American Statesman and Champion of the People

Edward Moore Kennedy, 1932-2009
By Thomas Miner

The death of Senator Edward Kennedy at age 77 closes a chapter in American history that future Americans will learn to know and love as I have. A man born into the life of privilege that identified with the common man.

Some attribute this rare loyalty to his Roman Catholic faith and his mother, Rose, that defined his character with the belief that there are greater rewards in heaven. While his father, Joe, shared that belief he was more pragmatic. At an early age he told his son that no matter what he decided to be or do in life that his well being would forever be looked after by a family trust. His father’s gift of freedom gave Senator Kennedy the ways and means to dedicate his life of politics looking after the poor and common man.

Kennedy was part of an Irish-American story. A story that brought to fruition the beliefs of our founding fathers that anyone…Irish…Catholic could rise from the ranks of America politics and become a movable force. And in his action made him bigger than life.

Depending on the company you keep the mention of his name would cause a firestorm of controversy. Bleeding heart, tree-hugging, gay-loving are but a few of the names the Senator from Massachusetts has been called…others not fit for publishing. Yet in his passing we are learning much more about a man that could set aside partisan politics and work to attain his hope and his dream for a better America for all it’s citizens.

For nearly half a century he wrestled with issues that would determine the course of modern American history. Kennedy, a gifted negotiator invoked Irish wit as he faced the challenges of his own life and the challenges of our country, in particular, health care and civil rights. He was simply a descent man and a descendant of Irish emigrants and he never forgot nor betrayed his family and culture…the hope remains intact and the dream lives on.

Now in our 11th year of publishing

Welcome to Hornpipe magazine your resource for Irish dance, Music and Culture in North America.

So you came upon our website because your son or daughter is taking Irish dance lessons and you are looking for that perfect Irish dance dress? Maybe you would like a new pair of Irish dance shoes to go with that Irish dance music that your teacher recommended. Perhaps it is an Irish dance wig, a new Irish dance school or an Irish costume designer? Irish dance competition results? Feiseanna locations? Irish-American history? Irish recipes? Irish music and film reviews?  Irish books? Look no further.

Inside Hornpipe Magazine you will find all that you are looking for and more. Since 1999 our staff has accumulated articles on nearly every Irish subject. Our readership is steeped in the tradition of Irish dance and all things Irish and they demand the best. If you cannot find what you are looking for please contact us.

Thomas Miner-Editor, Hornpipe Magazine

Editor’s Thoughts- Defining What It Means To Be Irish

As editor of Hornpipe Magazine I am often asked if I am Irish. The question bewilders me on two fronts, first, would I have an interest to publish an Irish magazine if I was not Irish and, second, is there some measure to being Irish? My father’s paternal name does not immediately register Irish as would an O’Neil, Connelly, Bray or McCafferty would, but nonetheless it is Irish. My forefathers arrived in America long before the famine and with each generation became more American. We are the great melting pot and when it comes to love there are no boundaries with race and culture. I am not only Irish but a colorful Celtic mix.
We have one of those stories of love and nuptials in “Four bicycles and a wedding.” Fred Meredith tells about Emily, an American, and Mark, an Irishman that met in Australia. They are got married in Ireland and the family planned a bicycle trip around the event. It is especially entertaining.
This notion of Irish-ness especially occurs on St. Patrick’s Day as the crowds gather not so much in remembrance of the old country or in honor of one’s ancestors but more an opportunity to sell stuff—the Celtic Tiger knows all too well how to market (a subject to revisit another time). Those of us that search out substance in the celebration are often rewarded in ways that green beer and funny hats could never substitute. Personally, I search out the elders on this day and visit with them about the past. Ah, but St. Patrick’s Day always seems to fall during another spring ritual—SXSW. Music is synonymous with the Irish as you can read in another article.
There is an enigma to being an American and a duplicity that others cannot fathom. We have the best of two worlds, the old and the new. Those of us that embrace our ancestry and choose to learn about our past have a better understanding of our future. There are rare qualities of the Irish people that are embedded if not in the DNA, in the way we were raised. One such man is Dan Rooney. He is the new ambassador to Ireland whose parents immigrated to America’s furnace, Pittsburgh, at the turn of the 20th century. A successful man never forgets his past.
The World Dance Championships are going on in Philadelphia although there are no stories in this issue I ask that you visit our website hornpipe.net for blogs and updates.
We want to draw your attention to the physical fitness it takes to be a dancer. Like other athletes, planning a diet is as advantageous as the practice and instruction. Stamina is key to a strong relaxed performance. See “Fueling the dancer” for ideas and much more in this issue.
God Bless the Irish spirit,

Thom Miner

Defining What It Means To Be Irish

As editor of Hornpipe Magazine I am often asked if I am Irish. The question bewilders me on two fronts, first, would I have an interest to publish an Irish magazine if I was not Irish and, second, is there some measure to being Irish? My father’s paternal name does not immediately register Irish as would an O’Neil, Connelly, Bray or McCafferty would, but nonetheless it is Irish. My forefathers arrived in America long before the famine and with each generation became more American. We are the great melting pot and when it comes to love there are no boundaries with race and culture. I am not only Irish but a colorful Celtic mix.
We have one of those stories of love and nuptials in “Four bicycles and a wedding.” Fred Meredith tells about Emily, an American, and Mark, an Irishman that met in Australia. They are got married in Ireland and the family planned a bicycle trip around the event. It is especially entertaining.
This notion of Irish-ness especially occurs on St. Patrick’s Day as the crowds gather not so much in remembrance of the old country or in honor of one’s ancestors but more an opportunity to sell stuff—the Celtic Tiger knows all too well how to market (a subject to revisit another time). Those of us that search out substance in the celebration are often rewarded in ways that green beer and funny hats could never substitute. Personally, I search out the elders on this day and visit with them about the past. Ah, but St. Patrick’s Day always seems to fall during another spring ritual—SXSW. Music is synonymous with the Irish as you can read in another article.
There is an enigma to being an American and a duplicity that others cannot fathom. We have the best of two worlds, the old and the new. Those of us that embrace our ancestry and choose to learn about our past have a better understanding of our future. There are rare qualities of the Irish people that are embedded if not in the DNA, in the way we were raised. One such man is Dan Rooney. He is the new ambassador to Ireland whose parents immigrated to America’s furnace, Pittsburgh, at the turn of the 20th century. A successful man never forgets his past.
The World Dance Championships are going on in Philadelphia although there are no stories in this issue I ask that you visit our website hornpipe.net for blogs and updates.
We want to draw your attention to the physical fitness it takes to be a dancer. Like other athletes, planning a diet is as advantageous as the practice and instruction. Stamina is key to a strong relaxed performance. See “Fueling the dancer” for ideas and much more in this issue.
God Bless the Irish spirit,

Thom Miner

Editor’s Thoughts

While I am writing this each North American Oireachtas is in full swing. The annual gathering of Irish dancing school dancers, all from their respective regions, brings the best on stage. It is a wonderful opportunity for dancers as well as teachers to catch up on the past year, see the new developments in the dance steps, costumes and the many new accessories—all this in anticipation of the World Championships being held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania next year. 

The first ever World Dancing Competition, Rince na Cruinne, is the crown jewel of dancing and usually restricted to the shores of Ireland and rightfully so; it is a corner stone of Irish Nationalism. Rarely held outside Ireland with an occasional departure to Scotland, An Coimisiún have consented to this monumental milestone.
The history of Irish dancing goes back hundreds of years, but the documentation of competitive dancing records date back to the early 20^th century. John Cullinane has documented much of the history in his book, An Coimisiún le Rincí Galelacha (Irish Dancing Commission). Its Origins and Evolution. 

Competitive dancing in North America started in the 1960’s and has become ever popular over the past two decades. It is fitting that this inaugural event be held at America’s capital under the first Continental Congress of 1774, where immigrants, most from Ireland, breathed new life into a free democracy. Russell Beaton has more reflections in As I See It.

Surely there will be a lifting of pints this holiday season. Most are familiar with this famous beer but little is known about how it came about. In order to satisfy my whimsical notions of history and its importance I again give you Edward O’Donnell and his, no doubt, well researched history of the dark stout. 

That pint might be shared with friends at a nearby pub Christmas Eve celebration before going home for Christmas dinner. Preparations have been in the making for weeks and simple traditions mark centuries of celebration. Creating a traditional Irish Christmas in your home may be second nature but are you aware of the significance behind putting a candle in the window; mistletoe in the doorway; a ring of holly on the door?

If you are looking for new recipes (duck in sweet and sour sauce with chorizo and raisin stuffing) that makes your mouth water read Christmas in a Nutshell. Culinary expert, Denise Dubé, interviewed Chef Paul Flynn of The Tannery Restaurant in Dungarvan. 

And don’t forget to pick up the new Christmas CDs. Eileen Ivers and the Alison Brown Quartet will set the mood. Both have wonderfully different influences on new and old Christmas tunes.

As we shake out this year I can’t begin to tell you what a pleasure it is to serve so many of our readers. Thank you for your words of encouragement and constructive comments. From all of us at Hornpipe Magazine…God bless the Irish spirit and Happy Christmas.

Editor’s Thoughts

Dancing keeps us young.

I like to dance. Most of my friends like to dance too. Some men won’t admit it, but when pushed by wives or significant others they rise with reservation and dance. And after they dance they are thrilled they did.

By Thomas Miner Read more

Editor’s Thoughts

July 4th happens to be one of my favorite holidays. It is a midsummer break, accented with an illuminating celebration of independence and freedom. It marks the beginning of a new found democracy unlike any known to he world. To the surprise of many it was and continues to be a place of opportunity for those who live up to the expectations and demands of that freedom. Read more