Irish News

 

TG4 give Christy Moore his well deserved planxty ‘praise’ 

https://www.tg4.ie/ga/player/seinn/?pid=6385845271112&title=Cartlann%20Christy%20Moore&series=Cartlann%20Christy%20Moore&genre=Ceol

See page 13 below  ‘Lucky for some’

triskellion-irish-theatre-and-concert-productions-1994-2019.pub1_-13 (1)

Gerry Molumby presents a

pictorial chronical of  Ireland’s   renowned stained glass artist,    Harry Clarke.

@GerryMolumby

07772471894

fmolumby@aol.com

http://www.irelandanditsdiaspora.com

Harry Clarke presentation Gerry Molumby

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Ireland’s musical odyssey from John Creedon . RTE tv at its Global Irish best 

Link :

https://www.rte.ie/player/series/creedon-s-musical-atlas-of-ireland/10008450-00-0000?epguid=IH10008449-24-0002

Creedon's Musical Atlas of Ireland review: Top-drawer comfort telly showing  off Irish talent with a fan's enthusiasm – The Irish Times

” the Echo Boys were singing Mise Éire”

George Morrison Sean O'riada: Mise Eire (DVD)

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Ambassador reflections, Taoisigh recollections , N.A.T.O Emigration/Immigration and Votes for Irish Abroad – all at Kennedy Summer School 2024.

The programme is designed to foster knowledge exchange, inspire critical thinking and encourage dialogue on issues of global Irish significance.

Farewell to Ambassador Adrian O'Neill and wife Aisling July 2022 Malcolm McNally Photography (1

Simon Coveney TD showed his support for Votes for the Irish Abroad in Presidential Elections, at New Ross. Co. Wexford Kennedy Summer School 2024 (picture Embassy of Ireland London 2018 Malcolm Mc Nally Photography),

My feature on the issue / debate in the Irish Post September 13th 2024 edition :

https://www.irishpost.com/comment/giving-the-irish-abroad-a-voice-in-ireland-278011

Do listen back ,The Kennedy Summer along with McGill , is when Ireland takes its  own blood pressure away from the Oireachtas …..Gerry Molumby 

The new Spotify feature that takes you back in time - Bristol Live

https://open.spotify.com/show/7Efx6IbNVRn9rkVsRjEfnx

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Two shows from Gerry Molumby available for Irish Festival / Conference globally .

  • celebrating the songs and poems of Percy French, with Duncan McTaggart on piano and use of back projection to tell and show the watercolours of Percy French

Emma Smith pictures from Percy French 102 memorial January 24th 2022 at St.Luke's Formby (12)

Emma Smith pictures from Percy French 102 memorial January 24th 2022 at St.Luke's Formby (30)

  • The beautiful stained glass of Harry Clarke is glorified again with back projection as Gerry shows his windows from all over the world and tells his creative short life .

Harry Clarke talk credit Kate Bevin 1

Harry Clarke

TYRONE STMACARTANS THE FORTH WINDOW NMCN

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Irish Verse readings launched ‘agus saor anois’ 

 

Say That Again !

 
I recorded this ‘cassette tape’ nearly 25 years ago and despite ‘age damage’  TapeToDVDTransfer.co.uk were able to restore and retain.
Listed poets vary from John Betjeman, Seamus Heaney, Percy French, James Joyce. John Montague, I hope you enjoy.
 
 
 
 
 
Gerry Molumby

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~ Global Irish Civic Conference Welcomes Diaspora to Dublin Castle ~

 

Copy and pictures Gerry Molumby

This year’s forum was the third, with the last taking place in 2017. The theme for 2023 saw representatives of the global Irish family “Together Again – Le Chéile Arís”. The themes covered in workshop, panel and Q&A varied from ‘Our Values,’ ‘Staying Relevant,’ Networking,’ ‘Culture / Sport,’ Influence and Equality.

Coventry Irish Association at Global Irish Civic Forum at Dublin Castle Aoril 20 21

Coventry Irish 

Hammersmith and Camden Irish Centre's mingle over coffee break at Global Irish Civic Forum at Dublin Castle April 2023 Gerry Molumby

London Irish Centres

The emotive highlight of the two-day conference was, when Mary Swanton from The Irish Pastoral Centre Boston spoke directly to the head of The Irish Abroad Unit, Aidan Cronin, to thank him and his team for how the immediate generous emergency funding from the Emigrant Support Funds during the pandemic, was vital. “We would not have survived the Covid pandemic without you.”  Spoken at the last plenary session, she echoed the concerns of many of the delegates working in Irish Welfare who had to adapt quickly to issues like the travel ban and how facetime care/support was being done. This resulted globally in Irish Welfare Organisations having to literally think on their feet in a very fluid situation to use digital technology to enable families to connect by phone, zoom etc with loved ones and the whole logistics of repatriation and facilitating families visiting each other (some of whom were dying) across the world. Covid has put us in a place where we do things differently and how importantly being together physically is and we shared / learned how culture and welfare are ‘hand in glove’ to deliver and experience an holistic Irish emigrant experience.

The conference was attended by mainly representatives from Britain, USA, NZ and Australia , my photos reflect meeting delegates from Sweden and Jersey too, with  other accents from Mexico, Middle East etc and many also  following procedures live on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrP-JPx-Z6g (Listen back)

Telling it like it is at the Global Irish Civic Forum at Dublin Castle April 2023

Listening

Global Irish Civic Forum at Dublin Castle April 2023 Gerry Molumby (19)

Talking

At the first panel discussion Ireland born Hilary Beirne of the NYC St. Patrick’s Day Foundation said “that 85 per cent of the young Irish diaspora aged 18 to 35 years of age in the United States are not engaged with any Irish organisation. He spoke directly to and for me when he continued “unless some sort of real engagement with either voting rights in a presidential election or some kind of representation here, Seanad, the ability of Ireland to have access to the White House on its national holiday may disappear.” Alan Humphreys, president of the Irish Support Agency New South Wales, agreed on extending the vote to the presidency as did Ted Smith (retired Irish Diplomat and Glucksman Ireland House NYU) when he spoke from the floor and wanted to know “the delay, the hesitancy in calling the referendum.” All argued for the need for a tangible form of connectiveness. I did not get to speak but would have summarised my recent letter to the Irish Examiner. Basically “a light in the window is fine and appreciated but we would welcome the welcome on the mat” (Gerry Molumby)

Global Irish Civic Forum at Dublin Castle April 2023 Gerry Molumby (1)

Sweden Irish Chamber of Commerce delegates at Global Irish Civic Forum

Sweden Calling  (Irish Chamber of Commerce) 

https://www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/yourview/arid-41084428.html

The panel and open microphone sessions were well planned and chaired. The hospitality for the Irish Abroad staff was very courteous and Dublin Castle looked splendid in the April sun.

Brochure:

https://prod-ireland-ie-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/Global_Irish_Civic_Forum_2023_Online_Brochure.pdf

My photos:

Emma Smith (Liverpool Irish Festival) Dennis Brownlee (African American Irish Diaspora Network) and Lorraine Maher in Dublin

Global Irish Civic Forum at Dublin Castle April 2023 Gerry Molumby (18)

Global Irish Civic Forum at Dublin Castle April 2023 Gerry Molumby | Flickr

Calendar 2023 and Triskellion Theatre first showcase Feb. 4th with folk band The Kilkennys

Calendar 2023The Kilkenny's Concert 2023 poster 2

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Step out Garda Patrick Nevin

So pleased to read today of the simple note that Patrick Nevin from the Traveller Community is now Garda Patrick Nevin. He stepped out proudly in march step with the rest of Class 2022 in the courtyard of  Templemore Garda Station on July 8th . When the Irish Government took over that British Barracks following Independence and the formation of a new nation ; the concept of a traveller young man even getting access to an application form, was not going to happen. We had the failed policy of assimilation but now  the beginning of recognised Traveller people and culture as being a unique ethnicity, but it took nearly one hundred years.   

    Garda Patrick Nevin Class of 2022 July 8th                     

                         Garda Patrck Nevin July 8th 2022 Templemore                                                                 

Highlighting the journey ahead, Rose Marie Maughan from Minceirbeoir Advocacy said   ” a great achievement for Patrick, a great day for Travellers, more of this please ” . We are at the start of a long journey and must not rest on the laurels of the numerous Traveller business we have in Ireland and UK . We salute , Martin Beanz (Comedian and Commentator) , Dr Cindy Joyce (academic) ,Senator Eileen Flynn, Tamera O’Brien (Primary School Teacher) and the numerous Traveller Campaign Organisations ; but from my limited experience on visiting Irish people in UK prisons, the continued high representation of Irish Travellers in the UK prison community is concerning. We are still early on in the campaign for Traveller equality and opportunity in Ireland and abroad.

 
Gerry Molumby

Bloomsday 2022 in Northampton UK.

Full Programme Announced

‘Letters to Lucia ‘

Letters To Lucia Programme to download – here 

 

Bloomsday 2018 Irish Post (1)

 
“Letters to Lucia”, written by Richard Rose and James
Vollmar commemorates the lives of James Joyce,
celebrated every year on June 16th “Bloomsday”, and his
daughter, the dancer Lucia Anna Joyce who is buried in
Kingsthorpe Cemetery in Northampton. The play received its
first performance on Bloomsday in 2018 and we are pleased to
bring you this evening’s performance to coincide with the
100th anniversary of the publication of Ulysses and the fortieth
of Lucia’s death at St Andrew’s Hospital Northampton in 1982.
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Successful St.Patrick’s Day Festival Nottingham 2022

St.Patrick’s Day Nottingham and Gaelic Games St.Barnabas all on ITV BBC and Nottstv

 
https://nottstv.com/programme/ey-up-notts-wednesday-16th-march/ 
 
 
 
Nottingham Set Dancers wear a simple badge of solidarity to Ukraine Abú
 
Gerry Molumby
Nottingham St. Patrick’s Festival Producer 

Programme of events at Percy French 102nd Memorial and Anniversary Concert 

Percy French 102 Anniversary January 24th 2022 Gerry Molumby

Percy French slide 1Canon Johnny Richardson and his cousin Percy French, both buried at St. Luke’s Formby.pubPercy French pose

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Invitation to Percy French 

102nd  Anniversary Memorial 

Remember me is all I ask, And yet If the remembrance prove a task, Forget.”                By William Percy French

 

It will come as no surprise , the reasoning, why the centenary of the death of Percy French on January 24th 2020 (at Formby , Liverpool) ,  was not celebrated in the fitting manner deserving of this great Irishman.  Percy  is acknowledged as one of Ireland’s greatest songwriters , entertainers and water-colour artists . His songs, poems  and musical comedies ( many of these in  collaboration with with Houston Collison) are still sung and performed today. He is brand Ireland up there with Maureen O’Hare, Liam Neeson and the Irish Harp (Guinness) 

In collaboration with the Percy French Society, the Formby Civic Society, Irish Consulate for the North of England  and Rev. Dr. Matt Davis ; I am delighted to invite you to a 102th anniversary memorial  service and short  concert in tribute to  Percy French:

Monday January 24th  at his graveside  12 noon

St Luke’s Church ,  Formby, Liverpool,   

L37 2DF

Percy French 102 memorial at graveside January 24th 2022 Gerry Molumby

IMG_20210802_151327

Percy French 102 memorial at graveside January 24th 2022 Gerry Molumby

Full programme will be available on the day and  to view in advance . Would appreciate if possible a RSVP, so we can  accommodate accordingly .

http://www.irelandanditsdiaspora.com ~ fmolumby@aol.com ~ @GerryMolumby

This blue  plaque is on the wall along Wicks Lane, Formby 
 
Cillege Ave No 23 2021 11 09 Blue Plaque For Percy French Fitted At Greenlea V2 4
 
You walk down Wicks Lane from the Plaque, turn left along Woodlands Avenue and at the T junction turn right and follow the road round to the church.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

PERCY FRENCH’S LINKS WITH FORMBY

Percy French fell ill with pneumonia in January 1920 whilst on a tour of the UK, and went directly to the home of a close relative, childhood friend and fellow student at Trinity College, Dublin. The home was in the coastal village of Formby in Lancashire; the relative was his cousin, Canon John Brooke Richardson ( ‘JBR’), a popular and influential person in Formby at that time. It was in JBR’s house by the Liverpool-Southport railway line that ‘Willie’ French spent his last days from the 16th to the 24th of January with ‘Johnny Richardson’, the sons of two sisters from Ireland. Johnny’s mother Mary Anne also lived at the house, called variously ‘Greenlea’ or ‘Green Lea’.  

Canon Richardson’s church, Holy Trinity founded (1890) had no burial grounds and internments were made at St. Luke’s Church. In 1928, the Canon himself passed away and was buried in the same churchyard, close to the gate.

Percy French came to Formby whenever his help was needed. These events could easily have been lost through the mists of time but for the records contained in Holy Trinity’s Parish Magazine and recorded by William Marshallsay, who described a number of the visits. For example, in Spring 1898, “much anticipatory satisfaction was felt when it became known that the Vicar’s cousin, Percy French, the renowned playwright poet, artist, musician and entertainer was coming to help at the forthcoming Village Fair. This was an attraction indeed for Mr. French had recently been honoured by inclusion in a Command Performance at Sandringham. Best known of his songs are ‘The Mountains of Mourne’, ‘Phil, the Fluter’s Ball’ and of his poems.”  

At the 3rd Village Fair in 1898, Mr. Percy French’s sessions in the Café Chantant were very popular and keenly enjoyed. He made lightning sketches with coloured crayons to illustrate his accompanying witty tales and talks; sometimes when these sketches were turned upside down an entirely different picture was revealed. He held china plates or saucers over a lit candle until the surface was smoky black, then with matchsticks for brushes, etched beautiful pictures in black and white. He would burst into songs or monologues accompanying himself on his banjo. Of his own verses and parodies he had an apparently inexhaustible store, including his watercolour paintings of Irish bogs, lakes, coast scenery and skies, together with his delightful pictures of corners of the rose garden.”

Thanks to John Phillips ,Formby Civic Society, who will speak further on this at the tribute on January 24th .

If I Should Die Tonight – Poem by William Percy French

“If I should die tonight

And you should come,

And stand beside me,

Lying cold and dumb,

And if while standing there,

You whispered low,

‘Here’s the ten pounds You lent me years ago,’

I would arise, although they’d laid me flat,

And say, ‘What’s that?’

But rose to count With trembling fingers,

That long lost amount I might live on;

But when You said’ Here’s your umbrella

And your fountain pen,’

For one short space I’d gaze into thy face

And then Drop dead again.”

 

By William Percy French

 
 

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 Irish Embassy In London Was Perfect Stage For The Treaty

 

Gerry Molumby review

As part of the Irish Government’s Decade of Centenaries Programme 2012-2013, Fishamble Theatre Company were invited to perform The Treaty for two nights in early December at the Embassy of Ireland, London.

Having some experience of producing plays, I am aware of the logistics of putting up flats, securing weights behind and having to incorporate door entrances and exits according to stage directions. The Embassy ballroom complete with fireplace, crystal chandelier, solid grand doors, and ornamental plastered ceilings / walls was the ideal setting. The play and the venue were hand in glove as the ballroom mirrored the décor of 10 Downing Street, 5 Cromwell Place (home of Lady Lavery) 22 Hans Place and 15 Cadogan Gardens (where the Irish Delegation stayed), all within a ‘stones throw’ of each other in central London where the embassy is, in Grosvenor Place. The main room even doubled up as the council chambers of University College Dublin on Earlsfort Terrace (now the National Concert Hall), as the scene for the return of the plenipotentiaries (diplomats, invested with the full power of independent action on behalf of their government, typically in a foreign country) to update Éamon de Valera (President of Dáil Éireann). A lot was at stake here, but begs the eternal question, why didn’t Éamon go to the negotiations  himself?

Jane-brennan as De Valera telling the delegation to take the draft back to Londo and Patrick Moy as Michael Collins Credit Ste Murray

De Valera having his input from Dublin .Picture credit Ste Murray

“The play and the venue

were hand in glove”

With just the movement of where the actors sat in the room, or at what end of the main dining table we were transported from the cabinet room of Downing Street to all those other rooms where the Anglo-Irish Treaty was negotiated, discussed over drinks, or agued amongst themselves, during the months of October, November to the final signing on December 6th, 1921.

That table prop I must give attention to and set / lighting designer Paul Keoghan. Paul incorporated upward lighting coming from the spine of it, with subtle differing intensities of light to match the mood of the negotiating dialogue. One other aspect of the whole performance which I must compliment is director Conal Morrison’s decision to have the cast enter and leave most scenes with hurried steps creating urgency. This was further intoned by the slow, clipped, and often loud dialogue, sometimes sprayed from the cast, who were wanting to do what was best for their side with a War threatened if some agreement was not reached, or was Lloyd George bluffing? The Treaty was negotiated during a truce! There were some calmer moments too, for example when the two arch enemies Churchill (Minister of War) and Michael Collins (soldier and reluctant politician) were at a drinks party and were discussing ‘death.’ Collins offered sympathy in that Irish way, virtually saying ‘Sorry for your troubles.’ Churchill’s three-year-old daughter Marigold had died a month earlier from sepsis of the throat. There was too some harmonious singing, rendition of The Parting Glass and Michael Collins’ parody of the most English songs from HMS Pinafore “he remains an Englishman”

Embassy of Ireland programme December 2nd 2021 for The Treaty

Early into the play when Lloyd George (Jonathan White) welcoming Winston Churchill (Camilla Lucy Ross) simply said “Ah Winston,” I could hear an audience member vocalise “Churchill,” she had recognised for the first time that one and some more of the male parts were going to be played by women, six in all, with some doubling up. Michael Billington (The Guardian) called it “some of the best gender-blind casting I have seen,” and he aptly credited the play as “a remarkable piece of political theatre”

Jonathan White as David Lyoyd George gets stressed ! . Picture Credit Ste Murray

Lloyd George under pressure. Picture Credit Ste Murray 

A central strand throughout the play was an agreeable wording of the Oath of Allegiance to the Crown. Writer Colin Murphy was not giving us a total fictional drama but keeping as much to the actual events. The source material for The Treaty is rich, featuring Thomas Packenham’s definitive 1935 account of the Treaty negotiations, Peace by Ordeal, British cabinet secretary Tom Jones’s diaries and the first-hand account of the Irish and British negotiators. The play thought us that in negotiations not only is where and who you put sitting opposite each other, important, but equally where you put the emphasis in an oath. In the play we see Lloyd George getting exasperated at times over this issue. They settled on I (name) do solemnly swear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of the Irish Free State as by law established, and that I will be faithful to H.M. King George V, his heirs and successors by law in virtue of the common citizenship of Ireland with Great Britain and her adherence to and membership of the group of nations forming the British Commonwealth of Nations.

What followed was the  Civil War and eventual establishment of the Irish Free State.

Take a bow Fishamble, full production team and writer Colin Murphy.

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T

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Triskellion Theatre reviving The Tinkers Wedding by JM Synge with open auditions for 4 actors , male and female  

Rehearsals starting end of August  , performances througout UK, end of year and into 2022.
Triskellion is an Irish Community Company so interested in anyone who share a passion or cultural affinity to Irish Drama ,not necessarily full time actors. All welcome .
 
Contact:
Gerry 07772471894
 
 
  • Synopsis (two act play)

    Sarah Casey is determined to marry Michael Byrne. Despite the scorn of his mother, Michael is prepared to do the deed and make Sarah an honest woman. A deal is struck with the local priest, who agrees to marry them for half the normal fee. But when the priest goes back on his word, he feels the wrath of the tinkers.
 
More details below 
 

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Did you know your Irish Passport is a work of art and has  some very inciteful and unique features ?

The Irish Passport is a work of art and Lancashire born women chosen to

Irish Passport is a work of art Gerry Molumby September 2017 (4)

Irish Passport is a work of art Gerry Molumby September 2017 (6)

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Bloomsday in Northampton ~ June 16th ~ Programme Announced

June 16th at 7pm at the grave of Lucia Anna Joyce, Kingsthorpe Cemetery, Northampton (Sat Nav) NN2 8LU

Outdoor and socially distant event, bring a deck chair, participate if you wish, contact ‘Joyce the Lad’, Gerry Molumby ~ email fmolumby@aol.com

Cast Musicians Writer Director and VIP guests at Bloomsday Nothampton 2018 Cormac Molumby

  • Introduction Gerry Molumby (aka James Joyce)
  • ‘Me and the making of Joyce’ (Frank Budgen) ~ James Vollmar.
  • ‘Oft in the stilly night’ ~ sang by Sunny Jim!
  • ‘Lucia the dancer’ (Carol Loeb Shloss’ biography) ~ Richard Rose‘
  • Was he insured ?, Mr. Bloom asked’ (Glasnevin Cemetery) ~ Jimmy Joyce.
  • Nora Barnacle speaking for herself ~ Deirdre  O’Byrne
  • Guest speakers /readers
  • ‘Just a song at Twilight’ Bernadette Hart, Sunny Jim and ‘yours truly’!

Letters to Lucia Play Poster jpeg (2)

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Leave Well Alone When It Comes to United Ireland

~ a United Ireland referendum is possible and likely under the Good Friday Agreement, but not now ~

Seamus Mallon, former deputy leader of the SDLP, dies aged 83 - BBC News

The Good Friday Agreement grasped many of the nettles of centuries of Northern Ireland conflicts and even after twenty-six years some of the issues are still stinging. Northern Ireland is far from at ease with itself and the violence over the Easter weekend confirms that. Yet it is an awful lot better and generally more peaceful than it was during my formative years 70s 80s 90s, most of these years spent living in the UK. Therefore, my reflections are based on being an Irish person from the Republic living in Britain.

How would I feel if the British Government post Brexit defied the Common Travel Area Agreement (1923/25), and we had a scenario declaring ‘that all Irish people in Britain will be deemed British citizens?’ How that would make me feel mirrors the fear and anger felt by some Unionists in Northern Ireland today. The early 17th century Presbyterian settlements to Northern Ireland have firmly established themselves as united to Britain. Likewise, generations of Irish born, or generations of children and adults of Irish emigrants are entitled to define themselves as Irish in Britain.

 After the surprise of the Brexit Referendum, I heard a respected politician saying, and I paraphrase ‘with the confusion and mixed messages, and in the privacy of the pooling booth; many people felt the fear of a dog cornered, and resourced innate reaction, so fought to retain what they knew, our selves alone’. Similarly, but less confusing Unionists are currently expected to embrace a united Ireland under the flag that many associate with people who murdered their community and the same anthem that was sounded over the graves of their murderers, to be their future? On a recent debate on Raidió Teilifís Éireann,  prove how too early the debate was to be held. On the Clare Byrne Show both politicians from the Republic could not suggest a new flag or anthem as they knew right well that would not be acceptable to their nationalist, dare I say united Ireland, grass roots supporters. On the same programme, the nationalist input was left to the leaders of Sinn Féin and the Fine Gael parties, yet the party of the peacemakers John Hume and Seamus Mallon (SDLP) were excluded?

So early into a post Brexit relationship between Ireland and Britain and the ongoing pandemic, along with a Stormont Assembly hardly a model of modern harmonious governance; is not the time to be muting a united Ireland referendum. Learn from Brexit, because many people were not sure what they were being asked fully in the question. We cannot have this happen with Ireland and Britain’s future

Surely what is required are years of setting out the principles of what is meant by a united Ireland. A five year all Ireland citizens assembly would be even a small but an effective starting point to distil the issues of sovereignty, joint citizenship, economy, health service, capital city, flag, anthem, currency, education, language, population ratio to name but a few!

Prepare and you are less likely to be found wanting and wounding!

Gerry Molumby

Derbyshire

Hail Glorious Saint Patrick Sean Nós

 

Saint Patrick’s Day Nottingham 2021

PRESS RELEASE

It will come as no surprise that because of ongoing Covid 19 regulations that, again this year, we are unable to gather in the Market Square on March 17th, and showcase the best of Irish Music Song, Literature and Dance.

There are copious amounts happening online which we will alert you to via our website, Gerry Molumby’s blog , twitter and facebook. Also follow @IrelandEmbGB and their invitation to the Embassy in London on March 17t

St. Patrick’s Day Virtual Reception Tickets, Wed 17 Mar 2021 at 13:15 | Eventbrite

There is one event we are able to host in person, that is the annual St. Patrick’s Day Mass.

Our Lady & St Patrick’s Church in the Meadows (post code NG2 1JQ) can hold 51 people under social distancing requirements and the Mass will be at 10.00 am on St Patrick’s Day. Adhering to Lockdown regulations you will need to book in advance, using the Diocesan on-line Mass booking system, http://www.massbooking.uk booking days before each Mass. You can watch afterwards on https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCC6yA1fDZnmNlW1jGybrN-Q

As part of the Global Greening we expect the Council House to be lit up also  Nottingham Nites 2013 (42)

We had a great festival lined up for 2020 by recreating an Irish Village theme and we expect to be able to celebrate that next year with many of our artists already confirmed.

FOR FURTHER MEDIA ENQUIRIES:

Please contact Gerry Molumby fmolumby@aol.com   @GerryMolumby

www.irelandanditsdiaspora.com News Page

Our Website http://www.nottinghamstpatricksfestival.org.uk

and Social Media @StPatricksNottm  

NOTES FOR EDITORS:

 About Nottingham’s Saint Patrick’s Day Festival

Since 1999 we have hosted a parade and the centre piece has been our open-air concert in the Market Square where we highlight all our talents and culture. We attach to that Irish cinema festival and school art and story activities.

 

See the source image

https://www.dfa.ie/global-irish/staying-in-touch/latest-news/newsarchive/global-irish-newsletter-16-july-2020—a-message-from-minister-brophy.html

Colm Brophy, FG, Dublin South-West: 

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade with responsibility for Overseas Development Aid and Diaspora.

Welcome Banner in Gaelic Failte

 

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Photographer )

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New play on the life and loves of Lucia Anna Joyce , daugther of James Joyce and Nora Barnacle ….now published

Edna O'Brien writes Bloomsday Greeting  Northampton Letters to Lucia first performance June 16th 2018  (5).JPG

Would you like to book -Letters to Lucia touring 2019 .It tells the story of the loves and life of Lucia daughter of Jame and Nora. Lucia spent many years prior to death living in Northampton UK.
 
 
 
Lucia poster Gerry Molumby  (3).JPG
 
 
Bloomsday Northampton 2018 Fred Hart Archive  (13).JPG
 
 
 
Bloomsday Northampton 2018 Fred Hart Archive  (15).JPG
 
 
 
 
 
Bloomsday Northampton 2018 Fred Hart Archive  (134).JPG
 
 
 
 

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Follow the President of Ireland around the most Irish of British cities ~ Liverpool

Irish President MD Higgins visit to Liverpool February 12th and 13th 2019 Gerry Molumby (3).JPG

Irish President MD Higgins visit to Liverpool February 12th and 13th 2019 Gerry Molumby (79)

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Large Red squirrels found roaming in Dingle !

The Dingle  nature reserve  Anglesey, north Wales. Gerry Molumby February 19th 2019 (21).JPG

Rare sightings of the fledgling native British red squirrel, rabib size and distinctly foxy red . Gerry Molumby Photographer

We all know of the beautiful Dingle or An Daingean   peninsula Co. Kerry . Meaning   “fort of Ó Cúis”), here  as you walk along the coast you tell your fellow travellers , while pointing out to the sea ” The next parish is Manhattan New York.

Disappear into a nature reserve in the heart of Anglesey,  North Wales and you will find another Dingle  meaning  “steep wooded valley”. Because of its near island existence, except for the connections over the  Menai Strait it is the  ideal place to pilot the introduction of the native Red squirrel to the British isles.

The Dingle  nature reserve  Anglesey, north Wales. Gerry Molumby February 19th 2019 (5).JPG

Dingle Nature Reserve February 2019 Gerry Molumby

Pass through the village of Llangefni and you could easily miss the Dingle (Nant y Pandy) Nature Reserve. This blissful woodland appears to be hidden at first, but it offers an enticing escape into a landscape that is alive with wildlife. The park also hosts several sculptures that reflect the character of the nature reserve. Bring your camera for photos of this peaceful corner of Anglesey and take your time to explore the area.

A raised and fenced wooden boardwalk was one of several 21st-century developments in the nature reserve. Find the start of the trail then set off to explore the area with ease, on foot or by wheelchair or stroller. The paths run beneath a canopy of oak and ash trees. Come in spring to witness the undergrowth explode with the colour of bluebells.

The Dingle  nature reserve  Anglesey, north Wales. Gerry Molumby February 19th 2019 (27).JPG

Look for the artworks that decorate the parkland as you walk around the trail. Sculptures include a giant dragonfly, seed pods and split timbers with a poem engraved on the inside. The park also includes sculpted benches and picnic tables, making it an ideal place to take a break.

Follow the trail in a circular route. The whole trail is about 1.5 miles (roughly 2 kilometers) long. At a gentle pace you should finish the circuit in around an hour. To explore some more, keep going to find the Cefni Reservoir on a 6-mile (10-kilometer) round trip.

Take binoculars to Nant y Pandy to spot the wildlife that lives here. Red squirrels are rare elsewhere in the country, but have been reintroduced to parts of Anglesey, including this reserve.

Frogs, newts, adders and lizards make up the reptile population, while a wide variety of birds call the reserve home. Watch the water’s edge for a glimpse of a kingfisher’s iridescent colors.

The Dingle (Nant y Pandy) Nature Reserve is free to enter and open throughout the year. Drive to the Church of St. Cygnar and park nearby, then head out onto the trails on foot. The wooden boardwalk does not require special footwear or hiking experience.

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What is the best piece of Irish Music ?

For me it is Eleanor Plunkett, by composer Turlough O’Carolan (1670–1738).

Here are my favourite versions ;

Car park acoustics!

 

The Master himself

5 thoughts on “Irish News”

  1. Yoi have a massive output, Gerry. Of course it is infotmative, historical and pictorial. I like the image of the Rock of Cashel – sadly I cannot see it anymore on the Cork/Dublin road since the oprning of the motorway(M7) some years ago.

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When I founded Triskellion Irish Theatre and Concert Productions in 1994 I used the mission statement of ‘Ireland and its diaspora’, it was incorporated into our logo with the harp of Ireland being pages of a script and the TTC (Triskellion Theatre Company ) forming the strings in the Brian Boru harp.