The 1st of the 2-legged play-off between Ireland and France, for participation in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, takes place tonight at Croke Park in Dublin (2pm Kansas City time).

This is one of 4 play-off fixtures in Europe between the best 8 teams who finished 2nd in their respective World Cup qualifying groups out of a total of 9 groups - the teams that finished 1st having qualified automatically for South Africa (Italy won the group that Ireland were in, and Serbia topped France’s group)

Both legs are available for viewing live in the US on Setanta Premium. The 2nd leg takes place in Paris on Wednesday (Nov 18, 2009).

More on Soccer:
   • Meeting Diego Maradona in Ireland
   • Watching Soccer in America
   • Irish Lose: O-Dear-O-Dear-O-Dear

Last year the sisters recorded their first CD, called Echoes of Ephesus. 60,000 copies of it were sold or given out. One of the people to listen to it was Ireland’s Ian Byrne of The Elders. The Catholic Key reports that

through Byrne, the sisters connected with Steve Phillips, a recording engineer and musician with the local Irish band. With his assistance, the CD was recorded at Conception Abbey, where the acoustics are just right.

Read the whole article in the Catholic Key.

The Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles, have been based temporarily up at NE 42nd Terrace in Kansas City since 2006 when invited by Bishop Finn to transfer to the community, but they are currently seeking to build a traditional, rural, and permanent Priory, so they can continue their imitation of Mary in earnest.

The CDs, Christmas at Ephesus and Echoes of Ephesus, are available for purchase for $20 online at the Benedictine community’s website

On Saturday, November 21, 2009, Tullamore are returning to Waxy O’Shea’s Irish Pub in Shawnee Kansas.

The turnout at their October debut at Waxy’s was a record-setting one for the pub, and Tullamore would like to go one better this time and so ask everybody to come out again for another record-breaking night.

The pub is located at 11900 Shawnee Mission Parkway (on the northwest corner of Shawnee Mission Parkway and Quivira Road). The live music is from 8:00pm to midnight. For more information, call (913) 631-1759.

See Also:
   • Inside Waxy O’Shea’s Irish Pub of Shawnee, Kansas
   • Wild and Wicked Youth: CD by Tullamore
   • Waxy O’Shea’s: New Irish Pub for Kansas City

Unlike previous sales however I am not posting dozens of paitings in one go, but instead am rolling the sale out in dribs and drabs between now and Christmas. So there will be dozens by the time it’s over but right now there are just six (and 2 of them have sold already).

By the time it’s all finished most of the paintings will be Irish landscapes and scenes of Irish towns and cities.

Right this moment I’m also fighting the ebola virus. Oh no, it’s just head-cold stuff with some aches and chills - sorry to disappoint you there. Anyway as that’s impacting on painting, it might just mean I’ll manage to do some catching up on Irish news and events in KC. We’ll see.

The KC GAC have again secured their old “Wicked Sweet Pitch” from Sunday, November 15, 2009 onward through the cold months.

The WSP™ is the turf field at the Wizard’s facility at Swope Park on 63rd where the KCGAC played the big tourney this summer.

And while they’re at it the KC GAC are also changing practice times:
    Hurling 11am - 1pm
    Football 1pm - 3pm

[Update] This Sunday, November 8, 2009 practice is at SW High at the following times:

    Hurling 10am-12noon
    Football 12noon-2pm

For further updates keep checking with the KCGAC at their various online places as listed below.

KCGAC Online:
   • Website
   • Blog
   • FaceBook
   • Twitter

My delay has at least allowed you time to see that this world premiere of David Cale’s play has been rapturously received with fantastic reviews.

Robert Trussell in the KC Star calls Cale World Class as he describes the play as singular in the depth and clarity of the writing and the breathtaking precision of David Cale’s performance.

Alan Scherstuhl in the Pitch calls Cale perhaps the most accomplished performer I have seen in a one-man show in Kansas City.

Russ Simmons in the Sun Publications calls Palomino a compelling one-man tour de force!”

Steve Shapiro in the KC Tribune says the subtle introduction of the female charactes, together with the plumbing of their stories raises “Palomino” into a niche of its own

Here’s David Cale talking about the play, and the stories about the Irish guys in New York that prompted Palomino:

Palomino is presented by The Kansas City Repertory Theatre on the Copaken Stage at 14th and Walnut, Kansas City, Missouri. It runs through November 15. For tickets, call 816-235-2700 or go online at www.kcrep.org

The Wild Clover Band’s Aaron Svoboda, Tim Sharkey, and Greg Tesdall, have reunited with former WCB banjo wizard, Mike Metzger to continue to play traditional Irish music under the name of Miles From Dublin.

The Kansas City area gets an early chance to see Miles From Dublin when this weekend, Friday November 6, 2009 and Saturday November 7, 2009, they play at the best Irish pub on your side of the Mississippi, O’Malley’s Irish Pub in Weston, Missouri. Both gigs start at 8pm.

MILES FROM DUBLIN
Aaron Svoboda - Bodhran, percussion, vocals
Tim Sharkey - Guitar, vocals
Mike Metzger - Banjo, Bouzouki, Mandolin
Greg Tesdall - Flute, Whistles

You probably don’t know this but I suspect the band are named after me, because I live in Dublin and so would have to travel miles from Dublin to see Miles From Dublin (Unless they cross the Atlantic and play a gig here, although then I’d expect them to adopt an alter-ego name like Miles From Kearney).

All of which reminds me, I loaned my Wild Clover Band CD Behind The Blarney to someone in Kansas City and I’m still waiting for its return.

NOTE: Miles From Dublin is also the name of a CD by the American guitarist, now living n Wicklow, Ireland, Dan Carollo, who plays a mixture of traditional Irish and american music.

It’s an article celebrating the 25th birthday of the national current affairs programme on RTÉ Radio Morning Ireland.

Published by Ireland’s Turlach Boylan (of Glen Road, The KC School of Irish Traditional Music, and original member of Kelly), Lunchtunes is beautifully simple.

Meeting every week at Doug Goodhart’s house to play some music and teach each other some tunes. Publishing some of them as podcasts.

Food, music, and photos, under a perfect header graphic by Mason Brown. Treasure it. Such a refreshing change from all the bombast and blather.

And if the video doesn’t convert you, there was a large extract from the book in The Irish Times on Tuesday under the heading How fish and chips enriched a nation.

And here is the video:

The Irish (and Other Foreigners) is available on Amazon.

The music is ‘3055′ by Ólafur Arnalds. On his album, Eulogy for Evolution

And what did I do on Halloween when growing up in Ireland?

Dressed up, but only improvised and always meant to be scary; carved a turnip not a pumpkin; ate barmbrack hoping to find a 5p coin; went round the houses but for nuts and fruit, not candy; said “help the halloween party” not ‘trick or treat”; didn’t see any houses decorated, but did see a bunch of bonfires; stayed out late, like ’til 10, yes even if it was a school night; tried to avoid mild mischief like bangers, stinkbombs, and burning tyres; had a party, including games, with the collected nut & fruit spoils; stayed up late, like ’til midnight, yes even if it was a school night.

In more detail, scattered over several posts, here’s more of that Irish Halloween goodness.

   • How to Describe Help The Halloween Party
   • Hallowe’en in Ireland: A Quiz
   • How Do You Pronounce Samhain?
   • Profiling Halloween
   • Do You Have Halloween in Ireland?

Meanwhile, reports of the demise of IrishKC - may well be accurate.

The workshop features Connie Dover (singing), Turlach Boylan (tinwhistle/flute), Doug Goodhart (bodhrán), and Christa Kelly Scott (fiddle).

At the all-day workshop you can learn the basics, or work on the next level of Irish bodhrán, tinwhistle/flute and fiddle, or learn and practice Irish singing.

SCHEDULE
9:30am Registration
10:00am Introductions, general intro to Irish music
10:30 – 1:00pm 1st Session (w/ 10 min break)
    Bodhrán (Beginners)
    Tinwhistle/flute (Intermediate)
    Fiddle (Beginners)
    Singing (All levels)
1:00 - 1:40pm Lunch
1:40 – 4:10pm 2nd Session (w/ 10 min break)
    Bodhrán (Intermediate)
    Tinwhistle/flute (Beginners)
    Fiddle (Intermediate)
    Singing (All levels)
4:10 pm     Snack, set up for performances
4:30 pm     Instructor Performance

FEES
Just morning OR afternoon session: $25 (Morning session incl. lunch; Afternoon session incl. snack & performance).
All-day: $45 full day (morning session, lunch, afternoon session, snack, concert)
$5 discount for 2009 or 2010 IMCC members (may purchase membership at the door). May register and pay online or register and pay at the door that day

Basic tinwhistles will be available at the Irish Center that day for $5. The IMCC is looking to have bodhráns available to purchase or rent for the day for beginners.

Visit www.irishmuseum.org, email info@irishmuseum.org, or call 816-474-3848 for more information and to reserve your spot.

The 10th Annual Irish Festival at Weston, Missouri features national and regional Irish acts, and also the strongest lineup of local Irish performers I’ve seen listed for any Irish festival in the vicinity of Kansas City.

O’Malley’s Pub
If you have never been to O’Malley’s Irish pub in Weston, you should really consider it as it is a most special pub, a unique and wonderful pub, constructed in America by, well I don’t know who built it - maybe they were Irish, German, English, Scandinavian?

Festival Setting
And if you have been to O’Malley’s but not to its Irish festival, then you’re in for a treat as you won’t find a more naturally beautiful spot. The festival takes place in the underground cellars of the Weston Brewing Company at O’Malley’s Pub, the America Bowman Restaurant, and the pub’s adjacent outdoor Courtyard and Patio. The main Courtyard Stage is surrounded by a grassy area with a gentle slope that creates a natural amphitheater so you get a great view of the stage as well as good sound. There are 2 more entertainment stages indoors in the 3 cellars.

In other words you’ll get pub atmosphere and pub sets of music which will vary from the festival sets outside.

Food (including Irish dishes)
I’m not going to list the menu for you, but I will mention that among the Irish dishes on offer is coddle, a Dublin dish and I’d be having it were I going.

Beer (including Guinness)
Meanwhile there are beers, and lets not mess around - there are 6 beers on draft including the Diageo icons of Ireland: Guinness (stout), Harp (lager), and Smithwicks (Ale), to go with the Weston Brewing company’s own brands O”Malley’s Festival Ale, O’Malley’s Cream Ale, and O’Malley’s Cider. But maybe given the weather this weekend you may prefer Irish coffee…

Intimate Festival
The St Joe News asks why visiting the Weston Irish Fest at O’ Malley’s Pub this weekend might be more fun than the Kansas City Irish Fest of 5 weeks earlier, and tells you that Corey Weinfurt, co-owner of O’Malley’s Pub and Weston Brewing Company, has an answer:

“Well, (Weston) has a pretty different vibe to it,” he says. “It’s a much more intimate setting. You’re only with about 9,000 folks instead of fighting through 90,000.”

The setting will be beneficial for those who want better access to the 17 acts who will perform throughout the three-day event, which starts at 5pm tonight.

Performers
    Seven Nations
    The Elders
    Screaming Orphans
    Searson
    Connie Dover
    The Mickey Finns
    The Wild Colonial Bhoys
    Ellis Island
    Tullamore
    Flannigan’s Right Hook
    Three Dollar Band
    Connacht Town
    Two Tap Trio
    Bob Reeder
    Eddie Delahunt
    Pipes and Drums
    Brennan Irish Dancers

See the Weston Irish website for a detailed schedule of each stage and day.

Hours/Tickets:
Friday, 5pm to Midnight - $8.00
Saturday, 11am to Midnight - $10.00
Sunday, Noon to 10pm - $10.00

Children under 14 years: FREE

Tickets available at the gate, call O’Malley’s Pub at (816) 640 5235 for more information

And your participation in Weston could give you a free dream holiday to Ireland and that original event.

2009 Weston Wellie Race
On Sunday, October 11th, 2009, the 3rd running of the Weston Wellie Race takes place. It’s a 1.5 mile stroll through residential Weston, Missouri on the Sunday morning of the Irish Fest there, and participation in the race puts you into the hat for a free trip to Ireland for 2.

Trip To Ireland
All participants who complete the race will be entered into a random drawing for a round-trip for 2 to Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny, Ireland, to attend the New Year’s Day 2010 Castlecomer Wellie Races. Side trips to other points of interest will also be included in the package.

My favourite New Year’s celebrations in Ireland have always been those I have left Dublin and gone “down the country” for. I find it a magical time, not least because the Christmas celebrations in Ireland are still continuing at that time, but also that all that pre-Christmas commercial hype is absent. Whenever people in KC asked me what time of the year I recommend going to Ireland I usually say February - and New Year’s is like February with a party.

Celtic Thunder show in Kansas City
There will also be drawings for 4 pair of tickets to see Celtic Thunder at the Midland on Oct. 27, 2009 at the same time as the draw for the trip to Kilkenny to watch the 2010 Wellie Race in Castlecomer.

Kansas City Gaelic Athletic Club
The 2009 Weston Wellie Race is a benefit for the Kansas City Gaelic Athletic Club (KCGAC), so your participation supports the continued existence and growth of the Irish sports of Hurling and Gaelic Football in Kansas City.

Global Tradition
Since its beginning in Kilkenny, there have been Wellie Races in Sydney, Australia; New York, NY; and Weston, Missouri.

Time, Location, & Entry Fee
Race registration begins at 7:45am at the corner of Short & Welt streets in Weston, MO. The race begins at 9am. This year the entry fee has been reduced to $15.

Wellies
The rubber boot known as the Wellington (or Wellie for short) is named after the Irish born British aristocrat who popularized them, Arthur Wellesley, the 1st Duke of Wellington. Actually what Wellington wore was a Hessian Boot that he had modified, as he wasn’t just a Commander in Chief and Prime Minister - he was a style icon.

The large obelisk-shaped monument in Dublin’s Phoenix Park is in honour of Wellington (the Iron Duke not the rubber boot). Often you hear people when speaking of Wellesley quote him saying if he had been born in a stable that wouldn’t make him a horse - and they then say that this is him claiming to be British rather than Irish despite his birthplace, however there is no proof that he ever uttered such words.

Wellie Race Information/Registration
Call The Celtic Ranch in Weston at 816-640-2881 for more information or to register.

They are not the luscious green landscapes I might have chosen to take; they’re more of an anti-dote to the Georgian Doors of Dublin.