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www.buffaloirishcenter.com
Buffaloirishtimes
irish
February 2013 - March 2013
Gaelic American Athletic Association
Buffaloirishtimes
Laffler
Elected Grand
Marshal to lead the Saint Patrick’s
Lee
Hartung
Named
Irishman
of theSunday,
Year forMarch
2013 16, 2014 on Delaware Ave.
Day Parade
February/March Edition
Gaelic American Athletic Association
TheLee
United
Irish will
American
Association
E. Hartung
be honored
as
of
Erie County
has165th
elected
Chris
Irishman
of the (UIAA)
Year at the
Annual
Laffler
of Sons
Tonawanda,
NYSaturday,
to be theMarch
Grand
Friendly
dinner on
Marshal
of Buffalo
the 2014Irish
SaintCenter.
Patrick’s
2nd at the
HeDay
willParade.
The
Parade
is
on
Sunday,
March
16th
receive this highest honor of the Knights
at
onas
Delaware
in the City
of2PM
Equity
his wifeAvenue
Nancy Hartung
re-of
Buffalo.
Mass
will be of
celebrated
byAward,
Bishop
ceives the
Daughters
Erin Tara
Richard
J. Malone
at Saint
Cathethe highest
award given
to Joseph’s
a member
of
dral
at
10:30
AM
before
the
line
up
for
WKHRUJDQL]DWLRQ7KLVLVWKH¿UVWWLPHDthe
Parade
begins.
The will
Parade
routethe
is north
on
husband
and wife
receive
awards
Delaware
together. Avenue from the McKinley Monument to North Street.
Lee is the son of the late A. Walter
and Lucy (Meyer) Hartung and grandThis once in a lifetime honor will be a
son of the late Anthony and Anna (Dilfamily walk up Delaware Avenue for Mr.
ORQ+DUWXQJDQGLVWKHROGHVWRI¿YH
Laffler, he has named his wife Christine and
children. He attended St. James School
their two sons Brendan and Connor to be
in Buffalo, and when the family moved
his deputy marshals along with his longtime
WR%OLVV1<KH¿QLVKHGJUDPPDUVFKRRO
friend Garry Johnson, President of UIAA.
at Arcade Central Schools. He then
attended Bishop Timon High School
Chris donated countless hours to the work
and graduated in the third graduating
of the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade before beclass in 1952. He attended Canisius
ing elected to serve on the Executive ComCollege and went to work at the Ford
mittee. He started working as a route and
Motor Company, where he worked
division marshal for many years, helping
for the next 43 years. He and Nancy
in the lineup and crowd control tasks; curRiordan married on October 1, 1955 and
rently he serves as Sergeant at Arms for the
together had 8 children, two of whom
Executive Committee meetings. In recent
are still living – Janet (Don) Kill and
years he has taken on an increasingly large
Nadine (Jim) Ormond. They are proud
role in the disbursement of the parade pargrandparents of eight granddaughters,
ticipants and bus traffic at North Street.
three great-granddaughters, two great-
Chris Laffler
is thegreat-great grandgrandsons
and two
oldest
of the three
daughters.
children of MargaHe is a long time member of the
ret (Barry) and Leon
Knights of Equity and currently serves
Laffler, a retired Bufas Court 5 Recording Secretary. He held
falo School District
the post of Guard for the organization
teacher of carpentry
and along with his wife Nancy, hosts the
for 25 years. Chris
annual Stag and Doe Picnic every fall
is a lifelong resias they open their beautiful home and
dent of the Town of
grounds to the Knights and Daughters.
Tonawanda, attended
has been
a registered Boy Scout
KenLeeTon
District
for over 40
currently serving as
schools
andyears
graduAssistant
Scout
Master
ated from Kenmore of Troop 230 at
Nativity
Church
in in
Orchard Park. He reWest
High
School
ceived the
regarded Scouter of the
1975.
He highly
graduated
Year Award
in 1980
from
Plattsburg
Stateand is also a member
of the Order
of the
Arrow and served as
College
in 1979
with
canoe
instructor
and
a BA in Environmen- guide for the troop.
tal Studies.
Since
1975 heofhas
worked in
He has been
a member
Nativity
the
food
industry
from
store
management
to
Church in Orchard Park for 63 years
sales
For the
13 years,
and isand
stillmarketing.
active serving
as alast
EucharisChris
has been
proudly
by Gentic Minister
(Lee
was inemployed
the First Class
eral
Mills
as
a
Customer
Account
Manager.
in the Diocese of Buffalo in the early
¶VDQXVKHUDQGDI¿OLDWHGZLWK
timede
parishioner
of Saintat John
theASt.long
Vincent
Paul Conference
the
Baptist
in Kenmore,
Nativity.
LeeParish
and Nancy
receivedChris
the has
been
very
active
in
parish
life
as
a
coach,
prestigious St. Joseph the Worker Award
Co-founder
and
President
of
the
St.
John’s
in 1998.
Athletic Association and president of the
Lee has been an active member of
Parish Council and Holy Name Society. He
the Knights of Columbus for over 45
is also a member of the Hamburg Men’s
Golf Club, the Buffalo Irish Center and
West Seneca Social
Club.
and former grand marshals) she helped first
her parents and then the UIAA directly in
the Saint Patrick’s Day Parades. The Roberts family has been division marshals of
the first Division of the St. Patrick’s Day
Parade for more than 50 years. Peggy was
always ready to lend a hand, listen, handle
the flowers, coordinate with the Chancery
and find float judges. She will be sadly
missed by her friends on the Parade Committee. Peggy’s husband Robert Dobmeier
along with their three children Mary, Anne
and came
Roberttowill
leadtoa volunteer
large contingent
inthat
the US
as councluding
Peggy’s
brothers
John,camp.
Michael
selors
at Green
Lake
Girl Scout
and Hartungs
James Roberts
and sister
Jacqueline
The
were invited
to Austria
to
DiMaggio,
along
with
family
and
friends
attend the wedding of one of the girls and
in Peggy’s
in this
year’s
Parade.
Nancy
madememory
her wedding
cake.
While
His wife Christine
(Tucker), a South
Buffalo native is a
buyer/planner
for
Buffalo Pumps in
North Tonawanda,
a manufacturer of
pumps
years, serving as Past specialty
Grand Knight
of for
military
andFirst
industhe Bishop Burke Council
and the
applications.
and Past Navigator of trial
the Msgr.
Leo J.
Toomey Assembly, of Their
which son
he is Brenden
very
graduated
from
proud as he is a distant relative to
the John
Carroll
University
in overseas, they visited many of the girls
late Msgr. Toomey. He
also has
held
1979 and now lives and Groups
interested in marching in this
their families.
PDQ\RI¿FHVLQWKHRUJDQL]DWLRQDQG
and
works
in
Arlington
Virginia.
Their
son
year’s
Saint
Patrick’s Day Parade may find
served on the Masters Staff as District
Lee is currently still active with
Connor
attends
Northeastern
University
in
an
entry
application
at our website www.
Marshall for the 4th and 6th New York
Bishop Timon/St. Jude High school and
Boston, MA.
BuffaloStPatricksDayParade.com or phone
Districts.
The Hartungs also belong to
the Class of 1952, and he and Nancy
875-0282 for more information. UIAA Exthe Senior Knights of Columbus Bishop
host their annual summer picnic. He is
The
2014
Saint
Patrick’s
Day
Parade
is
ecutive Committee members are also availBurke Council and host the annual sumthe owner of antique automobiles and is
dedicated
to
the
memory
of
Margaretmary
able on Sunday afternoons at 3PM at the
mer picnic at their Orchard Park home.
a member of the Antique Auto Club of
“Peggy”
(Roberts)
Dobmeier. Knight
Peggy was
Buffalo Irish Center, 245 Abbott Road.
Lee
received
the distinguished
of
America (AACA) and the Vintage Cheva licensed
funeral
director
and co-owner
the
Year Award
from
the Bishop
Burke of rolet Club of America (VCCA). He loves
John E. Roberts
Home. Award
Peggy grew
A Valentine’s Party will be held Friday
Council
and theFuneral
Top Recruiter
in
travelling, bowling and spending time
up
with
the
Saint
Patrick’s
Day
Parade
as
a
February
7th at the Buffalo Irish Center.
1991. He currently serves as a Trustee.
with family and friends.
major focus in the annual calendar of fami- Music is by the Heard of Buffalo, tickets
In the 1990’s, Lee and Nancy
We congratulate
on or
this
ly events. The daughter of the late John and are available
at Tara GiftLee
Shop
bymost
calling
hosted nine college students from Europe deserving honor.
Mary Roberts (both late members of UIAA 875-0282.
Unsung Hartung
Heroes Bud and
42nd Annual
St.Award
Patrick’s
Nancy
to Receive
Tara
Jean Rosenberry
Nancy is one of two daughters and
two sons of the late Cornelius and Anne
(Lynch) Riordan of South Buffalo. She
attended St. Monica’s grade school and
Mt. Mercy Academy, graduating in the
Class of 1952. Nancy and Lee Hartung
married in St. Monica’s Church on October 1, 1955 and were blessed with eight
children, two still living, Janet (Don)
Kill and Nadine (Jim) Ormond. She is
the proud grandmother of eight grandnual St. Brigid’s Party February 1st and wish
daughters, three great-granddaughters,
them many years of happiness.
BUFFALO IRISH TIMES
GAELIC-AMERICAN ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
245 ABBOTT ROAD
BUFFALO, NY 14220-1305
Nancy Hartung has been selected
by the Daughters of Erin to receive the
Tara
the highest
honor given
SaintAward,
Patrick’s
Irish American
Clubtohas
a
member
of
the
organization.
She
will
named Bud and Jean Rosenberry as the
2014
Unsung
Budatand
have retired
receive Heroes.
the award
theJean
Friendly
Sons as
Secretary
SergeantMarch
at Arms
after
Dinner onand
Saturday,
2nd
at tirelessthe
ly
givingIrish
their Center,
servicesalong
to thewith
club her
for many
Buffalo
years.
fundraishusbandFrom
Lee general
Hartungmeetings
who willtoreceive
ers,
Irish
Festival
workers,
Spaghetti
the Knights of Equity’s Irishman of dinner
the
cooks to gathering people for our events Bud
<HDU$ZDUG7KLVLVWKH¿UVWWLPHDKXVand Jean have helped keep Saint Patrick’s
band and wife have received the awards
Irish American Club alive for many years.
together.
We
congratulate them, honor them at the an-
Buffalo Irish Times -
Day Luncheon
two great-grandsons and two great-great
granddaughters.
Nancy also served as a religious education volunteer, Parish Bereavement Committee and Meals on Wheels. She and her
husband Lee received the esteemed St.
Joseph the Worker Award in 1998.
FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2014
11:30 am – 2:00 pm
She has been a member of the Daughters of Erin for many years, serving as a
trustee, chair of the telephone committee, and host of the annual Knights of
Equity and Daughters of Erin Stag and
Doe picnic, where she and Lee open their
beautiful home and grounds for a delightful picnic each September. Nancy is also
a member of the Ladies of Kincora and
the Ladies w of Hibernians. She is still
very
at her alma
mater, Mt.
Mercy
The active
42st Annual
St. Patrick’s
Day
LunAcademy,
serving
on
the
Alumnae
board
cheon is scheduled for Friday, March
14,
for
over
and aIrish
pastCenter.
President.
2014
at 50
Theyears
Buffalo
Every
In
2002,
distinguished
year,
theshe
St. received
Patrick’sthe
Day
Luncheon is a
Spirit
of Mercy Award
for living
herYork’s
life
great celebration
of Western
New
businessher
andspirit
government
leaders, loyalty
commuthrough
of compassion,
nity service.
members
and
This yearofwill
and
She
hasfriends.
been a member
be no exception.
Nativity
Church in Orchard Park for
56 years and is a Eucharistic Minister,
Returningtotothe
Chair
Luncheon
this year
Minister
Sick,the
Lector
and conducts
are Congressman Brian Higgins and Bufa monthly Communion Service at a local
falo City Comptroller Mark Schroeder. We
retirement facility. She has served on
are excited to announce the 2014 Honorthe
Council,will
where
currently
ary Parish
Chairwoman
be she
Beth
Lewis, a
is
a
Trustee,
past
Chair
of
the
Liturgy
steadfast supporter of the Buffalo Irish
Committee,
past President
the Altar
Center, involved
with Irishof
dance
and muand
Rosary
Society,
serving
as
Secretary/
sic through the years and member
of the
Trustee
until
dissolution in 2012.
Daughters
of it’s
Erin.
Among her other activities, Nancy
is Past President of the Eleanor Roosevelt Democratic Club of Orchard Park,
an election inspector for the Town of
Orchard Park and also the school system,
Citizen of the Week in Orchard Park in
1997, and currently remains a member of
the Antique Auto Club of America and
the Vintage Chevrolet Club of America.
THE BUFFALO IRISH CENTER
245 ABBOTT RD, BUFFALO, NY 14220
1
- February/March Edition 2014
Nancy has been a registered member
of the Girl Scouts of America for over 50
years, having received three awards – the
Green Angel Award, the Council Award
for Volunteerism and the Thanks Badge
which is the highest award given to a
volunteer. In the 1990’s, the Hartungs
were host to nine college students from
overseas who came to the US to volunteer as counselors at Girl Scout Green
Lake Camp in Orchard Park. They were
invited to Europe to the wedding of one
of the girls from Austria and ...
CONTINUED ON PG
2
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BUFFALOIRISHTIMES
IRISH
A Letter
From
The Editor...
Greetings!
Happy
New IIrish
Year toT
everyone!245
TheA
New YearR
starts off
with many
changes
for
Buffalo
Times:
Abbott
Road,
B
Buffalo,
NY
1422
14220
the Buffalo Irish Times.
Our
past
editor
Maggie
Shea
has
stepped
down
and
a
A bi-monthly publication of the Gaelic American Association, Inc.
new set of volunteers have met to keep our cherished Buffalo Irish Times running
EDITOR
for the next year.
G.A.A.A. BOARD
Maggie Shea
OF DIRECTORS
After a call
for help from the Buffalo Irish Center community we have been overFOUNDERS
C. Heneghan
whelmed withMary
volunteers
to write and help publish theMary
paper.
There will be five
Heneghan
Randy McPhee
issues for 2014.
The
response
for
articles
has
been
significant
and
we will do our
Michael McCafferty
Catherine Carey
Charlie
McMahon
best to get your
articles
in the paper. You can help by getting them in time. We
John Murphy
are doing our best
to proof and format the articles and send them off to the pubSTAFF
Brian J. O’Hara
lisher
as they come in; so watch the deadlines for submission and send them in to
Erin Collins, Bridget English, Jack Fecio, JoseJack Fecio
the
Buffalo
Irish Times.
phine Hogan, Sue McCafferty, Carol McSwain,
Bud Rosenberry
Nellie Moran, Mary Kate O’Connell, Bonnie
Shane Devlin
The
email address will be changed to a [email protected].
Make a
O’Hara, Ed Patton, Meme Riedy, Jerry Shea,
Kathy Masterson
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and
change
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Donna Shine, James Shine, Sarah Velazquez,
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Lizz Schumer, Tim Flanagan, Michael OsGary Holzerland
Consider
subscriptions as gifts for family and friends in
town and out of town.
borne, Tom McDonnell, Scott Scheible, Patrick
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What
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surprise
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familiar
stories
and see old friends and
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The Buffalo
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*(4)4#$-41$! 4)24#0 4 )4
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the
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outside temperatures, for the opportunity to
purchase
a glass of$)"443$,
Guinness beer
and,4*(4
receive
-$ 4!,*(4
3$"#.
a1-4'-*44/!!'*4-#**'4.
ticket to have their glass laser engraved.
# ,4
Many
complimented
their
brew
with
pub-grub
4",/. 4!,*(4*.#4$''4
where the fish fries and reuben sandwiches
,$4*'' " 4)4/!!'*4.. 4/(4
quickly sold out!
'/ Representatives from GUINNESS,
Matt Bogumi- marketing; Jesse Mendyk
4 $-4 '-*4
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O’Mendyk
the .#evening)!'*43$, 3$"#.
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operations
rep; Seamus
McCarthy-machine
engraver;
Pabilonia-computer
4 ( (April
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$,4 *$. )4entry;
$-4
and
Benita
Lupu-glass
packager, were at the
#*$ -4$)'/ 4,.4+$).$)"4)4
Center to help introduced their new ”gravity
*$)4 *'' .$)"4 *(4 $-4 4 4
glasses” that were released in June of 2013.
024new
glasses
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)'$-. 4with
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artfully
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GUINNESS keepsake to take home.
are welcomed, however all submissions must include the authors name and contact information.
We reserve the right to reject any submission. Submissions or submitted
We are excited about the next year and welcome your impute.
photographs will only be returned if accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Please
email submissions to [email protected].
Slán go fóill
Kevin
Kevin
J. O’Brien,
Editor
Opinions
expressed in
this paper reflect those of the authors and or subjects interviewed and do not
necessarily reflect those of the editors and staff of the Buffalo Irish Times or the Gaelic American
Athletic Association, its Board or membership.
[email protected]
2 BUFFALO IRISH TIMES
/
MAY-JUNE 2013
Buffaloirishtimes
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The Buffalo Irish Times welcomes letters or articles from readers. Submissions must be typed in a Macintosh or PC compatible format,
and be no more than 500 words. Include your name, address and phone number with your submission. Material may be subject to condensation. Opinion letters are welcomed, however all submissions must include the authors name and contact information. We reserve
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[email protected]
2
Reunion
Buffalo’s Southern Island
Joe Marren
Joseph Xavier Martin
The Irish had learned early that Politics was a ticket out of the slums.
They infiltrated the ranks of the civil
service and stood their own for public
office, to control the mechanics of the
system. Tammany was our spiritual progenitor and taking care of ones own was a way of
life. City Hall and the Court systems were
an employment cornucopia that would feed
thousands of the faithful in South Buffalo.
The formation of the Irish Political Mafia
was for our own protection. All of our Grandfather remembered the “Irish need not apply”
signs on places of employment. We saw to it
that none of that nonsense would ever happen to us again.
The various political campaigns were waged
with the ferocity of a religious crusade. No
quarter was asked for or given. The enemies
made in one generation, were often passed
down into the second and third. Grudges
were a much treasured family inheritance,
often carefully nurtured with grand donnybrooks in the local saloons.
The neighborhood saloons, as mentioned,
often Became front line positions in the continuing skirmishes. It was here that the Irish
Politician learned his trade. Sure, who could
be angry with the darlin’ lad who had bought
the last round? Bless his sainted mother for
bringing him among us. Many is the local
Democratic Party Chairman, Judge and elected official that sprang from these humble origins. The discussions between the lads could
sometimes become boisterous, and often a
point was expressed with a wee bit too much
emphasis on the opposition’s personal shortcomings. And, if the occasional plate glass
window was shattered by someone sailing
through it in a bit of regrettable exuberance,
sure it only added to the charm of the place.
It was but a family squabble amidst people
who had lived and died, along side of each
other, for generations.
We knew each other by the parish, street and
family name. The “shirt tail cousins” among
us were legion. Our ancestral home was not
a distant emerald isle, but a collection of
streets and characters called “The Ward.”
From it, most of our forbearers had “migrated” south, across the Buffalo River, in
search of a better life. It existed in our minds
as a spectral Brigadoon, to which everyone referred with nostalgia, over a
lengthy tale and a barley sandwich
or two. Usually, it involved characters like “Harbor Lights” O’Brien,
“Potatoes” McGowan, “ Diapers” Reardon
or some such colorful figure. “Nails” and
“Manuch” Martin were two such figures in
my own clan.
All these old men kept wandering into the
side room of the Abbott Road bar and I
wondered who they all were. If I had looked
at our 1973 yearbook from Bishop Timon
(before it became hyphenated and somewhat schizoid) then I would have recognized all of them. But tempus fugited and I
kept having to apologize as I either blatantly
LOOKED at a name tag (a cutout pic from
waaaay back in ’73), or stole a glance at it
while shaking hands and reminiscing about
good times at the Sorbonne-on-the-McKinley with former classmates.
Oh, man, cue the band Bruce, I was ready to
grow young again that winter reunion night.
And I also wondered, did we really learn
more from a three-minute record than we
ever learned in St. Teresa’s, St. Martins, or
St Tommy’s? Who can remember because
all the South Buffalo Catholic grade schools
are now gone. And to be honest, since the
elementary schools in the wild West Seneca
hinterlands were cheese bus rides away, they
may as well have been on the dark side of
the moon (another gratuitous ref to the music of my era, thanks Pink Floyd!) to those
of us in South Buffalo. And those who came
from the deep heart’s core of Irish Catholic
’hoods like The Valley or The Ward kinda
looked on us SoBo guys as newbies to the
heritage party.
I’m not saying there was a geographical
pecking order to high school, all I meant
was that neighborhoods expanded a little as
we put on our coats and life and went out
into the world and met real live Protestants
and suburbanites, or city slickers for the
A frontier honesty pervaded the area and
people rarely locked their doors at night. You
could depend upon the neighbors to watch
over the castle if you were away. On the
quaint dead end streets, people sat on their
front porches and watched the comings and
goings of the neighborhood, while enjoying
the evening air. And sure, the odd lad weaving down the street, in the wee hours, like
a sailor at sea in a gale, was the subject of
much review, around the area kitchen tables,
for days afterward.
We were fortunate enough to live across the
street from Cazenovia Park. We could sit
on the porch and watch hardball games, on
diamond # 1, every summer afternoon. The
older folks told tales of the 1930’s. They remembered when 30,000 people would gather around “The Cazenovia Bowl”, to watch
the antics of legendary softball players like
“Shifty Gears” and “Bobble-hands” Callahan.
Before that era, the bowl was a flooded portion of Cazenovia Creek. Canoes and row
boats were rented, from the Cazenovia Park
Casino, to Sunday revelers, in a more peaceful and bucolic era long past.
I suppose, that we often look backward, with
fondness, for things that time and fading
memory have softened. They seemed like
simpler times then and I am glad that I remember them that way.
folks from West Seneca, Lackawanna and
even (get ready for this) Sloan. Hey, just
sayin’, ya know.
Because we were from South Buffalo, most
of us were Irish Catholic and our world centered around Seneca Street, Abbott Road
or South Park Ave. Because we were from
Sout’ Buf-a-lo and because we had a drop of
the Irish heritage in us, most of us also were
six degrees of separation away from being
somehow related. Ya don’t need Kevin Bacon to play that game where we’re from.
WARNING! Digression ahead! And, truth
be told, we really knew people more by
nickname (e.g. Bugsy) or street name (e.g.
Animal) than by first name (e.g. Malachy).
I pondered all that as I made the rounds and
pretended to politely remember some things
I either really forgot or put out of mind for
good reason. I am now an exurban middle
aged guy with middle age worries, so that
18-year-old kid who was once me was a
world and several attitude changes away.
Yeah, but … Thomas Hardy got it wrong, ya
know. I did go home again and made it back
with my ego safe and sound. Eventually
(another ref to songs from my day) I ran out
of things to say, somewhere I lost connections and ran out of songs to play. So I said
a few goodbyes and headed south along the
219 to home. I regretted leaving early, but I
wasn’t sure if I missed those guys or missed
my youth. If it’s the youth, then nothing can
be done ’bout that, eh? But if it’s the guys,
well maybe a St. Pat’s Day parade or two
will bring us together and make us fortes in
memories.
Congratulations!
50th Wedding
Anniversary
Novelist Tom Wolfe wrote that “you can’t
go home again,” and maybe he is right.
But now and then, it is fun to look back and
remember the way it was, long ago and
far from now, in a place that existed more
in the minds of those who lived there than
anywhere else. South Buffalo is Buffalo’s “
Southern Island.” I was born and raised there
and although I no longer live there, I am an
islander still.
Cheryl Andrews married Ed
Patton on January 18, 1964 at
Our Lady of Perpetual Help
Church in Lakeview, NY.
TO ADVERTISE IN THE NEXT EDITION OF THE:
Buffaloirishtimes
CALL THE BUFFALO IRISH CENTER AT 825-9535
OR EMAIL: [email protected]
Clann Na Cara
IRISH CULTURE
& FOLK ART
ASSOCIATION OF BUFFALO, NY INC.
Irish Dance Classes
SPONSOR OF
THE ANNUAL
BUFFALO FEIS
All interested in our
Irish Heritage are welcome.
MEETINGS:
2nd Wednesday at 7:00pm
at the Buffalo Irish Center
Locations is S. Buffalo, Orchard Park,
Amherst, Lancaster & Kenmore
For Information, Call
Charlie McSwain at 716-677-4497
716-861-7074
www.buffalofeis.org
[email protected] • www.clannnacara.com
3
My Father’s Boots
I saw them standing there
in the corner, a pair of rubber fireman’s boots. The top
cuff on each boot was rolled
down, revealing the brown
canvass lining inside. The
rest of the boots were made
of shiny black rubber, with
twin yellow lines circling the
calf area and a yellow stripe
where the hard rubber sole
met the upper shoe of the
boot. They were a little dusty
and looked sort of forlorn sitting there in the corner of my
mother’s basement, at 24 Ramona Ave., in Buffalo, N.Y..
Dad had just passed on and
his many children had flown
in from all over the United
States, to bury him and comfort my mother and each other.
My father was much beloved
by all of us and It wasn’t an
easy time for our family. We
treasured the magic of his
memory though. It is captured
forever in each of us.
Above the boots, on a small
peg on the wall and looking
equally as forgotten, hung his
metal fireman’s helmet. Emblazoned across the front of it
was the legend “Buffalo Fire
Department.” Francis Harold
Martin had been a professional firefighter for 33 years before retiring. Now, four years
later, we were saying goodbye to him for the final time.
I remember seeing those
boots, and that hat, in dad’s
locker at the Engine #8 Firehouse on Chicago Street, in
Buffalo’s Old First Ward. Dad
had been born on nearby Fulton Street. Generations of our
people had walked the same
streets. Now Dad was helping
protect those 100 years later.
The “First Ward” was always
a special place to us.
Dad had spent most of his
career in this two-story, redbrick fire house. It had been
built in the 1890’s and was
first used as a station for the
horse drawn fire brigade.
Whenever Dad brought us to
the fire house, we were agog
with the many new and unfamiliar sights. From an old
safe in the back, we were offered candy bars and given the
run of the place. Dad and the
others were stationed there in
14 hour shifts. Between calls,
they tended to the equipment
and performed routine chores
around the fire house. One of
the men was usually fixing
some food in the kitchen area.
If a call came during dinner,
the food would be left on the
table as the men scrambled
into their rubber boots and
long rubber jackets, often sliding down the shiny brass fire
pole, from the floor above, to
jump onto the waiting Hook
and Ladder truck. On an
alarm run, dad sat at the end
of the truck, steering the rear
wheels around corners.
On the truck, the metal fire
hat gave the men a distinctive
look, with its peaked crown
and elongated rear brim.
Many a firefighter owed his
life to the protection of these
sturdy helmets. At the fire, the
men wielded an axe and hoses
with a sense of desperate urgency. Lives often depended
upon their courage and quick
thinking. After the fire was
put out, the grime covered
and weary men would roll up
their hoses and return to the
fire house, to await the adrenalin rush of the next alarm.
It was all in a day’s work for
these gallant knights of the
hook and ladder.
During the downtime, between fires, the men would
polish to a glossy finish, the
cherry red surface of the very
long hook and ladder truck.
The men lovingly burnished
the abundant chrome work on
the rig and treated it with the
care and devotion reserved
for a machine whose proper
functioning might make the
difference in whether or not
they lived or died. Fire fighting is a dangerous job. Each
of the men knew that any fire
could be his final call.
Dad never talked about the
dangers of the job to us. Once
in a very great while, he would
mention the fate of some poor
soul who had been caught in a
fire. He was saddened at their
loss. When one of their own
men died in the line of duty,
the fire community gave their
fallen comrade a ceremonial
farewell worthy of a presi-
Joseph Xavier Martin
dent and did what they could
to help the fallen man’s family. There is a tight knit sense
of fraternity among these men
and women, a brotherhood of
shared danger in harm’s way.
Most people don’t realize
how difficult and dangerous a
fireman’s job is, because the
firefighters make light of the
dangers and everyday heroism. They treat injury and
death with the casual nonchalance of those who risk their
lives daily in service to others.
“Lots of people wanted to be
a fireman”, dad used to say,
“until you were up on a ladder, in zero degree temperatures and a forty mile an hour
wind.” “Then,” he said, “not
too many people wanted the
job.”
On another visit, we really
got the treat of our young
lives. Dad took several of us
on a tour of his old station, the
fireboat “Edward M. Cotter”.
It was berthed near a spit of
land, at the foot of Michigan
Avenue, where it meets Lake
Erie. Dad’s Great Grandmother, Catherine Tevington,
had once lived here where the
boat is moored.
The sturdy vessel, “Edward
M. Cotter,” is painted all in
red with black trim. It looks
like a double decked harbor
tug. The swivel mounted water cannon, on the foredeck,
shoots forth a continuous jet
of water in a sweeping watery
arc that delighted all of the
watching children. The engine room glistens with polished brass fittings and shiny
steel engine parts. The steady
hum of the marine diesels is
thrilling and mysterious. It
was a wonderful tour of the
boat that we all remembered
for years afterward.
We have a great picture of
Dad, as he and a few firefighters stood on the top deck of
the fireboat, watching the
many dignitaries that attended the ship’s christening. It
seems odd to see him there,
a handsome young man in his
thirties, wearing the dark blue
firefighters dress uniform,
THE DAUGHTERS
OF ERIN
with badged cap. Dad had the
dark curly hair and startlingly
blue, turquoise eyes that we
attributed to the “black Irish”
in our line. Legend has it
that the older Irish families
in Buffalo, who had lived on
nearby Times Beach, intermarried with the Spanish and
Portuguese Great Lakes sailors living there. The resulting progeny had dark curly
hair and bright blue eyes. It
is an attractive combination
of both ethnic groups.
Dad had an engaging Irish
smile and could charm everyone with his infectious
grin and casual rendition of
“When Irish Eyes Are Smiling,” or some other popular,
ethnic ditty. Everybody liked
my father. Years later, when I
was involved in local politics,
people would take me aside at
a rally or function and tell me
what a great guy Dad was. I
always felt grateful to those
friends who shared stories
with me of his life.
And now, Dad had answered
the final call. For 33 years he
had done his job in the quiet,
steady fashion that was the
trademark of everything he
did in life. He never reached
command rank in the fire
department, because he always had one and sometimes
two other jobs to support his
brood of 12 children. There
was no time left to study for
promotional exams.
Dad started work at an early
age. During the depression he
entered the Civilian Conservation Corps, at age 17, and
worked in the pine forests of
Georgia. He sent his entire
salary to his mother to help
out at home. My Grandfather, Emmanuel Martin, was
a “scooper” on the Buffalo
waterfront and the rough and
tumble longshoremen often
faced periods of unemployment. Dad was like that, always helping somebody.
Later on in life, as a bartender, bible salesman, mailman,
boiler maker, floor polisher,
beer salesman and a score of
other jobs, he complimented
his modest salary from the
fire department. Many of the
area businessman recognized
the disparity in pay and offered a “fireman’s discount”
to the men. We used to cringe
with embarrassment when
Dad asked “Do you give a
Fireman’s Discount?” But,
much to our amazement,
many of the merchants did
give the men a break. They
were appreciative of the dangerous job the firemen did,
in protecting their shops, and
cognizant of the low pay that
firemen then received.
Dad never complained about
anything. He never got ruffled, just kept plodding along
however deep the waters got.
He always told us that you
had to “roll with the punches.”
He never bought anything on
credit and he always paid his
bills on time. We were more
than fortunate in what he provided for us.
I remember that we often ate
dinner early, at 3:30 P.M.,
when Dad had to be at the
firehouse by 4:30, to begin
his 14 hour shift. We didn’t
see much of him because he
always had a job doing something or other. As a firefighter, activities on weekends and
holidays were dependent on
dad’s schedule. Many a family event was celebrated without him, while Dad manned
his post.
When he was home, we followed him around in silent
awe and wanted to be part of
his day. He had his mother,
Mary Tevington’s temperament and was both gentle and
easy with us until we crossed
the line. Then the discipline
was both swift and sure.
There are many memories
that I carry of my Father. One
of the most colorful was his
penchant for betting on the
horses. He was a knowledgeable student of the nags. He
told me that he had started out
running for the bookies, when
he was a kid, and followed the
horses ever since. He bought
“Turf” magazine and studied
it like the bible. We would
pick up his racing forms, from
a small store on the corner of
Smith and Seneca, in Little
Hollywood. When Dad had
made his picks, two ten dollar bills would be wrapped in
a piece of paper with his bets
written on them. He would
then drop them through the
rear window of his bookie’s
gas station, on the corner of
South Park and Elk Streets.
It all seemed sort of mysterious to me at the time and I
thought it very exciting.
Dad was a capable handi-capper who would only
bet on one or two races at a
meet. He picked those races
where he thought that he
could correctly assess the
jockey and horse’s ability
and their relative chances at
winning a particular heat. As
a rule, he would only bet on
thoroughbreds at the nearby
Fort Erie Race Track, across
the Niagara River in Canada.
Sometimes he and a few buddies would drive the hundred
miles to the Finger Lakes
Race Track, in Canandaigua.
He avoided the local Harness Racing Tracks, because
he thought that harness racing wasn’t on the “up and
up”. He told us that once he
had been invited to sit in the
owner’s box at a harness racing track. It was suggested to
him that he bet a certain combination for the daily double.
Sure enough, that combination came in and paid handsomely. That was enough for
Dad. He never went back. He
was smart enough to know
that you wouldn’t always be
sitting in the owner’s box
and you can’t fight “coincidence.”
Although he would go
through periods when he
couldn’t even steal a winner,
Dad often won at the track.
I recall one especially big
exacta that came in for him.
He was able to pay for one of
my sister’s weddings and take
the whole family to the Crystal Beach Amusement Park,
in Canada, for the day. That
was a big outing for a family
our size.
Even with his wins, Dad
always told us that “The Horses,” and gambling in general,
“were a sucker’s game and
that the odds were stacked
against us.” He passed along
to us much of his hard earned
wisdom. He left us a good
and honorable name and a
legacy of hard work and bull
dog determination that has
served his children well these
many years.
All of these thought careened through my head as I
looked at those boots standing in the dusty corner. It is
funny how much that we lock
away in our memory, not even
aware of its presence, until
some trigger sends it all gushing forth. Finally, curiosity
got the better of me. I slipped
off my shoes and stepped into
Dad’s boots. I found that they
were way too big for me and
that I couldn’t fill my father’s
shoes. But then, I guess that
was something that I had discovered a long time ago.
St. Pat’s Irish American Club
If you would like to participate in:
Pot Luck Suppers, Charity Work, Adopt a Family Projects, Book Sales, Raffles,
St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Conventions, Going to the Theater, Helping Local
Food Pantries, Special Mass Observances, Calendar Luncheon and you are of
Irish and Catholic descent
MEETINGS:
1st Friday of the
Month at 8:00pm
p
New Members Welcome!
THE DAUGHTERS OF ERIN
ARE LOOKING FOR YOU!
Meetings are held the 3rd Wednesday of every month.
CALL KATHY MASTERSON
716-826-0828
716
16 826 0828
FOR INFORMATION, CALL ROBIN MESSENGER AT 821-9762
4
Letter
I found an article in the April
Irish Time that really hit home
with me. Unfortunately I do
not have the succeeding articles. I would like to request
copies of the articles appearing after the April article to
complete the three part series.
The writer was Joseph Xavier Martin entitled Buffalo’s
Southern Island.
Why? Because it was my
birthplace and my history.
It has many familiar place
names and the name of the
Hospital that IO was born in.
My forbearers were the Hillary’s and Fitzpatrick’s, both
Families being residents of
the Southern Island. I knew
it well as a youngster as my
Great Aunt, Nellie (Mary
Ellen) Hillary dragged me
around to visit all the relatives
- some of whom I remember
to this day (80 years). She
and I traveled far and wide
on the Street Cars - From Father Bakers and Limestone
Hill, to the Farmers Market in
Washington St. She was my
babysitter in those days!! She
resided in an apartment in
the brick building down Abbott Rd. from your structure.
The Building was owned by
my Grand Father, William
Henry Fitzpatrick, Sr. Being
a devote Catholic sheet attended mass at St Theresa’s
Catholic Church (where I was
baptized) and never missed a
Novena, Holy Day, Special
Saint’s Day, Holy week, etc.
She was my Grandmother’s
sister, and sister in law to William H. Fitzpatrick. Born in
1872 in Laurel, Indiana, she
died in the Spring of 1957.
Until too late, I never thought
to ask her about my family’s
(2) genealogy. Lord she knew
it all down to the birth year
and month of all the Fitzpatrick’s and Hillary’s. I still do
not know where any of them
came from in Ireland, but
Irish they sure were!!
My Great Grandfather was
born in Ireland in 1828, and
with one known brother emigrated from the famine to a
place called Buffalo on the
Eastern end of Lake Erie.
Both brothers were sailors
and worked the merchant
trade on the Great Lake’s sailing vessels. Jeremiah married
Catherine Dolan in St Patrick’s Cathedral on Emsley
St. in 1853, and lived down
on the docks area in a duplex
with his brother William (who
later married Sarah Warren,
Born in NYC) down in the
water front area, and area ridden with crime, bars, sex, and
brothels!
As time went on the had 8
children. He became a Dairy
Farmer, and it was the work
of the boys to peddle the milk
each day with a hand cart. It
was hard work and oft remembered. Jerome and John were
to the
Editor
the first of the sons to break
out of the milk business. Both
ended up in civil servant jobs,
John an officer of the Court,
and Jerome worked in Buffalo City Hall, positions from
which both retired. William
H., my grandfather took a different routes to great success.
Born in 1865, he too peddled
milk for some years, in order
to make a living. Not a job
he enjoyed (understatement!)
he moved on in two areas of
South Buffalo. In developing
his career, he became a Building Contractor, and obtained
great success and affluence
and respect as he built a substantial income.
He married Clara Hillary
from the old neighborhood at
Oak and Swan, and her sister,
Mary Ellen lived with them
as the bore and raised some
8 children, half of whom died
very young. But I stray. The
Contracting business was
very successful, with William
H. Fitzpatrick and Sons building almost all the two story
homes and duplexes between
Seneca St (where he eventually built his own home on
a corner of Seneca St.) and
Abbott Rd. His sons William
H. Jr. (1894) and Paul Early
(1896) eventually joined him
in the business. Like many if
the Irish I those days, he was
bulling himself up by the boot
straps. The Hillary’s, were
prominent in Dunkirk, NY
when that city was believed to
be the end of the Erie Canal,
and the booming East/West
construction of the Railroad
would meet. It didn’t happen.
All the Hillary’s left Dunkirk
and moved to Buffalo, where
one of the next generation became a City Court Judge and
an associate of William H.
Fitzpatrick.
But William H. was not to me
confined to home building. In
the late 1890s he began a political career in (of course) the
Democratic Party. Respected
and successful, not to mention
generous, He moved up in the
Party structure into ever more
responsible positions ( more
powerful). By the 1910’s he
was appointed Chairman of
the Railroad Crossing Commission. The City was growing and streets and railroad
tracks came into conflict and
it was the Commissions Job
to improve the situation be
raisin all the tracks up over
the roads onto bridges, some
of which still remain today,
In downtown Buffalo - Clinton St. Genesee St. Williams
St etc. One bridge I will always remember is the long
steel bridge that crosses the
Railroad switching yards at
Union Rd. The Commission,
which William H. Fitzpatrick
chaired, became very powerful and much appreciated
by the citizens as it revised
the transportation system in
Donna O’Connor Suidak
Lady Hibernian of the Year
downtown Buffalo.
The Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians selected
Donna O’Connor Suidak
as the 2013 recipient of the
“Lady Hibernian of the Year
Award.” Donna has been
a member of the LAOH,
Queen Maeve Division for
over 20 years.
As a member of the LAOH,
Donna has been an active
and dedicated participant.
She has served as Treasurer
for the organization and has
chaired the Sunshine committee. for the last seven
years. She is very generous
in her support of all LAOH
functions.
Donna, who has two daughters, Maria and Julianna
and five grandchildren, has
served as a bookkeeper and
secretary for several church-
As a result of this and undoubtedly many other factors, he became Chairman of
the Erie County Democratic
Party, a position he held into
the 1920. The death of his
cherished 25 year old daughter of lip stick poisoning,
and two years later, his wife
Clara, caused him to reduce
his active life, and his sons
Paul and William were taking over the construction
business. But during his active years as Chair of the Erie
County Democratic Party, he
was the most powerful man
in western New York. Democrats, mostly Irish, controlled
the City of Buffalo and the
Erie County Governments. As
the records show me he was
powerful but fail and generous with both his power and
his money. Anyone in need
would only have to ask William H. for help and he would
give it. If the rent was due
and the tenant could not pay
it, he was known to writ off
the payment. But these things
are known to become embellished over the years!
By: Meme Reidy
The Daughters of Erin are
pleased to announce that
Margaret “Peg” Breidenstein
has been chosen to receive
the highest honor given to a
member. She will receive this
award at the Friendly Sons
of St. Patrick dinner on Saturday March 1, 2014. Each
year, the Daughters choose
a member who exemplifies
the requirements for the Tara
Award, which are: “One who
promotes the organization,
assists the Knights of Equity
in their endeavors, takes part
in Catholic action, fosters
Americanism and promotes
Irish Culture. Peg more than
meets these prerequisites.
She joined the Daughters of
Erin in 1999 and has served
as a trustee, Financial Secretary, Recording Secretary,
Treasurer, Vice President and
President and currently is
serving as National Secretary.
She has also served on various committees and events
including the Christmas Party,
Pot Luck supper, Buffalo Feis
and is the founder and Chairperson of the Prayer Shawl
committee and through her efforts, and with the help of her
committee, have made over
100 Prayer Shawls for those
who are ill or in need of our
prayers. Peg has been very
happily employed as a Dental
Hygienist since 1984 at the
practice of Dr. Stanley Scott
in Hamburg, NY. She is very
dedicated and always willing
to lend a helping hand.
I guess my point is that Will
Fitzpatrick, prior to his death
in 1932, impacted many Irish
families from the First Ward
with homes to live in, jobs
(Irish tradition!) to support
families, loans or gifts to
families in need, and to hold
off opposing parties who did
not value human dignity, He
was also a power player in
New York State politics, supporting candidates, including
candidates for Governor.
His father died March 4, 1904.
In reviewing his obituary, The
press was far more vociferous
in praising the son, and all the
important people who came
from Washington and New
York for the funeral, then eulogizing his Father!! His own
obituary, upon his death Jan
8 1932, filled many columns,
and much history of Buffalo
and it’s Irish people.
This has gotten much longer
then I had intended - mostly
due to my genealogy research
over the past 35 years. At
some time during his later
life a portrait was painted of
him and, I believe, was generously replicated! I have one of
the only remaining 2 x 3 foot
framed copies of his portrait.
Last I was at you offices on
Abbott Rd, I found no mention
of him and his contribution to
the Irish community of Buffalo. If you see reason to accept my offer (my family has
no use for it!!)I would like to
donate it to The Buffalo Irish
Center for display. Please let
me know, I will not be hurt if
you decline. I’m sure it will
be thrown out by me children
as a useless and meaningless
memento of the past!!
and her brother, Father Jim
O’Connnor
Donna daily lives our Motto
of Friendship, Unity and
Christian Charity and is
eminently deserving of the
prestigious Lady Hibernian
Award.
Margaret Breidenstein to
Receive Tara Award
Born and raised in Kenmore,
NY, Peg is the daughter of
Margaret (Webster) and Dr.
L. Robert Gauchat and the
sister of Robert, Kathryn and
MaryJane. She attended St.
Paul’s grammar school, Mt.
St. Mary’s High School and
D’Youville College before
transferring to Erie Community College to pursue a
W. Daniel Fitzpatrick
Pensacola, FL
es in the Diocese of Buffalo
and is presently working
at Saint Katherine Drexel
Church .
Joining her at the AOHLAOH Christmas Party,
to celebrate this occasion
were her daughter Julianna
5
career as a Dental Hygienist.
She was involved in many activities throughout her school
years including Girl Scouts
and was a member of Delta
Rho Sorority while in college.
In 1970, Peg married James
Wolf at St. John the Baptist
Church in Kenmore. Shortly
after, they moved to Arcade
and became the proud parents
of Elizabeth Anne and James.
In 1979, the family moved to
Derby, NY and Peg became
involved with Girl Scouts,
Cub Scouts, taught Religious
Education at St. Vincent de
Paul Parish to children from
Pre-K through ninth grades
and served on the Parish
Council.
In December 1985, Peg lost
her husband Jim to cancer.
Though difficult, the love of
her children and support from
family and friends helped
her through the trying times.
After the children graduated
from high school, she bought
her grandparents home in
Kenmore and the family
moved back to the area.
In 1993, she met Floyd Breidenstein while Country Line
Dancing. They married in
1995 and happily increased
their family to include Christopher, Brian, Jamie Lynn and
Matthew Breidenstein. The
family continues to grow as
Beth and her husband Matt
Mason are the parents of Emily, Matty and Ryan and reside
in Snyder. Jamie and his wife
Moira live in Havertown, PA
and are the parents of Lucas
and Elle. Christopher and Jill
Breidenstein live in Cheektowaga and have five children,
Ana, Austin, Kobe, Kameron
and Adrianna. Brian and Ann
Marie keep very busy with
Laura, Elise, Chris, Julie,
Connor, Tyler and Baylie and
live in West Seneca. Jamie
Lyn and husband Jeremy Joy
also live in West Seneca and
are expecting their first child
in March 2014 and Matthew
Breidenstein is employed at
Tops Warehouse as a selector.
If you are counting, yes, there
are 17 grandchildren and one
on the way!
Peg and Floyd enjoy spending
time with their family, camping, going to Daughters of
Erin conventions and visiting
the Jersey Shore. They also
have a wonderful, loving and
quirky Siberian husky named
Sassy.
Congratulations Peg on this
most deserved award, we are
so very proud of you!
When Kingston was King
Thoughts on South Buffalo
By James Keane
By Robert O’Connor
I grew up in the Gaelic Ghetto of South Buffalo. Nearly everyone I knew was Irish, with
names like Masterson, Kavanaugh, Leary,
and Malley. My family history is similar to
so many from my neighborhood. My grandmother was born in County Tipperary and
emigrated from Ireland to Canada in 1911.
She and her mother then snuck across the
border into the United States. They settled in
Buffalo’s First Ward where my mother and
father would meet some thirty years later.
My parents moved up in the world by buying
a house a few blocks from the Irish Center.
My ten brothers and sisters and I grew up
and settled in the suburbs to raise our own
families. Sadly, most of our children have
moved out of Buffalo to places like Atlanta,
Phoenix and Indianapolis. That is where the
work is.
I went to Catholic schools and was unaware that most of the good Mercy nuns
who taught me were also Irish. In fact, one
particularly strict sister passed away a few
years back and her obituary revealed that
she and I shared the same last name. It was
like finding out that Adolf Hitler was a long
last uncle.
My memories of Catholic school are both
fond and dreadful. Back then, Mercy nuns
wore the full black habit, traveled in pairs,
and were considered “brides of Christ”. Remember Ingrid Bergmann in the movie the
Bells of St. Mary? Well the women who
taught (and pummeled) me bore little resemblance to saintly Sister Mary Benedict.
We gave our nuns horrible nicknames and
pretended that we weren’t intimidated. We
talked tough when they were out of earshot,
but we all lived in a perpetual state of terror.
Those black flowing robes and nearly hidden faces were damn scary. Surely George
Lucas based Darth Vader on a Mercy nun.
Those of us born in the fifties were part of
the peak of the Baby Boom. Our classrooms
were overcrowded, but we had friends on
nearly every street and there was never
a shortage of kids for a game of baseball.
There were 135 in my grade at St. Martin’s
on Abbott Road. With such limited space, we
had an incredible 45 students per classroom.
It’s amazing we learned anything at all and
it is little wonder that the nuns often behaved
more like prison guards than teachers.
On any given Saturday afternoon, there
would be literally hundreds of kids wandering the streets of South Buffalo. It was
time when your mother tossed you out of
the house and you weren’t to return before –
but not too late - for dinner. I knew kids that
were beaten up when they strayed into the
wrong neighborhoods. I knew kids that were
hit by cars, since we played in the streets. I
even knew kids who drowned while skating
on or swimming in Cazenovia Creek.
There were no play dates, no soccer or tennis camps, and summer vacations tended to
be a week or two in Crystal Beach. I have
read that children of my day were far more
likely to be seriously injured than today’s
kids. There was very little adult supervision
and a great deal of freedom. It was a fine
time, never to be repeated.
There are still a few of my school mates who
haunt the bars of Abbott Road, South Park
and Seneca Street. They are old men now,
beaten down by life and the drink. They talk
of long forgotten ball games and cute girls
that are now dowdy grandmothers. It is both
sad and reassuring to know that some things
will remain constant. There will always be
old men in the bars of South Buffalo remembering their imagined youth.
I am sitting in a coffee shop in the old neighborhood as I write this. It is bitter cold outside and two middle aged women are nearby
speaking in the unmistakable twangy , watered down brogue of the area. I hear them
discussing me in their Irish whispers “Look
at that one out without a coat” says one. “At
least he’s wearing a sweater” says the other.
I think to myself, they sound justlike my
late mother and aunt, and then realize they
are probably younger than I.
The End
In 1956, Kingston Place was the center of the universe. I know those guys on
Kamper Street would give me an argument
and they’d be close to right, about a close
as Geary Street. Both of those streets were
amazing too, but neither fully measured up
to Kingston Place. I know this is true because I was there.
I still remember the huge Stevenson for
President sign that hung from the very top
of the Keane family home at 101 Kingston.
My father, Dick Keane, was a mailman, a
good union man and a staunch Democrat.
He’d be called a letter carrier in later years
and eventually just a carrier. Funny how political correctness works.
My mother, Kate McKenzie Keane, was a
stay at home mom in those days. She would
eventually go to work outside the home, but
not until most of her 16 kids were grown
and gone. Nobody ever worked as hard as
my mother. If she ain’t in heaven, nobody
is.
We lived in the first of five row houses on
the street, next to Connie’s Donut Shop at
the corner of Seneca Street. The A&P Supermarket was directly across Kingston
from us. It used to be a car dealership and
when the display windows were bricked in
leaving the concrete windowsills in place,
Kingston became the Yankee Stadium of
wall ball, which we played with a small, hallow ball, a tad smaller than a standard baseball. It was called a Pensing Pinky and cost
15 cents at Fishman’s on Seneca. Kingston
was the envy of every kid on Seneca Street.
We not only had Yankee Stadium, we got
free day old donuts from Conrad Weber,
proprietor-extraordinaire of Connie’s.
Most people thought the Keanes lived in all
five rowhouses. They had to it seemed as
there were so many of us. I can assure you,
however that all 18 of us were squeezed
into that 3 bedroom, 1 bath flat. My Saturday night baths were in the wash tub in the
cellar- 15 feet from the coal bin. For those
readers who grew up on Abbott Road, a cellar is the same as a basement and a porch is
the same as a veranda.
There were plenty of ball players on Kingston Place. The competition was fierce. My
brothers Neil, Mike and Dan, the annual
champion. John and Dixie Dugan, Tom
and Bill Gang, Tim, Terry and Tom O’Shei,
Mike and Danny Mercer, Norm Perry, Larry Madejczyk. Boy was that a mouthful.
We occasionally allowed outsiders to play
on our home field. Guys like Louie Reiner
from Zittle Street, Jim and Al Stewart and
Larry Hughes from Kamper Street. We
played every day. It kept us busy, kept us
out of trouble- at least most of the time.
I miss those halcyon days of my youth and
look back on them with a fondness that
brings warmth to my soul. Great Street.
Great Stadium. Great donuts. Great guys.
Great friends. Friends forever.
Buffaloirishtimes
BUFFALO IRISH
GENEALOGICAL
SOCIETY
G
G
Y
2014 IN THE
MEETINGS
GAAA Irish Library of the
Buffalo Irish Center
245 Abbott Rd
Buffalo, NY
JANUARY
JAN
NUARY 18, 2014 Saturday,
S t d 10
10:30
30 PM
FEBRUARY 1, 2014 Saturday, 10:00 AM
FEB
(RESEARCH MEETING)
JULY 15, 2014 Tuesday, 6:00 PM
NOVEMBER 8, 2014, 10:00AM
(RESEARCH MEETING)
VISIT OUR WEB SITE! http://bigs.limewebs.com
or link t
thru
www buffaloirishcenter com
For Membership Information Call
Tom Lambert 716-796-7687
e-mail: [email protected]
6
ing on indexing the microfilms from
Holy Cross Cemetery in Lackawanna, NY. Several years have been
completed and will be listed in the
BUFFALO IRISH TIMES starting
with the oldest year that we have
film for, 1872. Only the burials with
a place of birth listed as “IRELAND”
it may be due to the fact that within
the day books from the cemetery, no
place of birth was listed. Transcriptions were made as entries stated.
For further information on Holy
Cross burials, call (716) 823-1197
or view films at the GAAA Irish Library (see library ad).
my great-great-grandparents John
Scanlon and Catherine Costello.
John was born in Ireland around
1828, emigrated during the potato
famine, and lived in Buffalo until
his death in a rail yard accident on
12 Sep 1879. Catherine was also
born in Ireland around 1826 and
emigrated during the famine. She
died in Buffalo on 8 Jan 1889. They
are buried in Holy Cross Cemetery.
Their son Mathew, my great-grandfather, was born 18 Jan 1853. He
married Catherine Theresa Hughes
in 1880, worked for various railroads, and died in Buffalo 27 Jun
1924. Also children of John and
Catherine are: Catherine Elizabeth
(1855 - 1907), Patrick H (1858 1936), John Joseph (1863 -1913),
Mary (1864 - 1913), and Thomas
(1867 - ?)
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Please contact: Brian Scanlon,
PO Box 78, Felton, CA 95018.
email: [email protected].
phone: (831) 229-0146.
Looking for information on the Duignan family name. My ancestor Michael Duignan immigrated to New
York / New Jersey. Please contact
James Lawson [email protected]
Celtic Angels International Youth Choir
SULLIVAN/
Seeks New Members
McINTYRE/
“Let us go into God’s presence singing for
joy!” could be the motto of our International Youth Choir, the Celtic Angels. Gaelic
teacher Margaret McGrath first invited Irish
dancers to expand their knowledge and
experience of Irish culture by learning the
Irish National Anthem. Those who enthusiastically responded opened the Hamburg
Feis and the Niagara Falls Feis last summer; as individuals and small groups, they
also competed singing the Anthem at these
festivals. They sang the Anthem following
the opening parade of the Buffalo Irish Festival. Because of their proud Irish heritage,
these young ladies and gentlemen from the
United States and Canada are singing primarily in a language not native to either of
their countries.
The Celtic Angels then went on to participate in the Lady of Knock Mass and the
Irish Famine Mass, both of which we hope
to do again. The Angels entertained with
Gaelic Christmas songs at the Comhaltas
Ceoltoire Eireann, Daughters of Erin, and
Gaelic language class parties. We will be
entertaining at the St. Patrick’s Club Dinner in February, singing the Anthems at the
Friendly Sons Dinner in March, and entertaining at a luncheon to benefit the education fund at St. Columba-Brigid Parish on
March 29. We hope to continue our summer
activities.
Our ancestors learned their music by listening to one another. Our Celtic Angels do
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O’MALLEY:
Trying to locate information on
John Aloysius Sullivan (1890-1957)
born to John Sullivan and Marga
ret McIntyre (both from Ireland).
!"
John A. came to Buffalo around
#
1910 from Joliet, Illinois and Mar
ried Edith b. 1917. John had sis# ters in Chicago area of Nell, May
!!
[O’Malley], and Margaret [Ray
" Oslen husband]. John A. Sullivan
worked for Buffalo International
!
Railroad Bus & Trolly, retiring after
45 years from NFTA in 1950. Before the Bus & Trolly, it is believed
he was a bartender as he was after
his retirement. It is also believed
that John A.’s grandfather may have
been Francis. John’s younger brothHowever, we are especially blessed with on Sundays from 1:00-3:00 and Mondays
is Elmer Sylvester Sullivan. Any
I am researchingfrom
James6:30-7:30.
J. Manning erBecause
the Gaelic leadership of Margaret McGrath,
of the importance
information,
contact
b. 1848
in Irelandofwho
three Feast (Feb.please
who is the first to introduce us to the
Gaelic
St.married
Brigid’s
1) and
St. Linda
PatL.
Lee,
THEAGEDPAGE@roadst
of a new song, and is a wealth of times.
informarick’s
Feast
(March
17)
we
are
currently
1 wife, Susan Buttler /Yotrunner.com This may not be
tion on Gaelic music. Don’t be frightened
weekly
tler died shortlyholding
after giving
birth rehearsals.
!
An Irish-American
Hero Needs You:
MANNING/
DALY/BUTTLER:
much of their learning in the same way,
with the aid of contemporary electronics.
This has been an adjustment for me as the
director, as I am used to having all choir
members present at regularly scheduled rehearsals, being able to plan rehearsals long away because you know no Gaelic.to Thomas J. Manning
true at insome
1874 other
in times of the year. If you
range, and being the leader who determines
have a young person who might be interManchester, Mich. Thomas moved
Patrick H.sound.
O’Rorke, anOur
Irishmembers
O’Rorke Memorial
is peti-6 to
how the finished productColonel
will finally
range inSociety,
age from
17. All ested, or would like to have the Celtic Anto Buffalo,
and married
Dolo- in one of your events, please
immigrant to
wholearn
grew upthe
in Rochester
tioning Congress
and themany
President
Like my Angels, I (the slowest
are welcome.
Because
are still
Irish NYgels
participate
on 20 Dec
1924
Gaelic) must rely on and
recordings
and
coming
from
longer distances,
we Daly
contact
me (674-6868)
or Mrs. Joyce Burke,
graduated first
in hisbeclassdancers
from to get
this brave
Irish-American
the res Mildred
Looking
for648-1676.
Anne Rhoades, b. Abt
in
Welland,
Ontario.
(That
record
very flexible with rehearsal
schedules.
We
still
try
to
work
our
rehearsals
around
their
our
business
manager,
at
West Point died heroically leading Congressional Medal of Honor.
1919,
who
married
Howard McMalists
his
mother
as
Buttler).
Dolores
DO have a lot going on his
at Rochester
the Irishregiment
Center!
dance
classes.
Presently
we
are
rehearsing
Céad
Míle
Fáilte!
in the retak-
Civil War Hero Patrick O’Rorke
Deserves the Medal of Honor
RHOADES/
McMAHON:
Daly b. 1898 in Buffalo, hon, b. 1914. They lived at 782 Eagle
ing of Little Round Top at a pivotal To help us in this effort – and to cele- Mildred
brate
Rochester’s
greatest
Civil
War
was
the
daughter
of William Joseph Street in Buffalo, NY in 1940. Anne
moment at the Battle of Gettysburg,
hero
and
an
Irishman
who
epitomizes
Daly.
Apr
1869
in
Buffalo and Mil- may have had a sister Helen. Any
150 years ago.
the Irish effort to preserve the United dred C. Otto b. Oct 1871 in Illinois. information on this family, please
His bravery, courage and valor States of America—go to: ;$337 If you have any information regard- contact Mr. & Mrs. Priel, 3783 TeleCALL THE BUFFALO IRISH CENTER AT 825-9535
have been overlooked and now, the 3:48.
ing these [email protected]
families, please contact graph Rd, Bliss, NY 14024.
OR EMAIL:
ClanDonnell Tales
of Ireland
Buffaloirishtimes
FIR DOITEAN
MAY-JUNE 2013 BUFFALO IRISH TIMES 9
(Traverse City, Michigan, November 1,
2013) “Millions of people around the world
are of Irish descent, yet most of us barely
have passing knowledge about the Ireland
of our ancestors,” says author David McDonnell. “And much of what we think we
know – how our ancestors lived, why they
left the island – is often way off the mark.”
McDonnell’s new book, ClanDonnell: A
Storied History of Ireland, offers an entertaining remedy by telling the stories of people in the Celtic Irish McDonnell clan and
their subsequent descendants. Since the first
McDonnells were mercenaries, they were
called into service in all corners of Ireland
and interacted – often violently – with other Irish clans. Over time, the McDonnells
faced the same troubling forces as all Irish
– brutal clan wars, religious strife, subjugation by the English, confiscation of lands,
famine and starvation, mass emigration,
struggles for national identity and independence… and much more. Thus the stories
of the McDonnells reflect the stories of all
Irish, from any clan.
The book is non-fiction, but has all the elements of a historical novel – fair maidens,
multiple beheadings, nasty bar fights (one
ends with a javelin through the heart!),
plotted assassinations, hangings, exile, and
witches’ spells, to name a few. Timeless
themes of passionate love, family bonds,
valor and honor, revenge and political intrigue, leap off every page. McDonnell
spent years exhaustively researching the
origination of the Irish clans – as well as the
origination of Irish last names – and many
stories transpired over a thousand years
ago. Over 600 strategically placed images,
as well as the author’s wit and story-telling
skills, make this unlike any other history of
Ireland.
IRISH PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS OF W.N.Y
Fir Doitean is am Irish Catholic
Professional Firefighters’ Group
encompassing all of WNY.
MEETINGS:
7:00PM ON THE SECOND
MONDAY OF EVERY MONTH
(EXCEPT JULY & AUGUST)
THE IRISH CENTER: 245 ABBOTT ROAD, BUFFALO, NY 14220
7
ANCESTRA
L
Queries
PHILOMENA
When I watch a movie, I try not to anticipate an outcome, entertainment levels, or
how a particular actor or actress may interpret a story. If the subject matter is of interest, I try to see it. I am not a movie critic,
I simply know what I like. PHILOMENA
was a movie that a simple trailer piqued my
interest and the fact that it was filmed in Ireland, based on a true story with genealogical undertones, well, that became a must see
movie for me!
PHILOMENA, rated PG-13, directed by
Stephen Frears, starring Judi Dench and
Steve Coogan, is an emotionally gripping
moving story about a girl who gets pregnant
out of wedlock at a very young age and her
family sends her to live in a convent with
nuns. They make her work off her mortal
sin to earn her keep. Once her son Anthony
was born, she was allowed to visit with him
only one hour a day but still had to continue
to work off her sins, now compounded by
the extra mouth to feed and care for.
Having personal knowledge of how having
a strong Catholic faith, with severe guilt
trips used by nuns and priests to control
impressionable minds, haunts people to do
or not do things that no longer are looked
upon as taboo, I saw being highlighted in
this movie. Frustrated, I wanted to scream
out and tell her she didn’t have to work so
hard for the nuns to see her child…and then
it was too late.
Young Anthony, now three and one half
years old, having befriended a little girl
who was being sold, I’m sorry, adopted to
an American family, refused to part with
his little friend. So, the American couple
took both children without gaining the consent from either of the mothers. Philomena
happened to be suspicious about the other
child’s fate and was on the watch when she
happened to see both children being driven
away from the convent.
The horrifying emotions of that one particular moment haunted Philomena throughout
her lifetime of silent, tormenting anguish
until she could no longer bear her burden.
Having moved on with her life, her adult
daughter encourages her to seek help from
a journalist, who, with his research savvy,
McMAHON/O’BRIEN Looking for the parentage of Agnes (O’Brien) the wife of John
McMahon b 1893 Miltown Malbay, Co. Clare. The family was living at 20 Tuscarora
Road, Buffalo for the 1930 Federal Census. Please contact: Kevin J. O’Brien at [email protected]
O’BRIEN Looking for descendants of twins, John G O’BRIEN and William G O’BRIEN
born 1914 in Buffalo, NY to John William and Annette O’BRIEN. The family was living
at 1392 Fillmore Avenue in the 1930 Federal Census and 14 Harland Place in the 1920 Federal Census. Please contact: Kevin J. O’Brien at [email protected]
O’BRIEN/McGRATH Looking for descendants of Patrick and Sarah O”BRIEN Patrick
was a Saloon Keeper at 556 Hamburg Turnpike, Buffalo, NY in the 1900 Census. Daughter, Margaret O’BRIEN married John McGrath son of Michael MvGRATH and Nellie
DOWNES of Cahermurphy, Co. Clare, Ireland. . Please contact: Kevin J. O’Brien at
[email protected]
SOUTH END FLORAL
Dress Up Your Occassion With One
Of Our Specialty Arrangements!
DAILY CITY-WIDE AND SUBURBAN DELIVERIES
822-7562
218 Abbott Road (accross from the Irish Center)
Claddagh Room: Seats 110 People
Emerald Ballroom: Seats 270 People
Book a Room for
Your Event
Affordable Rates • Bar Service Available • Free Wi-Fi
Air-conditioned • Catering available
Book online: www.buffaloirishcenter.com
Emerald Ballroom
ONLY 7 stones now available.
Give a gift that lasts a lifetime.
The Western New York Irish Famine Commemoration Committee is accepting donations for the remaining seven (7) available
stones to be added to the Memorial Field
which surrounds the Irish Famine Memorial. Your donation of $200 will make it
possible to inscribe the names of ancestors,
friends or benefactors on a 12” x 8” x 4”,
40 pound granite stone to be installed in the
Memorial Field.
Features:
music on the
weekend and
the “craic”
everyday!
Buffaloirishtimes
Donna M. Shine
IRISH FAMINE
MEMORIAL:
Claddagh
Room
The Pub
finds hints and clues that sent them both to
America to follow the trail of her son.
Throughout this movie, the research techniques of the journalist and the intense
passion and determination of Philomena,
flip-flop between hard evidence and gut
feelings. My take on this was, as a genealogist myself, many proverbial roadblocks appear while ferretting out a single shred of
hard evidence that tells your gut that you are
on the right path.
The urgency for closure seemed to be the
driving force for Philomena. Personal insecurity while trying to prove himself to
his editor appeared to be the driving force
for the journalist. The methods they both
encountered, when strengthened by their
union of determination, took each to new
levels of self-satisfaction.
For the ending of the story, you’ll have to
see it for yourself, but this story, should be
seen by everyone in the genealogical community as an exercise in keeping an opened
mind…and faith. I guarantee you will not
be disappointed.
2014 stone purchase
CUT-OFF date is July 1st!
Applications must be received and finalized BEFORE the deadline so stones can
be inscribed before the end of summer. NO
EXCEPTIONS. Applications received after
the cut-off date will be held for 2014-15 inscribing, if any remain.
*Stones will be sold on a FIRST COME
FIRST SERVE basis meaning applications
received with checks will get preference to
phone call promises. Should all remaining
stones be sold prior to July 1st, inscription
requests will be sent to the stonecutter upon
receipt of the last stone sold. (Total stones
available may change due to the time differ-
8
!
ence between submission of this article and
the actual distribution of the newspaper.
Order forms are available online at: http://
www.irishfaminememorial.com/orderform.
htm
To create a permanent Memorial Stone inscribed with the names of ancestors, friends
or benefactors please complete the application form and return it with your check or
money order for $200 per stone to: WNY
Irish Famine Commemoration Committee, c/o Donna M Shine, 6350 Scherff Rd,
Orchard Park, NY 14127. For further information call (716)-662-1164 or email
[email protected] . PLEASE CALL TO
VERIFY AVAILABILITY!
South Buffalo Community
Table 23rd Annual
“Get Together
IRELAND LAMPOONED
US 32 – “The Gate”
By: Donna M. Shine
A delightful tea at Cecile Mulcahy’s and a bit
of genealogical exchange amid renovations
inside her beautiful house quickly came to
an end. James and I were driven back to The
Legends B&B in Cashel, Tipperary where
we took a short walk to Granny’s for a cozy
lunch. How relaxing it was to know that we
have a room for the night, and a comfortable
one at that! With all the going here and going
there, we napped until nearly four o’clock.
I wanted some photos of the MULCAHY
farm in Thurlesbeg, where Paddy O’Dwyer
now lives, so James drove me there to fulfill my wish. I stood at the cinder-block wall
looking out at the farmland once owned by
John MULCAHY and tried to imagine life
in the 1850s without today’s modern machinery. Unfathomable! Sixty-three acres is
a lot of land, even by current standards. Far
to the back of the field, a large black bird
soared effortlessly as though he was acknowledging my presence. He soared way
back beyond my sight level, back beyond a
gravel pit of sorts. It was as though he was
beckoning me to the ‘beyond’, possibly to
where the Ballysheehan Cemetery may lie at
the opposite side of the Thurlesbeg farm.
With no specific plans for the remainder
of the evening, James took the “scenic”
route north through Boherlahan and around
through Synone, past the round castle in a
farmer’s field, and back to the Ballysheehan
horse stud farm and “the gate”. Yes, the
good old gate! I like just quietly sneaking in
and out of places we visit, but the gate meant
I would have to disturb someone inside who
might not be receptive to a stranger prowling around the property.
I had to get out of the car and ring the intercom to ask permission for access to the
Ballysheehan Cemetery. Permission was
granted, I returned to our car, and slowly…
ever so slowly, the gates parted in respectful
grand fashion. James remembered the warning by our friends to yield to the right, stay
on the outside road that will circumference
the farm, and the cemetery would be on the
other side. Wow, never had I been so aware
of being under surveillance without seeing
any devices, as I did when we yielded to the
outside road. As James slowly proceeded,
he noticed that back in the distance behind
us, a dark vehicle had started to follow us.
So, James calmly drove to the old moated
cemetery and parked.
on Saturday, April 12th
This cemetery was quite high off the ground
and we had to climb stone steps of an old
stile to reach the level of the graves. An ivytype of vegetation completely covered either
a church or castle ruins but we were not allowed inside due to a foreboding sign that
warned of it being unstable and unsafe to
enter. Knowing that we were being watch,
we did not want to disobey the instructions
given us by the locals. That’s okay. I was
good with that…curious, but good.
We basked in the sunshine as we walked
among the headstones, most of which were
hard to read, took many pictures, and after
my camera battery finally died, we respectfully retreated to our vehicle. Clouds were
moving in and the wind was picking up as
though the sheikh of Dubai arranged our
stay for a specific time limit. The thought
that a possible ancestor may be buried there
somewhere gave me pause as we drove out
the same way we drove in. And “the gate”,
ever so slowly, closed behind us, shutting the
outside world from the lifestyle and secrets
of the stud farm it was built to protect.
GAAA IRISH LIBRARY:
FREE genealogical research assistance!
The Irish library is OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC for the 2014 season, October
thru the end of June. Experienced genealogists from BIGS, the Buffalo Irish Genealogical
Society, lend their expertise to help direct you to your ancestral family.
The South Buffalo Community Table “Get Together” organizing committee has announced
that they are preparing for the best ever for
their 23rd annual “Get Together” to benefit
Sister Mary Celeste O’Bryan’s South Buffalo
Community Table. The event is scheduled
for Saturday, April 12th from 6:30 PM until
midnight at the Iron Workers Hall in West
Seneca.
NOTE: NEW DAYS starting January 2014:
1st Saturdays of each month, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
3rd Tuesdays, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
The “Get Together” has grown each year and
is now considered a spring-time tradition for
those interested in supporting the worthiest
of charities, expressing appreciation for Sister Celeste and her all-volunteer staff, and
enjoying an evening with family, friends and
neighbors.
The library is located inside the BUFFALO IRISH CENTER
245 Abbott Rd, Buffalo, NY 14220.
(Stay tuned to WBEN 930 AM for snow or emergency closings. If the Buffalo Irish Center closes,
so goes the library.) For individual appointments please call: Mary C. Murphy (716) 834-4965 or
Donna M. Shine (716) 662-1164 or email Diane Blaser at [email protected] .
According to event chair Pete Clancy, “You
don’t want to be late this year. The music
should be outstanding all night and folks
seem really excited to hear the South Buffalo
All Stars with Buffalo Music Hall of Fame’s
SAVE THE DATE!
PIZZA • WINGS • SUBS • TACOS
“We Base
Our Business On
Service & Quality”
Quick
Delivery
2370 Seneca St., Buffalo
Across from Caz Park ......................
50TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR
PRICES SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE
Monday, February 24, 2014
(Ticket info available January 1s, 2014
CALL 716-825-6700
ADD $2.00 FOR BARBECUE
WINGS FROM THE PIT
823-8888
ASK ABOUT OUR SUB OF THE MONTH
EVERYDAY
SPECIALS
9
Besides the music and excellent food and
drinks, all attendees who bring a food item
for the Community Table will automatically
be entered in a door prize raffle.
Under the direction Sister Mary Celeste
O’Bryan, the South Buffalo Community Table
serves nearly 100 free hot meals a day to the
needy of the community. The “Get Together”
is the Table’s main fund raising event. Tickets
for the night are available at the door.
EVERYDAY
WEDNESDAY & MONDAY LUNCH
SPECIAL
SUNDAY NIGHT MADNESS 11AM - 3PM
ANY 12” ANY 12”
WHOLE
HOT OR
COLD SUB COLD SUB
3
ANY LARGE
$ 50 OFF
18” PIZZA
With TVs to View your Sporting Events
WOLFE TONES
Expected to join the All Stars will be among
others, The Stone Bridge Band, Theresa
Quinn & Company, Billy LaRusch, Roadside Attraction, and the Charlie O’Neill Unplugged Club.
Best Pizza in the Southtowns...
Ask Your Neighbor!
Seating Available
Featuring Pizza with the
Best Quality Ingredients!
Jim Brucato again sitting in for his late friend,
Charlie O’Neill. We also expect to have a busy
silent auction with a week’s stay at a condo in
Arizona, a Patrick Kane autographed jersey
and some other great prizes.”
For Only
For Only
6 5
$ 45 $ 50
ALL DAY EVERY DAY
ANY 2 SLICES
AND A 22 OZ. POP
Small Pizza
Large Pizza
Cheese &
Cheese &
Pepperoni and Pepperoni and
Single Order of Double Order of
Chicken Wings Chicken Wings
5
$ 85
Sheet Pizza
Large Pizza
Cheese &
Cheese &
Pepperoni and Pepperoni and
Bucket of
Bucket of
Chicken Wings Chicken Wings
1795 $2595 $3895 $4895
$
!"#$%&"'()*(+,$%-.(
BUFFALO IRISH TIMES
Schedule of Events
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Amanda Hansen Foundation
PROUD of being
IRISH and CATHOLIC?
Amanda’s Law mandates the installation of carbon
monoxide (CO) detectors in all homes in New York
State. The law is named for 16-year-old Amanda
Hansen of West Seneca, New York, who died on
January 17, 2009, due to a carbon monoxide leak
from a defective boiler while she was sleeping at
a friend’s house.
Ancient Order
of Hibernians
Join the
Amanda
Hansen
Foundation
Be A Protector
Get A CO Detector
CALL JOHN MURPHY 716-598-6606
IT’S AMANDA’S LAW
LOCATED AT THE BUFFALO IRISH CENTER
www.amandahansenfoundation.org
10
BUFFALO IRISH TIMES
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Schedule
Events
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MPB TRAVEL
Scoil Cultur
Na Heireann
480 Abbott Road, Buffalo, NY 14220
716.826.1009 • 800.234.0672
www.mpbtravel.com
Specializing in Ireland since 1973
(SCHOOL OF IRISH CULTURE)
WEDNESDAYS
6:30pm - 9:30pm
Escorted Tours
Self Drive Tours
B&B Packages
Golf Packages
at the buffalo irish center library
Beginner • Intermediate • Advanced
Call Margaret McGrath
716-674-8569
Call Today!
11
Irish, By Association
There was a time in my life, a little before
sobriety entered it, that I would have a few
and be ready to assail anyone who even hinted at being British. A London Fog raincoat
would be enough. That’s hardly fitting behavior for a Slovak; even a Slovak growing
up in South Buffalo. So what would make
me act so Irish? How would I lay claim to
being the only Slovak east of Chicago to
know the words to all the Irish rebel songs?
My “what” was actually a “who.”
Dick Keane and I started work in the
New York State Assembly at about the same
time. Dick took the hard way in – he had to
be elected. My route was a little easier – I
got appointed to be an editor-writer on the
Assembly staff. Dick represented the people of South Buffalo and Lackawanna. My
job was to tell everyone in those areas the
how’s and why’s of Dick’s representation.
I wrote press releases and newsletters and
correspondence. Assemblyman Keane was
not my only “client” but as I lived in South
Buffalo, he was my representative.
I was, of course, no stranger to the Keane
family. Jimmy who would later become a
councilman and Deputy County Executive
was someone I knew from the neighborhood. Neil Keane, who would later be one
of Buffalo’s finest Fire Commissioners, was
an usher in the old Aud. My Uncle Iggy
would take me to the Saturday night college
basketball doubleheaders on a regular basis
and Neil was “our” usher, at center court in
the premium brown seats and anyone who
had ever been to Cazenovia Pool knew Joey
Keane. I had known Dick only by reputation from his days in the Erie County Legislature. During my four year run in Albany,
though, I would come to know Dick as a
mentor and a dear friend.
Dick was one of the few Assembly members from Western New York who drove to
Albany every week. So it was natural that
we would make that mind-numbing trip
across the breadth of New York together. It
didn’t take long for me to see Dick for more
than his electoral abilities. He was one of the
sharpest wits I have ever had the pleasure to
encounter. He read voraciously and remembered what he read. He had encyclopedic
memory that allowed him to remember every joke he’d ever heard. He was an astute
political observer who not only survived
in the cutthroat climate of Albany politics,
he thrived. New York State has one of the
highest percentages of lawyers in
its legislature and it was easy
for a lot of members to underestimate a non-lawyer
like Dick. But Dick was
smart and he was tough
and he was loyal. It is no
overstatement to say
that I learned
more about
politics
from Dick
than from
anyone I
ever worked
for.
But it wasn’t
just
politics
that I learned
from him. It was
also Irish history
and Irish culture. Four and
a half hours in a car is a
long time and jokes and anecdotes could only fill so much
of it. I
have learned, largely through my association
with Dick and a lifetime in South Buffalo,
that calling someone a “proud Irishman (or
Woman)” is redundant. The Irish by nature
are imbued with a keen sense of the past as
prologue to the present. They relish their
heritage and the true sons and daughters of
Erin proselytize at any opportunity. And so
it was that I learned of Ireland and the Irish
on those long weekly trips.
That is not to say that Dick’s humor was
ever far beneath the surface of his conversations. One cold and snowy evening, we
pulled in to the parking lot of one of the
only pubs in the Capitol District open. Appropriately, it was called “Ryan’s Starry
Plough.” There we would frequently en-
counter the Devane’s – an Irish family almost as populous as the Keane’s. (One of
their numbers is William Devane, the actor.) As we ordered our first quaff of the
evening, there were three young women at
the bar, all looking Irish enough to be deported. Of course, they knew Dick Keane.
The
mists of time have clouded
my memory enough that
I can’t recall their exact names but suffice
it to say that they all
ended in “een.” Dick
introduced me to the
trio only to have
a couple of
f a c e s
crinkle
up in a
puzzled
look.
“Now why
would your family be naming
you something
like Steve?” one
of
the “eens” asked.
I had
a mouthful of Budweiser so I was slow to respond that not all
of us were Irish. So Dick beat me to it.
“Because Chet, Brownie and Stan were
already taken in his family.”
I spit the beer across the bar and thought I
might wet my pants I was laughing so hard.
But I did have time to learn about Bishop
Palladius, the Battle of Carrickfergus, Robert Emmert, the Fenian Uprising, the Easter Rising of 1916, and a host of other facts
that would suit me well on “Jeopardy.” That
knowledge was enhanced by frequent trips
to various Albany watering holes each of
which featured a singer who sang passionately about the Irish rebels and the quest for
freedom.
The trips were often enhanced by visitors
Dick brought to the Capitol. Tom Blake
was a frequent ride-along and what I didn’t
learn from Dick, I would learn from Blakey.
Tom told me of the preponderance of Irish
and Scots on the roll of America’s Medal of
Honor recipients. Jake Shea was also on
more than a few trips and he would regale us
with stories about Dick and the Fire Department. Dick would bring his friends to share
a few pints at Dick’s annual Irish-American
Legislators dinners. It was among those legislators that I met Sean Patrick Walsh. Like
me, Sean appreciated Dick’s intelligence
and his understanding of how the “game”
was played in Albany. Sean represented a
district in the Bronx that was almost 100%
Hispanic. He did so by speaking Spanish as
fluently as his constituents.
As if the Albany trips weren’t enough
travel, Dick also enticed me and the former
Shirley McCartan to join him and Mary on
a Hibernian hegira to the Irish Festival in
Durham NY, in the Catskills. I recall few
specifics of those trips (I was still drinking
then) but I do recall singing “The Town I
Loved So Well” from memory and tearing
up when we sang “A Nation Once Again.”
I also recall buying a “Free Bobby Sands”
t-shirt.
My tenure in Albany lasted four years.
It would prove handy when I was called
to Detroit MI in 1980 to be a press aide on
the Ted Kennedy presidential campaign.
Knowing Irish history was definitely a positive with the Kennedy entourage. My relationship with Dick Keane outlasted both
our tenures in Albany. It continued right up
to his death. We spoke on the phone that
fall as he and Mary were departing for their
winter home in Naples FL. We made plans
to meet for dinner after Shirley and I arrived
a few weeks later. We never got the chance,
though, as he died before we got to Florida.
When I finally decided to get sober in
1982, Dick sent me a holy card of St. Patrick. On the back, he inscribed: “St. Patrick watch over this lad as he isn’t one of us
but he should be.” That frayed, dog-eared
card is still one of my most valuable possessions.
Ireland may have had more knowledgeable
sons, prouder sons, patriotic sons but she
never had a better son than Dick Keane.
Buffalo Fenians Gaelic Football Club is always welcoming new members.
For information, please contact Padraic at
[email protected]
12
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Holy Cross Cemetery
Index of Ireland-born Burials “McH-N”
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Waterfront Memories
and More
" !
An Irish-American
Hero Needs You:
Volunteers of the Buffalo Irish Genealogical Society have been working on indexing the microfilms from Holy Cross Cemetery in Lackawanna, NY. Several years have been completed and
have been listed in the BUFFALO IRISH TIMES starting with 1872, the oldest film in our possession. Only the burials with a place of birth listed as “IRELAND” will be printed. The possibility exists that if your ancestor is not listed, it may be due to the fact that within the day books
from the cemetery, no place of birth was listed. Transcriptions were made as entries stated.
Actual spelling of surnames may differ from recorded names. For further information on Holy
Cross burials, call (716) 823-1197 or view films at the GAAA Irish Library (see library ad).
1874
1874
1874
1874
1874
1874
1874
1874
1874
1874
1874
1874
1874
1874
1874
May
September
February
December
June
April
August
November
June
September
February
July
December
June
November
13
15
16
2
26
4
25
2
1
14
21
31
16
5
20
(1855 - 1907), Patrick
1936), John Joseph (1
Mary (1864 - 1913),
(1867 - ?)
Any help would be gre
ated.
Please contact: Bria
PO Box 78, Felton,
email: briancscanlon@
phone: (831) 229-0146
MANNIN
DALY/BUT
I am researching James
b. 1848 in Ireland who m
times. 1st wife, Susan B
tler died shortly after
McHenry Mary (Mrs) Ireland 52 yrs Cathedral
McMahon John Ireland 47 yrs St Patricks
to Thomas J. Manning
McMahon Patrick Ireland 20 yrs
ColonelIreland
Patrick
H. O’Rorke,
an Irish O’Rorke Memorial Society, is peti- Manchester, Mich. Tho
McMullen Mary
27 yrs
St Patrick
immigrant
who
up in Rochester tioning Congress and the President to Buffalo, NY and m
McNamara Timothy
Ireland
37grew
Cathedral
and graduated
rst in his class from to get this brave Irish-American the res Mildred Daly on 2
Meaney Bridget (Mrs)
Ireland 79fiyrs
in Welland, Ontario. (
Meany
Ellen
Irelanddied
55 yrsheroically
Cathedral
West Point
leading Congressional Medal of Honor.
lists his mother as Buttl
Murphy James
Ireland 45
yrs Cathedral
his Rochester
regiment
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and
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celeMildred Daly b. 1898
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ing of Little Round Top at a pivotal
Murphy Mary Jane Ireland 74 yea Im Conception
brate
Rochester’s
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momentIreland
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burg Street.
Murphy Nicholas
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hero and an Irishman whoThe
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Daly.
Apra wall
1869
Ice Boom is housed
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at in Buff
150
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Murphy Sr Mary of St Vincent Ireand 28 yrs Good Shepherd
the
Irish
effort
to
preserve
the
United
Waterfront
Memories
and
More
Museum
is
the
edge
of
the
park.
Twenty
eight
locations
dred
C.
Otto
b.
Oct 187
Murphy Timothy Ireland 45 yrs St Bridgets
located
at
41
Hamburg
St.
in
Buffalo’s
Old
were
looked
at
to
store
the
Iced
Boom
and
His
bravery,
courage
and
valor
States
of
America—go
to:
;
$337
If you have any informa
Naughton John Ireland 22 yrs Hospital
Ward.3:48
It is in the Mutual Riverfront .no one wanted it. Peggy Overdorf and Mark
have been
overlooked
and now,First
the
Nolan
Johanna
Ireland
68 yrs St Patricks
ing these families, ple
Civil War Hero Patrick O’Rorke
Deserves the Medal of Honor
Park next to a boat house fashioned after the
Old Mutual Rowing Club, which stood at
150 South Street from 1881 until sometime
in their 1940’s.
Bertha Guise Hyde and Peggy May Szczygiel began collecting pictures and information about the First Ward and it has grown
into a large collection of items from the waterfront, families and lots of local history.
They started showing pictures at ECMC hospital and the Riverfest when it was held in Fr.
Conway Park and different events including
the Irish Fest in Cazenovia Park. The collection continues to grow as people share their
family pictures, school pictures and items
about the area.
“...the magical journey
to find my Irish ancestral
groups became the
inspiration for
IRELAND SPEAKS:
Poems From My Soal.”
The first location of the museum was at
208 Elk St. at Smith St. in the Valley area
when Peggy Overdorf offered a building that
wasn’t being used by the Valley Community
Center. After five years at that location they
moved to Mutual Riverfront Park, 41 Ham-
Written, Illustrated &
Published by:
Donna M. Shine
$13.00 ($10 plus $3 postage) TO:
Donna M. Shine
6350 Scherff Rd.
Orchard Park, NY 14127
(716) 662-1164
E-mail: [email protected]
In June, 2012 the park was dedicated and
the museum opened in October, 2012.
Many events have taken place there, including a few book signings by Tim Bohen for
his book “Against the Grain”. There have
also been two “High Teas” hosted by Peggy
Szczygiel and a play, “Grain Dances Steel
Floats” about the history of the Ward by David Butler.
The museum is open on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Please come
and see us and share your stories or look for
your class picture. Maybe you worked at
one of the Elevators or at one of the Mills,
and would like a trip down memory lane.
AMHERST GAELIC
LEAGUE, INC.
245 Abbott Rd., Buffalo, NY 14220
SCHEDULE
S
CHEDULE
OF EVENTS
Presents
THE 42nd ANNUAL IRISH AMERICAN
APPRECIATION PARTY
TO Benefit The
BELFAST SUMMER RELIEF PROGRAM
•Honoring Dick Gallagher•
5:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Hearthstone Manor, Dick Road
TICKETS PROVIDED COURTESY OF ZENGER GROUP
Available at:
•Loughran’s Bar & Restaurant
4543 Main St., Snyder
•Official Headquarters, Amherst Gaelic League
Or Contact
Chris Flynn at 913-7827 • Dennis P Lennon at 213-3546
Jack Fecio 868-3328
www.amherstirish.com
Like us on Facebook
Help us build our database!
Schroeder said they wanted a park if the Ice
Boom was to go in the First Ward. Mark
Schroeder, who was State Assemblyman at
the time took pictures supplied by the Graham family collection and kept pushing for
a boat house and museum. Many thanks to
Peggy and Mark.
ST. PATRICK SCHEDULE
Annual Civic Luncheon @11:45
advance ticket only call: (716) 573-3398
Blarney Bunch, Kindred and Clann na Cara Dancers
PUB: Callahan, Daly & Jones@8pm
SATURDAY, MARCH 15, 2014
PUB:Kevin McCarthy @ 3pm
St. Mary’s Road @ 7pm
Emerald: Penny Whiskey 6:45
Clann na Cara @ 7:15PM
Rince na Tiarna @ 9pm
SUNDAY, MARCH 16, 2014
Emerald: LeftOvers @ 3:30
Rince na Tiarna @ 5:15
Clann na Cara @ 7:15
PUB: McCarthyizm @ 3:30
MONDAY, MARCH 17, 2014
Claddagh Room: Mass @ 10:45am
Emerald Room: Traditional Irish Breakfast( follows Mass)
$20.00 advance ticket only • available BIC Pub or Tara Gift Shoppe
PUB: Penny Whiskey 1:00 - 4:30 • Kevin McCarthy @ 5:00pm
Emerald: POOR OULD GOAT @ 3pm
Rince na Tiarna @ 6:30
Pre-sale admission for Saturday, Sunday or Monday $7.00
(16 & Over) available in the BIC Pub or Tara Gift Shoppe
Door: $10.00 (16 & over)
13
Random Acts of Kindness
2nd Annual St. Patrick’s Day
Children’s Art Competition
By Neil Farrell
A Celebration of Youth and Culture
This is the second year for this art competition. It is sponsored by the Consulate
General of Ireland in NYC. The goal of this competition is to foster an awareness
of the reasons why St. Patrick is celebrated in Ireland and throughout the world.
As participants in last year’s art celebration, local Cardinal O’Hara students took first and
second places in their age category. Contestants are between the ages of 6 and 16 years
There are 4 categories:
Category A : children 6-8 yrs.
Category B: children 9-12
Category C: teens 13-16
Category D: Special needs students
Each of the artists re-create part of the story
of St. Patrick or depict what St. Patrick
means to him/her. The Buffalo Irish Center
and the Buffalo Irish Festival are awarding
the following prizes to the participants in
each category: 1st $50, 2nd $30, 3rd $20, 4th$15
Winners The winners’ artwork will then go
on to the Consulate General Competition
in New York City. ALL WNY entries
were submitted to the Buffalo Irish Center.
.
Our Random Acts of Kindness column grew
from conversations with fellow club members
over the years about simple acts of courtesy
that they have come across that have made a
difference in their lives. It seems we sometimes forget how lucky we are to live in a
friendly community where people look out for
each other often without asking for anything
in return. We thought that it would be affirming to collect some of these stories and publish
them in the Buffalo Irish Times
I encountered one such act several years back
when my son Neil was about ten years old. He
had somehow gotten interested in fishing and
became convinced that there had to be some
really big fish in Cazenovia Creek. Further,
he told me he thought of a good spot – the Stevenson Street bridge.
Workshop Young people in the WNY area
were invited to come to the Irish Center on
Sunday, February 9th to hear the story of
Patrick and to participate in an opportunity
to join other workshop attendees in
creating artwork for this competition.
Art teachers were present to show techniques
or answer questions. The following link is
to cut and paste for all the Event details.
So early one Saturday morning in April we
set out for the fishing spot. I remember that it
was colder than a witches elbow as I sat in my
chair reading the paper while Neil cast away.
http://www.consulateofirelandnewyork.org/uploads/documents/embassy/New%20
York%20CG/2014%20consulate%20general%20of%20ireland%20ny%20art%20
competition%20independent%20entry%20brochure.pdf
I noticed an elderly gent drive by slowly and
smile. Then, about fifteen minutes later he
came back holding a Tim Horton’s bag. “Hey,
I thought you could use these.” he said before
driving on. He had a cup of coffee for me
and a hot chocolate for Neil. You might have
guessed that Neil didn’t end up catching any
fish, but we still remember that moment and
the kindness of the stranger.
This column asks that our readers report back
about simple acts of human decency that they
have come across; a young man mowing a
lawn for an elderly neighbor, kind words for
a stranger when pleasantries were unexpected,
or the kindness of a nurse at Mercy Hospital.
Please send your experiences to:
Buffalo Irish Times
Random Acts of Kindness
245 Abbott Road
Buffalo, NY 14220
Or e-mail to [email protected]
Saint Patrick’s Day Mass
and Breakfast
Long ago the celebration of Saint Patrick’s
Day was celebrated truly as a religious Holy
Day. The main event was attending Mass in
honor of Ireland’s patron saint. Saint Patrick’s Irish American Club has continued
that tradition here in Buffalo. On Monday,
March 17th the feast day of Saint Patrick,
Mass will again be celebrated by Monsignor David Lee in the Claddagh Room of
the Buffalo Irish Center, 245 Abbott Road.
Please join us for Mass at 10:45AM.
The Buffalo Irish Center will host a full
Irish Breakfast immediately following Mass
in the Emerald Room of the Buffalo Irish
Center. Tickets are $20 and are available as
presale only, this event always sells out so
buy your tickets through the Tara Gift Shop
825-6700 or by contacting members of the
Irish Center Board of Directors.
Abraham Lincoln’s
Birthday Celebration at The Buffalo History Museum
The Buffalo History Museum boasts the distinction of hosting the longest running
ceremonial celebration of our 16th President’s birthday in the United States. Starting in the
State Court Room of the Museum, the Gettysburg Address will be delivered by an Abraham
Lincoln character actor who will then lead a procession of guests and Civil War re-enactors
to the portico for a live gun salute. After the ceremony, the Irish Volunteers Band and Fife
& Drum Corps will continue the celebration with lively entertainment. Refreshments are
made available for purchase. The Museum Shop and all exhibits will be open to browse
and explore.
Date: Sunday, February 15, 2014
Time: 12 noon – 2 p.m.
Admission: Free during the event Location: The Buffalo History Museum
at One Museum Court
This event is in collaboration with the Buffalo Civil War Roundtable and Echoes Through
Time Civil War Museum. For more information about this event or other program
happenings, the public may call The Buffalo History Museum at (716) 873-9644 ext. 301
or email [email protected]. Find us on facebook and twitter @BuffaloHistory. Visit
the website: www.buffalohistory.org. Buffalo Irish Times -
14
A Chat with Bill O’Shei,
Keeper of the Flame for the Charlie O’Neill Unplugged Club
to have Father Ormsby evict us.
After a long and successful teaching career
you’re now known more as the keeper of the
flame for the Charlie O’Neill Unplugged
Club. How did you meet Charlie?
Bill, It’s a pleasure to catch up with you.
We’ve heard you say you’re from Holy
Family parish in what is commonly known
as the wrong side of Caz Creek, but our
South Buffalo Fresh Air Club records show
most O’Shei’s including Boot, hailed from
the more famous St. Teresa’s parish. Can
you explain?
(Laughing) Well whether or not you are on the
“wrong side” of Caz Creek would depend on
your perspective. Holy Family Parish and the
adjacent Mulroy Playground were the center
of activity for kids growing up along South
Park Avenue. My grandfather was the oldest
of 17 children. Most of my family lived in the
First Ward. So, you’re right, eventually, some
of my great uncles and my grandfather moved
along Seneca Street. This included my great
uncle Boot, who was 3 years younger than my
father.
When I was 3 years old my father and mother
purchased their first and only home on Woodside Avenue, five houses from South Park. It
was a great neighborhood to raise a family.
About the only thing we lacked was a gym. I
have memories of my friends and I walking all
the way to St. Teresa’s to use their facilities.
Father McCarthy would let us in the gym only
Along with everyone else who enjoys music,
I had known of Charlie for many years. When
I began my teaching career I bought a used
acoustic guitar and proceeded to teach myself
many bad habits. In 1998, at age 49, I decided
to take lessons at Al Hemer’s Music Store in
Orchard Park. It was one of the better decisions in my life, because I met Charlie. We
quickly became friends and I began to follow
The Thirds, the Stone Bridge Band, and the revised Rocket 88 Band wherever they played.
Can you tell us about the origin of the Charlie
O’Neill Unplugged Club?
Well, in March of 2003 Charlie was diagnosed
with colon cancer. After receiving treatment at
Roswell Park Charlie continued teaching and
playing. In 2007 he conceived the idea for the
“Unplugged Club – One of a Kind Acoustic
Guitar Club”.
Being an educator, I realized that Charlie always went way beyond what was necessary as
a teacher. He hosted music parties at his Leonard St. home for his adult students and a separate one for teenagers. There he would invite
his bandmates to play music with his students.
The concept of the Unplugged Club was born
out of Charlie’s love for music and his desire
to share it with his students.
Charlie collaborated with his good friend,
Dwane Hall, owner of Sessions Recording
Studio and the Sportsmen’s Tavern, to host
unique guitar workshops followed by a performance at the Sportsmen’s. The workshops included Bill Kirchen – lead guitarist and vocalist for Commander Cody; Monte Montgomery
– included in Guitar Players Magazine’s list
of “Top 50 Greatest Acoustic Guitarists of All
Time”; John McEuen – founding member of
the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band; and Tom Hambridge – songwriter, producer and Grammy
Award winner.
The other component of the Unplugged Club
was for students to gather to play music. In
November, 2009 Charlie and I invited his
adult students to meet at my house. The first
night four people showed up. We decided to
meet twice a month. In short time we expanded to 8 players. Presently we have 13 people
who regularly attend. Charlie passed away
on February 7, 2011, but his vision of “The
Unplugged Club” continues due to the efforts
of Jim Brucato, an outstanding musician and
good friend of Charlie’s.
Jim has worked with the group since the summer of 2011. He teaches guitar lessons and
works with members on harmonies and performance skills. Under his direction and encouragement the members have performed
regularly at Talty’s Open Mike. Dennis Talty,
owner of Talty’s Tavern, has been a great supporter of the Unplugged Club.
We heard that you’ve become a good friend
of Sister Mary Celeste O’Bryan and her
South Buffalo Community Table. How did
that come about?
For years Sister Mary Celeste O’Bryan has
had the “South Buffalo All-Stars” perform at
the event along with other bands. The All-Stars
include the likes of Bob Wirth, Bob Roof, Willy Schoellkopf, Billy McEwen, Joe Head and
honorary member, Jim Brucato. In 2011 the
South Buffalo Community Table held its 20th
Annual Get Together and dedicated the night
to the memory of Charlie O’Neill. The Charlie
O’Neill Unplugged Club was invited to play
a few songs.
Since then the organizers have invited us back
each year. This has been a highlight for the
members of the club because the South Buffalo Community table meant so much to Charlie. Last year we played at the Wanakah Grill
in Hamburg where we asked friends and family to bring canned goods and/or cash donations for the Community Table. We had a van
full of food and over $200 cash.
We’ve heard that in February, your group
hits the big time, playing at the renowned
Sportsman’s Tavern. Can you tell us more
about this opportunity?
This year we are planning a bigger event at
the Sportsmen’s Tavern on Sunday, February 23rd at 4 PM. Dwane Hall has graciously
allowed us to play there. We hope it will be
well attended by family and friends as well as
others. We are asking that people bring canned
goods and/or cash donations for the South
Buffalo Community Table. Some of Charlie’s
close musician friends plan on coming and we
hope to coax them to play. I am hoping that
Dwane and the other folks from the Sportsmen’s get to experience a “South Buffalo”
party!
Thanks, Bill and we’ll see you on the 23rd!
‘Canalside Tale’ is latest book from No Frills Buffalo
Local book publishing company No Frills
Buffalo announces the release of its latest
book, “Canalside Tale” by John Grandits. A
former official with the U.S. Departments
of Treasury and Homeland Security,
Grandits is a graduate of Bishop Timon
High School and Niagara University. He
currently makes his home in Buffalo. to a surprising yet stirring conclusion.
The author weaves into his story actual
events that took place at the time, and in
telling his tale, addresses issues that still
resonate today: the gap between rich and
poor, official corruption, class prejudice
and the status of immigrants in American
society. In Canalside Tale, an intense novel set
in 1880, Grandits chronicles the story
of Detective Danny “Brick Fist” Doyle
who polices one of the most crime-ridden
precincts in the world, the notorious Canal
District of Buffalo. Despite a fearsome
and oftentimes wayward reputation, the
copper is viewed as a useful tool by the
department. However, when investigating
a society murder and industrial disaster, he
resists a rush to judgment as demanded by
his superiors. Instead, he embarks upon a
redemptive quest for the truth that leads
him into conflicts with crime lords, corrupt
officials and a bigoted tycoon. Books published by No Frills Buffalo
can be purchased online at www.
amazon.com, www.powells.com, www.
barnesandnoble.com, www.ECKO.
com and www.nofrillsbuffalo.com.
Several local bookstores also carry the
No Frills Buffalo collection, including
Talking Leaves; Dog Ears Bookstore; The
Second Reader; Monkey See, Monkey
Do; Lift Bridge Books in Brockport and
Buffalo Street Books in Ithaca.
No Frills Buffalo is currently accepting
submissions from writers interested in
being published. For more information,
please visit www.nofrillsbuffalo.com or
[email protected].
You can also follow No Frills Buffalo on
Facebook for frequent updates.
Set against the backdrop of powerful elites
and struggling masses, Canalside Tale
takes the reader on an exciting journey
through Irish hoolies, Victorian mansions,
forbidden affairs, pestilent sweatshops,
elegant receptions, clandestine union
meetings and torch-lit political rallies. After
winding through a world of colorful and
unforgettable characters, the story leads
Joe Kirchmyer
Kirchmyer Media
997-0152
Buffaloirishtimes
15
Follow Your Heart
Rowing in the Genes
By Joan Graham Scahill
Maggie Cavanaugh, Johnny Paupst, Nancy Keane, Thomas Brown, Jack Red Carroll
Follow Your Heart was a play by Fr. Claude
Keane, OFM and was put on by Bishop
Timon High School in their first location
– Our Lady of Perpetual Help School at 84
Vandalia Street in Buffalo’s Old First Ward
in 1948 or 1949.
Fr. Claude was the first Principal of Timon
High School and was a very talented musician. He wrote both the script and music.
He produced and directed this play set in
Tipperary, Ireland.
It was an instant hit with the people in the
Ward as many of them were of Irish decent.
The girls from Bishop Quigley High School
who had their school in the next parish (St.
Bridget’s) were invited to be in the play.
By Joan Graham Scahill
!
Nancy Keane had the female lead as Maureen, and Bill Jordan had the male lead
as Dennis. Agnes Cavanaugh played the
Grandmother, Johnny Paupst was Maisy,
the mother and Tommy Brown was Daniel
the father. Jack “Red” Carroll was Seamus,
Maureen’s brother and Gene Snyder was Sir
Cedric.
I was in the chorus. Some of the songs
were “Follow Your Heart”, “Marueen”,
“The Royal Irish Constabulary” and “Irish
Cousins”.
I believe the play was put on a few times at
Timon High School and then it was put on at
Mount Mercy Academy in South Buffalo.
Erie County Sheriff’s Irish
Pipes & Drums starts
its 3rd decade
The date is early 2014 and I am looking
back instead of forward. I stand in beautiful Mutual Riverfront Park and gaze out on
the Buffalo River (First Warders call it the
“crick”). It is filled with ice flowing toward
the lake today, but I think back on the history that has happened here.
beach and dock. People were transported
across the crick by men who had boats or
scows. Another neighbor who lived at 142
South Street by the name of Jobie Shortray
was one of the men who did this later. I
remember him living there when I was a
child.
The Mutual Rowing Club once stood across
the street from where I am. It was located
at 150
South Street and the first clubhouse was
built in 1880. It burned down in 1891 and
a beautiful brick clubhouse was built. My
family lived at 146 South Street, two doors
away. It was only natural that my relatives
were involved in the club.
My grandfather coached Willie Aman, who
was one of the best single scullers of his
time. In fact, their picture is now on the
boat house in Mutual Riverfront Park.
My Mother’s uncle, William H. Driscoll
and his brother-in-law, William P. Sullivan
were past presidents of the Mutuals. Both
men ran taverns in the Ward and both rowed
and William Sullivan was also a coach.
My Grandfather, William Sullivan came
to Buffalo from Dundas, Ontario, Canada
when he was 12 years old with Peter Barrett, who was a neighbor in Dundas. I feel
he came for summer work and went back
as there was never a break with his Canadian family. He moved to Buffalo when he
was 19 and married Nellie Driscoll who was
born and lived her entire life at 146 South
Street.
The rowing club was an all season facility.
They had a baseball team, boxing matches
and dances. The rowing season started with
the Fourth of July Regatta and Field Days.
Across the crick was Mutual Park. It was
on the property now occupied by the Lake
and Rail Elevator. It even had a small sand
In 1923 Ed “Algie” McGuire became the
first Buffalonian to bring a National Single
Sculling Championship back to Buffalo.
The Nationals were held in Baltimore, Md.
My uncle, Victor Sullivan coached Algie
and this was his claim to fame. A parade
was held when they left. Fellow oarsmen
and neighbors paraded up Hamburg St. to
the train. When they came back, another
parade was held and fireworks were set
off in front of O’Brien,s place. A picture
was taken in front of the clubhouse and this
picture is on display in Mutual Riverfront
Park.
Three of my brothers rowed for the West
Side Rowing Club and at some point practiced in the waters that are flowing before
me.
My mind shifts back to the present. There
is now a rowing club on Ohio St. It is the
Buffalo Scholastic Rowing Club and my
brother, Tom Graham is an assistant coach
for Timon’s crew. My brother, Jim Graham’s granddaughter, Maura Graham, has
rowed on this river and is now rowing for
City Honors High School.
Cúinne Éireannach
This band was established in 1994 as a
support organization to the office of the Erie
County Sheriff. The band, with musicians
from all walks of life, has been promoting
Irish culture and music for 20 years. As an
all-volunteer group, it has a proud history of
community service and performances. We
have honored the fallen: law enforcement
officers, veterans, firemen, and community
servants. We have contributed our music
to community fund raisers, memorials, and
cancer walks. The band plays many events
in support of our veterans including: the VA
hospital and the Viet Nam War memorial wall
and, Veteran and Memorial Day parades.
We have celebrated holidays, parades, the
annual Irish Festival, the Niagara air base
air show, weddings, and sporting events at
the Memorial Auditorium and Pilot Field.
As always we will open the year with
St. Patrick’s Day performances. This
season looks to be as busy as usual with
performances at: Marilla, Silver Creek,
Alden, Buffalo, Hamburg, Cheektowaga,
Eden, and Niagara Falls. The band’s goal
is to perform well and have fun. We’ll be
playing at Pilot Field, the USS Littlerock,
and the Buffalo waterfront. Every year
presents new venues to play.
The band holds lessons and practices
Mondays at 7 at the Buffalo Irish Center.
Playing the bagpipes and drums is a serious
endeavor so we open our training to people
wishing to learn the instruments and join the
band. It’s fun and rewarding and worth the
effort it takes to play.
Cúinne Éireannach means Irish Corner. The
mission of Scoil Cultúir na hÉireann (School
of Irish Culture) is broader than ‘teaching students to converse in the language of Ireland,
Gaeilge. In changing our name to mean Irish
Corner we are stating that we teach ‘all aspects’ of our Celtic Irish culture and heritagelanguage, song, music, history, and story.
Students meet at one of two locations and have
a choice of classes on three different days/evenings throughout the week.On Tuesday afternoon from 12:30 pm-3:30 pm classes are held
in the Northtowns at the University of Buffalo
Newman Center. Classes in the Southtowns are
held in the library of the Buffalo Irish Center
on Wednesday evening from 6:30 pm – 9:30
pm and on Sunday afternoon from 2pm - 4 pm.
Men and women and boys and girls (Sundays)
are studying the Irish language and being immersed in the Irish songs, history and story that
correspond to the lessons being taught.
16
Within each class there are various levels of
competency; beginners, advanced beginners,
intermediate, and proficient. Each student is
encouraged to progress at his/her own rate, depending on his/her learning style and amount
of study time he/she can devote to the course.
During the Sunday afternoon classes singers
from the Youth Choir ( The Celtic Angels) can
study the translation and pronunciation of the
words of the Irish songs and learn the ‘stories’
behind these songs that they sing in their choir.
The school celebrates all Celtic feasts and
festivals: Michelmas Day; Samhan; a Celtic
Christmas Céilí; St. Brigid’s Day (Imbolc), and
St Patricks Day with traditional music, foods,
stories, and customs. Friends and families of
the students are invited to participate in the
fun, food and festive spirit of each celebration.
You will be given a ‘céad mile fáilte’ should
you choose to join us for the céilí and/or become a student in Scoil Cultúir na hÉireann.
Slán Máiréad MacCraith (310-0840)
Fr. Joseph Bayne: Friendly Sons of St. Patrick
2014 Irishman of the Year
The Knights of Equity and Daughters of Erin are pleased to announce
Fr. Joseph Bayne, OFM Conv., as
this year’s recipient of the Friendly
Sons of St. Patrick Irishman of the
Year Award. Fr. Joe will be honored
for his extraordinary service to youth
and area police and fire departments
at the annual Friendly Sons of St.
Patrick Dinner, to be held on Saturday, March 1, 2014 at the Buffalo
Irish Center, beginning at 6:00PM.
Fr. Joseph Bayne is a native of Baltimore, Maryland. He entered the
Conventual Friars seminary in 1975
and later attended St. Hyacinth College-Seminar, Granby, where he received a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Arts degree in Philosophy with
a minor in Sociology and Psychology in 1980. He became a member of
his alma mater, Archbishop Curley
High School, Baltimore and worked
there until 1981. In 1985, Fr. Joe attended St. Anthony – on – Hudson,
in Rensselaer, NY where he received
a Master of Divinity degree and was
Fr. Joe’s extensive background as a
clinical pastoral Chaplain led him,
in 1989, to become the Executive
Director of the Franciscan Center
in Buffalo, NY, where he still runs
a homeless youth shelter, consisting
of two buildings on Seneca street in
South Buffalo. Here, Fr. Joe continues to provide a positive influence
upon the lives of young men who
are homeless by providing them
with food and shelter and a safe,
caring environment. It is difficult
to measure the many lives that have
been changed for the better due to
his efforts on their behalf. As part
of his calling to help those in need,
Fr. Joe utilizes his certification as a
Peer Counselor and his background
in Critical Incident Stress Debriefing
when dealing with young people in
crisis.
ordained a priest.
His work as a Franciscan led him
to use his additional education in
Clinical Pastoral Certification as a
Hospital Chaplain as a member of
the National Association of Catholic
Fr. Joe is a member and Vicar of St.
Chaplains.
Maximilian Kolbe Friary in Athol
Fr. Joe went on to become the Pa- Springs and at St. Francis Parish. Adrochial Vicar at St. Stephen and St. ditionally, Fr. Joe is on the Board of
Stanislaus parishes in Shamokin, PA. Directors of the Empire State Coali-
Respect for St. Patrick’s Day
tion of Children and Family Services
and is the Chief Chaplain of the Erie
County Department of Emergency
Services. His desire to serve also led
Fr. Joe to his current appointment as
the Buffalo Fire Department Chaplain and as the Town of Hamburg
Police Department Chaplain. He
maintains an Advanced Certification
from the Federation of Fire Chaplains and is a member of the NYS
Association of Fire Chaplains.
As a Field Education Supervisor at
Christ the King Seminary in East
Aurora, Fr. Joe continues to influence others who are called to serve
God through the instruction that he
provides to those entering the priesthood.
The Knights and Daughters are honored to bestow this year’s Irishman
of the Year Award upon such a worthy recipient. Those interested in attending this year’s dinner on March
1, 2014, can reserve tickets by calling 716-207-4165 or 716-648-5994.
Valley “Old Neighborhood”
St. Patrick’s Day Parade
scheduled for Sat., March 15th
By: Donna M Shine
I’tis, again, that time of year,
When folks think they should drink green beer;
And leprechauns, they’ll imitate,
Most Irish things, they will berate.
But do they ever wonder why,
“Erin Go Bragh”, the Irish cry?
A heritage, so rich and deep,
Is what we’d like them all to keep.
The Fourth Century, a son was born,
From Druids he would soon be torn;
At sixteen years, the pirates came,
And six years slaved, Patrick, the same;
He dreamt one night, while tending sheep,
To Christians, Druids’ faith would leap;
His life would follow destiny
In 408, he ‘scaped slavery.
The Valley Community
! Association’s signature event – the 21st Annual “Old Neighborhood” St. Patrick’s Day Parade – will kick
off on Saturday, March 15th, 2014 at 12
Noon from the Valley Community Center.
Went first to France, then England, too,
Back to the family that he knew;
Bishop of Ireland, a pope did consecrate,
Saint Patrick, now, fulfilling fate.
The parade will wind through the streets of
the historic Buffalo River Community including South Park Avenue, Smith Street,
Elk Street, Hamburg Street, and O’Connell
Avenue.
Over 100 marching units are anticipated
to participate this year, making the “Old
Neighborhood” St. Patrick’s Day Parade
just as large as the downtown edition!!
Marching contingents will include marching bands, clowns, community floats, social
clubs, classic cars, Irish dancers, family
clans, sports groups, fire and police departments, and much more!! New groups are
welcome to march and registration forms
will be available after February 1st, 2014 by
calling 716-823-4707 ext.4.
Immediately following the parade is the traditional grand Irish “Hooley” featuring live
music by “The LeftOvers” as well as plenty
of food and drink. The “Hooley” runs from
1pm-6pm at the Valley Community Center.
The trinity, by a shamrock, taught,
The Druid faith, now all for naught;
And Christianity spread ‘round,
Enlightened folk, new faith, they found.
In circa four hundred and sixty-one,
St. Patrick’s work was nearly done;
March seventeenth, in Saul, Ireland, he died,
All Christians mourned, so many cried.
Saint Patrick’s life, we now celebrate,
The man who followed uncertain fate;
His struggle to escape from slavery,
He taught with faith and bravery.
So when Saint Patrick’s Day comes here,
And you slobber down that fake green beer;
Remember what that day stands for,
Its heritage and its rich folklore.
The Valley Community Association will
17
formally announce their selection for the
Grand Marshal of the 21st Annual “Old
Neighborhood” St. Patrick’s Day Parade at
the fundraiser party on Saturday, March 8th,
2014 located at 93 Leddy Street, Buffalo,
near the junction of South Park Avenue and
Elk Street. The cost is just $20 per person
and includes admission, draft beer, and pop.
Canned beer and wine will also be available for sale. Tickets will be available at
the door. Live Irish entertainment will also
take place.
The 2014 “Old Neighborhood” St. Patrick’s
Day Parade Grand Marshal is Jeremiah Hassett and he will lead the parade through the
historic streets of the Valley and Old First
Ward neighborhoods, retracing the original
1913 parade route. Jeremiah is a founding
member of the Police Emerald Society, who
were partners with the Valley in founding
the “Old Neighborhood” Parade, and is supporter of the Valley Community Association
events and programs.
For more information regarding any of the
Valley Community Association’s St. Patrick’s Day activities contact Lori at 716823-4707 ext. 4 or visit www.thevalleycenter.com.
The 17th Annual St. Patrick Joseph Dyngus Day
Tri-Ethnic Celebration set for Sunday March 23rd
at the Buffalo Irish Center.
Mark your calendar; we’re closing out the
crusty month of March with the 17th. Annual
St. Patrick Joseph Dyngus Day celebration.
The Buffalo Irish Center will again be hosting this spectacular tri-ethnic event where
we combine the three High Holy Days of
March-St Patrick’s Day, St. Joseph’s Day
and Dyngus Day all under one roof. Three
rooms, three bands and three sets of ethnic
food, entertainment and drink.
This locally legendary celebration of the
ethnic triumvirate turns the crusty month
of March into a warm, sweet promise of
spring. This year you can move from one
ethnic celebration to another simply by
walking through a door.
You can bid “Arrividerci Roma” and leave
the rich Italian and Italian-American sounds
of the Formula Band to rock with the Celtic
beat of Poor Ould Goat, and then change
countries again and Polka to the sounds of
Special Delivery, all without the hassle of
passports or Euros.
Food, drink, music, dance and most importantly the company of friends promise to
make this year’s celebration a party to remember.
If you’ve never been to this event before
you will be in for an afternoon and evening
of fun-filled excitement, including singers,
dancers, pipers and surprise entertainment.
Genuine ethnic food and drink will be made
available throughout the day. Featuring
corned beef, Italian and Polish sausage, perogies, pasta and Guinness, all at reasonable
prices. Join us for our 17th. Anniversary and
learn to do a Polka, a Tarantella or a Jig and
have the time of your life.
This event is sponsored jointly by The Buffalo Irish Center, The Polka Boosters of
WNY and the Federation of Italian-American Societies of WNY.
Songs to enliven your
Patty’s Day party
No St. Patrick’s Day party is complete without music, which plays a significant role in
Irish culture and is a point of pride for many
Irish men and women. The following songs
are sure to inspire everyone to hit the dance
floor this St. Patrick’s Day.
* “The Irish Rover,” The Pogues and The
Dubliners: One of the more widely played
and beloved songs come St. Patrick’s Day,
this tune features two of Ireland’s more
renowned bands in The Pogues and The
Dubliners. While many artists have performed the song, this particular version is
arguably the most popular and easily recognizable performance of a song about an
Irish ship in the 1800s.
* “Drunken Lullabies,” Flogging Molly:
This tune from the seven-piece Celtic punk
band out of Los Angeles is sure to get toes
tapping at any St. Patrick’s Day party. For
those who might prefer a more subdued
rendition, consider the acoustic version of
the song, which can be found on the band’s
“Whiskey on a Sunday” live album.
* “Fields of Athenry,” Dropkick Murphys:
Another tune that’s sure to raise the pulse
of your Patty’s Day party, this song from
the Boston-based Celtic punk band is their
take on a song originally written by Irish
folk singer-songwriter Pete St. John in the
1970s. Numerous artists, including Ronan
Tynan, The Dubliners and New York-based
Shilelagh Law, have performed the song,
though perhaps no version is as raucous as
the Dropkick Murphys’.
* “Whisky in the Jar,” The Dubliners: One
of the most popular drinking songs come St.
Patrick’s Day, “Whisky in the Jar” is among
The Dubliners’ biggest hits. Performed by
numerous artists, including Metallica and
the Grateful Dead, this song is the tale of
a man betrayed by his wife or lover in the
southern mountains of Ireland.
* “If I Should Fall From Grace With God,”
The Pogues: The title track from one of the
legendary band’s most critically acclaimed
albums, this song has been featured in numerous movies and even some advertisements. Upbeat and very catchy, “If I Should
Fall From Grace With God” is sure to inspire at least a few Patty’s Day revelers to
hit the dance floor.
* “Finnegan’s Wake,” Various artists:
Though The Dubliners’ rendition is likely
the most well-known version of this ballad
about an Irishman with a love of liquor who
is presumed dead until mourners at his wake
spill whiskey on him and he comes back to
life, versions from the Dropkick Murphys
and the Irish folk band The High Kings are
also sure to please your guests come Patty’s
Day.
Kilts and Irish culture
The image of a kilt-wearing gentleman has
been deeply rooted in Scottish culture, so
much so that the garment has been largely
associated as an item hailing exclusively
from Scotland. However, while the history
of the kilt is a subject of debate among historians, the Irish have been known to don
kilts as well.
There are some people who claim that the
kilt has been worn in Ireland as far back as
the 16th century, but most historians agree
that it is more of a recent phenomena that
came as a result of Irish Nationalists adopting them at the beginning of the twentieth
century as a symbol of Celtic identity.
The kilt is a knee-length garment with
pleats in the rear. It was the traditional dress
of men and boys in the Scottish Highlands.
However, the first kilt -- the great kilt -- is
believed to be Norse in origin and not Celtic as first assumed. The plaids designated
different families of Scottish heritage, and
the kilts were made of twill and woven
worsted wool. The Irish, known as Scotti,
who migrated to the area of north Britain
that would be named Scotland, never wore
kilts before they arrived in this area. Rather, they wore trousers. Kilts were developed in the 16th century and then became
common dress. Traditionally, nothing was
worn under the Scottish kilt.
Variants of the Scottish kilt began to be
adopted in other Celtic nations and slowly
became associated with the Gaelic language by the 20th century. The kilts worn
by the Irish began as solid colors, rather
than the intricate plaid tartans of the Scottish varieties. The most popular color was
Saffron, which was worn by Irish military
regiments. Black and green have also been
used in Irish kilts.
Some historians surmise the reason people mistakenly assume the kilt in Ireland
is older is because they have mistaken an
older Irish garment, known as the Leincroich, as a kilt. The Lein-croich actually
was a long, linen tunic made from solidcolored cloth, but it was not a kilt.
Today there are many variations of the
Irish kilt, and some mirror the tartans of
the Scottish varieties. These tartans are a
fairly new development, having been first
produced by a Scottish company that decided to produce them mostly for the IrishAmerican market. Irish tartans are virtually
unknown in Ireland. Visitors to the Emerald Isle will rarely see a kilt being worn
on the streets of Ireland. Still, thousands of
Irish-Americans wear their Irish kilts with
great pride to show off their heritage.
Although Scottish kilts predate their Irish
cousins by centuries, kilts have grown to
be a form of formal wear widely accepted
by Irish-Americans today.
Celtic crosses and St. Patrick’s Day
Many symbols have become synonymous
with St. Patrick’s Day. These include shamrocks, leprechauns, green clothing, and the
Irish flag. Another symbol of the holiday is
the Celtic cross, though some people are unaware of its history. The Celtic cross, which
is sometime referred to as a ringed cross,
high cross or Irish cross, traces its origins to a
time when Christianity was being introduced
during an era of widespread paganism.
Although the Celtic cross is now largely associated with Christianity, this was not always the norm. It is believed that the Celtic
cross pre-dates Christianity and actually was
associated with an older religion wherein
symbols were an important component of
beliefs rather than deities themselves. The
ring in the cross is believed to have symbol-
ized rebirth and renewal. Some surmise that
the actual cross represented the north, south,
east and west of the region.
Examples of the Celtic cross were documented as early as the fifth century, despite
tales of St. Patrick being responsible for the
creation of the cross. However, there may
be some truth in the stories that Patrick used
the cross as a means to converting pagans to
Christianity. The popular Irish legend says
that Patrick combined the Christian cross
with the symbol of life -- a circle -- in order
to gradually introduce Christian concepts to
pagans. Using symbols that the Irish were already familiar with helped to make the transition easier.
Irish monks erected Celtic crosses across
the country. According to Celtic by Design,
these crosses largely served as boundary
markers for certain parishes or were used as
monuments surrounding churches and monasteries. At least 60 Celtic crosses still exist
across Ireland, and there are many others in
ruins.
Sandstone and granite were the stones most
often used to construct the Celtic crosses.
They also featured intricate carvings and
inlays that added to their striking appearance. The cross was constructed with a very
heavy and strong base into which the actual
cross was seated with a tenon joint. The cross
would have different panels that could depict
biblical scenes, and the ring would be placed
at the intersection of the cross. A capstone
and finial may have completed the top of the
monument.
18
Although they were once used as monuments, they stopped being produced around
the 15th century. Celtic crosses now appear
in tattoos and on t-shirts and many use the
symbolism on grave markers. Famous Celtic
crosses that can still be viewed today include
the Ardboe Auld Cross, the Cross of Kells,
the Cross of the Scriptures, and the crosses
at Monasterboice. Similar crosses also were
produced in other areas of Europe, such as
France. Some historians think they were
influenced by those from the British Isles.
Other crosses were found in the Galicia area
of Spain on top of granaries to ward against
evil spirits.
The history of the Celtic cross is varied, but
alongside the claddagh and harp, it remains
one of the best known Irish symbols.
Nora
BuckleyRobshaw,
Robshaw
Nora Buckley
LLP
ATTORNEY
ATTORNEY AT
AT LAW
Main
Williamsville, NYNY
14221
5672 5672
Main
St.,St.,Williamsville,
14221
[email protected]
[email protected]
716-830-1670
(716) 830-1670
Next
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MAY-JUNE 2013
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BUFFALO IRISH TIMES 11
BUFFALO
IRISH CENTER
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, DOORS OPEN 6PM
Penny WhiskeyPoor Ould Goat • CrikwaterThe LeftOvers
Cairde • Callahan, Daly & Jones
Tom Keefer & Celtic Cross • Rush the Growler
Timber Land Whiskey Band
Clann na Cara Dancers • Rince na Tiarna Dancers
PRE-SALE TICKETS $10.00 • DOOR: $12.50
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BASKET RAFFLES & DOOR PRIZES!
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