The Common Ground

Read about Limerick's performance festival!

Vol. VI, Issue 2

February 2008

WE WANT YOUR STORY!

In 2008, the Common Ground will feature you! Your stories, past and present, will be our feature column this year. Tell us how your family came to the United States from Ireland, how you celebrate your Irish heritage, or how you enjoy Irish history and culture. Send your photos and stories (about 200 words) to aboots@iiofpitt.org during the first week of each month.

News:

Sports:

Lifestyles:

Events:

letter from the editor

AROUND THE BUOY...

The progress toward peace and economic development in Ireland has been an exciting phenomenon. Over the past fifteen years I've watched from the front row an amazing transformation of an island broken by oppression, torn by violence, and now healing with justice, prosperity, and reconciliation.

Ireland still has problems, like every developed nation in the world, but all things considered, the progress of this island has been nothing less than remarkable.

When I first started paying attention to Ireland's woes, some fifteen years ago, I was involved in several Irish organizations. One of my favorites was the Pittsburgh Currach Club. We rowed the traditional Irish boats competitively as part of the North American Currach Association. Some of those races were brutal. Our local course set off from Lawrenceville around 43rd Street, down to the trestle bridge pier and then upstream for a pull that seemed an eternity. Keeping pace, fighting current and wind and sometimes rain, fighting to get in front and fighting harder to stay there.

On that backstretch I was abused physically, mentally, verbally...yes some of my best friends were suddenly, if temporarily, my worst enemies.

Finally came the words of salvation from the front of the boat: "Alright lads, around the buoy and head for home." From an abyss of pain and suffering we emerged stronger than we started. We were powerful, like a machine. We felt like no one could beat us. Our coaches and boat builders were in great demand to teach other clubs what they taught us.

This is how I see Ireland. It is coming around the buoy in a race for prominence and enlightenment among the nations and regions of the world.

This is truly a golden age in Ireland. We should celebrate. And Ireland should remember the despair of oppression, the pain of violence, and the solutions that propelled her forward. Ireland now has an obligation to share its formula for success with those still stuck in the backstretch.

The Ireland Institute of Pittsburgh recently became acquainted with organizations promoting peace and development in Cyprus, Israel, Palestine, and other conflicted regions of the world. We have a good idea of what lies ahead. There will be pain and suffering. But the buoy is in their sights.

Jim Lamb, President

Ireland Institute of Pittsburgh

IRISH-AMERICAN TOP 40 UNDER 40

Pittsburghers Sheila Shovlin and Johnny Connolly will be honored by the Irish Echo newspaper at a dinner in New York City on February 27 hosted by Irish Consul General Niall Burgess. 38 other young Irish-Americans will be honored as the up-and-coming leaders of Irish America.

Shelia Shovlin runs the Shovlin Academy of Dance and is a member of the Pittsburgh Banshees Ladies' Football Club. Johnny Connolly is a member of the Pittsburgh Celtics Gaelic Football Club and founded a program for youth football.

The Ireland Institute congratulates them for their success!

IRELAND INSTITUTE OF PITTSBURGH

BRITISH AMERICAN COUNCIL

OPPORTUNITY IRELAND - ONE ISLAND

APRIL 4-12, 2008

The Ireland Institute of Pittsburgh, in partnership with the British American Business Council and the Pittsburgh Regional Alliance, will lead a special delegation to Ireland. The delegation leaves Pittsburgh Friday, April 4 and returns Saturday, April 12.

The Republic of Ireland has much to offer Pittsburgh businesses interested in expanding globally. Economic performance there is consistently strong. Ireland hosts many European headquarters of the world's largest companies, some of the largest manufacturing and distribution businesses, more than half the top 20 insurance companies and more than half the world's largest banks.

Northern Ireland’s economy, like Pittsburgh’s, has transformed in recent decades, moving from manufacturing to a service-led, outward looking knowledge economy. Over 700 foreign investors now operate in Northern Ireland, employing 70,000 people. Recent investors include Microsoft, Caterpillar, Seagate Technology and HBOS.

North and South, Ireland now promotes an all-island economy, determined to facilitate business and research partnerships with Pittsburgh and the world.

This visit will have special meaning as this year is the 10^th anniversary of the Good Friday (Belfast) Agreement, which brought sustained peace and hope for a shared future in Northern Ireland.

For further details log onto our website or call Jim Lamb on (412) 394-3900.

POET & PHILOSOPHER DIES AT 53

John Donoghue, former priest, active poet and philosopher, died suddenly at 53. He was best known for his book Anam Cara (Soul Friends), that became known as Ireland's "Little Book of Calm," selling out 13 printings over 12 months.

Donoghue was deeply in touch with his "Celtic spirituality," a call to spiritual holism and enrichment through the coexistence of man and nature. He visited Pittsburgh several times, giving talks on his books. His other works include Eternal Echoes, Echoes of Memory, Benedictus: A Book of Blessings, and Connemara Blues. John was a great friend of the Ireland Institute and will be missed.

Please submit your feedback to: Ireland Institute of Pittsburgh * Regional Enterprise Tower

* 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

NEWS

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AHERN, PAISLEY VISIT

Rev. Ian Paisley and Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern met at the Galgorm Resort Hotel and Spa in Ballymena, where they discussed how to promote tourism in Ireland.

"It is a good day for the whole of Ireland because we need help from outside," Mr Paisley said. Mr Ahern said he was honored to have visited Mr Paisley's heartland. "I do not believe even a year back it could have been envisaged we would have been together here," Mr Ahern said.

Both men said it was important that the two parts of the island worked together for their mutual economic benefit. "Guaranteeing investment and employment is a goal and objective we share and I do not think there is any sector of an economy that cannot grow and gain added value through cooperation," Mr Ahern said.

Earlier, a small number of people held a protest during the tour. Town councillor Roy Gillespie, a former DUP member, unfurled a Union flag outside, while his wife, Ruby, was asked to leave the meeting after confronting Mr Paisley's wife, Eileen. Mr. Gillespie left the DUP over its decision to share power with Sinn Fein.

Last year, Mr Paisley and Mr Ahern visited the site of the 1690 Battle of the Boyne in County Meath. Mr Ahern and Mr Paisley agreed to the visit after talks in Dublin between the two men.

SHANNON AIRPORT WINS ON CONVENIENCE

Quick check-in facilities with shorter lines is winning more passengers for Shannon Airport, according to a new survey. And ease of access, ahead even of low fares, has emerged as the reason for Shannon’s dramatic growth in passenger numbers over the past three years, according to a survey of about 6,000 passengers.

With traffic growth having increased by 50% at the airport since 2005 — reaching a record 3.1 million international passengers in 2007 — research has shown that more and more passengers are favoring Shannon as their gateway airport because of ease of access and convenience.

The survey carried out by Shannon Airport’s marketing team for a campaign launched at the weekend — which will include rebranding for signage, advertising, printed literature and online media — has shown that 80% of passengers chose the airport for its ease of access and convenience. Just 10% chose the airport because of low fares.

Significant road improvements in the mid-west are set to increase Shannon’s catchment area from 600,000 to more than 1 million people within the next two years. This potential customer base will be within 90 minutes’ drive from the airport.

Marketing manager Declan Power said: “We obviously are aware of Shannon’s attractiveness for travelers because of its accessibility but we were surprised that as many as 80% of those surveyed said they used the airport because of this. Shannon has been associated with low fares for some time but it appears that accessibility is more influential and attractive.”

He said: “Our strong point is going to get even stronger. The new brand image we have launched signals this new approach for Shannon. The new symbol is an energetic “S” that embodies a sense of movement and opportunity and the strategy of the airport to continually move forward and adapt to its challenges and opportunities.”

Passengers surveyed were predominantly from Shannon’s main catchment area — Clare, Galway, Limerick and Tipperary — as well as Cork, Laois, Mayo and Roscommon.

FIRST POWER SHARING BUDGET PASSED

A majority of Northern Ireland Assembly members voted in January to pass the power-sharing administration's first budget even though the SDLP as well as the Alliance party voted against it.

The four largest parties all provide ministers in the Executive but while the DUP, Sinn Féin and the Ulster Unionist party supported the £18bn spending programme, the SDLP opposed it. Mark Durkan, the SDLP leader, said his party had reservations about many aspects of the budget and had every right to seek to amend it.

The DUP's Peter Robinson accused him of a political stunt devoid of principle. The Sinn Féin president, Gerry Adams, described the SDLP as a party that has lost its way.

The vote is unlikely to have any long-term impact on the functioning of the power-sharing administration, but it highlights the fault lines and tensions in the mandatory coalition model operating at Stormont as set out in the Good Friday Agreement. The grand coalition model, involving representatives of the four largest parties, is unique in western democracies. The SDLP, led by John Hume and Seamus Mallon, was centrally involved in the Good Friday Agreement negotiations in 1998.

Separately, Northern Ireland's Environment Minister has turned down a planning application for a major development at the Giants Causeway. The U-turn on the proposed visitor centre comes amid controversy over alleged links between Ian Paisley junior and the developer at the causeway site, businessman Seymour Sweeney.

IMMIGRANT WAGE SPARKS DEBATE

In a debate on a motion on the abuse of workers by some employment agencies, Louth County Council chairman Cllr Jimmy Mulroy (FF) suggested that unskilled migrant workers should not necessarily be paid the same wage as their Irish counterparts and their wage should reflect the lower cost of living in their home countries. He said that the cost of living is higher in Ireland and while Irish people “need €12.50 an hour, people from Lithuania are doing very well on €8.50 an hour”.

Cllr Kevin Meenan (SF) said migrant workers “do not fly home at night. If they live and work here they should get the same money [as Irish workers]”. SIPTU’s branch organiser Paul Bell said he found Mr Mulroy’s comments “absolutely shocking and disgusting” and suggested he was promoting the right to exploit migrant workers.

The comments were made debating a motion proposed by Cllr Jim Loughran (SF), who said the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment has detected 296 incidents in the past three years where people employed by an agency were paid under the minimum wage. He asked the council to support his motion calling on the minister to include the principle of “equal treatment” of all workers in forthcoming legislation on agency employment.

Mr Mulroy, a businessman in the electrical contracting industry, said eastern Europeans are often happy on lower wages. Speaking after the meeting he stood over his comments and said he believed that Irish employers who are paying the minimum wage “should be able to take into account the cost of living in the home country of the migrant worker, when deciding the level of pay. Personally, I believe people should be paid what they are worth.”

lifestyles

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LIMERICK UNFRINGED

Limerick's landmark performance festival, Unfringed 2008, will run from February 13 to 23 and feature new productions by local theatre companies Impact, Teaspach and Amalgamotion, as well as offerings in comedy, music, poetry and performance. Joanne Beirne, the festival director, said that Irish and world premieres will lead a very "strong line-up" with "something for everyone, no matter what their taste.” The10 day event will present work from emerging and established international, national and Limerick-based performers at a variety of venues across the city.

Internationally renowned innovative comic poet, John Hegley, opened the festival on Wednesday February 13. Impact Theatre Company will present an Irish premiere of Canadian play 'Problem Child' by George F. Walker—directed by visiting Canadian director, Jeff Culbert—at the historic Old Thomond Cinema (Stix) for four nights.

Problem Child is the story of a young mother who has been declared unfit to care for her baby girl. Getting her daughter back legitimately requires the favorable judgment of a social worker. Her husband, being a reformed ex-con who is addicted to TV talk shows, does not provide much help or support, and her only ally is the alcoholic ne’er-do-well who cleans the bathrooms of their motel room.

Award-Winning Limerick companies, Teaspach and Amalgamotion, present an adult adaptation of 'The Pied Piper of Hamlin' and 'Scribe' respectively. Galway based theatre company, Mephisto will premiere two plays by Limerick-born playwright, Pádraig Meehan—the Belltable supported artist for spring 2008.

UK company, Real Circumstance, will present the Irish Premiere of 'Limbo' by Newry based emerging playwright, Declan Feenan. Size2shoes will perform a world premiere, 'Word on the Beat' as commissioned by Unfringed 2008 with guest appearances by Limerick's Fab City Rap Artists.

Conor Lenihan's new piano concerto will be performed by The Riam Jazz Ensemble, under the baton of Kevin Hanafin. 'Strangers in the Night', a unique performance art event directed by Aine Dwyer will take place in Limerick's Potato Market.

The Hoarse Throat Soothers present a comedy cabaret and Keith Farnan premieres his new show 'Words to Drink by'. Winner of the Rooney Prize 2007, Kevin Barry, will read from his collection of short stories, 'There are Little Kingdoms'.

ULSTER PROMOTES LOCAL FOOD

The 'Good Food is in Our Nature' campaign will have far-reaching effects on the environment, the health of the nation and on producers, with a labeling scheme and a £400,000 television ad campaign. Organizers hope the campaign will stimulate local producers as well as benefiting the environment by cutting down on the miles the food must travel to reach consumers.

The campaign has been created by Food Promotion Northern Ireland (FPNI), a new organization that includes food industry representatives from Asda, Food Force, Musgrave, Sainsbury and Tesco as well as producers and organizations including Moy Park, UFU, Livestock and Meat Commission, Dairy Council, Pork & Bacon Forum and Organics. The ad campaign will highlight the passion that the local industry puts into producing world class food and to provide food shoppers with a clear means which identifies the product as home-grown, according to FPNI chairman Clarke Black.

"The Northern Ireland 'Good Food Is In Our Nature' campaign is a major opportunity for local consumers to reconnect with local food and to buy local because they recognise the high quality and environmental benefits that local producers put into food from Northern Ireland", Ulster Farmers Union chief executive Mr Black said. "The ad campaign, which is being reinforced through retail channels, is also a reflection of the entire industry working in a co-ordinated way under one theme to reach out to consumers and say the time is right to have pride in the quality of our local food."

All eligible food and drink producers in Northern Ireland who use local ingredients if possible are invited to join the scheme. It has already attracted more than 50 producers including cheese, meat, poultry and produce firms. The number of producers joining the scheme is expected to double within the next six months, FPNI said.

Chief Executive Michele Shirlow said: "This is much more than a charm offensive. It is a scheme which performs as a strong marketing tool aimed directly at the consumer, but as well as this it is the first time there has been a coordinated way for consumers to connect confidently with our excellent local producers which is jointly endorsed by the major supermarkets.

"I am confident that consumers are keen to buy locally produced food for reasons of health and environment and our job is to tell them how safe and traceable Northern Ireland food is, how fresh it is and how little it has had to travel before we and our families enjoy it. This campaign will help consumers identify those goods."

SORRY SPUDS?

Potatoes are suffering from an image crisis. Irish eaters are increasingly seeing them as unfashionable, difficult to prepare, and fattening. Pasta and rice are the new starches of the hour.

This has had consequences for the market. A conference marking the UN International Year of the Potato in Dublin has heard that the sale of spuds here fell by 14% last year alone. There are now only 600 commercial growers, about half the number of a decade ago.

Nutritionists, however, say that potatoes are not as fattening as other foods and are good sources of carbohydrates and vitamin C. Both the Irish Farmers’ Association and the Minister of State for Horticulture, Trevor Sargent, have come to the potato’s defense, supporting a return to more natural foods like the potato. Both agree that it would be unthinkable to completely part from the potato, seen by many as a cornerstone in Irish cooking.

Sports

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O'ROURKE OPTS OUT OF THE 60 M TITLE DEFENSE

Derval O’Rourke will not defend her 60m hurdles title at the world indoor championships in Valencia next month. The decision was taken yesterday after Sunday’s indoor meeting in Leipzig when she felt what her coach, Sean Cahill, described as ‘a niggle’ in her injured foot.

Said Cahill: “Basically she felt something as she came out of the blocks for the start of her heat of the 60m hurdles and literally jogged into a qualifying place. The final was very disappointing. Obviously she was reluctant to put too much pressure on her foot and she finished third in 8.20, well outside her 8.09 in Athens the previous week. After the scare on Sunday we decided that she would have to reconsider the remainder of the indoor season. This is an Olympic year and there is an awful lot at stake.

“I know she is very disappointed and for everyone else because she had been looking forward to defending her title in Valencia, but we can’t afford to take chances with a thing like this. She must get her priorities right. She was due to run in Ghent next weekend but obviously she will not be going there. She will be having her foot examined this week to see if she needs further treatment or if it is just a matter of resting up for a few days.”

WIDER HORIZONS 2008 - Host FaMily Program

The new year has arrived, and with it some news about Ireland Institute programming. We have received some exciting news from Northern Ireland that we can look forward to as many as three Wider Horizons Programs this year.

The goal of our program is to provide young people from the North of Ireland and border counties of the Republic with employment and personal development skills. Participants stay with Host Families while in Pittsburgh. Host Families provide the Institute’s Irish and British participants with an opportunity to learn about American family life. The participants welcome the opportunity to interact with families and children and become familiar with American customs and culture. Participating families have the unforgettable experience of learning first-hand about the new Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Hosts provide accommodation for participants, meals as per the family schedule and a nurturing environment for the young people, who are generally aged between 18-26. For their efforts families receive a weekly stipend for each participant they host.

If you are interested in becoming a Host Family, please contact Robert Tierney at rtierney@iiofpitt.org or phone (412) 4394-3900.

events

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Our Mission:

EVENTS

Pittsburgh Irish & Classical Theatre – ‘King Lear’ Apr. 9-26. 'An Ideal Husband' May 8-31. 'Salome' June 12-28. 'The Playboy of the Western World' July 17-Aug 16. Performances at the Charity Randal Theatre in the Stephen Foster Memorial. Info; PICT 412.561.6000. Tickets http://www.proartstickets.org/ or 412.394.3353.

Friday, February 22nd

Trivia Night at The Irish Centre of Pittsburgh, 6886 Forward Ave., Squirrel Hill. Doors open 7:00 PM, games begin 8:00 PM. Admission $5.00 at Door, light snacks. Information Lois Longo 412.271.9229.

Saturday, February 23rd

Saint Teresa of Avila presents ‘Irish Fest 2008’, 1000 Avila Court, Pittsburgh PA 15237 (North Hills), featuring Irish Mass at 6:00 PM, Irish Dinner at Henninger Auditorium at 7:15PM, Irish Entertainment with Guaranteed Irish and Burke School of Irish Dance. Information & Reservations: 412.367.9001.

Tuesday, February 26th

The fabulous and incredible Wolfe Tones in concert, presented by Pittsburgh Celtics, Pittsburgh Banshees & LAOH Div. 11 at Finnegan's Wake on the Northside. Doors open 6pm.Tickets available from (412) 478.2799

Thursday, February 28th

Deadline for Miss Smiling Irish Eyes Applications – Miss Smiling Irish Eyes, PO Box 1917, Pittsburgh PA 15230.

Friday, February 29th

Guaranteed Irish are inviting everyone to their ‘CD Release Party’ at Mullaney’s Harp & Fiddle in The Strip from 6:00PM to 8:00PM. This is the third recording for the group. They are the featured entertainment from 9:00PM.

Saturday, March 1st

AOH / LAOH Division 32 in Carnegie will host their St. Patrick’s Day Party at the American Ukrainian Club, Mansfield & Walnut Street in Carnegie from 7:00 PM. $7.00 Admission at Door, food & refreshment, cash bar for mixed drinks and special blends. Featured entertainment “The Emerald Society Pipe Band” with special appearance by Guaranteed Irish. Information: Dennis Murphy 412.279.8545 and Jim Riley 412.906.2398.

Saturday, March 8th

Word of God Parish St. Patrick’s Day Celebration, Mass 6:30PM celebrated by Fr. Sean Kealy, followed by Dinner and Entertainment with Guaranteed Irish and the Pittsburgh Irish Reelers. Reservations with Jim Macek 412.243.3802, Rectory 412.241.1370; Sponsored by The Holy Name Society in Swissvale, PA.

become a regular at these local programs!

Listen to Echoes of Erin, now in its 19th 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 p.m. 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.

Sunday, March 9th

Frank McNamara, Conductor, Producer & Musical Director, in Concert with full orchestra “If You’re Irish” at the Benendum Center at 3:00 PM. Special guests include Derek Maloney, Irish Tenor, Deirdre Shannon (has starred in Celtic Woman and Lord of the Dance), and Irish fiddler Cora Smyth, one of the original violinists in “Lord of the Dance”. Tickets on sale at 412.456.6666, online at www.pgharts.org.

Saturday, March 15th

St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Downtown Pittsburgh!!

Pittsburgh Ceili Club and Shovlin Academy of Dance Post Parade Party at Epiphany Church, Noon to 4:00 PM. Tickets purchased by March 1st, Jean Kaniecki 412.486.2684 or Liz Shovlin Grinko 412.563.2538.

Irish Centre of Pittsburgh Parade Party, entertainment with na Gaels, 7:00 PM

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.

All articles are adapted from www. rte.ie, the Belfast Telegraph, the Irish Examiner, BBC, and other news sources.