We've lost one of our own today....Maggie Daley....wife of former mayor
Richard Daley. She exemplified all the Irish grandmother holds dear--
faith, family and her extended community.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
You Just Never Know!
Last weekend, my husband Bill and I took the three grandkids to the Irish
Heritage Center for what they call the Shamrock Kids Club. They had
a nice Thanksgiving dinner and crafts. All was going well and then it
was over. We were on our way home when I remembered that they have
set dancing with the seniors every Friday night at 8pm. So, I thought I'd
just show the kids what it was all about. They watched very intently then
one of the seniors asked me to join in. I thought maybe I should show the kids how it
went...and guess what...they joined in too!! Couldn't believe it...I was
thrilled. I had so wanted them to learn how to do Irish set dancing but thought they would be
too shy and not knowing how to do the dances, would just say "no". They
totally surprised me and now they
can't wait to go again!! They thought it was fun! Talk about a WIN for granny!
Heritage Center for what they call the Shamrock Kids Club. They had
a nice Thanksgiving dinner and crafts. All was going well and then it
was over. We were on our way home when I remembered that they have
set dancing with the seniors every Friday night at 8pm. So, I thought I'd
just show the kids what it was all about. They watched very intently then
one of the seniors asked me to join in. I thought maybe I should show the kids how it
went...and guess what...they joined in too!! Couldn't believe it...I was
thrilled. I had so wanted them to learn how to do Irish set dancing but thought they would be
too shy and not knowing how to do the dances, would just say "no". They
totally surprised me and now they
can't wait to go again!! They thought it was fun! Talk about a WIN for granny!
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Irish Granny Meets THE AUTHORS
Over the weekend, I atended the IBAM at the Irish Heritage Center in Chicago. What a time!! Right up "ol granny's alley"! Met my two
favorite authors: Patricia Falvey of the "Yellow House" and "Linen Queen"
and Mary Pat Kelly of "Galway Bay" and her brand new book .."Special Intentions". Got a chance to "shake hands" with the famous fiddler...Liz Carroll...and to top it off...the last show of the night...featured the dancing
of the Cunninghams straight from Westport, Co Mayo and
the music of The Chicago Reel with Jimmy Keane. I was "over the moon"!
favorite authors: Patricia Falvey of the "Yellow House" and "Linen Queen"
and Mary Pat Kelly of "Galway Bay" and her brand new book .."Special Intentions". Got a chance to "shake hands" with the famous fiddler...Liz Carroll...and to top it off...the last show of the night...featured the dancing
of the Cunninghams straight from Westport, Co Mayo and
the music of The Chicago Reel with Jimmy Keane. I was "over the moon"!
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Supersitions
I admit...as an Irish grandma...I have them. Just recently read something
that I'd like to quote (although I don't know where I got it)...
The Irish have a great respect for logic, but an even greater respect for
things beyond logic. Supersitions, premonitions and apparitions are
all part and parcel of our everyday reality.
that I'd like to quote (although I don't know where I got it)...
The Irish have a great respect for logic, but an even greater respect for
things beyond logic. Supersitions, premonitions and apparitions are
all part and parcel of our everyday reality.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
IBAM
Big event at the Irish Heritage Center on the weekend of November ll, l2, and
l3th...IBAM stands for Irish Books, Arts and Music. Tons of stuff going on
just go to the website for the Irish American News....going to go with my
husband Bill, my sister Eileen and a few of our friends. We are especially
looking forward to meeting some of the authors of books we have enjoyed...
namely Mary Pat Kelly (Galway Bay) and Patricia Falvey (The Yellow House)...two of my favorite Irish reads.
l3th...IBAM stands for Irish Books, Arts and Music. Tons of stuff going on
just go to the website for the Irish American News....going to go with my
husband Bill, my sister Eileen and a few of our friends. We are especially
looking forward to meeting some of the authors of books we have enjoyed...
namely Mary Pat Kelly (Galway Bay) and Patricia Falvey (The Yellow House)...two of my favorite Irish reads.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
genealogy
I never met either my maternal or paternal grandparents as they were all
deceased by the time I was born. When I was 18, my dad gave me a box
filled with old -fashioned looking pictures. He said these are your relatives
but with no names; I'm not sure who they are. So began my quest to find
out who they were. That was in 1961. I now know who they all are thanks
to many trips back to Ireland and talking to the people who could identify
them. This was all done in the days before computers. The last relative
I found was my mother's father, Michael Ronan. I found the place where
he was born and raised. It was such a good feeling to put in that last
puzzle piece. Today we are lucky to have the access to so much information
but still don't have the actual stories told by those who remember them.
While you are blessed with the storytellers in your family, get a video or
recorder and just sit down and talk. Someday you will be so happy you did.
Get them to recite a poem or sing a song they liked....what a treat to hear
their voices years after they are gone. Do it today...don't put it off.
Do it as a Christmas present for yourself and your kids.
deceased by the time I was born. When I was 18, my dad gave me a box
filled with old -fashioned looking pictures. He said these are your relatives
but with no names; I'm not sure who they are. So began my quest to find
out who they were. That was in 1961. I now know who they all are thanks
to many trips back to Ireland and talking to the people who could identify
them. This was all done in the days before computers. The last relative
I found was my mother's father, Michael Ronan. I found the place where
he was born and raised. It was such a good feeling to put in that last
puzzle piece. Today we are lucky to have the access to so much information
but still don't have the actual stories told by those who remember them.
While you are blessed with the storytellers in your family, get a video or
recorder and just sit down and talk. Someday you will be so happy you did.
Get them to recite a poem or sing a song they liked....what a treat to hear
their voices years after they are gone. Do it today...don't put it off.
Do it as a Christmas present for yourself and your kids.
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