by
JC & Cairenn Sullivan
"If I have the honor conferred upon me to name your village, with the brightness of the morn, and the beaming of the sun on the hills and dales surrounding this beautiful valley, it would give me great pleasure to name your new town after my birthplace, Dublin, Ireland."
Never would John Shields, surveyor of the land nestled on the banks of Ohio's Scioto River, have imagined his words being quoted 189 years after he spoke them. And, never in his imagination would he have pictured folks coming from near and far to honor the culture of his native land.
The growth of the Dublin Irish Festival is a continuing indicator of the popularity of Irish culture and it's phenomenal growth. Hosted by the City of Dublin, Ohio, you know you're in for a special experience when drive in and are immediately greeted with references to Ireland - from the shamrocks painted on city-owned property to the street names sporting monikers such as Tullamore, Gullway and Emerald Parkway.
Held in conjunction with the Columbus Feis, parking is adjacent to the festival grounds or close by at Coffman High School, where the Feis is staged. Stops for the free shuttle are well marked. Upon entering the festival grounds, clearly marked signs direct you to the six stages and/or areas you might wish to begin in. The reasons one attends an Irish Festival are varied but if the strings linking all of us can be summed into four categories - music, food, shop and camaraderie. The latter includes refreshments, of course.
SHOPS
Shopping at the vendor tents at Irish Festivals for a few years now, we've found one thing missing - tanktops. We have sweaters, sweatshirts and tee shirts coming out the yazoo - but no tank tops. Well, thanks be to God for Philadelphia's Dennery's. Now, there may be others, but Mike's is the first we've seen. Brilliant.
"We came in here yesterday and the City Manager, Tim Hansley, was out in the parking lot. He actually took time to tell us exactly where to go, led us to our spot, even though that wasn't what he was doing at the moment," said exhibitor Pat Foley. "So, everybody has been really helpful." Foley makes wood furniture with an Irish motif - "all the way from shallows to tables, display cases to music boxes with Irish tunes." Because of the special niche they occupy, meaning no one else is doing exactly what the Foleys do. Pat and Sheila will exhibitors at the Milwaukee Irish Festival - the first year they applied.
Other noteworthy exhibitors were Keltic Outfitters, Columbus, Ohio, a source for County Tartans in necktie and shawl and scarves; Cahill Crafted Garden Houses and Gazebos with the Enchanting Thatch Roof Collection, William Cahill, Cincinnati, Ohio.
MUSIC/ENTERTAINMENT
There is musical variety at the Dublin Festival to suit every eclectic taste. Being Clevelanders we are, quite naturally, drawn to the rock stage. The most energetic groups booked were Tempest and the Prodigals. Of the two, Cairenn liked Tempest best because of their authentic fashion. They've been recording since 1988 and have played more than 1000 performances and have released 7 CD's. Although they've been described as folk-rock, their style is based around traditional folk music and they definitely rock.
"If you're going to rock, make something original with your rock," Cairenn said. "However, I can see that when a good song is a good song, it can be done in many different ways. That's what keeps it young and alive for generations to come. I preferred Tempest for the original work that they did. They actually are rockers."
JC, on the other hand, preferred the Prodigals. The group voted #1 in an Irish Echo newspaper Readers Poll. The Prodigals hail from Cavan, Clare, Dublin and New York; they feature a driving, high-energy take on Irish music, fusing strong traditional elements with a rock energy.
Being one who likes that old time rock and roll, JC, too, enjoyed Tempest very much. "But I also liked the Prodigals interpretations of songs that I knew. I like their musical approach to some of these 'old' tunes. It's just as original when you set your own style and interpretation to it.
The lads, Greg Grene, lead vocals/button accordion, Andrew Harkin, bass, Ray Kelly, lead vocals/guitar and Brian Tracey, drums/percussion/background vocals, formed two years ago and are already playing some of the highest-prestige venues around, evidenced by their appearance in Dublin. When they are not on the road they are the resident band at Paddy Reilly's Music Bar in Manhattan, a position they took over from Black '47.
It's always refreshing, of course, to see so many of our youth attracted to our culture. This could not be more evident than in the work of St. Louis Irish Arts, Inc. Founded in 1972, they are a well-established school with a variety of programs in traditional Irish music, song and dance. Instruction is offered in music, singing and step dancing for children and adults. Classes in fiddle, tin whistle, accordion, harp, harmonica, flute and bodhran are held at a learning center and workshops through.
God bless their work - they bring out the best in us.
The lads in the Civil War uniforms were not reenactors but a group headed up by David Kincaid - the Irish Volunteer. Their niche is "the Irish Volunteer - Songs of the Irish Union Soldier 1861-65." Using his background as a musician in the roots-rock band, The Brandoes, David began to do research to find the ballads of the more than 160,000 Irish who fought in the famed Irish Brigade.
Listening to the tunes is a delightful experience. One can imagine themselves around a Union campfire with the Army of the Potomac. Kincaid et al does more than sing, however. His real contribution is the teaching of Irish-American history to our youth and those of us who are life-long students. How many of us knew, for example, that the courageous Michael Corcoran, initial leader of the Irish Brigade, refused to march his unit for the purpose of honoring England's Prince of Wales? The simplicity of the guitar, fiddle and mandolin played to Irish tempo and tunes, is time-honored. Hearing the Gaelic songs caused a tingling sensation in the body, as if the genes passed to the current repositor from the ancient ones have said, "Thanks, I haven't heard that one in awhile."
The Irish Volunteer is a collection of twelve songs from the American Civil War, centering on the Union army's famed "Irish Brigade," recruited and commanded by Brigadier General Thomas F. Meagher. The album is the product of years of research, including Civil War reenacting, and seven months of arranging and recording. Great care was taken to give the album an authentic, 19th century feel and sound, from the use of only period style instruments and vocal harmonies, to the enlisting of some of the finest musicians in Irish traditional music.
We saw them at the Milwaukee Irish Festival and we've seen them in Dublin. Donegal's Altan, lead by the forever young and beautiful Mairead ni Mhaonaigh. A renowned fiddler and Gaelic singer, she and the group continue to give the audience Irish ballads, jigs and modern, folk-influenced music with the sounds of flute, fiddle, guitar and other instruments. Their performance in Dublin was as fresh today as it was when Frankie Kennedy was still with us. Undated and therefore popular with many, their music reaches into the strands of time. This is reflected in the success of the nine albums they've produced during a thirteen-year musical career, which has also landed them a contract with Virgin Records.
TOUR
No visit to Dublin is complete without experiencing the beauty of the Church of St. Bridgid of Kildare. We had the fortune of being guided by Dr. Robert Fathman and his beautiful wife Gina (Rodgers). Originally from Detroit, he is the unofficial Mayor of Dublin. "The church was constructed in 1991. When the parish was first established, Christmas Eve Midnight Mass was celebrated in the horse barn," he said. "With horses in the stalls, a dirt floor beneath their feet and faith in their heart, parishioners sat on bales of hay." The renovated original horse barn is still standing.
"The exterior structure is modeled after the Church of Ireland Cathedral in Kildare," Gina added. "Inside one finds contributions from various Catholic churches in Ohio and the world. The hand-carved doors date from the Spanish Colonial period, an original gift to us from Holy Family Church in Columbus. The two bronze angles, Michael the Archangel, and Angel with Jug, are from 17th century Naples."
The altar contains a stone from the 13th century central tower of the St. Brigid of Kildare Cathedral in Kildare, Ireland. A hand-carved statue of St. Bridgid is from Italy and rest on an elaborately carved 16th century Sicilian wood column. "The Vestment Case is walnut, and was made in the mid 1800s for St. Augustus Church in New Straitsville, Perry County, Ohio," Gina offered.
We wrapped up our visit on Sunday morning, finding many visitors from around the country and State. Cleveland's Ed & Ann O'Donnell were on their first visit to the festival. "I'm duly impressed," he said. "With the resources of the City of Dublin to help, there's no other Irish Festival in Ohio that currently comes close to this."
Indeed, the City of Dublin provides the finest of rest facilities. Everything is either a permanent fixture in Coffman Park or the type that are inside trailers. None of those small portable-types are used, making it a truly world-class Festival. It could not be staged without the, count 'em, six hundred volunteers from among its 29,000 residents.
Were there any complaints? We only heard one - there was no Guinness to be had!
Friday, November 27, 2009
Thursday, November 26, 2009
The O'Sullivans of Skibereen and Sullivans of Cleveland, Ohio
by
J.C. Sullivan
Counties Kerry and Cork have certainly contributed many, many successful and storied sons and daughters to the world. One such story is that of the O’Sullivans of Skibereen and Cleveland, Ohio. A stonecutter by trade, he emigrated from Cobh to Ellis Island. From there he traveled to Ohio where he worked the stone quarries and built a home in Grafton, Ohio. He always referred to America as “This magnificent country.” His spouse was Catherine Harty from Clonmel, County Tipperary. It is believed she emigrated through Canada.
Like so many of the famine era, Frank J, Sullivan left from Cobh to Ellis Island and from there made his way to Cleveland, Ohio. He was later described as a “handsome version” of the American union leader John L. Lewis. Whoever saw the comparison was probably not aware that John L. Lewis had Vera O’Sullivan roots himself.
Frank J. married Margaret Jamieson, and eventually eight young Sullivans were added to the clan; Frank C., Delphine, William, Edwin, Thomas L., Katherine, Charles and John, who was called “Jack.” All the sons except Charles would work in the paint business at one time or another. But it was Frank Charles who landed a job at Arco Paint in the early 1900s.
Initially working as an electric company linesman and business agent for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), he was elected union treasurer and moved the family to their headquarters in Springfield, Illinois. However, he found the politics of it distasteful and sent his growing family back to Cleveland where a relative gave them a place to stay until Frank J. could return. The family eventually settled on Cleveland’s near West Side, in the predominantly Irish parish of St. Colman.
Frank landed a job at the Municipal Light Company and taught electrical theory at night at a technical school. His brother-in-law was Divisional Sales Manager at Arco Paint and brought him aboard, part-time, as a mail sorter. Frank J.’s son, Frank C., joined him at the firm. After three years Frank J. left the firm to be come the Eastern Sales Manager for Acorn Chemical Co. Frank C. joined his father two years later, in 1918.
Frank C. was blessed with the best of the Ui Suileabhain genes, personable, intelligent, handsome and one who readily made friends. His early leadership was evident at West High School where he was president of the honor society and his senior class and captain of the basketball team. During his summers he attended classes at the Culver Summer Naval School, an extension of the Culver Military Academy in Indiana. It was there he met his future bride, Margaret (Peg) Wilhemy.
Even though he entered Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, Frank C. never severed his ties with Acorn. In his spare time he sold Acorn products to farmers in southwestern Ohio. Here he learned a hard lesson that he took with him throughout his career. Knowing the farmer was buying products from a competitor, Frank told him Acorn’s product was just as good. The astute farmer said the product he was currently using was “no damn good.” The farmer bought two drums off Frank but told him to never compare his product with his competitors’.
The union of Frank C. and Peg Wilhemy produced Frank C., Jr., nicknamed Sully, Margaret Patricia, Joan, Catherine, Suzanne and Tom. “We had a very happy upbringing,” Sue said. “My dad traveled a fair amount, but when he was home, there was a lot of togetherness. Sunday afternoon was everybody lying on the floor reading the paper.”
Frank was exempted from service in World War II due to his age and family status but four of the Sullivan boys served overseas. Following the war Frank played a key role in Acorn’s success. During the years of the Depression he negotiated a deal that would mean giving up a salary in exchange for 30% of the profit he would be able to generate. His philosophy was simple – hire the best salesmen in the industry and let them do their jobs.
His attempt to purchase the company failed so, with the owners’ blessing, he struck out and joined Basic Metals to sell aluminum pigment to Acorn and all aluminum coatings companies. He brokered a contract with Basic Metals to market and distribute the aluminum pigment and inside of a year, in 1947, he bought the company out. Republic Powdered Metals was formed, known today as RPM, Inc.
Frank’s son, Thomas C. Sullivan, a U.S. Navy veteran, has lead the company to become a $2 billion enterprise, becoming a world leader in specialty coatings. Although RPM doesn’t ring any bells with readers, they will recognize the names of Day-Glo and Rust-Oleum among others. As Chairman of the National Paint & Coatings Association, which represents some 400 manufacturers, suppliers and distributors, he negotiated a milestone agreement establishing lead exposure warnings and education programs. He was named CEO of the Decade by Financial World magazine was honored by the Cleveland Irish community at their 2007 Walks of Life Award.
This writer was pleased to have met Tom Sullivan at the 2007 Walks of Life awards in Cleveland as I was able to finally to meet a member of the family that I knew about for so very long. I told Tom a story my late father told me. An undercover Cleveland police officer (detective), Dad had entered an office on Franklin Avenue, on Cleveland’s west side (Acorn Chemical/Refining). As he walked into the office the secretary looked up and said, “Good morning, Mr. Sullivan.” My father was stunned. His immediate thought was “How the heck would she know who I am?” Dad heard a door open behind him. The secretary looked over dad’s shoulder and a look of astonishment came over her face. Dad turned around and said it was like looking into a mirror. Details of their conversation are long lost but I’m certain that Frank J. and John J. attempted to cross reference both our families’ Cork roots. And both families have not forgotten those roots, giving back to the community from which we spring.
Tom Sullivan’s wife, Sandy, has been very involved in many community endeavors.
“My mother was very involved in different organizations for the betterment of other folks,” said Sandy Sullivan. “I was always trying to get my hand in a little bit of this, and Tom was always saying, “Hey, you have a huge responsibility with our family, and let’s wait until our kids are grown. Then I promise you that I’ll get involved along with you.’”
Founded by the Ursuline Sisters of Cleveland in 1968, the Sullivan family supports The Urban Community School, a safe haven where children of all ethnicities and religious persuasions go to learn. Its current endowment is $9 million. The family is also involved with the old Saint Patrick’s Church on Cleveland’s near West Side, St. Malachi Church and Malachi House, the latter founded by Tom’s sister Kaki. The Malachi House provides a home for the terminally ill who are indigent.
In October, 2007, yet another generation of Skibereen O’Sullivans assumed leadership of the firm when Tom announced his retirement. Like his father and grandfather, Frank C. Sullivan attended Culver Military Academy but pursued his university education at the University of North Carolina as a Morehead Scholar. Now President and Chief Executive Officer, RPM International Inc., Frank received his B.A. degree in 1983. From 1983 to 1986, he held various commercial lending and corporate finance positions at Harris Bank and First Union National Bank prior to joining RPM as a Technical Service Representative from 1987 to 1988 and as Regional Sales Manager from 1988 to 1989 at RPM's AGR Company joint venture. In 1989, he became the Company's Director of Corporate Development.
He became a Vice President of the Company in 1991, Chief Financial Officer in 1993, Executive Vice President in 1995, President in 1999, and Chief Operating Officer in 2001 and was elected Chief Executive Officer in October 2002. He serves on the boards of The Timken Company, The Cleveland Foundation, the Greater Cleveland Chapter of the American Red Cross, the Cleveland Clinic Foundation's Digestive Disease Center Leadership Board, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, the Greater Cleveland Partnership and Ohio Business Roundtable.
Cleveland, northeast Ohio and elsewhere have been enriched by an enormously successful family who has managed, despite the trappings of wealth, to keep their feet on the ground. Way to go Sullivans! And, once again, thank you Ireland.
J.C. Sullivan
Counties Kerry and Cork have certainly contributed many, many successful and storied sons and daughters to the world. One such story is that of the O’Sullivans of Skibereen and Cleveland, Ohio. A stonecutter by trade, he emigrated from Cobh to Ellis Island. From there he traveled to Ohio where he worked the stone quarries and built a home in Grafton, Ohio. He always referred to America as “This magnificent country.” His spouse was Catherine Harty from Clonmel, County Tipperary. It is believed she emigrated through Canada.
Like so many of the famine era, Frank J, Sullivan left from Cobh to Ellis Island and from there made his way to Cleveland, Ohio. He was later described as a “handsome version” of the American union leader John L. Lewis. Whoever saw the comparison was probably not aware that John L. Lewis had Vera O’Sullivan roots himself.
Frank J. married Margaret Jamieson, and eventually eight young Sullivans were added to the clan; Frank C., Delphine, William, Edwin, Thomas L., Katherine, Charles and John, who was called “Jack.” All the sons except Charles would work in the paint business at one time or another. But it was Frank Charles who landed a job at Arco Paint in the early 1900s.
Initially working as an electric company linesman and business agent for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), he was elected union treasurer and moved the family to their headquarters in Springfield, Illinois. However, he found the politics of it distasteful and sent his growing family back to Cleveland where a relative gave them a place to stay until Frank J. could return. The family eventually settled on Cleveland’s near West Side, in the predominantly Irish parish of St. Colman.
Frank landed a job at the Municipal Light Company and taught electrical theory at night at a technical school. His brother-in-law was Divisional Sales Manager at Arco Paint and brought him aboard, part-time, as a mail sorter. Frank J.’s son, Frank C., joined him at the firm. After three years Frank J. left the firm to be come the Eastern Sales Manager for Acorn Chemical Co. Frank C. joined his father two years later, in 1918.
Frank C. was blessed with the best of the Ui Suileabhain genes, personable, intelligent, handsome and one who readily made friends. His early leadership was evident at West High School where he was president of the honor society and his senior class and captain of the basketball team. During his summers he attended classes at the Culver Summer Naval School, an extension of the Culver Military Academy in Indiana. It was there he met his future bride, Margaret (Peg) Wilhemy.
Even though he entered Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, Frank C. never severed his ties with Acorn. In his spare time he sold Acorn products to farmers in southwestern Ohio. Here he learned a hard lesson that he took with him throughout his career. Knowing the farmer was buying products from a competitor, Frank told him Acorn’s product was just as good. The astute farmer said the product he was currently using was “no damn good.” The farmer bought two drums off Frank but told him to never compare his product with his competitors’.
The union of Frank C. and Peg Wilhemy produced Frank C., Jr., nicknamed Sully, Margaret Patricia, Joan, Catherine, Suzanne and Tom. “We had a very happy upbringing,” Sue said. “My dad traveled a fair amount, but when he was home, there was a lot of togetherness. Sunday afternoon was everybody lying on the floor reading the paper.”
Frank was exempted from service in World War II due to his age and family status but four of the Sullivan boys served overseas. Following the war Frank played a key role in Acorn’s success. During the years of the Depression he negotiated a deal that would mean giving up a salary in exchange for 30% of the profit he would be able to generate. His philosophy was simple – hire the best salesmen in the industry and let them do their jobs.
His attempt to purchase the company failed so, with the owners’ blessing, he struck out and joined Basic Metals to sell aluminum pigment to Acorn and all aluminum coatings companies. He brokered a contract with Basic Metals to market and distribute the aluminum pigment and inside of a year, in 1947, he bought the company out. Republic Powdered Metals was formed, known today as RPM, Inc.
Frank’s son, Thomas C. Sullivan, a U.S. Navy veteran, has lead the company to become a $2 billion enterprise, becoming a world leader in specialty coatings. Although RPM doesn’t ring any bells with readers, they will recognize the names of Day-Glo and Rust-Oleum among others. As Chairman of the National Paint & Coatings Association, which represents some 400 manufacturers, suppliers and distributors, he negotiated a milestone agreement establishing lead exposure warnings and education programs. He was named CEO of the Decade by Financial World magazine was honored by the Cleveland Irish community at their 2007 Walks of Life Award.
This writer was pleased to have met Tom Sullivan at the 2007 Walks of Life awards in Cleveland as I was able to finally to meet a member of the family that I knew about for so very long. I told Tom a story my late father told me. An undercover Cleveland police officer (detective), Dad had entered an office on Franklin Avenue, on Cleveland’s west side (Acorn Chemical/Refining). As he walked into the office the secretary looked up and said, “Good morning, Mr. Sullivan.” My father was stunned. His immediate thought was “How the heck would she know who I am?” Dad heard a door open behind him. The secretary looked over dad’s shoulder and a look of astonishment came over her face. Dad turned around and said it was like looking into a mirror. Details of their conversation are long lost but I’m certain that Frank J. and John J. attempted to cross reference both our families’ Cork roots. And both families have not forgotten those roots, giving back to the community from which we spring.
Tom Sullivan’s wife, Sandy, has been very involved in many community endeavors.
“My mother was very involved in different organizations for the betterment of other folks,” said Sandy Sullivan. “I was always trying to get my hand in a little bit of this, and Tom was always saying, “Hey, you have a huge responsibility with our family, and let’s wait until our kids are grown. Then I promise you that I’ll get involved along with you.’”
Founded by the Ursuline Sisters of Cleveland in 1968, the Sullivan family supports The Urban Community School, a safe haven where children of all ethnicities and religious persuasions go to learn. Its current endowment is $9 million. The family is also involved with the old Saint Patrick’s Church on Cleveland’s near West Side, St. Malachi Church and Malachi House, the latter founded by Tom’s sister Kaki. The Malachi House provides a home for the terminally ill who are indigent.
In October, 2007, yet another generation of Skibereen O’Sullivans assumed leadership of the firm when Tom announced his retirement. Like his father and grandfather, Frank C. Sullivan attended Culver Military Academy but pursued his university education at the University of North Carolina as a Morehead Scholar. Now President and Chief Executive Officer, RPM International Inc., Frank received his B.A. degree in 1983. From 1983 to 1986, he held various commercial lending and corporate finance positions at Harris Bank and First Union National Bank prior to joining RPM as a Technical Service Representative from 1987 to 1988 and as Regional Sales Manager from 1988 to 1989 at RPM's AGR Company joint venture. In 1989, he became the Company's Director of Corporate Development.
He became a Vice President of the Company in 1991, Chief Financial Officer in 1993, Executive Vice President in 1995, President in 1999, and Chief Operating Officer in 2001 and was elected Chief Executive Officer in October 2002. He serves on the boards of The Timken Company, The Cleveland Foundation, the Greater Cleveland Chapter of the American Red Cross, the Cleveland Clinic Foundation's Digestive Disease Center Leadership Board, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, the Greater Cleveland Partnership and Ohio Business Roundtable.
Cleveland, northeast Ohio and elsewhere have been enriched by an enormously successful family who has managed, despite the trappings of wealth, to keep their feet on the ground. Way to go Sullivans! And, once again, thank you Ireland.
Stone Mad - A Gem in the Inner Ring
by
JC Sullivan
The first story about the family that appeared in the Mayo News is framed and hanging in a place of honor on a wall at the Tree House in Cleveland’s historic Tremont area. The pub thrives, with an upbeat crowd always present. They’ve purchased property here and elsewhere in Cleveland and continue their leadership and entrepreneurship. “They” are the Leneghan and Campbell families, with roots in Ballycroy.
Clevelander Patrick J. Campbell joined Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance in April, 1998, rehearsing in Newcastle, England. He then performed for eight years, ten shows a week, six days, at the New York, New York Hotel and Casino and Venetian Hotel, both in Las Vegas, Nevada. It was during his time he met a lovely Dublin lass and fellow Irish dancer, Rebecca Brady. She became Mrs. Campbell and, in 2006, they returned to Cleveland to continue their affiliation with Irish dance. This time, however, it’s there own dance academy, above their own tavern.
The Brady-Campbell Irish Dance School is teaching youngsters the joy of Irish dance in a hall above P.J. McIntyre’s, an elegant Kamm’s Corner Irish pub. “We want kids to come and learn what we’ve learned through our leap in Irish dancing, and have fun doing it, both competitively and recreationally.”
More can be learned about them at their website, bradycampbellirishdanceschcool.com. “There’ll be a new session in September,” he said, “with an Open House in August.”
Below the dance hall is the pub. Patrick is President and co-owner, along with his cousin, Tom Leneghan. Patrick’s father, also Patrick, is a Ballycroy, County Mayo, Ireland native. He married an Irish-American girl, Mary McIntyre, whose parents were from Achill and Newport, Co. Mayo. The name PJ McIntyre’s is derived from Patrick’s initials and his mother’s maiden name.
Christ called Peter the rock of his church. Another Peter, Leneghan, has built his rock, Stone Mad, in an upscale pub/restaurant on Cleveland’s near west side, in what’s called the Detroit-Shoreway neighborhood. Stone Mad is in a changing area that used to be prominently Italian. While there are still Italian-Americans living there, there’s also Vietnamese, African-American and Hispanic communities residing there.
Where on God’s green earth does a name like Stone Mad come from? “I met a stone mason in Ireland who had written a book called Stone Mad.,” said Pete, not to be confused with his cousin ‘Irish Pete’.
Eileen Sammon is a co-owner of Stone Mad. She’s been with Tom & Pete Leneghan since 1996. “I came from the restaurant end of this business and hey kind of took me under their wing. They’re two guys I really grew fond of,” she said. Paul Jones, also a long-time Tree House employee, is the Bar Manager. “When we first started talking about this we wanted to do a Bocce Ball court. When Pete had his Central Park carriage business he used to go to a restaurant that had one so he wanted to incorporate that here.”
JC Sullivan
The first story about the family that appeared in the Mayo News is framed and hanging in a place of honor on a wall at the Tree House in Cleveland’s historic Tremont area. The pub thrives, with an upbeat crowd always present. They’ve purchased property here and elsewhere in Cleveland and continue their leadership and entrepreneurship. “They” are the Leneghan and Campbell families, with roots in Ballycroy.
Clevelander Patrick J. Campbell joined Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance in April, 1998, rehearsing in Newcastle, England. He then performed for eight years, ten shows a week, six days, at the New York, New York Hotel and Casino and Venetian Hotel, both in Las Vegas, Nevada. It was during his time he met a lovely Dublin lass and fellow Irish dancer, Rebecca Brady. She became Mrs. Campbell and, in 2006, they returned to Cleveland to continue their affiliation with Irish dance. This time, however, it’s there own dance academy, above their own tavern.
The Brady-Campbell Irish Dance School is teaching youngsters the joy of Irish dance in a hall above P.J. McIntyre’s, an elegant Kamm’s Corner Irish pub. “We want kids to come and learn what we’ve learned through our leap in Irish dancing, and have fun doing it, both competitively and recreationally.”
More can be learned about them at their website, bradycampbellirishdanceschcool.com. “There’ll be a new session in September,” he said, “with an Open House in August.”
Below the dance hall is the pub. Patrick is President and co-owner, along with his cousin, Tom Leneghan. Patrick’s father, also Patrick, is a Ballycroy, County Mayo, Ireland native. He married an Irish-American girl, Mary McIntyre, whose parents were from Achill and Newport, Co. Mayo. The name PJ McIntyre’s is derived from Patrick’s initials and his mother’s maiden name.
Christ called Peter the rock of his church. Another Peter, Leneghan, has built his rock, Stone Mad, in an upscale pub/restaurant on Cleveland’s near west side, in what’s called the Detroit-Shoreway neighborhood. Stone Mad is in a changing area that used to be prominently Italian. While there are still Italian-Americans living there, there’s also Vietnamese, African-American and Hispanic communities residing there.
Where on God’s green earth does a name like Stone Mad come from? “I met a stone mason in Ireland who had written a book called Stone Mad.,” said Pete, not to be confused with his cousin ‘Irish Pete’.
Eileen Sammon is a co-owner of Stone Mad. She’s been with Tom & Pete Leneghan since 1996. “I came from the restaurant end of this business and hey kind of took me under their wing. They’re two guys I really grew fond of,” she said. Paul Jones, also a long-time Tree House employee, is the Bar Manager. “When we first started talking about this we wanted to do a Bocce Ball court. When Pete had his Central Park carriage business he used to go to a restaurant that had one so he wanted to incorporate that here.”
Saturday, November 21, 2009
HAVING A BALL IN BALLINA - Reprinted with permission
by Mike Morley
While looking through the Irish papers recently, I ran across some mouth-watering classic pastry dishes from Ballina Mayo, guaranteed to make your Thanksgiving feast a truly elegant affair. Here’s just a few of the creations offered by Ballina baker Michael Foley: Penny plum cake, queen cake, anglesey cake, barm brack, saffron brack, plum pudding, chancellor’s pudding, orange, lemon almond and custard puddings, raspberry puffs, cheese cakes, parliament gingerbread, wellington biscuits, Victoria biscuits, and Italian gingerbread. Also on the menu are rhubarb, apple, cherry, currant, and gooseberry pies; mutton, lamb and beefsteak pies, mince pies and shrewsberries for your dining pleasure. Top off your feast with ginger nuts, coffee, and sweets of all kinds. Foley will even provide after-dinner cigars.
All these scrump-tilli-icious items to grace your holiday table, “And Many Others Too Numerous to Mention” can be found at Michael Foley’s Confectionary and Italian Warehouse on Knox St, in Ballina Mayo- “All orders punctually attended to”. Do you suppose Mr. Foley is affected by the current “hard times” in post “celtic tiger” Ireland? I can assure you with confidence that he is not.
In the News section we read: “An inquest was held at Ardnaree on yesterday, before Meredith Thompson, Esq. Coroner for county Sligo, on the body of a man named Thomas Munally of Cloonislane. …it appeared that the deceased and his family, consisting of a wife and eight children, have been in extreme destitution for several weeks; they had pawned their entire clothing, and all other available articles, for the purpose of purchasing food. On last Friday morning the deceased proceeded to join a working party under the drainage, when, after working for a short period, he dropped down from exhaustion in consequence of want of food, and shortly after expired. The jury unanimously found the following verdict-‘Death from starvation.’"
Truth is, Foley’s ad, along with Mr. Munnally’s shocking death, were both featured in the Ballina Chronicle of May 2nd 1849! The brutal starvation of Ireland had then been in progress three awful years. (Incidentally Michael Foley is also one of 3 carpenters listed in Slater’s directory of Ballina. One wonders whether the busy baker was also moonlighting in the booming coffin trade).
Reading that paper one might imagine the printer had somehow badly mixed together stories submitted from two entirely different countries- countries as different as the earth and moon… one flowing with riches, commodities and the warmth of social interaction; the other barren, toxic, uninhabitable.
The previous July the Telegraph reported the doings of Sir Roger Palmer, owner of no less than 90,000 acres in Mayo: “At Islandeady (between Castlebar and Westport) his 'crowbar invincibles', pulled down several houses, and drove forth the unfortunate inmates to sleep in the adjoining fields. On Thursday we witnessed the wretched creatures endeavouring to root out the timber of the houses, with the intention of constructing some sort of sheds to screen their children from the heavy rain falling at the time. The pitiless pelting storm has continued ever since, and if they have survived its severity, they must be more than human beings”.
Surely among the evicted were families with names common to North Mayo: Gallagher, Durkan, McHale, Barrett, McNulty, Brennan, Henry, Doyle, Harkin, Dogherty, Foy, Kelly, Loftus, Gaughan, and Lavelle.
On his extensive holdings around Castlebar and Ballinrobe another notorious and ruthless English landlord, George Charles Bingham, 3rd Earl of Lucan, was also evicting his tenants en masse:
Historian Cecil Blanche Woodham-Smith (Fitzgerald) - “The Reason Why”: “To the Earl of Lucan famine horrors were so many convincing demonstrations of the urgent necessity of clearing the land. The land could not support the people, could never support the people; so the people must go. He did not consider it was his responsibility, any more than the English Government considered it was their responsibility, to arrange how the people should go and where. He was getting nothing from his estates… A large part of the population of Ireland must disappear. Ten thousand people were ejected from the neighbourhood of Ballinrobe, and 15,000 acres cleared and put in charge of Scotsmen.
Several populous villages in the neighbourhood of Castlebar completely disappeared, farms being established on the sites. Behind Castlebar House the Earl of Lucan established a large dairy farm. …in the town of Castlebar itself -- whole streets were demolished and the stones from the walls used to build barns and boundary walls… 'crow-bar brigades' (would) pull down cabins over the heads of people who refused to leave them. The Bishop of Meath saw a cabin being pulled down over the heads of people dying of cholera: a winnowing sheet was placed over their bodies as they lay on the ground, and the cabin was demolished over their heads. He administered the Sacrament for the dying in the open air, and since it was during the equinoctial gales, in torrents of rain.
A 'machine of ropes and pulleys' was devised for the destruction of more solid houses. .. at one crack of the whip and pull of the horses the roof was brought in. It was found that two of these machines enabled a sheriff to evict as many families in a day as could be got through by a crowbar brigade of fifty men. Six thousand evictions might involve more than 40,000 people, as the average Irish family consisted of seven persons.
Sick and aged, little children, and women with child were alike thrust forth into the cold snows of winter... the few remaining tenants were forbidden to receive the outcasts ... The majority rendered penniless by the years of famine, wandered aimlessly about the roads and bogs till they found refuge in the workhouse- or the grave.
“The Castlebar Union workhouse had been built to hold 600-700 persons, but had never contained more than 140… Very many died, and since there were no coffins, their bodies were left to rot in the dead house. But there was food, however revolting, however meagre; and the Union was besieged. On October 26th, 1846, the Earl of Lucan, Chairman of the Board of Guardians, had declared the workhouse bankrupt, and, in spite of vehement protests from the Poor Law Commissioner, ordered the Castlebar Union to be entirely closed down. Starving mothers dragged their children to the Union doors and besought that they at least should be taken in. Whole families made their painful way from the wild lands and collapsed moaning in the courtyard when they were refused.”
Irish family names of South Mayo: Walsh, Burke, Gibbons, Prendergast, Joyce, Murray, Gallagher, Lydon, Heneghan, Murphy, O'Malley, Kelly, Moran, Duffy, O'Connor, Waldron, Farragher.
LORD LUCAN
PERFECTLY “LEGAL”: “It appeared that a new system of clearing land was being adopted in Mayo and that the processes now before the courts were novel in Ireland. There had previously been a right of levying a distress on goods and chattels for rent, but this year in Mayo there were no goods and chattels left, so the person of the debtor was to be attached -- that is, he was to be imprisoned. The husband and father was to be removed, and the wife and children were to be left to fend for themselves.”
It was a variation of Britain’s clearing and plantation policies carried out by Lord Mountjoy following Kinsale and the “Flight of Earls”; and later by Cromwell. But since slavery in the British Empire had ceased just 40 years earlier, the Irish families could no longer be sold overseas for a profit. They were simply left to die.
The Ballina paper also carried regular news of: “THE MILITARY FORCES IN IRELAND” As of May 9, 1849 there were “Ten regiments of cavalry, twenty-six of Infantry, and nine depots of infantry regiments are now stationed in Ireland, making in round numbers a total of about 31,000 men of ranks.”
45 regiments. Were they distributing relief, building shelters, manning field hospitals? Rev. Dr McEvoy, parish priest of Kells, wrote in The Nation, 25 October 1845: “With starvation at our doors, grimly staring us, vessels laden with our sole hopes of existence, our provisions, are hourly wafted from our every port. From one milling establishment I have last night seen not less than fifty dray loads of meal moving on to Drogheda, thence to go to feed the foreigner, leaving starvation and death the sure and certain fate of the toil and sweat that raised this food.”
Woodham-Smith described such a convoy of food being moved to Waterford for shipment to England: "The barges leave Clonmel once a week for this place, with the export supplies under convoy which, last Tuesday, consisted of two guns, 50 cavalry and 80 infantry escorting them on the banks of the Suir as far as Carrick".
I find it astounding how any rational person, no less one of Irish descent, would focus on “the potato” to explain why millions of Gaelic-speaking Irish Catholic men and women, their boys and girls and infants, were abandoned to die the horrible slow death of starvation; while others, English and Protestant, were sustained with little inconvenience to their lifestyles- other than having on occasion to actually encounter the desperation, death and dying going on all around them; or read about it in their weekly paper over tea. And it’s sad to read breezy commentary about “The Potato Famine” in this newspaper.
©Mike Morley 2009 E-mail: IrishTV@ameritech.net This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
ONLINE EXTRA!
The copy below was well fit to be included with the print edition of “Having A Ball in Ballina” column, but would not fit well into the space allowed. Read on!
Nine years after casting out tens of thousands of his Irish tenants to starve in the cold, the Earl of “I will not breed paupers to pay priests” Lucan was involved in yet another slaughter. Unlike his mass murder in Mayo, this carnage was on a much smaller scale, involving mere hundreds. But, because it involved the death of British troops, not Irish civilians, the incident is renowned world-wide, rather than hidden from popular history.
On October 25, 1854 in the Ukraine, Lucan was the cavalry commander who ordered the 7th Earl of Cardigan, a brother-in-law whom he despised, to lead the disastrous Charge of the Light Brigade at the Battle of Balaklava.
Later, true to the history of Britain and its butchers, the teflon Lord was not only cleared of any blame, But appointed KCB (Knight Commander, Order of the Bath) and Colonel of the King’s Royal Irish 8th Hussars (a unit that charged at Balaklava). He was then raised to lieutenant-general, then general, and finally- field marshal.
The 250 soldiers who died needlessly at Balaklava have been immortalized by Lord Tennyson. But the uncountable families whose emaciated bodies were tumbled into mass graves all over Ireland are not so much unremembered as actually denied by their own people, themselves in denial. The dead have been rendered invisible, bereft of memorial or memory.
* * *
That May of 1849, as thousands wandered the roads in rags and huddled in ditches against the cold, the Ballina paper carried several other, often surreal, items:
---------------
Robert and George Scott at the Commercial House, Arran Street, Ballina announce the “Most Fashionable Stock of Clothing Ever Imported to Ballina.”
Not to be outdone, a rival ballyhoos: ”First Arrivals of Spring Goods. The Western Woollen Hall, Knox's Street, Ballina. Alexander Little, Proprietor, has returned from the different markets (being the sixth time within seven months) with a stock of goods unparalleled in Ballina for variety and cheapness, compromising All the Newest Designs suitable to the present season, and begs to say he purposes visiting the markets monthly, so as to select every new style coming out.”
---------------------------
Several persons were summoned for deserting the Workhouse without permission from the Master, and taking with them clothes belonging to the Union. Some of them were allowed to return to the Workhouse, and the rest were sentenced- some to 24 hour confinement in the bridewell, and others to fourteen days imprisonment in the gaol, with hard labour. One man was sentenced to fourteen days imprisonment with hard labour, for breaking a window and taking off some bread. He alleged he did this through the effects of hunger, but it was shown he made a habit of thus getting his bread.
The deaths from cholera on Friday last- and it is yet only in its infancy-are enough to show the frightful ravages that may be expected to follow… Rev. Mr. Anderson's statement has been …more than confirmed, for whereas the number of starvation deaths mentioned by the Rector amounts only to eighty-seven for the week, it is set down by the second witness of ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY-SEVEN! But the discrepancy can be easily accounted for... The fact is that in order to screen the Commissioners, and keep the public in the dark as to the real extent of the mortality, many of the workhouse officers through the South and West make it common practice to falsify the returns”.
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PAINTING, GLAZING, AND PAPER HANGING ESTABLISHMENT, Top of King Street, Ballina. ROBERT GIBSON - Has just received a well-selected assortment of ROOM PAPER, suitable for Parlour, Drawing-room, Bed-room, and Halls, which he offers for sale on the most moderate terms. He also begs leave to state that he is well supplied with WINDOW GLASS, OILS, COLOURS, and PREPARED PAINTS of every description. PAINTING BRUSHES, PLASTER PARIS, ROMAN CEMENT, &c.
-----------------------
From the 26th Feb. to the 13th March there arrived in New York about 6,394 emigrants. The deaths on the passage out amounted to 75 in all.
------------------------
(For the tourist trade) Doctor Whittaker of Ardnaree, Ballina offers: A Neat Furnished Cottage. With Large Garden, Stable, and Coach House- to be let for the summer months in Ballina.
-------------------------
Matthew Kilkelly, convicted at the last Ennis assizes of an attempt to murder Mr. Wallplate, suffered the extreme penalty of the law in front of the county gaol on Monday. He appeared deeply penitent.
--------------------------
THE ARMY- List of Non-Commissioned Officers and Privates Killed in Action at Gujrat, on the 21st of February, 1849, or who subsequently died of wounds received: (Note: GUJRAT in the North West Indian Punjab was the site of the decisive battle of the Anglo-Sikh War. General Sir Hugh Gough commanding British and Indian troops defeated Sikhs, the Punjab army, and their Afghan allies. The Punjab then was annexed into British India for the British East India Company. Note also the predominantly Irish names of the rankers.)
10th Regiment of Foot- Killed-Corporal George Mason, Privates Samuel Whitehead, John M'Hough, Andrew Walsh, Francis Kenyon, Henry C. Stagg, George Davies. Died of Wounds-Private Patrick Lawlor. 29th Foot- Killed-Privates John Gibson, John Sullivan.
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THE CHOLERA - ENNIS UNION- Every cholera hospital in this union was closed by order of the guardians on Wednesday last. Dr. Cullinan informed the board that the state of the Ennis fever hospital was very unsatisfactory, the greatest disorder and confusion prevailing there.
The following is a return of the entire cases in the workhouse cholera hospital up to Saturday. Admitted, 494; died, 78; discharged, 100; remaining, 100. Cholera and fever are spreading through the electoral divisions of Kilfinny and Croagh.
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Mr. Martin's herd(sman) at Tullyra, county Galway, caught a woman of the name of DONOHOE killing a lamb on Thursday, and he locked the offender up in a stable while he went for the police, but when they arrived the unfortunate woman had hung herself with her apron!
(Note: Why would a woman end her life simply for fear of being charged with taking food, most likely meant to keep her family alive? It is certain the poor woman knew that the current penalty doled out by to Irish people by Irish courts for almost ANY offense, be it “receiving stolen goods” or murder, was “transportation beyond the seas”. That meant being shipped to British plantations in Australia or elsewhere to serve a sentence of at least seven years, often life.
Of course, no matter what the term, removing a destitute person from their family and transporting them 8,000 miles to the other side of the world WAS effectively a life sentence. And many convicts would die even before the long arduous sea journey. At the same time Mrs. / Miss Donohoe hanged herself, another woman, Mary Hegarty was sentenced in Cork, May 14, 1849 to 7 years’ transportation for “stealing” yet another lamb.
Ship records show 2184 Irish persons arrived in Australia as convicts during 1849 alone. Their “crimes” mostly involved “larceny” of food or clothing, or of small amounts of money to buy these items of survival.)
---------------------------
Colonel Chatterton, K.H., Grand Inspector General was entertained at dinner, on the 24th inst., by the members of the High Masonic Order of Princes Grand Rose Croix, No. 1, Cork, at the Rooms, Tuckey St.
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A vessel to take out convicts has arrived at Kingstown; a party of the 96th is the escort. (Kingstown is now Dun Laoghaire, near Dublin.)
----------------
The goods and chattels of Gort workhouse were sold under execution last week by the High Sheriff of Galway, at the suit of the creditors.
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Two hundred orphans from the workhouse will be sent from Dublin to Australia; 150 children belonging to convicts were sent to that colony last week.
----------------
Emigration to the Cape of Good Hope (South Africa), which had been suspended last year, has been resumed by her Majesty's Commissioners.
----------------
Owen MORAN crept into his mother's house and died, the same day his brother Larry was found dead in a field; same day his sister, Mrs. WHELAN, with her mother and child, found dead in a deserted forge. The two brothers, the sister, the brother-in-law, and child all dead the same day, of starvation, at Kilimore, county Galway.
-------------------
On Friday night a party of men broke into the auxiliary workhouse in the village of Clare, and carried away three bags of meal.
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DESECRATION OF THE SABBATH- It is disgraceful in a professedly Christian country to see men and women carrying about and exposing for sale fish, vegetables, and other articles of merchandize on the Sabbath day, as is the custom in Ballina. In the principal thoroughfares, and even while Divine Service is being celebrated, the passer-by is invited to make purchases. Are the people so distitute of the common decencies of morality as to encourage so obnoxious a practice? If the authorities have any jurisdiction in the matter, perhaps they would take this hint.
--------------------
William LEE, a boy of three years, died of starvation on its mother's back, in Limerick, last week! He had been living on water-cresses for several days.
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THE CHURCH (of Ireland, Anglican) The Lord Primate consecrated on yesterday (Tuesday) the Rev. Robert Knox, D.D., to the Bishopric of Down and Connor and Dromore. His grace was assisted by the Lord Bishop of Kilmore. The consecration was held in the Armagh Cathedral. The Bishop elect of Down and Connor and Dromore will be enthroned in the cathedral of Lisburn, on to-morrow, the 3rd and in the cathedral of Dromore on Saturday, the 5th of May.
The Bishops of Down and Cork were entertained by the Fellows of Trinity College at dinner, on Wednesday.
The Rev. Dr. Sadleir preached an excellent sermon at Trinity College, Dublin, on Thursday, when full service was performed. The 8th psalm was chanted by the choir.
(From the 8th Psalm):
What is man that You are mindful of him,
And the son of man that You visit him?
5 For You have made him a little lower than the angels,
And You have crowned him with glory and honor.
6 You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands;
You have put all things under his feet,
7 All sheep and oxen—
Even the beasts of the field,
8 The birds of the air,
And the fish of the sea
That pass through the paths of the seas.
9 O LORD, our Lord,
How excellent is Your name in all the earth!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
E-mail: IrishTV@ameritech.net This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Watch: IRISH JOURNAL TELEVISION
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©Mike Morley 2009
While looking through the Irish papers recently, I ran across some mouth-watering classic pastry dishes from Ballina Mayo, guaranteed to make your Thanksgiving feast a truly elegant affair. Here’s just a few of the creations offered by Ballina baker Michael Foley: Penny plum cake, queen cake, anglesey cake, barm brack, saffron brack, plum pudding, chancellor’s pudding, orange, lemon almond and custard puddings, raspberry puffs, cheese cakes, parliament gingerbread, wellington biscuits, Victoria biscuits, and Italian gingerbread. Also on the menu are rhubarb, apple, cherry, currant, and gooseberry pies; mutton, lamb and beefsteak pies, mince pies and shrewsberries for your dining pleasure. Top off your feast with ginger nuts, coffee, and sweets of all kinds. Foley will even provide after-dinner cigars.
All these scrump-tilli-icious items to grace your holiday table, “And Many Others Too Numerous to Mention” can be found at Michael Foley’s Confectionary and Italian Warehouse on Knox St, in Ballina Mayo- “All orders punctually attended to”. Do you suppose Mr. Foley is affected by the current “hard times” in post “celtic tiger” Ireland? I can assure you with confidence that he is not.
In the News section we read: “An inquest was held at Ardnaree on yesterday, before Meredith Thompson, Esq. Coroner for county Sligo, on the body of a man named Thomas Munally of Cloonislane. …it appeared that the deceased and his family, consisting of a wife and eight children, have been in extreme destitution for several weeks; they had pawned their entire clothing, and all other available articles, for the purpose of purchasing food. On last Friday morning the deceased proceeded to join a working party under the drainage, when, after working for a short period, he dropped down from exhaustion in consequence of want of food, and shortly after expired. The jury unanimously found the following verdict-‘Death from starvation.’"
Truth is, Foley’s ad, along with Mr. Munnally’s shocking death, were both featured in the Ballina Chronicle of May 2nd 1849! The brutal starvation of Ireland had then been in progress three awful years. (Incidentally Michael Foley is also one of 3 carpenters listed in Slater’s directory of Ballina. One wonders whether the busy baker was also moonlighting in the booming coffin trade).
Reading that paper one might imagine the printer had somehow badly mixed together stories submitted from two entirely different countries- countries as different as the earth and moon… one flowing with riches, commodities and the warmth of social interaction; the other barren, toxic, uninhabitable.
The previous July the Telegraph reported the doings of Sir Roger Palmer, owner of no less than 90,000 acres in Mayo: “At Islandeady (between Castlebar and Westport) his 'crowbar invincibles', pulled down several houses, and drove forth the unfortunate inmates to sleep in the adjoining fields. On Thursday we witnessed the wretched creatures endeavouring to root out the timber of the houses, with the intention of constructing some sort of sheds to screen their children from the heavy rain falling at the time. The pitiless pelting storm has continued ever since, and if they have survived its severity, they must be more than human beings”.
Surely among the evicted were families with names common to North Mayo: Gallagher, Durkan, McHale, Barrett, McNulty, Brennan, Henry, Doyle, Harkin, Dogherty, Foy, Kelly, Loftus, Gaughan, and Lavelle.
On his extensive holdings around Castlebar and Ballinrobe another notorious and ruthless English landlord, George Charles Bingham, 3rd Earl of Lucan, was also evicting his tenants en masse:
Historian Cecil Blanche Woodham-Smith (Fitzgerald) - “The Reason Why”: “To the Earl of Lucan famine horrors were so many convincing demonstrations of the urgent necessity of clearing the land. The land could not support the people, could never support the people; so the people must go. He did not consider it was his responsibility, any more than the English Government considered it was their responsibility, to arrange how the people should go and where. He was getting nothing from his estates… A large part of the population of Ireland must disappear. Ten thousand people were ejected from the neighbourhood of Ballinrobe, and 15,000 acres cleared and put in charge of Scotsmen.
Several populous villages in the neighbourhood of Castlebar completely disappeared, farms being established on the sites. Behind Castlebar House the Earl of Lucan established a large dairy farm. …in the town of Castlebar itself -- whole streets were demolished and the stones from the walls used to build barns and boundary walls… 'crow-bar brigades' (would) pull down cabins over the heads of people who refused to leave them. The Bishop of Meath saw a cabin being pulled down over the heads of people dying of cholera: a winnowing sheet was placed over their bodies as they lay on the ground, and the cabin was demolished over their heads. He administered the Sacrament for the dying in the open air, and since it was during the equinoctial gales, in torrents of rain.
A 'machine of ropes and pulleys' was devised for the destruction of more solid houses. .. at one crack of the whip and pull of the horses the roof was brought in. It was found that two of these machines enabled a sheriff to evict as many families in a day as could be got through by a crowbar brigade of fifty men. Six thousand evictions might involve more than 40,000 people, as the average Irish family consisted of seven persons.
Sick and aged, little children, and women with child were alike thrust forth into the cold snows of winter... the few remaining tenants were forbidden to receive the outcasts ... The majority rendered penniless by the years of famine, wandered aimlessly about the roads and bogs till they found refuge in the workhouse- or the grave.
“The Castlebar Union workhouse had been built to hold 600-700 persons, but had never contained more than 140… Very many died, and since there were no coffins, their bodies were left to rot in the dead house. But there was food, however revolting, however meagre; and the Union was besieged. On October 26th, 1846, the Earl of Lucan, Chairman of the Board of Guardians, had declared the workhouse bankrupt, and, in spite of vehement protests from the Poor Law Commissioner, ordered the Castlebar Union to be entirely closed down. Starving mothers dragged their children to the Union doors and besought that they at least should be taken in. Whole families made their painful way from the wild lands and collapsed moaning in the courtyard when they were refused.”
Irish family names of South Mayo: Walsh, Burke, Gibbons, Prendergast, Joyce, Murray, Gallagher, Lydon, Heneghan, Murphy, O'Malley, Kelly, Moran, Duffy, O'Connor, Waldron, Farragher.
LORD LUCAN
PERFECTLY “LEGAL”: “It appeared that a new system of clearing land was being adopted in Mayo and that the processes now before the courts were novel in Ireland. There had previously been a right of levying a distress on goods and chattels for rent, but this year in Mayo there were no goods and chattels left, so the person of the debtor was to be attached -- that is, he was to be imprisoned. The husband and father was to be removed, and the wife and children were to be left to fend for themselves.”
It was a variation of Britain’s clearing and plantation policies carried out by Lord Mountjoy following Kinsale and the “Flight of Earls”; and later by Cromwell. But since slavery in the British Empire had ceased just 40 years earlier, the Irish families could no longer be sold overseas for a profit. They were simply left to die.
The Ballina paper also carried regular news of: “THE MILITARY FORCES IN IRELAND” As of May 9, 1849 there were “Ten regiments of cavalry, twenty-six of Infantry, and nine depots of infantry regiments are now stationed in Ireland, making in round numbers a total of about 31,000 men of ranks.”
45 regiments. Were they distributing relief, building shelters, manning field hospitals? Rev. Dr McEvoy, parish priest of Kells, wrote in The Nation, 25 October 1845: “With starvation at our doors, grimly staring us, vessels laden with our sole hopes of existence, our provisions, are hourly wafted from our every port. From one milling establishment I have last night seen not less than fifty dray loads of meal moving on to Drogheda, thence to go to feed the foreigner, leaving starvation and death the sure and certain fate of the toil and sweat that raised this food.”
Woodham-Smith described such a convoy of food being moved to Waterford for shipment to England: "The barges leave Clonmel once a week for this place, with the export supplies under convoy which, last Tuesday, consisted of two guns, 50 cavalry and 80 infantry escorting them on the banks of the Suir as far as Carrick".
I find it astounding how any rational person, no less one of Irish descent, would focus on “the potato” to explain why millions of Gaelic-speaking Irish Catholic men and women, their boys and girls and infants, were abandoned to die the horrible slow death of starvation; while others, English and Protestant, were sustained with little inconvenience to their lifestyles- other than having on occasion to actually encounter the desperation, death and dying going on all around them; or read about it in their weekly paper over tea. And it’s sad to read breezy commentary about “The Potato Famine” in this newspaper.
©Mike Morley 2009 E-mail: IrishTV@ameritech.net This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
ONLINE EXTRA!
The copy below was well fit to be included with the print edition of “Having A Ball in Ballina” column, but would not fit well into the space allowed. Read on!
Nine years after casting out tens of thousands of his Irish tenants to starve in the cold, the Earl of “I will not breed paupers to pay priests” Lucan was involved in yet another slaughter. Unlike his mass murder in Mayo, this carnage was on a much smaller scale, involving mere hundreds. But, because it involved the death of British troops, not Irish civilians, the incident is renowned world-wide, rather than hidden from popular history.
On October 25, 1854 in the Ukraine, Lucan was the cavalry commander who ordered the 7th Earl of Cardigan, a brother-in-law whom he despised, to lead the disastrous Charge of the Light Brigade at the Battle of Balaklava.
Later, true to the history of Britain and its butchers, the teflon Lord was not only cleared of any blame, But appointed KCB (Knight Commander, Order of the Bath) and Colonel of the King’s Royal Irish 8th Hussars (a unit that charged at Balaklava). He was then raised to lieutenant-general, then general, and finally- field marshal.
The 250 soldiers who died needlessly at Balaklava have been immortalized by Lord Tennyson. But the uncountable families whose emaciated bodies were tumbled into mass graves all over Ireland are not so much unremembered as actually denied by their own people, themselves in denial. The dead have been rendered invisible, bereft of memorial or memory.
* * *
That May of 1849, as thousands wandered the roads in rags and huddled in ditches against the cold, the Ballina paper carried several other, often surreal, items:
---------------
Robert and George Scott at the Commercial House, Arran Street, Ballina announce the “Most Fashionable Stock of Clothing Ever Imported to Ballina.”
Not to be outdone, a rival ballyhoos: ”First Arrivals of Spring Goods. The Western Woollen Hall, Knox's Street, Ballina. Alexander Little, Proprietor, has returned from the different markets (being the sixth time within seven months) with a stock of goods unparalleled in Ballina for variety and cheapness, compromising All the Newest Designs suitable to the present season, and begs to say he purposes visiting the markets monthly, so as to select every new style coming out.”
---------------------------
Several persons were summoned for deserting the Workhouse without permission from the Master, and taking with them clothes belonging to the Union. Some of them were allowed to return to the Workhouse, and the rest were sentenced- some to 24 hour confinement in the bridewell, and others to fourteen days imprisonment in the gaol, with hard labour. One man was sentenced to fourteen days imprisonment with hard labour, for breaking a window and taking off some bread. He alleged he did this through the effects of hunger, but it was shown he made a habit of thus getting his bread.
The deaths from cholera on Friday last- and it is yet only in its infancy-are enough to show the frightful ravages that may be expected to follow… Rev. Mr. Anderson's statement has been …more than confirmed, for whereas the number of starvation deaths mentioned by the Rector amounts only to eighty-seven for the week, it is set down by the second witness of ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY-SEVEN! But the discrepancy can be easily accounted for... The fact is that in order to screen the Commissioners, and keep the public in the dark as to the real extent of the mortality, many of the workhouse officers through the South and West make it common practice to falsify the returns”.
------------------------
PAINTING, GLAZING, AND PAPER HANGING ESTABLISHMENT, Top of King Street, Ballina. ROBERT GIBSON - Has just received a well-selected assortment of ROOM PAPER, suitable for Parlour, Drawing-room, Bed-room, and Halls, which he offers for sale on the most moderate terms. He also begs leave to state that he is well supplied with WINDOW GLASS, OILS, COLOURS, and PREPARED PAINTS of every description. PAINTING BRUSHES, PLASTER PARIS, ROMAN CEMENT, &c.
-----------------------
From the 26th Feb. to the 13th March there arrived in New York about 6,394 emigrants. The deaths on the passage out amounted to 75 in all.
------------------------
(For the tourist trade) Doctor Whittaker of Ardnaree, Ballina offers: A Neat Furnished Cottage. With Large Garden, Stable, and Coach House- to be let for the summer months in Ballina.
-------------------------
Matthew Kilkelly, convicted at the last Ennis assizes of an attempt to murder Mr. Wallplate, suffered the extreme penalty of the law in front of the county gaol on Monday. He appeared deeply penitent.
--------------------------
THE ARMY- List of Non-Commissioned Officers and Privates Killed in Action at Gujrat, on the 21st of February, 1849, or who subsequently died of wounds received: (Note: GUJRAT in the North West Indian Punjab was the site of the decisive battle of the Anglo-Sikh War. General Sir Hugh Gough commanding British and Indian troops defeated Sikhs, the Punjab army, and their Afghan allies. The Punjab then was annexed into British India for the British East India Company. Note also the predominantly Irish names of the rankers.)
10th Regiment of Foot- Killed-Corporal George Mason, Privates Samuel Whitehead, John M'Hough, Andrew Walsh, Francis Kenyon, Henry C. Stagg, George Davies. Died of Wounds-Private Patrick Lawlor. 29th Foot- Killed-Privates John Gibson, John Sullivan.
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THE CHOLERA - ENNIS UNION- Every cholera hospital in this union was closed by order of the guardians on Wednesday last. Dr. Cullinan informed the board that the state of the Ennis fever hospital was very unsatisfactory, the greatest disorder and confusion prevailing there.
The following is a return of the entire cases in the workhouse cholera hospital up to Saturday. Admitted, 494; died, 78; discharged, 100; remaining, 100. Cholera and fever are spreading through the electoral divisions of Kilfinny and Croagh.
-------------------
Mr. Martin's herd(sman) at Tullyra, county Galway, caught a woman of the name of DONOHOE killing a lamb on Thursday, and he locked the offender up in a stable while he went for the police, but when they arrived the unfortunate woman had hung herself with her apron!
(Note: Why would a woman end her life simply for fear of being charged with taking food, most likely meant to keep her family alive? It is certain the poor woman knew that the current penalty doled out by to Irish people by Irish courts for almost ANY offense, be it “receiving stolen goods” or murder, was “transportation beyond the seas”. That meant being shipped to British plantations in Australia or elsewhere to serve a sentence of at least seven years, often life.
Of course, no matter what the term, removing a destitute person from their family and transporting them 8,000 miles to the other side of the world WAS effectively a life sentence. And many convicts would die even before the long arduous sea journey. At the same time Mrs. / Miss Donohoe hanged herself, another woman, Mary Hegarty was sentenced in Cork, May 14, 1849 to 7 years’ transportation for “stealing” yet another lamb.
Ship records show 2184 Irish persons arrived in Australia as convicts during 1849 alone. Their “crimes” mostly involved “larceny” of food or clothing, or of small amounts of money to buy these items of survival.)
---------------------------
Colonel Chatterton, K.H., Grand Inspector General was entertained at dinner, on the 24th inst., by the members of the High Masonic Order of Princes Grand Rose Croix, No. 1, Cork, at the Rooms, Tuckey St.
-----------------
A vessel to take out convicts has arrived at Kingstown; a party of the 96th is the escort. (Kingstown is now Dun Laoghaire, near Dublin.)
----------------
The goods and chattels of Gort workhouse were sold under execution last week by the High Sheriff of Galway, at the suit of the creditors.
----------------
Two hundred orphans from the workhouse will be sent from Dublin to Australia; 150 children belonging to convicts were sent to that colony last week.
----------------
Emigration to the Cape of Good Hope (South Africa), which had been suspended last year, has been resumed by her Majesty's Commissioners.
----------------
Owen MORAN crept into his mother's house and died, the same day his brother Larry was found dead in a field; same day his sister, Mrs. WHELAN, with her mother and child, found dead in a deserted forge. The two brothers, the sister, the brother-in-law, and child all dead the same day, of starvation, at Kilimore, county Galway.
-------------------
On Friday night a party of men broke into the auxiliary workhouse in the village of Clare, and carried away three bags of meal.
---------------------------
DESECRATION OF THE SABBATH- It is disgraceful in a professedly Christian country to see men and women carrying about and exposing for sale fish, vegetables, and other articles of merchandize on the Sabbath day, as is the custom in Ballina. In the principal thoroughfares, and even while Divine Service is being celebrated, the passer-by is invited to make purchases. Are the people so distitute of the common decencies of morality as to encourage so obnoxious a practice? If the authorities have any jurisdiction in the matter, perhaps they would take this hint.
--------------------
William LEE, a boy of three years, died of starvation on its mother's back, in Limerick, last week! He had been living on water-cresses for several days.
-----------------------
THE CHURCH (of Ireland, Anglican) The Lord Primate consecrated on yesterday (Tuesday) the Rev. Robert Knox, D.D., to the Bishopric of Down and Connor and Dromore. His grace was assisted by the Lord Bishop of Kilmore. The consecration was held in the Armagh Cathedral. The Bishop elect of Down and Connor and Dromore will be enthroned in the cathedral of Lisburn, on to-morrow, the 3rd and in the cathedral of Dromore on Saturday, the 5th of May.
The Bishops of Down and Cork were entertained by the Fellows of Trinity College at dinner, on Wednesday.
The Rev. Dr. Sadleir preached an excellent sermon at Trinity College, Dublin, on Thursday, when full service was performed. The 8th psalm was chanted by the choir.
(From the 8th Psalm):
What is man that You are mindful of him,
And the son of man that You visit him?
5 For You have made him a little lower than the angels,
And You have crowned him with glory and honor.
6 You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands;
You have put all things under his feet,
7 All sheep and oxen—
Even the beasts of the field,
8 The birds of the air,
And the fish of the sea
That pass through the paths of the seas.
9 O LORD, our Lord,
How excellent is Your name in all the earth!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
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©Mike Morley 2009
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Sullivan's Ireland
My last time in Ireland we drove past many mass graves from An Gorta Mor, The Great Hunger. While there I dreamed we were driving past two women on the roadside who were weeping. I told the driver to stop but he didn't. I said, “But, they’re Irish women.”
In the same dream I had entered some property to relax and enjoy the scenery by a beautiful lake. Two men, one the son, the other the father, and with airs of self-importance and superiority, announced it was THEIR land and I should remove myself. When a young man, my favorite fight move was always a headlock, so I sprung one on him, twisted his neck, and killed him. I then had to do the same with his father.
I always interpreted that dream as both of the men being the spirits of self-righteous planters, those who were given Irish land taken from the those who rightfully owned it.
The old women? I believe they were spirits of the famine who continue to suffer unimagineable grief, still bound to the land, and not yet having moved on. I pray for their souls.
In the same dream I had entered some property to relax and enjoy the scenery by a beautiful lake. Two men, one the son, the other the father, and with airs of self-importance and superiority, announced it was THEIR land and I should remove myself. When a young man, my favorite fight move was always a headlock, so I sprung one on him, twisted his neck, and killed him. I then had to do the same with his father.
I always interpreted that dream as both of the men being the spirits of self-righteous planters, those who were given Irish land taken from the those who rightfully owned it.
The old women? I believe they were spirits of the famine who continue to suffer unimagineable grief, still bound to the land, and not yet having moved on. I pray for their souls.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
The Ultimate Bus Trip
The Ultimate Bus Trip
by
JC Sullivan
When New York Fire Department Chaplain Father Mychal Judge, O.F.M., lost his life on that fateful September day in the year 2001, Akron, Ohio resident John Ferguson was so moved by what happened he was inspired to write a song. The song honors Father Mychal Judge and the thousands who lost their lives. John and his fellow band members from Fergie and the Bog Dogs produced a CD "A Song For Fireman Father Mychal Judge."
"When I got the news about how he died, which was kind of reported along with everything else, everything kind of stopped there for me," he said. "Goodness, a Catholic priest who was administering the last rites of the Church for a fallen Firefighter; it was all in sync with my culture as an Irish-American" Ferguson has memorialized Fr. Judge, who was a first-generation Irish-American. "I think he should be remembered in the lore of the Church in this nation. Children and adults should look up to a man like this - a modern day hero."
Events overtook the artist and the idea of supporting the Franciscan Fund for Father Mychal took on a life of its own. "When I actually started out with the Fund I didn't contact anybody, I didn't talk to anybody," he said. "I just wanted to one day take the song to his New York firehouse." The fund drive is kind of a spin-off, a secondary thing in his mind from when he started out. "I think Father Mychal should be remembered in the lore of the Church in America and I wanted to be involved in some way...and that's what I'm doing now. As time goes by I find I've been sent down the road on a quest. It's a mystery to me...it kind of stopped me cold.”
After the song came together Fergie, as his Hibernian brothers and sisters call him, discussed it with his friend, Akron musician and accordionist Gordon Shaffer, who encouraged recording it. Volunteers immediately lined up behind the project. Ferguson and his fellow band members from Fergie and the Bog Dogs produced a CD-ROM, "A Song For Fireman Father Mychal Judge." Ferguson’s son Damon, an Akron Fire Department Lieutenant, backs him up on vocals, rhythm guitar and bass; Paddy Taylor, mandolin; Mike Gaffney, rhythm guitar and vocals, Bruce Samsol, vocals and keyboard; Frank Onusic, tin whistle. Dr. Dennis McCluskey, Akron, Ohio, paid for recording and studio time. Hugh Hearty, Fairlawn, Ohio, contributed the CD-ROMs themselves. The initial run of 500 was quickly gone.
Fergie was put in touch with Franciscan Father Patrick Fitzgerald, another New York City Fire Department Chaplain. "The Franciscans already have a memorial Fund set up." The Father Mychal Judge Fund will be used to provide emergency short-term financial assistance to those who suffered loss or injury on that day and in its aftermath, and on a longer term to reach out to those in need of continuing support. In particular, it will seek to assist those who are not included in established categories but whose needs are no less real, those who might otherwise "fall between the cracks."
"I started working in connection with them," Fergie said. "Fr Mychal was a first-generation Irish-American and was involved with immigration; it fit right into my interest. These funds collected will be available for all children - I heard there are some who lost both parents." Regardless of their citizenship status or their faith, nonetheless, Fergie knows a lot of them are Catholic kids from Catholic countries. "I would like them to know that if they need something they can go to the Franciscan friary."
The weekend of March 24, 2002 began about 0800 hours on Friday when a busload of men and women of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and Ladies AOH, parked their vehicles at an Akron Fraternal Order of Police Lodge left on an Anderson Lines bus that was their transport for the next few days.
After rolling out of Akron, our Anderson Lines driver got on the PA system and introduced himself. “Please don’t call Mr. Bus Driver or Bus Driver guy,” he pleaded. “My name is “Skip.” That drew an immediate response from John Conley. “OK, Skip the bus driver,” he shouted. Fergie, the man whose inspiration lead up to this particular morning, kicked off the beginning of our trip with a prayer for safe travel and return. Someone had a box of donuts on the bus. It kept being passing back and forth like a beach ball at a Bruce Springsteen concert.
After a lengthy delay at the Lincoln Tunnel, because the Holland Tunnel was closed due to a fire, we arrived at our home for the next two days, the Pan American Hotel. Within the hour we were back downstairs for a ride to meet the brothers and sisters of New York Divisions 4 and 19. At Hibernian hall Baile na nGael, we were warmly greeted by President John Murphy and Treasurer Jerry Callahan, the latter being the gentleman responsible for a wonderful dinner of corned beef and cabbage and roast beef. He announced we had received a special Friday-in-Lent dispensation from local Hibernian Chaplains.
Fergie’s dream was realized on Saturday afternoon when he presented a $20,000.00 check for the Franciscan Fund to Father Fitzgerald at the Church of Saint Francis of Assisi on W. Thirty-First St in midtown Manhattan. The service was precluded by the combined bands of Fergie and the Bog Dogs and That Irish Band. Also in attendance were representatives from the Fallen Firefighters Foundation of America. Andy Woodward, Raleigh, NC. Gene Moore, Chaplain, Swift Creek, N.C. They had presented five vans to the NYFD. Fr. Fitzpatrick gave us a warm welcome and spoke fondly of his brother Franciscan. When later asked if he’d have us back next year he told us, “I’d have you back next MONTH!”
Lt. Patrick Concannon of the NYFD invited us across the street to Engine 1 and Ladder 24, where Fr. Mychal kept his Chaplain's car. Fergie, accompanied by his son Damien, an Akron firefighter, and Paddy Taylor on mandolin, sang the song for Fr. Mychal to the gathered firefighters. The moving event was capped off when Irene Uhalley sang, “God Bless America.” It brought tears to the eyes of a few. I am honored and proud to count all these fine folks as friends.
Before we headed back to the Pan American Hotel, Skip, the bus driver, took us to Ground Zero. My God, you cannot imagine. We passed the church where Fr. Mychal’s body had been taken and laid on the altar. The fence surrounding it was covered with pictures, memos and the like. A somber crowd walked around it, pausing to look at everything.
The scene reminded me of the Civil War battlefields of Antietam, Maryland and Gettysburg, Pennsylvania and the Vietnam Wall in Washington, D.C. At Antietam, I was visited by an apparition in my hotel room. He carried a sword and harbored terrible anger. Just as there are “ghosts” at Antietam and Gettysburg, there is also remaining spiritual energy in New York City. While at Ground Zero, I said a silent prayer for those whose spirit, like those at our Civil War Battlefields, might still be lingering there, asking God to help them let go to join the forces in His light.
On Saturday evening we all gathered at an Irish pub called Cranberries on Grand Avenue in Elmhurst. Our local homebred talent, “That Irish Band” and “Fergie and the Bog Dogs” charged the atmosphere and energized the crowd. A complimentary buffet was set up for us by Cranberries owner, John Brown. We were honored with the arrival of a Hook and Ladder and FDNY firefighters.
You’ve heard “The Rest of the Story.” Now, there is plenty more to this evening that I’ll call “The Unwritable Story” because it cannot be printed. It will have to remain as part of the oral tradition of the Ohio AOH and Ladies AOH by the chosen few who participated in the event(s). I’m not talking about anything obscene here, of course. No, I’m only speaking of some events that those who were not there will not believe. You’ll have to ask around to find out. A little hint, you ask? OK – only one. Ask about the Chinese-American Army Sergeant home on leave. Due to air travel delays he missed his sister’s wedding. That’s all I’ll tell you. As I said, you’ll have to find out the Rest of the Story from those who were there.
We capped off our historic weekend on Sunday morning with a 10:15 Palm Sunday Mass at the historic Cathedral of Saint Patrick. Cardinal Egan celebrated the Mass and addressed the issue of pedophile priests. There were TV cameras in the church and reporters and protestors outside. If I were Bishop I wouldn’t have had the cameras in the Church. Of course, if you give the Press Conference outside they have the opportunity to ask their leading questions. Afterwards, a LAOH member said of the Cardinal, “He looked like a General” (as he stood his ground amidst cries in the mainstream media for him to resign.) All Hibernians agree that something has to be done about allegations of sexual abuse by priests and the way things have been handled but we all agree, too, that our faith remains as strong as ever.
We blew out a tire on the trip home, which caused a delay of about an hour and a half. I arrived home at 0115 hours, a bit tired but still energized by the events of the weekend. Like other Americans, the events of this experience only confirmed my previous feeling, we’re all New Yorkers!
Looking back over events, Ferguson, a humble man with a gentle spirit, said, “My cup has been filled.”
Contributions to the fund continue to arrive. The song for Fr. Mychal CD-ROM can be obtained by sending your inquiry to: John Ferguson JohnFergie8@aol.com.
Sullivan is a member of the St. Brendan Division of the AOH and has served in both State and National offices of the AOH.
by
JC Sullivan
When New York Fire Department Chaplain Father Mychal Judge, O.F.M., lost his life on that fateful September day in the year 2001, Akron, Ohio resident John Ferguson was so moved by what happened he was inspired to write a song. The song honors Father Mychal Judge and the thousands who lost their lives. John and his fellow band members from Fergie and the Bog Dogs produced a CD "A Song For Fireman Father Mychal Judge."
"When I got the news about how he died, which was kind of reported along with everything else, everything kind of stopped there for me," he said. "Goodness, a Catholic priest who was administering the last rites of the Church for a fallen Firefighter; it was all in sync with my culture as an Irish-American" Ferguson has memorialized Fr. Judge, who was a first-generation Irish-American. "I think he should be remembered in the lore of the Church in this nation. Children and adults should look up to a man like this - a modern day hero."
Events overtook the artist and the idea of supporting the Franciscan Fund for Father Mychal took on a life of its own. "When I actually started out with the Fund I didn't contact anybody, I didn't talk to anybody," he said. "I just wanted to one day take the song to his New York firehouse." The fund drive is kind of a spin-off, a secondary thing in his mind from when he started out. "I think Father Mychal should be remembered in the lore of the Church in America and I wanted to be involved in some way...and that's what I'm doing now. As time goes by I find I've been sent down the road on a quest. It's a mystery to me...it kind of stopped me cold.”
After the song came together Fergie, as his Hibernian brothers and sisters call him, discussed it with his friend, Akron musician and accordionist Gordon Shaffer, who encouraged recording it. Volunteers immediately lined up behind the project. Ferguson and his fellow band members from Fergie and the Bog Dogs produced a CD-ROM, "A Song For Fireman Father Mychal Judge." Ferguson’s son Damon, an Akron Fire Department Lieutenant, backs him up on vocals, rhythm guitar and bass; Paddy Taylor, mandolin; Mike Gaffney, rhythm guitar and vocals, Bruce Samsol, vocals and keyboard; Frank Onusic, tin whistle. Dr. Dennis McCluskey, Akron, Ohio, paid for recording and studio time. Hugh Hearty, Fairlawn, Ohio, contributed the CD-ROMs themselves. The initial run of 500 was quickly gone.
Fergie was put in touch with Franciscan Father Patrick Fitzgerald, another New York City Fire Department Chaplain. "The Franciscans already have a memorial Fund set up." The Father Mychal Judge Fund will be used to provide emergency short-term financial assistance to those who suffered loss or injury on that day and in its aftermath, and on a longer term to reach out to those in need of continuing support. In particular, it will seek to assist those who are not included in established categories but whose needs are no less real, those who might otherwise "fall between the cracks."
"I started working in connection with them," Fergie said. "Fr Mychal was a first-generation Irish-American and was involved with immigration; it fit right into my interest. These funds collected will be available for all children - I heard there are some who lost both parents." Regardless of their citizenship status or their faith, nonetheless, Fergie knows a lot of them are Catholic kids from Catholic countries. "I would like them to know that if they need something they can go to the Franciscan friary."
The weekend of March 24, 2002 began about 0800 hours on Friday when a busload of men and women of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and Ladies AOH, parked their vehicles at an Akron Fraternal Order of Police Lodge left on an Anderson Lines bus that was their transport for the next few days.
After rolling out of Akron, our Anderson Lines driver got on the PA system and introduced himself. “Please don’t call Mr. Bus Driver or Bus Driver guy,” he pleaded. “My name is “Skip.” That drew an immediate response from John Conley. “OK, Skip the bus driver,” he shouted. Fergie, the man whose inspiration lead up to this particular morning, kicked off the beginning of our trip with a prayer for safe travel and return. Someone had a box of donuts on the bus. It kept being passing back and forth like a beach ball at a Bruce Springsteen concert.
After a lengthy delay at the Lincoln Tunnel, because the Holland Tunnel was closed due to a fire, we arrived at our home for the next two days, the Pan American Hotel. Within the hour we were back downstairs for a ride to meet the brothers and sisters of New York Divisions 4 and 19. At Hibernian hall Baile na nGael, we were warmly greeted by President John Murphy and Treasurer Jerry Callahan, the latter being the gentleman responsible for a wonderful dinner of corned beef and cabbage and roast beef. He announced we had received a special Friday-in-Lent dispensation from local Hibernian Chaplains.
Fergie’s dream was realized on Saturday afternoon when he presented a $20,000.00 check for the Franciscan Fund to Father Fitzgerald at the Church of Saint Francis of Assisi on W. Thirty-First St in midtown Manhattan. The service was precluded by the combined bands of Fergie and the Bog Dogs and That Irish Band. Also in attendance were representatives from the Fallen Firefighters Foundation of America. Andy Woodward, Raleigh, NC. Gene Moore, Chaplain, Swift Creek, N.C. They had presented five vans to the NYFD. Fr. Fitzpatrick gave us a warm welcome and spoke fondly of his brother Franciscan. When later asked if he’d have us back next year he told us, “I’d have you back next MONTH!”
Lt. Patrick Concannon of the NYFD invited us across the street to Engine 1 and Ladder 24, where Fr. Mychal kept his Chaplain's car. Fergie, accompanied by his son Damien, an Akron firefighter, and Paddy Taylor on mandolin, sang the song for Fr. Mychal to the gathered firefighters. The moving event was capped off when Irene Uhalley sang, “God Bless America.” It brought tears to the eyes of a few. I am honored and proud to count all these fine folks as friends.
Before we headed back to the Pan American Hotel, Skip, the bus driver, took us to Ground Zero. My God, you cannot imagine. We passed the church where Fr. Mychal’s body had been taken and laid on the altar. The fence surrounding it was covered with pictures, memos and the like. A somber crowd walked around it, pausing to look at everything.
The scene reminded me of the Civil War battlefields of Antietam, Maryland and Gettysburg, Pennsylvania and the Vietnam Wall in Washington, D.C. At Antietam, I was visited by an apparition in my hotel room. He carried a sword and harbored terrible anger. Just as there are “ghosts” at Antietam and Gettysburg, there is also remaining spiritual energy in New York City. While at Ground Zero, I said a silent prayer for those whose spirit, like those at our Civil War Battlefields, might still be lingering there, asking God to help them let go to join the forces in His light.
On Saturday evening we all gathered at an Irish pub called Cranberries on Grand Avenue in Elmhurst. Our local homebred talent, “That Irish Band” and “Fergie and the Bog Dogs” charged the atmosphere and energized the crowd. A complimentary buffet was set up for us by Cranberries owner, John Brown. We were honored with the arrival of a Hook and Ladder and FDNY firefighters.
You’ve heard “The Rest of the Story.” Now, there is plenty more to this evening that I’ll call “The Unwritable Story” because it cannot be printed. It will have to remain as part of the oral tradition of the Ohio AOH and Ladies AOH by the chosen few who participated in the event(s). I’m not talking about anything obscene here, of course. No, I’m only speaking of some events that those who were not there will not believe. You’ll have to ask around to find out. A little hint, you ask? OK – only one. Ask about the Chinese-American Army Sergeant home on leave. Due to air travel delays he missed his sister’s wedding. That’s all I’ll tell you. As I said, you’ll have to find out the Rest of the Story from those who were there.
We capped off our historic weekend on Sunday morning with a 10:15 Palm Sunday Mass at the historic Cathedral of Saint Patrick. Cardinal Egan celebrated the Mass and addressed the issue of pedophile priests. There were TV cameras in the church and reporters and protestors outside. If I were Bishop I wouldn’t have had the cameras in the Church. Of course, if you give the Press Conference outside they have the opportunity to ask their leading questions. Afterwards, a LAOH member said of the Cardinal, “He looked like a General” (as he stood his ground amidst cries in the mainstream media for him to resign.) All Hibernians agree that something has to be done about allegations of sexual abuse by priests and the way things have been handled but we all agree, too, that our faith remains as strong as ever.
We blew out a tire on the trip home, which caused a delay of about an hour and a half. I arrived home at 0115 hours, a bit tired but still energized by the events of the weekend. Like other Americans, the events of this experience only confirmed my previous feeling, we’re all New Yorkers!
Looking back over events, Ferguson, a humble man with a gentle spirit, said, “My cup has been filled.”
Contributions to the fund continue to arrive. The song for Fr. Mychal CD-ROM can be obtained by sending your inquiry to: John Ferguson JohnFergie8@aol.com.
Sullivan is a member of the St. Brendan Division of the AOH and has served in both State and National offices of the AOH.
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