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Vol. VIII, Issue 10 |
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October 2010 |
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Common Ground readers and other supporters of the Ireland Institute can now follow Jim on Twitter. Log on to www.twitter.com, and enter Jim's ID in the search tab. His ID is Jim_Lamb. You can now find us on Facebook! Go to www.facebook.com and search Ireland Institute of Pittsburgh, and ‘become a fan’ to find out the latest news about our visitors or upcoming events. |
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NOT YOUR FATHER'S INSTITUTE A Message from our President James J. Lamb
“Investment
portfolios? Language classes?
Strategic Business Partnerships? College
Fairs? Travel Services?
Who are you…and what did you do with my Institute?” I
have spoken and written for a long time about the gradual transformation of
the Ireland Institute of Pittsburgh. This
energetic group of ordinary people doing extraordinary things, serving
Ireland’s disadvantaged young people, has managed, somehow, to keep its
focus on that mission while diversifying its activity to such a degree,
especially in the past few years, that you might not even recognize it
anymore. Today
the Institute addresses the same issues in Ireland that led to its creation
over twenty years ago. Extremists
on both sides of a sectarian divide, no matter how marginalized they may be
now with the peace process and a working government, continue to threaten the
greater society in the North. And
the entire island of Ireland is experiencing severe economic hardship. The
Celtic Tiger that catapulted Ireland to the top of the economic tables ten
years ago simply could not be sustained with foolish investments by banks,
companies and individuals in over-valued property.
The government’s policies around those investments didn’t help
matters either. Suffice
it to say we are still at least a generation away from true peace, justice,
reconciliation, and economic growth on the island of Ireland. What
scares me is the capacity of this next generation to avail of opportunities
toward civil society, education, careers, the economy, and global citizenship.
According to the last international survey, one in four or 25% of Irish
adults have literacy difficulties. This compares with 3% in Sweden and 5% in
Germany. Last year, two out of
three Leaving Cert students (Irish high school graduates) believed they did
not have sufficient computer skills or were ready and able to take on jobs.
And only one third thought the school system had boosted their
self-confidence. In the 1980s and
1990s Ireland was exporting thousands of bright, well educated young people
who couldn’t find work at home. They
found great success when given opportunities for work in the US and around the
world. And the Ireland Institute
of Pittsburgh was one of several
organizations around the world facilitating placements and boosting careers. In
order to help today’s unemployed young people from Ireland, we have to take
a multi-pronged approach. It is
not enough to simply offer placements for young people.
We have to engage US companies to look at hard business opportunities
in Ireland that help their bottom lines. We
have to identify companies on both sides of the Atlantic that, when partnered,
can improve their respective operations.
If we succeed, jobs are created in Ireland and in Pittsburgh. We
also have to develop the great resource locally that is the Irish Diaspora.
Thousands of Western Pennsylvanians declare Irish heritage every March
17th. If we can engage them
further toward their ancestry they can have a significant impact on Irish
tourism, education, and the arts. And
that, too, can translate to jobs. We still believe that Ireland’s young people are worth fighting for. Through education, training, job creation, placement and other support, better opportunities are available to more people on both sides of the Atlantic. And we’re finding new, innovative, diverse ways of doing that.
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References for today's letter: |
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Please submit your feedback to: Ireland Institute of Pittsburgh * Regional Enterprise Tower
* 425 Sixth Avenue, Suite 1410 * 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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IIP NEWS |
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IRISH CASTLE VACATION RAFFLE - BUY A TICKET OR BECOME A SELLER Ireland
Institute of Pittsburgh
In
service to peace The
Irish Castle Vacation Prize Raffle Ashford
Castle – Galway
Dromoland Castle – Limerick Clontarf
Castle – Dublin Return airfare for two
- 6 nights accommodations - Car rental for 1 week Donation
$20 Winning
ticket will be drawn December 13, 2010 at The Harp & Fiddle, 2329 Penn
Avenue, Pittsburgh PA15222 For more
information, contact the Ireland Institute of Pittsburgh at 412-394-3900 Cash or
Check made payable to Ireland Institute of Pittsburgh Car Rental courtesy of Dooley Car Rental THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT! The
Pittsburgh Foundation held a 24-hour Day of Giving on October 13, 2010.
The Ireland Institute will receive
matching funds from the Pittsburgh Foundation for donations made to the IIP on
that day. The numbers aren't in yet, but we appreciate your continued
support of the IIP's mission! |
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The
records cover a broad range of issues including security, politics and
education. They comprise a
selection of material for the period 1968-79 which is already in the public
domain, having been published under the 30-year rule — the timeframe within
which official documents are kept hidden from public gaze. Those behind the
initiative said that the records provide a valuable online digital resource
for researchers looking for information on the Troubles and politics of
Northern Ireland during this period. The
new archive was officially launched by Sir Kenneth Bloomfield, a former head
of the Northern Ireland Civil Service, at an event in the Great Hall, Magee.
The records include part of the period when he was a senior Government
official. ILLEGAL MEDS CRACKDOWN
An
Interpol-led international week of action brought €500,000 worth of tablets
and capsules into the hands of the Irish Medicines Board, Customs and the
gardaí. Pat O' Mahony, Chief
Executive of the Irish Medicines Board, said that the main products seized
were mood stabilizers, weight loss products and products for erectile
dysfunction. The
campaign targeted online sale of counterfeit and illegal medicines and brought
down illegal websites, the electronic payment system and the delivery service.
Five websites were closed, one person arrested and investigations are
ongoing. The IMB said the websites involved appeared professional and genuine
but were an elaborate and potentially dangerous deception. Some of the weight
loss products contained Sibutramine, which is banned in the European Union due
to associated health risks. The IMB said that people who buy the medicines
over the internet have no way of knowing what the products really contain and
if they are damaging to health. This
international operation involved authorities from over 40 countries, with over
267,855 packages inspected by regulators and customs throughout the week-long
international operation. Over 1m
tablets were seized and a total of 290 websites were shut down. |
ENTERPRISE BOARD
INVESTMENT COULD BRING JOBS A
€3.3m investment in Ireland's network of county and city enterprise boards
could generate more than 450 jobs nationwide. These funds are in addition to
€15m already provided this year. The
boards have been in increased demand since the economic downturn. The
country's network of 35 enterprise boards supports small businesses employing
ten or less workers in the start-up and expansion phases. They provide
business development grants, training and mentoring to small firms. Taoiseach
Brian Cowen said the extra money announced today would support new business
projects this year and create hundreds of jobs. “The
CEB's local focus and agile ability to respond quickly to specific business
needs are key components in the Government's overall policy to support
entrepreneurship, growth and productivity in the micro-enterprise sector,” Mr.
Cowen said. The
Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, Batt O'Keeffe, said that total
net jobs created in CEB-supported companies between 1993 and 2009 was 30,726. BRIDGES OF HOPE
KICKS OFF RESPECT PROGRAMME
During
30 years of the Troubles, few areas have taken a worse battering than north
Belfast. Shockingly, within one square mile it has been estimated that 635
people have been killed and more than 2,500 injured, both Protestant and
Catholic. In
recent years community workers, politicians, educators and the people
themselves have been working hard to try and help those whose lives have been
shattered. As part of that vital
work, this month sees the launch of the North Belfast Respect Programme 2010
— a series of community-led events aimed at encouraging respect among all
sections of society. The
first event is a poignant remembrance vigil which will be held next Monday
evening outside the Bridge of Hope offices in Duncairn Gardens to acknowledge
the deep loss and hurt endured by the entire community as a result of
conflict. Two
local high school girls will read a short statement, carefully crafted and
agreed by various local groups, which deals with the area’s past as well as
its hopes for the future. The
organizers will also hand out white roses and candles to those who attend as a
symbol of remembrance. Bridge
of Hope (BoH) project director Irene Sherry is organizing the vigil. She says:
“Respect is key to everything we do. Once respect is prevalent in society,
it builds community cohesion. It engenders hope. We
want to get to the point where people listen to each other. There has to be an
understanding of one another and where each person has come from. For the last
nine years the Bridge of Hope project has worked tirelessly with families
affected by the conflict. We are always trying to create innovative
opportunities to enhance, develop, and sustain relationships into the future.
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CHEMO FASHION
A
young County Down woman is using her own traumatic experience battling both
breast and ovarian cancer to help other women suffering from the disease. Ciara
Priestly, 28 year old mother of two from Bangor, has set up a new business
designing headscarves for women who have had to deal with the trauma of losing
their hair after chemotherapy treatment. Concerned
because of a strong family history of breast and ovarian cancer, Ciara decided
to be tested for the BRCA1 gene. "Unfortunately,
just after I came back from having my youngest daughter, the test came back
positive and my consultant advised me that I had an 80-90% chance of
developing breast cancer and a 40% chance of developing ovarian cancer,"
she explained. Later news was even
bleaker. Eventually Ciara had a
mastectomy, hysterectomy, lymph nodes removed, and a course of chemotherapy. It was when Ciara was coping with losing her hair as a result of the chemotherapy that she realized she was finding it hard to source attractive, easily-tied headwear. "When you have a mastectomy or any breast surgery you can't lift your arms above a 45-degree angle so it makes it extremely difficult to tie things behind your head. So I decided to design my own headwear, and after lots of compliments and comments from other people, I discovered there was a huge market and quite a need for them in Northern Ireland," Ciara added. Ciara
launched a part-time business, calling it simply 'headscarvesbyciara' - and
within a few days of establishing a profile on Facebook, had over 200 messages
and inquiries, some from as far away as the United States and throughout
Europe. COLLECTOR COIN UNVEILED
The
Central Bank of Ireland has launched a limited edition €15 silver proof
collector coin. The coin features
an Irish hunter horse alongside its foal and honors the first coins of the
Irish Free State, which were issued in 1928. Designed
by Emmet Mullins, the coin is a modern interpretation of the original horse
design which featured on the half crown by renowned designer Percy Metcalfe. It
is the first in a three-year series to be followed by the salmon and Irish
wolfhound in 2011 and 2012. LOVELY DAY FOR A DIP IN THE... BOG?
Curious? Google "Irish bog snorkelling"! |
DUBLIN TERMINAL 2 TO OPEN IN NOVEMBER
Terminal
2 rises like the giant wing of an airliner to dominate the Dublin skyline, a
vast silver and glass symbol of what Ireland was about to become before the
economy decided otherwise. The new
building will provide a needed upgrade to the 1970s –built Terminal 1. The
terminal is part of a larger set of infrastructure upgrades, including the new
Convention Centre, the motorway system, and the Aviva stadium.
The price tag on the terminal has brought some controversy, but others
believe that the suite of projects will help generate business in Ireland.
At
Terminal 2 pre-clearance for the United States, in a state-of-the-art passport
section built to Homeland Security specification, DAA believe they can attract
major carriers to use T2 as a transit stop to America. Ethihad, US Airways,
Continental and Aer Lingus are already among those on board, with others like
Air India and BA in negotiations. Aer
Lingus will fly both short-haul and long-haul from T2. Over at T1 Ryanair will
dominate, along with the other short haulers. At
a recent live test run, reviewers praised the bright, open atmosphere.
The retail and restaurant areas overlook the airfield, while the
arrival lobby provides views of the hills of north Dublin.
Ireland’s largest escalator ferries passengers to the boarding gates.
Terminal
2 will be up and running by the end of November. IRELAND'S CHILDREN 9TH "HAPPIEST" IN EUROPE
The
happiest children in Europe are in the Netherlands and Scandinavia but Ireland
ranks ninth in the survey of European states. A
league table of young people's well-being places the Netherlands top of 29
European states, followed by Sweden and Norway, while Malta ranks last. The
UK ranks only 24th in the survey. The
table, focusing on youngsters aged up to 19, was compiled by researchers at
York University in northern England for the Child Poverty Action Group using
data mainly from 2006. The
researchers assessed the countries using 43 separate criteria, ranging from
infant mortality and obesity to factors such as poverty and housing. Germany
was eighth, France was 15th and the UK was 24th ranked only above Romania,
Bulgaria, Latvia, Lithuania and Malta. The
Netherlands scored high in all categories, while the Scandinavians were
praised for having a low level of child deaths caused by accidents. Scandinavian
children also indulge in less risky behavior, which the researchers
categorized as early sexual intercourse, smoking and drinking, than their
European counterparts. CPAG
said the low ranking of the UK, despite its position among the world's leading
economies, was “particularly influenced by the high number of children
living in families where no parent works”. CPAG
chief executive Kate Green said: “The report shows a clear link between high
levels of child well-being and low levels of child poverty. “If
we fail to protect families during the downturn, progress on child well-being
could go into reverse”, she said.
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COMMONWEALTH GAMES
Northern
Ireland enjoyed their greatest ever day at the Commonwealth Games with three
gold medals, two silver and three bronze. All the gold and silver medals came
on finals day in the boxing ring but the pugilists were joined on the podium
by shooters David Calvert and Matthew Hall and bowler Gary Kelly as the
province enjoyed a day to remember. Add
last week’s cycling heroes Wendy Houvenaghel, Martyn Irvine, Philip Lavery,
Sean Downey and David McCann to that list and the total medals haul from the
Games now stands at 10. Gold medals at last courtesy of our boxers who proudly topped their sport’s medal table — a major achievement in itself. leading the way by example was team captain Eamonn O’Kane. Four years after he almost quit the sport, the Dungiven man stood on top of the podium, after dishing out a hammering to England’s Anthony Agogo, 16-4 in a lopsided middleweight decider. O’Kane
joined Paddy Barnes and Paddy Gallagher as Commonwealth Games champions on an
historic day as the team recorded its best result since they won two gold and
two silvers at the 1994 Games in Canada. Barnes
became the first gold medal winner from the province in any sport for three
Games and the first in boxing for 16 years since Neil Sinclair and Jim Webb
both won Commonwealth titles at welterweight and light-middleweight in
Victoria. If there was a fighter who epitomised the spirit within the squad it
was 21-year-old welterweight Paddy Gallagher. He’d arrived not wanting to
lose in the first round and five fights later was walking off with the gold
medal after upsetting England’s Callum Smith 11-6. Light-heavyweight Tommy McCarthy and heavyweight Steven Ward, Northern Ireland’s other finalists, had to settle for silver after their contests. McCarthy, 19, was beaten 8-1 by Scot Callum Johnson and Ward was on the end of a right hook from the highly-rated Simon Vallily from England. It knocked him to the canvas with just over a minute remaining in the first round and the referee stopped the fight with the Newtownabbey man already 6-1 down. IRELAND AND AUSTRALIA GO HEAD TO HEAD
Tadhg Kennelly is expecting an intense battle when Ireland and Australia renew their rivalry in the International Rules Series over two Tests at the end of October.
The Sydney Swans player is in a good position to assess the merits of both sides ahead of the clashes in Limerick (23 October) and Croke Park (30 October), and expects entertaining fare to be the order of the day rather than any of the 'rough stuff'. With the fear of suspension hanging over players on both sides who don't play within the rules, thuggish behavior is hopefully a thing of the past as the series marks its return to Irish shores.
Kennelly favors the new regime: “Without the sanction, players had free reign to do whatever they wanted and that resulted in some of the disgraceful scenes that blighted the series in the past. The game of AFL has become a lot more athletic, with a strong emphasis on running with the ball. The same is now true of Gaelic football. I know the traditionalists may not like that, but both codes have evolved to a point where they are now quite similar. This could become a worry for the GAA as more players from Ireland may want to try their luck Down Under.”
Whether an exodus of talent leaves these shores or not, Kennelly is confident that Irish players, now more than ever, will be able to handle the rigors of a professional sport.
AFL is now a lot less physical; players are leaner and can run all day. Nobody will doubt the fitness of Gaelic footballers, but with a greater emphasis on physical training, weights etc, they are well equipped to deal with the demands of modern day Aussie Rules. |
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WIDER HORIZONS PROGRAM If you are interested in becoming a Host Family for the Wider Horizons Program in 2010, please contact Robert Tierney at rtierney@iiofpitt.org or phone (412) 394-3900. |
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Our Mission:
Help the Institute: |
October 17th The
Gaelic Arts Society presents
a program on the Celtic Spanish Provinces of
October 21st "Belfast Boys, Uniting a Divided City During World War I" by Dr. Richard Grayson, University of London. Annual History Forum Lecture at Power Center Ballroom, Dusquesne University, 7:30pm, Free and Open to the Public. Information 412-396-6470 or visit www.duq.edu/historyforum
October 23rd "The Donahue Fleadh" in McMechen WV on Route 2, one hour from Pittsburgh. Entertainment includes: Ballad Singer, Terry Griffith, Gallowglass from WV, and Celtic Rock with Red Hand Paddy, and more TBA. This is Year #1 for this new Irish Festival. Information: Brendan Lyman 304-559-7707. More details to come!
November 1st Samhain-Celtic New Year Celebration at Mullaney's Harp and Fiddle in the Strip District. Doors open at 4pm with a $15 donation that benefits the Echos of Erin radio station. Features music by Jack Puskar, Christopher Laughrey, Terry Griffith, and GallowGlass. Cash Bar, Free appetizers, Costume Contest and Raffle. Call 412-781-6368 for more information.
November 5th Pittsburgh
Ceili Club at www.pittsburghceiliclub.org/ is sponsoring their monthly
Ceili at the VFW in Morningside on Morningside Ave., Workshop @ 7:00 PM, Ceili
@ 8:00 PM. It’s Crazy Hat Ceili!
November 7th Samhain
the Celtic New Year Celebration at Mullaney’s Castle.
Information Diane Byrnes 412-781-6368.
Fundraiser for Echoes of Erin.
Entertainment with The
Cogan Brothers, Ballad Singer, Mike
Gallagher, Whiskey Limerick and
more to come! Doors open at
4:00PM, Donation - $15.00 at the Door, Costume
Contest with prizes,
Raffles, Fairy
Mound, The Story of Samhain and Free
appetizers, order dinner from menu. Come
on out and help a good cause and have some great fun!
November 12-13th Balmoral Classic presents US Junior Solo Bagpiping and Drumming Championships. Information George Balderose, 412.323.2707. www.BalmoralClassic.org.
November 20-21st The Heinz History Center presents the Heritage Holidays at the History Center. Information Natalie DeRiso, 412-454-6359. There will be live performances, ethnic foods, holiday decorations, crafts, heritage history information and items to sell and buy.
LAOH Division 4 is proud to announce "A Classic Irish Christmas" featuring Andy Cooney on Thursday, December 2, 2010. See below for more details. Pittsburgh Irish Dance Schools
Bell School of Irish Dance http://bellschool.com/about.htm Burke Irish Dancers http://www.burkeirishdance.com/ Pittsburgh Irish Reelers http://www.pghirishreelers.com/ Shovlin Academy of Dance http://www.shovlinacademy.com/ Pittsburgh Ceili Club www.pittsburghceiliclub.org/
Pittsburgh Irish Sports
Pittsburgh Irish Rowing Club (PIRC) http://www.pittsburghirishrowingclub.com/
Pittsburgh Gaelic Athletic Association (PGAA) - a representative organization of the Pittsburgh Celtics, Pittsburgh Banshees, and Pittsburgh Celtics Youth
Pittsburgh Hurling Club (PHC) |
become a regular at these local programs! The Echoes of Erin is marking its 22nd year! It airs every Sunday afternoon at 12:30-2:00p.m. on WEDO, 810 AM. Diane Byrnes continues to provide Irish music, news, and other great information from the Emerald Isle. Keep up the good work, Diane!
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, come for Irish Night: Guinness, Smithwick's, and Half and Half specials 8-12 p.m. 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.
LOCAL IRISH ENTERTAINERS WEBSITES Check Performance Schedules, Etc. Aran from Johnstown PA - http://www.people.iup.edu/rahkonen/Bands/Aran.htm George Balderose - http://www.pittsburghpiper.com/ Carnival of Souls - http://www.carnivalofsouls.com Ceann - http://www.ceannmusic.com/ Cue Ball Music - http://www.cueballmusic.com/index.asp Cahal Dunne - http://www.cahaldunne.com/ Tony Egan - http://www.tonyegan.info Michael Gallagher - http://www.mike-gallagher.com/ Terry Griffith - http://www.pittsburghirish.org/griffith Guaranteed Irish - http://www.guaranteedirish.info/ Hiraeth - http://lugh.as.cmu.edu/Hiraeth.htm Hooley - http://www.hooley.info John McCann - http://www.johnmccannlive.com/ Corned Beef & Curry - http://www.cornedbeefncurry.com/ Michael Murphy & TSRB http://www.michaelmurphy.us/ Na Gaels - http://www.pittsburghirish.org/nagaels Jack Puskar - http://www.jackpuskar.com Red Hand Paddy - http://www.redhandpaddy.com/ Rolling Scones - http://www.rollingscones.com A CLASSIC IRISH CHRISTMAS
LAOH Division 4 is proud to announce "A Classic Irish Christmas" featuring Andy Cooney on Thursday, December 2, 2010. Show 7:30pm. Doors open 6:00pm at the West View Fireman's Banquet Hall. Advance tickets are $25.00 per person ages 11 and above and $10.00 for kids 10 and under. Tickets at the door will be $30.00 and $10.00 kids 10 and under. This is a fundraiser for our division. For tickets and more information please contact Sue Donnelly at 412-734-9595 or email to laohdiv4nh@yahoo.com Tickets should be purchased in advance. Checks should be made out to LAOH Divsion 4. For more information on Andy Cooney please visit his website at www.andycooney.com |
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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. The Ireland Institute relies on its donor and volunteer network to continue its mission of mutual reconciliation and economic development. Your generosity is kindly appreciated.
The Ireland Institute is available to accept donations through the United Way. Please remember our code for the United Way Campaign of Southwestern Pennsylvania: 4534. We are also listed as a non-Profit under the Combined Federal Campaign. Our number is: 12438. A third option is to donate through the local Federal campaign. This number is: 9016.
If you prefer, a tax-deductible donation can also be made directly to the Ireland Institute of Pittsburgh. The Ireland Institute also appreciates in-kind donations such as event tickets etc. that we can then distribute to our participants.
For further information or questions about how you can donate, please contact us at 412-394-3900.
All articles are adapted from www.rte.ie, the Irish Emigrant, the Belfast Telegraph, the Irish Examiner, BBC, and other news sources. |
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