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Vol. III, Issue X |
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October 2005 |
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News Updates | |
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upcoming Events: 1st 26th 27th 30th 31st 4th 5th 7-14th 11th
12th
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in this issue
Welcome, readers! This month, first and foremost we pause to remember our President, Sr. Michele O'Leary. You will also find a remembrance of Michele in the Lifestyles section.
This month's featured County is Monaghan, which is located in the Republic of Ireland just south of the border with Northern Ireland.
The lifestyles section is chock full of information about local news and events, including the upcoming Samhain celebration, local Scottish dancing, and the arrival of our latest group of Walsh Visa participants.
Finally, check out our Sports section with an article from contributing writer Miceal O'Neill, this year's Rooney Fellow.
letter from the editor
We all experience landmark events in our lives. Certain dates and years have real meaning to us as individuals, within families, among communities and nations. Many are celebrated as annual holidays. Others are remembered sorely as reminders of our imperfections. But they all should encourage us to look at our world and hope that, together, we can improve it for future generations.
Events on these days changed our lives in profound ways: weddings, children's birthdays, JFK's assassination, the Immaculate Reception, the end of the cold war, and 9/11.
While the mix of events are still fresh, I expect to look back on September/October 2005 as a landmark time for Ireland and for the Ireland Institute of Pittsburgh. For it was during this time that the conflict that defined the Ireland Institute and the soul that created it both moved on to a better place. Michele O'Leary transitioned from human life to eternal life, and within a week, the IRA disarmed, agreeing to pursue its objectives by political means.
After 35 years of warfare, enough was enough. And the democratic process has been given a chance to work. And for its part, the Ireland Institute this year recorded its 1500th alumnus. Throughout its sixteen-year history under Michele's watchful eye, the Institute and the Greater Pittsburgh area provided an environment that facilitated learning, respect, mutual understanding, cultural diversity, job skills, and hope for a brighter future in Ireland.
Many who read this page have played, and will continue to play a part in that environment. For the work Michele began is not finished. Unrest continues in communities hardened by paramilitarism. Those communities' leaders now have decision to make. Pressure from the Irish and British governments and assistance from the international community must continue to encourage those leaders to move forward. Special attention is needed in the most disadvantaged areas.
While the Institute will continue to serve these areas through the Walsh Visa and Wider Horizons Programs, new ideas and opportunities to improve conditions in these areas are being developed. Collaborative education and research programs between Pittsburgh and Belfast, entrepreneurship seminars with Ireland Northwestern border region, and ongoing business delegations, in both directions will redefine the Institute's activity, if not its mission, over the next few years. The board of directors and staff look forward to these new challenges and opportunities.
On Monday I went to mass to recognize Michele O'Leary's "Month's Mind." This in an Irish tradition within the church to remembers an important person in one's life who had passed away a month earlier. Because immediate grief can cloud the mind, humans may treat the passing of loved ones as a horrible end. The "month's mind" give us one month to grieve and then celebrate life, on earth and in eternity.
Coincidentally, Monday was a holiday, celebrating Christopher Columbus' discovery of America. With a clear mind, and with a day off, I looked back on the intrepid life of Michele O'Leary and thought: "Isn't it appropriate that I would remember these two fearless adventurers on this day?"
From now on, I will remember, not the day she passed and I grieved, but the day I celebrated her life. October 10th will always be a landmark day for me.
Jim Lamb is the Vice President of the Ireland Institute of Pittsburgh, and can be reached at jlamb@iiofpitt.org. |
12 counties in 12 months: MONAGHAN
County Monaghan is located in the Republic of Ireland. It is part of the Ulster Province. The name Monaghan comes from Irish Muine Cheain meaning “land of the hills.” County Tyrone, Armagh, and Fermanagh of Northern Ireland and Louth, Meath, and Cavan of the Republic of Ireland border County Monaghan. Monaghan, which is the largest town, along with Carrickmacross, Castleblayney, and Clones are the major centers of trade, farming, and tourism in the county.
The town of Monaghan is a thriving busy center with many activities such as horse-riding, pony-trekking, swimming and golf. It is a county of mixed farming and dairy pastureland. Visitors often return to the friendly, uncrowded area for both sport and pleasure. Visitors are also attracted because the county retains many of the old traditions and Irish culture.
The movement of ice formed the hills and mountains which dot the landscape, during the last Ice Age. The countryside is home of the Mullyash Mountains, Slieve Beagh, and Coolberrin Hill. The three main rivers in County Monaghan are the Fane, Glyde, and Blackwater. The two main lakes, Lough Egish and Lough Fea, are tourist attractions for hikers and cyclists.
County Monaghan is home to the famous 20th century poet, Patrick Kavanagh. Born in the parish of Inniskeen to a farming family he attended school until the age of thirteen. He went to work as an apprentice to the town’s shoemaker then later moved to London for a brief stint before settling in Dublin in 1939. In 1936 his first work, Ploughman and Other Poems, was published followed by A Soul For Sale in 1947, and Come Dancing with Kitty Stobling in 1960. One of his most famous poems was The Great Hunger, which was adapted for theatre and produced by the Abbey Theatre in Dublin. At the age of 67 he died from complications due to bronchitis after attending the opening performance of the Abbey's Theatre's adaptation of his work, Tarry Flynn.
For more information visit: http://www.monaghantourism.com/ |
Please submit your feedback to: Ireland Institute of Pittsburgh * Regional Enterprise Center
* 425 Sixth Avenue, Suite 300 * Pittsburgh, PA 15219 or
Call/fax our offices: Telephone: (412) 394-3900 * Fax: (412) 394-0502
To subscribe/unsubscribe or comment on this newsletter please send an email to: info@iiofpitt.org
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IN MEMORY OF MICHELE O'LEARY
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IRA DISARMAMENT On September 25th it was reported that the IRA destroyed a vast arsenal of weapons, including surface-to-air missiles, AK-47 rifles, flamethrowers, handguns, mortars, and rocket launchers. It is believed that the majority of these weapons were acquired from Libya in the 1980’s. Other loose ammunition was collected and destroyed. Retired General John De Chastelain of Canada, Chairman of the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning (IICD), Rev. Alex Reid, a catholic priest, and Rev. Harold Good, former president of the Methodist Church of Ireland were hon hand to observe these proceedings. These three men were the only witnesses, which has made many in Northern Ireland skeptical as to whether all the weapons were destroyed. The report came two months after the IRA's announcement that it had ended its armed campaign. The announcement and the report were welcomed by the governments of Ireland, the UK, and the international community, as positive steps forward in the peace process. Irish Prime Minister, Bertie Ahern said that the disarmament has “real historical significance.” Other political and community leaders close to the conflict were skeptical of the report, seeking visual proof of the disarmament. They believed that the verbal accounts from the two clergymen and General De Chastelain were not enough to prove that all weapons were destroyed. Since 1969 nearly 3,600 lives have been lost to the conflict. |
RIOTS IN BELFAST The Orange Order, a Protestant fraternal organization, was not permitted to follow their normal parade route on Sunday, September 10 because it runs along the border to a Catholic neighborhood in west Belfast. These events led to three days of rioting in Belfast, which the Police Service of Northern Ireland blamed on the Orange Order. Police were attacked with grenades and machine guns. Fifty police officers were wounded. During Monday afternoon rush hour men, women, and children formed a barrier blocking traffic. Individuals posing as Belfast police called local businesses, ordering that all employees be sent home because of a security threat. This caused larger traffic problems because more people were on the streets than usual. 1,200 British troops were deployed to assist local police in calming the riots. Sixty-three arrests were made in connection to rioting. This was the worst violence in Belfast in a decade. Two groups that have been accused of participating in the violence are the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) and Ulster Defense Association (UDA). In 1998 both groups agreed to a cease-fire that was broken numerous times. The groups have been outlawed. As of September 13th the British government ended their recognition of the UVF cease-fire. Another group, the Red Hand Commando is also being closely watched by the British government. |
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SAMHAIN The celebration of Halloween evolved from a Celtic holiday known as Samhain. Samhain, literally translated from Celtic, means "summers end". The holiday celebrated the end summer and the onset of winter. Seasonal changes were not the only reason for this fire festival - the lives of people who had passed during the year were also celebrated. The Celts believed that on the eve of the New Year the shield of Scathach, a female warrior princess, was lowered allowing the dead and the unborn to come to earth and visit family, friends, and foes. The balance of the ordered world and chaos ceased to exist for one night. This was a time for predictions of the future from Druid leaders about the upcoming winter. The free mixing of spirits lead to a
tribe's increased fertility, to appease dead souls, to please the gods, and
prepare the people for a long winter. At the ancient
Customs of Samhain influenced modern practices of Halloween. Throughout the Samhain festival it was common for families to leave food, often times baked goods and sweets, out on the table for departed guests that may have come to visit. This was the beginning of the ‘trick’ portion of ‘trick -or-treat’. In the evenings children were seen walking in villages from house to house singing songs and asking for money. They carried hollowed out turnips with lit candles inside to light the path. There were for forerunners of modern-day jack-o-lanterns.
These traditions were handed down generation to generation relatively unchanged until the Church imposed various adjustments. Samhain became Hallomas, the festival of the dead. The next change was to All Hollow’s Day on November 1st followed by All Souls’ Day on November 2nd. In modern times All Saint’s Day is celebrated on November 1st. These traditions were carried to America with the immigration of Irish, English, and Scottish. In honor of these traditions, Mullaney's Harp and Fiddle will be holding a Samhain Celebration on October 30th. The event will benefit Diane Byrnes's radio program Echoes of Erin. The event will include live music, a costume party, and food. |
SCOTTISH DANCE
Scottish dance is alive and
well in Pittsburgh thanks to the Pittsburgh Scottish Country Dance
Society, an affiliate of the Royal Scottish Country Dance
Society. Both the local and parent organizations are
This piece was contributed by Bruce Golightly of the PSCDS. |
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WALSH VISA ARRIVAL October 23rd marks the arrival of a new group of Walsh Peace Visa Program participants. We are very excited to continue our participation in this program. The Walsh Peace Visa Program, officially known as the Irish Peace Process Cultural and Training Program, was created in 1998 from legislation sponsored by Congressman Jim Walsh of New York. The program allows young people from disadvantaged areas in Northern Ireland and the counties of the Republic of Ireland which border the North, to live and work in the United States for up to 24 months. As in the past, the Ireland Institute is searching for housing, social, and employment opportunities for our participants, and will accept furniture donations to help them get settled in the area. If you have any such opportunities or are interested in making a donations, contact us at info@iiofpitt.org. IRELAND INSTITUTE CHRISTMAS CONCERT The Ireland Institute will hold its annual Christmas Concert on Friday, December 9th at Chatham College. More details to come... |
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IRISH SPORTS Hurling is one of the oldest field games in the world. Also Hurling is one of the fastest and most skilful field games in the world. The stick or "Hurley" is generally made from a single plank of wood from the Ash tree; it is curved at the end to make a striking surface. The ball or “sliothar” is similar to a hockey ball but with raised ridges. Watching Hurley for the first time can be confusing but the general rules are as follows: you may strike the ball on the ground, or in the air. You may pick up the ball with your Hurley and carry it for not more than four steps in the hand. After those steps you may bounce the ball on the Hurley and back to the hand, but you are forbidden to catch the ball more than twice. To get around this, one of the skills is running with the ball. To score, you put the ball over the crossbar with the hurley or under the points. The game is played on the same pitch as Gaelic football with the same amount of players, fifteen on each team with 5 substitutes allowed on each side. |
The Women's version of Hurling is called camogie and is played on the same general rules but the sliothar generally stays on the ground more during the game. Like Gaelic football Hurling is a physical game with a lot of contact allowed between players. It differs from Gaelic football in that players can wear helmets, but these are not compulsory at the senior level.
By Miceal O'Neill (2005 Rooney Fellow/Duquesne University) |
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EVENTS Pittsburgh Feis. Traditional Irish Dancers will perform at the Pittsburgh Indoor Sports Arena, Harmarville, PA. For more information contact Kathy Yates yateska@hotmail.com October 25th The Ireland Institute will host a reception to welcome a new group of Walsh Visa Participants. Venue to be determined. Please RSVP in advance to the Institute at 412-394-3900. October 26th - 27th The Center for Irish Studies at Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, Georgia will hold a 2 day Celtic genealogical workshop. This event will hosted by the Ulster-Society. For more information visit: http://class.georgiasouthern.edu/irish/gene/workshop.htm October 27th Irish musical group Chulrua will perform at the Irish Centre at 8pm. Members of the group, Paddy O'Brien, Patrick Ourceau, and Pat Egan (pictured below) perform traditional Irish music. For more information visit: http://www.chulrua.com/toursked.html
October 30th Samhain Celebration at the Harp & Fiddle including performances by Corned Beef & Curry, Terry Griffith, The Rivermen, The Cogan Brothers, and Lauthrey Connolly. In addition to the live music a costume contest will also be held. For more information visit: www.harpandfiddle.com October 31st Corned Beef & Curry will play live at Finnigan's Wake before the Steelers's game. The Wolfe Tones' Derek Warfield will perform at Finnigan's Wake. For more information on all events at Finnigan's Wake visit: http://www.finniganspittsburgh.com/800/ specialevents.htm November 5th 10th annual Ladies AOH 32 Fashion Show and Luncheon, Nevillewood Country Club For more information contact Judi Coyne at (412) 881-4348 November 11th
Michael Flatley’s
“Celtic Tiger” at Mellon Arena November 12th The second Scottish-English dance night will be held. All dances will be taught and the public will be invited. Grace Episcopal Church 7:00PM For more information visit: http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/jm5h/calendar.html |
become a regular at these local programs! Listen to Echoes of Erin, now its in 17th year, every Sunday afternoon at 1:00 p.m. on WEDO, 810 AM. Diane Byrnes has Irish music, news, and other great information
Paddy's Pour House located on Main Street in Carnegie, PA hosts live entertainment every Friday and Saturday night starting at 9:00 PM. Tuesday nights join Dennis Murphy with "Get Educated and Entertained as only 'Murph' can" from 8:00-12:00. For more information visit their website or call (412) 279-0770.
Catch the Thistle and Shamrock every Sunday evening at 7:00 p.m. on WYEP 91.3FM for Celtic music performances and discussions.
We're always looking for events to include: If you'd like to include your next event in this newsletter, please send event information including date, time, location, admission cost, and contact information to info@iiofpitt.org.
FURNITURE DONATIONS One of the support services offered by the Ireland Institute includes furniture donation, collection and redistribution to the Walsh Peace Visa participants. The money they save, as they set up house, is realized immediately, and they are quite grateful to all Ireland Institute supporters who have kindly donated furniture and household items. If you have any furniture or household items to donate, please contact the Institute at 412-394-3900. Our thanks and gratitude goes out to all involved. |
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Our Mission: |
The Ireland Institute of Pittsburgh’s mission is to promote mutual understanding of the Catholic and Protestant traditions in Northern Ireland and economic development throughout all of Ireland. The Institute fulfills its mission by providing quality programs in job training, economic development, leadership development, educational alliances and reconciliation. The Institute is a change-oriented organization that collaborates with industry, educational and government institutions in the development of all programs. |
Sr.
Michele O’Leary, Sister of Mercy and co-founder of the Ireland Institute
of Pittsburgh, passed away on September 10th. Michele had
fought a courageous three-year battle with cancer. She will be greatly
missed by the staff and Board of Directors of the Ireland Institute.
Michele’s many achievements include an honorary doctorate from the
University of Ulster and an appointment to Pennsylvania’s Court of
Judicial Discipline. Most importantly, Michele was the catalyst for
programs allowing thousands of young people in Ireland, north and south,
to change their lives. Much more information is included in our Fall 2005
bi-annual newsletter. This will arrive in the mailboxes and email
boxes of our newsletter subscribers shortly. If you do not receive
our bi-annual newsletter and would like a copy of this special edition,
please contact us at 
celebrations
tribes gathered at Tara, where an enormous fire was built out of harvested
plants and dead animals' bodies. Once burned it was believed that the
animals’ souls were purified. Out of this idea came the tradition of
burning the dead in a ceremonial funeral fire.
