MAY 2010
www.celtic-connection.com
Page 25
SEATTLE IRISH NEWS
CONDOLENCES - to Seattle's Frank Shriane on the death on April 27 of his sister, Mary Theresa Keenan, in Castlerea, Co. Roscommon.
IRISH AMBASSADOR TO VISIT SEATTLE - The
Ambassador of Ireland Michael Collins will visit Seattle on June 8-9 on the first official visit of an Irish Ambassador to Seattle since 1987.
A native of Dublin, Michael Collins joined the Department of Foreign Affairs in 1974 and has served as Ireland's Ambassador to Saudi Arabia and also as Ambassador to the Czech Republic and Ukraine.
He was appointed Second Secretary General at the Department of the Taoiseach in 2001 and in that capacity had overall responsibility for international and European Union affairs, particularly the Northern Ireland peace process.
He was appointed Ireland's Ambassador to the United States in 2007. Ambassador Collins, who also speaks Italian and French, is married to Marie Collins and they have three children: Brian (21), David (18) and Owen (15).
He will be accompanied to Seattle by his wife Marie, and also by Gerry Staunton, Consul General of Ireland for the Western United States.
While in Seattle, Ambassador Collins will conduct several business meetings, attend an Irish Seniors' Luncheon, launch an Irish Professionals Network, meet with Washington Governor Chris Gregoire, with the World Affairs Council, with the Seattle Times Editorial Board, and with Seattle's Irish community at a reception to which all are invited.
COMMUNITY RECEPTION - All
members of Seattle's Irish community are invited to attend an Irish community reception for Irish Ambassador Mchael Collins on June 9, at 7:30 PM at F X McRory's 419 Occidental Avenue S, Seattle.
Admission free, complimentary hors d'oeuvres, no host bar. For more information, call (206) 223-3608 or visit www.IrishClub.org.
IRISH SENIORS - All Irish seniors are invited to join Michael Collins, Ambassador of Ireland to the United States, at an Irish seniors' luncheon on June 8, at 12 noon at Assumption Parish Hall, 6201 33rd Avenue NE, Seattle. The cost of the salmon buffet lunch is $10 per person.
Seating is limited, but spouses and other Irish seniors are welcome at the same price.
Advance reservations are required to (425)290-7839 orwrite: Irish immigrant Support, P.O. Box 75123, Seattle, WA 98175.
IRISH NETWORK - Irish Network Seattle is a new Seattle-area chapter of Irish Network-USA (www.IrishNetwork-USA.com), a
business-oriented Irish organization dedicated to providing a business, professional and social network connecting the Irish-born, Irish Americans and friends of Ireland
throughout the U. S.
IN-USA is a forum through which individuals from any and all fields can connect through the common bonds of heritage and identity with modern Ireland.
It allows members of the various Irish networks across the U.S. to connect with their peers, develop relationships that will foster success in their business, economic and social ventures; and broaden their footprint in the U.S.
In the Puget Sound Area, the local group has declared their objectives to be:
1) To facilitate networking opportunities to foster career and business opportunities among members in all industries and occupations;
2) To offer the ability to connect with members in Irish networks across the United States; and
3) To support the further development of the already strong economic, social and cultural ties between the United States and Ireland.
RoseMarie FitzSimons is heading up the local steering committee which will have Ambassador Collins officially launching the chapter in the Seattle area on the evening of June 9.
For more information, e-mail: Info@IrishNetwork-Seattle.com or visit www.IrishNetwork-Seattle.com.
MEMORIAL DAY MASS - An
open-air Memorial Day Mass will be celebrated at the Seattle area's Irish Pioneer Cemetery, St. Patrick Cemetery in Kent, at 10:30 AM on May 31.
Established in 1880 by Richard O'Connell from Co. Limerick, the four and a half acre cemetery is located one half mile east of 1-5 on Orillia Rd at 204th Street, just east of Sea-Tac Airport.
The concelebrated Mass will remember in a special way all who are buried there and in cemeteries around Seattle, but will also remember in a special way the Great Famine and those who left Ireland in the aftermath of Ireland's greatest calamity.
Richard O'Connell died in 1935 - 55 years after he founded the cemetery -and his wife Sarah (nee Mullen from Co. Galway) died in 1952.
Today, their grandson, greatgrandchildren and great-greatgrandchildren still live on the original O'Connell family farm, just down the hill from St. Patrick.
It is requested you bring some lawn chairs if you can. For more information, contact Mass@irishclub.org or call (425)290-7839.
IRISH RACE DAY - Irish Day at Emerald Downs in Auburn is June 6,2-6 PM. Free coupons good for two free admissions and two free race programs can be downloaded off the Irish Heritage Club website at www.irishclub.org.
Irish Day features thoroughbred racing with Irish music, stepdancers, free kids' activities (pony rides, inflatable slide, face painters), etc.
For reserved seating or dining reservations, or for more information on Emerald Downs, call (253) 288-7711.
MICHAEL Collins, Irish Ambassadorto the U.S., will visit Seattle on June 8 and 9. The main purpose will be to meet members of Seattle's Irish community.
Additional admission coupons are also available by calling Justin McMahon at (425) 750-1468 or visit www.irishclub.org.
IMMIGRATION - Seattle's Irish Immigrant Support Group notes that on April 29, several U.S. Senators introduced a Proposal for Immigration Reform which would provide a path to eventual U.S. citizenship for illegal immigrants who agree to some penalties, including paying back taxes.
It also includes various "sticks" such as measures to bolster border security, stricter employer sanctions and requirements for the detention and removal of "unlawfully present persons."
For the Irish community and the over 50,000 undocumented Irish living in the United States, the proposal provides an eventual path to legalization.
Additionally, the proposal provides 10,500 renewable work visas per annum (the E-3 visa) for future Irish migrants. To volunteer or keep up on this fast changing campaign, please visit: www.irishlobbyusa.org.
SEATTLE GAELS - The Seattle Gaels will host a Gaelic games tournament at Seattle's Green Lake Park (across from Spud Fish & Chips), all day June 5.
Bring a lawn chair and come watch the Gaels men and women take on hurling, camogie, and Gaelic football teams from Vancouver, Portland, etc. For all the details, call Aidan at (206) 940-1113.
CONGRATULATIONS - To The
Ethnic Heritage Council which celebrates its 30th anniversary with a dinner on May 15 at the Nordic Heritage Museum.
Serving on its board of directors is Nanci Spieker, president of the Irish Heritage Club which was one of the EHC's founding members in 1980. For information, call (206) 427-3027.
AUGUST PICNIC - Seattle's Irish community picnic is noon-6 PM August 1, at Lake Sammamish State Park in Issaquah (exit #15 off 1-90). Games and fun for the entire family, and all are welcome at no charge. For details, e-mail: Picnic@irishclub.org or call (425) 745-1263.
IRISH AQUASOX NIGHT - Irish Night at the Everett Aquasox is August 6,7:05 PM, preceded by a Seattle Gaels hurling exhibition game and featuring a special appearance by 1989 World Series MVP Dave Stewart. Irish Night details are not yet finalized but call (425) 258-3673 for information.
IRISH MARINERS NIGHT - Halfway to St. Patrick's Day, Irish Night at the Seattle Mariners is September 17, 7:10 PM, vs. the Texas Rangers.
Enjoy Irish music, Irish stepdancers, bagpipers, a FREE Seattle Mariners Irish Heritage Night cap and reduced price tickets ($40 tickets for $28, $20 tickets for $14) if you purchase online or call Yoko McCann at (206) 346-4505.
MISCELLANEOUS
- Gaelic Football and Hurling games from Ireland will be telecast live at Fado Irish Pub, 1st and Columbia, downtown Seattle. Visit the Fado website for weekly updates on teams, telecast times, annual or individual game fees, etc, or call (206) 264-2700.
- The 4th Annual La na Gaeilge' - for fluent speakers and absolute beginners
- will be May 22, 9 AM-5 PM at Marylhurst University, just south of Portland, Oregon. $50 fee includes all activities and a box lunch - call (503) 636-8141, Department of Cultural Studies.
- An Irish Language Immersion Week offering credit and non-credit courses will be held July 17-24 at Montana Tech of the University of Montana in Butte, MT. For information, call (406) 544-0311.
- For the latest information on all the Irish/Celtic music and dance events in the Seattle area, visit www.HOILANDS.com.
WASHINGTON Governor Chris Gregoire, shown herewith Galway Mayor Declan and Mary McDonnell on March 11, will have a Breakfast meeting with Irish Ambassador Michael Collins on June 9 in Olympia.
^Seattle Irish Immigrant Support Groups
P.O. Box 75123, SEATTLE, WA 98175-0123
www.irishseattle.com
FREE SERVICES AVAILABLE
i to Irish people in need, regardless of the person's religious, (social, or economic background. Consultation and referrals, (networking opportunities, limited immigrant legal assistance, advocacy and support in handling drug, alcohol, child or spousal abuse, family crises, senior issues, poverty, etc.
Call toll-free 877-517-3559 or email info@irishseattle.com