Irish-American Celebrities
Malachy McCourt
Born in Brooklyn but raised in Ireland, Malachy McCourt - the brother of another notable author, Frank McCourt - is an actor, author, saloon owner, and general bon vivant who has made a career (indeed, several careers) out of his Irish way with words. Along with articles for a number of publications, Malachy is the author of two memoirs, A Monk Swimming and Singing Him My Song, as well as the play A Couple of Blackguards, which he wrote and performed with his brother Frank. He has appeared in a number of movies and television shows, and owned and ran Malacy's, a famous New York City bar on Third Avenue that is sometimes referred to as the singles bar.
According to the dictionary a bon vivant is a person with refined taste, especially one who enjoys superb food and drink. I wonder if Malachy has a theme for enjoying life to be shown as the opposite of his brother. I don't know what Frank McCourt is like in person, but the two novels of his that I have read are soooooooo depressing. Maybe the two brothers balance each other out.
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Monday, September 29, 2014
Irish Thought for September 29...
Kansas City Irish Fest News
This is Anna with her official Irish Fest Prize Ribbon. I hope she keeps dedicating herself to art throughout the year!
Sunday, September 28, 2014
Saturday, September 27, 2014
Irish Thought for September 27...
Kansas City Irish Fest News
And our chalkboard art winner is....
And our chalkboard art winner is....
Wilson, who is 6 years old!!!!!!!
Great drawing Wilson.
Friday, September 26, 2014
Irish Thought for September 26...
Irish Blessings
May misfortune follow you all the days of your life...and never catch up!
May misfortune follow you all the days of your life...and never catch up!
Thursday, September 25, 2014
Irish Thought for September 25...
Quotations
When I told the people of Northern Ireland that I was an atheist, a woman in the audience stood up and said, "Yes, but is it the God of the Catholics or the God of the Protestants in whom you don't believe?"
-Quentin Crisp
When I told the people of Northern Ireland that I was an atheist, a woman in the audience stood up and said, "Yes, but is it the God of the Catholics or the God of the Protestants in whom you don't believe?"
-Quentin Crisp
Wednesday, September 24, 2014
Irish Thought for September 24...
Kansas City Irish Fest News
IN THE HISTORY OF COW NAMES..WE HAVE A NEW ONE...
Cows throuigh the Years
Molly McMoo 2005
MooRaLoo RaLooRa 2006
Sinead O'Moolihan and the TraLaLas 2007
Daisy O'Fiddlesticks 2008
Moora O'Mooley 2009
Moolarky 2010
Ceili the Cow 2011
Clare Cliffs of Mooooer 2012
Irish Stout 2013
and the name for this year's cow is..........
Moooorgan Mae 2014
Tuesday, September 23, 2014
Irish Thought for September 23...
Kansas City Irish Fest News
Meet Anna
Anna was the winner of our ArtRageous Tree Art! Here is what I learned about Anna...
Meet Anna
What Anna loves about Irish Fest: She loves the Kid's Club Art and the other kids activities. Anna is 10 years old and she attends 5th grade of elementary school.
Congratulations Anna!!!!
Monday, September 22, 2014
Irish Thought for September 22...
Irish Etymology
"Beyond the Pale": originated in Ireland in the 14th century to describe outlandish behavior. The Pale was the area of Ireland under heavy British control, and people living on its outskirts were considered outlaws.
"Beyond the Pale": originated in Ireland in the 14th century to describe outlandish behavior. The Pale was the area of Ireland under heavy British control, and people living on its outskirts were considered outlaws.
Sunday, September 21, 2014
Irish Thought for September 21...
Irish-American Musicians
Tommy Dorsey
Trombonist Tommy Dorsey was one of America's most bandleaders during the Golden Age of Swing. He started out running an orchestra with his brother Jimmy, but quickly let to start his own band in 1935, The band's albums, tours, and radio shows were all popular, and Dorsey showed a keen ability to keep the act relevant by hiring top arrangers, musicians, and singers. Over the course of his career, Dorsey had well over 250 Billboard hits, including "I'll Never Smile Again," sung by Frank Sinatra, who had his first successes with he Tommy Dorsey band; Sinatra often claimed he learned breath control by watching Tommy's playing.
Tommy Dorsey
Trombonist Tommy Dorsey was one of America's most bandleaders during the Golden Age of Swing. He started out running an orchestra with his brother Jimmy, but quickly let to start his own band in 1935, The band's albums, tours, and radio shows were all popular, and Dorsey showed a keen ability to keep the act relevant by hiring top arrangers, musicians, and singers. Over the course of his career, Dorsey had well over 250 Billboard hits, including "I'll Never Smile Again," sung by Frank Sinatra, who had his first successes with he Tommy Dorsey band; Sinatra often claimed he learned breath control by watching Tommy's playing.
Saturday, September 20, 2014
Irish Thought for September 20...
Irish Proverbs
Your son is your son until he marries, but your daughter is your daughter until you die.
Your son is your son until he marries, but your daughter is your daughter until you die.
Friday, September 19, 2014
Irish Thought for September 19...
Irish Songs
The Wild Rover
I've been a wild rover for many a year
And I spent all my money on whiskey and beer,
And now I'm returning with gold in great store
And I never will play the wild rover no more.
And it's no, nay, never,
No nay never no more,
Will I play the wild rover
No never no more.
The Wild RoverI've been a wild rover for many a year
And I spent all my money on whiskey and beer,
And now I'm returning with gold in great store
And I never will play the wild rover no more.
And it's no, nay, never,
No nay never no more,
Will I play the wild rover
No never no more.
Thursday, September 18, 2014
Irish Thought for September 18...
Irish-American Celebrities
Rosalind Russell
A supremely talented actress, Rosalind Russell is probably best known for fast-talking, strong-willed characters such as Hildy Johnson in His Girl Friday, Mame Dennis in Auntie Mame, and Sylvia Folwer in The Women. She was born into an Irish-Catholic family in the predominantly Irish-Catholic city of Waterbury, Connecticut, and made her way to Los Angeles in the 1930s, determined to become a movie star. Along with her film successes, Russell was a hit on stage, winning a Tony Award for her performance in Wonderful Town in 1953, and starring in the stage version of Auntie Mame - without a doubt her most famous role.
Rosalind Russell
A supremely talented actress, Rosalind Russell is probably best known for fast-talking, strong-willed characters such as Hildy Johnson in His Girl Friday, Mame Dennis in Auntie Mame, and Sylvia Folwer in The Women. She was born into an Irish-Catholic family in the predominantly Irish-Catholic city of Waterbury, Connecticut, and made her way to Los Angeles in the 1930s, determined to become a movie star. Along with her film successes, Russell was a hit on stage, winning a Tony Award for her performance in Wonderful Town in 1953, and starring in the stage version of Auntie Mame - without a doubt her most famous role.
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
Irish Thought for September 16...
Irish-American Writers
Anna Quindlen
Anna Quindlen won a Pulitzer Prize for Commentary in 1992 for her work for The New York Times. She was born in Philadelphia to an Irish-American father and an Italian-American mother, and she began her journalism career in 1974 at the New York Post. From 1977 to 1994 she held various posts at the Times (including penning the Pulitzer-winning column "Public and Private"), then focused on writing novels, including One True Thing, which was made into a movie starring Meryl Streep. From 2002 to 2009, she wrote the "Last Word" column for Newsweek magazine.
Anna Quindlen
Anna Quindlen won a Pulitzer Prize for Commentary in 1992 for her work for The New York Times. She was born in Philadelphia to an Irish-American father and an Italian-American mother, and she began her journalism career in 1974 at the New York Post. From 1977 to 1994 she held various posts at the Times (including penning the Pulitzer-winning column "Public and Private"), then focused on writing novels, including One True Thing, which was made into a movie starring Meryl Streep. From 2002 to 2009, she wrote the "Last Word" column for Newsweek magazine.
Monday, September 15, 2014
Irish Thought for September 15...
Irish Blessings
May you have the hindsight to know where you've been,
The foresight to know where you're going,
And the insight to know when you have gone too far.
May you have the hindsight to know where you've been,
The foresight to know where you're going,
And the insight to know when you have gone too far.
Sunday, September 14, 2014
Irish Thought for September 14...
Irish-American Heroes
Dublin-born Richard Montgomery is believed to be the first American general killed in the American Revolution. While he fought for the British in the French and Indian War, Montgomery became a Brigadier General of the Continental Army for the Americans and was killed at the Battle of Quebec in 1775,
Dublin-born Richard Montgomery is believed to be the first American general killed in the American Revolution. While he fought for the British in the French and Indian War, Montgomery became a Brigadier General of the Continental Army for the Americans and was killed at the Battle of Quebec in 1775,
Saturday, September 13, 2014
Irish Thought for September 13...
Quotations
If this humor be the safety of our race, then it due largely to the infusion into the American people of the Irish brain.
-William Howard Taft
If this humor be the safety of our race, then it due largely to the infusion into the American people of the Irish brain.
-William Howard Taft
Friday, September 12, 2014
Irish Thought for September 12...
Kansas City Irish Fest News
Some Theatre of the Imagination pics from the weekend...every time I saw the kids from the audience get on the stage and perform, I saw those kids having a great time!!!
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Some Theatre of the Imagination pics from the weekend...every time I saw the kids from the audience get on the stage and perform, I saw those kids having a great time!!!
Thursday, September 11, 2014
Irish Thought for September 11...
Irish-American By The Numbers
The potato famine that struck Ireland in the mid-19th century - called An Gorta Mór ("The Great Hunger") - was a devastating blight that wiped out the entire potato harvest. One-third of Ireland's people depended on the potato as their primary sustenance, and more than one million people died. (It's now believed that many lives could have been saved had the English government responded more humanely (or at all humanely, if you ask me), since there were other crops and sources of food that could have been directed to the afflicted). For America, the Great Potato Famine led to to a save of immigration that marked the beginning of the Irish-American experience - more than one million Irish came to the United States between 1845 and 1855.
The potato famine that struck Ireland in the mid-19th century - called An Gorta Mór ("The Great Hunger") - was a devastating blight that wiped out the entire potato harvest. One-third of Ireland's people depended on the potato as their primary sustenance, and more than one million people died. (It's now believed that many lives could have been saved had the English government responded more humanely (or at all humanely, if you ask me), since there were other crops and sources of food that could have been directed to the afflicted). For America, the Great Potato Famine led to to a save of immigration that marked the beginning of the Irish-American experience - more than one million Irish came to the United States between 1845 and 1855.
Wednesday, September 10, 2014
Irish Thought for September 10...
Irish Food
Bangers
Another word for sausages, bangers are an Irish favorite in both pubs and homes. The name is rumored to date to World War II when pork was rationed, and so resourceful sausage makers supplemented their supply by adding breadcrumbs and extra water to the traditional sausage mixture. Because of the additional water, the sausages had tendency to explode with a loud "Bang!" when cooked. Now the name bangers has been expanded to include all Irish sausages, including those made with beef. Bangers are often served with mashed potatoes, creating the ultimate Irish comfort food combination, bangers and mash.
Bangers
Another word for sausages, bangers are an Irish favorite in both pubs and homes. The name is rumored to date to World War II when pork was rationed, and so resourceful sausage makers supplemented their supply by adding breadcrumbs and extra water to the traditional sausage mixture. Because of the additional water, the sausages had tendency to explode with a loud "Bang!" when cooked. Now the name bangers has been expanded to include all Irish sausages, including those made with beef. Bangers are often served with mashed potatoes, creating the ultimate Irish comfort food combination, bangers and mash.
Tuesday, September 9, 2014
Irish Thought for September 9...
Gaelic Sports
Handball
Very similar to American handball, Gaelic handball is a game where two players (singles) or four players (doubles) use their gloved hands to return a small rubber ball against a wall, with scoring similar to volleyball. Either the left or right hand can be used to hit the ball.
Handball
Very similar to American handball, Gaelic handball is a game where two players (singles) or four players (doubles) use their gloved hands to return a small rubber ball against a wall, with scoring similar to volleyball. Either the left or right hand can be used to hit the ball.
Monday, September 8, 2014
Sunday, September 7, 2014
Irish Thought for September 7...
Irish-American Facts
The St. Patrick's Day Parade in New York City is the largest parade in the world, with hundred of thousands of marchers and millions of spectators along its one-and-a-half-mile route. The parade started in 1762, and it was the first civilian parade in the world. For over 150 years it has been led by the 69th Infantry Regiment of New York - the "Fighting Sixty-Ninth" - a regiment with an Irish heritage and a history dating back to the American Revolution.
The St. Patrick's Day Parade in New York City is the largest parade in the world, with hundred of thousands of marchers and millions of spectators along its one-and-a-half-mile route. The parade started in 1762, and it was the first civilian parade in the world. For over 150 years it has been led by the 69th Infantry Regiment of New York - the "Fighting Sixty-Ninth" - a regiment with an Irish heritage and a history dating back to the American Revolution.
Saturday, September 6, 2014
Irish Thought for September 6...
Irish Trivia
After a long period of inclement weather, a lone sunny day that suddenly arrives in Ireland is sometimes known as a "pet day."
After a long period of inclement weather, a lone sunny day that suddenly arrives in Ireland is sometimes known as a "pet day."
Friday, September 5, 2014
Irish Thought for September 5...
Kansas City Irish Fest News
Meet Mikayla, Kenealy, Jake, and Alex. These talented, enthusiastic young adults were responsible this weekend for the Children's Area of Washington Park. They kept our Irish Fest young guests safe and hopping with fun.
I am so proud of each of them individually and as a team. They went beyond my expectations for making sure that everyone in the Park was having a great time and safe. They dealt with Heat, a KC monsoon and a KC Hurricane, and still came through smiling.
Meet Mikayla, Kenealy, Jake, and Alex. These talented, enthusiastic young adults were responsible this weekend for the Children's Area of Washington Park. They kept our Irish Fest young guests safe and hopping with fun.
I am so proud of each of them individually and as a team. They went beyond my expectations for making sure that everyone in the Park was having a great time and safe. They dealt with Heat, a KC monsoon and a KC Hurricane, and still came through smiling.
Thursday, September 4, 2014
Irish Thought for September 4...
Kansas City Irish Fest Fun
This is Josephine, she won the Costume Contest on Friday. She is 7 yrs old. She fit perfectly into our Irish Woodlands theme!
This is Josephine, she won the Costume Contest on Friday. She is 7 yrs old. She fit perfectly into our Irish Woodlands theme!
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
Irish Thought for September 3...
Kansas City Irish Fest Fun
I got a hold of one of the examples of beautiful tree art that was created in our ArtRageous tent this year. This picture has been put on Facebook to enter our contest for the most likes. Go take a look!
I got a hold of one of the examples of beautiful tree art that was created in our ArtRageous tent this year. This picture has been put on Facebook to enter our contest for the most likes. Go take a look!
Tuesday, September 2, 2014
Irish Thought for September 2...
Irish Blessings
May you always have a clean shirt, a clear conscience, and enough coins in your pocket to buy a pint.
May you always have a clean shirt, a clear conscience, and enough coins in your pocket to buy a pint.
Monday, September 1, 2014
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