iIrish: Songs, Stories & Shenanigans, Podcast14: Roll Pride
When you want to know, where to go, what to do, to be seen, to make a difference, you come here, to iIrish:the Truth & the Pulse of the Irish
Just for a minute, we’re going to move From the Present to the Past, and roll forward: Let’s take a look at On This Day in Irish History: 10 October 1918 – was the sinking of RMS Leinster by German torpedoes. She was bound for Holyhead and went down just outside Dublin Bay. Over 500 people perished, mostly military personnel returning from leave – it was the greatest single loss of life in the Irish Sea.
11 October 1969 - Death of Louise Gavan Duffy, revolutionary, who founded Scoil Bhride, (Scull Bray School), the first all-Irish school for girls, in Dublin.
15 October 1945 - Death of Eoin Mac Neill, scholar and patriot, who co-founded the Gaelic League and was the Irish Volunteers Chief of Staff.
Moving to the present: What’s the News, What’s the News? What’s the top news we have to talk about today:
Guess what? This podcast is now available on iTunes! Subscribe, and listen to any of the podcasts, any time you wish.
Did you pick up the October issue yet? Our cover features The Mighty Sweeney Clan, a legacy of public service four generations deep, from today’s State Senator Bride Sweeney, turning heads and drilling down to the things that really matter to her constituents, and then getting them done; to her father, former Cleveland City Councilman and State Senator Martin Sweeney; Marty’s sister, Fairview Park Councilwoman Maureen Sweeney; their father, retired Judge Gerald Sweeney, and Gerry’s father, a State Representative in West Park, when the State Representative went by county. We include a nice Inner View profile of Bride inside.
Speaking of Bride, our State Representative responded to a federal court’s last Saturday order requiring the Ohio Secretary of State to explain himself on why he has not allowed Cuyahoga County’s Board of Elections to move forward with its bipartisan unanimous plan to offer ballot drop off services at six library locations.
A state appeals court late on Friday ruled that the law allows the secretary to install more drop boxes if he chooses, but the court declined to require him to do so. Also last week, the governor of Texas copied Ohio and ordered all drop box sites closed except for one in each county.
Said Rep. Sweeney: “I am sad to see the residents of major American cities – like my hometown of Cleveland and now Houston and Dallas – used as pawns in a national GOP plan to cut off voting access. First, Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose limited drop boxes to one per county and ordered Cuyahoga County to halt its unanimous bipartisan plan to accept ballots at six satellite locations. Now, the Texas GOP is following his lead and closing satellite ballot drop-off sites. Thankfully, a federal court is demanding answers here in Ohio. I hope Texans, like Ohioans, will make their voices heard and vote no matter what!”
Representative Sweeney is a member of the House Democratic Caucus’ Elections Working Group assembled by Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (of Akron) at the onset of the pandemic to deal with its impact on voters and voting rights. Rep. Sweeney is the youngest elected Democrat in the Ohio House and the first woman to represent her district in the chamber.
In an update that went out Wednesday, additional boxes are permitted, at libraries, so we’ll be watching that closely.
The Election is only 24 Days away. One way to choose a candidate is to vote, in person. Do Absentee, or mail-in, like I do. Even tho the date to register to vote in has gone back and forth, at this point, it has now passed.
We have only until the end of this month to complete the Census. It is VITALLY important – why? For many reasons, including the mapping of the area a representative represents. Of course, the goal is to reduce gerrymandering – any honest person with ethics wants that, THAT’S a given. No rigging of the districts to favor one party over another. It is part of the reason that I am an independent; I vote people, and performance, not party.
But the number of people in a district dictate how much money that district gets. Every person that district represents is equal to $1200 in money for that district. If you want to be an influencer, you must be counted. Complete the Census to make a difference right in your own community. Visit 2020Census.gov. I did mine when the Census first began, and Honest to God, it took less than 3 minutes; it was so simple to do.
Another way we make a difference, of course, is to vote. The presidential and vice-presidential debates were designed to help us with making the decision of who we wanted to vote for. Debates are a contest of ideas for people to vote on, who most aligns with what we believe, desire, and need, for a successful life. They were never designed to be who can be the loudest, or the most immature.
Did you know 73 million ppl watched the last presidential debate, on October 1st. 11% of Voters are undecided – that may be enough to turn an election. According to Repub Pollster Frank Luntz - The Debate convinced some voters to not vote at all.
We have not had a variety of backgrounds representative of the United States serve as president, even tho we are officially 244 years old. Of course, Barack Obama was the first and only Black American president. John F. Kennedy was the 1st, and only Catholic president. Catholics are the largest denomination in the United States – Joe Biden would be only 2nd Catholic President and Kamala Harris would be the 1st POC American Vice President, if they should win.
I was reading up on candidates across my voting area. We have extensive advertising in the OhioIANews from both republicans and democrats, and occasionally, an Independent. The Democratic nominee's Irish ancestors have a LOT of similarities to my own story. I am 1st Generation, and deeply immersed in the Irish American community, so perhaps it is more crystalized for me, more present, meaningful and with similar values forged through our lives, past and present. Joe Biden’s family left Ireland in the 1800s; 220 years later, Vice President Biden has never shied away from his Irish roots. He knows they were formative to who he is today.
VP Biden penned a letter to Ancestry.com the day before he left for Ireland in 2016, which is the source sent on to me. This was as the country was celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Easter Rising. VP Biden “spoke to how the seismic event put Ireland on a path to independence” in his open letter. He also visited Kilmainham Gaol - where the leaders of the rising were executed - during his 2016 visit.
I’d like to read you a bit, of what spoke to me:
“Biden, who is thought to be five-eighths Irish, said ahead of the official 2016 six-day visit that being Irish has "shaped his entire life." He visited places in Louth, Mayo, and Meath, where his ancestors emigrated from.
He also said, “We celebrate our shared heritage. Our shared values of tolerance. Diversity. Inclusiveness. And it’s a trip I’m so deeply grateful to be taking alongside my children and grandchildren…
"Over the course of my life, I’ve been to a lot of places. I’ve traveled all around the world – more than a million miles on Air Force Two alone. I’ve been honored to have held a lot of titles. But I have always been and will always be the son of Kitty Finnegan. The grandson of Geraldine Finnegan from St. Paul’s Parish in Scranton; a proud descendant of the Finnegan’s of Ireland’s County Louth. The great-grandson of a man named Edward Francis Blewitt, whose roots stem from Ballina, a small town in Ireland’s County Mayo – sister city to my hometown in Scranton, Pennsylvania. An engineer with a poet’s heart. Months after my mother passed away, I found an old box of his poems in my attic.
"In his poetry, my great-grandfather spoke of both continents, and how his heart and his soul drew from the old and the new. And most of all, he was proud. He was proud of his ancestors. He was proud of his blood. He was proud of his city. He was proud of his state, his country. But most of all – he was proud of his family.
"And that is America: This notion that home is where your character is etched. As Americans, we all hail from many homes. Somewhere along the line, someone in our lineage arrived on our shores, filled with hope. We are blessed to experience that simultaneous pride in where we’ve found ourselves, while never forgetting our roots.
"James Joyce wrote, 'When I die, Dublin will be written on my heart.'
"Well, Northeast Pennsylvania will be written on my heart. But Ireland will be written on my soul.”
You can read the whole letter on Ancestry.com, or probably find it with a google search.
What else is going on? Well Pro Football is back and has really done a remarkable job in having so few COVID infections. Their well-coordinated plan, and action, shows what can be done, with planning and collaboration.
I have really enjoyed watching the NFL so far – of course, because the Browns are 3-1, after 2 decades of mostly futility, and 2 years of complete futility. Pro football is definitely my favorite sport to watch, and to play. I enjoy watching Joe Burrow play for Cinci – he’s a baller for sure. Pittsburgh is its’ usual powerhouse and Baltimore is an AFC favorite; the Browns only loss this year. KC is the Superbowl favorite, with today’s GOAT, Patrick Mahomes.
I do wish we could be like the NFL, with few infections, and quality treatment. The rest of America, and the world, are not so fortunate as our football heroes, or president. 207,000 of our countrymen are dead. Almost 1 MILLION have died worldwide at this writing. In Ohio, 159,964 have been infected. The number of deaths is 4,931.
We mourn them; we pray for no resurgence, and the end of the scourge that is COVID-19.
I believe in God, the father Almighty, creator of Heaven and earth… is the beginning of a catholic prayer called The Apostle’s Creed. We are all apostles of one level or another, one sort or another. No matter your spiritual beliefs, I believe in you. Whether you believe similarly or not, I wish you good health. We are All brothers and sisters – this land is your land; this land is my land. The only race that matters in life or death, is the human race, with no divisions. And yes, perhaps the race to find a vaccine that works, to save us all.
You will find more great stories in this issue, including A Tale for Samhain, and Happy Halloween Kid’s Craic, Cleveland Irish Cops n Robbers, a profile of Columbus Man of Impact Mike Mentel, a history lesson on the 1stBloody Sunday, and the 2nd, 3rd and 4th too; An Irish History Contest, News for the GAA, Safe home to Pat Car and Patrick Sweeney and a sad story of a beloved priest, who drowned in a boating accident.
Of course, you will find food recipes, humor, book reviews, Irish Dance news, our monthly Speak Irish Lesson, Irish Crossword Puzzle, a few Opinion pieces and so much more.
We always have so many milestones to celebrate:
To read these stories and more, pick up the issue in person or read it online, at OhioIANews.com. A list of all distribution points is on the website as well.
How about a bit on sports: If you are not familiar with Gaelic Football, and the national sport of Ireland, Hurling, hope online or an extensive number of free videos highlightin The Fastest Game on Grass.
Now, Kids football and hurling this month.
And now, a Toast, to all the GAA clubs around the country, keeping our sports, history, language alive here in America:
"May you never lie, cheat or steal, but if you must lie, then lie in each other's arms and if you must cheat, then cheat death and if you must steal, steal kisses."
What’s the best toast or proverb you have ever heard - funny, ironic, illuminating? Do you have a go to toast for special moments? Share them with us – we’ll read the best on the next podcast and share in our eBulletin and Print edition. The winner will receive a $25 gift card to the advertiser of your choice.
Please let advertisers know you heard about them on this podcast and saw their ad on the OhioIANews platforms of the print edition, online edition, Podcast, YouTube Channel, Social Media or eBulletin. Reinforce their advertising with the OhioIANews as a good deal, so they know you are seeing their ads, and their support is making a difference.
Have you conquered this month’s Irish Crossword Puzzle? The theme is Grab the Popcorn. If you haven’t, hop over to OhioIANews.com when we are all finished here and give it a go. All of our past crosswords are there too, if you want to stock up, or learn about so many things Irish, history and humor and things worth knowing, via a puzzle.
Every month I beg and beg our readers and organizations from throughout Ohio and the surrounding states to send us their events. Rarely do they. I won’t give up. The invitation stands; send them to me at jobrien@ohioianews.com. There is no charge.
The Columbus area is growing, inch by inch and row by row, with the addition of Columbus Irish Columnist Molly Truex, and her Columbus Irish column, but we want to feature all of Ohio, and the surrounding states. Please Help us out, if you would.
Let us know what’s the craic, so we can share it with our audiences. If you know of a writer who is a potential columnist that lives in the Greater Cincinnati, Pittsburgh or Detroit area, please send them on to us to chat with; those areas are our next expansion targets.
Here are a few upcoming events we’d like to share with you:
Food, Music & Dance!
Every Friday evening, the West Side Irish American Club in Olmsted Twp, the Irish American Club East Side, in Euclid, and the Shamrock Club of Columbus have Friday Specials, a Happy Hour and LIVE music.
All social distancing and safety rules will be followed, so don’t be a Karen or a Brad.
Euclid Irish American Club East Side
IACES Thirty Thursdays are back on the Patio, as long as the weather holds out. The Annual Steak & Chicken Roast is Oct 18. And Coming up, the annual Holiday arts & Crafts Fair is 11/1 from 10-3 eastsideirish.org
Columbus Shamrock Club Events shamrockclubofcolumbus.com
Olmsted Twp West Side Irish American Club
This week, the WSIA has their Friday special of Baby Back Ribs w/ fries, beans and more, with food prepared by the extraordinary McDonough’s Brigade, and always so, so good. WSIA Club wsia-club.org.
Indiana Fiddler’s Hearth
Offering carry out & front patio Al fresco seating. Hotels open near by.
If you are planning outdoor music in park settings, we have carry out?
10% of the proceeds goes to Irish musicians who play ... Slainte! fiddlershearth.com
Patios are open everywhere, keeping distance and slaking the fierce desperate thirst, Plus 2Nite:
Crawley and Sofranko, of Marys Lane are at Pj McIntyre’s 7 to 10ish,
Flat Iron has Donal O’Shoughnessy 6 to 9ish, Gunselman’s has Cats on Holiday on the BIG patio starting at 6.
Now, the chores are done, let’s get to the good stuff.
I got a great book in the mailbag, called, What Have the Irish Ever Done for Us? Written by David Forsythe, a scriptwriter, author and journalist from Cork City. The title is a bit tongue in cheek, but David has set out to tell us, exactly that – with short bios of Irish men and women, some of whom we know, some we don’t, and their amazing accomplishments that were also amazing, rippling contributions, answering the title question, with great stories on exactly, What Have the Irish Ever Done for Us? I love the illustrated and photo filled book; I love the style and the accomplishments shared. Goal Accomplished David, well done.
I’d like to share one of David’s stories. Given the season, I choose Kilkenny man “James Hoban, the White House Visionary” (p 92).
Lotsa serious stuff this month, this year, this decade, or two. We are into our 7th month of holding COVID-19 off. It tried to end our run, but must not have realized what our community is made of.
Let’s end this podcast with a little humor: These Wise Craics make me laugh:
Irish craic explained - the six levels of craic you can reach, from @IrishCentral Jun 02, 2017
Craic is the Irish word that most confuses outsiders, yet it is a relatively simple concept. It is the atmosphere, fun, carry on surrounding a particular night out.
”How was the craic?” is the first question uppermost in most young Irish minds after a weekend.
Here’s the encyclopedia definition:
"Craic" is a term for news, gossip, fun, entertainment, and enjoyable conversation, particularly prominent in Ireland. It is often used with the definite article – the craic, such as, What’s the craic?
So now that you have a grasp on what craic is, here is all the different kinds of craic (as if you weren't confused enough!):
Good craic: A fairly ok night out, fun but nothing too amazing.
Mighty craic: Better than good craic, not quite at the highest level, someone did some crazy stuff maybe.
Savage craic: Almost there, great night all together, everyone on top firm, Guinness flowing, great jokes.
Deadly craic: A step above savage but not quit the Everest moment.
The craic was ninety: The nirvana of craic, everything was amazing, incredible, everyone hooked up, the pints were great. No one quite sure how the word ninety came into it--a famous Christy Moore song “The craic was ninety in the Isle of Man” maybe:
Or perhaps, as good friend Shay Clarke explains, the Craic was 90, and we’re going after the other 10.
And lastly!
Minus craic: That’s when a night goes wrong and essentially, you’d have had more fun in a mausoleum.
Support for this iIrish Songs, Stories and Shenanigans Podcast comes from WHKRadio and the Ohio Irish American News. We are delighted to say we are now also on iTunes. Big Thanks to the production genius’, Josh and Steve, as well as Gerry Quinn and Tim Vaughn.
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There are many more songs and stories; I hope we will write new ones - of joy, of unification. Here, and across the pond. We are closer to a One Ireland than we have been in more than 800 years. We’ll save those songs and stories for next time, October 23rd, at 5pm, when we release Podcast15.
Be sure to send in your questions, comments and ideas; we’ll read them here next time; with the best answers we can provide! We have also started 3 new contests: a listener contest of general topic, A cover photo contest (all seasons/all themes) for the best submitted Portrait style Photograph that you OWN, and, for the young ones, a Coloring Contest - with the winner of each receiving a gift card to the OhioIANews advertiser of your choice. The first coloring entry is included in the November issue, or download it from the website. Here’s the Listener Contest Question: From where does my dad hail?
If you are interested in investing or advertising on this podcast, the eBulletin, in the print edition, website or Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, contact me, John O’Brien at jobrien@OhioIANews.com, seek us online or give us a call at 216.647.1144.
Whelp, We’ve done what we can for this week.
Tomorrow is another day, and another chance to write the future we want to live in.
As always, I end with a bit of the Irish:
Nuair a stadann an ceol, stadann an rince
(When the music stops, so does the dance)
Most of us go to our grave with our music still inside of us.
Don’t let it happen to you.
Keep playing your music. Wider audiences need to hear the beauty all around us.
Please share your stories with me. Thank you listening, and for allowing me to share mine with you.
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