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This site includes the postings from the Irish Aires email list. This includes a listing of Irish/Celtic events in the Houston area and other information that the Irish Aires radio program posts.
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Current Events
What's New?
04/03/07 - Bagpipes & Hockey at the Toyota Center
04/04/07 - National Tartan Week Celebration @ St Arnolds
04/06/07 – Tartan Day in the Rice Village
04/06/07 - Blaggards at The Goose’s Acre
04/07/07 – The Scots Take over Scottish Aires(aka Irish Aires)
04/07/07 – Constant Billy @ the Bayou City Farmer’s Market
04/12/07 – Constant Billy at Mojo Risin’
04/21/07 - Constant Billy @ Trinity Scottish Festival
04/26/07 – Blaggards at The Goose’s Acre in Woodlands
04/26/07 - Joe Mac Donnacha at U of St Thomas (updated info)
04/29/07 - NASA Astronaut Eileen Collins @ UofST (updated)
05/18/07 – Gaelic Storm & Blaggards at Fitzgerald’s
05/25/07 – Clandestine at the Mucky Duck (two shows)
06/23/07 – Clandestine at the Mucky Duck (Two shows)
*************************
04/03/07 - Bagpipes & Hockey - It's Happening In Houston
To Celebrate National Tartan Day
Tuesday, April 3rd at 7:05pm at the Toyota Center, the
Houston Aeros Hockey team will host a Scottish Heritage
night!
Hockey fans are encouraged to wear plaid or even
traditional kilts to celebrate National Tartan Day at the
Toyota Center as the Houston Aeros battle the Peoria
Rivermen . On April 3rd, five time World Juvenile Champion
Bagpipe Band - St. Thomas' Episcopal Pipe Band and the
Highland Dancers will perform at the game to kick-off the
celebration of Tartan Day in Houston and across the state!
To celebrate Tartan Day in Houston, special individual and
group tickets are available by contacting Andrew Stephens
at 713-361-7954 or astephens@aeros.com
National Tartan Day is an annual day set aside by the U.S.
Congress to recognize the contributions of Scottish
Americans. April 6th was chosen because it was on that date
in 1320 that the Scottish document "The Declaration of
Arbroath" was written. This was the model for the United
States Declaration of Independence, as well as our own
Texas Declaration of Independence of 1836.
Tartan Day refers to a fabric woven into plaid patterns
which represents clans, families or regions in Scotland. A
tartan may be designed to commemorate a special event or a
person. In old Scotland, the tartan was used for dress as
well as banner or flag. The kilt is made in special tartan
designs. Because a family or community worked the cloth
together, their clothing was made from the same patterns. A
person could be recognized by the tartan plaid that he
wore.
The Texas Bluebonnet tartan became the official tartan for
the State of Texas in 1989.
Until next month!
Tracy
Assistant Press & Public Affairs Officer
British Consulate-General
1000 Louisiana, Suite 1900
Houston, Texas 77002
Tel: 713 659 6275 x 2118
Fax: 713 659 7094
Email: tracy.achilles@fco.gov.uk
Website: http://www.britainusa.com/
FTN: 8436-2118
*********************
04/04/07 - National Tartan Week Celebration @ St Arnolds
Descends on Houston, providing Houstonians a unique taste of Scottish culture
Start the celebration at our private extreme happy hour,
Wednesday, April 4th from 6pm to 8pm
Brought to you by the Houston Highland Games Association
(HHGA)
$15.00 admission includes:
St. Arnold beer with catering by Arnie’s Gourmet
Live musical entertainment by Scotland’s own David Hutton
Bagpipes by Maddog
Happy hour location:
St. Arnold Brewery
2522 Fairway Park Drive, Houston, TX 77092
Purchase your tickets ($15 ea.) using PayPal at
http://www.houstonhighlandgames.com/
Questions: Carol Robertson croberts@bechtel.com
*********************
04/06/07 – Wind That Shakes the Barley Opens at Greenway
*********************
04/06/07 – Blaggards - Friday
The Goose's Acre, 10pm
The Woodlands, TX
21 Waterway Dr, Ste 140
The Woodlands, TX 77380
*********************
04/06/07 – Tartan Day - Top off Tartan Day (April 6) with a
pint or two at the Kelvin Arms. We will meet at the Kelvin
Arms at 5:00 pm and at 6:30 pm, walk over to Brian
O’Neill’s for dinner dressed to kilt.
Kelvin Arms/2424 Dunstan, Houston 77005 http://www.kelvinarms.com/
Brian O’Neill’s/5555 Morningside, Houston 77005
http://www.brianoneills.com/
Questions: Carol croberts@bechtel.com
*********************
04/07/07 – Constant Billy (9-11AM) at the Bayou City
Farmers' Market. 3000 Richmond at Eastside in Houston, TX.
*************************
04/10/07 – McKassons at the Mucky Duck
"Contemporary Scottish Fiddle Band"
Apr 10, 8pm, $10 -
*************************
04/12/07 – Constant Billy (8-10pm) at Mojo Risin’,
1600 Shepherd Dr. at Eigel for an intimate concert.
*********************
04/13/07 – Clandestine at the Mucky Duck
Apr 13, 7:30 & 10, $15
*********************
04/21/07 – Constant Billy 12-1PM and 2-3PM, Trinity
Scottish Festival, Huntsville, TX.
*************************
04/26/04 - Joe Mac Donnacha, Academic Coordinator
Academy for Irish-medium University Studies
National University of Ireland , Galway
The Irish Language: The Successes and Challenges of
Language Planning in Ireland and the Future of Irish in a
“Globalized World”
When: 7:30 p.m.
Where: Cullen Hall, 4001 Mt. Vernon , University of St.
Thomas
Co-sponsor: Irish American Cultural Institute
With the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922, the
Irish language was accorded the status of the “national
language.” By 1926, Irish speakers in the Irish Free State
numbered 543,511 (18 per cent), out of a total population
of 2,971,992. By 1936, a year before the enactment of the
Irish Constitution, Bunreacht na hÉireann , the number of
Irish-speakers had increased to 666,601 (24 per cent), out
of a total population of 2,140,324. This dichotomy between
the constitutional status of Irish and its de facto
position as the lesser-used language in the State is the
focus of debate in Ireland and elsewhere.
The Irish Government is investing in Irish language
programs around the world, such as UST’s, in an effort to
preserve it. The lecture will discuss the viewpoints in
favor of and against preserving Irish as the official
language of Ireland . Joe will identify successes and
failures of Irish language planning and the challenges that
face the Irish language if it is to remain a spoken
language in the “globalized world” of Ireland today. He
will include a short summary of the history of language,
discussing attitudes among the populace in general towards
the language, how effectively school children acquire Irish
through the education system, the areas and domains in
which Irish is used in society and the future of the last
remaining “Gaeltachtaí” (Irish-speaking areas). The talk
will conclude with a brief discussion of the importance of
Irish as the language in which many of the cultural
traditions of Ireland developed and are still to be found,
with a particular focus on the sean-nós (old
style/traditional) singing tradition.
Joe Mac Donnacha is the Academic Coordinator with Acadamh na
hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge (Academy for Irish-medium University
Studies) at the National University of Ireland, Galway , where
he also lectures in language planning.
*************************
04/27/07 – Solas at the Mucky Duck
Apr 27, 7:30 & 10, $20
*************************
04/29/07 - NASA Astronaut Eileen Collins
Return to Flight Mission – Lessons Learned from STS-114
When: 2:30 p.m.
Where: Cullen Hall, 4001 Mt. Vernon , University of St. Thomas
Irish-American United States Air Force Colonel, Retired,
Eileen Collins will present a lecture about STS-114
Discovery (July 26-August 9, 2005), which was the first
“return to flight” mission after the tragic loss of
Columbia on February 1, 2003. Commander Collins is the
first woman ever selected to be a space shuttle pilot and
the first woman to command a space shuttle ( STS-93
Columbia July 23-27, 1999). Under her command of STS-114
Discovery , the Shuttle docked with the International Space
Station and the crew tested and evaluated new procedures
for flight safety as well as shuttle inspection and repair
techniques. After a two-week, 5.8 million-mile journey in
space, the orbiter and its crew of seven astronauts landed
at Edwards Air Force Base, California . Colonel Collins
will narrate an 18-minute video and present several still
photographs of the earth from space in addition to
describing the mission and her experiences as an astronaut.
At the official announcement of Commander Collins as the
First Woman Space Shuttle Commander in the White House on
March 5, 1998, she smiled broadly and said, “When I was a
child, I dreamed about space - I admired pilots,
astronauts, and I’ve admired explorers of all kinds. It was
only a dream that I would someday be one of them. It is my
hope that all children, boys and girls, will see this
mission and be inspired to reach for their dreams, because
dreams do come true!”
The family of Eileen Collins emigrated from the Drimoleague
- Drinagh area of West Cork to Pennsylvania in the 1840s.
It is notable that the family of another astronaut, Michael
Collins, who served as command module pilot on Apollo 11 ,
July 16-24, 1969, the first lunar landing mission, also
came from this region of West Cork .
*************************
05/04/07 – Clandestine at the Mucky Duck
May 4, 7:30 & 10, $15
*************************
05/12/07 - The Houston Highland Games Association (HHGA)
will hold its 2007 Games & Festival during the weekend of
May 11, 12 & 13th (the 2nd weekend in
May) at the Houston Farm & Ranch Club facilities.
Refer to website http://www.houstonhighland/ games.com for
additional information and
appropriate contacts.
*********************
05/12/07 – Ronan Tynan at the Centrum in Spring, TX
Mother's Day Weekend 8 p.m
*************************
05/18/07 – Gaelic Storm & Blaggards at Fitzgerald’s
Fitzgerald's, Doors at 8pm
Houston, TX
2706 White Oak Drive
Houston, TX 77007
713.862.3838
*********************
05/25/07 – Clandestine at the Mucky Duck (7:30PM & 10PM)
$15
*********************
06/23/07 – Clandestine at the Mucky Duck (7:30PM & 10PM)
$15
*********************
09/27/07 – 2007 Annual Irish Gala
When: Silent Auction and Reception: 6:30 p.m.
Where: Houstonian Hotel,
111 North Post Oak Lane, Houston
Honorees: Pat and Debbie Moran
Chair: Michele Malloy
******************************************
ON GOING Events:
Note: Irish Aires can now be HEARD of DOWNLOADED from the Internet. ALSO, there is a new link to hear KPFT Live
Internet listening (live) is available through our MP3 streams.
If you have Winamp, Media Player or iTunes installed on your
computer, you can connect HERE or
http://stream.kpft.org/streamkpft.m3u
Free Player Downloads:
Winamp
Windows Media Player
iTunes
----
Irish Aires is also podcast at:
http://archive.kpft.org/xml/eire.xml
KPFT Archived Programs Sorted By Name
Irish Aires Saturday, Feb 03, 2007 Hear until 04/03/07
http://archive.kpft.org/pls.php?mp3fil=8345136 (Hear)
http://archive.kpft.org/mp3/070203_180002eire.MP3(Download)
Irish Aires Saturday, Feb 10, 2007 Hear Until 04/10/07
http://archive.kpft.org/pls.php?mp3fil=8345221 (Hear)
http://arcive.kpft.org/mp3/070210_180002eire.MP3 (Download)
Irish Aires Saturday, Feb 17, 2007 Hear Until 04/17/07
http://archive.kpft.org/pls.php?mp3fil=8345306 (Hear)
http://archive.kpft.org/mp3/070217_180002eire.MP3 (Download)
Irish Aires Saturday, Feb 24. 2007 – Pre-empted this Week
Irish Aires Saturday, Mar 03, 2007 Hear Until 05/03/07
http://archive.kpft.org/pls.php?mp3fil=8345476 (Hear)
http://archive.kpft.org/mp3/070303_180002eire.MP3 (Download)
Irish Aires Saturday, Mar 10, 2007 Hear Until 05/10/07
http://archive.kpft.org/pls.php?mp3fil=8345476 (Hear)
http://archive.kpft.org/mp3/070303_180002eire.MP3 (Download)
Irish Aires Saturday, Mar 17, 2007 Hear Until 05/17/07
http://archive.kpft.org/pls.php?mp3fil=8345476 (Hear)
http://archive.kpft.org/mp3/070303_180002eire.MP3 (Download)
Irish Aires Saturday, Mar 24, 2007 Hear Until 05/24/07
http://archive.kpft.org/pls.php?mp3fil=8345476 (Hear)
http://archive.kpft.org/mp3/070324_180002eire.MP3
(Download)
----
Paisley Close Press Release
Date: Fri, 2 Feb 2007 20:28:16 -0600
Over the past few years, I have been asked time and again
“Why Paisley Close”? Like every tale you must start at the
beginning to get to the end. On November 24th 1861, at a
spot along High Street in Edinburgh 's Royal Mile, two
overcrowded and decrepit tenements collapsed. According to
legend, workers were clearing the debris away when they
heard a voice shout out "Heave awa' lads, I'm no deid yet!"
As a memorial, Paisley Close (the cul-de-sac) was built in
place of the collapsed buildings. Paisley Close (the
band) was built by resurrecting former bands-mates.
Paisley Close (the band) felt that the young man's luck,
tenacity and symbolism was a fitting name.
Now with a heavy heart I must announce the passing of this
great band. Paisley Close is going through a major
transitional period and collectively they have decided to
put the band on an indefinite hiatus. The members of
Paisley Close remain friends but personal commitments have
forced them to make this difficult decision. Through the
last three years they have had the opportunity to play on
some amazing stages at some of the best festival in the
county and for this they are extremely grateful. Even
more outstanding has been the people they have met and the
friendships forged. That is the biggest aspect that I will
personally miss the most. As the bands booking agent I
have had the opportunity to meet some of the most amazing
directors, coordinator and volunteers; who without you, the
show would literally not go on. Thank you for allowing us
the opportunity to grace your stages and share a pint or
two!
Paisley Close has two more commitments on the calendar for
2007. Hopefully one of these locations are in your area.
Come out and support the band, we would love to see you for
one last round!
February 24-25 Arizona Scottish Gathering and Highland
Games, Mesa AZ
http://www.arizonascots.com/games.html
March 24 Swamp Celts Festival and Games, Gonzales LA
http://www.swampcelts.com/
I speak for the entire band (Cidnie MacNamee, Bernard
Schreiber, Amy Price and Rabbit Boyett) in saying that it
has been an honor and a privilege!
Although this chapter may be over we raise our glasses to
everyone “were not dead yet!”
We wish you peace and joy and hopefully will see you all
sometime down the road.
Sláinte - Cheers,
Hopie Lopez-Boyett
Booking Agent
----
University of St. Thomas Spring 2007 Irish Studies Courses
Open to audit and credit students, with first priority
given to credit students
Irish Language Courses
Irish I, Mondays, Wednesdays, 5:30-6:45 p.m.
Irish II, Tuesdays, Thursdays, 5:30-6:45 p.m.
Taught by Prof. Maeve McInerney from University College
Cork
Modern Irish Literature
Dr. Shannon Forbes
Tuesdays, Thursdays, 2:10-3:25 p.m.
Authors: The Irish Literary Revival Writers: W.B. Yeats,
James Joyce, J.M. Synge, Sean O’Casey and others.
Northern Ireland: The Conflict and the Peace
Lori Meghan Gallagher, J.D.
Tuesdays, Thursdays, 11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
This seminar course is divided into three sections: the Historical Context, the Conflict and the Peace.
*************************
Wednesday Nights at 8ish PM. The Mucky Duck continues a
twenty-five year tradition, hosting Houston's Irish
Session. The Mucky Duck incarnation of the Session, if for
no other reason than the frequent participation of younger
musicians, gives a very real sense of tradition passed on
and history handed down. The most visible Celtic-influenced
traditional bands around Houston -- make participating in
the Session a regular, energy-charging part of their
regular routine.
What is celebrated is the whole of Celtic culture, and a
musical tradition that, over the centuries, has become as
much American roots music as bottleneck guitar. The drums
of western Africa are what gave American music its rhythm;
more often than not, though, the melody is Celtic. The
popularity of Celtic folk music is either a testament to
the timeless appeal of these sometimes haunting, sometimes
hilarious, sometimes jig-inspiring tunes, or perhaps an
argument in favor of the nebulous theory of racial memory.
Celtic blood-ties real, suspected and imagined have given
many the impetus to learn the folk-arts of the ancient
tribes; that's just one reason why the Wednesday night
Session at the ` is as much a school and tribal
gathering as a musical event. This is a great way to
explore Irish music and tradition.
Music starts at 8pm, and there is no cover charge.2425
Norfolk Houston, TX 77098 713.528.5999 Phone
Be sure to check our calendar in case we have booked a
special show that might preempt our regular Irish Session
----
Ar mhaith leat Gaeilge a labhairt?
Would you like to speak Irish?
Beginning Irish Conversation
Jason’s Deli
Westheimer & Shepherd
2611 S Shepherd Dr Houston, TX 77098-1561
If you are interested in learning a little Irish then come
join us at Jason’s Deli on Wednesday evenings at 7:00
P.M.
This Irish class is tailored to the beginning student who
has had no prior exposure to Irish. You will learn basic
conversational greetings, helpful phrases, informative tips
for traveling through the Gaeltacht such as common signage,
asking directions and most important of all how to
pronounce those mystical Irish words.
Pocket phrase books do the tourist no good unless they know
how to pronounce what they are reading! This course
provides the beginning student with phonetically spelled
out Irish words, something most beginning tape and book
courses fail to offer.
If you have any questions please contact Tim Theisen
(tyson) at http://us.f831.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=Jeaniebotl@aol.com or phone me at (713) 263-9691
If you are interested please come join us on Wednesday
evenings at 7:00 P.M.
There is a $5.00 donation to cover cost of the handouts.
Labhraímis Gaeilge is linne í !
Speaking Irish is cool!
----
Learn Irish Gaelic! (Katy Class)
SATURDAY - Beginning Conversational Irish (and every
Saturday for the next few months) Katy, TX 10 AM - Noon
Self-Study Group
Using Interactive CDs, Books, Tapes, and other materials
for spoken and written Irish.
Class moderated by an advanced American student of the
language.
$7 per class to cover costs.
$5 for Irish American Heritage Association members.
Call Pat McMahon at 713-271-0784 for location and
directions, or e-mail http://us.f831.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=patpmcmahon@aol.com location: The
Carriage Inn, 1400 Katy- Flewellen Road in the Computer
Room
----
Wednesdays, 7-10 pm
SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING AND MORE
http://home.att.net/~diannashipman
New Dancers Welcome - Families Welcome
(children must be accompanied by parent / guardian).
$5 for those 14 and over; $2.50 those under 14
($15 maximum per family) - fourth consecutive Wednesday
free.
1st Wednesdays: FREE at
Churchill Room, Black Labrador Pub
4100 Montrose Blvd. Map
(Montrose near Richmond)
2nd, 3rd, 4th & 5th Wednesday
Location: Oddfellows Hall, 115 E. 14th St. (Heights),
Houston, Texas (3rd building on left traveling east from
Heights Blvd. - 2 story red brick - entrance recessed about
15 feet from street - dancing upstairs).
LINKS ON WEBSITE with map & photo (Map)
http://home.att.net/~diannashipman/MapOddfellows.gif
PHOTO OF HALL:
http://home.att.net/~diannashipman/OddfellowsHall.jpg
----
The Irish American Heritage Association of Katy, Texas. We
meet the fourth Tuesday of each month at 7:30pm at the
Municipal Utility District Building on Cimmaron Pkwy at
Hidden Canyon Rd (just west of S Mason Rd) in Katy, Texas
to enjoy speakers, performances, and presentations on
Ireland and the Irish. We also publish a monthly
newsletter,
The Irish Heritage News.
For more information or directions, please call:
Bridget Connelly . . 281-492-8780
Mike Long . . . . . . 281-395-3038
Dennis Donlan . . . 281-392-0894
OR
E-mail us at:
http://us.f831.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=info@texirish.com
----
Thurs Night Irish Session @ Coffee Oasis on NASA Rd One
Session starts about 7:30PM every Thurs night
4650 NASA Road 1
Seabrook, TX 77586
281.532.1439
You are likely to see Laura (of Echoes of Ireland) or Tom
(of http://www.texasbagpipes.com/)
http://www.texasbagpipes.com/
http://www.bayoucitypipesanddrums.com/
----
CELTIC CHORUS OF HOUSTON
Do you like to hum or sing along with the music played on
Irish Aires or The Three Irish Tenors? Then join us every
Thursday night at Black Labrador Pub, 4100 Montrose Blvd.
(Montrose near Richmond)
NEW TIME: 7:00 - 9:00 P.M.
We will join together in a sing-a-long session and then
later those who wish to learn four part music may stay and
learn choral music of Ireland, Scotland and Wales. If you
need more information contact Richard McGinty 713-943-9600
or e-mail http://us.f831.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=r.e.hourich@excite.com
The mission statement reads in part: "to provide a
community meeting place for those interested in the Celtic
heritages." The first half of the evening focuses on
singalong songs and the second half on choral arrangements.
The singalong songs: Will You Go Lassie Go The Minstrel Boy
Sally Gardens Molly Malone (In Dublin's Fair City)
Finnegan's Wake The Foggy Dew Black Velvet Band Mcnamara's
Band Danny Boy When Irish Eyes Are Smiling The Unicorn Song
I'm Lookin' Over A Four Leaf Clover Whiskey In The
Jar The Wild Rover The Bard Of Armagh Choral Arrangements:
Danny Boy The Minstrel Boy An Irish Blessing My Wild Irish
Rose
----
"One hundred thousand welcomes!" This age-old Gaelic
greeting is a timeless _expression of Scottish hospitality
and goodwill. We can't think of a better way to welcome you
than to invite you to Houston's Heather and Thistle Society
(H&T). The Heather and Thistle Society was founded in 1953
by Scots living in Houston who wished to "cultivate an
interest in and fond recollections of Scotland, its history
and traditions, its literature and ideals, its minstrelsy
and song, its customs and amusements; and to provide
opportunities for good fellowship and social contact
through typically Scottish functions, so that the blessing
of our Scottish culture may never die in our new homeland".
The Heather and Thistle Society meets 10 times a year,
September through June. Programs include "ceilidhs",
lively lectures, slide shows and movies about Scotland. We
are an organization that promotes our Scottish heritage in
various ways.
Membership in the Heather and Thistle Society is open to
all with an interest in Scottish Heritage and Culture.
Annual Dues are $10.00 for an individual and $15.00 for a
family.
H&T meets the fourth (4th) Monday of each month, September
thru June, at 7:30 P.M. Current meeting location:
Auditorium of St.Thomas Episcopal School, 4900 Jackwood,
Houston, TX 77096 http://www.stes.org/contact.htm
----
Royal Scottish Country Dance Society Dancing
General Class Mondays - 7:30-9:30 p.m In progress Classical
Arts Dance Studio, 530 N Illinois, League City - Contact
Moon Weiss, 713-465-9650, http://us.f831.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=mland121@aol.com
Basic Class Tuesdays - 7:30-9:30 p.m. In progress DewAnn
Cotton Dance Studio, 9423 Glenfield Court (By S.
Braeswood/Hillcroft) South West Houston For info: Carol
Palmer, 713-776-8531, http://us.f831.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=carolhpalmer@hotmail.com
General Class Thursdays - 7:30-9:30 p.m In progress DewAnn
Cotton Dance Studio, 9423 Glenfield Court (By S.
Braeswood/Hillcroft), South West Houston Teacher: Bill
Zobel, For info: Carol Palmer, 713-776-8531,
http://us.f831.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=carolhpalmer@hotmail.com
----
Stepdancing & Ceili classes
O'Maoileidigh School of Irish Dance
Houston, TX
Sundays starting at 9:30 AM
For more information contact http://us.f831.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=newmembers@omaoileidigh.com
http://www.omaoileidigh.com/
----
Step Dancing Lessons
Stepdancing Lessons
McTeggart Irish Dancers
The Woodlands, Texas
More info@
http://www.irishdancehouston.com/
936-321-6583
*With over 60 dancers and 21 Championship dancers McTeggart
Irish Dancers of South Texas have a lot to be proud of.
*Last year they had 6 dancers travel to Killarney Ireland
for the World's Championship in Irish Dancing. These
dancers faced up to 150 of the world's top dancers in their
age groups. Two of the dancers did very well: Zane
Glotzbach placed 24th and was 5th out of all the U.S.
competitors and Annelise Rubbo placed 33rd overall.
*Last year they had 21 dancers travel to Norfolk, Virginia
for the Southern Region Championships, also known as
"Oireachtas". Most of these dancers placed high in their
age groups, with 3 receiving first place: Annelise Rubbo,
Zane Glotzbach and Shannon Powell.
From this competition a dancer qualifies for the World's
Championship and Annelise Rubbo, Jaclyn Rubbo and Zane
Glotzbach achieved this accomplishment.
*Another well-known International competition is the All-
Irelands. Later in January 2004, Annelise Rubbo and Jenna
Pace will be traveling to Ennis, Ireland to compete.
*Also in 2004 several dancers are heading to Philadelphia
for the North American Nationals Competition, held each
July. In addition, McTeggart Irish Dancers of South Texas
hopes to have over 25 dancers travel to North Carolina for
the next Southern Region Championship.
*A new beginner class started Sunday, Jan. 11.For
information on classes or performances, go to
http://www.irishdancehouston.com/
or call 936-321-6583
******************************************
Community Annoucements:
Wedding Announcement
Bill Galbraith & Emily Standish Have Announced Their MARRIAGE!
Bill and Emily play Celtic music as CONSTANT BILLY.
----
Support The Pat Finucane Centre Today!
(Poster's Note: This organization really needs the support
of all Irish & Irish Americans. The family has suffered so
much and the PFC has done so MUCH for MANY Irish causes.
TODAY, please write a check OR even better, go to their web
site: http://www.patfinucanecentre.org/
You can make a donation with PayPal online & it will only
take a minute. We should all try to make AT LEAST a $20
contribution (a $100 would be better. Jay)
******************************************
SUPPORT THE PAT FINUCANE CENTRE
From: "Pat Finucane Centre" http://us.f831.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=info@patfinucanecentre.org
Date: Thu, 6 Oct 2005 15:36:49 +0100
Subject: Urgent Appeal To Friends & Supporters.
An Urgent Appeal To All Friends And Supporters Of The Pat
Finucane Centre.
Dear Friend of the PFC,
This is an urgent appeal for donations! We are in the red!
The Pat Finucane Centre, though Derry based, has had an
impact far beyond the north west of Ireland. Earlier this
year a reception was held at the Guildhall in Derry to
honour the work of the Centre. Families and individuals
travelled from 11 of the 32 counties in Ireland, and from
Scotland and England, in itself ample testament to the
respect felt in the wider community.
The work of the centre over the last year has included;
-organising public meetings with the Mayor of London on the
End Impunity Campaign,
- research on collusion that has resulted in a number of
cases currently being heard before the European Court of
Human Rights at Strasbourg,
-participating in the Advisory Group on the Sean Brown
murder investigation,
-logging all sectarian /racist incidents from June 2005 to
September 2005 (the log will be available soon)
-giving evidence to Committees of both the Irish and
British parliaments,
-initiating a number of investigations into conflict
related deaths by the Police Ombudsman's office,
-reenacting closed meetings of the Policing Board as street
theatre and
--applying to the Guinness Book of Records to have
Rosemount PSNI barracks logged as the least used police
station in the world!
The ongoing day-to-day advocacy on behalf of families is
largely confidential and hidden from view but the Centre
works with over 120 families who have lost relatives in the
conflict. In addition individuals approach the Centre with
complaints and are referred to solicitors and/or to the
Police Ombudsman.
Against this background it will come as no surprise to
realise that the centre deliberately steers away from
official funding that is linked to the NIO. Stubbornly
independent as it is the Centre is largely dependent on
individual donors. The Pat Finucane Centre website carries
the following quote from Geraldine Finucane,
'If you believe in shaping stronger human rights protection
then invest in the Pat Finucane Centre and those who find
themselves in the frontline in their work to defend human
rights. '
The Centre urgently requires donations in order to continue
that work.
There is no money in the bank! Please respond this week!
Note. Donations can be made by cheque or online (today!)
through the secure Paypal system at
http://www.patfinucanecentre.org/
Postal address:
The Pat Finucane Centre,
1 West End Park,
Derry,
BT48 9JF
Ireland (North).
Telephone: +44 28 71 268846
Fax: +44 28 71 266453
Email: http://us.f831.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=info@patfinucanecentre.org
******************************************
Ireland Photos
Pictures from Ireland in 2006
To See Irish pics, click the following:
http://new.photos.yahoo.com/rdooling@swbell.net/album/1152921504621152084
----
:: Irish Aires Has A Brand New Blog!! (actually we have
two!)
http://irishairescurrentevents.blogspot.com/2005/01/irish-aires-has-brand-new-blog.html
Below are links to hear broadcasts & playlists. If you have
RealAudio, a soundcard & speakers on your computer, you
should have no problem listening to the shows, EXCEPT that
if too many people are trying to access the stations audio
files at once, you might get an error. Try back later.
----
Internet listening (live) is available through our MP3 streams.
If you have Winamp, Media Player or iTunes installed on your computer, you can connect HERE or
http://stream.kpft.org/streamkpft.m3u
Free Player Downloads:
Winamp
Windows Media Player
iTunes
KPFT Archived Programs Sorted By Name
Irish Aires Saturday, Jan 27, 2007 Hear until 03/27/07
http://archive.kpft.org/pls.php?mp3fil=8345051 (Hear)
http://archive.kpft.org/mp3/070127_180002eire.MP3(Download)
Irish Aires Saturday, Feb 03, 2007 Hear until 04/03/07
http://archive.kpft.org/pls.php?mp3fil=8345136 (Hear)
http://archive.kpft.org/mp3/070203_180002eire.MP3(Download)
----
:: George F. Little, RIP (Pete Little’s Father)
September 2, 2006, of Depew, NY, husband of the late Muriel
C. Little; father of Mary Catherine (James) Spilman,
Michael (Ann), David (Elisabeth Alvarsdotter), John
(Barbara), Margaret (Kevin) Craig, Anne Militello, Stephen
(Maureen), Jeanne (Paul) Konetzny, Peter, Teresa, Maureen;
brother of Eleanor Rigdon, Catherine Little; grandfather of
20; great grandfather of 18. Memorial Mass to be announced.
Memorial contributions may be made to Rapid Response Home
Care Program at Millard Fillmore Hospital, Gates Circle.
Published in the Buffalo News on 9/7/2006.
----
:: AL CAMPBELL (Houston Highlanders Bagpiper )(1931- 2006)
It is with great sadness that we inform our membership that
our friend and piper, Al Campbell, passed away last
evening. Over the years, we could always count on Al to
support H&T with all our piping requests. He gave
generously of his time, and was a very special contributor
to our Society. In addition to his dignified performances,
Al had great humor which he occasionally added for fun and
laughter. We shall miss him.
Our special condolences to his wife, Betsy, his family and
close friends.
----
:: PHILLIP JAMES CONNELLY, of Katy, passed away on
Thursday, August 11, 2005 in a Houston hospital at the age
of 74 years.
Phillip James Connelly was born on September 14, 1930 in
Tulsa, Oklahoma to Paul and Peggy Connelly. He graduated
from Holy Family High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma and the
University of Oklahoma. He served his country during the
Korean War as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Army based out of
Fort Sill, Oklahoma.
On April 4, 1964, he married his beloved wife, Bridget
Imelda Corr. He retired from General Electric's Lighting
Division after 30 years of service.
Phil was a founding member and former president of the
Irish American Heritage Association of Katy and a member of
the Irish Society in Houston, Texas. He was a member of the
Epiphany of the Lord Catholic Church, in Katy, and a member
of the Knights of Columbus, 4th Degree, Assembly 2721. He
was also a friend of Bill Wilson.
He was a life long Democrat. Phil was an active participant
in the Forever Young Group in Epiphany, as well as many
other organizations.
He is survived by his wife, Bridget Imelda Connelly of
Katy; his sons, Mike Connelly of Keller, Texas, and Tim
Connelly and his wife Sylvia of Ardmore, Pennsylvania; and
his grandson, Sebastian Connelly. He was preceded in death
by his parents, Paul and Peggy Connelly; and by his
brother, Jack Connelly.
Those wishing to make memorial gifts may do so to the
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, 5005 Mitchelldale, Suite 115,
Houston, Texas 77092-7230 or to your favorite charity.
----
Other Irish Celtic Calendars & Sources:
Scottish Country Dancing & More:
http://home.att.net/~diannashipman/Calendar.htm
Houston Irish Development Assoc:
http://www.houstonirish.org/calendar/calendar.shtml
Texas Celtic Music Network Calendar
http://texcelt.org/Calendar.html
Southwest Celtic Music Association
http://www.scmatx.org/main.htm
Texas Scottish Heritage Society
http://www.txscot.com/
Houston Chronicle Search for World Music Local bands
http://www.chron.com/COMS/BandsPub/pub.mpl?action=searchbands&nextview=bandsearch&submit1=&submit2=2&band_name=&genre=World
Houston Press World Music Listing
http://listings.houstonpress.com/gyrobase/Music/Results?genre=13765&keyword=&date=