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THE CELTIC CONNECTION • MARCH 1992
Letter from the TuSCisHer
Thank you for all your support
By MAURA MCCAY
Old Order Changes in Irish Politics
I guess by now you noticed the price on the cover. I want to say thank you to everyone who bought this issue of The Celtic Connection.
Initially, we provided this paper without charging because we believed that we could supply a service to the Celtic communities. In order to let you know about us, we had to make ourselves known". Every month, for the past four, we have shipped out countless copies of The Celtic Connection, all over the country and from the very first issue, we heard a resounding "more!" in response.
Well, we did print more and we have endeavoured to hear what the Celtic people need in terms of information.
Now, I am asking our valued readers to pay a nominal sum so that you may continue to receive this means of communication. In these changing times, networking and communication are essential and The Celtic Connection is a vehicle through which the Celtic people share a common voice.
In this issue, you will notice a business section. Both Niall McCullough and Seamus McMahon speak of the changing face of doing business with Europe. Beingawareofcurrenttrends will keep us in touch with our future. Here in North America, it often so easy to become displaced. That is why it is so important to keep the culture alive. It keeps the community alive. It's easy to lose that sense of tribal ritual and like the native North American people, we need to remember who we are — and never forget it. There are numerous people in cities across North America, Ireland and England who have done so much tohelp this paper along. They are too numerous to mention but special thanks to those mondern-day Celtic communities located in Vancouver, Seattle, Prince George, Calgary, Saskatoon, Edmonton, Portland, Winnipeg, Prince Albert, Toronto, etc.
Next month we will provide an in-depth listing of new distribution locations. Stay tuned to this frequency for further developments.
Discovering New Talent
| FROM THE EDITOR |
Nothing so brightens the day of an editor as encountering fresh talent. And I've had many a bright day during production of this Celtic Connection.
Let me tell you about just a few of the creative contributors — writers, artists, photographers — whose work graces this 36-page paper, our biggest yet.
Violet Moore, who observed inner-city children "gone mad with Irish dancing" ... Monica Mueller, who described "an inspiring walk into antiquity" ...Tanla Conley, who reported and photographed the struggle to save Roundstone Bog in Galway ...Sharon Greer, who hopes you'll read The
Commitments before seeing the movie...Blair Churchill, who evokes our "Spirit of the West" in his music review...Mr. O'Nanymous, who sensitively recreates a poignant moment in this life of his father...Seamus McMahon and Niall McCullough, whose thoughtful economic articles launch our new Business section. Jack
Celtic cooiQec€iorf
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By LIAM FERRIE
Sf\ UBLIN—Albert Reynolds ' / J became the new leader of the Fianna Fail party on Thursday, February 6, and on the following Tuesday, Charles J. Haughey handed over the reigns of power and Mr. Reynolds became the new Taoiseach.
Albert Reynolds started life in Co. Roscommon but his working life has been spent in Longford. He was once a clerk before finding the showband scene more profitable. He eventually developed what he describes as the most modern pet food factory in Europe.
When he became a Government minister he handed the running of the business over to his son. He was elected to the Dail at his first attempt in 1977 and appointed as Minister two and a half years later.
There was little if any acrimony within the Fianna Fail party in the days prior to the election. Since then, it has all been sweetness and light. We have had Charles Haughey singing the praises of Albert Reynolds and Albert Reynolds reminding us what a fine leader Charles Haughey has been. Mary O'Rourke and Michael Woods both say that democracy has been served and that they are now four square behind Mr. Reynolds. The only slight barb and
Erobably thebestquote, "The Bland eading the Bland", is said to have come from Brian Lenihan.
A TOTALLY NEW LOOK
The rituals were all carried out as prescribed and onFebruary 10, Mr. Haughey tendered his resignation, and that of the Government to President Robinson. Mr. Haughey proposed Mr. Reynolds for the position of Taoiseach.
John Burton and Dick Spring were also nominated but when the voted were counted, there were 84 for Mr. Reynolds and 78 against.
The new Taoiseach surprised everyone with the extent of the changes he made to the Cabinet. Eight Ministers were gone and only Bertie Ahearn and the two PD ministers retain their old responsibilities. The new Cabinet is as follows:
John Wilson, Tanaiste, Defence and Gaeltacht; Bertie Ahern, Finance; David Andrews, Foreign Affairs; Padraig Flynn, Justice; Des O'Malley, Industry and Commerce; Dr. John O'Connell, Health; Brian Cowen, Labour; Charlie M cCreevy, Social Welfare; Seamus Brennan, Education; Bobby Molloy, Energy; Joe Walshe, Agriculture and Food; Michael Smith, Environment; Michael Woods, Marine; Maire Geoghegan-Quinn, Tourism, Transport and Communications; Harry Whelehan, Attorney General.
Noel Dempsey, one of the "gang of four" who tried to oust Mr.
Haughey a few months ago, was appointed Chief Whip. The eight Ministers who lost their Cabinet seats are Vincent Brady, Ray Burke, Gerry Collins, Brendan Daly, Noel Davern, Dr. Rory O'Hanlon, Michael O'Kennedy and Mary O'Rourke.
There is general acceptance that David Andrews has the talent to perform well in Foreign Affairs. It is thought that his appointment will be welcomed by Northern nationalists. He is a barrister and one of the more vocal campaigners for the Guildford Four and the Birmingham Six, even when such a stance was not fashionable.
While it was expected that Padraig Flynn would be back on the front bench, some believe that he is too conservative in his outlook to deliver what is expected at the Department of Justice. Charlie McGreevy's elevation was no surprise but the appointment of Brian Cowen prompted the response, "Brian who?'. He is a 32-year-old solicitor.
Joe Walshe was always a near certainty to be in the new team as he appears to be highly regarded and a place had to found for a Cork TD. With Mary O'Rourke out of favour, it was inconceivable that there would be no woman in the Cabinet. Marie Geoghegan-Quinn, however, is not a mere token and was expected to be back whether or not Mrs. O'Rourke kept her place.
Michael Smith was another
?romotionwhichsurprised noone. here had been talk or a place being found for John O'Connell but now that he is in, it is a case of wait and see. Seamus Brennan considered his move as a promotion. The change from Agriculture to Marine is seen as a demotion for Michael Woods.
John Wilson was the first Minister to publicly back Albert Reynolds and, while that may be a factor in his retaining the position of Tanaiste, he does have the stature for the role.
THE LOSERS
So much for those now in power. There is also a lot of talk about those who find themselves on the backbenchs. Individually, they were all talked of as possibilities for the chop. Indeed, this was the expected fateof Brendan Daly,Noel Davern and possibly Dr. Rory O'Hanlonand Michael O'Kennedy.
Many people considered Mary O'Rourke to be one of the more successful Ministers and it was thought that she would be safe. Ray Burke and Gerry Collins were also expected tosurvive, to provide continuity in the Anglo-Irish talks. Supporters of Mary O'Rourke and Gerry Collings have been vocal in expressing their disappointment.
With such influential figures left out of the Cabinet, there is speculation that rifts will continue in the Fianna Fail party.
LETTERS
Megalithic Art Article Disputed
Dear Editor:
I enjoy The Celtic Connection and feel that much care goes into it, so I was surprised by the errors in "Conceptions of Light III, Megalithic Art in Ireland" by Seamus McMahon in your February issue.
The writer states that Julius Caesar conquered England and that he built Hadrian's Wall. Although Caesar did land a small force in Kent in 55 BC, he quickly retreated and did not return to the island. The actual conquest of England began nearly 100 years later (in 43 AD), under emperor Claudius, and it was completed in 84 AD by Agricola. The Wall dates from 123 AD (167 years after the death of Julius Caesar), and is named after its builder, the emperor Hadrian.
"Megalithic Art" also states that Rome sent Christian missionaries to England400 years after Caesars appearance in Kent, and that the artwork in Ireland's Newgrange is Celtic. Actually, St. Augustine arrived in Kent in 597 AD, 642 years after Caesar. Newgrange, a Neolithicsite,far predates the Celtic cultures, and its artwork cannot be described as Celtic.
I hope you won't misconstrue the intent of this letter. I like The Celtic Connection and hope that it succeeds. I realize "Megalithic Art" is not a historical piece per se, but it is meant to inform, and errors in basic information like this would detract from the reliability of any periodical. Deborah Kerr
EDITOR'S NOTE:
Seamus McMahon responds as follows:
1. Your comments on Caesar and Hadrians Wall are correct. A slip, mea culpa. Substitute "Roman" for "Caesar".
2. My reference to the Pope sending missionaries "there" refers to Ireland, not England. The dates are correct. In 432 AD, Pope Celestinel sentPalladius "there" to counter the influence of Coptic Christianity. As early as 375 AD, the Irish scholar Pelagius visited Rome to debate the issue. Clearly, Christianity flourished in Ireland.
3. I correctly describe the art and the Newgrange complex as megalithic. My source is Professor Michael O'Kelly, the archaeologist who excavated the site, and author of the book Newgrange.
4. I use the expression Celtic without prefix, in its wider generic sense, to describe the ethos of that civilization. I follow the example of such authorities as W.B. Yeats, W.T. Rollenston and Standish O'Grady, all of whom describe the art and mythology, and referred to "Megalithic Arras Celtic. Should The Celtic Connection be called The Post-Celtic Connection?
Another letter, page 17