Irish Festival 2015 - Irish Heritage Club

Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig!
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Saturday, March 14th – SIX Hours - Noon to 6 pm • Sunday, March 15th– EIGHT Hours - 10 am to 6 pm
IRISH FESTIVAL 2015 AT SEATTLE CENTER’S ARMORY
12
2015 IRISH FESTIVAL
MAIN STAGE SCHEDULE
SATURDAY, MARCH 14
SUNDAY, MARCH 15
10 am
10:15
10:30
Carrigaline
10:45
NO PROGRAMMING
11:00
Traditional Irish Musicians
11:15
11:30
Balefire
11:45
Irish Dancers
Noon
12:15
Randal Bays’
Irish Sessioneers
12:30
12:45
Slieveloughane
Irish Dancers
Traditional Irish Music
1:00
Comerford
1:15
Irish Dancers
1:30
1:45
Tara Academy
2:00
Irish Dancers
“Smilingest Irish Eyes” Contest
2:15
“Guns of Ireland”
Fire and Ice
2:30
Drama Singers from Pasco, WA
Irish Dancers
2:45
St. Patrick’s Day Parade Closing Ceremonies
3:00
Grafton Street
3:15
3:30
Irish Dancers
Tara Academy
“Most Irish-looking Face” Contest
Irish Dancers
3:45
4:00
4:15
Katie’s Hope
Music and song telling the inspiring
story of an Irish Family immigrating
to America during the Famine
The Irish Experience
Traditional Irish Music
4:30
4:45
5:00
Lobo Del Mar
5:15
Celtic Music
5:30
2 | IRISH WEEK 2015
The Irish Experience
Traditional Irish Music
5:45
6:00
Drawing for Free Trips to Ireland
Close
Close
Irish Festival 2015
Céad Míle Fáilte ó Chumann Oidhreacht Gaelach Seattle
One Hundred Thousand Welcomes from the Irish Heritage Club of Seattle
This is our 34th Annual Irish Festival at the Seattle Center
and 2015 continues the tradition of bringing together
some of the Seattle area’s finest performers and artists to
provide a taste of the very best of what it means to be Irish.
Anyone with a passion for traditional Irish culture will find
this year’s Festival a delightful and engrossing experience!
As always, Míle, Míle Buíochas (A Thousand, Thousand
Thanks) to all our sponsors, performers, dancers,
musicians, exhibitors, and our dedicated volunteers
without whom there would be no Irish Festival, no St.
Patrick’s Day Parade, and no Irish Week! And to everyone
who attends, enjoy this Taste of Ireland.
IRISH WEEK CHAIR John Keane
IRISH FESTIVAL CHAIR Nanci Spieker
STAGE BOOKING/MANAGEMENT Ralph Kosche
VENDOR COORDINATION Candace Dunne
WORKSHOPS/DISPLAYS Ari Hausler
IRISH HERITAGE CLUB OFFICERS & BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PRESIDENT David Jacobsen
BOARD MEMBERS Candace Dunne,
TREASURER John Keane
Terzieff, Jane Sepede, Brendan Shriane, Nanci
Ari Hausler, Meagan McGuire, Justin
VICE-PRES Ari Hausler
SECRETARY Jane Sepede
MEMBERSHIP SECTY Mary Shriane
McMahon, Heather Murphy, Jean Roth, Alex
Spieker, Corbin Johnson, David Jacobsen
The Irish Heritage Club, P.O. Box 75123, Seattle, WA 98175
IRISH REELS FILM FESTIVAL Caroline Cumming
CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES Meagan McGuire
ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE David Jacobsen
IRISH SODA BREAD CONTEST Fionna Shriane-Travis
and Mary Shriane
GREEN STRIPE Heather Murphy
MAYOR’S PROCLAMATION LUNCHEON Jane Sepede
MASS FOR PEACE Corbin Johnson, Candace Dunne
GENEALOGY Jean Roth
Follow the Irish Heritage Club on:
facebook.com/IrishClubSeattle
twitter.com/IRISHSEATTLE
SEATTLE POLICE PIPES AND DRUMS
Congratulations to the Seattle Police Pipes and Drums Pipe Band on their
very successful 2014 Emerald Isle Tour of Ireland. The band is pictured here
last September outside Dublin’s Leinster House, the seat of the Dáil (or Irish
Parliament). The band will perform at Seattle’s Irish Festival on Saturday, March
14 following the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, and also at the Friends of St. Patrick
Dinner on Sunday, March 15.
Irish Week
Festival
2015
A Publication of Pacific
Publishing Company
DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & SALES Tammy Greenaway ART DIRECTOR Mark Falconer
ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES Carolyn Trujillo,
GRAPHIC DESIGNER Mitch Barchi
Diana Lull, Leilani McCoy, Darcy Eakins, Matthew Wilemski
Produced by Pacific Publishing Company, Inc. | 206-461-1300 | www.PacificPublishingCompany.com
IRISH WEEK 2015
|3
IRISH HERITAGE CLUB
AFFILIATED PROGRAMS
Irish Heritage Club
IrishClub.org
Seattle Gaels Gaelic Football, Hurling & Camogie
SeattleGaels.com
Irish Network Seattle
IrishNetworkSeattle.org
Ceol Cascadia Irish Music Organization
CascadiaIrish.org
The Irish Heritage Club and its affiliated
programs gratefully acknowledge the support of
the Irish government through grants provided by
the Irish Abroad Unit of the Department of Foreign
Affairs in Dublin.
Irish Reels Film & Video Festival
IrishReels.org
Irish Heritage Players
IrishHeritagePlayers.org
Seattle-Galway Sister City Association
SeattleGalway.org
Friends of St. Patrick in Seattle
FOSP.org
Seattle Irish Immigrant Support
IrishSeattle.com
Tacoma Rangers
Gaelic Football, Hurling & Camogie
TacomaRangers.wix.com/tacoma-rangers
THE IRISH HERITAGE CLUB NEEDS YOU!
Even if you cannot be as actively involved as you
would like, your membership shows your support
for this Irish Festival and for all the others Irish
events that we organize throughout the year. Please
show your support by being a member in good
standing. For Irish Heritage Club Membership
Information, visit our website at IrishClub.org,
email [email protected],
or call 253-237-2811.
IRISH WEEK POSTER & BUTTON DESIGN
Marking the 150th anniversary of the birth of Irish poet W. B. Yeats
Born June 13, 1865, William Butler Yeats was
one of the foremost figures of 20th century
literature. Yeats belonged to the Protestant,
Anglo-Irish minority that had controlled the
economic, political, social, and cultural life of
Ireland since at least the end of the seventeenth
century. Most members of this minority
considered themselves English people who
merely happened to have been born in Ireland, but
Yeats was staunch in affirming his Irish nationality. He
gloried in his Irish cultural roots, and featured Irish legends and
heroes in many of his poems and plays. He produced nationalistic
plays such as “The Countess Kathleen” (1892), and “Cathleen ni
Houlihan” (1902) which featured Cathleen as the personification
4 | IRISH WEEK 2015
of Ireland. The success of these productions led to
the founding of The Abbey Theatre in 1904 with
Yeats as president. Yeats reacted to the Easter
Rebellion in 1916 by writing “Easter, 1916,” an
eloquent expression of his complex feelings of
shock and romantic admiration. He was also
a world renowned artist of impressive stature
and was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature
in 1923. A pillar of both the Irish and British
literary establishments, in his later years he served
as an Irish Senator for two terms. He died January 28, 1939
and is buried in Co. Sligo. His headstone’s epitaph are words
from one of his poems:
Cast a cold eye / On life, on death. / Horseman, pass by!
POSTER & BUTTON ARTISTS
Layout and Graphics for the Irish Week Poster and Button were done by Sean Donovan of Donovan Design based on a
concept developed by Ralph Kosche with assistance from Seattle-based Irish artist Patrick McCarthy. Donovan, a professional
artist and illustrator, expanded the initial concept and produced the graphics though his business, Donovan Design
(donovangraphicdesign.net), which produces brochures, logos and marketing materials. Ralph Kosche has been a member
of the Board of Directors of the Irish Heritage Club since 2005 and annually chairs the stage booking and management team
for the Irish Festival. Patrick McCarthy is this year’s Featured Artist at the Irish Festival.
2015 ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE MARSHALS
GRAND MARSHAL
Mayor Ed Murray
Mayor Ed Murray has strong ties to Seattle’s Irish community and to Ireland. He is a member of several Irish
organizations and just last September led a Seattle Sister City delegation to Galway. As a State Senator for 18
years in Olympia before becoming Mayor, he opened doors in the state capitol for Irish government officials and
for dignitaries from Galway, made arrangements on numerous occasions for meetings with the Governor, the
Attorney General and others. He himself has visited Ireland about 15 times and even lived in Ireland for a year
in 1974. He has participated in Business Missions from the Seattle area to Dublin, Belfast, Derry and Galway,
and with his four grandparents all born in Ireland, is probably Seattle’s most Irish Mayor since John Collins, a
native of Co. Cavan, served as Mayor in 1873. We’re honored that Mayor Ed Murray has agreed to serve as Grand
Marshal of Seattle’s 2015 St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
HONORARY GRAND MARSHALS
Danny & Cathryn Quinn
Despite growing up in Co. Down about 20 miles from each other, Danny Quinn and Cathryn
McPolin didn’t meet until 1968 at an Irish party in Toronto, Canada. A year later they were
married in New York and in 1975 moved to the Seattle area and settled in Edmonds. Since
arriving in Seattle 30 years ago, Danny and Cathryn have been heavily involved in Seattle’s Irish
community. In the late 1970s, early 1980s, Cathryn served as Secretary of the Irish Festivities
Committee which organized the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Irish Week Proclamation Luncheon
in the years before the Irish Heritage Club was formed. Danny was one of the original founders of
the Seattle Gaels in 1979, and he also played Gaelic Football on the team for about 10 years. He is
still involved in the Irish community as an officer and Past President of the Friends of St. Patrick
in Seattle. Over the years, they have been faithful members and supporters of anything Irish and
their three children grew up enjoying parades, picnics and other Irish community events and
activities, including Irish Dancing and Gaelic Football. Now their grandchildren are also learning
pride in their heritage. Congratulations to Danny & Cathryn on a well-deserved honor.
VISITORS FROM IRELAND
DONAL LYONS
GALWAY MAYOR
A native of Co. Sligo, Donal Lyons moved to Galway in the 1970s and became a member of Galway City Council
in 1996. He was elected Mayor in 2001 and again in 2014. A former mailman and union official, he visited
Seattle as Mayor in March 2002, and he hosted Seattle Mayor Ed Murray on a sister city visit to Galway in
September 2014. Also visiting Seattle from Galway is Brendan McGrath, the Chief Executive of Galway City
Council. A native of Tipperary, Brendan assumed the position of Galway City Manager in June, 2013. Mayor
Lyons is joined by his wife Myra on this trip while City Executive McGrath is joined by his wife Rose and
daughter Aoife. We extend to them all a hearty Céad Míle Fáilte (One Hundred Thousand Welcomes) from the
Emerald Isle to the Emerald City.
IRISH WEEK 2015
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VISITORS FROM IRELAND
CARMEL KELLY
AUTHOR
To mark the 150th anniversary of the birth of William Butler Yeats, Irish author and writer Carmel Kelly is traveling from Ireland this March to give talks on Yeats during the Irish Festival at the Seattle Center. Carmel has a BA
H.Dip LIS History and Women’s Studies from University College Dublin and is currently with the Dún Laoghaire
Rathdown Library Service. She writes for children in both Irish and English, tours schools, libraries and book festivals around Ireland giving readings and writing workshops, and reviews books for Childrens Books Ireland. We
hope she and her daughter Mairead have a wonderful time in Seattle.
ROSEMOUNT VISITORS
When the Seattle Police Pipes and Drums visited Ireland last September, one of their stops was in the small
country village of Rosemount in the center of Ireland in Co. Westmeath. Their visit to Rosemount was so well
received that eight of Rosemount’s community leaders are this month visiting the Pacific Northwest to experience how we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Seattle. We extend to them a warm Céad Míle Fáilte.
IRISH FESTIVAL EXHIBITIONS & DISPLAYS
In the Loft Suites (on the Upper Level)
Patrick McCarthy
Featured Artist
SATURDAY & SUNDAY Noon – 5 pm
LOFT LOBBY
Patrick McCarthy was born in Kilcornan, Co. Limerick,
and grew up living in a traditional, whitewashed, thatched
cottage. At a very early age he exhibited a talent for drawing
and was initially self taught. He moved to the USA in the late
1960’s and studied at the College of San Mateo and at the
Academy of Art College in San Francisco. There he developed
the ink resist medium and evolved the distinctive style that
characterizes his paintings. McCarthy returns again and
again to Ireland to capture the beauty and decay of the
landscapes, the stone walls, winding roads and green fields.
Ste
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H ou s e
Our 37th Irish Week
Reservations Gladly
tara academy of irish dance • www.taraacademy.com
6 | IRISH WEEK 2015
Occidental Ave S & S King St • Pioneer Square • 206-623-4800
IRISH FESTIVAL EXHIBITIONS & DISPLAYS
In the Loft Suites (on the Upper Level)
ANTIQUE IRISH POSTCARDS &
BARTLETT ENGRAVINGS
SATURDAY & SUNDAY Noon – 5 pm
LOFT LOBBY
John and Alice Cooper grace the Irish Festival again with their
exhibition of thousands of antique Irish postcards, plus 48
original reproductions of Bartlett’s Views of Ireland dating
from the 1840s, just a few years before the Great Potato
Famine. The Coopers’ collection provide an interesting
glimpse into the social history, cultural history and material
culture of Ireland, especially in the late 1800s and early
1900s, the “Golden Age of Postcards”.
CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES & CONTESTS
Contests
SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 3:30 pm: - “Most Irish-looking Face” Contest
SUNDAY, MARCH 15, 1:45 pm: - “Smilingest Irish Eyes” Contest
All children 12 & Under are invited to participate onstage in these fun contests - just be at the Main
Stage when the contest is announced. What determines who has the “Most Irish-looking Face” or
the “Smilingest Irish Eyes”? As the song says, the winners are those kids with eyes that “twinkle as
bright as can be” and smiles that would “steal your heart away,” and not necessarily the kids with
fair skin, freckles, red hair, green eyes, etc.
Custom Lego Display
SATURDAY & SUNDAY Noon – 5 pm
LOFT LEVEL (Above the Main Stage)
Prepared by Dan Parker, one of only 13 Lego certified
professionals worldwide. At last year’s Festival, Dan
re-enacted the Battle of Clontarf in Lego, and this year
he will recreate some of the Irish historical heroes and
mythological figures featured in the writings of Irish poet
W B Yeats. Besides being able to create their own Lego
figures, children will also have coloring sheets, leprechaun
finger puppets, magic color scratch shamrocks, and more!
IRISH WEEK 2015
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UPPER LEVEL WORKSHOPS
SATURDAY & SUNDAY, MARCH 15 & 16
Loft Suite 2
Loft Suite 4
SATURDAY, 1:00 – 2:00 pm
“Basic Irish Genealogy”
Lecturer: Jean Roth, Irish Interest Section,
Seattle Genealogical Society
Get some idea of the background to your family surnames and
have a look at some of the basic guides to tracing family history.
Learn where to start and what resources are available to help.
SATURDAY, 2:00 – 3:00 pm
“Learning the Irish Language”
Lecturer: Liam Boyle
Irish (Gaeilge) was the predominant language of the Irish people
for most of their recorded history. It is spoken today as a first
language by a small minority of Irish people and as a second
language by a much larger group. Learn some basic words and
phrases in Irish.
SATURDAY, 3:00 – 4:00 pm
“Reflections on the Life and Legacy of William Butler
Yeats on the 150th Anniversary of his Birth”
Lecturer: Carmel Kelly, Irish author and writer
W.B. Yeats was a pillar of both the Irish and British literary
establishments, and was a driving force behind the Irish Literary
Revival in the late 19th and early 20th century. He gloried in his
Irish cultural roots, featuring Irish legends and heroes in many of
his poems and plays. Learn the background on some of his poems
and plays, and about Yeats the man.
SATURDAY, 3:30 – 4:30 pm:
“Chef Interrupted”
Author Trevis Gleason reads
from his new book about
“Discovering Life’s Second Course in Ireland
with Multiple Sclerosis”
A former chef at the top of his professional culinary career, when
Trevis was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis he lost everything.
He took the opportunity to fulfill a long-postponed dream and
traveled from Seattle to the wilds of west Kerry, Ireland. He soon
found himself reveling in the beauty of the rugged countryside,
the authentic joy of the holidays, the conviviality of the pubs, and
the hearty flavor of the simple food. Readings and book-signing.
SUNDAY, 12 Noon – 5:00 pm:
Rare Books & Maps of Ireland
Charles Hadrann, Historian and Genealogist
Numerous original and reprinted rare Irish books and
manuscripts of great historical and genealogical interest are
available for free examination and perusal, courtesy of the
Irish Heritage Club’s own genealogist and historian. Charles
will also be available to answer questions and help you with
your research. His only request - please handle all documents
with care and respect!
SATURDAY, 4:00 – 5:00 pm
“Readings from William Butler Yeats”
Carmel Kelly, Kristen Gill, and others
Readings of passages from your favorite Yeats poems. Feel free to
join in with your own favorite reading.
SUNDAY, 1:00 – 2:00 pm
“The Irish Famine and how it relates
to genealogical research”
Jean Roth, Irish Interest Section, Seattle Genealogical Society
The infamous Potato Famine (Great Hunger) of the 1840’s
ravaged Ireland’s population and resulted in mass emigration - especially to North America. It also caused a scarcity
of genealogy records for that period.
SUNDAY, 2:00 – 3:00 pm
“Irish place names and their significance to Yeats”
Lecturer: Ciarán O’Mahony, Author, Lecturer, Musician
An exploration of the meanings and importance of geographic
names in Ireland as viewed through the writings of Yeats.
Some of his poems contained obscure Gaelic names which
might have been otherwise lost.
SUNDAY, 3:00 – 4:00 pm
Readings from Children’s books in Irish and English
Lecturer: Carmel Kelly, Irish author and writer
Among the books by Carmel Kelly published for children in the
Irish language are: pictiúrleabhair (picture books) “Spidey”,
“Leanbh Nua”, and “An Tolg Draoíchta”. She has also published
many short stories in English.
8 | IRISH WEEK 2015
Loft Suite 3
SATURDAY & SUNDAY, Noon - 5:00pm
Listings available at irishreels.org
All screenings are FREE.
Visit IrishReels.org for the complete schedule and other screening
details. Note that films are not rated and may contain graphic
language or adult situations. Parental discretion is advised. Call (206)
330-4913 with questions. Program subject to change.
HISTORY
The Society of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick was founded in Philadelphia on March 17, 1771.
Founding members included John Dickenson and Robert Morris, both of whom signed the US
Declaration of Independence, and its first President was George Washington’s Irish-born aidede-camp General Stephen Moylan. General Washington himself accepted membership in the
Friendly Sons in 1781 in Philadelphia, writing, “I accept with singular pleasure the Ensign of so
worthy a Fraternity as that of the Sons of St. Patrick, a Society distinguished for the firm adherence of its Members to the glorious cause in which we are embarked.” Washington is also recorded as having attended a meeting of the Friendly Sons at the City Tavern on January 1, 1782
and again on March 18, 1782. A chapter of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick started in Seattle in
1941 and was a male only organization until 1989 when it welcomed women and changed its
name to The Society of the Friends of St. Patrick. The change came under pressure from Seattle
Archbishop Thomas Murphy who kidded that otherwise he would start supporting the Angry
Daughters of St. Brigid! Carol Costello in 1999 served as the first female President of the Friends
of St. Patrick in Seattle. Congratulations to the Friends of St. Patrick on their Diamond Jubilee.
THE IRISHBORN “QUEEN OF ALASKA” - Born in Co. Galway in 1866, Bridget Manion
became housekeeper to Seattle Pioneer Henry Yesler in 1889. In 1892 after Yesler died,
she traveled to Alaska and worked as housekeeper at a Yukon River trading post hundreds
of miles from “civilization”. As a rare single non-native women, within six months she
“had received 152 proposals of marriage” from miners, trappers and prospectors. In
1894 she married Frank Aylward, a successful prospector from Co. Kilkenny, and
together they became very wealthy mining for gold. While visiting Seattle on her way to
Ireland in 1896, a Seattle newspaper dubbed her “Queen of Alaska”. The Aylwards later
retired to Seattle and lived on Capitol Hill. Frank died in 1914 and Bridget (at left in 1921
with her niece Mary Keane) lived alone until 1948 when the “Queen of Alaska” moved
permanently back to Rosmuc, Co. Galway, where she died in 1958.
THE IRISHMAN “WHO BUILT SEATTLE” - Born in New York of Irish immigrant parents, Thomas
Burke (1849-1925) came to Seattle in 1875. He became a civic leader, a railroad promoter, and
a champion of the University
(UW). He was a voice of tolerance
during the 1886 anti-Chinese
riots, and appealed “as a fellow
Irishman” to some of the rioters
asking them to remember the
injustices they too had suffered
in Ireland at the hands of the
English. In 1889 he became
Chief Justice of the Washington
Territorial Supreme Court and
the UW’s Burke Museum and the
Burke-Gilman Trail are named
for the Irishman known as “The
Man who built Seattle”.
IRISHBORN MAYOR OF SEATTLE
- Born in Co. Cavan, John Collins
(1835-1903) became a Seattle entrepreneur, investing in coal, banking, hotels, public utilities, publishing, and more. He served 4 terms on
Seattle’s City Council 1869-1883,
and was Seattle’s fourth Mayor in
1873, “a rare Catholic Democrat
among the city’s Protestant Republican ruling class” according to historian Paul Dorpat. He served in the
Territorial Legislature in 1883 and
his Occidental Hotel was destroyed in the Great Fire. At
his death, his estate included the Collins Building that still
stands at 2nd and Yesler (beside the Smith Tower).
IRISH WEEK 2015
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OTHER DISPLAYS
SATURDAY & SUNDAY, MARCH 15 & 16
Outside the Armory
SATURDAY & SUNDAY, 1:00 – 4:00 pm
DeLorean AUTO DISPLAY
The futuristic-looking Irish-made DeLorean DMC-12 sports car
that was made famous in the 1985 movie ‘Back to the Future’
will again be on display outside the Armory at the Seattle
Center. 9,200 DeLoreans were manufactured in Belfast in 1981
before the company went bankrupt. Pacific Northwest DeLorean
Club members are a community of enthusiasts dedicated to
preserving the DeLorean heritage by bringing the community
together for social events and to exchange technical expertise.
Visit pndc.org for details.
MAIN STAGE MUSICIAN HIGHLIGHTS
LOBO DEL MAR
Picking up different world music and dance styles wherever they live, Lobo del Mar is a unique collection of performing
artists that entertain around the globe. They deliver an eclectic mix of music and dance for a truly entertaining experience using bagpipes, drums, guitars, fiddlers and flute players. They play and perform a wide variety of Celtic music and
dance including Irish Stepdancing and the Great Highland Bagpipes. You will leave this show with a big smile on your face.
CARRIGALINE CELTIC BAND
With this multi talented group of musicians, you will enjoy their wonderful traditional
Irish music. This versatile group features instruments like the Fiddle, Cittern, Banjo,
Harp, Bodhran, Buggarboo, Bones, Percussion, Uilleann Pipes, Whistles and Vocals.
Carrigaline’s music keeps people’s energy, spirits and ability high as they negotiate the
road ahead, to cope with whatever situation they find themselves in. For more details,
visit CarrigalineCelticBand.com
Katie’s Hope Musical Drama
Told through drama, song, and dance, Katie’s Hope tells the story of a fictional family
immigrating to America from Ireland during the famine years. You’ll enjoy “American Wake”
songs, Ceili dances, and Irish Blessing songs, a truly inspiring and enjoyable experience.
10 | IRISH WEEK 2015
MAIN STAGE MUSICIAN HIGHLIGHTS
The Irish Experience
The Irish Experience was formed in 1996 to entertain pub crowds on St. Patrick’s Day, and their music quickly
found a much broader appeal. Their self-titled first CD is a mainstay on the World Music charts, typically rising
into the top 10 on St. Patrick’s Day. One of their recordings was featured in a musical Hallmark card, and another
is featured in the movie “Kill The Irishman”. Their upbeat live performances have been praised by fans of all ages.
The Irish Experience perform Celtic melodies on traditional electric instruments. Their sound is a combination of
Irish fiddle (Joe Bowbeer), rock guitar (Tom May), and bluesy bass (Tom Hotchkin), with the addition this year of
guest artist Joe Doria (McTuff, etc.) on electric organ. A twisted yet delightful combo that creates a harmonious
musical concoction with an irrepressible dance appeal.
TRI-CITIES PREP DRAMA STUDENTS
Performed by students from
Tri-Cities Prep high school in
Pasco, these Irish folk songs
are from the musical GUNS OF
IRELAND which was written
by
Tri-City
playwrights
Michael Speegle and Jeffrey
David Payne. The songs in the
musical were selected from over 500 years of incredible Irish
ballads, laments, jigs, reels, and rebel songs. The musical will
be performed at Columbia Basin College Theatre between
April 30 and May 10, and more details are available at
gunsofireland.com.
RANDAL BAYS’ IRISH SESSIONEERS
Well known as a fiddler and guitarist in the worldwide Irish
music community, Randal Bays is also famed as a teacher of
Irish traditional music. He co-founded and served for ten years
as Artistic Director of the Friday Harbor Irish Music Week,
since evolved into Cascadia Irish Music Week and which will be
held from July 19-25 at Evergreen State College in Olympia. The
musicians performing at the Irish Festival are Randal’s students
who regularly perform with him at some of the various Irish
music sessions held at local public houses around Seattle.
IRISH WEEK 2015
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DRAWING FOR ROUND TRIP
TICKETS TO IRELAND
Courtesy of Tangerine Travel in Redmond, some lucky person will leave the Irish Festival owning a coupon
for two Round-Trip Tickets to Ireland. The special drawing is on the Festival’s main stage at 5:30 pm, Sunday, March 15, and you do not have to be present to win. But you must visit the Irish Heritage Club Booth to
have your name entered in the drawing! Ádh mór - Good luck!
OTHER IRISH WEEK 2015 EVENTS IN SEATTLE
SATURDAY, MARCH 7
SODA BREAD CONTEST – The Irish Soda Bread Contest will be held 2 - 4 pm at T S McHugh’s
Restaurant, 1st & Mercer, Seattle. Contest Admission is free and judging starts at 2 pm. Entries
should be dropped off between 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm and winners will be announced at 3 pm,
followed by sampling! For the rules, sample recipes and other details, call 206-321-5476 or
email [email protected].
THURSDAY, MARCH 12
MATT TALBOT DINNER - The annual St. Patrick’s
Dinner at 6 pm at F X McRory’s near CenturyLink Field
is a fund-raiser for the Matt Talbot Center, Seattle’s
downtown program for the addicted, homeless and
mentally ill. For information on the Center or for
reservations, visit mtcenter.org, or call 206-256-9865.
FRIDAY, MARCH 13
MASS FOR PEACE, 10 am - The annual St. Patrick’s Day Mass for Peace at St.
Patrick’s Church, 2702 Broadway E (just off Roanoke). Main celebrant is Seattle’s Catholic Archbishop Peter Sartain. Irish choir and music! For more information, call 425-745-1263 or email [email protected].
12 | IRISH WEEK 2015
OTHER IRISH WEEK 2015 EVENTS IN SEATTLE
FRIDAY, MARCH 13
IRISH WEEK LUNCHEON, 12 Noon - The Mayor’s Irish Week 2015 Proclamation Lunch
will be at Noon at F X McRory’s. Washington’s Governor, Seattle Mayor Ed Murray and
County Executive Dow Constantine will issue proclamations of Irish Week 2015. Among
the special guests will be the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Grand Marshal, the Honorary
Grand Marshal, the Mayors of Seattle and Galway, and other dignitaries. Paid advance
reservations are required at $30 pp - call 206-361-1713 or email [email protected].
FRIDAY, MARCH 13
PATRICK & THE PIRATES - St. Patrick was originally brought to Ireland by
Irish pirates around 400 AD. Over 1600 years later, the Pirates of the Emerald
Isle will deliver St. Patrick back to the Emerald City, dropping him off at South
Lake Union (near MOHAI) at 6 pm Friday evening, March 13. No admission fee
and kids are welcome. Climb on board the Ride the Ducks Boat at F X McRory’s
at 5 pm for the trip to South Lake Union. The Ducks Boat will bring us back to
McRory’s by 6:30 pm for the Green Stripe Laying. Call 206-548-9859, email
[email protected].
Lunch & Dinner Daily
Ri
The ch Flav
o
r of
I re l a n d !
Soda Bread · Northwest King Salmon
Fresh baked Pot Pies · Fish & Chips · Great Steaks · Salads
Burgers · Made-In-House Desserts · And of course, Harp
Lager, Guinness Stout & Seattle’s Best Irish Coffee
HAPPY HOUR · Mon. - Fri. 3-6 pm ·
All Appetizers
$4
Families Welcome • Children’s Menu
www.tsmchughs.com
21 Mercer Street (One Block from Seattle Center)
206-282-1910
What butter or whiskey will not cure, there’s no cure for.
IRISH WEEK 2015
| 13
OTHER IRISH WEEK 2015 EVENTS IN SEATTLE
FRIDAY, MARCH 13
GREEN STRIPE LAYING, 6 pm - A mini-Parade to mark the route of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade down
the center of 4th Ave, starts from Jefferson St at 7 pm. There is no charge to participate and all are welcome! To ride the flat-bed truck or Ducks Boat, be at McRory’s by 6:30 pm to ride up to the starting point.
Call 206-548-9859 or email [email protected].
SATURDAY, MARCH 14
IRISH FLAG-RAISING, 12:20 pm - The Parade Grand Marshals and other dignitaries join the
Mayor of Seattle and the County Executive in raising the Irish Tricolor in front of the King-County
Administration Building, followed by the playing of the Irish and US National Anthems.
ST PATRICK’S DAY PARADE, 12:30 pm - The St. Patrick’s Day Parade Grand Marshal Mayor
Ed Murray and Honorary Grand Marshals Danny & Cathryn Quinn, along with Seattle Police Chief
Kathleen O’Toole and others, will blow their ceremonial whistles to start Seattle’s 44th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade up 4th Avenue
starting from James Street. After passing the reviewing stand at Westlake, the parade goes via the Monorail to the Seattle Center for
closing ceremonies in Center House at 2:30 pm. The Monorail to the Seattle Center will be free from 1:30 – 2:30 pm. Call 206-412-2960
or email [email protected].
MAYOR’S RECEPTION, 4-7 pm – Chandler’s Crabhouse, 901 Fairview Ave N, Seattle (South Lake Union). Organized by Irish
Network Seattle, the visitors from Seattle’s Sister City of Galway are hosted at a St. Patrick’s Day Happy Hour. No admission fee – visit
irishnetworkseattle.org.
SUNDAY, MARCH 15
ST PATRICK’S DAY DASH, 8:30 am – Celebrating 31 years in 2015, this nearly
four-mile run starts from 3rd & Mercer near the Space Needle! Over 12,000 runners are
expected to participate. Note there is no race-day registration. Visit stpatsdash.com for
details and registration.
IRISH COMMUNITY HAPPY HOUR, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm, at the Knights
of Columbus, 722 E Union, Seattle. Jointly sponsored by the Friends of St. Patrick,
Irish Network Seattle, The Seattle Gaels and The Irish Heritage Club, tickets are
$30 per person and include parking, two free drinks, hors d’oeuvres. Irish music,
Tara Academy Irish Dancers, Seattle Police Pipes & Drums, Owl ‘n Thistle Band, and
more. Call 425-290-7839 or email [email protected].
75th ANNIVERSARY FRIENDS OF ST PATRICK BANQUET, 6:30 pm
- The 75th Annual Dinner of the Society of the Friends of St. Patrick is being
held at the Knights of Columbus, 722 E Union, Seattle. Tickets are $100 per
person and include the Irish Community Happy Hour at 5 pm, free parking,
dinner, and much more. Founded in Seattle in 1941, the Friends annually
raise thousands of dollars for educational scholarships and endowments.
Call 425-290-7839 or email [email protected].
Bischofberger
Since 1904
Expert Repairs
Rentals
Appraisals
Sales
Kenneth & Hermann
Bischofberger
Master Violinmakers
SATURDAY, MARCH 21
IRISH GENEALOGY WORKSHOP, 9 am - 5 pm, at Luther Memorial Lutheran
Church Hall, 13047 Greenwood Ave N, Seattle. This all-day workshop will provide a
broad overview of Irish genealogical research, benefiting beginners and seasoned
genealogists alike. It is practical, wide ranging, factual and informative. Cost is $38
per person which includes a box lunch. For reservations and more information,
contact 206-782-2629 or [email protected].
14 | IRISH WEEK 2015
Our only location...
1314 E. John St.
206.324.3119
www.bviolins.com
Open 7 days a week
Sweaters, capes, scarves & hats from
Ireland & Scotland
Irish dance ghillies, hard shoes
& poodle socks
Claddagh & Celtic jewelry, Belleek china,
Galway crystal
CDs, music books & DVDs;
books in English & Gaelic
Bewley’s, Barry’s & Lyons teas,
& various food items
7518 15TH Ave. NW in Ballard
(206) 784-9343
www.GalwayTraders.com
Spend St. Patrick’s Day
On Top o’ the Hill!
Join us at Sully’s Lounge, located in
the heart of historic Queen Anne.
A great neighborhood spot with a
touch of Irish charm.
Tuesday, March 17:
We will be opening at
12pm on the Big Day.
Our back deck will be
open, covered, and
heated!
The only Irish bar in Seattle that doesn’t
charge cover on St. Paddy’s Day!
1625 Queen Anne Ave. N.
(206) 283-3900
www.SullysLounge.com
IRISH WEEK GENERAL INFORMATION NUMBER - 253-237-2811
For specific information on any event, email [email protected] • IrishWeek.org
Seattle Area Irish Directory:
IRISH STEP DANCING:
BALEFIRE IRISH DANCERS, in South King County. Contact 206-707-3895 or [email protected]
CLUB CÉILI NAOMH PÁDRAIG IRISH DANCERS. Contact 206-365-2850 or [email protected].
COMERFORD SCHOOL OF IRISH DANCE, in Seattle and Olympia. Contact 206-851-2102 or [email protected].
FIRE & ICE IRISH DANCERS, in Federal Way & NE Tacoma. Contact 253-874-1533 or [email protected].
GRAFTON STREET ACADEMY OF IRISH DANCING, in Seattle, Lynnwood and Edmonds. Contact 425-361-1541 or [email protected].
MOMENTUM MUSIC & DANCE ACADEMY, in Burien. Contact 206-592-2590 or [email protected].
SLIEVELOUGHANE SCHOOL, in Seattle, Monroe, Kent, Kirkland, North Bend, Tacoma, Port Orchard, Gig Harbor and Olympia.
Contact 206-714-9112 or [email protected].
TARA ACADEMY OF IRISH DANCING, in the Seattle area. Contact 206-286-6619 or 206-285-4641 or [email protected].
AMERICAN DANCE INSTITUTE, in Seattle. Contact 206-783-0755 or AmericanDanceInstitute.com.
ADULT IRISH DANCING:
SEAN-NÓS OLD STYLE - Sean-nós Seattle, Alicia Guinn, [email protected];
SET DANCING: Jim Belcher, 425-402-8363, Bothell, [email protected];
SET DANCING: Kathleen O’Grady Graham or Michael Graham, 206-592-2590, [email protected]
IRISH LANGUAGE CLASSES: In Seattle, Liam Boyle, 206-542-3781 or [email protected].
IRISH / CELTIC MUSICIANS: For a listing of Musicians and weekly Traditional Irish Music Sessions,
check the Irish Heritage Club website at irishclub.org/irish-directory/.
COMMUNITY CHAPLAIN: Fr. John Madigan, a native of Co. Limerick, is the officially appointed Chaplain to the Irish Immigrant Community of Seattle, available to
serve all faiths and none when accidents, unexpected illnesses or deaths occur, and also to help celebrate life events. Contact Fr. John at
[email protected], or call 425-244-5147.
HONORARY CONSUL OF IRELAND: Contact John Keane, Honorary Consul of Ireland, 5819 St. Andrews Dr, Mukilteo, WA 98275, Tel: 425-290-7839,
Email: [email protected], website irishconsulseattle.com.
UPCOMING IRISH EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES IN 2015
5/25 St. Patrick Cemetery Memorial Day Mass
6/13 Seattle Gaelic Games at Magnuson Park
6/17 Irish Night at the Seattle Mariners
6/29 Irish Day at the Races
7/19 Irish Community Picnic
7/19-25 Irish Music Week, Olympia
10/23 Mass of Remembrance in Gaelic
Visit irishclub.org for details
IRISH WEEK 2015
| 15
Beannachtai
na La
Fheile Padraig!
Fionnuala O’Sullivan
Managing Broker/Owner
direct 206-779-4643
[email protected]
“Nil aon tintean mar do thintean fein”
There’s no fireplace like your own fireplace
Old Irish Proverb
Experience - Integrity - Results
GBK Realtors, LLC
1313 E Pine St, Seattle 98122
www.gbk.com 206.322.8940
Ceol Cascadia Irish Music Association
Presents the 3rd Annual
Ca s ca di a Iri s h Music Week
July 19-25, 2015
at The Evergreen State College, Olympia WA
A full week of classes, concerts and
sessions with some of the world’s finest
Irish traditional musicians, including:
Randal Bays - fiddle
Patsy Hanly - flute
Angelina Carberry - banjo
Antoin MacGabhann - fiddle
Sean Gavin - flute
Josh Dukes - guitar
Josephine Marsh - accordion
Caitlín NicGabhann - concertina
Also introductory classes in
tinwhistle, fiddle, concertina
www.cascadiairish.org
16 | IRISH WEEK 2015