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Coordinator: Shirley Starke Route 2, Box 230 Valley City, ND 58072 701 - 845 - 2382 |
Newsletter of the Irish Special Interest Group of American Mensa Uimhir 90: Eanir/Feabhra 1999 Opinions expressed are those of individual authors. Mensa as a whole has no opinions. |
A chairde,
It is finally here: the 20-year anniversary of Litir Sceala! Our first issue came out in January 1979 (although the SIG was founded in August 1978 and first listed in the September '79 Mensa Bulletin.I promised to list our oldest members (I mean those who have been members the longest) in this issue, and to give a 3-year free subscription to the very oldest (I mean longest-running). Jean Anderson of Lauderdale, MN, is the winner of the free subscription. She joined in 1979 or 1980 - it is hard to tell because I didn't write down the year back then. However, I know she joined earlier than the other members who joined in 1979-1980 because her dues were $2.00: the others joined after the dues had increased to $2.50. Congratulations, Jean, and thank you for being a loyal member for so long!
Two other long-running members weren't eligible for the free subscription because they were exchange subscribers: Michael Halm and Annette Townley. Mike was living in North Dakota when the SIG was formed and got in on the ground floor. Annette was the first person to respond to the Bulletin listing: she has been a member since 1978.
Other "sean-chomhalta" who have belonged to the SIG for at least ten years are: Thomas Faircloth (1980), Patrick Swords (1980), Bob O'Brien (1980), Ann Oxley (1981), Edward J. Toner (1981), Frances McColl Stewart (1981), Michael Greaney (1981), Mildred McCloskey (1981?), Maura B. McNally (1982), Patricia Stevens (1983), W. Patrick Resen (1983), John M. Phillips (1984), Ronald L. Tone (1984), Sandra Messinger (1984), Florence Nygaard (1988), Patricia Jettie (1989), Susan Mills (1989), and Thomas Bennett Thomassen (1989). If I have omitted anyone or gotten any dates wrong, please let me know: some of these file cards I keep my records on are old! Thank you so very much, a shean-chomhalta, for supporting this SIG for so long!
We received a phone call, letter, and press release from Oonagh Daly of the Irish Famine Commemoration Fund. Oonagh writes, "The Irish Famine Commemoration Fund has undertaken a massive fund-raising campaign to assist existing charities that aid Irish people at home and abroad who are homeless and poor. The project offers Irish descendants the opportunity to have their family name cast in bronze at the Famine Memorial which is situated on the docks of the River Liffey in Dublin.
"We need all the support and advice we can get as to how we can go about raising awareness of this project within the Irish American Community. Any direction you can give us will be very much appreciated."
If you are able to help by offering a donation, advice, or assistance, please call Oonagh at 888-854-7055, or send her E-mail at irishfamine@indigo.ie. You can also look at the website at http//:irishfaminefund.ie.
We've also received a review copy of Soldier of Ireland, a novel about the Irish Civil War by Robert F. Ely. As the press release says, this book "intertwines a historical account of Ireland's ongoing struggle for independence with the story of a young Irish patriot. as we follow young Francie Chambers through his induction into the West Mayo Volunteers, we also follow the evolution of the Irish Republican Army at the beginning of the twentieth century."
The book is well written and historically accurate; the story exciting. The book may be ordered for $15.00 from Dorrance Publishing Co., 643 Smithfield Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 or by calling 800-788-7654.
Comhalta Nua
John P. Clarke (26380 Forestview Ave., Euclid, OH 44132)Dr. Wendy J. Wilson (3312 Whitney Ave., Sacramento, CA 95821)
Litreacha
John Hennessy (701 Montana Ave., #210, El Paso, TX) writes, "Allow me to express my appreciation to guest editor Lisa for the beautiful work she did on the last newsletter. she also attached a dues reminder."Enclosed is $5.00 for my membership renewal. You may wonder, of course, why I am sending you a $10.00 money order for the purpose.
"Well, to explain, I need to refer you to my in-house leprechaun companions, Paddy O'Signey and his twin brother, Timothy. I discovered Tim has a pet miniature wolfhound (sort of) named "Dooley." I'm sure you'd like meeting Dooley as he is fluent in nine languages, the result of having been sprinkled with Blarney Dust. But that's another story!
"When I first wrote to you about finding Tim in my refrigerator sitting on a mustard jar lid, I neglected to mention I also found Dooley napping behind an empty bologna package. But to save time by fast-forwarding a bit, prior to dinner this evening I discovered muddy paw prints throughout the house. After dinner, over a sip and a pipe, I asked Tim about this. Tim then demanded that Dooley explain, as Dooley is the only resident with paws. Confronted with this unquestionable evidence, Dooley admitted to digging in the garden to unearth a $10.00 gold coin from Tim's pot buried there. He stated he had learned my SIG dues were due and wanted to make amends for the bologna he had consumed. He intended to borrow Tim's coin, he claimed, for both, dues and bologna.
"Tim, close to tears on hearing this, removed the coin from Dooley's ear where it has been concealed, proclaiming, 'Dooley, truly you are a man's best friend!' Handing me a newly materialized $10.00 money order, said he, 'Here master John, $5.00 for the dues, a $2.50 donation from me, and a $2.50 donation from Dooley!'
"Deeply moved, I managed a humble 'Thank you!' Such generosity! As you can see, I'm not making this up as is evidenced by the money order.
"I'll tell Tim and Dooley I wrote to you about it.
"My best to you all."
Lisa Shea writes, "We should be heading back to Ireland in May-June so I'll be sure to write that one up which will keep you going for another 2 years ;). We'll be in the Cork area if anyone has interesting genealogical information they would like from there - I know we certainly will be doing a ton of research!"
A chara, I think your Irish travelogues will add interest to this newsletter for our second 20 years! They are greatly appreciated; please keep them coming! If you would like Lisa to look up genealogical information when she is in Ireland, please E-mail her at (changed to Lisa Shea Contact).
Paul B. Kourtz (5112 Brentwood Farm Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030) writes, "Tell Michael that I have been enjoying the Irish Liturgical Tradition series."
Sandra Messinger (547 Argyle Rd., Brooklyn, NY 11230) writes, "I particularly liked Lisa Shea's Travel Notes (Pt. 1). She writes beautifully. Now I know why the Irish write so well. It comes from the land."
Irish Travel Notes, Part 5........................................by Lisa Shea
DAY 8: FRI MAY 30 Friday was a day of rest. We woke late and drove out to Mallow to look for fishing gear. We walked around town - I got a fresh scone and some soda - but found no fishing shop. It was a nice town for walking. We drove onwards to Fermoy, where we found one. Bob got some cute flies and other stuff. Both towns were great for wandering - not touristy at all. Then we got some sandwiches and drove back home.
We had dinner, then Bob went off fishing for the evening down the stream. Tom went to get Bob around 10:15 but he was fishless. He was also tired, so we stayed home that night.
DAY 9: SAT MAY 31 I got up and took a shower. When I got out Bob had "gone for a walk" without me!! I walked down to the stream and watched there until 2:30. I saw many birds, a grey crane, a grey/brown bird. Various locals came to chat about the collies (little fishes). I got back home, and Bob was at the store ... eventually he came back and we headed out with Tom to the Millstreet Country Park.
It was really pretty there, with lakes, red deer (with lots of babies!), pathways, and waterfalls. There was an old "cooking pit" there which the ancient occupants filled with water, rolled hot stones into and then cooked meat in the boiling water. They also made islands for protection, building a hut and corral on it just out of twigs and rushes. They sold venison there! We booked out of there at 6 to be home in time for the concert. By then I was ROASTED. Until now I'd been cautious since it was always amazingly sunny - wearing long sleeves and long pants. Today I wore a dress to get some color on my arms and legs. Both were BRIGHT RED when I got home.
We all dressed up and parked in "Lot B." Then we went into the VIP Reception area and had delicious hors d'ouvres, free wine, sandwiches, etc. We met the arena owner (who tried to steal me for his son), the assistant to the Irish President (whom the Tuckers knew), and saw the members of the Coors and Chieftains. Not quite a real "sit down dinner" but still quite nice. The arena owner used to carry coal on his back for Tom's mother!
Then in to the show. We sat in the third row (VIP) with a bunch of tourists around us. TX, CA, MN, etc. The couple from MN were the ones who had emailed me asking for info on the concert. We told them we had avoided SE Ireland because it's a tourist trap; it turned out they were going to spend their last 3 days driving through there before heading home from Dublin. Ooops. They also complained about how scary the driving was; they must be the ones Bob zooms around on OUR trips.
We heard lots of bands, saw dancers. The Chieftains were great, the Coors too. Brian Kennedy was very spangly. Mary Robinson (the President of Ireland) lit a candle, as did we all, and Clinton said words via remote link. It appeared we were in tons of the pictures taken, but we'll see.
Then out to the Corkery, which was MOBBED. We regulars tried to make walls to keep the insane ones out. Tons of drunk kids were on the street listening to drummers, heading through the bar to get to the bathroom. They all took their pint glasses outside too (smash smash). The Garda finally came and asked the 'tender to shut the front door, and things quieted down.
DAY 10: SUN JUNE 1 Today I woke and waited for Bob to wake, about 11 (grin). By noon we could hear the music right in the back yard! It was amazingly clear. Bob built the grill and I read Seamus Heaney (in the shade!!) (Seamus is a Nobel Prize winning Irish poet.) Around 5:30 we all headed down to the arena - the Coors and Saw Doctors were just finishing up. Then Brian Kennedy (Mr. Sparkle Himself) came on, shimmering for the crowd. Then Van Morrison who was very good. Our porta chairs were quite comfy. There were trillions of people there, all dressed for summer and they got roasted! After the Saw Doctors came back on (Dylan was supposed to be on, but he was sick), we headed out.
We headed up to Knocknagree for traditional music. We got there at 10:45 and every pub was jammed. So we ended up in the Chapel House between Rathmore and Baraduff. It's owned by Brida's mother-in-law. The folks we were looking for - cousin Brida and hubby Donal -showed up, and then a button accordion player and a guitarist came to play music. It was great. Four Americans (very obvious! Izod shirts amongst our comfy clothes!) came and played darts horrendously. I told Bob to trounce them, but he was kind and didn't. Eventually the musicians played the National Anthem, we all stood, and they were done. We left around 1:30 (had to sneak out) and headed home.
(Hard copy sent by Michael Greaney - Liturgical Tradition, Part V)
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