How many of you kids were at Irish Fest last year and got to see the Toe Jam Pirate Show? Well, they are BAACCCKKKK!!!!! Toe Jam Puppet Band http://www.toejampuppetband.com/ are back at Irish Fest 2010 with their Halloween Spooktacular Show. They will be at Irish Fest all weekend for the tribute to How the Irish Invented Halloween. Watch as we make more band announcements and publish our stage schedule...maybe in about a month!
Moora
Monday, May 31, 2010
Friday, May 28, 2010
Jiggle Jam Family Fest!
With school ending and summer full speed ahead, I can’t help but to desperately search for fun and exciting activities for my friends, family, and I. But I think I have found the perfect solution to spend my time this Memorial Day weekend! At KC’s very own Jiggle Jam held at Crown Center! It runs both Saturday (9 A.M.- 8 P.M.) and Sunday (11 A.M.- 6 P.M.) It’s a great way to share music throughout Kansas City. There’s fun and games for people of all ages! So, come on down and check it out! Hope to see you there!
Always,
Moora
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
What is a Corncrake?
The corncrake is a brown streaked bird with bright chestnut wings which show up in flight. Males and females look very similar. Corncrakes are about the same size as moor hens. They have a short deep bill and strong legs and feet, ideal for thrusting through the tall grass and rough vegetation where they spend most
of their time. In fact corncrakes are very reluctant to emerge from tall vegetation – probably because they are vulnerable to predators if they do. For this reason, corncrakes are more often heard than seen. It is usually only the male who sings with a distinctive rasping ‘crek crek’ call. Unmusical as this may sound to the human ear, it is used to attract females. In flight, corncrakes trail their legs, stay close to the ground and usually dive into the cover of tall vegetation as soon as possible. This has led people to assume that they are poor fliers but in fact they undertake some of the longest migrations known amongst birds. Corncrakes eat a range of small animals pecked from plants or the surface of the ground: mostly earthworms, beetles, slugs and snails.
The corncrake is a summer visitor; it visits Ireland and Scotland between April and September, and migrates to spend the winter in central and southern Africa.
of their time. In fact corncrakes are very reluctant to emerge from tall vegetation – probably because they are vulnerable to predators if they do. For this reason, corncrakes are more often heard than seen. It is usually only the male who sings with a distinctive rasping ‘crek crek’ call. Unmusical as this may sound to the human ear, it is used to attract females. In flight, corncrakes trail their legs, stay close to the ground and usually dive into the cover of tall vegetation as soon as possible. This has led people to assume that they are poor fliers but in fact they undertake some of the longest migrations known amongst birds. Corncrakes eat a range of small animals pecked from plants or the surface of the ground: mostly earthworms, beetles, slugs and snails.
The corncrake is a summer visitor; it visits Ireland and Scotland between April and September, and migrates to spend the winter in central and southern Africa.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Speaking of Vacations....
Where are you going on Vacation? On Saturday, the Irish Times and Donegal Native ALANNA GALLAGHER had this to say about her home as an Ideal Vacation Spot.
DONEGAL offers a real disconnect, both physically, given the long border with the north, and literally. The county still has mobile phone blackspots and regular public transport links are rarer that the sound of the corncrake.
It might be hell for the locals, but a it’s big plus when it comes to holidays. You have to let go of electronic gadgets, unwind and really drink in the surroundings.
The atmosphere of Donegal is part of the Clannad sound, says singer and band member Moya Brennan. “There’s a haunting, surreal beauty and an earthiness to the old land. Because it’s almost surrounded by the Border it has been a forgotten county, which now serves it well.”
This is its unique selling point. Insiders such as Lonely Planet writer and Newstalk broadcaster Fionn Davenport, who’s been visiting Dunfanaghy since he was 15, believe the county is all the better for it.
As one local puts it: “Down here, and it’s always down rather than up, we don’t call holidaymakers tourists. We refer to them as visitors. And that distinction is important.”
The discretion in Donegal also appeals to celebrities. With the forthcoming release of Sex and the City 2 you can’t mention the county without referring to one of its best-known visitors, Sarah Jessica Parker, who while on holiday swops designer shoes for hand-loomed fisherman’s sweaters she buys in Kilcar.
It is worth remembering that Donegal is a huge county. Hiring a car is essential. You need to drive to explore the place. Stick to the coastline as that’s where you’ll find the real wilderness.
The question now is, will Aer Lingus allow a Cow to fly First Class? I'm there and the article said that Donegal has surfing, I think it is time to try it. Anyone know what corncrake is?
Moora
DONEGAL offers a real disconnect, both physically, given the long border with the north, and literally. The county still has mobile phone blackspots and regular public transport links are rarer that the sound of the corncrake.
It might be hell for the locals, but a it’s big plus when it comes to holidays. You have to let go of electronic gadgets, unwind and really drink in the surroundings.
The atmosphere of Donegal is part of the Clannad sound, says singer and band member Moya Brennan. “There’s a haunting, surreal beauty and an earthiness to the old land. Because it’s almost surrounded by the Border it has been a forgotten county, which now serves it well.”
This is its unique selling point. Insiders such as Lonely Planet writer and Newstalk broadcaster Fionn Davenport, who’s been visiting Dunfanaghy since he was 15, believe the county is all the better for it.
As one local puts it: “Down here, and it’s always down rather than up, we don’t call holidaymakers tourists. We refer to them as visitors. And that distinction is important.”
The discretion in Donegal also appeals to celebrities. With the forthcoming release of Sex and the City 2 you can’t mention the county without referring to one of its best-known visitors, Sarah Jessica Parker, who while on holiday swops designer shoes for hand-loomed fisherman’s sweaters she buys in Kilcar.
It is worth remembering that Donegal is a huge county. Hiring a car is essential. You need to drive to explore the place. Stick to the coastline as that’s where you’ll find the real wilderness.
The question now is, will Aer Lingus allow a Cow to fly First Class? I'm there and the article said that Donegal has surfing, I think it is time to try it. Anyone know what corncrake is?
Moora
Sunday, May 23, 2010
The Kid's from the Kid's Club...
Recommend any kid looking for the best time in the city this weekend, should head to Jiggle Jam! http://www.kcjigglejam.com/ is where you and your family just need to be! You should buy pre-sale tickets because they are discounted, and you should go and have a wonderful time. Great line-up, and we just got off the phone with one of the headliners who is also going to do an awesome Zydeco presentation on the Workshop Stage. We are all going to be there, so join us, best party next to Irish Fest! Runs all day Saturday and Sunday.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
More Irish Saying
Trish wanted more Irish Sayings, how many of these came to the States with your family? Any stories you know or recognize in the sayings?
As old as Atty Haye's goat.
As Hairy as a puck-goats head
As thieving as a fox's snout
Beauty won't make the pot boil
May you live and wear it
Go bhfana í ngrá linn - May those who love us...
May you have heath to wear it
May luck be to the married couple
May the face of every good news and the back of every bad news be towards us
As wise as the women of Mungret
As hard as the hob of hell
As cunning as the fox
As deep as the sea
As bashful as a girl
As slow as a late dinner
As dull as ditch water
As swift as a hare
As true as the gospel
As brave as Fionn MacCumhall
As yellow as a ragweed
As lazy as a donkey
As lazy as a piper's luidin
As cunning as the fox
As long as a wet Sunday
It's hard to teach an old dog to dance.
As the cock crows, the young bird chirps
To be old and decayed dishonors no-one
In youth we have our troubles before us; in age we leave pleasure behind.
As busy as a bee
As salty as the sea
As good as gold
As rich as Damer
As old as the hills
And Remember...A whisper in Nora's ear is louder than a shout from the highest hill
Moora
As old as Atty Haye's goat.
As Hairy as a puck-goats head
As thieving as a fox's snout
Beauty won't make the pot boil
May you live and wear it
Go bhfana í ngrá linn - May those who love us...
May you have heath to wear it
May luck be to the married couple
May the face of every good news and the back of every bad news be towards us
As wise as the women of Mungret
As hard as the hob of hell
As cunning as the fox
As deep as the sea
As bashful as a girl
As slow as a late dinner
As dull as ditch water
As swift as a hare
As true as the gospel
As brave as Fionn MacCumhall
As yellow as a ragweed
As lazy as a donkey
As lazy as a piper's luidin
As cunning as the fox
As long as a wet Sunday
It's hard to teach an old dog to dance.
As the cock crows, the young bird chirps
To be old and decayed dishonors no-one
In youth we have our troubles before us; in age we leave pleasure behind.
As busy as a bee
As salty as the sea
As good as gold
As rich as Damer
As old as the hills
And Remember...A whisper in Nora's ear is louder than a shout from the highest hill
Moora
Monday, May 17, 2010
Kid's Area Irish Fest 2010 - Trick or Treat
If you have read about the Children's area in 2010, you know that coming in costume is appropriate, as we will be celebrating How the Irish Invented Halloween again (we did it in 2008). Why, because we has so much fun last time.
We are going to have a Best Costume contest. Two catgories, one for Best Irish Costume, and one for Best Costume. There will be contests on both Saturday and Sunday.
Stay tuned, we are going to start sharing information about all the events coming up, it is going to be a fun year in the Children's Area.
Moora and the Kids
We are going to have a Best Costume contest. Two catgories, one for Best Irish Costume, and one for Best Costume. There will be contests on both Saturday and Sunday.
Stay tuned, we are going to start sharing information about all the events coming up, it is going to be a fun year in the Children's Area.
Moora and the Kids
Sunday, May 16, 2010
The Tale of Moora O' Mooley
I know you have all read my profile and know all about me, well I have more to share. I am the Gorgeous Cow of Irish Fest 2009. Why are the Kids using an old cow in their blog? First, I am not, I am only a year old. The fact of the matter is that I didn't get my name until Labor Day of 2009, so I wandered around nameless until the Great Day of Irish Fest, and some lucky young person gets to give me a name.
Every Year, the KCIF Kids sponsor a '"NAME THE COW" contest. The winner of that contest gets to name the Kids blog for the entire year until the following Labor Day.
Last year, the lucky person who named me was Greta Cross - 9 years old from Missouri and if you look at the picture at the top of the blog, you'll see my BEST FRIENDS. The dancer's name is Meg O'Leary Mahoney, submitted by Meg Mahoney - 5 years old in Kansas, and the Bird's name is Bag Pipes submitted by Emma Nunnick in Missouri.
I don't even want to talk about the day that I am not longer on this blog, but the new cow MUST have a name. And it is up to some friend of the Children's Area to get that cow named! If you want to name the cow and not wait until the Irish Fest, send the KCIF Kids a good Irish cow name and your name, age, address and phone to KCIFCHILDRENS@everestkc.net.
Oh, did, I forget to tell you? You win a giant cow for coming up with the right name. I think that beautiful cow was about 4 feet, probably as big as Greta!
Here's our brand new 2010 cow, drawn for us by Oliver Christianson, an artist here in Kansas City. What do you think her name should be? See, we gave you a hint, she is a 'girl'.
Girl Cows ROCK! It takes one to know one.
Yours,
Moora
Every Year, the KCIF Kids sponsor a '"NAME THE COW" contest. The winner of that contest gets to name the Kids blog for the entire year until the following Labor Day.
Last year, the lucky person who named me was Greta Cross - 9 years old from Missouri and if you look at the picture at the top of the blog, you'll see my BEST FRIENDS. The dancer's name is Meg O'Leary Mahoney, submitted by Meg Mahoney - 5 years old in Kansas, and the Bird's name is Bag Pipes submitted by Emma Nunnick in Missouri.
I don't even want to talk about the day that I am not longer on this blog, but the new cow MUST have a name. And it is up to some friend of the Children's Area to get that cow named! If you want to name the cow and not wait until the Irish Fest, send the KCIF Kids a good Irish cow name and your name, age, address and phone to KCIFCHILDRENS@everestkc.net.
Oh, did, I forget to tell you? You win a giant cow for coming up with the right name. I think that beautiful cow was about 4 feet, probably as big as Greta!
Girl Cows ROCK! It takes one to know one.
Yours,
Moora
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Leprechaun Day
A Leprechaun is a trickster-like elf (a class of faerie folk), from Ireland. The word comes from "luprachán" (meaning half-bodied). Leprechauns are believe to have a hidden pot of gold--perhaps at the end of a rainbow.
So, in celebration of that day, we are sponsoring our first contest. Can you draw a leprechaun? Or just color our leprechaun? We will be giving prizes for both types of entries and across age groups depending on the number of entries. When does this need to be sent? By June 30, 2010. What are the prizes? The first prize is a family pack to the Kansas City Irish Festival, the most coveted tickets in town. Where do I send my entries? Send your coloring page or your original drawing to:
Leprechaun Day Kid's Contest
c/o KC Irish Fest
4049 Central
Kansas City, Mo 64111
In the meantime, here are instructions for Catching your own Leprechaun:
It is very difficult to catch a tricky Leprechaun, but you can sure have fun trying! The first thing you need to do is build a trap. There is no right or wrong way to build a Leprechaun trap.
You can make a contraption with a net, boxes, a clean can, or anything else you can think of such as paper towel rolls, empty containers, tin foil, paper, string or yarn, sandwich bags, etc; or, how about using an old shoe since they are said to be cobblers. You have to be very creative to catch a Leprechaun.
Once you build your trap, don't forget to add bait to help lure the Leprechaun. Since Leprechauns are very greedy, one of the best things you can use for bait are coins! If you don't want to use real coins, you can easily substitute candy coins or make your own gold coins by cutting circles out of cardboard and painting them gold. Gold nuggets made by painting small rocks are another option.
Leprechauns love rainbows and love shiny glittery things, let that be your guide to your project!
Your Friend,
Moora
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Happy Mother's Day!
To All of Our Loving Mothers Out There...
On Behalf of the entire KCIF Kid's Club, we would like to send a loving thanks to all of our fantastic mother's. In fact, in Ireland they have some pretty special traditions of there own to honor their mothers.
* This poem is well-known in Ireland to honor all mothers:
P.S. A man loves his sweetheart the most, his wife the best, but his mother the longest. ~Irish Proverb
On Behalf of the entire KCIF Kid's Club, we would like to send a loving thanks to all of our fantastic mother's. In fact, in Ireland they have some pretty special traditions of there own to honor their mothers.
* This poem is well-known in Ireland to honor all mothers:
A Mother's Love Is A Blessing
by Thomas P Keenan
An Irish boy was leaving
Leaving his native home
Crossing the broad Atlantic
Once more he wished to roam
And as he was leaving his mother
Who was standing on the quay
She threw her arms around his waist
And this to him did say
A mother's love's a blessing
No matter where you roam
Keep her while she's living
You'll miss her when she's gone
Love her as in childhood
Though feeble, old and grey
For you'll never miss a mother's love
Till she's buried beneath the clay
And as the years go onwards
I'll settle down in life
And choose a nice young colleen
And take her for my wife
And as the babes grow older
And climb around my knee
I'll teach them the very same lesson
That my mother taught to me
A mother's love's a blessing
No matter where you roam
Keep her while she's living
You'll miss her when she's gone
Love her as in childhood
Though feeble, old and grey
For you'll never miss a mother's love
Till she's buried beneath the clay
by Thomas P Keenan
An Irish boy was leaving
Leaving his native home
Crossing the broad Atlantic
Once more he wished to roam
And as he was leaving his mother
Who was standing on the quay
She threw her arms around his waist
And this to him did say
A mother's love's a blessing
No matter where you roam
Keep her while she's living
You'll miss her when she's gone
Love her as in childhood
Though feeble, old and grey
For you'll never miss a mother's love
Till she's buried beneath the clay
And as the years go onwards
I'll settle down in life
And choose a nice young colleen
And take her for my wife
And as the babes grow older
And climb around my knee
I'll teach them the very same lesson
That my mother taught to me
A mother's love's a blessing
No matter where you roam
Keep her while she's living
You'll miss her when she's gone
Love her as in childhood
Though feeble, old and grey
For you'll never miss a mother's love
Till she's buried beneath the clay
Happy Mother's Day to all!
Yours Truly,
Moora
P.S. A man loves his sweetheart the most, his wife the best, but his mother the longest. ~Irish Proverb
Monday, May 3, 2010
Happy Birthday Rory!
Happy 21st Birthday Rory McIlroy!!
So who is Rory McIlroy you ask? That's OK I didn't know either until one of my parents tipped me off. He is a young Irishman who won the Quail Hallow Golf tournament over the weekend. At the age of 20 he was the youngest to ever win the tournament and even went beyond that to set a course record score!
So, I was wondering, is he too old for the KCIF Kid's club? Well, maybe we should make him an honorary member anyway. Even if he is from Northern Ireland, we love him anyway.
In case you are wondering ladies, he has a girlfriend named Holly. :)
Yours Truly,
Moora
So who is Rory McIlroy you ask? That's OK I didn't know either until one of my parents tipped me off. He is a young Irishman who won the Quail Hallow Golf tournament over the weekend. At the age of 20 he was the youngest to ever win the tournament and even went beyond that to set a course record score!
So, I was wondering, is he too old for the KCIF Kid's club? Well, maybe we should make him an honorary member anyway. Even if he is from Northern Ireland, we love him anyway.
In case you are wondering ladies, he has a girlfriend named Holly. :)
Yours Truly,
Moora
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Welcome!
Welcome to the KCIF Kid’s Club Blog - There are approximately three months until the KCIF and we hope to provide commentary and regular updates on the Kid’s Club activities.
Our aim is to educate, entertain and have fun as we get our “Irish on” in advance of the festival. And, yes, parents are allowed to check in occasionally as well.
So, let’s get started with some Irish sayings that you just might want to drop into your own conversations. People will be astounded by your clever Irish wit.
*"not backwards in coming forwards" - means a person is not shy.
*"no flies on him" - means a person is not easily deceived
*"she has a tongue that would clip a hedge" - means a person who gossips.
*A pig, allowed to live in Irish farmhouses in olden days, was once known as "the gentleman that pays the rent."
*"come for a day and stay for a week" - means someone outstaying their welcome
Please send us your suggestions and comments.
Happy May!!
KCIF Kid’s Club
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