In Newfoundland the old country is never forgotten
You can't walk very far in Newfoundland before hearing an Irish dialect, seeing architecture that reminds you of Dublin or some other reminiscence of Irish culture. And Irish traditional music is no different. Ever since the provinces first wave of European immigration in the 19th century, it has more than made a significant stamp in Canada’s most eastern province. For Newfoundland it's culture and history have always been defined by traditional music, namely shanties, and ballads sung by early European explorers and Newfoundland fishermen who entertained themselves in the bays, coves and inlets dotted along the coastline. This form of in-house ...
The Dunbrody Country House
Catherine and Kevin Dundon don’t have to take that imaginary journey. The Dunbrody Country House is a 22-bedroom Georgian Manor hotel and restaurant in Arthurstown, County Wexford, near County Waterford. During the holidays they put it to good use—not for the wandering public, but instead purely for personal pleasure. From Dec. 24 to Dec. 27 the Dundons, who have owned the former mansion since 1997, close the hotel and Harvest Room restaurant and open it to their loved ones. The result is an enviable 3-day one-of-a-kind holiday extravaganza. Most people settle for a Christmas dinner crammed around a makeshift table in a ...
Dracula and the Vampire Myth
Little did the Irish writer Braum Stoker know that his monster story would transcend centuries. Or did he? Each new medium has perpetuated the myth since his story was first published in 1897. Bram Stoker was born near Dublin on 8 November, 1847, the third of seven children. He attended Trinity College and distinguished himself as an athlete. Young Bram had always dreamed of becoming a writer, but his father had more substantial ideas other than becoming a writer. Yielding to the father's wishes, Bram followed him into a career as a civil servant in Dublin Castle. He labored eight-years in the ...
Fairies, Ghosts and Banshees
There are many accounts of fairies, ghosts and banshees associated with Ireland lending credence to the idea of a mystical place or thin places—those places that are neither here nor the beyond but border between the two. And then there are the poltergeists and such manifestations making their presence during Samhain or Halloween. Many of Irish descent and others believe in otherworldly inhabitants and more that say they are in communication with them. For most it is a time for apple cider, brisk walks on moonlit streets collecting treats and the telling of scary stories by the hearth. Edmund Lenihan has been ...
Sweater Patterns & Aran Yarns
On the western shore of Ireland across Galway Bay, tales from the Árainn Isles drift and bobble on the Atlantic like an empty currach. For centuries those tarred wooden vessels, about eighteen and a half feet long, have carried fishermen out to sea and back, but not always as planned. On occasions of noticeable weather and unpredictable seas, fishing expeditions sometimes overturned, launching true and tragic stories into the wild ocean waves. Over the years, these tales of drownings have flowed in ever-widening circles from the three small Aran Islands until pooling among the current tide of tourists. With native islanders ...
Irish Dance News
Dancer to Dancer
Fifteen years goes by pretty fast. At the age of six, I became involved in Irish dancing with lots of starts and stops in the lessons. A true and steady commitment for me didn’t really start until my 11th year. Until then, I’d sit in a small blue chair in the back of my twin sister’s dancing class, pretending to read a book and declaring my disdain for Irish dancing to everyone asking why I wasn’t up there with her. Secretly, I wished I was. It was so much easier to hide...
Profile: Irish Dance and Peter Smith
In his South Amboy, N.J. studio, Smith’s students dance – and dance and dance, round after round after round. They practice their hard shoe steps three students at a time, the entire class rotating, while Smith sits at the head of the hall. There are no warm-ups, no stretches, no cool-downs. It’s all dance, all the time. From his humble demeanor to his class structure, Smith keeps it simple. Don’t be misled. His simplistic thinking has proven innovative in the...
How do you practice your dancing?
Just about every day in Irish dance classes across the world, students are told by their conscientious teachers to practice before the next class. Week after week, these reminders are announced, the students nod dutifully to show that they will indeed practice, and the class ends. Now, two questions occur to me. First, are dancers really practicing? Second, and perhaps more important, what are the dancers practicing? Let’s just assume that the answer to the first question is...
Read More Irish Dance NewsHornpipe Departments
How do you practice your dancing?
Just about every day in Irish dance classes across the world, students are told by their conscientious teachers to practice before the next class. Week after week, these reminders are announced, the students nod dutifully to show that they will indeed practice, and the class ends. Now, two questions occur to me. First, are dancers really practicing? Second, and perhaps more important, what are the dancers practicing? Let’s just assume that the answer to the first question is...
Portugal home to European Championships
Is it possible to combine a feis or major Irish dance championships with a family vacation that is more than just a quick weekend away from home? The European Championships in Irish Dancing, held on May28-30, 2006, in Faro, Portugal, are proof that it can be done, and done very well!. In its sixth year, this championship-only event was a rousing success. [In the interest of truth in journalism, I should point out that I was an adjudicator for this year’s event.] The European...
Music to My Ears
Every once in a while, a dancer on stage at a feis has real trouble starting to the music. Someone tries to help by counting off the introduction, but there is still a problem. When I ask the dancer what is wrong, I sometimes hear, “But, that’s not the right song”! Aha! The problem is not just with starting to the music. The problem is more a lack of comfort with a variety of tunes and musical styles. What will help this child to conqueror his or her dependence...
Read More About Hornpipe DepartmentsIrish Culture and Music
Tenors Win Over America Hearts
The rich full tone of a tenors voice has filled concert halls for nearly three centuries. Therefore it is no surprise when the Irish Tenors tour the country they beckon opera advocates and music-lovers everywhere to hear them sing. A transition from church choirs, singing competitions to the Operatic performance is not an easy road. Yet, Ireland has managed to train and send forth singers comparable to the Italians. The Irish Tenors, John McDermott,... [Read more of this review]
Innovation in Traditional Irish Music
In general, “traditional” music in Ireland is defined as music that comes from a certain region of Ireland and is passed down through the generations from teacher to student (sometimes father or mother to son or daughter) in a continuous line that stretches back into the past. One hundred years ago or more, this was certainly the only way that dance music could be learned. A person’s exposure to the music would come entirely from... [Read more of this review]
Anthony Kearns: The Man Behind the Voice
Anthony Kearns is a born entertainer. He may have snagged the title, “Ireland’s Best Living Tenor”, but he’ll jokingly tell you that he’s also got the gift of the gab, “I could rabbit on for hours. I didn’t just kiss the Blarney stone, I swallowed it.” His banter is casual and despite his success, he is not ready to sit back. “If the audience wants me, I’ll keep coming back.” Along... [Read more of this review]
Read More Irish Culture and MusicCurrent Events
Riverdance the Show – farewell tour
Thrilling audiences across the world RIVERDANCE made its stage debut on Feb. 9, 1995, at Dublin’s Point Theatre, where it sold out five weeks of performances. Shortly thereafter it was first staged in the United States at Radio City Music Hall in New York in March 1996. One of those performances was released on video and became a sensation on PBS. Since then RIVERDANCE has been performed more than 10,000 times in front of more than 21 million... [Read more of this review]
Center for Irish Programs, Boston College
Center for Irish Programs, Boston College Gaelic Roots Music, Song, Dance, Workshop and Lecture Series Series Director: Séamus Connolly, Sullivan Artist-in-Residence Thursday, March 18 – Connolly House, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Cape Breton Music and Dance: Concert by Kimberley Fraser and Troy MacGillivray. Each a highly sought-after performer and teacher of both fiddle and piano, Kimberley Fraser and Troy MacGillivray have brought the traditional... [Read more of this review]
Irish Film Festival Boston
The Irish Film Festival Boston (IFFB) March 25-28 Notable filmmakers and established actors have been honored with awards . IFFB was founded in 1999 to introduce Irish filmmaking to the world. Four days of feature films, Documentary, short fiction and animation flicks at the Brattle, Sommerville Theaters. One short film of interest…Dance Lexie, Dance (1996) 14 mins Director: Tim Loane Laura, a 12 year old Protestant girl wants to be a Riverdancer... [Read more of this review]
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