THE
IRISH AMERICAN CLUB
NEWS
Irish Language Studies
The Irish American Club’s Irish Language Studies group, resumes on Friday September 10th at 6:30pm at the Maine Irish Heritage Center. Tea Coffee and snacks will be available from 6:00pm for newcomers, beginners and our advanced beginners, so they can all get acquainted.
The Language class runs for 10 weeks and will be finished the week before Thanksgiving. Beginners class begins at 6:30pm to 7:30pm with the participants having the opportunity to sit in on the Advanced beginners class which runs from 7:30pm until 9:00pm.
The program uses the “Buntus Cainte” language course. Copies of the book may be obtained at “Ireland’s Crystal and Craft” on Congress Street, Portland. Advanced Beginners will begin working on the “Progress in Irish” grammar study course. We also use the resources of the BBC’s Irish Language course “Giota Beag” available on their website.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/irish/articles/view/625/gaeilge/
Cost for the 10 week course is $20 for Irish American Club members, $40 for non-members. Full payment expected at the first class. The course is not intended as a profit making activity, but hopes to be self- sustaining. The language class is at the heart of the IAC charter to foster and promote Irish Culture and Traditions. We’d love to see you there.
All-Ireland Finals
The All-Ireland Hurling and Football Finals from Croke Park, Dublin, can be heard on RTE Radio in September. For all you fans of GAA Hurling and Gaelic Football who need an annual “fix” of following your favorite County in the big Championship can log on or listen to the finals this year. Check out this article from RTE.
http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/championship/aif_radio.html
Casco Bay Cruise!
The Irish American Club's, Casco Bay cruise on Saturday (August 7th) was a huge success. The weather co-operated in a wonderful way, providing warm sun and cooling breezes.
Our co-host "Buy Local" were great partners. Many people mentioned that the afternoon cruise was very enjoyable. DJ Kruger our "music spinner" provided a great backdrop to the day. Special thanks for the donation of the great buffet, provided by some our our "local" businesses.
ANNUAL OUTDOOR MEMORIAL MASS AT WESTERN CEMETERY
The Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) Division I, Portland,Maine will celebrate a Memorial Mass at 1:00 P.M. on Sunday August 15th at Portland's Western Cemetery.
http://www.maineirish.com/
Thanks to Doug and Alicia McIntire
for heading up the crew who worked at the Festival of Nations at Deering Oaks on Saturday July 30th. They were ably helped by Gail Nichols, Mary Ann Weston and Kathy Reilly, thanks to all.
Special thanks to the Stillson School of Irish Dance who donated their time and talent on behalf of the Irish American Club. They were much appreciated by the attendees at the Festival.
Congratulations!
At the Irish American Club’s annual picnic, the Raffle winners were as follows:
1: $500 – Ms. Sara Reifsnyder
2: Gift certificate – Norma Gribbin
3: Gift certificate – Nancy Odum
Annual Picnic
The Irish American Club’s Annual Picnic for Members and their guests, was a huge success! On Sunday July 25th Club members their friends and families enjoyed the good weather and hard work of the Board to remember their heritage.
Good music, food and games gave the picnic a festive atmosphere. As always, Eric Kruger, "the balloon guy" was a big hit with the kids. Special thanks to Laura Mike for the artistic face painting, and to Robert O'Brien for the Kick-ball event.
Many thanks to Rich Hoffsaes and Carol, Robert and Stephanie and Steve Linsky for food stand. Steve Linsky of course is everywhere, showing up at 7:30am to start moving stuff for the picnic set-up. Steve and Bob Kearney are twin Super heroes! As always our stalwarts, Mary McVeigh, Kathy Reilly, Kay Martin and Betty Pomroy were on hand to keep things running smoothly. They were backed up by Susanne, Dorcas and Bertha.
Thanks too, to the members of the AOH, Paul O’Neill, Bill Densmore and Steve Helphand for their help.
There was a little Deja-vu as the Nee family volleyball team returned to winning ways after losing their title last year. Congratulations to them.
Members voted a new Board of Directors into existence after a hiccup in May. Welcome to new Vice President Doug McIntire, new Membership Director Betsy Callahan, and new Social Secretary Catherine McKenna. Kay Martin will again take up the Treasurers duties after filling in temporarily.
The rest of the Board is as follows: Brendan McVeigh, President; Fr. Phillip M. Tracy, Secretary; John Coney, Sgt. at Arms; Kathy Reilly, Cultural Director. If you missed the picnic, maybe we'll see you next year.
An bhfuil Gaeilge agat?
Do you speak Irish? Do you want to learn? A new season begins on Friday September 10th. Our new beginners students will join our Advanced Beginners to continue our studies.
The course will break down to two groups, Beginners, from 6:30-8:00pm and Advanced beginners from 7:30pm-9:00pm.
For more information, please contact Kathy Reilly at 893-7812 (daytime) or 712-5191 (anytime) or email kath.reilly@hotmail.com or club@irishofmaine.org
STILLSON SCHOOL OF IRISH DANCE
The Irish American Club celebrates its partnership with the Stillson School of Irish Step Dancing. For many years the Club has supported the school, and likewise Carlene Stillson and her dancers have supported the Club at many of our events to the delight of our members and their friends. The Stillson school is the pre-eminent school of Irish Dance in this state, and its success is due in part to its reflection of Irish Dance traditions, namely performances and competitions (Feiseanna).
On June 18th at the Gorham Middle School, the Stillson School will showcase their Dance Concert. The concert is open to the public and begins at 6pm. Tickets are $11 and $7 for children under 10.
This year’s Feis will be held at the Biddeford Middle School on July 24th, beginning at 8:30am until 4pm. The event features Live musicians and step dancers of all ages. Door fee is $10.00.
These events are well worth attending, not only for the enjoyment and entertainment but also for the support of Irish Dancing in the state. After so many years of pleasure, the school deserves our support.
St. Patrick’s Parade A Big Success!
See parade pictures here:
http://irishamericanclubstpatricksday10.shutterfly.com/
The Irish American Club's St. Patrick's Dinner and Parade was a big success. An almost filled room on Saturday night enjoyed the perfectly cooked traditional "Corned Beef and Cabbage". The meal was prepared by Rich Hoffsaes and his crew and the operation was masterminded by Matt Tracy.
Great music was provided by "Box of Crackers" and the crowd was wowed by the flashing feet of the Stillson School of Irish Dance.
Local personality and staunch Irish American Club supporter Matt Tracy was honored with the "Irish Person of the Year" award.
Local historian John Henderson was awarded an Irish American Club "Cultural Grant" to help with his book in development about the Irish of Lewiston and Auburn.
Sue Flaherty and Susan Reilly received a Cultural Grant to help with the up coming Bloomsday Celebration on June 16th.Congratulations to all the recipients.
Special thanks to Mike Furey of "Ireland's Crystal and Craft" on Congress Street and to Mike Lake of "Port Grooming and Pet Care" on Ocean Street, South Portland, for help with ticket sales.
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Parade
Brrrrrrr, it was cold! For once, the weather forecasters got it right! Ugly, nasty, wind and rain. A lot more than we needed. But NOT enough to stop our members and supporters from showing up to carry aloft the flags of the United States, Ireland, and all the provinces and counties of Ireland.
The Dunlap Highland Pipe Band braced the trip and the cold from New Hampshire and filled the air with the skirl of the pipes. A lone Piper, Tom Ryan of the Claddagh Mor Pipe Band followed the Color Guard provided by the Portland Fire Department.
The local 1996 Carpenters Union marched with us, as did the Portland Hurling Club, Pablo Gonzalez and his wonderful Irish Wolfhound "Whiskey". Our thanks to all.
Our elected officials were busy elsewhere with the exception of Congresswoman Chellie Pingrie, who marched along in the wind and rain and addressed and encouraged the participants at the rally's end.We very much appreciated her participation. Of course our first responders were on hand to ensure the safety of the marchers. The police and fire departments of Portland helped make our parade a great success despite the weather. Special thanks to the Board of Directors of the Irish American Club and to Steve Linskey, Superman's wee brother!
Thanks for a great turnout!
Ceili at Ri-Ra
The Celebration continued with an Irish Ceili Dance at Ri-Ra. A packed house watched and joined in the dancing. Music was provided by the Portland Ceili Band and the dances were organized by Brendan and Mary McVeigh. Dancers of all ages took the floor to dance the "Walls of Limerick", "Fairy Reel" and others. The climax arrived with the "High Cauled Cap" and the "Sixteen hand Reel". By that time, the rain and wind was long forgotten.
The next Ceili will be held in September. Watch for details.
FMI Email the Club at club@irishofmaine.org ===========================================
The Irish Language
The class is underway and continues the exciting task of establishing an Irish speaking group that helps one another to meet their speaking goals. It's not easy overcoming the difficulty and awkwardness of using a language so different from our first language; but that's part of the fun, and our participants are enjoying the challenge.
It's not too late to become part of the new group forming the new beginner's class in September.
The charge for the ten week class is TBAfor members and TBAfor non-members.
Obviously this makes Club membership an advantage. Memberships can be purchased at the class.
Isn't it time you joined the "Irish family"?
For more information, please contact Kathy Reilly at 893-7812 (daytime) or
712-5191 (anytime)
or email kath.reilly@hotmail.com
or club@irishofmaine.org
Sign up through PayPal or email the Club for more info. We'd love to have you.
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Join us on a regular basis for information on:
Ceili Dance Classes
Bodhran and Tin Whistle Lessons
For information, please contact Kathy Reilly at 893-7812 (daytime) or
712-5191 (anytime)
or email kath.reilly@hotmail.com
or club@irishofmaine.org
Sunday Ceilis
Join us for our next Ceili in September 2010 at the Maine Irish Heritage Center (corner of Gray and State streets). Free and open to the public. No experience or partner expected.
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For information on all Cultural events, please contact Kathy Reilly at 893-7812 (daytime) or 712-5191 (anytime)
or email kath.reilly@hotmail.com
or club@irishofmaine.org
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The Irish American Club's
Trip to Ireland
October 2009
The Irish American Club's October trip to Ireland was a fabulous success! We had a very enjoyable trip that began with a trip to Monasterboice to see the Celtic High Crosses and ended with a night out out in Galway in the 'City of the Tribes'.
Ireland in 2009 is an energetic and forward looking country, both North and South, and we joined visitors from many foreign countries in places like Carrick-a-Reed, Derry City, the Giant's Causeway, Donegal and the fabulous Galway!
The group consisted of a mixture of experienced travelers and 'Ireland Rookies', experiencing the atmosphere of Ireland for the first time.
Evan McElligott of Longer Vacations of Portland Maine, put together a jam-packed itinerary, geared to our interests. We saw the sights that draw visitors from around the world, and were even entertained by Enya's father, Leo.
We had tea and coffee with the Lord Mayor of Belfast, had a special Whiskey tasting at Bushmills, and walked the historic Walls of Derry City.
The hotels and food were spectacular, the shopping opportunities were mouthwatering and the nightlife of Irish pubs, traditional music and colorful characters added to the pleasure.
If you missed it, keep watching this site for our next trip. My deposit is ready!
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DON'T FORGET!
The Irish American Club is now on the photo-share site Shutterfly
You can watch Club ceilis on YouTube.com
The Irish American Club is now on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Irish-American-Club-of-Maine/81602031731
and MySpace.com.
Why not connect with us today?
Check out other great resources on our Irish Links page!
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