July/August 2009 Newsletter
Welcome All,
Hope that you’ve all been keeping well since the last newsletter and that this one finds you well.
Since the last newsletter in June, a lot has happened at the club; we’ve held our AGM and elected a new committee. I’m pleased to say that Lilian Mackey is once again our president and we look forward to another successful year with her at the helm.
You will have noticed the new format of this newsletter is much different to previous ones. With this months newsletter we’ve changed the format to a booklet style and have included much more detail and news. We’ve also got news from the clubs that frequent the Irish Society clubrooms and this will be an ongoing feature of our newsletters in the future.
We’ve got a bumper list of events coming up at the clubrooms so, if you’re free any time please drop down to enjoy the social side of the club. It is there for you after all.
The bakers among you will no doubt spot the recipe page in this newsletter; this too will be a permanent feature and we encourage you to submit your own recipes for inclusion in the next newsletter.
As you may be aware, the national Feis will be hosted by the Wellington Irish society this year. We have more details of this inside.
On a sadder note, it is with great sadness that I report the passing of our club patron Seamus Hallissey; He was a very active member of the club and will be greatly missed by all.
I hope you enjoy this month’s edition and if you have any feedback please send it on.
David Rynne
Committee Member
Friday Nights at the Club
If you’re partial to some really good harp and traditional music, then call down to the Club on Friday nights from 7.30. We have a group of musicians visiting us regularly and it would be a shame not to support them. Call in for a night of good music and plenty of fun. We’ve been getting a good few down at the club on Friday evenings so if you’ve got an hour or two to spare, feel free to drop in for a tune or even a game of pool with the usual suspects.
Race night – Irish Club7pm Friday 14th August
The GAA club is hosting a fundraiser for their trip to Melbourne on the 14thAugust; please drop in on the night to support the resurgence of the club and to help send a men’s and women’s team to the state championships.There are more details in the GAA club section.
Ceili – Irish Club 7pm Saturday 15th August
The Kildunne dancing schools are hosting a Ceili night in the Irish club this Saturday night.
We’ve got full details on the Irish Dancing news page.
Family Night – Irish Club 6pm 26th September
Our next family night is on the 26th of September at the club. We’d love to see all of those children and adults who will be taking part in this year’s FEIS there on the night. We hope to use this night to help with the planning of the FEIS weekend and to make sure everything runs smoothly on the weekend itself.
If those attending could please bring a plate, we’ll be dining at 6.30pm with a discussion about the FEIS itself starting around 7.15pm.
First Friday Afternoon Tea’s
Please mark this in your Diary- Irish Club3pm on Friday 5th September
Visitors from Otaki, Paraparaumu and Raumati, were among those who attended the July, First Friday Afternoon Tea. We met, as usual just after 3pm at the Club for a shared afternoon tea, then about 5pm, our Fish and Chips were delivered, piping hot, and by then, we were joined by delegates from the Auckland Irish Society, who were in Wellington, for the meeting of the Federation of Irish Societies, being held the next day. Altogether, it was a most enjoyable afternoon.
We are looking forward to seeing you, and your friends, at the Club on Friday 5thSeptember.
White Soda Bread
IngredientsPrint Recipe Share Recipe Convers
400g plain flour
Pinch of salt
Level teaspoon of bread soda
300ml buttermilk
Method
Mix the flour, salt and bread soda together in a large mixing bowl.
Add in the buttermilk and mix completely.
Take out of the bowl and put onto a floured work surface and kneed into a loaf shape.
Put the loaf into a well oiled two pound loaf tin and bake at 150 degrees for one hour and then take the loaf out of the tin and bake at 150 degrees for a further 15 minutes.
Transfer to a wire rack and allow to cool.
printable version
share this
Recipe from RTÉ Food:
Kildunne Irish Dancing School News July 2009
Last month saw great success for the Kildunne Irish dancing school with triumphs at competitions throughout Australia.
In Melbourne, Eleisha Foon came 1st in the 11year old girls championship, while Georgia Christensen-Walden finished 4th in the 10year old competition.
On the Gold Coast the following weekend, Kuini Vidal, Lucy English, and Lucy Rogers finished 2nd, 5th and 6th respectively and, in Sydney, the same three dancers did remarkably well: Kuini came 1st in the 10year old championship, while both Lucy.E and Lucy.R won the soft shoe step-about round for their age groups.
Earlier this month we welcomed home Tricia Budding from her well-deserved 3 month trip overseas. While away, Tricia adjudicated at the World Irish Dancing Championships in Philadelphia, as well as the North American Irish Dancing Championships in Nashville. She has only been back a couple of weeks but is in high demand; Tricia is adjudicating a competition in Sydney this weekend and has already been booked for competitions in the U.S in 2010!
Further details, including class times at the Wellington Irish Society can be found on the school website:
The Capital City Feis 2009 competition has been taking place over the weekend in The Little Theatre, Lower Hutt. We’ll have more news on all the action in the next newsletter.
This Saturday 15th August, the dancersare holding a Ceili night; it’s a fundraiser for the Irish dancing Wellington championships. The evening starts at 7.30pm and ticket details are below.
Tickets cost: Adults $10 and Children $5.
For tickets contact Eleanor O'Toole before Friday on 04 973 8675.
Training for the Australasian games is continuing every Friday and Sunday, and there is a real level of excitement about this year’s competition. For the first time ever Wellington Hutt-Valley will be represented by both a men’s and women’s team. The state games are taking place in Melbourne, Australia from the 28th September thru 4th October and hopes are high for a great showing from the local players.
Should you wish to drop into training on a Sunday, you’ll find the players giving it their all at NairnvillePark in Ngaio between 4 and 6pm.
The Gaelic Club members are a very active bunch and have just had their social at the Irish Society on Saturday 25th July. It was a huge success with everybody having a great night. Some of the players were a little groggy the next day at training but after a good workout, focus is back on the Melbourne championships and both teams will be hopeful of bringing back some silverware to the club.
The state games are a very big commitment for the club and to help with the expenses, the club will be running the following events over the next few weeks.
Race Night at the Irish Society in Fifeshire ave – 14th August 2009
Join us at the Irish Society rooms on the 14th for our next fundraiser, we’re hosting a race night Calcutta style and it promises to be a fantastic night for all attending.
We’d appreciate any donations to the night for spot prizes, winners prizes etc, and especially we’d love to see ye all there on the night having a great time.
Table Quiz at the HuttValley Irish Society Clubrooms – 11th September 2009
We’re hosting our annual Hutt Valley Table Quiz on Friday 11th September this year at the Hutt Irish club from 7pm. It would be great to see you all there for a night of good craic and hopefully some easy questions! More info closer to the date.
Referees Course
If you’re interested in joining the GAA club but don’t feel youthful enough to run around the field for 70 minutes, we’re hosting a referee training course in the Irish Society rooms on Saturday 29th August. It would be fantastic to see a few of the previous GAA members coming back into the club, and this is a perfect way to get back into the club and your contribution would be valued.
Match V Christchurch Postponed
It was planned to have a challenge game against the Christchurch GAA on the weekend of 17th-18th July for the Lawton O’Carroll cup. Unfortunately due to the weather conditions in Christchurch, the airport was closed on the Saturday morning and all flights into the city were closed meaning the game had to be postponed.
Australasian Games Trial
This Sunday 16th August, we’re hosting round two of our trial games to select a squad for the Melbourne games. The game is taking place in Oriental Rongotoi’s grounds in Miramar at 11am this Sunday. We’d be delighted to have any supporters there to cheer the lads on, and it promises to be a great game of football.
Match V Auckland
As part of the preparations for the games in Melbourne, both the men’s and women’s teams are traveling to Auckland to help fine tune preparations for the state games. We’ll be traveling up on the weekend of the 5th-6th September, so should you find yourself in Auckland, come along and cheer on the capital city!
There will be more on our preparations for Melbourne 2009 and results from our weekend in Auckland in the next newsletter.
David Rynne – Vice President Wellington Hutt Valley GAA
The Late Seamus Hallissey
Funeral Eulogy by Colleen O’Donovan
As it was Seamus, who asked me to speak at his funeral, I could not refuse him, so I speak both as a friend of many years and Lillian Mackey has asked me to speak also, on behalf of the Wellington Irish Society. Maybe it is longevity that puts me in this position, as I guess there are few here who would have known Seamus longer.
Seamus was born in Whitechurch, a village a short distance from CorkCity, in Ireland, and was 28 years of age, when he arrived in Wellington on the Captain Cook in 1956
Seamus had the greatest love of Ireland and the people of his homeland, particularly its music, right until the end of his life, and he just loved to sing, a gift he was always happy to share. When asked to sing, he did so, never having to be encouraged, or jollied along, he knew that people gained so much pleasure from his singing, and he was always happy to please. How many of you, sitting here today, had Seamus sing at your wedding, for Ted and I, he sang Panis Angelicus, but that was a long time ago, and Wedding music has changed a somewhat over the years.
His love of music, the gusto with which he sang "the Black Velvet Band” and the enjoyment he gained from, and gave to others with the Ceili Band, and their recordings. Seamus was both, their drummer and vocalist, and a number of Ceili Band members are here with us today. Strangely enough, we, from the Irish Society, thought of that band as our own, as in the 1970's they played regularly at all the Irish Club Cabaret evenings, and we took so much pleasure from their music.
Seamus was twice President of the Wellington Irish Society 1976-78 then again in 1980, and in this role , was the Perfect Host, as you well know Seamus was a "People Person" he loved people, he liked to make people feel at home. In 1983 he was made a Life Member of the Irish Club, for his services to Music. When there were young Musician practicing at the Club, Seamus was always there to offer advice, and encouragement.
Then in 2002 he was made Patron of the Wellington Irish Society, a position he held until his death, one which he really made his own, and truly fulfilled that role, with his welcome smile, and ability to talk to, and make every visitor welcome. Seamus was a man who was completely non-judgmental, you never ever heard him criticize any one, instead he would just shrug his shoulders, and say "Ah well!
Another facet of Seamus' life, probably unknown to many, was how generous he was with his time, if anyone was in need of help, Seamus was there, and visiting the sick, either, at home, or in hospital, was always high on his list of priorities
Over the last ten years Seamus and Ann have made their home here in Waikanae, and our thanks to you, their Waikanae friends, you welcomed them both, and for your wonderful support particularly over these last few months
Ann has been his constant companion over many years, and, over the last three months since he was diagnosed with inoperable pancreatic cancer, Ann and her daughters, have been a wonderful comfort to Seamus, in helping him as he came to terms with his impending death, and caring for him in his own home, right until his death, and I am sure Seamus would want me, to thank you all, for your love and attention, and also those who took time out from your busy lives, to spend a little time with him, he really appreciated your visits.
We thank you Seamus for so many very happy memories you have rekindled in us, and as your friends gather here today, to say farewell, and share those memories, and at 3pm tomorrow, you are all invited back to the Wellington Irish Society, to enjoy again the music and company that Seamus so loved .
Thank you Seamus, for your friendship, and May God Bless you
______
Our thoughts and prayers are with Maurice Hartnett on the tragic death of his parents Maurice Snr and Margaret in a road traffic accident in Co Limerick last week. Maurice is the GAA club registrar and is now spending some time at home with his brothers and sisters.
______
We would like to offer our deepest sympathy to the family of Jimmy McAndrew who passed away last week after a brief battle with cancer.
______
Our Congratulations to two couples who have celebrated their Golden Weddings
Bill McDermott and Lillian nee Griffin were 50 years married on 30th May, while Eddie Carson and Rosaleen nee O’Regan on 1st August. Rosaleen has been a life time member, being brought to the club as a tiny child, by her parents, Lou and Lily O'Regan, along with her brothers, Terry and Louis, while Lillian was a little later, then both Bill and Eddie became members on their arrival in the 1950's and both couples have continued their association with the club, throughout the years.
______
And lastly, our Congratulations go out to John and Janice Carty of IslandBay, who celebrated their Golden Wedding on 8th August.
The national FEIS is being held in Wellington boy’s college at labour weekend.
We would love to hear from anyone who is willing to give a few hours of their time to help.
When we get a list of volunteers, we’ll draw up a roster of people so you know when you’re required.
WellingtonCollege is situated a few minutes from the airport and the city centre, adjacent to Government House and overlooks the Basin Reserve. It is also a short walk to the Wellington Irish Society. Across the road from the school is St Joseph’s Catholic Church where Sunday Mass will be held. Both Cultural and sporting events will be held at College. Bowls, Darts and Pool will be held at the Irish Society Clubrooms.
Dean Rogers is this year’s FEIS chairperson and can be contacted at 9346629.
The FEIS website is available at
FEIS Trophies
In order to prepare for the FEIS, we require that all trophies are brought into the Irish Society clubrooms on or before the 26th September. The trophies have to be valued and catalogued and all this takes time.
If you are posting in a trophy please ensure that it’s packaged well and send it to Wellington Irish Society, PO Box 449, Wellington.
Quiz – Myths & Legends(Solutions in the next newsletter)
1. Which city was said to have been founded by Romulus and Remus?
2. Name the race of warrior women, famed for their exploits in the Trojan War and ruled by a queen?
3. Poseidon was the Greek god of the sea. What did the Romans call him?
4. What is the usual occupation of the leprechaun of Irish Legend?
5. Where did the Greek Gods live?
6. Who led the Argonauts in search of the Golden Fleece?
7. Which Arabian princess saved her life by telling stories for 1001 nights?