2010 - The Year of the Irish Woman

Many things happen at Irish Fest in all the different areas, and one that was particularly fun this year was the Heritage Area.  The feature was the Year of the Irish Woman.  (I actually had a picture in there with my Mom, Grandmother and Great-Grandmother!)  But, the important part of this is that Barbara Scanlon was the Woman of the Year at this year's Irish Fest.   There are so many things that can be said about Barbara, but it is enought to know that she has been working at the Fest before the Fest as we know it; when it was at Brookside.    She is the Children's Area resident Fairy Village expert, and she helps us when we venture into the old Irish Fables, and that doesn't begin to touch her expertise in Genealogy.  We have the pleasure of having two of Barbara's Grandchildren in the Kid's Club.  The first one I want to introduce is Kelsey.    Kelsey is like her Grandma, she danced this year at the Feis, and worked as much as she could doing anything and everything in the Main Children's Area.   So, Barbara's legacy this year was three generations working at Irish Fest together, and there were many smiles,  not to diminish the one that Barbara had when Eileen Ivers presented her award! 

Thank you Barbara and all of the lovely Scanlon Family.

MVP Rookie.... Jeremy Roush

Our very own Jeremy Roush (terrace inflatables) took the Irish Fest Prize for most Valuable Rookie (male) this year.  And yes, it was a deserved win.  Jeremy was there from sun-up to midnight getting the inflatables ready for activity each day.   He kept an eye on all of our Irish Fest guests who had a great time jumping, sliding, and running.   And was interested in keeping all of our guests safe and smiling. 

Thanks Jeremy, great Rookie year!

Moolarky - The TRUE Scoop about the Name (no Malarky!)

Hannah has a cow and has named me (2010 cow) and the blog this year.   I had to ask Hannah about her inspiration for my name.   I know I am beautiful, and funny, but chatty and prone to exaggeration.   How in the world did Hannah know that? 

Her answer:

I came up with the name Moolarky from something my great-grandma, Mary, used to say to my dad, Sean, when he was a boy. He used to tell a lot of stories. Most of them weren't always true. Gram, who was from Sligo County, Ireland, would tell him he was "full of malarkey".


Hannah

OUR NEW COW AND NEW BLOG....Introducing Moolarky

A new blog year welcome from Moolarky.   Hannah (10 yrs old) from Lee's Summit has named me and named our blog for this coming year.  And Hannah has won the giant cow.

We will let you know Hannah's inspiration as soon as I speak to her.    I feel much better now that I have a name,  and will see if this blog can live up to MOOLARKY!

Moora Retires....soon

Stay tuned as we are about to have a new cow take over the blog.  I am sad, but I can use the rest. 

More Thanks from Irish Fest

A special thanks to our talented artists/vendors.  How could we have an Irish Fest without the great Face Painting of MJ, Kristi, Amy, Katie, Sheryl, and Jo?  And this year we had special Glitter Tats, we thought they were a hit (even my Mom got one), by Lexi and Annika, so we need to bring those back.  

And where would we be without Dan and DJ, our talented balloon artists? 

Well thanks to all of you, we wouldn't have a Children's Area without you!

Shawn

Goodbye to Irish Fest 2010...

I always hate to go to Crown Center after the Festival, I think something is wrong without all the tents and the kids and the good times.   It was that way this morning, except many of the tents were still there which made it like a ghost Irish Fest.   How can one simple cow say thanks to so many people?   Well I am going to try...

Thanks to Cristo Rey High School and Ms Bridget McGilley- they hung in with us for all of the Fest, they were polite to the adults and fun with the kids, could we have asked for anything else?  No, they were found at the Fest all three days and couldn't have been nicer.

Thanks to St Thomas Aquinas Rugby Team - what a fun group of people.  They gave us the perfect start on Sunday.    Have the VERY Best Time in Ireland.

I have a group of volunteers that have stuck with me over the years of my sister cows that came before me.  Young ladies, you know who you are, and you are absolutely appreciated for your help and smiles with our guests.  Oh, what the hec, I'll start naming them and if I forget any of you returning life savers, let me know, my head is a little foggy today.   Rose, Dawn, Theresa and Alia, Kim, and I know I am missing some, so send me a note.  

Carolyn and Anna - Every year Anna waits patiently while Mom, Carolyn work for 10 - 20 hours a day on Friday and Saturday, so she can attend Irish Fest with her Mom on Sunday.  Carolyn is one of the reasons why I can walk away from the tent with the knowledge all our guests are in very good hands.

We had some new volunteers from Olathe East under the teacher sponsor Nicole Sullivan (and yes, we are related), all of the team were awesome, but Sydney and Devon were outstanding.  Sydney even got lost getting home one night to south JOCO, but oh my were they awesome help.

Thanks to the Bishop Ward Basketball Team, and were they great!  And another fun group.  They even had a couple stray football players helping them, like Alex.  Leave it to the guys to have fun with the kids on the Moonwalks.

My daughters, Megan and Julie, and sons Alex and Bill have been working on Irish Fest for over a month, and were there helping with the prep work all the way.

Fellow Staffers,  Julie, Jeremy, Mackenzie, and Kathleen enabled crafts, moonwalks and inflatables and the main tent in that order.  Artrageous is one of the Children's Area sponsors and Julie's company.   Kathleen plans and sings a beautiful Irish Fest Mass, but doesn't miss a beat for long days both Saturday and Sunday.  Jeremy was walking to each inflatable every few minutes helping the volunteers and making sure our guests were having fun and stayed safe.  Mackenzie has been with Irish Fest since she was a little girl, and is coming into her own as a staple part of the Irish Fest Children's management team.

The Kansas City Irish Fest Kid's Club just out did themselves this year.   Maddie, Maura, Michael, Q, Mikayla, Jake, and Joseph helped out on the inflatables, and the report from Jeremy, is that they were awesome.  And thanks to the parents that help made this happen.

I have had a family of Aylward's and Ismert's who have been with me since year one at Crown Center, another group of kids I have seen grow up.   They sat for hours and hours and gave tattoos to everyone.  They are friendly, they are cute, they are awesome...Anna has lead the way, and I am so glad...how many cousins and siblings do you have?   We have another group growing up with us!

Jack, our stage manager on Friday and Saturday was awesome helping the entertainment entertain the kids and not worry about picky 'stuff'.

 Kelsey and Colleen  from the Kid's Club did everything to help everyone.  Kelsey we were proud of you at the Dance Competition.    Kelsey could be found at Bingo or the Wackalaylee or helping someone out with a prize.  Colleen had a busy competition as well, but also performed this year, another proud moment for me. 

Cassie helped Julie in Artragesous, and single handedly took over ballooons when there wasn't enough volunteer help.

Let's talk about the Mersman Family.   They were found in the main Children's tent, all weekend long, and our boss, 8 year old Kate kept the flow,  kept the fun and kept working when the rest of us thought we might sit and rest, she kept us jumping.  Kate is a member of the Kid's club, and she came into her own at this Fest.  She was at the Fest from sunup to sundown and was fun,  and had all of us laughing.    SPECIAL Thanks to Brett, Kate and Kathleen.

Now, I need to thank all the volunteers who helped during the weekend with the Children's Area, there are many of you to thank and every single contribution makes such a big difference in one of our guests' smiles!  Many, many thanks especially understanding we were short-handed and all of you jumped in and simply worked and helped, and kept a bottle of water in your hand!   THANKS SO MUCH!

So, Did You Hear the One...

About the calf walking into a tent at Crown Center?    The Calf said where is the Children's Area?   The attentive Cow (me) said look around you.  The folks that designed Irish Fest put a kid's area everywhere so that the Kids would have a Grand Time while the parents were singing along with the Music.

To Review:   Miller Stage -  Jumpy's/Moonwalks and Miniature Golf
Sponsor Level -  Baggin for Gold and Volleyball - (Family Game Area)
Fountain Level -  Children's Game (Wackalaylee and Bingo) and Craft Tent  (ahhhh Face Painting)
Washington Park - Toddler Area including Bubble Tent and Oddball Kids
More Washington Park - Jumpy's/Moonwalks
Even More Washington Park - Teen Area including DDR, Guitar Hero and Karaoke

Now that doesn't include Minskys, Schmeica's (voted best cherry limeade by the Kid's club and me), Old Bag of Nails (it is awesome).

So find the Children's area of your choice!

More Fun, Free Tickets and Service Hours

I am sure that you realize behind Irish Fest is this incredibly wonderful group of Adults, a fun and creative group of Kids and people like you.   People like you are ages 14 and above and love having fun!   For just four hours of your time, we will give you a really cool t-shirt that everyone will want, we will give you Service Hours for your School and we will give the opportunity to make many of our guest smile ear to ear. 

And it doesn't stop there, we will give you a ticket to come back later.  And that still doesn't stop, you will be entered in a raffle for prizes.

Now, all you have to do is head to KCIRISHFEST.COM and go to volunteers and just give us a bit of your time, but BRING all your friends. 

Irish Fest - Ready or Not...

And the Kids are Ready!  Tomorrow the Kid's Club does the last minute Wackalalee filling and miscellaneous tasks, and we start setting up on Wednesday. 

We'll let you know how things are going!

Moora

Theatre of the Imagination

Yes, kids they are back this year, and as always there will be audience participation.

"Theatre of the Imagination will perform several Instant Plays. Kids from the audience get to come up on stage and perform in several fun and energetic shows. There will be a show about Ireland, a pirate play, and a western about bullying. 

Irish Fest at Holy Trinity

We had such  a fun day at Holy Trinity on June 22, we (Barbara, Michael, and Kelsey) wanted to send a special invitation to the Fun Kids we met there to come to Irish Fest this year.  But watch out, these great kids know some of our secret games!

Where was I all Weekend?

Since Friday, I have been at the Midwest Kids Fest.   Oh, did we meet some of our great Irish Fest Friends.

I teamed up with JJ who is my alien musician friend from Jiggle Jam, and headed to make friends at Midwest Kids Fest.   I met little Finn, who is named for one of my favorite giants, Finn MacCool,  I saw three acts from Irish Fest this year,  Mr Stinky Feet,  Rockin Rob and Keith Leff.   I got lots of hugs from Amy Hillbrich Davis (http://www.inspiringmoms.com/about-inspiring-moms/amy-hilbrich-davis/) and Ran and the greatest family of volunteers that I love.   We all need to say goodbye to Jonathan, who is leaving for Harvard this morning.  He has been a wonderful Children's volunteer, quick with a smile and full of great love for our Irish Fest Kids, but we are counting on the rest of the clan to take up his slack and help us through!   The Davis car named Clifford (big and red) will bring the other six Davis family members to Irish Fest this year, and word is Amy and Ran may even get a date night! 

Two very important Cosgrove's were at the event who may be future Kid's Club Members, good to see them and Mom, Jeni.   Lyda, are you ready for the Kid's Club, Erin would love to bring you?

Let's see the Horton family was there, all six kids will be joining us at Irish Fest!  A couple of them will step in as volunteers this year.

We met lots of kids who were excited about costumes and on site Treating (that is trick or treat without the tricks - although Keith Leff said he could teach some magic).

It was a REALLY GOOD  few days, KC Pumpkin Patch was giving away all kinds of prizes at our booth,  wait until you see what they have for Irish Fest this year!  Any yes, the pirate ship will be back!

Finally, Kid's Club President Mackenzie and Treasurer Mikayla were on hand to talk to the Irish Fest Kids and tell them about all the fun and exciting plans for just 11 days away (and counting).  

Moora

Craft - Children's Area

One of our best sponsors is Miss Julie from ARTRAGEOUS (http://www.artrageouskc.com/).  She has been working diligently on an art project for all the Irish Fest Kids to make and take home.  This year it will be your first Halloween Decoration, how special is that? 

Be sure and join Miss Julie and her Artrageous project!  

Moora

POOOR Nameless Cow

This wonderful mascot of the 2010 Kansas City Irish Fest and some lucky young person will get to name her.   She will take her place as our blog sponsor until nex year and she must have a fitting name as that will be the blog's name.  And if you are the winner of Naming her, you will win her.   We have this giant 4 ft cow that will go home with the person who names her.   Name her at Irish Fest or send your name to KCIFCHILDRENS@EVERESTKC.NET.   Think Irish and be orginal!

Trick or Treat

Irish Fest will have Trick or Treating and a costume contest this year, so what will you be coming as? 

Check the schedule and be there for the Parade and Costume Contest on Saturday and Sunday, or just the Costume Contest on Friday.

Fun Times for All!

Moora

6th Annual Kansas City Feis

A Feis (, roughly fesh) or Fèis (, roughly fyesh) is a traditional Gaelic arts and culture festival.  Kansas City Feis (http://www.kcfeis.com/) is entering their 6th year, and the Kid's Club would like to proudly say we have two dancers that we know will be the best in this competition.  So, here is to Kelsey and Colleen!   I am going to ask them to tell us a bit about the Feis, and if you have time, we suggest you drop in while you are visiting Irish Fest.    

To watch this competition and see these kids work is amazing, so enjoy the opportunity!

Moora

Trick or Treat

Did you hear?   Do you know?  Not only is there a costume contest each day sponsored by our good friends at KC Pumpkin Patch, we also will have trick or treating with no tricks please.  Vendors will look forward to seeing you for trick or treats this year!   

Meet Katie

I love the Irish fest because I enjoy celebrating my heritage!


-Katie McCoy
 

What more can I add about Katie, oh, except she is an awesome painter!

Meet Amy...Another Face Painting Guru

Here is what Amy said...

I love being a part of the Irish fest, every year it feels like a family reuion with all the staff and volunteers. I also enjoy Mass and breakfast with friends as well as the beautiful culture of the weekend. It is my vacation to Ireland (only I have to paint a few faces in between the fish and chips!) The Irish Fest has also blessed me with a better knowledge of a small part of my family history, as my great grandma's family was from Ireland. I cherish being a part of the festival and am excited to see what new experience I will have this year.

I met Amy a long time ago, she has been with us for six years at Irish Fest and we couldn't put smiles on so many faces without her.  Amy is the one who hosts all of us ever year, (coming up a week from Monday) to work on all those faces that are offered at Irish Fest each year.

Meet MJ...an artist in Face Painting...

I have a difficult time describing the love, care and prep work that the Face Painting Team does to get ready for Irish Fest.  MJ has so much energy, and is there for Irish Fest every year, with a huge smile and has made so many kids happy over the years...MJ is certainly part of our family in the Children's area.

Here is what MJ says:
Why I love Irish Fest: We have so much fun painting all the kids- each year we paint many of the same families- we have watched these kids grow up… This is our Irish Fest Family even if it is just for one weekend a year- we love, play and laugh through the entire thing- I wouldn’t miss it for the world!

Here is one of the favorite faces for fashionable young women of all ages!  Here is what MJ says:

Photo is of one of my favorite faces from Jiggle Jam this year- just made it up on the spot! Love it!

Thanks MJ!  Here is MJ working on a butterfly...

Moora
Face Painters wanted to remind you just because we are in the Children's area doesn't mean you have to be a child, we want to see all of you with your faces painted this year!  Celebrate Halloween with us!

How Do We Make the Children's Area Fun?

Mostly with a lot of help!   You have had a chance to meet the Kid's Club, not sure if we would have a Children's area without them, but there are so many other people who work really hard for us, like our stage entertainment; we have been saluting them for weeks.  Now, over the next couple of weeks, I have some really important people for you to meet!

DJ- The Balloon Guy

What to say about DJ?   He is one of the best finds the Irish Fest ever had.  It was one of the co-chairs, Anne who found DJ a loooooong time ago,  we went to see his work and were sold, and then we met him.   WOW!  All we can say is DJ is a delight, and as tradition goes, I always get the last balloon art he is doing!

Here is what DJ says about Irish Fest:

Without a doubt my favorite things about Irish Fest are the families and the great music. The families and kids are just awesome!!!!! They makes for such a fun event. The music, well it is one great band after another

Where do you find DJ?   Typically in or near the Children's Main Tent!

Moora

PS More tomorrow!

Festival Announcement from KCIF Children's Sponsor - KC Pumpkin Patch

KC PUMPKIN PATCH Announces U-Pick Pumpkins for the Whole Family


Gardner, Kansas- KC Pumpkin Patch, known for family fun throughout the Fall, is proud to announce that U-Pick pumpkins are ready. From Atlantic Giants to Baby Boo’s, a wide variety of pumpkins and gourds are available. The annual Pumpkin Festival celebration will kick off September 25 at 10:00 a.m. The Festival celebration is a favorite year after year and promises to be a fun‑filled day of family entertainment. The celebration will include 1,000’s of U-Pick Pumpkins, food booths, and over 40 special children’s activities!

For those hungry folks, a wide variety of mouth watering Festival Foods will be offered: hamburgers, hot dogs, barbeque and more. The Festival would not be complete without homemade Cider & Pumpkin doughnuts, fresh fudge, Funnel Cakes, Kettle Corn, Cotton Candy, Apple Cider Slush’s and Carmel Apples.

In addition to the Festival Food and great pumpkin hunting, children will have the opportunity to participate in Old –Fashioned Fun. Children will enjoy activities such as: Kansas City’s 1st JUMPING PILLOW, Paintball Gallery, Old Barnyard Petting Zoo, Barrel Train, Rope Maze, Hayrack ride, Haunted Barn, Humpty Dumpty Rock Climbing Wall, Game Corral, Gourd Gun, Yellow Brick Road Train Ride, Zip Line, Peddle Go Carts, Mining for Gemstones, and MUCH, MUCH, MORE! You’ve never seen a pumpkin patch like this before!

Visit www.kcpumpkinpatch.com and www.kccornmaze.net for a complete listing of the Festival Fun!

For Irish Fest, get a taste of this fun FEST as our sponsor brings special things like a giant Pirate Ship and sponsors our Costume Contests this year.

Baggin for Gold

Baggin for Gold

We have a new family game this year.  The name is Baggin for Gold, the play is that your family of four will stay in the game as long as they are winning the game.  Once a family is defeated, the new reigning family takes over.  Stay tuned for location of the game.

Moora

Driscoll School of Irish Dance

Have you ever wondered how to Dance like the Irish Dancers?  Stop Wondering.   Bridgid Driscoll is going to entertain us with her talent, make us smile and yes, even teach us a few things about Irish Dance. 

We are so excited to welcome Bridgid whose long time dream has been to open an Irish Dance School; well she has done that too!

Watch for the Children's Stage Schedule...coming soon.  And get a front row seat for Bridgid's Workshop.

Have  you ever seen a cow do Irish Dancing?  Stay Tuned!

Moora

Where O Where Are Our Face Painters?

Just talked to many of the Face Painters that come and do their magic at KCIF Children's, and  you know where they are?   They are in Anaheim at the Baseball 2010 All Star Game painting faces!  How fun is that?   Kristi, Amy, and MJ all said hi and will be in Irish Fest Mode soon, we have a practice day and meeting coming up.   Any special faces you want for our Halloween fun?

Moora

Our Thanks and Prayers

John O'Neal was a gentleman in every sense of the word,  I had the good fortune of meeting him in 1982, and within a year I had the opportunity to travel with him, and some other DST executives on a business trip to New York.  I learned a lot on that trip about DST business.  More importantly, John always stopped when he saw me at work to ask how things were, and how I was doing.  And then later, we crossed paths working for Irish Cultual events in Kansas City. He was the person that was always asked to sing the National Anthem and the Irish National Anthem in English and Gaelic to kick-off most of the important events in Kansas City having anything to do with Irish Culture.  He was a very good friend to the Irish Festival for all the years I have been working on it.  John got sick a while ago and fought for each moment of his life to spend precioius time with his family and friends.   We mourn the loss of our friend and wish his family all of our prayers and respect.   We have lost a great friend and a great man.  We thank him for his time given to the Irish Culture in Kansas City.

Shawn Sullivan-Warner
KCIF Children's Area

65 Days Until Irish Fest

In just 65 days, you will be planning which bands to see, which food vendors to sample and how to pack everything everyone may want to do in just one day.  When you look at our expanded stage and all the wonderful things coming, you might want to make it an entire weekend event!   I know I would, too much fun for just one day, and there are some wonderful early discounts on hotels and tickets.  Just head to the information at http://www.kcirishfest.com/ and  don't forget to save lots of time for the wonderful line-up for the kids, besides the Halloween celebration all weekend long.

WACKALAYLEE

Do you know that every year we have 20 Wackalaylees handmade for the Irish Fest?   We have them done by the nicest Piñata Maker in the world,  Art, he lives in Denver.   Well, I am in Denver and had my check up meeting with Art as the Piñatas will be on the way to KC next week.   I know the ones we looked at are going to have lots of candy and goodies in them for Irish Fest Kids,  candy,  my favorites, although I am also partial to Chocolate Milk.

By the way, it is hot in Denver too today, but tonight it will be 59 degrees and tomorrow 75, so I got a good break from the KC heat!

Stay Cool....Moora

The Secret to Success - Children's Area Hints at Irish Fest

As you buy your Irish Fest tickets online, you might also think about getting your Children a Wristband for a day of fun.  That wristband is an all inclusive never ending bouncy pass, and will take your children in and out of the Children's game tent (Main Tent) all day for KC Irish Fest Bingo or the Wack-a-laylee or other delights in the main tent.   The only cost you may want to incur outside of that is for Face Painting or a Glitter Tattoo that is stenciled by our Face Painting Team. But make sure your children are out of the fountain before you do Face Painting!   More helpful hints and other information will be coming!

Moora 

Irish Fest at Holy Trinity

Holy Trinity's Summer Children's Program got a taste of Irish Fest today as Kelsey and Michael Scanlon called out Bingo, gave every child a tattoo, helped with crafts for each class, played cornhole and made sure everyone had fun.  The day ended with lots of bubbles, and some very happy kids.   Hopefully, we'll have some new Irish Fest Visitors this year.

Moora

Browne's Irish Faire

I can't imagine anyone telling me they had a horrible time at Browne's last night except maybe little Katie Regan, who at 2 months can and will and should complain about anything bothering her.  The music was awesome, the company, well the company was just as awesome.   Irish Fest was there in herds (it is my cow reference).  Kid's Club,  had,  Charlie, Colleen, Patrick, Joseph,  Maura, Maddie, and future stars, Brendan, Alex, and Maley were there.   One highlight from last night was Maley giving instructions on how to paint her face, she is an expert you know.  I had the opportunity to visit with many of our guests from Irish Fest, in fact I only talked to one new guest this year and we are happy to include her in our 2010 fun.  After yet another  afternoon thunderstorm for Kansas City, the clouds cleared up, there was a added breeze and we were off and running.  Bridgid Driscoll took the stage, as well as many KC and Irish Fest Favorite Music talents and Pogey, which was fun as they are Irish Fest Favorites, but I know a secret about Bridgid, and you'll have to find out tomorrow...

Happy Father's Day all...Moora

More Father's Day form KC Kid's Club Members

Colleen: I love how my dad is always helping with homework or sports or whatever I need help with. He is always there for me!

Patrick: I love my daddy because he spends time with me and plays with me. He is the best daddy ever!!

Shawn: Bill Cosby said, "You know the only people who are always sure about the proper way to raise children? Those who've never had any. "  Well my Dad made the leap and tried and loved, and every day I am happy he is my Dad.  One thing I admire him most for is he wakes up every day and loves his life, he loves work, he loves my Mom, and he tries so hard to make the most of each day.

On With our Midsummer Sites to See in Ireland

Newgrange is one of a number of Neolithic sites within a hugely significant area known as Bru Na Boinne - the Boyne Palace. Other similar burial structures can be found at Knowth and Dowth, where archaeological excavations are currently ongoing. These excavations unearthed at Knowth, what is regarded as the greatest collection of passage grave art in Western Europe. Knowth has been an important site throughout many periods, as a burial site from the Stone Age to the Bronze Age, a ring fort of the early Celts and even a motte and bailey built by the Normans in the 12th Century.

Also close by, are the important ancients sites of the Hill of Tara and the Hill of Slane. Commanding a sweeping view across the plains of Meath, Tara is hugely significant in Irish folklore. Tara was once the political and religious centre of Ireland, the High Kings of Ireland held court here, and Tara was associated with the pagan goddess Maeve. On the northern side of the valley is the Hill of Slane, where huge pagan festivals were held and where one of St Patrick's legendary feats is said to have took place. It was while converting the pagans here that St Patrick plucked a shamrock from the ground to explain the Holy Trinity, after which the Hill of Slane was covered in shamrocks, which was later adopted as the Irish national symbol.

Though, Bru Na Boinne and Newgrange are Ireland's most celebrated Neolithic sites, they are not the country's oldest. In County Sligo there are the remnants of ancient burial sites predating Newgrange by 700 years. The Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery covers some 5km square and is one of the largest Stone Age cemeteries in Europe. The site contains some 60 dolmens, passage tombs and stones, though many are on private farmland. Carrowmore is also linked with nearby Carrowkeel and Carrowmore is situated at a central point between ancient stone cairns on top of surrounding mountains.

Further down the western seaboard, prehistoric burial sites have also been discovered in the rugged Burren area of Co. Clare, most notably the Poulnabrone Dolmen. This portal tomb is one of Ireland's most photographed Neolithic sites, recognised on many a postcard and dates back over 5000 years. In 1986 the site was excavated and the remains of 16 people were found, dating back to 3800 BC.

Further south just 18km from Limerick City on the shores of Lough Gur are the remains of an early settlement dating back 4000 years. The site includes The Lois a stone circle of some 113 stones, the largest of its kind in Ireland along with numerous burial mounds, wedge tombs and standing stones. A thatched replica of a Neolithic dwelling houses the Lough Gur Interpretive Centre, with a display of artefacts including a replica of the famous Lough Gur Shield (original housed in Dublin) dating back to 700BC.

Many of Ireland's ancient sites can be found in coastal areas. The Aran Islands off the Galway coast are famed for their archaeological sites, most notably the 2000-year-old Iron Age fort of Dun Aengus, on Inish Mor. While the coast of West Cork is dotted with standing stones and stone circles. One of the more prominent of these is the Drombeg Stone Circle, overlooking the sea just outside the fishing port of Glandore. The site also features the remains of a fulachta fiadh, an Iron Age cooking pit. On the Beara Peninsula just outside Castletownbere is another impressive monument, the Derrennataggart Stone Circle, consisting 10 upright stones.

Father's Day

Father's Day Blessing

May the Father of us all
bless our oul' fellas,
wherever hey might be,
at home in dear old Ireland,
or across the shining sea.
In heaven with the angels
or on earth still with us,
may God be good to the
dear old dad,
the one we love so much.

I wanted to take a break from Midsummer Excursions in Ireland to offer all of our KCIF Kids a chance to publish words about their Dad, Grandpa, Uncle etc for Father's Day.  Over the next couple of days I will be sharing what the KCIF Kid's Club Members have to say about their Dad, so send in your words...we would love to salute your oul' fella. (by the way, that is Irish)

From Kelsey, who is an athlete, dancer and cook in her spare time:

My dad is important to me because he teaches and coaches in lots of sports and he is funny.


My Poppy is special to me because he spends time with me and makes great food!

From Jake, who has a goal of attending a game at every Baseball Stadium in the US with his Dad:

A father is someone who is loving and kind, and he often knows what you have on your mind.


From Mackenzie; as a senior this year, this pretty much says it all:

My dad is like my best friend and I don't know what I would do with out him. He is always there for me and I love him to death!


stay tuned for more Kid's Club Member salutes, please send us yours.

Moora

Browne's Street Faire

It is a Benefit...and a Midsummer Kansas City Festival

Saturday, June 19th, 2010

4:00 p.m.- 11:00 p.m.

Ticket Information:
Advance purchase: $8
Day of Faire: $10
age 12 and under FREE

Entertainment Includes:

The Elders
Eddie Delahunt
Bagpipes
Irish Dancers
Pogey
Kelly
Dogtree

Lots of fun for the kids...and I'll be there!

Summer Solstice in Ireland

Many towns and cities have 'Midsummer Carnivals' with fairs, concerts and fireworks either on or on the weekend nearest to Midsummer. In some rural spots, bonfires are occasionally lit on hilltops. This tradition harks back to pagan times. Irish deities connected with Midsummer include Áine to whom Midsummer offerings were traditionally made in County Limerick.  This week we are going to be learning about this day coming up on June 21, 2010 and some of the places in Ireland you might want to see.

Ireland is home to a wealth of Neolithic and megalithic sites ranging from tombs like Newgrange to standing stones, dolmens and fairy forts. Interest in these ancient places peaks around the Summer Solstice, when the midsummer sun brings their secrets to life.

The Summer Solstice falls on June 21st in Ireland. This is the longest day of the year, when the Sun is at its highest point of the year in the northern hemisphere. In ancient pagan societies the Summer Solstice was hugely significant, it was a time when the power of the Sun was at its highest and was seen as an important time for fertility, when the harvests of the coming year were blessed.

This significance is mirrored in the places of worship and burial sites, from standing stones to pyramids and tombs, that Neolithic pagan cultures built throughout the world and many were designed in alignment with the sun at this sacred time of the year, when the sun was at its most powerful.

There are some 40,000 ancient megalithic and Neolithic sites across the British Isles and Ireland, from burial chambers, to stone circles and former dwellings of ancient societies.

Ireland's most prominent Neolithic site is Newgrange an ancient passage tomb, dating back nearly 5,000 years, predating the Egyptian pyramids by 6 centuries. Newgrange is the best example of a Stone Age passage tomb in Ireland and one of the most remarkable prehistoric sites in Europe. The burial mound is some 80m in diameter and 13m high, and is similar to sites built around the same time at Maes Howe in Orkney and Carnac in Britanny. The purpose of Newgrange is unsure, is it a burial place of kings? A centre of ritual? or an astrological calendar? Which like Stonehenge is in alignment with the sun during the solstice.

Over 200,000 tonnes of earth and stone were used in the construction of Newgrange, with stones believed to have been quarried and transported from Wicklow, 80km to the south and the Mourne Mountains in Northern Ireland. Newgrange also plays a role in Irish Mythology, as the burial place of Dairmuid and Grainne, as well as the place where the great warrior Cuchulainn was conceived.

No More Room for Fests - Irish Times Post

Just when you thought there was no more room for festivals, another batch emerges. This time, those based outside the Pale will have something to rejoice about – Cork is set to host Heineken Midsummer Nights, a spin-off of Cork Midsummer Festival, at various venues in the city from June 12th-17th.

The music arm of the festival features Talvin Singh, Don Letts, Julie Feeney, Mick Flannery and Rubberbandits, and free DJ sets (including one by The Ticket’s own Jim Carroll at the Pavilion on June 16th) and club nights will be dotted throughout.

Brandon Music Festival also takes place this weekend, with sets from Jack L, Delorentos and Fred.

Meanwhile, Athlone Music Festival has announced its line-up at the town’s football ground on July 31st and August 1st. Sharon Shannon’s Big Band and The Undertones will headline, while Hazel O’Connor, Heathers and The Aftermath are also on the bill.

Seems there is always room for one more Fun Irish Fest....but this week, we are going to talk a little about the Summer Solstice and the inception of the Midsummer Festivals...

Moora

Children's Stage Announcement - Martin City Melodrama

Martin City Melodrama Jr  http://www.martincitymelodrama.org/Martin_City__Jr.html  will be joining us on the 2010 Kansas City Irish Fest Kid's Stage.    We are excited as this group is working on something special just for Irish Fest Audiences.    More coming later about the actual show.    The stage is going to be awesome for the kids this year!

New Family Game for Irish Fest 2010 - Guess the Game

We have a new game this year for a family competition...guess the game, we'll share a picture this weekend!  Here are the rules, to help you guess!

Singles Or Doubles Play:


This game can be played as doubles or singles. In doubles play two contestants are partners against another team of two contestants; in singles play a contestant competes against another contestant.

In doubles play, one member of each team pitches from one platform and the other members pitch from the other platform. In singles play, both contestants pitch from the same platform. All other rules are basically the same for doubles or singles play.

Innings:

Every Game match is broken down into innings of play. During each inning there a top and a bottom round of play.

In doubles play, the top of an inning is completed when both contestants pitching from the first platform pitch all 4 bags; the bottom of the inning is completed when the remaining contestants (pitching from the other platform) pitch all 4 bags.

In singles play, the top of an inning is completed when the first contestant pitches all 4  bags; the bottom of the inning is completed when the remaining contestant pitches all 4 bags.

An inning is never completed until all contestants pitch all four bags.

KCIF Kid's Club - Supporting Jiggle Jam Music Fest

I hope you were at Jiggle Jam  this weekend, I tried to come, but all my helpers in the Kid's Club were there working.  Did you meet Mackenzie, our President, or Erin, Cassie, Jake, Mikayla, Q,  and our newest junior members, Charlie, Malie, and Shea were there?   Everyone was working hard, but remebered to take time out for a smile... or two and to play rubberboards with Terrence Simien for a Zydeco Jam session.

Rockin Rob Comes to Irish Fest 2010 - Children's Stage

Straight from their sell-out crowd this past weekend at Jiggle Jam,  the Rockin Rob Duet http://www.rockinrobsings.com/ will be joining the Irish Fest Children's Stage for the first time.   You will be enchanted with this fun show of sing-a-longs, dance-a-longs, and a good old fashioned jammin party.  Watch for the schedule for these performances.  We will be introduced to some classic Irish tunes as well as some familiar tunes with brilliant new lyrics and we will be celebrating our Halloween theme, so join us, remember, watch for the schedule!   Rob wanted to know how many kids will be in costume?  I am coming dressed as a cow!  I think some of the Kid's Club Members are going to be witches and some are going to be Fairies.  Can a cow be a witch?   I was a Fairy last year for the Pirates and Fairies theme.

Moora

A Bit of KC Irish Fest 2010 Kid's Stage News

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

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

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.

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

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. 

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

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

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

Leprechaun Day

Thursday was Leprechaun Day.  It is celebrated on May 13. It's a day dedicated to the elves of Ireland. I know several of the Kid's Club members made traps to Catch a Leprechaun, and all their attemps were unsuccessful, although I heard Jake caught one last St Patrick's Day and still has him?   

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

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:

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

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

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 

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