serve. Let us pray for all of our priests, those who have been ordained for many years and those who are being ordained this year. With every blessing and best wish, Father Tom O’Donnell, AOH Allegheny County and Penna. State Chaplain
Over the years, I've been involved and blessed to help in the marketing special non profits such as the Ronald McDonald House, American Cancer Society and several more and have always been impressed with the people who make a career of it and volunteers alike. I have also seen a wide variety of creative ways to raise funds, but here's a tactic that takes the cake - or rather toast!
Plus, what a terrific Irish charity!
Your Name on Toast benefits Oxfam Ireland which works with people around the world to end the injustice of poverty. Oxfam Ireland is a member of Oxfam International, a confederation of thirteen independent members. The members work together to achieve greater impact by their collective efforts.
AOH 32 Division Takes Two Awards in 2008 St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Our Division was well represented in this year’s St. Patrick’ s Day Parade held on March 15.
We walked away with two impressive awards, The Sinon J. Robeson Award for the Best Marching Irish Men and the Best Commercial Float, which was created by the Division brothers, the Brother’s Riley and All-Pro Painters. Over 180 people and groups walked in this year’s parade including 16 other AOH Divisions (including Junior and LAOH).
The AOH 32 Division won Best Overall Marching Unit in the parade in both 2006 and 2007.
For you Sinead O'Connor fans (when she had hair) here is the Irish Ballad, She Moved Through The Fair - I will always remember the Michael Collins film when I hear this - enjoy.
May 25 1315 - Edward Bruce (brother of Robert Bruce, king of Scots), having been invited by some Gaelic chiefs, leads an expedition to Ireland with the aim of conquering it, creating a kingdom of Ireland and driving out the Norman-Irish settlers. He lands at Larne on this date and is proclaimed king of Ireland 1705 - On this date, May Eustace Sherlock, gentleman, petitions the Commons for relief from 'the great oppressions he lies under, by the undue practices and power of Maurice Annesley, a Justice of the Peace'. Annesley is an MP. The ensuing complicated legal case will eventually result in the passing by the British parliament of the 1720 Declaratory Act confirming the British House of Lords as the final Court of Appeal for Irish cases 1745 - Lord John Allen (3rd Viscount Allen), former MP for Carysfort, dies of a fever caused from cuts to his fingers inflicted by the sword of a dragoon 1830 - As a result of growing Unitarianism the General Synod reinforces subscription. Henry Montgomery, the leading Unitarian protagonist, leads a secession of Non-subscribers from the General Synod which establishes the Remonstrant Synod of Ulster. The Remonstrant Synod joins with the earlier Presbytery of Antrim in 1910 to form the Non-subscribing Presbyterian Church of Ireland 1842 - Birth on Valentia Island, Co. Kerry, of Helen Blackburn, early leader of the movement for the emancipation of women 1885 - Gerald Boland, nationalist politician, is born in Manchester 1870 - Irish Fenians raid Eccles Hill, Québec 1895 - Oscar Wilde is sentenced to two years imprisonment for offences “against public decency” 1900 - John Hunt, expert on mediaeval art, is born in Limerick 1903 - Ewart Milne, poet, is born in Dublin 1912 - First issue of the weekly suffrage magazine, Irish Citizen, appears 1914 - British House of Commons passes Irish Home Rule for the third time 1921 - The Dublin brigade of the IRA attacks and sets fire to the Customs House; 120 of its men are captured and 11 are killed 1960 - Packie Bonner, Celtic and Republic of Ireland goalkeeper, in Burtonport, Co. Donegal 1968 - Unicorn by the Irish Rovers makes it to #7 in the British charts 1993 - Dawson Stelfox becomes the first Irishman to conquer Everest 2000 - Prime Minister of Ireland Bertie Ahern, right, and his Polish counterpart Jerzy Buzek walk in front of a Guard of honor during the welcoming ceremony in Warsaw. Ahern is in Poland for an official two day visit 2003 - Brendan McCann, one of the most acclaimed photographers in Northern Ireland's history dies in Belfast Mater Hospital, aged 75. In a career spanning 50 years, he covers some of the darkest hours of the Troubles.
May 26 1562 - Following his submission to Elizabeth at Whitehall in January, Shane O'Neill returns to Ireland on this date 1650 - Oliver Cromwell leaves Ireland on board the frigate President Bradshaw. His deputy and son-in-law, Henry Ireton takes control of the Irish campaign and captures Birr Castle 1798 - The rebels are defeated at Tara Hill; this marks the end of the rebellion in Co. Meath. Rebellion begins in Co. Wexford. Fr. John Murphy and local people confront the Camolin yeomanry at The Harrow. Thomas Bookey, Lieutenant of the yeomanry, is killed 1867 - Michael Barrett from Kesh, Co. Fermanagh is executed for his part in the explosion at Clerkenwell Gaol. From all the evidence, it is likely he is not guilty. He is the last man to be publicly hanged in England. 1867 - Princess Victoria Mary of Teck: the future Queen Mary, queen consort of George V of the United Kingdom is born. 1873 - Trinity College Dublin abolishes all remaining religious restrictions for entry, with the exception of the Faculty of Divinity 1897 - First publication of Dracula, written by Dublin man Abraham ‘Bram’ Stoker 1924 - Dublin-born composer,Victor Herbert dies 1950 - End of petrol rationing in Northern Ireland 1972 - The Special Criminal Court, with three judges and no jury, is set up in the Republic 1980 - Derry band The Undertones reach No. 1 in the UK charts with My Perfect Cousin 2003 - Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary snubs an awards ceremony in Dublin after the no-frills airline is beaten by Aer Lingus in the Best Overall Value for Money category. It is the first time in the 10-year history of the event, hosted by the Air Transport Users Council (ATUC), that Ryanair fails to win the award.
May 27 1224 - Cathal Crovderg O'Connor, king of Connacht and brother of Rory O'Connor, dies at the age of 72. This finally opens the way for the Norman occupation of Connacht 1595 - Hugh O'Neill, Earl of Tyrone, defeats the English forces of his brother-in-law, Sir Henry Bagenal, at the Battle of Clontibret, Co. Monaghan; he is proclaimed a traitor at Newry in June 1648 - Giovanni Rinuccini, papal nuncio to the confederates, excommunicates adherents of the truce between confederates and Inchiquin 1798 - Wexford rebels massacre Kingsborough's militiamen and yeomanry at Oulart 1877 - Hanna Sheehy Skeffington is born in Co. Limerick. A committed suffragette, she is one of the founding members of the Irish Womens Franchise League; sexual equality remains a primary concern throughout her despite a slight shift in focus after the summary execution of her husband in 1916 1936 - Following the Free State's provision for the formation of Aer Lingus as the national airline, Aer Lingus opens routes to Bristol and London, commencing with a flight from Baldonnell to Bristol on this date 1960 - The last barge on the Grand Canal makes its final journey to Limerick with a cargo of Guinness 1966 - The UVF shoot and mortally wound John Scullion, a Catholic civilian, in the Clonard area of west Belfast 1993 - Mary Robinson, the first female president of Éire, becomes the first Irish head of state to meet with a British monarch when she visits Queen Elizabeth II 1998 - Actor Brendan Gleeson strongly defends his lead role in the controversial £6m film The General, rebutting criticism that it attempts to portray the assassinated Dublin gangster Martin Cahill as a latter-day Robin Hood 2001 - The breakaway Real IRA is believed to be behind a rocket attack on Strabane RUC station which sparks a five-hour security alert. No-one is injured but 12 families are evacuated from their homes during the follow-up security operation in the Co.Tyrone town 2001 - Fears of a long, difficult summer are growing after 57 RUC officers are injured in clashes with nationalist youths on the flashpoint Garvaghy Road in Portadown following a Junior Orange parade 2001 - Thousands of traditional music fans flock to Ennis for the 50th anniversary of Fleadh Nua 2003 - Water quality has taken a dip at Irish beaches with fewer bathing areas meeting standards of cleanliness. But Irish bathing water still ranks among the best in Europe, according to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) annual report, and the small number of freshwater lakes and rivers tested produce their best results ever 2003 - It is announced that the Royal Irish Regiment is to be scrapped as part of a major plan to cut troop numbers in the North. British military authorities plan to abolish all three Home Service battalions, comprising nearly 3,000 soldiers under a new deal to break the deadlock in the peace process 2003 - Paul McCartney performs his first Irish show in 40 years at the RDS Arena. It's also his first solo concert in Dublin 2003 - FAI and Communications Minister Dermot Ahern announces that all Republic of Ireland competitive soccer internationals will now be available free on RTÉ.
May 28 1590 - Hugh O'Neill, Earl of Tyrone, agrees to abandon further attempts at extending his territory in the north, and undertakes to force his people to adopt English laws and customs 1713 - William Molyneux, the fourteen-year old son of Sir Thomas Molyneux, a former MP, is killed when a leaden image falls on him in a garden near Dublin 1779 - Poet and songwriter, Thomas Moore, is born in Dublin 1798 - In the first Battle of Enniscorthy, the rebels take the town 1947 - Róis Ni Ógain - Rose Mabel Young - Gaelic scholar and editor of Duanaire Gaedhilge, dies 1959 - The Howth Tram makes its last journey; not only is it the highest but it is also the last of the open top trams operating in the world 1970 - Charles Haughey, who will later be acquitted and become Taoiseach, is arrested with Niall Blaney for conspiracy to import arms 1974 - General strike by Unionists brings down the Sunningdale power-sharing agreement and Northern Ireland is returned to direct rule 1999 - The Provisional IRA produces the remains of Eamon Molloy, whom it killed in 1975; information from the IRA leads to several protracted searches in the Republic for the remains of other victims 2000 - A plaque to commemorate the first Irish meeting of the Orange Order is unveiled in Dublin - without a single member of the hardline Protestant group in attendance. The Dublin and Wicklow Lodge boycott the event on Dawson St in protest at its treatment over a march in the city, also planned for this date 2000 - The decision by Ulster Unionists to return to power sharing with Sinn Féin at midnight on 29 May is given a massive boost when the IRA pledges to keep their part of the bargain 2000 - Ireland's National Aquarium is opened in Galway at the Atlantiquarium on the Prom in Salthill. Built in the shape of a fish, the £6m building contains direct water links to Galway Bay and has massive tanks on its roof which collect rainwater for use in many of the fish pools 2003 - James Plunkett, best known for his epic novel of Dublin, 'Strumpet City', dies at the age of 83 2003 - William Trevor wins the €10,000 Kerry Group Irish Fiction Award at Listowel Writers’ Week for his novel The Story of Lucy Gault.
May 29 1205 - King John makes Hugh de Lacy Earl of Ulster 1666 - The Act of Uniformity confirms Guy Fawkes' day (5 November) as an anniversary, and adds 30 January (execution of Charles I) and 29 May (the Restoration) 1722 - Birth of James Fitzgerald, 20th Earl of Kildare; Duke of Leinster; politician and Lord Justice 1798 - On this date, under the command of Father Murphy of Boolavogue, a priest who had been in dispute with his bishop and who had reluctantly stepped forward as leader, the Wexford insurgents, gaining strength as they advance, storm Enniscorthy. The defences of the town are swept aside by means of a stampede of cattle. Elsewhere, General Sir James Duff arrives in Monasterevin where he augments his forces before marching on to Kildare and the Gibbet Rath. On this same date, the insurgents camp on Vinegar Hill, outside Enniscorthy town. In the north, the Ulster Directory of the United Irishmen meets to plan rebellion in counties Antrim and Down 1884 - Oscar Wilde and Constance Lloyd are married 1917 - Birth of John Fitzgerald Kennedy, the 35th US president, in Brookline, Mass 1936 - The Free State Senate (upper house of parliament) is abolished 1942 - Bing Crosby records Irving Berlin's "White Christmas" 1953 - Death of James Downey; at the time he is probably the most famous publican (pub-owner) in the world for bringing to an end the longest ever pub strike. Downey’s premises in Dun Laoghaire had been the focus of a union dispute for 14 years, and brought the pub world fame 1967 - Noel Gallagher of Oasis is born 1974 - Northern Ireland is brought under direct rule from Westminster 1999 - Thirteen RUC officers are injured as tensions explode on the streets of Portadown with both Loyalist and Nationalist rioters venting their fury in the wake of a banned parade along the lower Garvaghy Road 2000 - For the second year in a row, l’Ecrivain on Dublin’s Baggot Street wins the Bushmills Malt Best Restaurant award, with proprietor Derry Clarke also taking Best Chef award 2001 - Irish artists take a stand against racism by donating original works to a special fund-raising auction. Over 100 works by both new and established Irish artists go under the hammer at the Le Chéile auction in the Royal Hibernian Academy, Dublin 2002 - Former Taoiseach Charles Haughey is €2.2m richer following the auction of a tiny part of his extensive Abbeville art collection 2002 - Arts Minister Síle de Valera hails the State’s acquisition of a previously unseen collection of original manuscripts by James Joyce as “a monumental event in Ireland’s literary and cultural history”. The collection, stored in Paris for many years, consists of 500 sheets of handwritten notes by the author. It includes notes and drafts by Joyce on several works including his classics, Ulysses and Finnegans Wake, as well as notebooks dating from the early 1900s 2002 - John McGahern wins the €10,000 Kerry Ingredients Irish fiction award at the 32nd Listowel Writers’ Week for his novel That They May Face the Rising Sun 2003 - According to the Eurydice report, Ireland has the largest number of children per class in Europe and our teachers have to work longer than most to earn the top salary 2003 - Thousands of republicans and nationalists join in a series of protests across the country to mark the cancelled date for the North’s Assembly elections.
May 30 1630 - Birth of Charles Stuart who will become Charles II of Great Britain and Ireland 1784 - Belfast's first Catholic church, St. Mary's, opens for public worship 1798 - Following the massacre of Kingsborough's militiamen and yeomanry at Oulart on 27 May, rebels capture Enniscorthy and Wexford town 1807 - During the election for Co. Wexford, two of the candidates, William Congreve Alcock and John Colclough, fight a duel in front of the county sheriff, 16 magistrates and a large crowd of spectators. Alcock shoots Colclough dead; he is elected; he is also tried and acquitted for killing Colclough, but his mind is badly affected; two years later, he will be confined in an asylum for the insane 1817 - Micheal William Balfe, one of Ireland’s greatest composers, gives his first public performance, aged nine 1844 - Daniel O'Connell is fined and sentenced to 12 months in prison for 'conspiracy' 1906 - Death of Michael Davitt, "Father" of the Irish Land League. He was born at the height of the Great Famine. At four, his family was evicted and forced to emigrate to England. He joined the Fenians in 1865, became organizing secretary and was arrested in 1870 for arms smuggling. Released after seven years, he returned to County Mayo as a national hero. His travels in Connaught showed conditions had not improved. Realising that, if the power of the tenant farmers could be organised, it would be possible to bring about improvement, he arranged a convention in August of 1879. The result was a body called the National Land League of Mayo. Thus began the land agitation movement. For more details on the life of Michael Davitt, click Museums of Mayo 1944 - Eamon de Valera is returned as Taoiseach 1951 - Fianna Fáil regains power in a general election 1969 - Irish nationalist and the first Jewish Lord Mayor of Dublin, Robert Briscoe, dies in Dublin 1972 - The Official IRA announces a ceasefire, but the Provisional IRA says it will continue fighting until the British leave Northern Ireland 1973 - In a political upset, Erskine Childers defeats Tom O'Higgins by a very narrow margin and is elected President of Ireland 1983 - The new Ireland Forum of Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, Labour and the SDLP meets in Dublin 1986 - Connacht Regional Airport at Knock, Co. Mayo (now Horan International) is officially opened by Charles Haughey 2000 - Sinn Féin's Martin McGuinness returns to his job as Northern Ireland’s Education Minister 2001 - Bord Fáilte launches a major marketing campaign aimed at domestic holiday-makers in an effort to combat losses of £500m caused by the foot-and-mouth crisis 2002 - Writer John B. Keane dies at his home in Listowel 2002 - The Liss Ard estate, on the seaward side of Skibbereen and near historic Castle-townsend in west Cork goes on the market for €6m 2003 - A collection of previously unpublished works by John B. Keane is launched on the first anniversary of his death at Writers’ Week, the annual literary festival in his native Listowel, Co. Kerry 2003 - Less than a year after taking up the post as chief executive of Northern Ireland’s Policing Board, Bob McCann resigns for personal reasons.
May 31 1430 - Charges are made against Thomas Foster, Archdeacon of Glendalough, that he has sold the lands of the dignity, has kept concubines, has had offspring, is ignorant of letters and does not know the language of the country: if they are true, he is to be deprived on this date 1744 - Birth of Richard Lovell Edgeworth, inventor, educationist and politician 1798 - Beauchamp Bagenal Harvey is appointed as Commander of the insurgent forces In Wexford town, a civilian government led by four Protestants and four Catholics is established 1847 - Birth of Alice Stopford Green in Kells, Co. Meath. Irish historian and patriot; she is noted for proving the Irish had a rich culture before English rule. A strong supporter of the Treaty of 1921, she is nominated to the first Seanad in December 1922 1848 - At Grosse Ile, Canada, 40 immigrant vessels wait to unload. For more on this story, please click The Wild Geese 1889 - Helen Waddell, Irish scholar, translator and novelist, is born in Tokyo 1900 - During the Boer War, Piet de Wet captures the thirteenth battalion of the Imperial Yeomanry at Lindley. To British eyes, this mounted Battalion is the social and political show-piece of the new Volunteer Army; a company of Irish M.F.H.'s known as the Irish Hunt Contingent, including the Earl of Longford and Viscount Ennismore; two companies of Ulster Protestant Unionists, including the Earl of Leitrim, a whiskey Baronet (Sir John Power) and the future Lord Craigavon; and a company of English and Irish men-about-town raised by Lord Donoughmore, who had insisted on paying their own passage to South Africa. This patriotic band is commanded by a British regular, Lieutenant Colonel Basil Spragge. The surrender of Spragge's Irish Yeomanry is the cause of a ripple of mirth in nationalist circles in Ireland. In fact, there is a gallant Last Stand made by the Irish Hunt Company. Lord Longford, with blood streaming from wounds at the neck, face, and wrists, orders his men to fight to the end. "I knew it to be madness," said one of the gentlemen troopers, (son of the Irish Lord Chancellor) "and so did everyone else, I think, but not a man refused". In general, raw Irish Yeomen fought no worse than British regulars had fought in similar situations. A respectable total of 80 were killed or wounded before the White Flag went up. Piet de Wet's bag totalled about 530 men, including Spragge, Lord Longford (seriously wounded), Lords Ennismore, Leitrim, and Donoughmore (and the future Lord Craigavon), all captured, and the whiskey Baronet Power killed 1911 - The hull of the world’s most famous ship - the Titanic - is launched 1922 - The Royal Ulster Constabulary is established 1937 - Birth of Mary O'Rourke, Fianna Fáil politician 1941 - German bombs fall on North Strand, Dublin; 34 people are killed and 90 are injured 1962 - General Election is held in Northern Ireland; Unionists win 34 of the 51 seats 1970 - Death of Arkle, the greatest Irish steeplechaser of all time. Arkle had broken a pedal bone during a race in 1968. Stiffness caused by the injury becomes worse and in spite of his great courage, he can hardly stand. On this date, his vet, James Kavanagh, gives him his final injection; Arkle lies down in his box and goes to sleep forever 1976 - Birth of actor Colin Farrell in Castleknock, Dublin 1979 - RTÉ 2 (now 2FM) makes its debut 1998 - The Protestant community in a Wexford village receives an apology from Bishop Brendan Comiskey over a boycott more than 40 years ago. He asks for forgiveness for a controversial incident in Fethard-on-Sea when local Catholics boycott Protestant shops and classes over a six-month period during 1957 2000 - It is announced by the British Government that Tom Constantine, a former director of the United States Drug Enforcement Administration will oversee policing reforms in Northern Ireland 2002 - As the Aer Lingus pilots’ dispute enters a second day; pilots and management agree to take their dispute to the Labour Court but all the airline’s flights remain suspended, leaving thousands of passengers stranded 2002 - The people of North Kerry turn out in their thousands to pay their last respects to playwright John B. Keane.
Our alternate-weekly golf league tees off at 3:30 p.m. today (Friday, May 23) instead of the usual later time.
We need to have as many golfers as possibly tee off between 3:30-4:15 because today is the annual day when Frosty Valley hosts the Boys & Girls Club during our regular tee period.
Any groups that have not teed off before the B&C Club's start will have to wait until the young 'uns are all out on the course, perhaps around 5-5:15.
Dear Brothers, Our PA License Plate is available through the Dauphin County, Division 1 website: www.bobbysandsaoh.com
This plate is not a “commemorative plate” but an actual PA license plate to be affixed to the rear of your vehicle!
Everything you’ll need to purchase and then have your application submitted to PA DOT can be found there. [Please remember if you’re taking advantage of the PayPal option you still need to download, complete, sign and send in both forms to the address listed on our site.]
PA DOT requires that we submit a certified application for each plate and each application must include an original signature(s). Also, please be sure your PA DOT application ("MV904SP") contains a current driver’s license number, your date of birth and all the same information if the vehicle is co-titled (spouse?). By our agreement with PA DOT, processing must be delayed if it is incomplete.
Only the first batch of applications can be hand numbered up to #100 - and numbering is limited to the number of applications we submit, i.e., if we submit <100, then <100 can be hand numbered.
Please help spread the word about the AOH License Plate to your respective Division members! This is a fantastic opportunity to publicize our Hibernian Pride!
Go raibth maith agat,
Jim --Jim Williams, Director District III Ancient Order of Hibernians 717-533-3879 (home) 717-503-8931 (cell) 717-534-2764 (fax)
She may be balder than our good brother Mickey Abbott, and despite the fact that Frank Sinatra wanted to "kick her ass," you can't help but admit that Sinead O'Connor has perhaps one of the purest voices of any modern day Irish lass. So forget about some of that stupid stuff she did in the past and enjoy this selection as she sings the classic rebel song The Foggy Dew with The Chieftains:
Brothers, I am afraid that a spammer has finally found us! Today, for the first time since we implemented the paaoh.org email system for the State Board, I received an email (see below) from someone claiming to be from the IRS. Even though they are offering to give you a little over $100 DO NOT respond to the email. Please delete the email or report the email as spam to your Internet provider.
I will be looking into how to setup filters so this does not happen again. If you should have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me via email sahs01@comcast.net.
Thanks, Tom Coughlin, Jr. Webmaster PA AOH State Board
We regret to inform you of the passing of Nancy Mott, wife of National Organizer Bob Mott on Saturday, May 17, 2008. May she rest in peace.
Seamus Boyle National Vice President
Funeral arrangements are as follows :
Nancy Jean Mott, 65, of Sweetwater, died Saturday, May 17, 2008 at Grand Strand Regional Medical Center.
Mrs. Mott was born in Flemington, New Jersey, the daughter of the late Furman and Kate Boughner. She was a member of St. Michael Catholic Church, president of the Lady's Elk Club in Oswego, N.Y., president of NCO wives club and a former nurse and medical records manager.
She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. Survivors include her loving husband, Robert Mott; sons Scott C. Mott of Manlius, N.Y., and Joseph Mott and his wife, Tracy, of Charlotte, N.C., and daughter Donna J. Mott of Denver, Colo.
Also: granddaughter Kristine E. Robbin of San Antonio, Texas, and brother William Boughner of Flemington, N.Y. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 21, 2008 at St. Michael Catholic Church, with Father Ray Carlo officiating.The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 20, 2008, with a prayer vigil at 6 p.m.
A guest book is available at goldfinchfuneralhome.com or at MyrtleBeachOnline.com.
Memorial donations may be made to St. Michael Catholic Church Building Fund, 542 Cypress Ave, Garden City, SC 29576. Goldfinch Funeral Home, Beach Chapel, is in charge of the arrangements.
Actual letters sent to a Irish son in America by a father left behind in Kilkelly, Co. Mayo. Written in the 19th century and sung by Robbie O'Connell and the Clancy Brothers.
A beautiful ballad, but don't watch it if you're depressed, you'll sink even lower. Enjoy.
May 18 1401 - John de Stanley is told that he is to be replaced as lieutenant by Thomas of Lancaster (duke of Clarence and second son of Henry IV), who is 12 or 13 years old. Lancaster's deputy, Sir Stephen le Scrope, will effectively govern Ireland for the next few years 1613 - James I's Irish parliament opens in Dublin 1825 - The House of Lords rejects the Catholic Emancipation Bill which would disenfranchise Irish forty-shilling free-holders and put clergy on state salaries 1873 - James Fagan, actor, producer and playwright, is born in Belfast 1798 - The 2nd Earl of Kingston is tried amid great pomp by the Irish House of Lords for the murder of Colonel Henry FitzGerald. An executioner stands beside Kingston with an immense axe, painted black except for two inches of polished steel, and held at the level of the defendant's neck. However, no witnesses appear for the prosecution, and Kingston is acquitted. The Directory of the United Irishmen had planned to use the occasion to kill the entire government and all the lords, but one vote cast against this scheme (by the informer Francis Magan) causes it to be abandoned 1896 - The City and Suburban Ground now known as Croke Park, hosts a soccer match for the first time. The teams are a combination of Irish and Scots women versus England. The combined team beats England 3-2 1897 - Oscar Wilde is released from prison; he goes to live in France, where he writes his famous poem, "The Ballad of Reading Gaol" 1897 - The first Irish Music Festival is held in Dublin 1928 - Death of writer Standish O'Grady on the Isle of Wight. Under the influence of John O'Donovan, he studies the Old Irish myths and legends, and his works, which influence the Irish literary revival of the 1890's, popularise the Irish sagas 1939 - The first aircraft lands at the newly opened Rineanna Airfield which is later to become Shannon International Airport 1947 - Former Taoiseach and Fine Gael leader, John Bruton, is born 1949 - Birth in Co. Mayo of Pat Rabbitte, leader of the Labour Party 1999 - The Church of Ireland's annual synod calls on the authorities at Drumcree to conditionally withdraw a long-standing invitation to the Orangemen to use their church ahead of the order's controversial annual march through nationalist parts of Portadown 2000 - Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble decides to accept the IRA’s offer to put arms beyond use and backs a return to the Stormont Executive with Sinn Féin 2001 - Gardenia St. George, an early 20th-century portrait by William Orpen, becomes the most expensive Irish painting of all time when it sells at Sothebys for the hammer price of £2.29 million 2004 - Clare O'Leary becomes the first Irishwoman to successfully climb Mount Everest. She is accompanied by veteran mountaineer Pat Falvey who also sets a record by becoming the first Irishman to climb Everest from both sides. 2006 - Michael O'Riordan dies in Dublin. A key figure in the Irish Communist Party, Mr O'Riordan was one of just two surviving Irish veterans of the Spanish Civil War. He was shot in Spain while with the 'Connolly Column', named after socialist leader James Connolly, which fought against General Franco's fascists from 1936-39.
May 19 1660 - An Act by the British Parliament forbids the export of Irish wool 1710 - John Forster is unanimously elected Speaker of the House of Commons, replacing Alan Brodrick 1798 - Lord Edward Fitzgerald, a leader of the United Irishmen, is betrayed by Francis Magan; he's arrested and is shot while being apprehended; he dies of his wounds on June 4 1821 - Anna Maria Odell, the second wife of William Odell (former MP for Co. Limerick), gives birth to a stillborn child in the Marshalsea debtors' prison, where she had accompanied her husband 1832 - Standish Hayes O'Grady, scholar, is born in Castleconnell, Co. Limerick 1862 - Máire Ni Aodáin (Mary Hayden), Irish historian, is born 1869 - Birth of Henry Dixon, botanist 1870 - Sir Isaac Butt invents the term "Home Rule". The first meeting of the "Home Government Association" (later to become the "Home Rule League") is held in a Dublin hotel. A resolution is passed "that the true remedy for the evils of Ireland is the establishment of an Irish Parliament with full control over our domestic affairs" 1939 - John Sheahan, fiddle player with the Dubliners, is born 1961- Birth of composer, Ronan Hardiman 1966 - Seamus Heaney's first volume of poetry, "Death of a Naturalist" is published 1998 - European finance ministers reject Ireland's call for a study into the consequences of abolishing duty-free shops 1998 - SDLP leader John Hume and his Unionist counterpart, David Trimble, join U2 on stage at a concert in Belfast's Waterfront Hall to drum up support for a massive Yes vote in Friday's referendum on the Stormont agreement 1998 - Abortion is opposed in all circumstances by 58% of people as against 24% in favour, according to a Pro Life Campaign opinion poll, carried out by Irish Marketing Surveys 1999 - A five-stone lump of butter, estimated to have been buried in a bog over 300 years ago, is discovered in the Poll na gCapaill bog near Barnaderg in Co. Galway by turf cutters Tom Burke and Vincent Roche 2000 - British Airways launches its first daily flight service to Glasgow from Cork 2000 - Westlife tops the Guinness British Hit Singles book writers’ league table, with a value of £18.8 million. Their net worth is based on points scored for Number Ones, singles sold and the number of weeks spent in Britain’s Top 75 in the past year 2001 - Fleadh Ceoil celebrates its 50th anniversary as musicians throughout the country battle for their place in the provincial finals of Galway, Meath, Tipperary, Antrim, Kildare, Kilkenny, Monaghan and Wexford 2003 - Clare O’Leary, 31, a doctor at Cork University Hospital, and a member of Ireland's Everest team, decides to turn back when it becomes clear an infection has made her too weak to continue.
May 20 1311 - The war of the O'Briens of Thomond escalates as the Norman-Irish become involved on both sides: the de Burghs support Dermot O'Brien and Richard de Clare supports Donough O'Brien. There is a pitched battle at Bunratty on this date, with heavy losses on both sides; de Burgh and others are imprisoned 1648 - Truce between the confederates and Inchiquin; its adherents are excommunicated by Giovanni Rinuccini, papal nuncio to the confederates 1759 - Birth of Sir Eyre Coote, the younger; soldier, MP, and governor of Jamaica 1836 - An Act amalgamates the county constabulary and Peace Preservation Force into a centralized police force - the Irish Constabulary - which will later become the Royal Irish Constabulary 1922 - De Valera and Collins agree to a pact whereby a national coalition panel of candidates will represent the pro- and anti-Treaty wings of Sinn Féin throughout Ireland in the forthcoming general election 1927 - The opening hours of Irish public houses are restricted by the Intoxicating Liquor Act 1932 - Amelia Earhart takes off from Newfoundland for Ireland on the anniversary of Charles Lindbergh's famous flight; she lands near Londonderry/Derry and becomes the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic 1969 - Students stage a sit-in at University College in Dublin to protest conditions in Northern Ireland 1998 - Taoiseach Bertie Ahern assures unionists there is no hidden agenda in the Belfast Agreement and promises to stamp out dissident paramilitary groups who want to wreck the accord 1999 - 24th Biennial Conference of Irish Historians is held at University College in Cork 2001 - More than half a million people line the streets to watch the postponed St Patrick's Day Parade in Dublin 2001 - Former US president Bill Clinton begins a four-day trip to Ireland with a round of golf at Ballybunion 2003 - The Irish Government restricts alcohol adverts. The ads are banned from buses, trains, cinemas and sporting events and not permitted before 10 p.m. on television 2003 - Thousands of Irish-based Celtic fans fly to Spain to cheer on the Glasgow club in their first European final in 33 years tomorrow 2003 - Dundalk garden designer Paul Martin wins a silver medal at London's Chelsea Flower Show.
May 21 1639 - Lord Deputy Thomas Wentworth imposes the Black Oath of loyalty to Charles I on all Ulster Scots over the age of 16 1745 - Count Daniel O'Connell, a soldier in French and British services, is born in Derrynane, Co. Kerry 1917 - Birth of tenor and comedian, Dennis Day, to Irish parents in New York, NY 1916 - Clocks and watches go forward one hour as the Daylight Saving Act (Summer Time) is introduced 1920 - James Plunkett, pseudonym of James Plunkett Kelly; novelist, is born in Dublin 1944 - Mary Robinson, lawyer, youngest ever Professor of Law at Trinity College Dublin; President of Ireland from 1990 to 1997; and United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, is born in Ballina, Co. Mayo 1980 - Taoiseach Charles Haughey and Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher meet in London (and later in Dublin on December 8), and agree to consider 'the totality of relationships within these islands' 1981 - At 2:11 am, Raymond McCreesh dies on hunger strike in the Maze Prison. Later, the same day at 11:29 pm, he is joined in death by his friend and fellow hunger-striker, Patsy O'Hara 1999 - Bono and Larry appear on RTE's "The Late Late Show" to present long-time host Gay Byrne with a black Harley Davidson as a going away present on his retirement 1999 - The Jack Lynch Tunnel, described as the most challenging civil engineering project in the history of the state, is unveiled by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern at the entrance of the tunnel in Mahon, Co. Cork 2000 - Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams sparks a new political storm when he makes it clear he could not call on republicans and nationalists to join the North’s proposed new police service 2000 - Demonstrators picket Drogheda Heritage Centre as the death mask of Oliver Cromwell is put on display where he is reputed to have massacred thousands of defenceless civilians 2000 - Thousands of Christians celebrate the jubilee year by coming together in parishes throughout the country for National Pilgrimage Day 2001 - The EU blue flag quality mark is awarded to 111 beaches around the coast for the cleanliness of the water. Ireland, at 91.7%, ranks fourth overall in the EU when it comes to blue flag beaches. The Netherlands comes first with 96%, followed by Greece with 95% and Italy, 92% 2001 - Former US president, Bill Clinton, is rumored to have been paid £100,000 by the chairman of Independent News and Media Sir Anthony O'Reilly to talk to a select gathering at Trinity College on this date 2002 - Bono kicks off a 10-day four- nation tour of Africa in the company of US Treasury Secretary, Paul O’Neill 2003 - According to a new survey published in the Wall Street Journal, the Irish remain among the most contented races on Earth. The statistics on our generally sunny disposition appear to confirm the findings of another recent study - the World Happiness Survey - which places Ireland sixth in a league of 68 countries.
May 22 1805 - Michael Doheny, poet and Young Irelander, is born near Fethard, Co. Tipperary 1849 - Novelist, Maria Edgeworth, dies in Mostrim, Co. Longford. She is laid to rest in a vault at Edgeworthstown Church. The Great Famine which decimates the people she loves mars her last years. Even though in her late seventies, she worked strenuously for the relief of the stricken peasants at the height of the famine. She shows the same involvement and generosity throughout her entire life and devotes her best talents to the betterment of the people of her adoption. Her books on the Irish people bring her world fame and the acclaim of such writers as Sir Walter Scott, Jane Austen, Byron and the Russian writer Turgenev. 1859 - Birth in Edinburgh of Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle, creator of Sherlock Holmes. Doyle was the eldest son of 10 siblings born to Irish parents Charles Doyle and Mary Foley 1870 - Birth of Eva Gore-Booth, poet, trade unionist and feminist, on the Lissadell Estate in Co. Sligo 1920 - Birth of Oliver J. Flanagan, Fine Gael politician 1932 - Death of Augusta Persse, better known as Lady Augusta Gregory, Irish dramatist, folklorist and theatre director; also a co-founder of the Abbey Theatre 1941 - Caitlin Maude, Irish language activist, is born 1944 - Birth of Betty Williams, former peace activist and 1976 Nobel Peace Prize winner 1946 - George Best, the greatest player of his generation and the world's first superstar footballer, is born in Belfast 1950 - Bill Whelan, musician and composer, is born in Limerick; he is best known for composing the music to Riverdance 1955 - Mary Black, singer, is born in Dublin 1971 - Members of the Irish Women's Liberation Movement defy the law by bringing contraceptives bought in Belfast into Connolly railway station in Dublin 1972 - Death of Laois man Cecil Day-Lewis, one of the English language's leading poets of the early part of the 20th century, and father of actor Daniel Day-Lewis 1995 - U.S. President Bill Clinton approves a visa for Irish nationalist leader Gerry Adams to enter the United States 1997 - Pneumonia causes the quiet passing of Dr. Noel Browne in the University College Hospital Galway at the age of 81. As Minister of Health, Dr. Browne had lain the foundation stone of the same Hospital almost fifty years before 1998 - The Good Friday Agreement is overwhelmingly endorsed in referendums North (71%) and South (94%) 2000 - A survey shows that half of Ireland's small and medium-size businesses have their own website 2003 - Hurling reaches its highest peak when Gerard McDonnell from Limerick brought the spirit of the GAA to Mount Everest; he sent a ball flying above 29,000 feet 2003 - The Official Languages Bill 2002, introduced by the Minister for the Gaeltacht, Mr Ó Cuív, will give citizens the right to conduct their business with any State agency or Government department, in Irish.
May 23 1561 - The first court of High Commission, a group of officials and Protestant clergy, is set up to enforce the Reformation in Ireland 1754 - Birth of Dr. William Drennan in Belfast; physician, poet, educationalist political radical and one of the chief architects of the Society of United Irishmen. Drennan's poetic output included some powerful and moving pieces. He is chiefly remembered today for "Erin" written in 1800, in which he penned the first reference in print to Ireland as "the Emerald Isle": "Nor one feeling of vengeance presume to defile The cause, or the men, of the Emerald Isle." Interestingly, he himself is quoted as saying that this expression was first used in a party song called “Erin, to her own Tune,” written in 1795. The song appears to have been anonymous 1794 - As part of a crack-down on seditious activity during Britain's war with France, the Dublin United Irishmen are supressed 1798 - United Irish Rebellion begins in Wexford 1798 - United Irish rebellion begins in Leinster 1903 - Shelah Richards, actress and producer, is born in Dublin 1920 - Oliver Plunkett is beatified by Pope Benedict XV 1920 - Railway workers refuse to transport troops from this date 1934 - Birth of former rugby international, Syd Millar 1951 - Lord Henry Mount Charles, Slane Castle impresario, is born 1954 - Former soccer international, Gerry Armstrong, is born 1966 - Birth of GAA footballer, Paul McGrath 1998 - Britain's Prime Minister, Tony Blair, welcomes the resounding "yes" vote in the referendum on the Good Friday Agreement on Northern Ireland, calling it "a day for joy" 1998 - Thousands flock to Ennis for the 29th Fleadh Nua Traditional Music Festival 1999 - Rural post offices are thrown a life-line when the Government gives its strongest commitment yet to preserving regional services 2002 - The long simmering division between Roy Keane and manager Mick McCarthy erupts into a huge row and Keane is expelled from the World Cup squad.
May 24 1487 - Lambert Simnel (aged 10), the Yorkist pretender to the English throne, is brought to Ireland. It is claimed that he is Edward, Earl of Warwick (Clarence's son), but in fact, he is a baker's son - the real Warwick is a prisoner in the Tower of London and will be executed in 1499. Most of the Anglo-Irish believe that Simnel's claim is genuine and support him (exceptions are the Butlers, Waterford city and the Archbishop of Armagh, Octavian del Palatio); Simnel is crowned King of England as Edward VI in Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin on this date. Walter FitzSimons, Archbishop of Dublin, is present at the crowning; he will be imprisoned in the Tower because of this 1628 - 51 'graces' to Irish interest groups by Charles I are promised but various excuses are used not to grant these concessions 1798 - Archibald Hamilton Jacob conducts the Enniscorthy Yeomen Cavalry to the village of Ballaghkeen where they flog a man to death 1813 - A Catholic Relief Bill is introduced by Grattan in the House of Commons, and is narrowly defeated 251 to 247 1818 - John Foley, sculptor, is born in Dublin 1830 - Anthony Durnford, soldier, is born in Manorhamilton, Co. Leitrim 1882 - Creighton Hale, actor, is born in Cork 1921 - 1st parliament for Northern Ireland is elected 1923 - Actress, Siobhan McKenna is born 1928 - William Trevor (Cox), prolific short story-writer and novelist is born in Mitchelstown, Co. Cork. He has written over 30 works including 'The Story of Lucy Gault' which was short-listed for the 2002 Booker Prize 1956 - Sean Kelly, cyclist, ranked world number one (1984-1989) is born in Carrick-on-Suir, Co. Tipperary 1987 - A referendum in the Republic approves the Single European Act 1998 - Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams signals that the terrorist war is over and that the gun can finally be removed from Irish politics 1998 - Less than 24 hours after people on both sides of the border gave a resounding Yes to the Stormont peace agreement, dissident republican terrorists cause widespread disruption on the Belfast-Dublin railway line after a suspicious object is found on the line near Lurgan 1998 - Director John Boorman wins the Best Director prize for The General, about real life Dublin gang leader, Martin Cahill 1999 - As part of a £4.5m tourism project, Waterford Treasures on the city's quayside, is opened to the public. On display are an impressive range of Viking artefacts from settlements dating back to 853 and discovered during excavations in the city over the last six years 2000 - According to a report published on this date, 1 in 10 homeless people in London are Irish 2000 - Two more members of David Trimble’s Ulster Unionist Assembly team are to oppose his plan to return to power sharing with Sinn Féin 2002 - European parliament president Pat Cox is awarded the freedom of Limerick city. The former Progressive Democrats TD is presented with the award by Mayor Dick Sadlier at a reception in City Hall. Previous recipients of the award include John F Kennedy, The Pope and Charles Stewart Parnell 2003 - Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Brian Cowen, meet Sinn Féin's chief negotiators Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness in Dublin for talks.
In looking for the national AOH web site, I made the mistake of typing in aoh.orgrather than aoh.com. Anyway, if you go to that site, you find a swingin' bunch of fellas who sing a cappella. According to their website, "The Ambassadors of Harmony is a world-class a cappella chorus of over one hundred men, headquartered in St. Charles, Missouri." It looks like they're sort of a very large barbershp quartet in very fetching tuxedos. Sadly, their web site does not address whether they are of Irish descent.
Meet Brian Cowen. This dashing fellow is Ireland's new Prime Minister. The BBC has an excellent profile of the Taoiseach, who takes over for the scandal-ridden Bertie Ahern. Read about it here.
Update: For those interested in the scandal that forced Bertie Ahern to resign, you can read the details here courtesy of the Associated Press. At least its nice to know that corruption in government isn't a uniquely American phenomenon.
5 Surgeons were discussing which patients are the easist to operate on:
No 1 from Pittsburgh said he liked to do accountants because everything inside is numbered.
No 2 from Chicago said he preferred electricians because everything is color coded.
No 3 from Dallas preferred libranians because everything inside is in alphabebical order.
No 4 From New York said construction workers are the easiest because they understand that you may have a few parts left over.
No 5 From Washington D.C. said politicians are the easiest because they have no guts, no heart, no brains and no spine - and the head and the ass are interchangable.
Just enter your zip code in the site below, and it tells you which gas stations have the cheapest prices (and the highest) on gasoline in your zip code area. It's updated every evening.
Battle of the Bands: The Dubliners & Thin Lizzy sing "Whiskey in the Jar"
We members of Division 32 have a wide variety of musical tastes. Some, such as our good brother Bill Delaney (and former lead-crooner for Pittsburgh's own The Vi-Counts) favor the traditional Irish ballad. Others, such as our long-haired, Teutonically-named brother John Graf prefer their Irish music a little more "caffeinated." As a newly-minted blogger for Division 32, I aim to please all segments of the Division 32 community.
Whiskey in the Jaris a traditional Irish song about a highwayman who is betrayed by his lover. In order to please each and every Division 32 member, I provide you with these alternative versions of this classic as sung by two of Ireland's legendary acts - The Dubliners and Thin Lizzy. You be the judge!
Update: For any Division 32 headbangers, you may prefer the Metallica version. Click here.
On May 12, 2008, at 10:40 AM, Jeankaniecki@aol.com wrote: As you probably are aware, another Irishman is in danger of being deported. If you are not familiar with his case you can go to www.polbrennan. com. We are having a raffle to help with his legal expenses and would appreciate any help your division could give. I realize you have many charities that you donate to and understand if this wouldn't be possible. The tickets are 1for $2; 3for $5; 7 for $10 and 20 for $20. The basket contains 4 shamrock wine glasses, bottle of Chardonnay, CD- "Celtic Origins" (Anuna), shamrock candle, Celtic bracelet with matching earrings and cocktail napkins. I know this won't appeal to your members but perhaps a lady in their life would enjoy it. A picture of the basket will be on the above web site later this week if not before. The drawing will be on June 25 at the IAUC meeting. Checks can be made out to: Jean Kaniecki, 105 Sunnyhill Dr. Pgh. Pa. 15237. ALL proceeds will go directly to Pol. Thanks for your consideration. Jean 412-486-2684
Begorra! Guinness to be brewed outside of Dublin? The closure of St. James Gate where the creamy ambrosia has been brewed since 1759? Not so fast, says the New York Times. The corporate owners of Guinness, London-based Diageo plc, have reconsidered plans to shut down the venerable plant in the heart of Dublin (although several other Irish breweries will fall victim to corporate cost cutting. Read about it here.
Update/Crazy fun fact from article: "Ireland is the third-largest consumer of Guinness, after Nigeria, its No. 1 market, which has the world’s largest Guinness brewery, in Lagos, and Britain." Freakin' Nigeria??? What's up with that?
Pat and Mike were doing some street repairs in front of a known house of ill repute in Boston. A Jewish Rabbi came walking down the street, looked the left, looked to right, and ducked into the house.
Pat paused a bit from swinging his pick and said, "Mike...will you look at that! A man of the cloth, and going into a place like that in broad daylight!"
A bit later, a Baptist minister came down the street, looked to the left, looked to the right, and scurried into the house. Mike laid down his shovel, turned to Pat and said "Pat! Are you seeing what I'm seeing? A man of the Church, and he's giving that place his custom!"
Just then, a Catholic Priest came down the street, looked to the left, looked to the right, and slipped into the bawdy house. Pat and Mike straightened up, removed their hats, and Mike says "There must be somebody very sick in there!"
Gary Og preforming The Fields of Athenry live at the St. Pauli Celtic Football Club Supporters Club Party. One of the very best renditions of the song. Grab a pint and listen up and you'll feel as though you're in the audience. Enjoy!
May 11 1745 - At the battle of Fontenoy (30 April/11 May according to the two calendars), near Tournai in modern Belgium, the Irish Brigade of the French army under Lieutenant Charles O'Brien repulses the British and wins the day. Those killed include (on the British side) Henry Ponsonby, MP for Innistiogue and a brother of Brabazon Ponsonby, 1st Earl of Bessborough 1788 - Presbyterian minister, Henry Cooke, is born at Grillagh, near Maghera, Co Derry. Cooke is famous for leading Ulster Presbyterianism away from the free-thinking radicalism which had spawned the United Irishmen's rising during his childhood 1916 - During the House of Commons debate on the Irish crises, John Dillon urges the cessation of executions 1937 - Debate on new Constitution commences 1967- The Republic of Ireland applies again to join the Common Market 1971 - Death of former Taoiseach Seán Francis Lemass 1979 - The Riordans, a drama about life in a rural Irish village and the most successful serial in the history of RTE (running for 15 years) comes to an end 1996 - Bill Graham, Irish rock journalist, dies at his home in Howth 1999 - Gay Byrne, legendary host of the Late Late Show, becomes the 64th Freeman of the City of Dublin 2000 - Figures released on this date show that tourist visitors to Ireland in 1999 exceed six million for the first time 2001 - Visually-impaired adventurer Caroline Casey arrives back in Dublin after a four-month elephant ride across India during which she raises $250,000 for charity.
May 12 563 - St Columcille establishes a community on Iona 1641 - Thomas Wentworth, English viceroy of Ireland and Earl of Stafford is beheaded 1751 - Archibald Hamilton Rowan, nationalist and United Irishman, is born in London 1784 - J.S. Knowles, dramatist and Baptist preacher, is born in Cork 1806 - James Shields, US army general and the only person to be elected a senator by three states, is born in Altmore, Co. Tyrone 1823 - Daniel O'Connell founds the Catholic Association, an organization dedicated to obtaining the franchise for Catholics 1916 - Irish Patriots, Seán MacDiarmada and James Connolly are executed at Kilmainham Gaol 1944 - Cork-born Venerable Edel Quinn, one of the outstanding missionary figures of the 20th century, dies of TB in Nairobi 1950 - Birth in Dublin of internationally acclaimed actor Gabriel Byrne 1981 - Francis Hughes, Irish political prisoner, dies on hunger strike, in Maze Prison, near Lisburn, Co. Antrim. His death comes a week after the the death of Bobby Sands on 5 May, the first to die in a republican campaign for political status to be granted to IRA prisoners 1998 - British Chancellor Gordon Brown hands the Yes campaign in the North a monster financial boost when he unveils a bumper £315 million plan — over twice what was expected 1999 - US First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton become the first woman to be granted the Freedom of Galway city, following in the footsteps of her country's former presidents, John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan 2003 - Dublin City Council votes by an overwhelming majority to call for the preservation of a house in Moore Street where the leaders of the 1916 Rising have their last meeting and decide to surrender to British forces.
May 13 1787 - On this date, which is a Sunday, Alderman Exshaw, accompanied by Archdeacon Hastings, is walking in Merrion Square, Dublin, when he encounters 'a great number of people, leaping, wrestling, shouting, etc.'. The archdeacon observes that this activity profanes the Sabbath and is a disgrace to Exshaw's district. The latter orders the police to advance and disperse the crowd with fixed bayonets. The MPs Richard Griffith, Henry Hatton and Sir John Freke intervene, and Griffith asks Exshaw 'to consider what he was about to do; that he had no right to order his men to fire without reading the Riot Act, and that if they fired, they must kill many innocent persons'. These words, according to Exshaw later, encourage the mob, and they immediately attack the police with stones. Exshaw will admit that there was no riot before he ordered the police to disperse the crowd, 'that some of his men were drunk, but not so much so, he said as to render them incapable of doing their duty; that it was with great difficulty he prevented them from firing on the mob'. Griffith will be found guilty of instigating a riot, and considered lucky not to be hanged 1842 - Arthur Sullivan, the son of an Irish musician, is born. Along with William Gilbert he invented the English operetta. Sullivan’s last work is entitled "The Emerald Isle" 1848 - The Irish Confederation splits; John Mitchel starts the militant United Irishman; he is arrested on this date and is sentenced to 14 years transportation under the new Treason-Felony Act 1852 - Anna Catherine Parnell, sister of Charles and Fanny, and co-founder of the Irish Ladies Land League, is born in Avondale, Co. Wicklow 1878 - Birth of Charles Vane-Tempest-Stewart, 7th Marquis Londonderry and unionist politician 1906 - According to his birth certificate, this is the day playwright and novelist, Samuel Beckett is born in Foxrock, Co. Dublin. Throughout his life, he insists his birth is on Good Friday - April 13, 1906 1919 - Dan Breen and Seán Treacy rescue their comrade Seán Hogan from a Dublin-Cork train at Knocklong, Co. Limerick; two policemen guarding him are killed 1945 - In a radio broadcast, Churchill accuses de Valera's government of frolicking with the Germans and Japanese 1954 - Sean Patrick Michael Sherrard, better known as Johnny Logan, is born. He is considered to be the most successful Eurovision Song contestant of all time 1981 - Pope John Paul II survives an assassination attempt in St Peter's Square, Rome 1998 - Delegates at the Church of Ireland Synod in Dublin vote down a proposal that the church stop investing in companies involved in the production and selling of arms 1998 - Taoiseach Bertie Ahern calls on Sinn Féin and the IRA to state unequivocally that the war in Northern Ireland is over 1998 - The British Government appoints Adam Ingram as "Minister for Victims" to co-ordinate a drive towards new proposals to help the forgotten victims of terrorist violence in Northern Ireland 2000 - More than 3,500 people march through the centre of Dublin to show their opposition to the rising levels of racism directed at refugees 2003 - Ferocious winds force an Irish team hoping to scale Mount Everest to return to their base camp. Two members of the team, Clare O’Leary, 31, from Cork and Hannah Shields, 37, from Derry, hope to become the first Irish women to scale the world’s highest peak.
May 14 1260 - Brian O'Neill, during the assault on the Earldom of Ulster, is defeated and killed by the forces of Roger des Auters at the battle of Down (renamed by de Courcy as Downpatrick) 1660 - Charles II is proclaimed king in Dublin, six days after London, thus ending Cromwell's reign as Lord Protector and beginning a brief and limited Catholic Restoration 1730 - Sir Edward Newenham, popular MP for County Dublin and strong advocate of the American colonists, is born. Newenham is introduced at the court of Louis XVI by the Marquis de Lafayette, even though Britain and France are at war 1755 - George Barrington (real name Waldron), writer, adventurer and pickpocket is born in Maynooth, Co. Kildare. A well-dressed pickpocket who "worked" in Churches and the Houses of Parliament, he is arrested and transported to Australia. Later, he becomes Australian high constable. He is known for the lines: "True patriots all; for be it understood- We left our country for our country’s good" 1784 - Foster's Corn Law regulates the corn trade 1784 - The Irish Post Office, distinct from English and Scottish services, is established by statute 1865 - The last surviving member of the Irish House of Commons, Sir Thomas Staples, who had risen in his profession to be Queen's Advocate for Ireland, dies in Lissan, Co. Tyrone 11 weeks short of his 90th birthday 1893 - George "McIrish" McElroy is born in Donnybrook, Co. Dublin. He is Ireland's highest World War One ace, with 47 victories within 40 weeks 1974 - The Ulster Workers' Council declares a general strike; Faulkner and the unionist members of the executive resign on 28 May; direct rule is reimposed the following day and the strike is called off. Power-sharing is dead 1998 - The leaders of the five main Dáil parties join forces in urging Sinn Féin and the IRA to publicly declare that the "war is over" and that weapons are redundant 1999 - Ballykissangel actor Edmund Birdy Sweeney is laid to rest in a tiny cemetery in Dungannon, Co Tyrone, just a hundred yards from St Patrick's Chapel where he had worshipped 2003 - A headless body is discovered by a Co. Offaly farmer while digging a drain close to his home. The skin is still intact on the upper torso, the clothes are preserved and there is a bracelet on the upper arm. The National Museum's head of collections, Raghnall O'Floinn, says: "it could be anywhere between 500-2000 years old.
May 15 1395 - Richard II returns to England on this date, confident that Gaelic Irish power has been checked 1600 - Sent by Queen Elizabeth to quell the rumblings of discontent in Ulster, Sir Henry Docwra lands at Culmore with a force of 4000 foot and 200 horse soldiers; modern Derry is thereby founded 1621 - Sir Henry Docwra is created Baron Docwra of Culmore 1732 - Sir John Blaquiere, Chief Secretary and politician, is born 1753 - Isaac Corry, opposition politician, Volunteer, and Chancellor of the Exchequer is born in Newry, Co. Down 1808 - Michael Balfe, operatic composer, is born in Dublin 1829- Elected to the office of minister of Parliament for Co. Clare by recently enfranchised Catholics, O'Connell presents himself at the bar of the House of Commons, but is asked to withdraw for refusing to take the Oath of Supremacy 1847 - Daniel O'Connell, "The Liberator," dies in Genoa. His body is returned to Ireland and buried in Glasnevin Cemetery 1867 - Eoin MacNeill, Gaelic scholar and co-founder of the Gaelic League, is born in Glenarm, Co. Antrim 1940 - Proinsias de Rossa, politician and leader of Democratic Left, is born in Dublin 1990 - The Church of Ireland votes for women priests 2000 - Two international inspectors who have been tasked with examining IRA arms dumps as part of the plans for the restoration of devolved government to the North arrive in Ireland 2001 - Drivers enjoy a free ride across Dublin's two toll bridges - a bonus from the booth operators' strike over pay and working hours 2003 - Four world records are made at Christie's annual Irish art sale; the main record breaker is for a mountainous wooded landscape with figures by 18th-century artist George Barret which sells for £320,000 2003 - The National Museum of Ireland says that a remarkably well-preserved headless body found by a farmer in a Co. Offaly bog could be up to 2000 years old. 2007 - Taoiseach Bertie Ahern becomes the first Irish leader to address a joint session of the two chambers of the British parliament. All members of parliament - both the Lords and the Commons are invited. Senior figures from the Irish government and Irish opposition leaders are present at the event, as are prominent Irish community members in Britain. It is very rare for a foreign leader to be invited to address the Joint Houses of Parliament; Mr Ahern follows in the footsteps of Nelson Mandela, Francois Mitterand, the Dalai Lama and Bill Clinton.
May 16 587 - St. Brendan the Navigator, early transatlantic voyager, dies. In the liturgical calendar, today is St. Brendan's Feast Day 1907 - Birth of Robert Tisdall, gold medalist in the 400 meter hurdles at the 1932 Olympics 1920 - 'Soviets' are proclaimed in 13 Co. Limerick creameries, including Knocklong 1926 - Eamon de Valera founds Fianna Fáil and holds its first public meeting 1927 - 'A' Reserve established by Oglaigh na hÉireann - the Irish Defence Forces 1938 - The Department of Justice bans Photography magazine because of 'attention given to the female nude' 1945 - Eamon de Valera responds to Churchill's victory speech during which Churchill took one last jab at Irish neutrality. For Churchill's speech and De Valera's response, please click World at War 1952 - Birth of Pierce Brosnan in Navan, Co. Meath 1997 - Tony Blair visits Northern Ireland and gives the go ahead for exploratory contacts between government officials and Sinn Féin 2000 - An Post officially launches a set of four 30p postage stamps in honour of flamboyant writer and wit, Oscar Wilde 2001 - Proposals to locate the first wind farm off the country's west coast are unveiled. The £100 million project is to be located off the north Kerry coast on the southern lip of the Shannon estuary and is to involve the construction of between 20 and 30 wind turbines 2001 - The United States designates the Real IRA, a splinter group of the Irish Republican Army, as a "foreign terrorist organisation," a legal term that brings financial and other sanctions. Under US law, any assets the Real IRA has in the United States are frozen, it is illegal to support the organization and Real IRA members are not eligible for US visas 2002 - Iarnród Eireann’s first female train driver, Teresa Carey from Kerry, begins her career driving the Cork-Heuston train. 2007 - Taoiseach Bertie Ahern becomes the third longest-serving EU leader in office as France’s Jacques Chirac officially steps down.
May 17 1650 - Cromwell's army is defeated in the second assault on Clonmel, suffering its heaviest losses. The following day, the Mayor of Clonmel negotiates honourable terms for surrender with Cromwell, who did not realise that O'Neill and his soldiers had left the town. Annoyed at being outwitted, Cromwell nevertheless keeps to the terms 1730 - Elizabeth, widow of William Molyneux, marries Nathaniel St Andre, a Swiss surgeon who wins an action for defamation on a charge of having killed Molyneux by administering opium to him in his last illness by her connivance 1855 - Birth in Bantry, Co. Cork of Timothy Michael Healy, one of the most brilliant and most controversial of Irish politicians. His career spans from Parnell's leadership of the Irish Parliamentary Party in the 1880s to the foundation of the Irish Free State in 1922; he becomes the Free State's first Governor-General 1865 - Shan Bullock, novelist, is born in Crom, Co. Fermanagh 1880 - Charles Stewart Parnell is elected Chairman of the Irish Parliamentary Party 1908 - Birth of Vincent Barry, organic chemist, in Cork 1911 - Birth in Roscommon of actress Maureen O'Sullivan Boyle who is remembered for her role as Jane in a series of five movies opposite Johnny Weissmuller's Tarzan 1917 - A new military viceroy, General French, acts on mistaken information that Sinn Féin is implicated in a pro-German plot and has most of the leaders arrested 1949 - The British Government recognizes the Republic of Ireland 1961 - Enya [Eithne Ní Bhraonáin] is born in Gweedore, Co. Donegal 1969 - Dubliner Tom McClean crosses from Newfoundland to Blacksod Bay, Co. Mayo, completing the first transatlantic solo crossing in a rowboat 1974 - Car bombs explode in Dublin and Monaghan, killing 34 people 2001 - A horse picture by Jack B Yeats makes a hammer price of £1 million sterling at Christie's in London. It is bought by London dealer Simon Dickenson for a private client, believed to be racehorse owner John Magnier.
