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MOHAWK VALLEY IRISH CULTURAL

Volume 14, Issue 7 EVENTS NEWSLETTER July 2017

Eileen Ivers, Enter the Haggis Headline 2017 GAIF

Headlining this year’s Great American Irish Festival (Jul 28-30) will be two of the Celtic music world’s most

sought-after acts: the “Jimi Hendrix of the Violin,” Eileen Ivers, and Toronto-based Celtic roots rockers, Enter

the Haggis.

Fiery fiddler Eileen Ivers has established herself as the pre-eminent exponent of the Irish fiddle in the world today.

Grammy awarded, Emmy nominated, London Symphony Orchestra, Boston Pops, guest starred with over 40

orchestras, original Musical Star of Riverdance, Nine Time All-Ireland Fiddle Champion, Sting, Hall and Oates,

The Chieftains, ‘Fiddlers 3’ with Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg and Regina Carter, Patti Smith, Al Di Meola, Steve

Gadd, founding member of Cherish the Ladies, movie soundtracks including Gangs of New York, performed for

Presidents and Royalty worldwide…this is a short list of accomplishments, headliners, tours, and

affiliations. Making a welcome return to the stage she last commanded in 2015, Eileen Ivers will have her

adoring fans on their feet from the first note.

Back again at their home away from home for the 11th time, Enter the Haggis is poised to rip it up under the big

tent with all the familiar catchy songs that have made fans of Central New Yorkers and Haggisheads alike for

over 20 years. Besides the ETH classics, they will also be performing songs from their latest studio recording,

“Broken Arms,” released to great acclaim in 2016.

Other returning upper-tier acts this year include the high-energy Barleyjuice from Philadelphia, Graham Wright

and the Glengarry Bhoys, and Ottawa Valley’s favorite sons…uh, daughters, Searson, along with long-time

GAIF veterans the Blarney Rebel Band and Hair of the Dog (each making a record 13th appearance!), and the

always entertaining Seamus Kennedy.

While there’s a certain comfort to bringing back familiar bands as a way of appeasing the wishes of both attendees

and performers, it has always been a hallmark of the Great American Irish Festival to introduce new acts to the

festival; names that probably are not on the lips or playlists of even the most knowledgeable Celtic music fans.

Names like… Enter the Haggis and Rathkeltair (2005)… the Elders (2007)… Leahy (2010)… Slide and Goitse

(2011)… Girsa and Lilt (2013)… Runa and Moxie Strings (2014)… Dallahan (2016). Anyway, you get the idea:

If they’re new, they’re at GAIF, and if they’re at GAIF, they’re going to be good. This year’s lineup includes five

exciting acts that are either new to the world or have never appeared at GAIF… and you should definitely check

them out.

FullSet has already earned multiple “best band” and “band to watch” awards; the Colin Farrell Band features

former Elders’ fiddler Colin Farrell, stepping out front to head up an all-star trad outfit; Next Generation Leahy

is Doug Leahy (of the acclaimed Leahy family) and his family, carrying on the storied Leahy musical legacy;

The Screaming Orphans features the skilled musicianship and dulcet harmonies of the four Diver sisters from

Donegal, and American Rogues bring a unique mix of Celtic rock, rock roots, patriotic, military and classical

music to the stage.

The Herkimer County Fairgrounds is located just off Route 5s in Frankfort NY, just minutes from the New York

State Thruway. For directions, tickets or more information, visit the festival web site.

And now it’s time to meet the bands:

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Eileen Ivers Band

Fiddler Eileen Ivers has established herself as the pre-eminent exponent of the Irish

fiddle in the world today. Along with her world-class band, Eileen tours throughout

the year, in performing art centers, symphony halls and festivals world-wide. She’s

been called “a sensation” by Billboard magazine, “the Jimi Hendrix of the violin”

and “one of the great innovators and pioneers in the Celtic and World music

genres” … and she’s back to headline the Great American Irish Festival for the

fifth time.

Enter The Haggis

Toronto’s Enter the Haggis has led the charge among Celtic folk/roots/rock bands,

delighting fans with their memorable performances, inspired songwriting, musical

proficiency and high quality recordings, including 4 EPs, 8 studio albums, five live

and one compilation CDs, as well as two solo side projects. With their signature Celtic

rock sound and instrumentation of bagpipes blazing over a powerhouse rhythm

section, they’ve long been a fan favorite in Central New York and throughout the

continent.

FullSet

FullSet is six young unbelievably talented singers and musicians from Ireland, creating a

stunning and unique sound that is full of energy and innovation, while all the time remaining

true to their traditional roots. With the tremendous success of their debut album “Notes at

Liberty” and its follow-up, “Notes in Full,” FullSet was honored to receive “Best New

Group Award” (Irish American News), “Best New Comer” (Live Ireland Awards) and “Top

Traditional Group” (Irish Music Association).

Glengarry Bhoys

Described as bold, unorthodox, vibrant and evocative, the Glengarry Bhoys'

hybrid of Canadian Highland Scots and French Canadian musical idioms has

evolved into a sound that is weighty, authoritative and extremely entertaining.

Their blend of traditional music, fused with the multicultural sounds of modern

and contemporary Celtic music, has brought them international acclaim. Fiery

guitar and bass, intense percussion and fiddle, teamed with pipes and vocals,

make for a memorable performance.

The Colin Farrell Band

Colin Farrell is no stranger to the Great American Irish Festival, having first appeared

with the Elders a few years ago. Having since gone out on his own and with the band

Lúnasa, Colin continues his meteoric rise on the Celtic trad scene. His 2010 solo debut

album “On The Move” was named one of the year’s 10 best albums by The Irish Echo,

and his second album “Make A Note,” released in 2015, was awarded Instrumental

Album of the year by LiveIreland. In the Colin Farrell Band, he is joined by Alan

Murray (guitar/bouzouki/vocals) and Dan Lowery (flute/guitar /vocals). Through their skill and virtuosity, they

have established themselves as top entertainers in Irish traditional music with a vibrant and exciting show;

delivering their tunes and songs with sublime musicianship.

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Next Generation Leahy

Next Generation Leahy features Doug Leahy from Cape Breton’s virtuosic musical

family, Leahy, along with his wife Jennifer and their six children. Continuing to carry

on three generations of Leahy musicianship, their live performances are filled with the

high-energy, infectious Celtic-based music that audiences world-wide have long

associated with the Leahy heritage. Having shared stages across North America with the

legendary band “Leahy,” their performances leave audiences in awe.

Screaming Orphans

The Screaming Orphans are four fun sisters who hail from Ireland’s County Donegal; an area with a rich and

vibrant musical history, which also produced the likes of the bands Clannad and Altan and

solo artist Enya. The band — made up of Joan Diver on drums and vocals, Angela Diver on

bass and fiddle, Gráinne Diver on acoustic guitar and Marie-Thérese Diver on keys and

accordion – has been performing together since the early 1990’s. Their sound has been

compared to the Bangles and Cranberries, with musical influences ranging from the Beatles,

R.E.M. and Abba to traditional Irish music. While they are veterans of many festivals world-

wide, this marks their debut appearance at the Great American Irish Festival.

Searson

Building on their Ottawa Valley, Ontario roots, sisters Erin and Colleen Searson have

developed their own original style of music, seamlessly blending high energy fiddling,

passionate vocals and step dancing. Giving a more modern treatment to the traditional

music of their upbringing, the sisters perform on a variety of instruments throughout their

live show, which includes Colleen on fiddle, vocals and Ottawa Valley Step Dancing; Erin

on piano, vocals, step dancing and tenor guitar; David MacDougall on drums and

percussion, and Fraser Gauthier on bass/guitar.

Barleyjuice

Some bands take a little while to capture a festival crowd. Others seem to connect immediately. Such is the case

with Barleyjuice and the Great American Irish Festival, where the Philadelphia-based Celtic rockers became

instant favorites a few years back. With five studio albums and a double CD collection to date, these five kilted

yanks are currently one of the most beloved Celtic rock bands in the USA. Kyf Brewer’s

signature whiskey-soaked vocals perfectly trademark the group’s quick-witted and catchy

originals, and partner Keith “Swanny” Swanson adds additional lead vocals, guitar,

mandolin, whistle, bouzouki, and bagpipes. Rounding out the lineup are fiddler Alice

O’Quirke, drummer John Tracey, and Eric Worthington on bass. Go on… try a little

Barleyjuice…it’s the best time you can have at a concert without removing your kilt.

American Rogues

Originally formed several years ago as a more traditional bagpipe band, The American

Rogues have morphed into their own band, with their own style, and even their own

genre: “CeltRockFolkWorldClassicalMusicForTheMasses.” Headlining shows across

Asia, Europe, North America and Canada, American Rogues are taking on the world of

Celtic rock, rock roots, patriotic, military and classical music. Known as “The Top Celtic

Band Supporting Military Personnel & Wounded Warriors” (Ceili Magazine), they have also moved the Irish

Echo to say of them “The American Rogues know how to command a massive stage and animate a crowd with

the sounds of fiddles, pipes, and an impressive miscellany of instruments and styles.”

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Hair of the Dog

The Great American Irish Festival is happy to be bringing back GAIF veterans and fan favorites, Hair of the Dog.

Originally formed as an acoustic trio in 1993, Hair Of The Dog has become one of the world’s foremost Celtic

rock bands, releasing ten wildly popular CDs including their most recent, “Liam Left The Lights On Again.” The

Dog was also mentioned in Billboard Magazine as one of Irish Music’s biggest sellers. Their song “One Sunday

Morning” was featured on the 2003 Colleen Records compilation CD “Songs of Irish Freedom Vol. 3.” In 2005

they appeared on “One Child At a Time,” a charity compilation which also included U2, James Taylor, The

Chieftains and Carly Simon. Hair Of The Dog has repeatedly been named “Best Band” by Upstate New York’s

top regional newspapers and magazines.

Blarney Rebel Band

After taking a sabbatical in 2016 to climb Mount Everest, where they took turns rolling snowballs down on

unsuspecting townspeople and making fun of sherpas, the Blarney Rebel Band is happy to return to the 2017

Great American Irish Festival. Hailing from the Celtic hotbed of Central New York, BRB performs all types of

traditional Irish music, from rollicking pub songs to traditional folk fare, from rousing sea songs to moving

ballads, from stirring rebel songs to hand-clapping jigs and reels. Their debut studio CD “Buy My Soul” has sold

all over the world, with one cut, “Stand With Me Boys,” earning No. 1 in the Irish and Celtic Music Podcast Best

of 2009 Listener’s Poll. Their 4th CD, “Pile High the Pennywall,” is an ambitious collection of original material

penned by all five band members. They were recently named by the worldwide Irish and Celtic Music Podcast as

one of 2015’s Top 20 Celtic bands.

Seamus Kennedy

Singer? Instrumentalist? Comedian? Perhaps the only word that adequately describes Seamus Kennedy is

“entertainer.” Originally from Belfast, Northern Ireland, Seamus has been entertaining audiences all over the

United States for the past 30+ years. With a ready wit and a vast store of songs, he travels from Alaska to Florida

and Maryland to California, performing for audiences which range from Popes and presidents to bartenders and

bricklayers, from college students to kindergartners. In concert or festival, in pub or club, in colleges or high

schools, Seamus Kennedy has the repertoire and the ability to make folks forget their cares for a while, to relax

and enjoy themselves as he encourages the crowd to sing along. Mixing his endless supply of jokes, stories and

one liners with traditional Irish tunes and the occasional ballad, Seamus never fails to please.

Kilrush

Kilrush has been a steady fixture in New York and northern Pennsylvania’s Irish/Celtic music scene since 2001.

Originally established as a “session group” with a repertoire focusing primarily on traditional Irish music, Kilrush

has expanded and refined their sound over the years, blending Celtic rock, acoustic, and Americana, resulting in

a sound they’ve taken to calling “Triple Distilled Celtic Rock.” Based in the Southern Tier region of New York

State, Kilrush – led by multi-instrumentalist Tim Sanphy -- has been a mainstay at several of the largest festivals

in the region, including The Great American Irish Festival, Irish 2000 and North Country Goes Green.

Triskele

Triskele (pronounced “tris-kay-lee”) is the Capital Region’s premiere all-female Irish group, known for their

harmonies, singing the Gaelic language and their Irish wit, performing traditional, original and modern

Celtic/Irish music. Featuring mystifying harmonies that touch your soul, Triskele was born at Albany Medical

Center in the winter of 2009 when Noeleen Whelan, a Dublin-born native, joined forces with co-worker and

fellow lover of traditional and Gaelic music, Sharon Wheeler. Multi-instrumentalist Wheeler and Bodhran and

guitar player Whelan have since added Jennifer Kiliniski on flute, vocals and percussion, adding yet another

dynamic to their evolving sound. They currently have two CDs: “Look Back, Don’t Stare” and “Triskele Live,”

recorded at the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall.

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Donal O’Shaughnessy

Donal O’Shaughnessy is a multi-talented performer, playing guitar, fiddle, keyboards, pipe organ, bodhran and

mandolin. Donal is probably best known for his live performances, where his quick wit, his spontaneity with his

audience and his calls for “Social!” keep people in their seats until the very end of the night.

Rattlin Bog

Long-time veterans of the local Irish Music scene, Rattlin’ Bog was founded by tenor Rick Kincaid and baritone

Joe Rowlands applying their tight vocal harmonies to Irish folk music. Hailing from the Utica area, Rattlin’ Bog

encourages audience participation with its catchy musical performance and its irreverent good humor. They are

probably best known for their rousing Irish repertoire – from whence came their trademark name.

Gerry Dixon

Gerry Dixon comes from Buffalo by way of a little town called Kilrush, where he honed his craft, singing and

playing traditional Irish music and telling stories of his culture. Like many others from Ireland, he not only sings,

but also plays a myriad of instruments, including the guitar, tin whistle and bodhrán. With his performing skills

and engaging personality, Gerry will take you on a memorable trip to the Emerald Isle.

Craobh Dugan

Craobh Dugan, the Central NY branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Eireann, has been preserving and promoting the

traditional music, song, dance and language of the Irish culture with weekly Céilí, music and language sessions

for over thirty years. They perform for local nursing homes and also at a variety of other venues including the

Utica St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Celtic Festival at Rome Capital Theater, General Herkimer Historic Site concert,

Utica Monday Night Heritage Celebration, Great American Irish Festival, and the Western Town Hall cultural

series.

The McCarthy Family

The McCarthy Family – husband and wife Jim and Deirdre McCarthy and sons Cian and Shane – have been

performing since 2005. It’s a family-style serving of folk and pop favorites, as well as music from Deirdre’s

native Ireland.

Emerald Dawn

Emerald Dawn is an acoustic Irish band based in Albany, NY. Consisting of Bob Lord (guitar and vocals), Dawn

Lenahan (mandolin and vocals) and Marnen Laibow-Koser (fiddle, viola and vocals), they play a broad range of

traditional and contemporary tunes, all with their own distinctive touch of tight harmonies. Their extensive playlist

and ability to get the audience involved is quickly making Emerald Dawn a favorite on the local music scene.

McGroovin’

McGroovin’ plays Celtic music - covers and originals - with a Rock/Funk edge. Just a bunch of Irish Pirates

playing renegade "P-Irish" music. They have a good time and it shows!

Arise and Go

Arise and Go – their name comes from the opening lines from W. B. Yeats’ “The Lake Isle of Innisfree” – is an

exciting young trio of talented and dedicated musicians who combine their varied musical backgrounds to produce

a sound which is both rooted in tradition and uniquely fresh and driving. The trio -- Mike Roddy on uilleann

pipes, border pipes, smallpipes and whistles; Tim Ball on guitar, and Ellie Goud on fiddle -- recently released

their first EP.

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Enter the Haggis Plays Saranac on Festival Eve

On Thursday, July 27th, Toronto’s Celtic roots rockers Enter the Haggis makes their

annual return to one of Utica’s other great events: Saranac Thursday Night. Marking

their 9th consecutive appearance at Saranac, Trevor, Brian, Craig, Bruce and Mark will

be bringing their high-energy show to the brewery parking lot for a 6 PM performance

that is sure to rock Varick Street, and will no doubt entice the regular Saranac Thursday

crowd who haven’t yet been to the Great American Irish Festival (yeah, there may be

some!) to learn what 50,000 people already know about how to party. And the cost? A

ridiculously low $5! You don’t want to miss it.

The Catskill Hills are Alive with Irish Music in July

Every July, the Irish American hamlet of East Durham, New York

becomes the Mecca of traditional Irish Music and Dance in North

America for the Catskills Irish Arts Week. In its 23rd year, the prestigious

summer school, which runs from July 9-16 and features over 60 classes

in traditional music, song, dance and Celtic crafts, has become the

premier event this side of the Atlantic, attracting students from all around

the United States and Canada. The largest school of its kind in North America invites the finest teachers from

Ireland and the United States, who will be giving workshops and demonstrations in fiddle, concertina, accordion,

flute, harp, Irish singing, set dance and step dance, and much, much more. Culminating the week will be a concert

by Cherish the Ladies on Friday, and the East Durham Trad Fest, taking place on Saturday from noon to 6:30 PM.

The Catskills Irish Arts Week is organized by the Michael J. Quill Irish Cultural & Sports Centre, a not for profit

organization dedicated to Keeping the Tradition Alive in East Durham. For more info, visit their web site.

Calling all volunteers!

The Great American Irish Festival is right around the corner, and that means it’s time to assemble the great army

of volunteers that make the festival succeed year after year.

The festival depends on more than 700 dedicated volunteers, working before, during and after the weekend,

through sun, rain and even tornados, all to ensure that attendees and entertainers alike come away with great

memories of our festival.

Several venues could use your help, and of course, volunteering 8 hours of your time over the course of the

weekend makes you eligible to get some great perks, including free admission all weekend, a festival volunteer

t-shirt, and an invitation to the post-festival volunteer party (I can’t tell you who’s playing, but here’s a coded

hint: It’s Arleyjuice-Bay).

If you are interested in volunteering at this year’s festival, fill out the volunteer sign-up form. They especially

need volunteers willing to work Friday and Saturday evenings from 8pm to midnight. Most shifts are four hours

at a time and some may require standing for long periods, but all are an integral part of making the Great American

Irish Festival such a great experience.

If you want to schedule your time around your

favorite acts, you can check out the schedule, here.

But don’t tarry… it’s closer than you think! For

more information, contact Volunteer Chairperson

Mike Rinaldi at Gaifvolunteers@gmail.com.

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GAIF Advance Tickets – The Best Deal in Town

Can’t wait for the Great American Irish Festival to get here? Here’s your chance to turn that impatience into cash

savings!

We all know that the Great American Irish Festival is a tremendous bargain. Where else can you hear over 23

hours of world-class music continuously on four stages by 23 different acts, enjoy a world-class pipe band

competition, get your fill of sumptuous food and drink and be awed by the sheer power of traditional Celtic

“Heavy Games,” all for less than the cost of a large pizza?

That was a trick question; you can’t. But it gets even better. As attractive as ticket prices are when purchased at

the gate – one-day tickets are $18 on Friday and Sunday and $20 for a jam-packed Saturday – your friends at

GAIF have sweetened the pot when you order advance tickets.

That’s right, if you get your tickets in advance, you’ll only be paying $15 for Friday or Sunday and just $18 for

Saturday! But wait, as they say, there’s more. As a special deal being offered only to purchasers of advance sale

tickets, you can pick up a specially-priced Weekend Pass for a mere $30! That’s a savings of $26 as compared

to the cost of at-the-gate daily tickets!

It couldn’t be easier to get advance tickets. Beginning on July 9th and running right up to Festival eve (July 27th),

you can visit any local Price Chopper store and ask for “Great American Irish Festival” tickets at any register,

and just like that, you’ll avoid the ticket lines at the festival. But if even July 9th isn’t early enough for you, you

can go right now to the GAIF website and follow the links to Ticketfly, where you can purchase and print your

tickets today! And as always, children under 13 and all active military members with valid ID and immediate

family are FREE.

Ranger Run 5K

Dust off your running shoes and sign up for the Great American Irish Festival’s 5K Ranger Run, at 10 AM on

Saturday, July 29, 2017.

This 3.1 mile run starts and finishes at the Herkimer County Fairgrounds. Registration entitles all runners

admittance to the festival all day Saturday, a t-shirt and a beverage token if registered by July 15th, 2017.

Awards will be given to the overall top male and female runners, and to the top male and female in each age

category. In addition, two awards will be presented to the runners with the best Irish outfits.

The cost for the Ranger Run is $20 in advance and $30 on the day of the race. Advanced tickets are available

here. You can also register in person, either on Friday from 6-8 PM (still at the advance ticket price of $20) or

on race day from 8-9:30 AM (again, t-shirts cannot be guaranteed if registering after July 15th). Showers are

available at the fairgrounds, and breakfast can be purchased from festival vendors.

The run, sponsored this year by MetLife, Saucony & The Sneaker Store, has been

named in memory of Tim “the Ranger” Sullivan, father of GAIF’s founder Matthew

Sullivan. Tim passed away unexpectedly while out for a run on September 24th, 2007.

He was an avid runner, outdoorsman and active committee member for the GAIF since

its inception. He spent his life in service to others as a Marine Corps veteran and

member of the New York State Police for 27 years. The race is dedicated to his

memory and the memory of all of those who have proudly served.

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But, as They Say (Whomever ‘They’ Is…Are), There’s More…

We know there’s more to life than music and beer (he typed, with a straight face), and festivals are no different,

so the Great American Irish Festival offers much more. Be sure to check out the following events and activities

(there will also be music and beer):

Bagpipe Band Competition Festival attendees will be able to watch some of the best pipe bands in the

northeast, and GAIF is pleased to also support the Northeast Junior Pipe Band League by hosting a contest

for youth this year. The competition begins at noon on Saturday and will conclude with a pipe band parade

and massed band performance beginning at 5:00 PM. For more information and a list of entrants, check here.

Highland Games Cheer for the burliest of world-class athletes as they compete in traditional Highland

Games and heavy athletics on the athletic fields. Games include a crowd favorite, the 175-pound caber toss,

in which athletes compete to flip a 19-foot log, end-over-end. Games take place on Saturday at no additional

charge. Learn more here.

Irish Mass The Great American Irish Festival is proud to hold Sunday Irish Mass at 10:30 AM under the

big tent. Gates will open from 10:00 to 10:30 AM for mass attendees, who can then stay all day for free!

Wee Zone Bring the family on Saturday, from noon thru 7 PM and on Sunday, noon thru 5 PM and enjoy

activities in this area, specifically geared for our younger festival-goers. Make a craft, see the Utica

Zoomobile, or play a game! (Please note: This is not called the “Kid Drop Off Zone.” That was deliberate).

Photo Contest Once again, GAIF is holding the popular Photo Contest. Photos, submitted by the public,

depict Irish or Irish-American events, activities or locations, and will be on display in the Cultural Building.

Want to submit a photo? It’s not too late; check here for more details.

Whiskey Tasting Try a variety of whiskeys in the Whiskey Tasting area. Check the website for scheduled

tasting times and for advance-sale ticket purchases (online through July 28th). Once at the Festival, tickets

can be purchased from the information booth inside the main gate. Sponsored by Tullamore Dew.

Food Drive The Central New York Veteran’s Outreach Center will once again be partnering with The Great

American Irish Festival this year. Festival-goers can support this drive by dropping off non-perishable food

items any time during festival hours, at either entrance. These contributions will be given directly to local

Veterans in need.

Wine Slushies You say you’re in the mood for a nice glass of wine, but the temperatures have you longing

for a refreshing slush-based beverage? Why not try a delicious frozen Wine Slushie? That’s right, flavored

with red or white wine, it’s the ultimate summer drink.

GAIF Raffle Every year, the Great American Irish Festival puts together sample baskets of merchandise

donated by their great vendors to be raffled off to help defray the costs of putting on the festival. This year,

three baskets will be raffled off at the low price of $1 per ticket (available at the Information Booth), with

the goal of raising money for displays and content in the Cultural Building at the fairgrounds. Drawing

date(s)/time(s) will be announced at the Information Booth.

Plus more! There’s plenty to see, hear, taste and experience at the Great American Irish Festival! With an

array of food vendors, including Irish dishes, be sure to bring your appetite! In addition, over 25 vendors will

also be on display at the Festival, offering a huge variety of Irish and Celtic crafts, clothing, jewelry and

other wares.

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The GAIF Cultural Building: New approaches – by AJ Pedone

“We reach out to the world with optimism, and belief in the power of creativity.

Our history taught us resilience, Our struggles gave us strength.

Our culture taught us independence of mind, Our Irish language gave us wit.

We are free in spirit, wild at heart” This is Ireland, Video

Festival patrons, a chara

This year at the cultural building we have reimagined our space, and have focused on the theme of authenticity.

We have developed a program that will highlight many of the intricate nuances of Irish culture through music,

dance and history. For the creative patron, we have commissioned artwork from local artists that will be on display

all weekend and available for purchase. The artwork will be comprised of the scenery of Ireland from scenic

backdrops to everyday life. The artists that have created the paintings will be around all weekend in the cultural

building to talk about their work.

Returning to the cultural building this year is the photo contest. The photos of Ireland

that have been submitted by festival patrons will be on display all weekend in the

cultural building, and the contest will culminate with the judges choosing the winning

photo. Want to submit a photo from a past trip to hÉireann? Great! Entries can be

mailed to the Irish Cultural Center address at 623 Columbia Street Utica, New York

13502; no later than July 15th.

Keeping in line with our theme of authenticity, this year’s cultural building will have one new addition, and she

will fly a long way just to see us. We at the GAIF cultural building are proud to announce that Dublin-based

historian Miriam Sweeney will be joining us for the festival and will be around all weekend giving lectures on

An Gorta Mor (The Great Hunger) and the literary works of W.B. Yeats! Miriam is a historian out of Trinity

College Dublin where she completed her Bachelor’s degree in History and then completed her Master’s degree

in Irish Studies at the National University of Ireland at Galway. Miriam will be lecturing on Friday July 28th from

5:00 to 5:30pm in the cultural building as well as Saturday July 29th from 1:00 to 1:45pm. Both of her topics will

be overviews of the subject material and will provide any level of Irish cultural enthusiast an opportunity to learn

more about their beloved culture.

A new addition to the programs offered to patrons at the Cultural Building will be the Pop-up Gaeltacht that will

take place on Sunday July 30th from 1 – 2pm. A Pop-up Gaeltacht is an event that is currently sweeping across

Ireland. It is an event in which Irish (Gaelige) is the primary medium of communication as opposed to English.

The event is seen as a way for novice to advanced speakers of the language to occupy a space and celebrate the

language. Don’t know any Gaelige? That’s ok!! Our facilitators at the event (Miriam Sweeney and CNY’s Tom

Malley) will be on hand to help teach you a few phrases or show you what the language looks like! The event this

year is aimed at introducing people to Irish (Gaelige) and educating them on some of the history of it, and what

the language looks and sounds like!

Another new addition to this year’s programs will be a presentation on the Irish and their contributions to the Erie

Canal. The presentation has been created by CNY’s own Mike and Chris Hoke. Chris and Mike are both members

of the local Irish music group Craobh Dugan, and have created and will be presenting this program on Sunday

July 30th from 12pm to 1pm in the Cultural Building.

For a complete list of Cultural Building activities and performances, visit our website.

Go raibh maith agat (Thank you!)

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“Bloomsday” a Blooming Success! – by Sue Romero

“Sign me up for next year!”

With visits to six pubs and the rapidly progressing Irish Cultural Center of the Mohawk Valley, our Bloomsday

Pub Crawl was an amazing success.

Sponsored by the Utica NY Area Irish Coalition, Bloomsday celebrates James Joyce’s monumental classic

“Ulysses,” (often cited as the greatest English-language novel of all time) and the one day sojourn through the

streets of Dublin taken by the book’s protagonist, Leopold Bloom.

Sporting new custom T-shirts for the event (included in the ticket price)

our group of 45 pub crawlers traveled to each stop where we heard lively

authentic Irish music supplied by our own Craobh Dugan and readings

from James Joyce’s literary classic, Ulysses. The final reading by local

professor and actress Ann Carey took our breath away!

Many new friends were made and spontaneous dancing broke out from time to

time. Each Varick Street pub put on a generous spread of snacks to keep us fortified

for our journey. Above and beyond that, they also supplied delightful door prizes,

with Saranac Brewery donating a gift for every member of the pub crawl. One little

snafu took place when one of the pubs that had signed on turned out to be closed

despite all our careful communication and planning. But as they say in Ireland, “No

worries!” Lukin’s Brick Oven Pizza, seeing the group walk by en masse, welcomed

us with open arms, and bartender Morgan handled the sudden crowd with a smile!

One of the greatest highlights of the day was our glimpse of the much-anticipated

Irish Cultural Center of the Mohawk Valley. Developer Vaughn Lang and Cultural

Center representative Linda Voce were on hand to answer questions and explain

details about the building. Vaughn said he’s building this center to last, and one

look at the building’s skeleton and foundation bears that out. Craobh Dugan

distinguished themselves as the very first musicians to play at the center, and then

all crawlers raised miniature green glasses in a champagne toast to Vaughn and the

new center; ostensibly set to open later this year.

Many of us had not had the opportunity to see the inside of these establishments before, but it’s safe to say we

can highly recommend them all now. So, if you’re looking for a lovely evening out in Utica, NY, with great food,

atmosphere and entertainment, think of one of these fine pubs on Varick Street:

Utica Brews Cafe & Pub

Saranac Brewery

Nail Creek Pub & Brewery

Irish Cultural Center of the Mohawk Valley

Lukin’s Brick Oven Pizza

The Sanctuary Bar

The Celtic Harp Irish Pub & Restaurant

If you missed this year’s event, don’t worry. The general consensus of participants and organizers alike was that

this is an event that needs to be done every year, so go ahead and mark down June 16, 2018 on your calendar!

Mohawk Valley Irish Cultural Events - 11

“Into A Strange Land” -- Book Review by Mark Sisti

The McGunnegals are all strange, and it has been that way for generations. They are too strong, or too fast, or too

smart, and odd things happened when they are around.

Thus reads the blurb on the cover of “Into A Strange Land,” the first book of Ben Anderson’s fantasy series “The

McGunnegal Chronicles.” There is clearly more to this family than meets the eye.

It’s 1846. Ireland is starving under the Great Hunger. 13-year-old Colleen McGunnegal, along with her cousin

Frederick, is exploring her (decidedly strange) great-grandfather’s (decidedly strange) potato cellar when they discover

a secret – a relic from a lost age of Ireland. Colleen’s mother had, eight months ago, disappeared from this very cellar

and had not been seen since (apparently, no one ever searched or cleared out the cellar. Hard to accept, but this is,

after all, fantasy.)

Meanwhile, the McGunnegal family is just barely surviving through the Great Hunger. Certain relatives are willing

to loan them the money to survive, but they would have to put the family farm up for collateral. There is, of course,

an ulterior motive; somewhere on the McGunnegal lands is the key to a vast treasure, as well as a key to great power.

In order to carry out the plot, the cousins – the Buttersmouths – need to get the family off the land, and they offer to

have the children placed in an exclusive school in Wales. As they are about to board the ship, however, Colleen

realizes she has forgotten the relic and she and Frederick rush back to retrieve it as the ship sails without them. Their

plan to catch the next ship falls apart when the relic (which is, as usual in fantasy stories, a portal to another world)

transports them to a bizarre land; a world peopled – well, I guess peopled isn’t the word – by the creatures of legend:

leprechauns, fairies, pixies, gnomes, goblins, trolls, sleeping princesses, wizards, and evil witches.

The pair meets up with a family of leprechauns who become their guides and tell them the story of the land, which has

become cursed. They also meet a strange leprechaun who speaks in gibberish, but who is clearly not what he appears

to be. Thus begins a series of adventures, some lessons in and of themselves, some integral to the great quest upon

which they embark, and some just plain fun.

Back in the real world, the rest of the McGunnegals are experiencing their own adventures, including an attempted

kidnapping, but their almost supernatural strength, speed and singing ability enables them to overcome obstacles and

dangers, as they, too, try to uncover the ancient family secrets.

Meanwhile, Colleen and Frederick, accompanied by the family of leprechauns, encounter several creatures who are

intent on either helping or hindering their quest, and many whose purpose will presumably be revealed in ensuing

entries in the series. These mythical creatures reflect the entire panoply of human traits; at turns funny, tragic, noble,

crazy, bitter, silly, wise, selfish and selfless.

Colleen realizes that her mother must have entered this world through the same portal she and Frederick used, and the

two of them come to recognize and accept that they are destined to have a major, if reluctant, role in whether the land

will be saved or not. There is more to the McGunnegals than there seems to be on the surface, as the blurb suggests,

but it appears there may be more to Frederick as well.

If it all sounds a bit disjointed, there’s a reason for that and it’s an inherent problem in any first book of what is meant

to be a series, particularly a fantasy series. An author needs to familiarize the reader with the world in which the story

is placed. This can lead to numerous – and intrusive – scenes where some character simply tells the protagonist what

has transpired in the past. It’s necessary, but it doesn’t make for smooth pacing. In addition, an author needs to ask

many questions and raise many issues that won’t be resolved until later in the series, which calls for a lot of patience

and trust on the part of a reader.

This book is not without flaws – the proofreading is atrocious, and, really, do we really need to have every type of

fantastical creature represented? – but likable characters, an interesting plot and solid, though occasionally uninspired,

writing makes “Into A Strange Land” a fun read, full of mystery and magic, but at its core a basic, if expanded, good

vs. evil fairy tale. It is very family-friendly, although not without moments of depth and darkness. I suspect you will

want to see if the future books answer the many questions posed.

Mohawk Valley Irish Cultural Events - 12

Dublin-Based Jeremiahs to Perform at Earlville Opera House

On July 1st, the Earlville Opera House welcomes Irish trad band, The Jeremiahs. The Jeremiahs, winners of the 2015

Best Vocal & Instrumental Album Live Ireland, combine traditional and contemporary sounds to create their own

brand of Urban Folk music. Since founding in 2013, the quartet has trailblazed across Ireland and Europe, playing

some of the top venues and festivals.

Called “One of the most exciting bands to come out of Ireland in many a year” and “One of the freshest bands in Irish

traditional music,” the band is comprised of Joe Gibney, vocals/whistle (2015 “Male Vocalist of the Year,” Chicago

Irish American News), James Ryan, Guitar/Bouzouki (winner of The Christy Moore Songwriter Showcase) and Jean

Christophe “JC” Morel, Fiddle/Mandola.

Tickets (available on-line) are $20 general, $15 members, and $10 students/youth, with premiums applying in the first

4 rows. Doors open at 7:30 PM. The Earlville Opera House is located at 18 East Main St. in Earlville, NY.

From the Irish Kitchen (recipes suitable for clipping)

This month’s recipe – Blackberry-Almond Crumble Cake - By Margaret Johnson Fat blackberries grow on

hedgerows throughout Ireland in late August and early September. They’re picked first for jams, and then appear in pies,

tarts, and in cakes like this one that has a cakelike bottom and crunchy buttery top.

INGREDIENTS:

Topping 3 large eggs, beaten

2 tbsp. butter, melted 3/4 cup self-rising flour

1/2 cup (packed) dark brown sugar Pinch of salt

1/2 cup g sugar 1/2 cup milk

2 tsp. ground cinnamon 4 oz. almonds, ground

4 large eggs, beaten 6 oz. blackberries

Cake Vanilla ice cream, clotted cream, or crème fraiche for serving (optional)

8 oz. unsalted butter, at room temperature 3 large eggs, beaten

1 cup sugar 3/4 cup self-rising flour

METHOD

To make the topping, in a small bowl, combine the butter, sugars, and cinnamon. Cool slightly, and then stir in the

eggs. Set aside. To make the cake, preheat the oven to 350° F/180° C. Grease a 9-inch springform pan and dust with

flour. Tap out excess. In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Beat in

the eggs. Stir in the flour, salt, and milk. Spoon the batter into the prepared pan, sprinkle the almonds on top, and then

arrange the blackberries over the almonds. Spoon the topping over the blackberries. Bake for 65-70 minutes, or until

a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from the oven and let cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes.

Release the sides of the pan. Slice and serve warm with the cream or ice cream. Serves 10-12.

If you try this recipe, feel free to share your experience with all of us; and of course, if you have a recipe you’d like to share, please

contact Beth Loftis at bloftis@ymail.com.

RANDOM RAMBLINGS

“Nuacht as Craobh Dugan” ---news from the Dugan Branch Chris Hoke writes: “Among our gigs in June

were the “Irish and the Erie” performance at the Western Town Hall on the 8th. Over 120 people attended, and

really enjoyed the show. Craobh Dugan was also part of the 1st Utica Bloomsday Pub Crawl on the 17th,

performing at several stops along the way. To cap off the weekend, the group played a concert at the Fiddlers’

Hall of Fame in Osceola to an appreciative audience of about 80. A big thank you to the musicians and dancers

who participated in any of these performances…Performances this month include: Jul 4 - Nail Creek

Session, 7:30 PM; Jul 7 - Ceili Dance Class, Seton Center, 7 PM; Jul 14 - Ceili Dance Class, Seton Center, 7

PM; Jul 18 – Stockdale’s Session, 7:30 PM; Jul 21 - Ceili Dance Class, Seton Center, 7 PM; Jul 28-30 - Great

American Irish Festival (Musicians and Dancers).”

Mohawk Valley Irish Cultural Events - 13

St. Patrick’s Irish Festival If you’re looking for some pre-GAIF festival action, why not head out to St.

Patrick’s Church (216 N Lowell Ave on historic Tipperary Hill) on Jul 21-22 for their 26th annual St

Patrick’s Irish Festival. This year’s live bands include Mere Mortals, The Causeway Giants, The Public

House, Quigsey & The Bird, Tom Dooley Choraliers, The Flyin’ Column and The Syracuse Kiltie Pipe

Band. Also on hand…foot… will be local Irish step dancing, including performances by Roisin Academy,

McDonald School, Johnston School, Butler Sheehan Academy, Drumcliffe School and Francis Academy.

Irish Night At Rustic Ridge Winery Continuing their popular annual tradition, Rustic Ridge Winery

will be hosting “Irish Night,” on Thursday, July 27th from 5-8 PM. Entertainment will be provided by

Pennsylvania band “Down by the Glenside.” Bring your blankets or lawn chairs and snacks and sit back

and enjoy the music! Food will be available and there will be raffles for tickets to the Great American

Irish Festival, held later that weekend!

“Find Your Way Home – An Irish Musical Drama” “Find Your Way Home” comes to The Palace

Theatre in Albany for one night only! Led by internationally known performer Alexandria Sharpe (Celtic

Woman/West End) and Musical Director David Hayes (Riverdance/The Voice Of Ireland), this musical

drama based in 1910 Ireland and America has brought crowds to their feet with an emotional journey of

a family as they encounter unexpected tragedies and joys in the face of economic hardship. The show

takes place at 7:30 on July 17th. Tickets range from $25-$125 (VIP Reception), and available here.

Celtic Club Calendar Finally, here’s the Irish Musical and Cultural calendar for July:

Jul 1 The Jeremiahs Earlville Opera House Earlville, NY 8 PM $10-$30

Jul 2 Blarney Rebel Band Woodland Hop Farm Marcy NY 1-4 PM Free

Jul 2 Syracuse Irish Session J. Ryan’s Pub Syracuse 4-7 PM Free

Jul 4 Nail Creek Sessions Nail Creek Pub Utica 7:30 PM Free

Jul 7 Blarney Rebel Band Piggy Pat’s Washington Mills 6-9 PM Free

Jul 7 Kilgore McTrouts Coleman’s Irish Pub Syracuse 4-7 PM Free

Jul 8 Traditional Irish Session Kitty Hoynes Pub Syracuse 2-5 PM Free

Jul 9-16 Catskills Irish Arts Week Michael J. Quill Irish

Cultural/ Sports Centre East Durham Varies

Check site for

Tuition

Jul 16 Syracuse Irish Session J. Ryan’s Pub Syracuse 4-7 PM Free

Jul 16 Traditional Irish Session Irish Amer Ass’n Albany 2:30-6 PM Free

Jul 16 Donal O’Shaughnessy Coleman’s Irish Pub Syracuse 4-7 PM Free

Jul 17 “Find Your Way Home” Palace Theater Albany 7:30 PM $25-$125

Jul 18 Traditional Irish Session Stockdale’s Oriskany 7:30 PM Free

Jul 21-22 St. Patrick’s Irish Festival St. Patrick’s Church Syracuse Fri, 5-11 PM

Sat, Noon-11 PM Free

Jul 22 Traditional Irish Session Kitty Hoynes Pub Syracuse 2-5 PM Free

Jul 23 Blarney Rebel Band Coleman’s Irish Pub Syracuse 4-7 PM Free

Jul 26 Donal O’Shaughnessy Killabrew Saloon New Hartford 7 PM Free

Jul 27 Enter the Haggis Saranac Brewery Utica 5:30 PM $5

Jul 28-30 Great American Irish Festival Herkimer County

Fairgrounds Frankfort NY

Fri - 4-11

Sat - Noon – 11

Sun - Noon - 5

$18 Fri, $20 Sat,

$18 Sun; $30 for

Weekend (adv)

Jul 30 Flying Column Coleman’s Irish Pub Syracuse 4-7 PM Free

If you have anything you want to share with us, feel free to send it to us (sistia@roadrunner.com, bloftis@ymail.com

or marksisti@roadrunner.com), and we’ll be happy to include it. As always, while we strive for professionalism,

sometimes that poopyhead steals my stapler. It always makes sense to call ahead to confirm some of these further-

out trips. Enjoy a safe 4th of July and we’ll see you at the Great American Irish Festival!