The GAA role in The Rising of 1916 and news from Ireland
PDX HIBERNIAN INDEPENDENT
Volume Two. Number Twenty-Seven. May 16, 2024
More than an email. Less than a newspaper. In your email box the first and third Thursday morning of every month. Published by The Portland Hibernian Society.
MEETING TONIGHT - Thursday May 16, Six p.m. Kells Restaurant on SW Second. No host dinner followed by meeting at 6:45 p.m.
THE LONG ARM(S) OF AN IRISH LEGEND
The story of Ireland is the story of its people. Just ask Dan Holden. Our in-house historian has a story for us tonight that’s both Dickensesque and Bunyanesque, in the tradition of Charles and Paul respectively. So, enjoy the traditional Irish cuisine at Kells, have a pint perhaps and travel with Dan back to Ireland in the early 1800s for the fascinating story of Dan Donnelly. There were few rules and no regulations for boxing in those days. According to (urban) legend, Dan's arms were so long he could touch his knees without bending down. And there’s proof. DAN HOLDEN WILL SPEAK AT SEVEN P.M.
IRELAND’S INDIGENOUS SPORTS EMPIRE
The Gaelic Athletic Association is unlike any other sports federation in the world. And it’s organization is truly worldwide, with 400 GAA clubs around the world and more than 6,000 players in the USA. Greater Portland is well represented in the GAA. Tony Valley from Columbia Red Branch will give us a GAA show-and-tell about the unique Irish sports of hurling, Gaelic football and camogie.
SOME CALL THE GAA THE IRA
The history of the GAA and the history of Ireland intersect often. For instance, here's an example from the GAA's website: Although not officially involved, many members of the GAA took part in the 1916 Rising. GAA activities throughout the country came to a halt as many of the Association's members were imprisoned. After the 1916 Rising the British Authorities severely curtailed the movement of traffic throughout Ireland and this included trains taking people to Croke Park. The finances of the GAA suffered severely as a result.
MEET UP AT MT. CALVARY ON MONDAY, MAY 27
Any plans for Memorial Day? The All Ireland Cultural Society gathers at the Oregon Potato Famine Memorial on Mount Calvary annually on the last Monday of May. This year the ceremony will begin at Ten A.M. For those who are interested, some of us will be gathering at Kells Brewery on NW 21st for lunch at Noon. Memorial Day was created after the Civil War. Soldiers born in Ireland served on both sides. There were 150,000 Irish Americans in the Union Army and 40,000 in the ranks of the Confederacy.
SOME NEWS FROM IRELAND
ALL THE LONELY PEOPLE
In Europe, Ireland has more than its share of lonely people. A comprehensive survey conducted late last year had found that Ireland – land of a thousand welcomes, endless crack, all that – was, in fact, the loneliest country in the entire continent, reports the Irish Times.
BOOK OF KELLS IS BIG BUSINESS
When student demonstrations at Trinity College in Dublin caused the library there to close the doors to the long lines of pilgrims, it cost the University a significant amount of income. No wonder Trinity College wanted to end the student protest. It earns about €17 million a year from the Book of Kells and while this is only about 4 per cent of total income, it is vital free cash in a tight funding picture.
WHICH WAY WILL THE WINDS BLOW?
Sinn Fein USA reminds us Ireland has its own election dramas in rehearsal. It is election season. Doors are being knocked. Posters hang in full bloom from lampposts. On June 7th, voters across the south will go out to elect new County Councilors and Members of the European Parliament.
RORY MC ILROY WINS THEN FILES FOR DIVORCE
Ashford Castle in County Mayo had never hosted anything like Rory McIlroy's wedding seven years ago. But that particular fairy tale doesn't have a happy ending, even as Rory savors another win on the PGA Tour and prepares for this weekend's PGA, not having won a Major in ten years.
