Mary Pat Kelly

Reading in Santa Barbara

noreply@blogger.com (Mary Pat Kelly) — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 17:59:00 +0000

Very excited to be going to Santa Barbara with Martin for a wonderful event hosted by the American Irish Historical Society. See details of the event here.

The Society has an amazing collection of books on Irish topics I can't wait to see. Thanks to Frank McGinty and all for the invitation.

It would be wonderful to meet any of you Galway Bay fans from the Santa Barbara area.

Working away on Kelly Green and making some really intense discoveries in my research which I will save to surprise you with in the book. Might have news soon about the TV mini-series of Galway Bay. Will be blogging more (I promise!)

Happy Spring!

Best, Mary Pat

Happy St. Patrick's Day

noreply@blogger.com (Mary Pat Kelly) — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 15:16:00 +0000

Happy St. Patrick's Day to all the friends I've made through Galway Bay!!

I'm hard at work on Kelly Green, the sequel, and I've found that while I'm writing I'm not able to blog as much as I'd like. (The main character Nora Kelly is based on my great-aunt who went to Paris as a buyer for Marshall Field's in 1913. She was close to her cousin Ed Kelly and his political rise to become Mayor of Chicago is at the heart of the novel but Nora won't let me get her out of Paris!! You'll see why!)

Still I couldn't let our day pass without thanking you. Because of you Galway Bay is in its third paperback printing and still in bookstores. I love getting your emails and want to reply. If I haven't please write again. Lots of excitement in the offing. News about a TV mini-series very soon. I'm planning a trip to Ireland in November 2012. Please let me know if you'd be interested in coming along.

I'll be at many Irish Festivals over the summer and will post the dates on my website. I was in Chicago over the week-end. I put green chrysanthemums on Honora's grave, joined our Kelly Clan for the 4th annual reunion at the wonderful Polo Cafe in Bridgeport hosted by honorary Kelly Dave Samber, attended a stirring Irish-themed Mass at St. Catejan's and joined by father's sister Marguerite Kelly McGuire,93, at the South Side Irish Parade. My eyes never stopped smiling.

Sunday night I was in old St. Patrick's Church in Chicago Sunday, one of my favorite places in the world, sitting in while a full orchestra, a 100 voice choir, and soloists Catherine O'Connell, Rod Dixon and Alfreda Burke rehearsed for their annual Siamsa na nGael at Symphony Hall. Lots of friend there! One, Mary Evers, had written the script which tells the story of the meeting of Daniel O'Connell and Frederick Douglass in Dublin. Brian Dennehy was to be their narrator. I was transported by the wonderful music and the transcendent art work--amazing stained glass windows of the Irish Saints, Celtic designs painted in vibrant colors--beautiful. And standing over it all right there above the main altar was St Pat, himself, holding a bouquet of shamrocks. Thanks, I told him, for my family, for my Tyrone- born husband, for my friends which include you and for my heritage. I'm so grateful to our ancestors who, against incredible odds, not only saved themselves but wove their stories and songs into America's fabric for all to enjoy! So a joyous day!

I'll be marching on the 17th with the Irish American Teachers and on March 14th attending Irish America Magazine's event with editor Patricia Harty, who explores the Irish experience with such grace and intelligence, then joining The Kelly Gang for our annual fundraiser at Michael's restaurant in New York. This year our charity is City Harvest. I'll be on New York One tonight March 13th at 7pm and 10pm talking about how we Irish Americans, who endured the Great Starvation that killed one million, are honored to help to feed the hungry. SLAINTE!!!!!!! Love, Mary Pat

Galway Bay Update

noreply@blogger.com (Mary Pat Kelly) — Wed, 11 May 2011 16:45:00 +0000

I'm writing away on Kelly Green, the sequel to Galway Bay so I haven't been blogging as much. But I wanted to invite you to listen to three interviews I did recently.

I've really enjoyed meeting Alison Cuddy, the wonderful host of Eight Forty-Eight Chicago's NPR interview show. She's so knowledgeable and great fun. We talked about the Irish, the Church, Mayors of Chicago and the Civil War. And I've loved getting to know Kate O'Brien, the show's producer. Her aunt went to my high school, Marywood!

Also I sat down for a long interview with my long time friend Adrian Flannelly. For 40 years Adrian's radio show Irish Radio has given voice to Irish and Irish American issues. Thanks to the show's producer Aine Sheridan.

Also, there's a video clip from my appearance on Good Day, New York hosted by a fellow Kelly Gang member Greg Kelly.

Hope you enjoy this and if you're near where I'll be in May and June – please come by! You can check on events here on my site. Happy Spring (finally!)

Happy St. Patricks's Day

noreply@blogger.com (Mary Pat Kelly) — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 02:18:00 +0000

I've marched and sang and celebrated in Chicago and now I'm on my way to NY to be in the Parade. I've been staying in Bridgeport at the wonderful Polo Cafe and Bed & Breakfast where Dave Samber is a great host. I've been walking the streets Honora and her children knew so well and thinking of how hard all of our ancestors struggled so that we could live. Thinking too of the Japanese mothers right now fighting for their children's lives as they mourn the dead. So much like Irish women who refused to give up in spite of the horrors of the Great Starvation. As Honora said "We didn't die." She prayed St. Patrick's Prayer for strength and that's my wish for all who of us --that we be surrounded by grace and protection--above us, below us, in the radiance of the moon and the warmth of the sun and that we are all held in the palm of God's hand. Slainte!!!!!

Irish Names

noreply@blogger.com (Mary Pat Kelly) — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 02:08:00 +0000

Lots of interesting history and legends around Irish names and Irish first names. My husband, Martin Sheerin researched them and created a
website Baby Names of Ireland.

You can hear the late great Frank McCourt recall the
legend and pronunciation in audio of each Irish name on the site. Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Galway Bay now in Paperback!

noreply@blogger.com (Mary Pat Kelly) — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 21:22:00 +0000

I've been asking you, my readers and friends, to please help put the new paperback version of Galway Bay on the bestseller list by spreading the word to family and friends. It's out now!! And here's an exciting development-- Jean Doumanian, a producer with wonderful credits and lots of awards, is developing Galway Bay for a television mini-series and great sales help to propel the project forward. So fingers crossed!! I'm writing away on Kelly Green, the sequel to Galway Bay. The next generation moves through the Roaring Twenties, two World Wars and the controversial rise of Honora's grandson Ed Kelly' to Mayor of Chicago. He becomes head of the most powerful urban political party in the country. You can see why I'm not doing as many events but I'll be at the Irish Festivals this summer and if you call me I may come. The best part of writing Galway Bay is sharing it with you and swapping family stories!!

Happy St. Patrick's Day.

Celebrating Honora

noreply@blogger.com (Mary Pat Kelly) — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 18:31:00 +0000

I wanted to share with you a video of the day we placed a headstone on Honora's unmarked grave at Calvary Cemetery in Chicago.

Irish Fest Milwaukee

noreply@blogger.com (Mary Pat Kelly) — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 01:13:00 +0000

On my way from Three Lakes, Wisconsin to Milwaukee for Irish Fest. Had a wonderful family reunion on our beautiful Medicine Lake in Three Lakes. Thought how pleased Honora would be to see her great great great great grandchildren splashing in the clear water. A touch of Galway Bay. Mayor Ed Kelly of Chicago, Honora's grandson and a featured character in the sequel I'm working on called "Kelly Green", had a house in Eagle River, WI. I plan to set some scenes there so am doing research.

I'll be doing events in October and November. So please watch this space. Hope to see some of you in Milwaukee! I'm in the vendors tent with The Irish Boutique aka Paddy on the Square from Long Grove, Ill. signing books. What great supporters of Galway Bay. I think they have sold over 700 copies! And in February the trade paperback is due. I'm on the bus going south on Route 51. Wisconsin is almost as green as Ireland!! Slainte!!!!

Returning to Ireland

noreply@blogger.com (Mary Pat Kelly) — Tue, 25 May 2010 00:20:00 +0000

Sorry to be behind on my blogs but Irishamerica.com will bring you to the article Returning to Ireland I wrote for Irish America Magazine about the group who traveled with me to Galway and Connemara to visit the places that inspired scenes in Galway Bay. We're thinking of doing another trip in May 2011 so let me know if you'd be interested! This issue of the magazine focuses on The Great Starvation and has some very beautiful pieces.

Chicago

noreply@blogger.com (Mary Pat Kelly) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 03:35:00 +0000

Great to be in Chicago during the St. Patrick's Day season...Honora wondered at the end of Galway Bay if Amerikay would swallow up the Irish. Well don't worry, Honora, we're alive and well and celebrating our identity. I'm in Manhattan, IL west of Chicago. I helped kick off their Irish Fest. My friends the Cunningham’s have roots there and it seems I've connected to so many of my events through friends and family. And wow the word is really spreading. Thanks to Rick Kogan, chronicler of all things Chicago, who interviewed me on his WGN radio show Sun. Feb 28 along with Dave Samber. Dave's made his Polo Cafe in Bridgeport (where the Kelly’s settled) Galway Bay Central. Rick's questions show such respect and understanding for a writer's work. Of course he's a writer and so knows. Everybody in Chicago must listen to him judging from the many people at events who say "I heard you on Rick!"

I felt very honored to attend a ceremony that finally honored the first Chicago policeman killed in the line of duty, Constable James Quinn. He died in 1853 but his story had been forgotten until Rick Barrett and Skinny Sheahan got on the case. See the Chicago Tribune for the whole story. Had a chance to talk to Mayor Daley who said he and his wife had read and enjoyed Galway Bay. Very gratifying!

A full house at Indian Prairie library where Cindy Kline, who is a friend of my cousin Sheila, put together a great event. My other cousin Carol's daughter Maggie, 12, invited me to her school which was fun. Her class was full of ideas and question about writing.

Last night was magical too. Marti Wendt Doherty, whose brother George (you might know him as Norm in Cheers) was in the same Second City cast as my sister Nancy McCabe Kelly and brother-in-law Bruce Jarchow hosted a fund raiser at her amazing house for her parish school Christ the King. A copy of Galway Bay and high tea with me came with a donation to the Christ the King Foundation. Everything Irish--Waterford crystal, Beleek China, handmade dolls, Celtic art-- shone. But brightest were the 60 or more women gathered. Very emotional for me to talk to a group that so appreciated the Galway Bay story, which in many ways is the story of every family.

And Mrs. Wendt, matriarch of the clan, told me after my talk "I like your sense of humor. You know how to slip them in. And that's the best complement I can give anyone!" Wow!! Her family comes from Mayo. Now that's the Chicago Irish spirit!! No wonder I'm so happy to be home.

Happy Spring!

noreply@blogger.com (Mary Pat Kelly) — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 21:59:00 +0000

In Ireland snowdrops and primroses are blooming and the Celtic calendar says Imbolc - Spring – which began on February 1st, St. Brigid's Feast. Both blacksmiths and poets claim the great Irishwoman as their patron which seems appropriate to me as I work on the sequel to Galway Bay. Sometimes as I write I do feel as if I'm hammering away. But then I think of you. Readers! You're my reward! Because of you Galway Bay is in its fourth printing. THANKS.

Could I ask a favor? St. Patrick's Day turns booksellers' attention towards things Irish. Would you please encourage a book store near you to add copies of Galway Bay to their St. Patrick's Day displays? I've found that individual managers do respond when asked to stock the book. And, as always you can buy Galway Bay on Amazon or through my websit e as a St. Patrick's Day Gift for a favorite Irish Person.

Also, I'll be doing a number of events during the St. Patrick's Day season, for more information check for dates and times here.

Galway Bay in its Fourth Printing

noreply@blogger.com (Mary Pat Kelly) — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 15:53:00 +0000

Grand Central Publishing has issued a fourth printing of Galway Bay, just in time for stores to start ordering for Saint Patrick's Day. I'll have lots of fun events around that time, check back here for more information on events and book signings. Also as noted in an earlier blog, I will be leading a Galway Bay tour to Ireland April 27 to May 7. Let me know if you're interested. You can email me here. SLAINTE!

Irish College Day at Sacred Heart University

noreply@blogger.com (Mary Pat Kelly) — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 15:11:00 +0000

Saturday November 7th. I spoke at the second annual Irish College Day at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Conn sponsored by The Wild Geese. I will keep you informed about new events sponsored by them.

Also, I will be leading a Galway Bay tour to Ireland April 27 to May 7. Let me know if you're interested. You can email me here.

Villanova University

noreply@blogger.com (Mary Pat Kelly) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:39:00 +0000

I was at another great Catholic University, Villanova with Professor James Murphy, head of the Irish Studies Program. We talked about the incredible achievements of the Irish Augustinians who founded Villanova in the 1840's. How did they do it? How did the Holy Cross Fathers at Notre Dame manage or the Sisters of Providence at St Mary-of-the Woods. Pioneers all and full of those who had escaped oppression and the Great Starvation and then had gone right on create these institutions. Such determination. I guess the hunger for education among the Irish immigrants, who'd been forbidden by law to go to school, was as strong as the need for food and shelter and work.

At Villanova I heard the students in Professor Murphy's class talk with passion about Queen Maeve and Sweeney, the Chieftain Seamus Heaney made so real in Sweeney Astray. The old stories in this new setting--alive. How happy our ancestors must be!

At my presentation we had a Galway Bay moment. I was talking about how a sister at the Presentation Convent in Galway had helped me and the odd coincidence that two of her aunts had left Donegal in the 1880's and joined the Sisters of Providence in Indiana, the community in which I had spent six years. A man raised his hand. "Was the name MacNaillis?" he asked." Yes!" He was a cousin and had heard the story though he didn't know Sister Maire in Galway. Made me think of connections and cousins I have discovered. Did I write about the astounding moment when I met cousins I had never known existed at a book signing at the parish I where I grew up-- Queen of All Saints? If not it's because I'm still reeling. Nicole and her aunt Mary Anne Grennan and uncle Tom Grennan came up at the end. They are the descendants of Luke Kelly, the brother of my great grandmother Bridget Kelly who married Patrick Kelly. A Kelly marrying a Kelly. We had a fine reunion and then they brought other cousins to meet my Aunt Marge Kelly McGuire who is now the most senior member of the Clan and the only one from that generation. We have only begun to connect those dots!

After Villanova I signed at the Warrington Borders. That invitation came from Jim Dowling who I met on Cape Cod because he is a friend of Elizabeth Merrill who hosted me when I signed at her book store Titcombs where a dear friend from Connecticut Dick Whitcomb brought his friend who turned out to be a cousin who girls I went to High school with in Chicago. Got it? Do you see why my blogging lags behind?

Chicago and Notre Dame

noreply@blogger.com (Mary Pat Kelly) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:37:00 +0000

I was signing "Merry Christmas" at the great Celtic New Year gathering of writers, artists and musicians in ChicagoIBAM-- Irish Books Art Music-- that Cliff Carlson, publisher of a number of Irish American newspapers, put together a Celtic New Year celebration with dozens of author, musicians, dancers and artists at the Irish American Heritage Center with its beautiful new ballroom. That's such a wonderful place and I have gotten to know so many volunteers there as well as the new director Tim McDonnell, Malachy and Alphie McCourt were there from New York and commented on the warm welcome Chicago people give visitors. One of the best parts of Galway Bay is spending so much time in my home town.

That week before I spoke to the Celtic Women at the Heritage Center and had a wonderful evening at the Polo Cafe in Bridgeport (Galway Bay central) with 60 members of book clubs from the area parishes and topped it off with a lovely afternoon with the Irish American teachers. I stayed that week at the Polo Cafe's bed and breakfast hosted by the amazing Dave Samber and was able to walk the streets my ancestors knew so well and get the feel of the neighborhood as I research material for the sequel.

Dave also spearheaded two events at nearby St. James Parish. We showed Proud, the movie I wrote and directed which told the story of the men of the USS Mason, the only African American sailors to take a US Navy warship into combat during WW II. (Check Proudthemovie.com and USSMason.org) It stars Ossie Davis (his last movie). He plays the real Mason sailor Lorenzo Dufau and Mr. Dufau was with us there in Chicago! The students attending the daytime screening loved him and so did the adults at night. We even were featured on ABC news.

Mr Dufau and I had been in Buffalo that weekend where Proud was featured in the Buffalo International Film Festival. We shot the movie in Buffalo so it was a homecoming. Two actors from the film-Ron Mangum and Willie Faulkner attended. The next day Mary Heneghan and her son Tom whose store The Tara Gift Shop is at the heart of Buffalo's Irish Community arranged a signing for me at a unique book store Dog Ears, just down Abbott Street the neighborhood where the street signs are in Irish and a statue of Chauncey Alcott in front of Buffalo's Irish Center watches over his birthplace. A happy day.

And then I entered a sacred space that from childhood meant Irish to me--The University of Notre Dame. I signed books in the Notre Dame book store the day of the Notre Dame-Boston College Game. Talk about Irish Pride. Nothing like hearing the band play the fight song followed by a jig and watching thousands of students in the stands dance along. Met so many friends. Tailgated with Rose Durkin Snyder, whose been a huge support. She'd joined my childhood friend Barbara Leahy Sutton, a St. Mary of Notre Dame's graduate, in helping me at my table in the book store. Roe is amazing. Her enthusiasm pulled people in. They had to buy!!

Writing

noreply@blogger.com (Mary Pat Kelly) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:46:00 +0000

November now and I am far behind in this blog. I am writing a piece
for Irish America magazine about my travels so that eases my mind a
little. Arrived in California last night and saw Julie/Julia on the
plane which made me resolve to update this blog. Watching the movie
filled me with gratitude that I am a writer and that Galway Bay is out
there being read. When I was writing away with my fine point black
Papermate pen on legal sized narrow-ruled yellow pads (not easy to
find!!) at 5am I hoped (and prayed) that readers would find and be
moved by the story. And now I meet people who do appreciate Galway
Bay at every stop.

His great spirit

noreply@blogger.com (Mary Pat Kelly) — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 13:42:00 +0000

I’ve spent the last weeks attending Irish festivals in Cleveland, Minnesota and Milwaukee. Amazing experiences at each one which I’ll be writing about in Irish America Magazine. But amid the fun and music there was a chorus of sadness from people who stopped to look at Galway Bay and read Frank McCourt’s quote on the cover. “Ah Frank,’ they’d say and then talk about how much his work had meant to them. Many had met Frank, heard him read – all were touched by his great spirit. We’d spend a few minutes talking about him as the bands played and families strolled by – eating roasted corn in the sunshine – a wake that Frank would have enjoyed. Perpetual light shining. May he rest in peace.

Frank McCourt

noreply@blogger.com (Mary Pat Kelly) — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 13:41:00 +0000

Right now someone somewhere is opening Angela's Ashes for the first time or 'Tis or Teacher Man and hearing Frank McCourt's voice. Lucky for them that initial discovery and fortunate too are the many who listened to him at a signing or lecture or best of all around a table at The Parlour Bar with his wife Ellen and a good sprinkling of McCourt's on hand.

He was very generous to my husband Martin and me. It's comforting to think I can visit Martin's website BabyNamesOfIreland.com and know Frank is there pronouncing the names and telling the stories. And I told him his quote on the cover of Galway Bay is the best writing in the book. He'd said he was going to give me two quotes because the book was so long. He also told me when I did a presentation to tell the stories rather than read. "They can buy the damn book and read it themselves." Thank God we can read his books -- and I find new levels with every reading. That gorgeous simplicity yields more and more. When I'd be up at five in the morning writing Galway Bay I'd listen to the CD of The Irish and How They Got That Way, the show he wrote and performed with The Irish Rep Theatre in New York. Great songs and great Frank. One morning I let it play on long after the end and found that there were a string of takes of Frank saying "the brother," a reference to Malachy earlier in the piece. Each take is different and full of suppressed and not so suppressed glee. For all his clear-eyed look at misery, the laugh was always there. He was our big brother who could take it and laugh and make the world less scary. We'll miss him so. Thanks for giving us the books, Frank.

Voices of Truth

noreply@blogger.com (Mary Pat Kelly) — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 13:40:00 +0000

And our Uncle Walter is gone too. He was another voice that told the truth. He had a strong connection to Ireland from the time he was based in Derry, Base One Europe, as a war correspondent during WWII. Because of his good memories of that time he agreed to appear in the documentary I did for PBS stations about the 300,000 American troops stationed in Northern Ireland during the War when Maebeth Fenton, a friend of the Cronkites and a great supporter of Northern Ireland, asked him. After the shoot he told me how Irish men from the Free State would wait at the Border to invite the Americans to step across to Donegal for feeds of fresh eggs, butter and poitin. "One fellow offered us raincoats to put on. He said that if our uniforms were covered and we took off our caps than weren't we civilians temporarily and able to ignore Army rules against going into neutral Ireland?" Walter Cronkite didn't tell me he went across but he didn't say he hadn't. I know through the years he sailed around the coast of Northern Ireland many times.

Another journalist I knew much better left us this Sunday too. David Sutton grew up on Chicago's North Shore, the son of a Dean of Northwestern University. His path was clear yet he choose to enlist in the Army, finding another America in southern Army camps and then a surrogate Korean family when he was stationed there. They remained his life-long friends. He was an excellent reporter, editor and photographer and had the kind of long, rewarding career at The Chicago Tribune that doesn't seem possible in newspapers today and is more precious because of that. David shared journalism and everything else with his wife Barbara, a quiet trail blazer for women at the paper, and...well, we've been friends since we were 10 and I can't fit how great she is into the longest blog. Friends and family are gathering to be with her and remember David. So with Frank McCourt and Walter Cronkite. Surely the three will be at the gatherings -- three good men each who knew a good story and how to tell it. Eternal light shine upon them. May they rest in peace.

Chicago

noreply@blogger.com (Mary Pat Kelly) — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 14:38:00 +0000

I have just spent a weekend talking to readers of Galway Bay and it is exhilarating. I was in Chicago for the American Library Association meeting and for the annual Irish Fest at the Irish American Heritage Center. In both places I met people who had enjoyed the story and identified with the characters. Funny to chat about Honora or Maire or Michael Kelly with others who had come to know them too and yet after a few minutes it felt very natural as I'd we were discussing mutual friends. And since this was Chicago, my hometown, our discussion of these fictional characters often led to the "Do you know?" match game someone called "Chicago Bingo." We share our parishes, high schools, start listing names and Bingo! we have someone in common. And since many of my characters were real people I am now meeting their descendants. Sunday at the Irish Fest I signed a book for the great-grand-daughter of Charles Comiskey, founder of the Chicago White Sox. The Fest was a true extravaganza – three days of music and beautifully dressed Irish dancers performing on a raised stage outside, while their little brothers and sisters imitated their movements with great abandon on the pavement below. The Heritage Center was a huge Chicago Public School that a group of Irish Chicagoans bought and transformed over a period of over 25 years. Now a 700-seat auditorium, a large bar, an exquisite library and dozens of meeting rooms and performance spaces show the skill and tenacity of the volunteer carpenters, plumbers and builders who restored hard-wood floors, paneled walls and painted Celtic symbols on the walls. I spoke and signed books in the library presided over by Peg Reid, a career librarian in the Chicago system, who now devotes herself to keeping the community's memories alive in this lovely space. Authors Ann Hasset and Jean Harrington and I talked about how a fascination with history influenced our writing.

Then I went out into the school-yard which had become an outdoor concert venue as well as an open market for all things Irish. I signed books at the stall run by the Barry family who have two beautiful stores in Long Grove, Paddy on the Square and The Irish Boutique. Paddy Barry and his son John were early champions of Galway Bay and this was the third time I've joined then at their booth. We were together at the South Side Gaelic Park Festival and at Printer's Row. So much work goes into setting up for these events and there is a great camaraderie among the vendors. John and Paul Barry, Colin, Laurie and Ryan did the hard work while I talked to the people passing by, many of whom (Thank God) had heard of Galway Bay. Some had read articles in Irish America Magazine or Chicago's Irish American News or seen the reviews in People Magazine or the Tribune or America. Others had heard me on Rick Kogan's WGN radio program or talking on the shows hosted by the members of the Haggerty family or the O'Connors. It's fun to connect this way and a good few wanted a signed copy. "I'm number 46 on the waiting list at the Park Ridge library," one woman told me, "but I think, since you're here, I'll buy the book." Many mentioned the wonderful quote from Frank McCourt on the cover and we talked about the impact his books made on us. Frank is in my thoughts and prayers these days.

Here we all were, the Chicago Irish, celebrating in the sunshine on the best weekend for weather of the year, and all because of the courage of our ancestors. Thanks, Honora!!! I'm off now to catch the plane for Boston. Tomorrow I'll be at Titcombs Book Store in East Sandwich on Cape Cod. Can't wait. I hope I have time in the airport to talk about the ALA. Imagine the good energy generated by 25,000 librarians in one place!

Galway City

noreply@blogger.com (Mary Pat Kelly) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 10:35:00 +0000

I just walked smack into a rainbow--anchored in Galway Bay and framed by my hotel room window. The scene is so eerily like the cover of the book, if you ignore the gas tanks and imagine a sailing ship, that I'm a bit stunned. It's nearly 10pm but still bright out. The sun won't go down into Galway Bay for awhile yet on these long days. Since I arrived in Galway on Wednesday I've had this sense, to paraphrase Seamus Heaney, of being in two places at the same time and two times in the same place." I've kept the 19th century in my mind so much it's disorienting to be in the 21st century city. Today I participated in a panel as part of the American Conference for Irish Studies, the group that has done so much to make Irish Studies an honored part of the curriculum at so many colleges and universities in the US and now throughout the world. The conference is taking place at the National University of Ireland, Galway, which was opened during the Great Starvation. As I walked through the campus past the old stone building I thought of Honora, my great-great grandmother. She must have passed by this place, perhaps when walking home after selling the catch that saved them during one of the desperate times. Yesterday, Friday, I stood under the Spanish Arch looking at the space that was the old Fish Market and imagined Mam, Maire and Honora here in the "before times," joking with the other woman as they called out the merits of their fish. As I crossed the bridge a great commotion broke out. A fisherman was pulling a salmon from the river. A crowd gathered. Two taxi cabs pulled over and their drivers, members of Galway's African community, ran over to take pictures with their cell phones. We all cheered when the fish was landed and held up for us to see. Seventeen pounds--impressive!

Then early on this Saturday morning as I crossed the quiet campus headed for the conference I felt as if the whole Kelly-Keeley clan had left the pages of the book and are walking with me. I passed through a kind of green tunnel of trees that leads from the oldest part of the University campus to the new Millennium Arts building where the panel was taking place. Are you pleased Honora? You are remembered here in your home city. You'd be delighted with the Centre for Irish Studies at this University. Such respect for the past, for the culture that endures while at the same time engaging with the present. Last night Sean Nos singers sang for us in that beautiful hypnotic style. Two were from Carna. I spoke to Josie Sheain, Jeain Jeaic Mac Donncha about you and our family. You would have heard these songs, he said. A long time ago is never very far away in Ireland. The clan was with me too as I went into the classroom for the presentation. Two very fine papers by Mary Mullen on George Moore and Elizabeth Tasker on Frances Sheridan, mother of Richard Brinsley Sheridan and a novelist herself, preceded mine. Laura O'Connor was the moderator. I talked about my search for you, Honora, and spoke of the Family History Center, The Galway County Library and of Sister Maire who helped me so much. All are based less than mile from here. Three of the audience have read Galway Bay--two friends from Chicago and a woman whose name I didn't get. It's wonderful to know our family has been taken into the imagination of others. Now that's hospitality!!

And talking about hospitality I received a wonderful welcome from Sheila Pratschke in Paris last week. She is the director of the Centre Culture Irlandais which is in the centuries old Irish College, a haven for students during the penal days when education for Catholics was forbidden in Ireland. My newly-met cousin Peggy Kelly, and her husband John Cummins, who'd spent the year studying at the Sorbonne, were there as I presented "Galway Bay" to Sheila for the library. A French friend joined us and we all concluded by singing "Galway Bay."

We sang at the conclusion of the panel at the conference too. "If you ever go across the sea to Ireland..." Well I'm here and so is Galway Bay. It's Sunday morning now and I've been down for an early breakfast. A young family was in the dining room. Ths sun is shining on the Bay out the window and the food is great and there's plenty of it. The little girl and her younger brother laugh as their father starts singing "Michael Row the Boat Ashore," perhaps because a boat is moving out into the Bay. The mother looks over. Are they disturbing me? Oh no--what could be better than a song on a beautiful day. As I watch this Irish father and his children, their joy, I think of writing the scene when Michael Kelly, who resists going to Amerikay, tells Honora that a man should be able to raise his children in his own land. Whatever the pressure of the moment on the Irish economy that opportunity is here and others are coming to join in. A lot of thinking for a gorgeous Sunday morning and I'm heading out to Bearna and Carna myself now thanks to Des, my husband's nephew.

Grainne Statue

noreply@blogger.com (Mary Pat Kelly) — Sat, 23 May 2009 13:40:00 +0000

As soon as I got back to Chicago I went to visit the statue of Grainne in Heritage Park across from Old St. Pat's. The artist imagined the daughter of an Irish chieftain--she's proud and free, the kind of strong Irish woman who endured and triumphed. I look at her and think of Honora and all the mothers and grandmothers who were determined their children would not die. The City of Galway, Chicago's Sister City, gave the statue of Grainne as an expression of the historic link between Chicago and Galway and a tribute to Irish women. Grainne will provide the focus when Chicago joins Irish communities throughout the world in commemorating the first Irish Famine Memorial Day May 17, 2009. The American Ireland Fund, The Galway Committee of the Chicago Sister Cities International Program, The Irish Fellowship Club and Old St. Pat's Parish will come together to mark the day and honor our ancestors. I'm to say a few words about the Chicago Irish experience. Afterwards in the parish hall the wonderful singer Catherine O'Connell and I will present a program of songs and stories from Galway Bay. I am so glad these commemorations are happening and glad we can lay a wreath at Grainne's feet. I never see a statue of a woman in a public place. Of course walk into Old St. Pat's and there is St. Brigid, St. Ann and of course the Blessed Mother. Lots and lots of women in all the Catholic Churches in Chicago, not only statues but in the stained glass windows and paintings. Mary Magdalene's there at the foot of the cross and women appear in the stations--Veronica, the women of Jerusalem, Mary and Mary Magdalene. In Galway Bay I imagined women praying in these very churches. I'm sure they found comfort thinking about these other women of strength. Thanks Galway City for giving us Grainne!

Photo: Bert Kelly-Jarchow

Chicago Irish Radio

noreply@blogger.com (Mary Pat Kelly) — Sat, 23 May 2009 12:43:00 +0000

How to describe the good time I had on Chicago Irish radio? The studio is on the top floor of the Oak Park Arms, once an elegant hotel that is now a retirement community. The Haggerty family has been broadcasting for 60 years, every Sat from 9 to 11. Denise, the host today, tells me she helped her father when she was 7, answering phones and taking the name of the lucky sixth or 12th or 20th caller who had won tickets or a record or a book. Today, May 9, her daughter does the job and Galway Bay is the prize. Denise interviews me and the give and take is easy and fun. Soon other guests arrive--a musical group, representatives of the Irish Centers-- Gaelic Park and the Irish American Heritage Center-- and the director of a theater group. A lot goes on of Irish interest in Chicago and from here the news goes forth. At 11 the O'Connor family takes over. Siobhan and her mother Margaret and their friend Bridgid continue the mix of music and information. I do feel as if I am in a family's living room. I tell them about the two book signings today--The Irish Shop nearby in Oak Park, and Paddy's on the Square in Long Grove. But we spend most of the time on both shows talking about the Famine Commemoration at the Grainne statue in the park across from Old St. Pat's on May 17th. I'm so pleased to be part of the event and then to be able to present the songs and stories of Galway Bay with Catherine O'Connell. She gives so much to this community. Imagine celebrating joyous occasions with her beautiful voice and from- the- heart delivery as an accompaniment. And then when comfort is needed she is there too. So many people have told me how much her singing meant to them at a parent's funeral. On the 17th she will be singing a lament for the one million who died but also honoring the two million who escaped and saved us all.

Five Book Clubs Meet

noreply@blogger.com (Mary Pat Kelly) — Sat, 23 May 2009 12:17:00 +0000

May 7th and we were back at home base--the Polo Cafe in Bridgeport, Chicago. Dave, who has just received a rave review for his restaurant in the Chicago Tribune, has hosted members of six book clubs who have all read the book, for a "Galway Bay" evening. Roe Snyder, who organized the signing in Florida, brought the 12 members of her club all the way from Burr Ridge, a good hour and a half away. The daughters of my cousin Tom, and their clubs came, as did his friend Mary Pat. I am now the "other Mary Pat" in this group! His daughter Brigid's group is co-ed. "We like the history," one of the fellows told me, a comment I frequently get from men in their emails. Dave served shark, the signature food that earned him the top prize in the competitive Taste of Chicago Festival. What an experience to talk to a room full of people who had read the book and talked about the characters as if they were old friends. "I read slow at the end. I didn't want to leave the Kellys," one woman told me. Music to my ears. My Aunt Marge came. I'm so grateful for her support. We celebrated her 90th birthday in February though she prefers not to emphasize her age. She's as busy and vigorous as ever and didn't need a song sheet to sing Galway Bay at the end, a tradition at these events now. Aunt Marge knows every word!

Effingham, Illinois

noreply@blogger.com (Mary Pat Kelly) — Sat, 23 May 2009 12:08:00 +0000

Effingham, you called out to me literally. In March your name was our guide on the map we used when we drove through an ice storm to Terre Haute and the Woods. No sooner did I get there than I received an email from Sheila in Effingham, Illinois. So now we are on our way to an event at the Effingham Library courtesy of Sheila, her daughter and Catherine, the librarian who (ready) is from Derry!!! I'm sure we met there when she was with the Northern Ireland Tourist Board. She worked with Patsy O' Kane whose hotel Beech Hill Country House is my favorite place to stay in Ireland. Happy synchronicities Galway Bay moments. Providence! A great day and again wonderful family stories from those attending.