MAY 2001
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Page 17
SEATTLE NEWS UPDATE
By JOHN KEANE SEATTLE GAELS - The Seattle Gaels Men's and Women's teams have started their Tuesday evening practices at 6:30 PM at Sandpoint Playfields (in Magnuson Park at Sandpoint Way and NE 65th Street - take the second left as you enter the Park).
The season is just starting and anj'one interested is invited to try their hand at Gaelic Football, or to come out and support the teams.
On May 26, the Gaels host an all-day Men's and Women's Seven-a-Side Gaelic football tournament at the Sandpoint Playfields with teams from Seattle, San Francisco, Vancouver and possibly Denver.
For more information, contact SeattleGaels@irishclub.org or call Anita Nicholl at (206) 284-5875 (women's team) or Declan Owens at (206) 505-7887 (men's team).
SEATTLE IRISH IMMIGRANT SUPPORT - Some members of Seattle's Irish community travelled to San Francisco on May 4 for the annual weekend Conference of the Coalition of Irish Immigration Pastoral Centers around the United States. R
epresented at the conference were Immigration Centers in Boston, New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, San Diego, San Francisco, and now Seattle.
The various centers provide different services to Irish immigrants in the various cities depending on the need, and some are active enough that, for example, the Boston Center has full-time staff members employed to cater to the needs of Irish immigrants in the Boston area.
The Boston Center received over 28,000 inquiries last year related to immigration, visa, health, housing, education, pregnancy, substance abuse, and other social service needs.
The Seattle contingent intends to establish a similar referral service in the Seattle area so that
someone who needs help in the form of legal advice, medical assistance, housing, employment, etc., will at least be given advice and referrals to the appropriate agencies, or to other individuals or places that can help.
If interested in helping out with the fledgling Seattle Irish Immigrant Support group, please contact Roger O'Sullivan at (206) 679-5812, Mary Kelly at (206) 528-1988 or John Keane at (425) 290-7839.
MEMORIAL MASS - The
Seattle Gaels arranged for Fr. Tony Haycock to celebrate a Memorial Mass for Joe McGuigan and Nan Heffernan on May 9 at the Catholic Seamen's Club, 2330 First Ave (at Battery).
Joe McGuigan, the father of Gaels members Alison, John and Leo McGuigan, and Nan Heffernan, grandmother of Gaels member John O'Malley, both passed away in Ireland in March.
IRISH HERITAGE CLUB AGM
- The Annual General Meeting and Election of Officers for the Irish Heritage Club will be held on May 19, at 8 PM at St. Patrick's Hall (underneath the Church), 2702 Broadway E, one block NE of 1-5 and Roanoke, Seattle.
The meeting will consist of financial and other reports from the past 12 months, the election of officers for the next 12 months, any new business, and a social hour. All members, and others who are interested, are invited to attend.
The Irish Heritage Club is by far the most active of the Irish organizations in the Seattle area as well as having the largest membership.
Seattle Bloomsday Celebration
SEATTLE - The Wild Geese Players in Seattle will present a staged reading from James Joyces's Ulysses on Bloomsday June 16. This is the fourth year for the group to celebrate Bloomsday and this year, they will read two chapters: Lotus Eaters and Hades. The event takes place in Brechemin Auditorium in the Music building at the University of Washington. Admission is free. For more information, call Olivia Bermiiigham-McDonogh at (206) 616-4652.
Sorrow at Passing of Human Rights Activist
WASHINGTON - The Irish American Unity Conference has expresses sadness at the passing of Reverend Leon Sullivan who was a champion in fighting discrimination. His "Sullivan Principles" brought democracy to South Africa and secured the release of Nelson Mandela.
Reverend Sullivan's actions inspired the Irish "MacBride Principles," which were espoused by Amnesty International founder and Nobel prizewinner Sean MacBride. Government and private entities subscribing to the MacBride Principles used investment sanctions against firms practising economic discrimination - the real source of Ireland's historical opposition to British rule. The MacBride movement swept through 16 states and 30 American cities and was strongly resisted by the British at every hearing.
James Gallagher, President of the Irish American Unity Conference wrote to Reverend Sullivan's family expressing sorrow and deep gratitude for his lifelong efforts fighting discrimination. "We will use Reverand Sullivan's memory in continuing the struggle against hatred and discrimination wherever it exists," said Gallagher.
The only requirement for membership is a genuine interest in "things Irish." For more information, visit their website at www.irishclub.org or call Gabby Jacobsen on (206) 241-2960.
MORE GAELIC FOOTBALL -This year, there will be more Gaelic football championship games than ever in Ireland, thanks to the new Gaelic football championship structures. Previously, all football championship games were played on a knockout basis. If you lost, that was the end of your season.
However, in 2001 under the new structures, teams must lose two games before they are eliminated, up to the All-Ireland Semi-finals. Even the losers of the Provincial Championship Finals are given a second chance.
All first-time losers of a football championship game will participate in an All-Ireland Series playoff where most games will be played, and telecast, on Saturdays. The winners of those rounds qualify for the All-Ireland Quarter Finals to be played on August 4 and 5.
With the All-Ireland Series of games, there will be an additional 28 football championship games this year. In Seattle, the weekly Saturday and Sunday games can be seen live at the Irish Emigrant (University Way NE at 53rd Street).
Telecast season tickets cost #200 (only available until May 30th) while individual game admissions are 620 (840 for All-Ireland Semi-Finals, 650 for All-Ireland Finals). For more information, call Pat Coyne at (206) 525-2955 or visit:/www.setanta.com/ for the latest GAA telecast schedule.
OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS - Through May 26, John B. Keane's play Big Maggie is playing at the Union Garage, 1418 10th Avenur, Seattle. Tickets are 612, 66 for students and seniors, and whatvou can afford on Thursdays. Cali (206) 720-1942 for information.
On June 5, the Irish Tenors return to Seattle at the Opera House. Tickets are 850 - 8100 and arc available at Ticketmaster (206) 628-0888.
Sunday, June 24, is Irish Day at the Races at Emerald Downs. Irish Heritage Club members get free admission and the track arranges for special Irish food and drink menus, Irish music, bagpipes, special prizes, etc. This is a great family event. More details later.
On July 8, we have the Irish Com-munity Picnic at Lake Sammamish State Park, noon to dusk. Admission is free and all are invited to attend and participate in the fun and games - tug-a-war, kid's races, Gaelic football, baseball, water-balloon toss, etc. This is another great family event. More details later.
On July 12, The Feet Of Flames, starring Michael Flatley, will be in Seattle at Key Arena. Tickets are 835 - 885 and are available at Ticketmaster (206) 628-0888.
July 27-29, the WOMAD Festival returns to King County's Marymoor Park near Redmond. Among the performers will be sean-nos (old-style Gaelic) singer Iarla 0 Lionard as well as the Afro Celt Sound System (from UK / Senegal / Ireland). Ticket details, etc., at www.woinad.org.
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* Authentic Irish Dining - 7 days a week
* Full Breakfast & Brunch, Sat & Sun from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
* Live entertainment - Happy hour everyday 4-6 p.m. and 10- midnight
* Our upstairs party room is available for special events and private functions
9* All Ireland G.A.A. Football & Hurling televised Live every week-end starting May 13th. A Seasons pass covers every game thru to the All-Ireland Finals - $200 (includes a continental breakfast) With no season pass, entry to each game $20 - Semi Finals $40 - Finals $50. For futher info contact Pat or visit our website at: irishemigrant.net
MEMORIAL DAY, MONDAY, MAY 28 DEPORTED FROM IRELAND
(at an absolutely enormous expense...)
STRING
COMPANY musical group
(206) 525-2955 fax: (ioe) 525-4055
5260 University Way NE Seattle, Washington
Vie "Irish Emigrant" is your visa to Irish food, drink and atmosphere ...enjoy your stay
/
BEST LITTLE CRAIC HOUSE IN
SEATTLE!
At lado we invite voti to share in Ireland 5 rich and celebrated pub culture, it s a culture ot music and conversation; of yood tood and j;ood drink: ol hospitality and humor what we in Ireland call the craic
lado Irish Put Corner 1st Ave 6 Columbia Seattle
2Uo.2oi.27UU
www.fadoinsripuki.om