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Hello Everyone! Welcome back to iIrish; Songs, Stories & Shenanigans. We have a great show for you today, including talking about International Women’s Day (March 8th), Purim begins on Feb 25th.
Just for a minute, we’re going to move From the Present to acknowledge the Past, and then roll forward:
So, Let’s take a look at On This Day in Irish History:
1 March 1794 – The Statutes of Dublin University are amended to allow Catholics to take degree.
2 March 1979 - Christy Ring, legendary Cork hurler, dies suddenly at age 58. Widely regarded as one of the greatest hurlers in the history of the game.
3 March 1924 - The world premiere of Sean O’Casey’s Juno and the Paycock takes place at the Abbey Theatre.
10 March 1920 - The Government of Ireland Bill, offering a six-county ‘Northern Ireland,’ was accepted by a two to one majority by the Ulster Unionist Council.
Moving to the present: What’s the News, What’s the News? What’s the news today?
The Feast of Purim began last night at sundown and continues until sundown tonight. The Feast commemorates the deliverance of the Jewish people from the plots of Prime Minister Haman's conspiracy to destroy them. It is a celebration of God's love and protection in the midst of a hostile world.
The story of Purim is recorded in the Book of Esther. It takes place in the ancient Medo-Persian empire at the time when the seventy years of exile had come to an end and the Jewish people were allowed to go back to Jerusalem (Jeremiah 29:10).
The story begins with Ahasuerus, the King of the Medo-Persian empire, removing Vashti as queen and choosing Esther (Hadassah), a young Jewish woman, to replace her. Shortly after Esther was crowned queen, her cousin Mordecai, one of the King's servants, heard about a plot to assassinate King Ahasuerus. He reported it to Esther, who informed the King, saving his life.
In remembrance of the miraculous events that took place, Queen Esther and Mordecai established the observance of Purim to celebrate all that God had done for His people (Esther 9:20-32). - From: The Seven Ways to Celebrate Purim, by David Wilbur, freedomhillcommunity.com
International Women's Day.com tells us that International Woman’s Day is a worldwide day celebration of the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. So, it is a civil awareness day, marked annually on March 8th. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity, and is a part of events like Women and girl’s day, Anti-sexism day, and Anti-Discrimination Day
Globally, groups come together to celebrate women's achievements or rally for women's equality. Celebrating those achievements, raising awareness about women's equality, lobbying for accelerated gender parity, and/or fundraising for female-focused charities are just some of the things we can all do, to celebrate and right injustice. Of course, there is urgent work to do - and we can all play a part.
John Myers, our Donnybrook columnist, gives us an update on Brexit and the 40th Anniversary of the Hunger strikers. If you want to know more about the Hunger Strikers, check out my book, The Lyrics of Irish Freedom.
FINALLY, Brexit is here, after five years or so of debate, rancor, elections, multiple prime ministers and a whole lot of debate, Brexit took effect on New Year’s Day 2021. While the UK had left the EU in January of 2020, there was a transition period where status quo EU regulations governed through December 31, 2020. It took that entire transition period to formally negotiate the divorce deal, otherwise know as a new Free Trade Agreement. This trade agreement came on Christmas Eve just in time to avoid a “Hard Exit.” The main result is that there will be no tariffs on most goods, significantly minimizing disruption. How the service sector will be impacted is still being finalized. Last year the UK border in Ireland was the major sticking point, but Fishing rights, state support of home industries and enforcement of the new Free Trade Agreement emerged as the major sticking points. The Border Issue in Ireland With the landslide victory by Boris Johnson’s government in the last UK election, the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) lost its privileged position. Former UK PM Theresa May’s government had to rely on the dozen or so members of the DUP to hold a majority in the Parliament. This gave outsized influence to the staunch Orange/Loyalists membership of the DUP, limiting the ability to find practical solutions to the “border” issue in Ireland. The Six Counties in the north of Ireland are still legally part of the UK ,and thus no longer part of the EU, thus a way to address customs and trade measures had to be created. The fear was that it would require a hardening of the border between the Six Counties and the Republic of Ireland. Fortunately, with the loss of its privileged position, the DUP could not stop the UK Government from agreeing to making the Irish Sea as the new international customs and trade border. The Six Counties are in a unique position by virtue of having direct access to the UK markets, but still part of the EU single market regulations. Hopefully this will be a great economic opportunity to the Six Counties which have one of the lowest economic ratings in the EU. The UK government was left with little choice, as they are desperate for a new Free Trade Agreement with the US and Speaker Pelosi and President-elect Biden indicated there would be no FTA if border issues put the Good Friday Accord in jeopardy. Loyalists are furious that the Six Counties are being treated differently than Great Britain. Irish nationalists are heartened that this will be the beginning of the end of partition as the 100th anniversary of the division of Ireland is observed this year. The Hunger Strikes: 40 years on 2021 marks the 40th Anniversary of the Hunger Strike in Maze Prison, where prisoners fought for political recognition. Bobby Sands was the first of ten prisoners to die on hunger strike. A previous hunger strike the year before (1980), lay the foundation for the momentous 1981 strike. As part of the Ancient Order of Hibernians commemoration, a live, virtual event was held and recorded. You can view it at https://aoh.com/2020/11/30/hunger-strike-1980/
Our March issue came out Wednesday - tho COVID reduced, March is still coming, and there are many events to choose from to celebrate Irish Heritage Month, whether indoors or out, with family or virtually alone. The issue is full of info, columns, Katie Gagne’s recipe for Bailey’s Irish Chocolate truffles; entertainment lists, highlights and things to do related to the theme, and not. Plus, a great column by Akron Irish Columnist Lisa O’Rourke, on The Big Fella, Michael Collins; our Speak Irish monthly lesson; Safe Home wishes to Maureen Lowry Curtin and Ray Shulte. And of course, there is humor, opinion, Kid’s Craic and Coloring contest, profiles and history, book and music reviews and the monthly Irish Crossword Puzzle.
March’s puzzle subject is Cork and Tipperary Towns. Or as Maury Collins always says, Rebel Cork. The crosswords are a great way to learn or refresh your Irish knowledge, history and folklore, and all past issues, with the crossword inside, are available on OhioIANews.com.
A few other highlights in this issue: we have not only our Irish Photography Cover Contest; Kids Coloring Contest; and our podcast Listener Contest, but also the winners of the Nov, Dec and Jan Colours of Ireland Contest, plus we review Andrew McManus’ new CD, Days of Wonder – get it! Our cover shot and our Inner View this month is from and about Columbus’ Irish American Fine Artist Maureen Clark, a gifted glorious Irish woman deeply involved in her art, her heritage and the community that inspires her. Check it out in print, and see even more of her work online. Plus there is News for the GAA; a few Opinion pieces and the Irish movers, shakers and music makers that enrich our days.
Marilyn Madigan has another great column this month as well, centered on the formation and celebration of Irish Heritage Month. Her column is called Madigan Muses, her story this month is titled Irish Heritage Month. Here is a bit of it. Catch the rest on the OhioIANews website anytime.
The United States Congress, by Public Law 101-418, designated March as Irish Heritage Month, and authorized the President to issue a Proclamation to observe this occasion. President George Bush issued the first Proclamation on March 12, 1991. In the Proclamation, he recognized the many contributions of Irish Americans throughout the history of the United States. Some of the contributions highlighted on that first Proclamation, which included the nine men of Irish origin that signed the Declaration of Independence, and the many of Irish heritage that fought in the American Revolution. This included John Barry, the first Naval Commander. Irish born James Hoban was the architect of the White House. This was just the beginning of the Irish contributions to the birth of our country. EPIC, the Irish Emigration Museum in Dublin, Ireland, has a display of the twenty-three Presidents of Irish descent. The first President of Irish descent was Andrew Jackson. Our current president, Joseph Biden, is the second Catholic of Irish descent elected. He was inaugurated on the 60th Anniversary of John F. Kennedy’s Inauguration. On this 30th Anniversary of the designation of March as Irish Heritage Month, he will be recognizing the contributions of his own ethic heritage. The highlight of Irish Heritage Month is our St. Patrick’s Day Celebration. In most years, our Irish community is very busy attending the many concerts, dinners, dances, and parades. Ohio is proud to host St. Patrick Day parades in Akron, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dublin and Youngstown. This year, these Parades have been cancelled due to the have Pandemic. Although they have been cancelled, the Feast of St. Patrick will continue with the celebration of faith, family, and heritage by the many Ohioans of Irish descent. Irish Heritage Month Activities The Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians will be celebrating Irish Heritage Month with two programs and a Mass to honor the Feast of St. Patrick. On Sunday March 7, National Treasurer Sandi Swift of Missouri will be interviewing Muriel McAuley, granddaughter of 1916 Hero Thomas MacDonagh and the great niece of Grace Gifford, who the song Grace was written about (by Frank and Sean O’Meara).
As we gather in the chapel here in old Kilmainham Jaill I think about these past few weeks, oh will they say we've failed? From our school days they have told us we must yearn for liberty Yet all I want in this dark place is to have you here with me
I had the privilege of meeting Muriel in Dublin in February 2019. We met at the GPO General Post Office, one of the principal sites of Easter 1916) and gave me a walking tour of Moore Street and the route that the women took to Jervis Hospital with the wounded. Meeting Muriel and hearing the personal history of her family was one of the highlights of my trip. We are planning on sharing this interview on the LAOH National YouTube Channel on Sunday, March 7, at 1:00pm. March 8 is International Women’s Day; please remember all the women that have contributed to Irish and Irish American history.
Speaking of the Kid’s Craic Colors of Ireland Contest, here is the info:
2 Age Divisions: Ages 7, 8, 9 Ages 10, 11 & 12
Each Age Group winner receives a Gift Card to Kamm’s Corner Ice Cream, or the OhioIANews Advertiser of their choice!
Official Rules and Regs are:
· One winner in each age group
· Participant must color page without assistance
· Participant may use crayons, markers, or paint
· Use your imagination! The coloring page is printable from: www.OhioIANews.com as well.
Previous winners are featured in this Issue as well. Congrats to:
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
