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the celtic connection * november 1996
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WHEN IRELAND STARVED
A video documentary of The Great Hunger Produced by Radharc Films of Dublin
Between 1845 to 1849. Ireland lost approximately four million of her people. Roughly half the population of Ireland either fled or died of starvation or disease. This was the time known as "The Great Hunger."
The cruel irony of the time was that Ireland had an abundance of food, sufficient to feed 16 million people, but these provisions were shipped out, under military protection, to Britain.
This often moving and disturbing material includes reporting from the Illustrated London News which documented the horror and anguish of this black period of Irish history.
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To order your copy of When Ireland Starved Completed the following and send a cheque or money order to The Celtic Connection j #741-916 W.Broadway, Vancouver, B.C. V5Z1K7 i Name _
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Public Drunkeness is Not "the Irish Way"
Dear Editor: I live near an establishment in Vancouver which labels itself as an Irish bar.
Every weekend, there are hordes of young people, from other parts of Vancouver, lining up for a wild night of Irish ballads and a general hoolie.
Every night of the weekend, they stagger out roaring and shouting. This is a bit annoying, considering the number of police who must be deployed to protect my neighbourhood.
The thing that really peeves me is, everyday as I go about my daily business, I am confronted by big caricatures of drunken Irish cartoons on the front windows of this establishment.
I approached the owner and suggested that I would volunteer my time as a professional
artist to create a more contemporary graphic design for them such as a Celtic border. The owner replied that he had never heard of Celtic knotwork.
I explained to him, that as an Irish citizen, I found his windows offensive because they portrayed the Irish as a bunch of drunks. I also explained that these depictions were very similar to the cartoons of the Irish in Punch Magazine during the time of the Irish famine in the 1800's. He just shrugged his shoulders and said he didn't care.
I find it insulting and disrespectful to portray my people in this way while at the same time, commercializing the Irish name for profit and promoting drunkenness among young people as "the Irish way.
Yours sincerely, Deirdre Keohane Vancouver, B.C.
COMMUNITY NEWS
Speedy recovery to Vie Moore of the Moore School of Irish Dance, who recently sustained bruises to her face, as the result of a car accident. Despite her injuries, it hasn't stopped her from dancing.
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Sincere condolances to Maureen , (nee Rudden) Gerrard and her husband Al and their son Ryan, on the recent loss of Maureen's mother Anna Rose Rudden of Clonis, County Monaghan, Ireland. Mass cards and condolances can be sent to 2144 Fir Street, Point Roberts, Washington, U.S. 98281.
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Sincere condolances to Stephanie and Kevin Boggan on the recent loss of Stephanie's father Frank Meal. Donations can be made to the Kidney Foundation of B.C.
THE CELTIC CONNECTION
Volume 6, Number 9 #741 -916 West Broadway, Vancouver, B.C. V5Z1K7 Tel: (604) 434-3747 Fax: (604) 434-3749
E-Mail Address:
maura_mccay ©mindlink.bc.ca
Maura McCay - Publisher Cathollne Butler - Advertising Jack Wallace - Consulting Editor Alicia Martin - Editor Ann-Marie Finnerty - Input Celtic Art: Deirdre Keohane & Ron Johnstone Distribution: Art Marshall • Kevin Boggan • Mike Paul • Ron/ O'Sullivan and in Seattle—Flnian Rowland
Published 10 times per year. Unsolicited submissions welcome but will not be returned. Pleaseretainacopyforyourfiles. Contents copyright 1996. The Celtic Connection. Opinions expressed here are ,iot necessarily those of the publisher but rather a reflection of voices in the commu-; ijty. All correspondence must include a name, address and telephone number.
Canada Post Canadian Publications Agreement 477842
AWARD CANCELLED
In the May issue of The Celtic Connection, we asked readers to nominate people within their Celtic communities who have dedicated themselves to our culture and heritage.
Jameson and Bushmills Irish Whisky had agreed to sponsor a new award called "The Unsung Hero Award," for just such a person.
Response to date has been very disappointing with only two candidates nominated. It is a sad reflection that within all the Celtic communities that we have only received two nominations.
Regardless of which canadidte had won, it would have been a wonderful opportunity to let him or her know how much the community values their contribution.
As a result of the lack of response, the "Unsung Hero Award" has been cancelled.
— Catholine Butler
Ireland-Canada Chamber of Commerce
VANCOUVER - The Vancouver Chapter of the Ireland -Canada Chamber of Commerce will hold a seminar on November 12 at the Coast Plaza at Stanley Park, 1733 Comox Street at 6:30 PM. The topic, "How to Fail in Business, Without Really Trying," is a tongue-in-cheek look at a serious topic. Speaker is Ronald Coleman. For more information call (604) 990-0244 or (604) 596-5534.
NOVENA
NO VENA to the Blessed Virgin Mary. (Never known to fail). O most beautiful flower of Mount Carmel, fruitful vine, splendour of Heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in this my necessity. O Star of the Sea, help me and show me here you are my mother. O Holy Mary, Mother of god, queen of Heaven and Earth, I numbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to succour me in this necessity.
There are none that can withstand your power. O show me herein you are my Mother. O Mary, Conceived Without Sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee (three times).
Holy Mary, I place this cause in your hands (three times). Sweet Mother, I place this cause in your hands (three times). Holy Spirit, you who solve all problems, light all roads so that I can attain my goal. You gave me the divine gift to forgive and forget all evil against me and that in all instances in my life you are with me.
I want in this short prayer to confirm once again that I never want to be separated from you or your mercy towards me and mine. Amen.
The prayer must be said three days, even after the request is granted and the favour, must be published.
STAGE EIREANN DRAMATIC SOCIETY
(Vancouver's own Irish Theatre Group)
Presents:
'SUMMER'
By Hugh Leonard
at Vancouver Little Theatre Heritage Hall (Back entrance) 3102 Main Street, Vancouver
Runs: November 20-21-22-23 and November 26-27-28-29 & 30 $10 general admlssion/$8 seniors & students
For more Information call Marie Morrie (604) 929-1042
Traditional Irish Seisun Opening & Closing Nights
for reservations only call: _(604) 876-4165_