Emerald Reflections Online

Live the Legend at
Milwaukee Irish Fest's
20th Anniversary Celebration

Come celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the world's largest Irish festival, Milwaukee Irish Fest. Located in downtown Milwaukee at the Henry W. Maier Lakefront Festival Park, the festival is August 17-20.

To celebrate its 20th Anniversary, Irish Fest will be featuring Thursday's "Grand Gathering" opening night fireworks. From its earliest beginnings, Irish Fest was a small festival with a few stages and some music. Now it has grown to include 16 stages that draw entertainers and festival goers alike from all over the world.

Sunday is the Liturgy for Peace and Justice at 9:30 a.m. celebrated by His Eminence, Cahal Cardinal Daly of Ireland. Bring non-perishable food items prior to the liturgy and receive free entry into the festival following the service.

NIGHT OF THE BODHRANS

Immediately before the Sunday night fireworks, we welcome all festival-goers, artists and musicians to join in the "Night of the Bodhrans." Sponsored by Walton's Music of Ireland, the "Night of the Bodhrans" invites bodhran players of all skill levels and attendees of the Fest the opportunity to march from the North and South ends of the grounds to gather at the Aer Lingus stage.

Once the parading bodhran players gather at the Aer Linus Stage, a magnificent fireworks display will commence. Immediately following the fireworks, the traditional Scattering will begin. The Scattering is truly the grand finale of the festival where musicians come together, dancers dance and all join in farewell to the 20th Milwaukee Irish Fest.

"The 'Night of the Bodhrans' and the Scattering will be a spectacular ending to Irish Fest, incorporating all of the sights, sounds, music, dancing and fireworks that Irish Fest has become famous for," said Jane Anderson, Executive Director of Irish Fest. "The many rich traditions of Irish culture come together during the festival ending Scattering."

For those interested in marching at the "Night of the Bodhrans," there will be the opportunity to purchase a commemorative 20th anniversary Irish Fest Walton's Bodhran and to attend a free mini-workshop on the Bodhran at the Cultural Village. Learn the history behind the Bodhran and how to play, then put your new knowledge to good use as you play and march in the "Night of the Bodhrans."

ENTERTAINMENT PREVIEW

A stroll through Irish Fest 2000 will give the ears, mind and heart a thousand year tour of Irish culture. "The musical variety of Irish Fest appeals to a wide range of listeners, and it also helps nourish the continued vitality and growth of Irish music," said Chuck Ward, Irish Fest's entertainment coordinator.

The popularity of Irish-Celtic music has boomed in the past 20 years. The greater interest has meant great Irish groups and entertainers, says Ward, but also more competition from other festivals for popular groups. Fortunately, Irish Fest's strong reputation attracts applications from hundreds of groups each year, so there is always plenty of talent to choose from.

A special musical highlight of this year's Irish Fest is the Clancy Family Reunion. The Reunion will bring together the surviving Clancy brothers and their talented sons and daughters. Clancy family members, have had a long association with Irish Fest, and have been a hallmark of Irish music.

This year Irish Fest continues to bring together a wide and wonderful selection of Irish and Celtic music with both exciting new groups and some old favorites. Featured entertainment includes Seven Nations, the Saw Doctors, and the perennial favorite, Tommy Makem. Visit the Irish Fest website at www.irishfest.com for a complete entertainment schedule.

SPORTS AND SHOPPING
FROM THE EMERALD ISLE

Guests can also enjoy harp and theater performances in the cultural area, stroll along the Moore Street Marketplace to purchase traditional Irish gifts or see construction of a currach, a traditional Irish fishing boat.

In the true spirit of Ireland, sporting events have served as an integral component of the festival, including currach racing, led by the Milwaukee Irish Fest Currach Club, the United States Tug of War Championships, hurling, and Irish football. Each year, "Top O'The Morning Run/Walk" attracts a host of participants interested in getting a jump on the day and raising money for the Columbia Hospital Muscoloskeletal Unit.

For those seeking a traditional Irish sweater, world-famous Irish crystal or even Irish Fest merchandise featuring beloved mascot Paddy McFest, the festival offers more than 100 vendors providing a wide assortment of Irish-related merchandise. Fest-goers interested in a future visit to the "Old Sod" will find the Travel Ireland area of interest. The area offers several travel experts, including major airlines and travel agent services.

CLAN DELANEY REUNION

While your name may be spelled Delaney, Delany, Delany, (or any other variation) you do have one thing in common, you are invited to participate in the featured clan reunion during Milwaukee Irish Fest 2000. Pictures and family histories are needed for the genealogy board. Please do not send any original pictures, only copies. Several printed items, such as t-shirts and sweatshirts will be available for purchase. Please contact reunion coordinator Cate Harris at (414) 321-5153 or the Irish Fest Center (414) 476-3378 for more reunion information.

FESTIVAL INFORMATION

The hours of this grand festival are Thursday, 6 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.; Friday, 4 p.m. to midnight; Saturday, noon to midnight; and Sunday, liturgy at 9:30 a.m. and gates open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Admission is $5 on Thursday only; $9 for adults, $6 for seniors, and free for kids 12 and under on all other days. Free admission is available on Friday from 4 to 5 p.m.

Please go to the Milwaukee Irish Fest website at www.irishfest.com or call us at (414) 476-3378 for more 20th Anniversary Irish Fest information. May the "luck of the Irish" bring you to Milwaukee Irish Fest this August!

Irish Fest Expands
Transportation / Parking
Alternatives

With Irish Fest being a well attended ethnic festival, it's no surprise parking on or near the grounds can be a challenge! This year, Irish Fest, the Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) and Amtrak have teamed up to help make getting to and from Irish Fest easier than ever.

"We understand the need for additional parking options at the Fest, and we are hopeful that these options will prove to be helpful solutions for our guests," said Jane Anderson, Executive Director of Irish Fest. "Our goal is to have everyone enjoy Irish Fest without having to worry about where to park their car."

One option that doesn't involve parking your car is the MCTS Freeway Flyer. These special "Festival Busses" make regular stops at four Park 'N Ride lots around town. The lots are Brown Deer Rd. west of I-43; Port Washington Rd. and Silver Spring Dr.; Holt Ave. west of I-94 and State Fair Park at 76th St. and W. Kearney Ave. Freeway Flyer service to Irish Fest will operate every half-hour. Roundtrip cost is $3 for adults and $1.50 for children ages 6-11, seniors 65 and older and the disabled. The bus will have you to the front gates of Irish Fest on time and under budget!

In addition to the Freeway Flyer, there will be a downtown shuttle service available. The shuttle will operate from Sixth and Wisconsin, travelling down Wisconsin Ave. to Irish Fest's main gate. Park anywhere downtown and pickup the shuttle to Irish Fest on Wisconsin Ave. The shuttle cost is $1 roundtrip.

For information about the MCTS schedules or routes, please call the Milwaukee County Transit System at (414) 344-6711, or visit their website at www.rideMCTS.com. Brochures detailing the MCTS services are also available at the Irish Fest Office.

For our Chicago guests, Amtrak has added an 11:30 p.m. Sunday night service back to Chicago during Irish Fest. Feel free to stay and enjoy Irish Fest's very end, including fireworks, "Night of the Bodhrans," the Scattering or the Irish Tenors. The cost of the train is $20 one way, $40 roundtrip. Amtrak will help you get home safe and sound.

Irish Fest Summer School
Combines Education and
Fun for All Ages

Have you ever wanted to learn to speak Gaelic or how to play the tin whistle? What better opportunity than to attend a class at Milwaukee Irish Fest Summer School. Come and be a part of week long sessions beginning on Sunday, August 13 at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and ending on Friday, August 18. Irish Fest Summer School not only passes on the legacy of Irish culture but also prepares you for the weekend of fun at the festival.

The school's 46 expert instructors teach students of all ages in subjects such as art, music, language, history and literature. "Irish culture and music have gained in popularity as of late, and this has translated into a surge in summer school enrollment," said Jane Walrath, director of the summer school. "We recruit different teachers each year to keep the classes fresh and to provide a unique perspective on the subject matter offered."

The school offers a wide variety of courses, appealing to diverse interests. For example, design classes emphasize the use of traditional Irish patterns in a variety of media, including drawing, knitting, straw weaving, and jewelry making. Music and dance classes remain the most popular of the school's offerings. Classes on how to play the harp, bodhran, various types of singing, as well as three kinds of dance are offered at a variety of skill levels. This year Walton's Music of Ireland will be sending a number of master bodhran players to provide class instruction.

A renewed interest in the Gaelic language has helped class sizes grow, too. The summer school also offers traditional academic offerings, including history and literature lectures. This year's feature lecture will be a series titled "Pathways to Peace," focusing on Northern Ireland.

The evenings are filled with language, learning and fun, and special entertainment venues such as music sessions, dancing and an Ice Cream Social for those who wish to extend their Irish fellowship well into the evening.

Classes are held Mon.-Thurs., with a special "sampler" session on Friday for those who are unable to attend weekday classes. Special classes and a Day Camp are also available for children ages 6-10.

Mail registration will be accepted through Monday, July 24, 2000; dormitory space is available for Irish Fest Summer School students from August 13-20. Registration information and schedules are available through Barb Breed-Heidt at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (telephone (414) 229-5879 or email joheidt@uwm.edu) as well as the Milwaukee Irish Fest website at www.irishfest.com.

Rock County

As Hal Roach would say, "write it down," on your calendar. Our next meeting will be September 19 at 7:30 p.m. (new location) at the Alliant Energy Building, 3730 Kennedy Rd., Janesville. It's located approximately a quarter mile north of Hwy 14 between Hwy 51 and Hwy 26.

Again this year we participated in the Twin Cities Parade on Sunday, June 24. There were many units in the parade and an enthusiastic crowd lined the one mile parade route. As we passed the Reviewing Stand we were given a commendation for participating in the Twin Cities Parade for many years. Our group consisted of Fred and Kaye McCann, Tom and Mary Kennedy, and their granddaughter, Erin Durner from Bradford, PA. Hopefully we will have more members participating in this parade next year. For those who are not so familiar with Rock County, the Twin Cities of Wisconsin are Tiffany and Shopiere, just a few miles southeast of Janesville.

Have a safe and enjoyable summer.

Fox Cities

An important position in our chapter was left off the July list: Anna McGuinness, Membership Chairperson. She will serve for one more year.

Music scene: Druid's Table at Trilogy in Greenville on Aug. 18 and Sept. 15.

August's meeting has been cancelled because many members will be attending Irish Fest in Milwaukee.

In place of our September meeting we will be having a Halfway to St. Patrick's Day Dinner on Monday, September 11 at Mark's East Side in Appleton; 6 p.m. cocktails, 6:30 p.m. dinner (corned beef and cabbage). Call as soon as you know you can attend (920) 733-5254.

Look forward to seeing many members at our dinner. Be sure and tell your family and friends about our club. The more members we sign up, the larger the base we have to draw from for ideas of how to improve our club and develop more interest in everything Celtic.

Dane County Shamrock Club

UPCOMING EVENTS

• AUGUST 8 - Board Meeting at Jingles, 6:15 p.m.

• AUGUST 17-20 - Milwaukee Irish Fest, Henry Maier Festival Grounds, (414) 476-3378 for info

• SEPTEMBER 12 - Board Meeting at Jingles (6:15 p.m.) followed by General Membership Meeting (7:30 p.m.) The Standing Stones, a local six member band, will perform Celtic music.

At our May meeting, Barbara Henzelman of the Irish Genealogical Society of Wisconsin gave a most interesting and informative presentation on tracing your Irish roots. Everyone present received insight into doing his/her own genealogical research. Thanks, Barbara.

A special thanks to Eamon O'Brien for the great task of running our annual raffle. Congratulations to the lucky winners:

Eileen Dickman, 1st Prize, $1000
Rosalie King, 2nd Prize, 250
Tess Mulrooney, 3rd Prize, 100
Cletus Doyle, 4th Prize, 50
Helen Deneen, 5th Prize, 25
Patrick O'Connor, 6th Prize, 25
John Ryan, 7th Prize, 25
Carol & Mike Brunet, 8th Prize, 25

Our new slate of officers is:

President: Barbara Gallenberg
Vice President: Bernard Gallenberg
Secretary: Sheila O'Brien
Treasurer: Eileen Henrichs
Parliamentarian: Nelle Murphy
Sergeant at Arms: Lee Tvedten
Membership Chair: Eamon O'Brien
Past President: Barbara Darcey
Trustees: Mike Brunet, Mary Hearn, Virginia Carpenter

A heartfelt thank you to our past officers for serving the club.

On June 3 club members enjoyed an educational tour of Irish points of interest in Milwaukee, organized by Cate Harris. Patricia Geyh gave an in depth presentation on the Irish Emigration Library, located in the Irish Cultural and Heritage Center. Tour guides Cate Harris, Betty Mikush, and Brian Witt pointed out and discussed the importance of the following landmarks: the Irish Cultural and Heritage Center, St. John's Cathedral, the Third Ward, Newhall House, Tory Hill, the Lady Elgin Memorial, St. Patrick's Church, St. Rose's Church and the Merrill Park area, and Calvary Cemetery. Later the group feasted at Derry Hegarty's. Thanks, Milwaukee Chapter for your fine hospitality.

Our members were saddened to hear of the untimely death of Frank Patterson, who brought countless joy to many with his beautiful singing.

Milwaukee President's Message

The new board is in place, with the Vice Consulate General of Ireland, Fiona Flood doing the honor of giving the oath of office to us. Having Fiona Flood here really shows the importance of the Shamrock Club Board. Thank you again Fiona for being here and the board for running in the election.

Joe Hughes and committee are putting together a fine program for the picnic to be held at a new location, Lake Park, on August 6. More information elsewhere in Emerald Reflections.

Tom Blaha will be having a by-laws committee meeting in the near future and could use members for committee and suggestions for by-laws. There have been many times that we have thought something could be different, so now is your chance to get them changed. Recommendations can be sent to the ICHC c/o Tom Blaha.

Don't forget to get your golf and dinner reservations in to Tom Tibbals.

Sue Dundon reported that the Bloomsday celebration went well for a first time event. There will be another one next year. Mark your calendar for June 2001.

Remember Irish Fest. Norene Barclay and Mary McAndrews need your help.

The St. Patrick's Parade will be moved from North Ave. to Bluemound Rd. At the membership meeting on June 1, 2000 the members voted overwhelmingly to move 105-4. This is a very good and profitable move for the Shamrock Club. We are all looking forward to the new location.

Greater LaCrosse Area

Our float in the Sunfish Days Parade on May 27 advertised the Irishman and Irish Rose of 2000 but our Irish Rose had a more urgent commitment and was ably represented by our Club President, Marian Schnell. Dennis O'Brien, our Irishman is shown representing Himself. Thanks to Art and Shirley Gale for a fun time post parade party at their home in Onalaska.

We have already held two Board Meetings, on June 7 and July 12 to set up an agenda for the new year. The Board decided to relax the summer schedule of Club activities from past years by eliminating some events that were not drawing much in the way of attendance during the summer vacation months. We will become very active again with the Octoberfest Parade and Heritage Night sale of Irish Stew.

A committee was set up at the June meeting to present a slate of activities for Board consideration at the July meeting. Members will be advised through our Bit-O-Blarney newsletter.

Enjoy your summer.

Next State Meeting

The Dane County Shamrock Club has offered to host the next Statewide Meeting. It is to be held at Jingle's Coliseum Bar, located at 232 East Olin Avenue in Madison on September 30, 2000. (We have our own private area noon to 4 p.m.)

You're Invited

On September 17 at the Irish Cultural and Heritage Center, you're invited to a celebration marking the "Halfway" point to St. Patrick's Day. The Shamrock Club Color Guard Pipes and Drums will open the festivities at noon and will be followed by day long music, song, dance and activities till 6 p.m. Performers include Leahy's Luck, Ceol Cairde, Green Side Up, Navan, Standing Stones, Steel Bonnets, Cashel-Dennehy Irish Dancers, Trinity Irish Dancers, and the Milwaukee School of Highland Dance.

Enjoy the entertainment or relax in the Tea Room. For Packer fans, TVs will be on hand to provide all the plays. The children will have activities of their own including bodhran lessons by Dave Delgado, ceili dance lessons with Bridget Jaskulski, and stories told by Mary Ellen McCormack. Food and beverages will be available all day as well as chances on winning one of the great raffle items.

So come on out and join the fun at the "Halfway to St. Patrick's Day" celebration. All proceeds will benefit the ICHC. Tickets at the door are $6 for adults, $3 for children 12 and under.

"Halfway" Raffle

If you have any items to donate to the Halfway to St. Pat's raffle please contact Tom and Julia Smith 1107 S. 26th Street; Milw., WI 53204; (414) 384-4119. All proceeds benefit ICHC. We can pickup any item. With your generous help we made last year's a great success. Thank you.

Cashel-Dennehy Dancers at Nationals

Cashel-Dennehy has recently returned from the North American Irish Dance Championships held in San Fransico, California. They came home with two firsts, a second and a third. All four of their teams placed in the top three.

Mixed Over 16 - First
Mixed Under 16 - Second
Girls Under 13 - First
Mixed Under 11 - Third

In solo competitions they also did quite well:

John Gibson: 11th, Boys Under 14
Conor McKee: 12th, Men Under 16
Maggie Dunn: 16th, Girls Under 12
Meghan Hull: 17th, Girls Under 14
Brigid O'Sullivan: 18th, Girls Under 16
Brendan Kim: 18th, Boys Under 10
Meghan Mahoney: 25th, Girls Under 14
Lindsey Wenzen: 34th, girls Under 14

Update: Jeanie Johnston

Readers of Emerald Reflections will regret to learn that the Jeanie Johnston will be unable to visit Milwaukee as planned for September, 2000. According to an update from Turlough McConnell, Executive Director at the project's North American offices in New York, the ship's officers have had to push back sea trials owing to "poor weather conditions and delays in equipment delivery."

Organizers now anticipate a visit to North American East coast ports in the Fall of 2000. Following the ship's wintering in a warm weather port along the Southern U.S. seaboard, it will embark on a more extensive tour of Eastern, Canadian, and U.S. Great Lakes ports in the spring and summer of 2001.

Although the delay is unfortunate, especially in light of the fine cooperation received from organizers of the Wisconsin Lake Schooner Education Assoc. for the Jeanie Johnston's participation in Schooner Days, safety must be the top priority. "Just as the original Jeanie Johnston maintained a spotless safety record throughout its many sailings, so too must its replica adhere to strict standards regarding the safety of its passengers and crew," said John Gleeson, Chairman of the project's Milwaukee host committee. "Rushing sea trials or cutting corners to meet another's 'timetable' is simply not an option and sailing history is rife with tragic examples where safety considerations have been ill met."

The Milwaukee host committee will remain intact and hopes it can count on your continued support for the project. Many persons have called to volunteer their services and, to them, we are most grateful. We look forward to working with you when further information about the ship's schedule is made known.

OUR EASTERN JOURNEY

Slane Castle, nice layout
Concerts here are a delight
Hill of Slane - Monk's tower
Decrepit, disused, amidst a sea of sheep

Can see Tara from here
So could Ireland's Ard Righ
When Patrick's Pascal fire
Blazed so very bright

And then to Tara
Ancient home of kings
Ruled now by Patrick's statue
Lording over yet more sheep

Dan O'Connell orated here
One hundred thousand, more, they say
A question begged, to be heard -
Where did the sheep go that day?

- Martain O'Flaherty

Milwaukee Feis Continues

The Annual Milwaukee Feis will take place at the Four Points Sheraton Hotel on Howell and Layton on Saturday, August 12, 2000. The competition attracts dancers from across the Midwest and has grown each year since its inception.

For information, call (414) 384-4119.

Arts and Crafts at ICHC

The fall session of Celtic Arts and Crafts will start in October. The Spring Series included knitting, Celtic calligraphy, straw weaving, and more. Call (414) 345-8800 for more information.

The Fighting Irish on the Traveling Wall

Declan Hughes is a Dubliner who has devoted much time in recent years to finding out how many men born in Ireland died during the conflict in Vietnam. His research turned up the names of many who died while fighting for the United States and Australia.

Below is a story that first appeared in "The Veteran" the journal of American Vietnam Vets in August / September 1999. The article was written by Jim Belshaw and is entitled "The Fighting Irish on the Traveling Wall."

John Driver's family owns a barber shop in Dublin, Ireland. Go into it and look up on the wall, and in all likelihood you'll recognize what is displayed for every customer to see - a military decoration, the Purple Heart, an American medal earned by a young Irishman. John Driver is not alone. There are others. Army Lt. John Cecil Driver began his [second] Vietnam tour of duty on January 17, 1969. On April 17, he was killed in action in Thua Thien. His name may be found on The Wall at Panel 27W-Line 99. Had he not recorded his home of record as he did - Dublin, Ireland - Declan Hughes would never have known about him. He would have assumed the official record was correct, that it reflected no Irish-born veterans killed in Vietnam, and he wouldn't have given the idea of Irish-born Vietnam veterans a second thought.

Nor would Hughes have found Maurice O'Callaghan, born in Dublin, killed in Vietnam, buried in New Jersey, re-buried in Dublin. "I spent a couple of months wandering around cemeteries in Dublin until I found him," Hughes said. "He was buried in New Jersey in 1967 and re-buried in Dublin in 1976 when the family moved back to Ireland." Nor any of the others: Patrick Nevin (Claremorris), Paul Maher (Dublin), Timothy Daly (Limerick), Bernard Freyne (Roscommon), Michael Smith (Cavan), Patrick Gallagher (Ballyhaunis), Edward Howell (Dublin), John Collopy (Limerick), Edward Scully (Cork), Edmond Landers (Tipperary), Anthony O'Reilly (Galway), Philip Bancroft (Belfast), Sean Doran (Dublin), Peter Nee (Connemara) - all killed in Vietnam, all on The Wall, all born in Ireland.

Nor would Hughes have found the four who died while serving with the Australian military - David Doyle (Dublin), George Nagle (Tipperary), Thomas Birnie (Belfast), and Robert Fleming (Northern Ireland). Declan Hughes believes there are more. "I firmly believe this is not the total," he said. "I'm at the point where I can't walk away from it now. I would hate to think there are another sixteen or six or twenty-six and nobody ever knows about them. It's something that needs to be finished." Born in Dublin himself, Hughes is not a Vietnam veteran, but through the years has come to know the war and its lasting effects through the eyes of Irish veterans who served with American and Australian units, and from his work with Vietnamese refugees who settled in Ireland. In 1997, a friend travelled to Vietnam and returned with a ring reportedly taken from an American killed in action. Hughes set out to see if he could return the ring to the family of its owner.

In 1998, he travelled to Washington, D.C., where he met the late Libby Hatch, then with the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund. During that stay, Hughes attended a press conference near The Wall. When it was over, Hughes asked a question: When was the Travelling Wall going to Ireland? "They looked at me as if I had two heads," he said. Hughes wanted the Travelling Wall - and the attendant press coverage - in Ireland. He thought that based on the rough math he'd been doing, there had to be more Irish Vietnam veterans. And he needed a way to get the word out that he was looking for them. "If you assume the millions of Americans who claim Irish ancestry are correct, you have to make the next logical jump from that which is a percentage of them went into the American military and a percentage of them went to Vietnam and a percentage of them died."

Hughes returned to Ireland to continue his search. When Libby Hatch discovered three American Legion posts in Ireland, she notified Hughes. He wrote to them, but only one responded. He addressed the post, telling them of his search but coming away thinking few, if any, believed he'd turn anything up. But clues continued to dribble in. He went on a talk show that led to more information. He found a third Irish veteran killed in Vietnam, then a fourth. The Irish news media started to pay attention to the story. On Veterans Day in 1998, a wreath was laid at The Wall to honour the Irish-born killed in Vietnam. For three weeks in April and May 1999, the Travelling Wall toured the Four Provinces of Ireland, recognizing the men and their families for the first time. For the first time, the families met one another, many of them believing their relatives had been the only Irish-born to die in Vietnam. Everywhere The Wall went, the Irish news media covered the story.

Eventually, Hughes would find 16 Irish-born veterans killed in Vietnam while serving with U.S. forces. "No-one knows how many the total will be," he said. "I think a lot of the Irish and Irish-Americans who served could be particularly helpful in finding them. I'm fairly certain they would have known of other guys in Vietnam, no matter what other area they served in. I reckon that if you're in Vietnam, no matter if you're in the front or the back, you hear an Irish voice and you recognize it and remember it. I think a lot of guys have information I would love to have, particularly Irish guys who now live in America." Anyone wishing to contact him should write to this address: Declan Hughes, Top Floor, 119 Capel Street, Dublin 1, Republic of Ireland. Telephone / Fax from U.S. (011-353-1) 872-2371. E-mail: dectwth@tinet.ie (or, dectwth@eircom.ie).

Irish Born Medal of Honor Winners

The Irish constitute the largest foreign born ethnic group to win the Congressional Medal of Honor. It is the highest decoration awarded to members of the military. It is conferred by the president, and originally in the name of United States Congress, upon one "who, while serving in the armed forces distinguished himself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity, at the risk of his life, above and beyond the call of duty."

Over 200 Irish born were recipients of this award. During the Civil War, when the award was first presented, 102 Irish born were awarded the medal.

July 9th Named as
Day of Commemoration

PRESIDENT AND TAOISEACH
ATTEND NATIONAL DAY OF COMMEMORATION

The President, the Taoiseach and representatives of the main churches were among the hundreds of people who attended the National Day of Commemoration on July 9th in Dublin. The annual event in the Royal Hospital in Kilmainham is held to honour Irishmen and Irishwomen who died in past wars or on service with the United Nations.

Ballykissangel Update

Fans of the Ballykissangel television series will be happy to know that a new season of episodes began on June 10. The series is broadcast on Wisconsin Public Television, Saturday nights at 8 p.m. Although the deaths of two primary characters and the departure of two more left the cast in some turmoil, they have continued to film this gentle story of life in a small Irish village in the real live setting of Avoca in County Wicklow. Life continues around Fitzgerald's Pub.

Shamrock Club
Color Guard to March

The Shamrock Club Color Guard Pipes and Drums will be at these events in the next few months. Come on out and cheer us on.

• July 29, (Saturday), Heritage Days, South Milwaukee, 11:00 a.m.
• July 30, (Sunday), Random Lake, 12:00 p.m.
• August 13, (Sunday), Greendale, 12:30 p.m.
• August 18,19,20, Irish Fest Parades and Mass
• August 27, (Sunday), Muskego Days Parade, 11:00 a.m.
• August 27, (Sunday), Richfield, 1:00 p.m.
• Sept. 2, (Saturday), St. Francis, 11:00 a.m.
• Sept. 4, (Monday), Janesville Labor Day, 1:00 p.m.
• Oct. 7, (Saturday), AOH Mass & Spaghetti Dinner
• Oct. 14, (Saturday), Sister Bay Fall Festival, 11:00 a.m.
• Nov. 26, (Sunday), Christmas Parade, Menomonee Falls, 5:00 p.m.

Milwaukee Hurling Club

The Milwaukee Hurling Club plays its matches at the McKinley Marina park on Milwaukee's lakefront. The first match begins at noon with additional matches to follow. Look for our booth and exhibition matches at Irish Fest. For final match results listen to Thistle and Shamrock radio program (89.7 FM), Sunday afternoons 2 and 6 p.m. For information contact the Hurling Hotline at : (414) 297-9490.

GAME SCHEDULE

July 30:
The Dubliner vs. McBob's
Co. Clare vs. Champions
Hegarty's vs. Axel's

Aug. 6:
McBob's vs. Champions
The Dubliner vs. Hegarty's
Axel's vs. Co. Clare

Aug. 13:
MHC Championship Playoffs

Aug. 27:
MHC Championship Game

STANDINGS AS OF JULY 10
Champion's: 4-2
McBob's: 3-3
Dubliner: 3-3
Axel's: 3-3
Hegarty's: 3-3
County Clare: 2-4

Late Night Set Dance

After the last dance of the evening at Irish Fest on Friday, August 18, set dancers are invited to the ICHC for the sixth annual late night set dance. Once again, music will be by the Public House Ceili Band from Madison. We'll dance from 11:45 p.m. until we fade at around 2 a.m. A donation of $8 is requested. If you wish, please bring a snack to share.

New Members

Milwaukee - Bruce O. Barr; and Diane and Tim Smith.

MEMBERSHIP REPORT

May: 32 notices sent out; 25 paid; 7 dropped for nonpayment of dues on July 1. June: 32 notices sent out; 17 paid, 15 due. July: 27 notices sent out, 3 paid to date. New Members: 14 in June, 2 in July.

RETURN MAIL EMERALD REFLECTIONS

The Post Office will not forward Emerald Reflections. We are getting a large amount back each month. Address changes or temporarily away is becoming quite expensive. Please let your chapters know. Between June and July, 28 copies were returned at a cost of 33¢ each.

FAMILY GOLF AND DINNER
OUTTING REGISTRATION

Please list the names in your party who will play golf; who will play golf and have dinner; and who want dinner only.

GOLF AND DINNER PACKAGE:

Name 1:________

Name 2:________

Name 3:________

Name 4:________

Please list preferred Tee Times.
We will do the best we can to accommodate your requests.

(1)_____ (2)_____ (3)_____ (4)_____

No.______ @ $32 each=_________

Tel.#_________________________

GOLF ONLY:

Name 1:________

Name 2:________

Name 3:________

Namd 4:________

Please list preferred Tee Times.
We will do the best we can to accommodate your requests.

(1)_____ (2)_____ (3)_____ (4)_____

No.______ @ $16 each=__________

Tel.#__________________________

DINNER ONLY:

Name 1:________

Name 2:________

Name 3:________

Name 4:________

No.______ @ $16 each=___________

Tel.#___________________________

TOTAL ENCLOSED:

$_______________________________

REGISTRATION ENDS AUGUST 15, 2000

(No "AT DOOR" payments / registration on day of event can be permitted, except for "Dinner Only" - Cost $20.)

TEE TIMES WILL BE BASED ON DATE OF RECEIPT OF PAYMENT.

Make all checks payable to the Shamrock Club of Wisconsin.

Send your completed registration to

Tom Tibbals, 5761 N. 81st Street, Milwaukee, WI 53218.

Please call (414) 462-4673 if you have any questions.

**Please include daytime (______)______________________ and nighttime (______)______________________telephone numbers.

(You will be notified of your Tee Time August 19-22)