San Diego and other odds and ends

Look who's in San Diego for the summer!

Liam Corridan, Kilian O' Carroll, and Kevin O' Neill of Ciarrai.

According to Stephen Ahern of Irish Outreach San Diego the boys were to play a special pre game performance on Saturday night. The game in question is an annual Irish Night event.

On the previous Saturday the Irish community in San Diego held a memorial mass for the students killed in the Berkeley tragedy. 800 people attended that mass.

Below is link to a lovely account of this memorial event in last Saturday's Irish Times:

I thought I couldn't be prouder to be Irish…

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Photo: Internet

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An Old One from John Kelliher

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Fungi Going Strong

photo;  Go Kerry

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Highwaymen in The Sky

This clip by Fleadh Cheoil Chaiarraí of Frances Kennedy doing what she does best in a pub in Cahirsiveen at the fleadh has gone viral on the internet.

The Ballad of Ryanair

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Céad Míle  Fáilte Romhaibh Abhaile

The French branch of my family who have been discovering the Basque Country for a year are due home today.
"How're we gonna keep 'em down on the farm……"

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Origins of Kerry Step Dancing

Jimmy Smith of Rinceoirí na Ríochta (on left) back in the day.

A DVD featuring Jimmy and the origins of Kerry Step Dance was launched in the Brogue, Tralee on Friday night.

More St. Patrick's Day snaps and The Thumbers by Seamus Hora

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Meanwhile, in San Diego they held their St. Patrick's Park programme on March 16:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kt3GTFvOX0M

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A while ago, I featured a lovely nostalgic poem by a poet called Seamus Hora. I knew nothing about the poet. I just liked the poem.

Since then Seamus has been in touch and he shares with us today another of his pen pictures of  Ireland in bygone days. It is the Ireland of my childhood and Seamus' but one unrecognizable to today's youngsters.

The Thumbers.

The practice of thumbing in the seventies was rife

Cars they were scarce it was part of our life.

Friday is one of the day’s I recall

People seeking a lift; for post office to call.

First on the road, Summer Light. –Winter Dark.

Problem with hearing, this was Mrs Clarke.

The ball alley stood out on the hill up ahead

In winter this part of the road I did dread

A picturesque cottage my next port of call -

Where colourful roses adorned the wall.

Doors painted brightly, lime on each stone

Mod’ lady called Sally stood waiting alone

At this time the car was beginning to fill

A couple of regulars awaited me still.

Pat Hoban was next-with a strange point of view.

To let air circulate cut vent holes in his shoe

The three in the back were not very pleased -

Let in Mrs Ganley crush became squeeze

Sadly, the last one mobility did lack.

Surname was Kenny either Jimmy or Jack

Each day of the week things were much the same.

So many thumbers! Too numerous to name.

Some are still with us. Some laid to rest.

Relaxed eyes closed tightly - I can picture them best.

Seamus Hora

Now who is Seamus?

The answer in his own words:

I was born in 1953 in Gorthaganny Co Roscommon.  I have been employed by Delaneys ltd.,

Ballyhaunis for 44 years.  I am married to Rosaleen and we have one daughter Sandra.

It only in the past couple of years I started to write a little poetry most 

 of which is based on life's experience. I am enclosing a poem which will

help explain what I mean.  I feel proud to have been part of an Ireland 

described in this poem also honoured to have known those people.

It is hard to believe that 60 years ago we didn't have electricity in 

Gorthaganny

 My hobbies are fishing, I enjoy a leisurely 9 holes of golf

listen to country and Irish music.

Thumbing was was the word we used

to describe a signal from somebody requesting you stop and give 

a lift in you car.

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This premises on Church St. is getting a facelift. Watch this space for updates.

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Picture from 1900 from a site called Limerick Life