JULY/AUGUST 2006
www.celtic-connection.com
Page 35
A WARM WELCOME IN SEATTLE
By CATHOLINE BUTLER
I recently made a long overdue visit to the Evergreen State south of the border, and wouldn't you know it....George Bush, the President of the United States, and Anderson Cooper of CNN, all picked the same day to visit Seattle. The city was sheer pandemonium.
I'm deeply indebted to Jim Foskin, who took time out from his busy schedule to drive me around the city. We were a bit like the movie Driving Miss Daisy as he confidently navigated me from one Irish establishment to the next. Jim is originally from Kilkenny, the county most noted for its great hurlers.
Another major player in the Seattle area is John Keane. He wears so many different hats in the local Irish community I've heard him referred to as The Godfather. I know him as the Green Pages of the Seattle Irish community he knows everybody.
Upon arriving in Seattle, John drove me over to Kirkland to see the new Wilde Rover Irish Pub, and we met Rob Mullin of the Seattle Gaels for lunch. Rob is doing a great job of promoting hurling in the Seattle area.
The Wilde Rover is an upscale Irish pub, very spacious with several rooms. I enjoyed their delicious fish chowder and brown Irish soda bread.
John Keane is treasurer of the Irish Heritage Society and secretary of the Seattle Galway Sister City Association. At this time, he is busy organizing a group from Seattle to travel to the Galway Oyster Festival in September. Among the group is Greg Nickel, the mayor of Seattle, whose ancestors hail from Tipperary. He is very proud of his Irish heritage and has done extensive research into his background.
John is also very involved with the week long St. Patrick's celebrations in Seattle. It's expected that the mayor of Galway will be attending the March 2007 St. Patrick's celebrations in Seattle. John is also a great supporter of the Seattle Gaels, men and women's teams and anything related to the GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association).
In 2005, John Keane was awarded The Celtic Connection's Person of the "Year Award in recognition of all his voluntary work in the Seattle Irish community.
Some of the local Irish establishments I visited while in Seattle include Fado's Irish Pub; Paddy Coyne's Pub; T.S. McHugh's Irish Pub and Restaurant; The Blarney Stone; The George and Dragon; Molly Maguires and The Ould Triangle; Mulleady's Irish Pub; and Kells Irish Pub. There's many more Irish pubs that I had to leave for another visit to Seattle.
I also spent a couple of hours at the Galway Traders, an Irish import store in the Ballard area of Seattle. I have known the owners, Evelyn and Hugh Murray for many years. They're a wonderful couple and it was great to see them again. Their store is located in a quaint little house where you can wander from room to room filled with exquisite items.
Another welcome familiar face is Eileen who has worked at Galway Traders for many years. She is very connected to the Irish community activities and she pointed out some of the new stock carried in the store.
One very interesting item that Evelyn pointed out are the new Irish memorial urns in Celtic design. These beautiful urns are a very fitting receptacle for the ashes of those Celts who wish to have their remains cremated. There are also smaller urns in Celtic design for family members who wish to preserve some part of the ashes of their loved one.
Finally, I was fortunate enough to take in the Bloomsday reading which took place at Mick McHugh's famous establishment, the FX. McRory's Steak Chop and Oyster House. Located one block north of Seahawk Stadium, this large establishment is noted for its great food.
I spoke briefly with Mick who has a warm and welcoming manner and is a natural publican. Because of his Irish background, Mick has been very supportive of all things Irish in the Seattle area. In fact, he provided The Wild Geese Players, who were staging the Bloomsday reading, with the use of one of his rooms at the restaurant.
The Bloomsday reading was from Cyclops, chapter 12 of Ulysses by James Joyce. There was a huge cast of 24 who participated in the readings. Kieran O'Malley, who took part in the reading, is the founder of The Other Bloomsday and The Wild Geese Players which was formed in 1997.
At McRory's, the room was packed for the play and some audience members brought along their own copies of Ulysses to follow along with the play. The actors and readers were all very professional and we had to laugh when Wendy Joseph portrayed the part of Garryowen the dog in the reading. Amazing how she could take on the character of an Irish dog (Irish dogs are real characters, just like the people).
Finally, I had an opportunity to finally meet Jane Sepede and Nanci Spieker. These two women are both very involved in all things Irish in the community. In addition, they deliver The Celtic Connection to all our outlets in the Seattle area.
A very big thank you once again to Jim Foskin. Thanks also to John Keane and everyone in the Irish establishments for your kindness on my visit to Seattle. Much appreciated.
JANE SEPEDE and Nanci Spieker deliver The Celtic Connection in Seattle each month, ensuring that it reaches all our outlets. Their efforts are deeply appreciated.
JIM FOSKIN was my driver and my guide through the busy streets of Seattle.
EVELYN AND HUGH Murray, owners of the popular Galway Traders in Seattle.
EILEEN, a long time employee at Galway Traders in Seattle, admiring some of theirtweed hats and caps.
Mick McHugh, owner of FX McRory's restaurant in Seattle.
OWNERS of the Molly Maguires (L-R) Finbar and Tracey Woods, and Michelle Dereche at The Ould Triangle Irish Pub in Seattle.
Pictured at FX McRory's at the Bloomsday reading are (L-R) Back Row - Emma Bartholomew (Crew); Ciaran O'Mahony (O'Reilly and Lenehan); Joseph Ryan (Ned Lambert); Michael Shadlen; Niall McDonnell (Alf Bergan); Kieran O'Malley (Founder of the Wld Geese Players); Tom Quinn (Terry the barman). (L-R) Front Row - Bill Kuhn (Leopold Bloom); Wendy Joseph (the dog, Garryowen); Joe Martin (the Citizen); George Reilly (Joe Hynes).
THIS IS one of the Celtic memorial urns which is now available at the Galway Traders store in Seattle.