Echoes of Ireland

Echoes of Ireland Week 8 on Tunes 92.5

2012-02-17T18:05:00.001-08:00

This week on Echoes of Ireland we have Pat Keogh who is the Director of Project Children North as well as one of the founding members of the North Country Goes Green Irish Festival. Pat fills us in on what Project children is all about.

Last week we had over 4700 people listen via the web. Lets blow that number out of the water and show everyone what we think about Echoes and Your Tunes 92.5.

This week we have requests from Ken Bundy from Oxbow, Mark Rossman from Niagra Falls, Lee and Shirley Cleary's out of Black River and more.

Requests and dedications can be emailed to:
Sean Hennessey at nnyirish@gmail.com
Enjoy!!

Echeos of Ireland week 7 on Tunes 92.5 Watertown NY

2012-02-10T18:28:00.001-08:00

It’s Lovers Sunday on Echoes of Ireland. Being that Tuesday is Valentine’s Day we figured we'd focus on love songs for the day.

We were also lucky enough to have Patti Shaughnessy on the show talking the upcoming NCGG Green Hair extensions. This Thursday at noon we're going to be at New Attitudes Hair Salon on Coffeen St (Next to AAMCO Transmissions) in the City of Watertown doing the official kick off of the Green hair extension program. Come on down, get a Green Hair Extension and show how much you support our Irish Culture!

OH and today IS NOT the Polar Dip Day as reported on the show! MY BAD! We’ll have more info on the Polar Dip next week on Echoes of Ireland! Enjoy!!

Echoes of Ireland Week 6

2012-02-05T07:46:00.001-08:00

This is a big week on Echoes of Ireland radio show! None other than Patty Strife is on the show talking about the Annual “Gerry Casey” Miss Ireland Pagaent. We also have dedications to those lost 40 years ago at Bloody Sunday, Irish Festival founder Gerry Casey from his daughter Michelle and Dennis McGurn from his dear friend Kate.
This year we highlight the Clancey Brothers, Wolfetones, George Murphy, Celtic Women, the High Kings and much much more.
Thanks so much to Newzjunky.com for all their great coverage of the Echoes of Ireland Radio show! Check our newzjunky for news abroad and here at home. Big ups to Your Tunes 92.5 for all their support of Irish Culture here in the North Country!!
Please send your request for dedications to nnyirish@gmail.com

Echoes of Ireland Week 5 w/ Sean Hennessey

2012-01-27T04:48:00.001-08:00

This week is another block buster on Echoes of Ireland. From Finbar Furey to the Pogues we're playing them all. Thanks so much to Newzjunky.com and the our friends at Tunes 92.5 for making Echoes of Ireland the Tri-Counties most listened to Irish Radio Show!!
Please send song requests and dedications to nnyirish@gmail.com

Echoes of Ireland week 4 on Your Tunes 92.5

2012-01-20T16:31:00.001-08:00

We now have a new record!!!!

Last week was a big one for the Echoes of Ireland radio show. Sean Hennessey who’s the host of Echoes of Ireland said “Over 690 people tuned into the show last week and the from what we hear listeners are loving this unique show.”

Show is a bit short this week. Seems like we had some production issues. Regardless, This week we bring you the best in Irish music from here at home and across the globe. Enjoy!

Echoes of Ireland with Sean Hennessey on Tunes 92.5 wk 3

2012-01-14T07:54:00.001-08:00

Huge Show this Sunday at noon on Tunes 92.5 Watertown NY with your host Sean Hennessey. Big up's to Newzjunky.com for all their help getting the word about the show. Last week we had over 425 people have tuned in via the web so BIG THANK YOU to Newzjunky.com for their links to the show.
We did a bunch of requests from across the Tri-County area like the one from Randall Corbett for his Grand Father and Molly Flynn for Jim Henry that passed last week.
If you'd like a dedication please email us at nnyirish@gmail.com. Don't be concerned if you don't know the song to play. We'll help you fina a good one. Cheers and enjoy w/ no commercials!!

Echoes of Ireland Week 2 on Your Tunes 92.5

2012-01-06T17:57:00.001-08:00

This week was a big one for Echeos of Ireland. Requests....actual requests!!!! So pumped. In this show you find songs from U2, The High Kings, George Murphy, The Pogues, Saw Doctors and much much more. Please let us know your thoughts or send us a request and/or dedications to nnyirish@gmail.om
Thanks so much to newzjunky.com for all the help getting the word out about Echoes of Ireland. So far....so good! Later!!

Echoes of Ireland Week 2 on Your Tunes 92.5

2012-01-06T17:29:00.001-08:00

Echoes of Ireland Week 1 2012 No Commercials

2011-12-29T17:52:00.001-08:00

This is the first show of the 2012 Season for Echoes of Ireland. We've taken out the commercials so that you get to listen to the show... the show and nothing but the show. Enjoy and let us know if you have any requests for next weeks show. Feel free to email them to Sean Hennessey Host of Echoes of Ireland at nnyirish@gmail.com or by clicking HERE and don't forget to check out our website by clicking HERE or by going to ncirishfest.com

The High Kings on Echoes of Ireland

2011-03-06T11:05:00.001-08:00

A great show today thank to the funding the North Country Goes Green Irish Festival and the sponsorship of Newzjunky.com
Thanks so to the High Kings for calling in and to Dick Gaffney for hanging out in studio.

Great show today on Echoes of Ireland!

2011-02-27T11:04:00.001-08:00

Check out this weeks Echoes of Ireland..we had a great time talking Irish Festival. Oh and Happy Birthday John Sullivan. All our best!!

Echoes of Ireland Show 5 2011

2011-02-06T11:05:00.001-08:00

A great show today on Echoes of Ireland. Played a request by Tom Nowak and Patti Shaughnessy joined Host Sean Hennessey to talk shop. The Irish Festival took 3rd place in the amature class at the 12th annual Chili Cook off this weekend! Here about their chili and other things Irish by listening in today!

Week 4 of Echoes of Ireland

2011-01-30T11:08:00.001-08:00

Great day on the show today. Terry Mostyn of the Terry Mostyn band came in and rocked the house!! Take listen!

Echoes of Ireland Show 3 2010

2011-01-23T12:06:00.001-08:00

Listen to all the greats from Terry Mostyn, The high Kings, George Murphy etc from the #1 Irish Radio show in the North Country.

Echoes of Ireland Show Two 2011

2011-01-16T11:08:00.001-08:00

Sorry for the late start on the Newzjuky everyone! We had a bit of a tech glitch in studio! Anyway! This weeks Echoes of Ireland was a bunch of fun! Thanks so much to the North Country Goes Green Irish Festival and Newzjunky.com for sponsoring the show! Listen in to all your favorites from Frank Patterson, George Murphy and all the greats. We also want to thank all of you for your dedications. keep'em coming! This week we played songs for Pat Youngs (Clayton NY), George Inschert (Watertown NY) Bernie Lawee Sr in Brownville NY. All our best!!
Don't forget to friend us on facebook.com at northcountry goesgreen irishfestival

Echoes of Ireland is back and better than ever for 2011

2011-01-10T04:53:00.003-08:00

A great 1st show for the 2011 Season. Thanks for all the requests! Keep'em coming!!! Send dedications and announcements to nnyirish@gmail.com or check us out on Face Book at northcountry goesgreen irishfestival. Enjoy!!

Echoe of Ireland is back and better than ever for 2011

2011-01-10T04:53:00.001-08:00

Johnston School of Irish Dance - Second Annual Hooley Fundraiser

2011-01-08T07:03:00.000-08:00

This is for a fund raiser for the stepdancers who qualified to compete at the World competition in IRELAND!!!!!!! We have three local dancers attending this year (Charlie Walck, Merry Jo Devine and Meredith Zembiec)!

Includes 2 draft beer tickets, pizza, raffles, silent auction,
dancing and music by The Causeway Giants

When: Saturday, January 22
7:00-10:00 pm
Where:Sharkey's Sports Bar
Oswego Road, Liverpool

Cost: Adult tickets are $15 pre-sale/$20 door
Student tickets are $7 grades 5-12/ Under 10 are free

Tickets can be purchased from David/Barbara Zembiec 232-2484

Don't Miss This Historic Event!

2010-12-16T16:57:00.000-08:00

ATTENTION MEN!!!!

Intoducing the 1st Ever
NCGG Irish Festival
Donegal Beard Growing Contest

The Rules:
Registrants must be clean shaven on or after Januray 1, 2011.

Donegals will be judged on 1) Length; 2) Fullness; 3) Color, Shine and Texture; 4) Style and Balance; and 5) Whether it's a true Donegal.

A kick-off shaving ceremony and registration will be held on January 1st at 1:00pm at Sportsman's Barbershop, 310 State Street, Watertown. A photograph proving one's clean shaveness on or after January 1st, with a dated newspaper or news website, may also be submitted with the resgistrants name to nnyirish@gmail.com.

Judges will determine the best Donegal at a ceremony at the Irish Fest, Friday, March 11th.

Check this one out!!

2010-12-16T16:56:00.001-08:00

The Dublin City Ramblers in Watertown NY March 11th 2010

2010-03-25T16:35:00.001-07:00

This was a historic night for the North Country. For the 25th Anniversary of the North Country Goes Green Irish Festival we blew the doors off the Dulles State office building with a wonderful show by Irelands #1 Show band "The Dublin City Ramblers". We want to thank all that attended the concert. We also want to thank Joe Rich, Tim Dermady and all the great staff of the Disabled person’s action Organization (DPAO) for making this such a great success! A great time with great friends.

The Dublin City Ramblers in Watertown NY March 11th 2010

2010-03-25T16:29:00.001-07:00

Don't Miss the Final Day of the "North Country Goes Green" Irish Festival

2010-03-14T06:34:00.000-07:00

The last 3 days have been incredible and today looks to be a block buster. Today at the 25th Annual "North Country Goes Green" Irish Festival we'll have Face Painters, Balloon Magicians, our famous Parade (1pm), 3 stages of music, Step Dancers, Story Tellers, workshops for kids and much much more. Come down say hello!!

Echoes of Ireland Show March 7th 2009

2010-03-07T10:10:00.001-08:00

Echoes of Ireland was great today with interviews with Sean McGuiness of The Dublin City Ramblers and Patrick Keogh of Project Children North. Don't forget to tune into WPBS Watertown tonight at the Johnston Scholl of Irish Step Dancing and staff from the North Country Goes Green Irish Festival man the phones their annual fund drive from 6pm to 11pm. The step dancers will perform live at 7pm so don't miss this one!!

Tenor adopted and disowned by Yankees leaving NYC

2010-03-06T12:49:00.000-08:00

NEW YORK — Irish tenor Ronan Tynan says he's leaving New York for Boston because he hasn't been able to find work in the months since a woman accused him of making an anti-Semitic remark.

The New York Yankees dropped their long-standing tradition of having the 49-year-old singer perform "God Bless America" during the seventh-inning stretch after the incident in October.

Tynan says other work has also dried up, and he's gotten angry e-mails and death threats.

He says his reference to "two Jewish ladies" in his apartment building was mistaken for a slur.

Tynan has also sung at 9/11 memorials, for U.S. troops in Iraq and lately for the Anti-Defamation League, a group that fights anti-Semitism.

Read more from the AP about Ronan Tynan by clicking HERE

A bird's eye view of beauty

2010-03-06T12:43:00.000-08:00

AERIAL IMAGES CAPTURED FOR NEW

PROMOTIONAL PROGRAMME ABOUT

GARDEN COUNTY WICKLOW

Wednesday March 03 2010
TOURISM BOARD TAKES TO THE SKIES TO PROMOTE WICKLOW IF ANYONE was ever in any doubt about the beauty that makes the Garden County what it is then they only have to clasp their eyes on a stunning new selection of Wicklow images, shot from above.

The photographs capture the wild and beautiful scenery on offer, from stunning views of Glendalough to the wilds of the Wicklow Mountains.

Tourism Development Officer Fred Verdier captured the images during a helicopter trip to gather as many photographs of county's magnificent scenery for a promotional programme called 'A Journey Through Wicklow.'

Fred was already only too well aware of Garden County's allure but even he was taken aback by the sheer attractiveness of the exquisite surroundings he found himself flying over.

'Wicklow's variety of colour and scenery, as seen from above, is beautiful and the perspective over the county from the helicopter was simply stunning.'

'A Journey through Wicklow' follows presenter Siobhán O'Connor on a tour through our spectacular county and shows some of Wicklow's tourist highlights. Much of the imagery captured in these stunning images is featured in the programme.

The show will continue to be aired on City Channel in Dublin and Galway and Channel South in the Munster region for another two weeks.

Read more fron the Wicklow People by clicking HERE

Echoes of Ireland Show Feb28 2010

2010-02-28T10:08:00.001-08:00

Great Show today with Miss Ireland 2009 Bridget Sharlow and Bill Archer co chair of the "North Country Goes Green" Irish Festival. Great music and a great time with all the callers! Keep in touch and email your requests to watertownaoh@hotmail.com
All my best
Sean M Hennese
Founder and Host
Echoes of Ireland
Radio show!!!

Tune into Echoes of Ireland today online by clicking link below from noon to 1pm today!!‏

2010-02-28T06:14:00.000-08:00

Tune into

Echoes of Ireland

(from noon to 1pm)

by clicking HERE!!!

Today's Echoes of Ireland will be another blockbuster and now you have the option of listening to us online! All you have to do is click HERE from noon to 1pm and you'll be taken to the "live at Five" site. There you can listen to the show live!!! You will also be able to catch us on the radio from noon to 1pm on 1240 WATN as well as rebroadcasted on our web site at ncirishfest.com. The rebroadcast can be accessed sometime after the show.
Today we'll have on the Miss Ireland 2009 Bridgett Sharlow. Bridgett will review for us what it's like to be Miss Ireland. She's a great young lady and has really been amazing representative of our Irish American pride over the last year.
We'll also have all the great Irish music, tradition and culture that you've grown accustomed to on Echoes of Ireland so tune in on the web by clicking HERE from noon to 1pm.

P.S. - You can call the station while I'm on the air at (315) 755-1240 for requests
All my best
Sean M Hennessey
Host and Founder
Echoes of Ireland
Radio Show

Still time for Irish Lasses to be part of the Miss Ireland Pageant

2010-02-27T19:31:00.000-08:00

Kathy Chisholm, Chairwoman of this year's North Country Goes Green Miss Ireland Pageant says she has had "More response than ever" from area women wanting to participate in the annual pageant.

Young women of Irish descent between the ages of 16 and 20, who would like to be a part of the festivities, can still apply by calling 783-3432. The deadline for applications is March 2nd. This year's winner will receive a $1,000 scholarship. First runner up will receive a $750 scholarship.

Past Miss Ireland, Colleen Cappon, will MC this year's event and former pageant winners will be participating as judges and performers. The pageant will be held in the Dulles State Office building auditorium, Friday March 12th at 7pm. The Miss Ireland Pageant is part of the annual North Country Goes GreenIrish Festival held each year at the Dulles State Office Building InWatertown.
Read more HERE at News Watch 50

The North Country Celebrates the News of Our New Bishop

2010-02-23T18:40:00.000-08:00

February 23, 2010
This morning, the Holy See announced that Pope Benedict XVI has appointed Reverend Terry LaValley, currently Diocesan Administrator of the Diocese of Ogdensburg, as the fourteenth Bishop of the Diocese of Ogdensburg to succeed the Most Reverend Robert J. Cunningham, Bishop of Syracuse, NY.

Bishop-elect LaValley, the second of six children of Ronald (deceased) and Doris LaValley, is a native of Mooers Forks, NY and was raised in St. Ann’s Parish. He was born on March 26, 1956 and completed his primary and secondary education at Mooers Central in Mooers, NY and Northeastern Clinton Central School in Champlain, NY. He received a B.A. from the University of the State of New York and a Certificate of Studies in Philosophy from Wadhams Hall Seminary-College. Prior to his entrance into Wadhams Hall Seminary-College in January 1983, Bishop-elect LaValley served a six-year tour of duty with the United States Navy. He completed the Pre-Theology Program at Wadhams Hall in May 1984 and received his Master of Divinity degree from Christ the King Seminary in East Aurora in May 1988. The bishop-elect was ordained to the Diaconate on February 27, 1988 and to the Priesthood on September 24, 1988 by Bishop Stanislaus J. Brzana. Upon ordination, he served as deacon and parochial vicar at the Church of the Sacred Heart in Massena. During this time, he was named as the Associate Secretary of the Marriage Tribunal and was elected to serve on the Council of Priests. In 1992, the bishop-elect began studies in Canon Law at St. Paul’s University in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada where he was awarded his M.C.L. and J.C.L in May 1994.

Upon the completion of his graduate studies, Bishop-elect LaValley was named as Administrator of St. Peter’s Church in Hammond and St. Patrick’s Church in Rossie and was appointed Adjutant Judicial Vicar. In 1996, Bishop Paul S. Loverde named him Episcopal Vicar for Diocesan Services and Chancellor of the Diocese of Ogdensburg with residence at Wadhams Hall Seminary-College.

In January 1998, in addition to his diocesan responsibilities, the bishop-elect was named Pastor of St. Raphael’s Church in Heuvelton. In June 1999, he became Administrator of St. James Church in Gouverneur while continuing to serve in his diocesan positions. In June 2000, he returned to St. Raphael’s Church in Heuvelton as Pastor and continued to serve as Episcopal Vicar and Chancellor for Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito. In July 2003, Bishop-elect LaValley became Rector of St. Mary’s Cathedral while retaining his diocesan offices.

In August 2004, Bishop-elect LaValley was relieved of his duties as Episcopal Vicar and Chancellor by Bishop Robert J. Cunningham, and appointed the Bishop’s delegate to implement and oversee compliance with the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. In this capacity, he continued to serve as Chairperson of the Diocesan Review Board. On May 28, 2009, the College of Consultors elected Bishop-elect LaValley as Diocesan Administrator, upon the installation of the Most Reverend Robert J. Cunningham as Bishop of Syracuse. The bishop-elect will continue as the Diocesan Administrator until his Ordination and Installation as the 14th Bishop of Ogdensburg on Friday, 30 April 2010.

Echoes of Ireland show21 Feb 2010

2010-02-21T10:08:00.001-08:00

Another Great Show with some Fans of the North Country Goes Green Irish Festival. We played great tunes from Cluidan to The Saw Doctors. Listen in and don't forget to email your requests at watertownaoh@hotmail.com

Winter Olympics 2010: Irish bobsleigh team must wait for go-ahead

2010-02-21T08:19:00.000-08:00

They survived a court appeal by the Australians.

Now they have to take on the Brazilians.

By Jacquelin Magnay in Vancouver
Published: 7:00AM GMT 12 Feb 2010

For the Irish bobsleigh team of Aoife Hoey and Claire Bergin, just getting to the start line of the Winter Olympics at the Whistler Sliding Centre has been a rollercoaster of emotions.

On Thursday Brazil appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport that they should be included in the start list of the two man bob event, claiming a similar right to that of the Australians.

Australia won their court appeal, based on a technical interpretation of continental rights, but the CAS decided that instead of removing the Irish team, the Australians would simply be added to the start list, bringing it up to 21.

But the Brazilians are contesting the way the Irish team had qualified. Olympic Council of Ireland President Pat Hickey is confident that this second appeal will not impact on the Irish participation.

Hickey said that the Irish were confirmed starters in the wording of the original Australian CAS appeal.

But he urged a change to the rules to limit protests of selection to a one month cut off date.
Press HERE to ream more

Cut in Irish Catholic dioceses raised by cardinals

2010-02-21T08:13:00.000-08:00

Two of the Vatican's most senior officials

have raised the issue of reducing

the number of dioceses in Ireland.

The Bishop of Down and Connor, Dr Noel Treanor, told BBC Radio Ulster's Sunday Sequence it came up at the summit on clerical sex abuse in Rome last week.

It was mentioned by Cardinals Giovanni Battista Re and Tarcisio Bertone.

Cardinal Bertone is Vatican secretary of state, while Cardinal Re is prefect of the Congregation for Bishops.

"It was mentioned I think by Cardinal Bertone and possibly by Cardinal Re as well, but the issue was not discussed," Bishop Treanor said.

"It is an issue that is certainly ad rem (important) in terms of the long-term reform of church procedures in Ireland."
Read More from The BBC HERE

Des Bishop's Immersion Routine

2010-02-21T08:03:00.000-08:00

In the Name of the Fada was a show that aired on RTÉ from 13 March to 17 April 2008, documenting Irish-American comedian Des Bishop and his pursuit of fluency in the Irish language. The show was a 6-part mini-series[1] in which Bishop spends a year living in Tír an Fhia, which is one of many Gaeltacht regions in Ireland. Bishop aims to be able to perform a stand-up comedy act as Gaeilge (in Irish) by the end of the stay.[3] The theme tune is Floating by Jape.

[edit] Episodes
Episode 1 (Aired date: Thursday 13 March, 2008) As a native New Yorker, Des decides to go in search for a true rite of passage into Ireland by learning Irish in Connemara's Gaeltacht. [4]

Episode 2 (Aired date: Thursday 20 March, 2008) Des becomes more accustomed to the life and language of the Conamara Gaeltacht. He takes part in a Gaelic football match and sits the Foundation Level Leaving Certificate paper.

Episode 3 (Aired date: Thursday 27 March, 2008) Struggling with Irish grammar, Des turns to Hip Hop for help.

Episode 4 (Aired date: Thursday 3 April, 2008) Inspired by a trip to "Oireachtas na Gaeilge" in Westport, Des visits different Gaeltacht areas.

Episode 5 (Aired date: Thursday 10 April, 2008) Des returns to the States and discovers that he's not the only American struggling to learn Irish.

Episode 6 (Aired date: Thursday 17 April, 2008) The big night finally arrives. Is Des ready for his first comedy gig in Irish?

NY Parade Needs Your Help!!!!

2010-02-21T04:52:00.000-08:00

NY St. Patrick's Day Parade

needs community's help

By Ray O'Hanlon
rohanlon@irishecho.com

February 17, 2010 The New York St. Patrick's Day Parade is just a month away today. And it's in need of a month's long mind, according to organizers.

With the economy lame, the parade's committee is turning to the Irish American community in New York and beyond hoping that boots on the ground on the big day will be reflected by bucks in the bank in the run-up to it.

"St. Patrick's Day is profoundly meaningful for Irish immigrants and Irish Americans and we proudly march up Fifth Avenue every March 17 as a lasting testament to our unwavering pride of being Irish," said parade committee secretary, Hilary Beirne, in a statement this week.

"What is truly remarkable about the parade is the awe-inspiring duty of keeping the parade alive that has been passed from one generation to the next for the past 249 years," said Beirne.

Successive parade committees, he said, had met this challenge.

"But like most non-profit organizations the worsening economy has had an impact. To counteract this, we launched an online donation campaign and seal program last year. This year we launched an online newsletter and formed alliances with companies which will benefit parade participants and the parade. We will also host a golf outing in the fall. All of these additional activities have helped us raise funds.

"But we want people to note that the parade is a registered non-profit organization and 100 percent of donations are tax-deductible and will help fund the world's oldest and most cherished parade," said Beirne.

Donations, according to Beirne, can be made online at the parade website NYCStPatricksParade.Org, or by mailing a check to the New York St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee office at PO Box 295, Woodlawn Station, Bronx, NY 10470.

"From the very first time we marched on Saint Patrick's Day in 1762, the parade is truly the best of our Irish culture, faith and heritage coupled with American freedom. We ask that everyone be a part of the greatest and oldest tradition in New York City," said Beirne.

Meanwhile, while many of the boots on the avenue this year will be military, not all of them will be American. Members of the Irish Army's 58th Reserve Infantry Battalion will be landing in New York to take part in the parade
Read more HERE

Ash Wednesday! See all of you at Holy Family at 5:15pm

2010-02-17T13:25:00.002-08:00

Don't Forget to Get to Mass Today!

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Season of Lent. It is a season of penance, reflection, and fasting which prepares us for Christ's Resurrection on Easter Sunday, through which we attain redemption.

Why we receive the ashes
Following the example of the Nine vites, who did penance in sackcloth and ashes, our foreheads are marked with ashes to humble our hearts and reminds us that life passes away on Earth. We remember this when we are told

"Remember, Man is dust, and unto dust you shall return."

Ashes are a symbol of penance made sacramental by the blessing of the Church, and they help us develop a spirit of humility and sacrifice.

The distribution of ashes comes from a ceremony of ages past. Christians who had committed grave faults performed public penance. On Ash Wednesday, the Bishop blessed the hair shirts which they were to wear during the forty days of penance, and sprinkled over them ashes made from the palms from the previous year. Then, while the faithful recited the Seven Penitential Psalms, the penitents were turned out of the church because of their sins -- just as Adam, the first man, was turned out of Paradise because of his disobedience. The penitents did not enter the church again until Maundy Thursday after having won reconciliation by the toil of forty days' penance and sacramental absolution. Later, all Christians, whether public or secret penitents, came to receive ashes out of devotion. In earlier times, the distribution of ashes was followed by a penitential procession.

The Ashes
The ashes are made from the blessed palms used in the Palm Sunday celebration of the previous year. The ashes are christened with Holy Water and are scented by exposure to incense. While the ashes symbolize penance and contrition, they are also a reminder that God is gracious and merciful to those who call on Him with repentant hearts. His Divine mercy is of utmost importance during the season of Lent, and the Church calls on us to seek that mercy during the entire Lenten season with reflection, prayer and penance.

So Sorry Listeners!!!

2010-02-17T12:06:00.000-08:00

Some Times You Eat the Bear

and Sometimes the Bear Eats You

I have to say that last Sunday Echoes of Ireland was a total blast. We played all the love ballots that expressed not only love for a person but for a place or thing. One favorite is from the Saw Doctors named "I used to love her" Got their good!!

Here's the bad news. We had some technical issues and we won't be able to bring you the web cast version of the show. I guess it really does pay to listen to the show live.

Anyway, We had a great time and I want to thank Dick Gaffney for coming in and spending the better part of the afternoon doing the show. (OK we also had lunch at the Fairgrounds after the show). I also want to thank Tom Nowak for sending in his request for next weeks show. I'll make sure to get his show on the air and a CD for his collection.

If you'd like to make a request please feel free to email me at watertownaoh@hotmail.com and we'll do what we can to get it on the air. Slan!

Happy Shrove Tuesday Everyone!!

2010-02-16T14:51:00.000-08:00

Shrove Tuesday Today;

Ash Wednesday first day of Lent

Wednesday will be Ash Wednesday -- marking, for Christians, the beginning of Lent.
Many Cowetans will attend services on Wednesday, receiving the mark of the cross on their foreheads. The mark is made with ashes and a reminder to worshippers that they came from dust and will return to dust when life ends.
"Ash Wednesday marks the start of the six-week Holy Season of Lent, a time of penance and reflection in preparation for Easter Sunday, celebrated worldwide by Christians as the resurrection of Jesus Christ," said Marie Mulvenna, a member at St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church.

The imposition of ashes is "a tradition dating back to the second century," she said. The ashes are often made by mixing ashes from palms from the previous year's Palm Sunday service with oil.

Easter is observed by churches in the west -- virtually all Protestant and Catholic denominations -- on the first Sunday following the full moon after the vernal equinox. Easter can occur as early as March 22 and as late as April 25. This year, Easter will be April 4.

Eastern Orthodox churches use a different method of calculating the date for Easter, although this year Orthodox Easter will also be April 4.

Today is Shrove Tuesday or Fat Tuesday -- the last day before Lent, which is traditionally a time of fasting and self-denial. The word "shrove" comes from the English word "shrive," which means to be forgiven of sin.
Read more HERE

Don't Miss the Big Show

2010-02-13T16:11:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow's Echoes of Ireland is building up to be a big one. We have none other then Dick Gaffney in the Studio with us tomorrow so don't miss out. We're also celebrating Valentines day so expect a whole bunch of ballads from the classics. If you'd like to make a dedication please feel free to email us at watertownaoh@hotmail.com or give us a call when in the station from noon to 1pm at (315) 755-1240. The Crack will be high so put us on your calendar. If you miss the show feel free to check back into the blog later in the day for the rebroadcast. Until then, all our best from the "Echoes of Ireland" Staff.

The North Country Goes Green Takes to the Air

2010-02-10T18:56:00.000-08:00

2010-02-10T18:43:00.000-08:00

Tickets Available at all Watertown NY Kinney's locations

or Call the Disabled Persons Action Organization

at 782-0444

Echoes of Ireland show2 Feb 7th

2010-02-07T11:21:00.001-08:00

We went old school with today's show. Had a bunch of dedications and other then the mic being off for a minute (after Seanache....yikes!!) the show went really well. Thanks for tuning in and don't forget to send us your requests at watertownaoh@hotmail.com

The Dublin City Ramblers are coming to Watertown!!!

2010-02-04T17:28:00.000-08:00

Irelands #1 Band

"The Dublin City Ramblers"

are coming to Watertown Direct from Ireland

To Kick off the 25th Annual

"North Country Goes Green" Irish Festival

Friday March 11th 2010

Echoes of Ireland Show 1

2010-01-31T12:17:00.001-08:00

The 1st

Echoes of Ireland Radio Show

is in the Can and You Can Listen to it Here!

Today's show was really fun! We had a bit of a lag in the sound (no need to check your speakers) at the beginning but from then on it was a snap. This week was a tribute to the Clancy Brothers and we played music and exclusive interviews with Liam from years past. We also talked about the release of the new web site (ncirishfest.com) and much much more. If you missed the show you can click HERE and listen in. If you'd like to make a request or a dedication please feel free to email us at watertownaoh@hotmail.com All our best and thanks for all your support!

Northern Ireland: powersharing dispute threatens to freeze peace process

2010-01-29T17:26:00.000-08:00

Northern Ireland's pro-British DUP and Irish republican Sinn Féin failed Friday to agree on bringing policing and justice under local control.

If a stalemate continues, it could result in the collapse of the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Dublin, Ireland
Light flurries of snowfall at the historic Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland may have seemed like an omen today as uneasy partners in powersharing failed to achieve a breakthrough on local policing, potentially freezing the peace process once again.

Today was the deadline for the two governing parties, the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), representing pro-British sentiment, and Irish republican Sinn Féin to agree on bringing policing and justice under local control. Presently, these powers are administered by the British government in London. Sinn Féin wants to see local control but the DUP has been reluctant to agree, fearing a backlash from unionist voters for whom Sinn Féin influence over policing is unacceptable.

The breaking point is the issue of marches by the Orange Order, a pro-British fraternal organization for Protestants. The DUP's demand that the contentious parades be allowed as a precondition is unacceptable, Sinn Féin says.

If Sinn Féin and the DUP fail to agree, the likely result will be the collapse of the Northern Ireland Assembly followed by an immediate election, which many feel would make Irish republicans the largest group in the Northern Ireland polity for the first time since the state was founded in 1921.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and his Irish counterpart Brian Cowen both arrived in Northern Ireland Monday to help facilitate a deal, only to leave empty-handed two days later. The US envoy to Northern Ireland had warned of serious economic consequences if the parties fail to reach agreement and the British and Irish governments are threatening to impose a mandatory deal from above. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has been involved in diplomatic efforts by telephone.

The fragile world of post-conflict Ireland is something of a curate's egg.

On the one hand, the guns have fallen silent and the city of Belfast enjoyed an economic boom for a decade. One sign of success is that former US envoy George Mitchell, who played a major role in ironing out the details of the Irish peace, is now in the Middle East attempting to export his brand of political agreement.

On the other hand, the political machinations, always byzantine to outsiders, have failed to produce a stable government, and several studies indicate that sectarian attitudes have hardened since the peace was sealed by 1998's Good Friday Accord.

Too big to fail?
The fact that the Northern Ireland Assembly is seen, like banks during the financial crisis, as "too big to fail" leaves a bitter taste in the mouths of many.
Kevin Bean, a professor at the Institute of Irish Studies at the University of Liverpool, says the public has tired of the "choreographed" nature of Northern Ireland's cyclical crises.

"This crisis is entirely predictable and the two main parties will eventually have to cut a deal. It's almost as if a game is going on in politics while real life goes on elsewhere," he says.

"It appears to the public as choreography: everyone has their roles to play, right down to the prime ministers rushing in and holding meetings that go on into the early hours, the phalanx of cameramen and photographers and the press saying 'It's the final crisis – if this fails there will be Armageddon.'"

The latest set of problems follows in the wake of unrelated scandals that themselves threatened to undermine the peace process.
Read more HERE

Ray Kelly dons sash in NYC St Pats Parade

2010-01-23T19:32:00.000-08:00

Police Commissioner Ray Kelly will
be in a most familiar place on
the morning of March 17th.

The man who will be this year's grand marshal told a packed room at his installation last week that he had spent almost all of his adult life on Fifth Avenue every time St. Patrick's Day rolled around.

This year it will be no different in terms of location, but Kelly will have a double task in his most capable hands as he commands the city's police department even as he lead marchers up the avenue in the 249th consecutive parade.

In his acceptance speech, witnessed by family members, including his wife Veronica, five former grand marshals and a large crowd of enthusiastic well wishers, Kelly spoke of former Irish president Mary Robinson's famous candle in the window, a beacon to the Irish emigrant no matter where he or she ended up in the world.

"We're the ones for which that light was shining," said Kelly.

"We too have in inextinguishable love for the home of our ancestors," he said.

Kelly spoke movingly of the shared history, the struggles and triumphs of Irish immigrants, most especially those of the first generations, such as his own parents.

Kelly, whose Irish roots are in counties Roscommon, Longford and Cavan, said that the St. Patrick's Day parade was a celebration of the vibrant future of more than 70 million people around the world who traced their origins to Ireland.

He thanked his wife Veronica, sons James and Gregory and brother Donald, and said he was counting on the NYPD, his aides and all in the room to make this year's parade the best ever.

That room was clearly excited at the prospect of Kelly leading the parade. A number of speakers, including outgoing grand marshal Mike Gibbons, Cardinal Edward Egan and Irish Consul General Niall Burgess, heaped praise on the man who has served two mayors as commissioner and who has presided over a drop in crime that is the envy of the nation.

"I would like to thank Michael J. Gibbons, the outgoing grand marshal, for making the 248th New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade an outstanding success. We especially thank Michael for the wonderful work he did on the parade's behalf as last year's grand marshal and for all the support he has provided our annual parade in the media and public life over the years," said parade chairman, John Dunleavy, before passing on the sash and duties of grand marshal to Kelly.

Former grand marshals on hand to salute Kelly, in addition to Gibbons, were Congressman Peter King, Tommy Gleason, Tommy Smyth, Mary Holt Moore and Barney Ferguson.

Other well known faces in the crowd and on the dais included Tom O'Brien, president of NBC in New York, the city's sanitation commissioner, John Dougherty, Dr. John Lahey, president of Quinnipiac University, Rev. George Reilly vice-president of Villanova University, New York City's Commissioner of Public Records, Brian Andersson, and former congressman Mario Biaggi, who was given a standing ovation.
Read more from The Irish Echo HERE

North Country Goes Green signs Glengarry bhoys

2010-01-23T19:03:00.000-08:00

The Glenngary Bhoys

to Headline at

NCGG Irish Festival

The North Country Goes Green Irish Festival is excited to report that they have secured international starts "The Glenngary Bhoys" to headline the 11th floor stage on March 12th 2010. "This is a big band that packs a punch and we're excited to have them with us for our 25th anniversary" said Dick Gaffney co Chair of the festival. Festival organizers aren't sparing any expense when it comes to entertainment this year. "We really wanted to make sure that we got the best entertainers out there for our 25th Anniversary" Gaffney said.

The bands web site describes the band as "bold, unorthodox, vibrant, and evocative, the GLENGARRY BHOYS' hybrid of Canadian Highland Scots and French Canadian musical idioms has evolved into a sound that is weighty, authoritative, and extremely entertaining. Their energy and good humor, as much a part of the show as their musicianship, crosses all cultures and ages. "

"With their infectious fusion of rock and Celtic styles, the Ontario based Glengarry Bhoys are making their mark on the Irish American music scene." - The Irish Echo

This years festival will start early this year with the recently announced concert with "Ireland's #1 Ballot and Folk group" The Dublin City Ramblers and Searson. We are just amazed that we were able to pull off rounding up this caliber of talent for the Irish Festival. To have all of the greats preforming in one weekend is truly historic for the North Country" said Sean Hennessey, Entertainment Director for the Irish festival. "Our talent pool is usually top notch" Hennessey said" but this year we really went above and beyond."

"ECHOES" RETURNS TO WATN

2010-01-23T17:15:00.000-08:00

THE ECHOES OF IRELAND

RADIO SHOW RETURNS TO THE

AIR ON 1240 WATN

(WATERTOWN NY)

The North Country Goes Green Irish Festival is pleased to announce that the "Echoes of Ireland" Radio Show will return to the air waves on January 31st 2009. Echoes Host and Entertainment Director for the "North Country Goes Green" Irish Festival, Sean Hennessey said "This program is a great way to highlight the abundance of Irish music, tradition and culture in the North Country."

"Echoes of Ireland" will broadcast every Sunday from Noon to 1pm on Watertown's own 1240 WATN. Listeners that miss the live show will now be able to listen to recorded shows at the soon to be released festival web site http://www.ncirishfest.com/

Each week listeners can tune in to the best Irish Music from traditional to contemporary, from here at home, to across the globe. Traditional Bands like The Clancy Brothers, Tommy Makem, Finbar Furey and more contemporary tunes from The Saw Doctors , The Pogues Echoes also highlights Sports News and Current Events as well as the History of the Irish people at home and abroad.

"Our show is unique," the host said " the people here have a real connection to their Ancestral Homeland. There is a thriving AOH chapter in Watertown, and a World Class Irish Step Dancing School (Johnston School of Irish Step Dancing) and who can forget the contributions of people like Alex P. Duffy to the community? We're lucky to have a big, proud population with Irish roots, heritage and history. The Irish Festival and the radio show have a growing audience every year... which proves the Irish spirit is alive and well in the North Country."

Echoes of Ireland accepts requests and is pleased to announce births, marriages, birthdays and special events in the Community. What better way to honor a loved one than to play a traditional ballad like"Danny Boy" or "When Irish Eyes are Smiling"? Or why not celebrate with some of the great rowdy or rebel songs from "The Wolfetones" or your favorite local artists like "Casey Street Shuffle" or "Searson"?

If you would like to make a request or have the show make an announcement please feel free to email Sean Hennessey at watertownaoh@hotmail.com Please remember to get the request to us a minimum of 2 days before the show airs.

SEARSON IS BACK!!!!!!

2010-01-23T17:07:00.000-08:00

WORLD RENOUND
"SEARSON"

RETURNS TO THE
"NORTH COUNTRY GOES GREEN"
IRISH FESTIVAL

FOR 25TH ANNIVERSARY

With talent that remains full of fierce energy, Searson continues to astound their audiences with unguarded sincerity in their vocals, raw fiddling and ferocious stepdancing. Searson has been taking North America and Europe by storm, performing an average of 150 shows a year. Growing up in the Ottawa Valley, Ontario, Canada, Erin, Heather and Colleen Searson began performing for audiences at a young age. Each sister was filled with an appreciation of music at an early age and from this, developed a contemporary style of high energy, roots, celtic, country and pop, a sound they are known and loved for. The multi-talented sisters play a variety of instruments and are all expert step dancers. Erin plays a boogie style of piano, organ, and mandolin. Colleen is on fiddle and joins Erin in the lead vocals with Heather on bass. Rounding out the live show they are joined by Mary Gellner, a talented and passionate musician on drums and percussion. From private events, to clubs, theatres and festivals, touring originally began in Ontario and has now grown to include North America and Europe.

Searson has recorded five albums in their illustrious career. A Different kind of Light (2008), Searson Live (2005), Follow (2004), House Party (2002), and finally their newest addition Ignite ( fall 2009). Ignite encompasses Searson’s love of all music. All original, these tracks contain flavours from the Ottawa Valley, Country and Blues stylings, something Searson wanted to showcase

Row over heifer turns brothers against brothers - Courts, National News - Independent.ie

2009-10-25T08:49:00.000-07:00

Row over heifer turns brothers against brothers - Courts, National News - Independent.ie: "Sunday October 25 2009
THE boy standing in the way of the gate was only 12 or 13, but what he said, and the way he smiled when he said it, was enough to put the fear into John Dempsey.
'How'ya John? Who gave you permission to be in there?'
It was a reasonable inquiry for young Conor Byrne to make given the fact that Mr Dempsey was on his father, DJ's, land.
Standing 6ft 3in in height and many years the boy's senior, John Dempsey really shouldn't have been afraid, but the fear was in him, he said, as he thought of who might be waiting for him beyond the high wall out in Hammer Lane.
He had gone on to Daniel Joseph and Jason Byrne's land to retrieve his heifer after it strayed from his herd. But the heifer wasn't of a mind to follow him despite his best efforts."

The Dublin City Ramblers Irelands best ballad and folk group.

2009-10-25T08:43:00.000-07:00

The Dublin City Ramblers Irelands best ballad and folk group.: "It all began way back in 1963. Sean Mcguinness, born in James's St., Dublin and living most of his life in Inchicore in Dublin, coming from a very traditional Irish background, (His mother won the highest awards in piano playing at the London College of Music, and his father was All-Ireland Champion Dancer 3 years in a row), got his first Tenor Banjo , and together with his brother Matt and close friend and neighbour Pat Cummins, formed a Ballad Group called 'The Jolly Tinkers'.
They played their first gig ever in a pub called The Kingsway Lounge in Dublin's Capel St. for a few pints. Sean played Tenor Banjo & Mandolin, Matt played Tin Whistle & Fiddle, and Pat played Guitar and most of the singing, possessing a very powerful & unique voice. Their first paying gig was sometime later in a Hotel called The Parkside Hotel on the Nth. Circular Road, Dublin. They received the princely sum of a half-crown each.(Approx 15 cents in todays money!!!), for their night's work. It was all uphill from there on. The recruited a fourth member at a later stage (We needed somebody with transport, said Pat), and carried on until they changed the name of the group to the 'Quare Fellas', after Brendan Behan's play. (This was suggested by their good friend at the time, Irish comedian ,Noel V. Ginnity)."
More at : http://www.dubincityramblers.com/

Dunnes bring 60 new jobs - News, frontpage - Wicklowpeople.ie

2009-10-25T08:38:00.000-07:00

Dunnes bring 60 new jobs - News, frontpage - Wicklowpeople.ie: "By Myles BUCHANAN

Wednesday October 21 2009
WICKLOW WILL receive a muchneeded boost this week with Thursday's opening of Dunnes Stores in Newtownmountkennedy creating 60 new jobs.
The 20,000 square foot store includes grocery, textiles and homes sections and will be situated in the new Village Centre.
Grocery manager of the new store, Tom Buckley, says Dunnes are proud to be opening their fifth premises in County Wicklow.
'We are delighted to be opening this new store in Newtownmountkennedy. We have received a warm welcome and much support from the local people for the creation of 60"\

Byrne reveals his pension is gone - National News, Frontpage - Independent.ie

2009-07-12T10:57:00.000-07:00

Byrne reveals his pension is gone - National News, Frontpage - Independent.ie: "Byrne reveals his pension is gone
'Everyone is worried and going through tough times,' says former host of Late Late Show"

2009-03-07T17:26:00.000-08:00

Check out the "Then and Now"

Shots I found of Wicklow Ireland

on youtube.com

2009-03-07T17:04:00.000-08:00

Ireland are tantalizingly close

to Slam after win vs. England

By Mark Jonesletters@irishecho.com
March 4, 2009 You still have to scratch your head and wonder how on earth there was just one point between the teams at the end of last weekend's Six Nations hostilities. Ireland had possession, territory and control of the game for long periods, yet it was fortunate that England's converted try came when it did in the dying seconds because, a couple of minutes earlier, and who knows what might have happened.
Irish Echo

2009-03-07T16:57:00.000-08:00

Way 2 go!

By Irish Echo Staff
March 4, 2009 New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg applauds as the members of Irish rock band U2 hold up copies of the street sign which temporarily designates West 53rd Street "U2 Way."

Band members, from left: Adam Clayton, Bono, The Edge and Larry Mullen Jr.
Irish Echo

2009-03-07T16:47:00.000-08:00

2 dead in shooting at

Northern Irish army base

Reuters Saturday, March 7, 2009; 7:08 PM
BELFAST (Reuters) - Two military personnel were killed and four people seriously wounded in a shooting at a British army base in Northern Ireland, police said Saturday.
"The two fatalities as I understand it are military personnel," a police spokeswoman said, adding that two of the wounded were also from the army.
(Reporting by Anne Cadwallader, writing by Andras Gergely; editing by Andrew Dobbie)
Washington Post

2009-03-01T08:15:00.000-08:00

Smithsonian puts

Hill of Tara on list of

endangered must-sees

By Breda Heffernan
Saturday February 28 2009
ONE of the world's leading museums has included the Hill of Tara in a list of must-see endangered cultural treasures.
The latest edition of the 'Smithsonian Magazine', which is attached to the influential American museum of the same name, has compared the Co Meath site to the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, thought to mark the birth place of Jesus.
Campaign group Tarawatch, which is seeking to reroute the controversial M3 motorway away from Tara, said that unless the road is moved, the area will never be named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
"The Smithsonian is one of the world's leading cultural institutions and authorities, and their opinion rubbishes the claims made by Environment Minister John Gormley that the M3 is not an obstacle to making Tara a World Heritage Site," said campaigner Vincent Salafia.
Independant.ie

2009-02-28T19:48:00.000-08:00

Archbishop Dolan Appointed Archbishop of New York Retirement of Cardinal Egan Accepted

February 23, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 23, 2009
His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI, has appointed His Excellency, Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan, Archbishop of Milwaukee, to the Archdiocese of New York. Archbishop Dolan has served as the Archbishop of Milwaukee since 2002. He will be the 13th Bishop and 10th Archbishop of the See of New York. He succeeds His Eminence, Edward Cardinal Egan, who submitted his letter of retirement upon reaching the age of 75 on April 2, 2007.
Cardinal Egan has been named Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of New York until the Installation of Archbishop Dolan. The Archbishop will be installed by His Excellency, Archbishop Pietro Sambi, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States at Saint Patrick's Cathedral on April 15, 2009.
In a statement, Archbishop Dolan addressed New Yorkers, saying, "My brother bishops, priests, religious women and men, seminarians, committed Catholics of this wonderful Church, I pledge to you my love, my life, my heart, and I can tell you already that I love you, I need so much your prayers and support, I am so honored, humbled, and happy to serve as your pastor."
Read on..

2009-02-28T18:14:00.000-08:00

Ireland Beats England at

Croke Park

The Associated Pres

Ireland survived a late scare to beat England 14-13 at Croke Park on Saturday and keep alive its chances of a Six Nations Grand Slam.

Ireland was leading 14-6 with two minutes left when Delon Armitage touched down for the visitors. The conversion left England within a single score and throwing the ball about with uncharacteristic confidence following the restart, but time ran out when wing Mark Cueto spilled the ball in a tackle.

The result leaves Ireland alone at the top of the Six Nations standings with a maximum six points from three matches. The Irish are the only team still able to complete a Grand Slam of wins. Trips to Scotland and defending champion Wales, which lost 21-16 to France on Friday, stand between Ireland and a first Grand Slam since 194

Read on.

2009-02-28T07:19:00.000-08:00

Check out this great video of the 24th Annual

North Country Goes Green

Irish Festival!

Produced by our Friends at Newzjunky.com

The North Country's #1 news site

2009-02-14T15:56:00.000-08:00

NORTH COUNTRY IRISH

UFO's in Arklow Ireland?

You be the judge.

This video was posted to You Tube on February 9th 2009 and although it could easily be nonsense it's worth a look. Apparently it was shot in Arklow Ireland through an up stairs window. Looks suspicious but take a look and see what you think.

2009-02-13T19:16:00.000-08:00

The Great Tommy Makem with

The Four Green Fields

2009-02-13T18:16:00.001-08:00

NORTH COUNTY IRISH

Call Your Local Representative and

Press for Irish Immigration Reform

Move beyond reform, Irish pols are told
By Ray O'Hanlonrohanlon@irishecho.com
February 11, 2009 Irish politicians from all parties have been told that a way has to be found to allow a regular flow of Irish immigrants to the United States, this for the first time since the 1960s.
Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform vice chairman, Ciaran Staunton, met with more than 35 TDs and senators in Leinster House, Dublin late last week and urged them not just to back comprehensive immigration reform efforts in the U.S., but also to work for a bilateral visa deal between Ireland and the United States, one that would allow for more regular movement of citizens from both countries.
The meeting came in the same week that leading San Francisco-based reform campaigner, Bart Murphy, called for a bilateral deal between Dublin and Washington along the lines of an existing visa treaty between the U.S. and Australia.
"There was great concern shown," Staunton said of the meeting in a phone interview Tuesday. The Mayo native was still in Ireland and was lining up more meetings with political leaders before returning to New York.
Read on..

2009-02-13T18:10:00.000-08:00

NORTH COUNTRY IRISH

Seven On Seven
By Ray O'Hanlonrohanlon@irishecho.com
February 11, 2009 He didn't run out of road. He ran out of continents. Galway ultra distance runner Richard Donovan has become the first person to run seven marathons on seven continents in less than seven days. And his feat, by way of his feet, is helping the war and famine threatened people of the Darfur region of western Sudan.
In case anyone is thinking of breaking Donovan's mark it would be well to note the fact that he accomplished his runs in 5 days, 9 hours and 8 minutes. In that time he ran a total of 183 miles, but also flew tens of thousands of them.
Donovan finished his final marathon in Sydney, Australia late last week. Behind him he had notched up six 26.2 mile runs in Antarctica, Africa, Asia, Europe and both North and South America.
The precise locations for his runs leading up to the Sydney climax were Cape Town, Dubai, London, Toronto and Santiago.
Read on..

2009-02-13T18:04:00.000-08:00

NORTH COUNTRY IRISH

Watch the new film trailer from

Steve McQueens productions

on Bobby Sands its called

HUNGER

2009-02-07T18:23:00.000-08:00

North Country Irish
Get On Your Boots:

U2 video exclusive on Independent.ie

Click Picture

2009-02-07T17:03:00.000-08:00

North Country Irish

New Republican group threatens

wave of violence on Drug Dealers

A new bout of violent republicanism is emerging in Dublin.
A group claiming to represent the Irish Republican Brotherhood is threatening a new wave of violence against drug dealers and "supporters of foreign rule".
In the last few days media outlets in the city have been contacted both in writing and via phone about the alleged organisation.
In a statement, it is said that the IRB are "very much an active Republic organisation" that is "heavily equipped".
Gardai will not comment on the worrying developments, but the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said they were not ignoring the threat.
A spokesperson said that while they could not comment about the matter directly, they were "taking a robust stance against all dissident republican terrorist groups regardless of their title".
Using a codeword, a statement was issued on behalf of the so-called IRB saying that it has "concrete foundations, and an army with active members throughout the island of Ireland".
It continues: "Our aims and efforts are simple but solid. We believe in free communities for our future. Including drug-free communities. Safer communities."

2009-02-07T16:51:00.000-08:00

North Country Irish

AIB and Bank of Ireland agree on government bailout

Sat Feb 7, 2009 2:37pm GMT

DUBLIN (Reuters) - Allied Irish Banks (ALBK.I) and Bank of Ireland (BKIR.I) have agreed terms with the government over a 7 billion euro ($8.97 billion) capital injection into the two groups, the Irish Times said on Saturday.
Allied Irish Banks and Bank of Ireland declined to comment on the report, which did not cite sources. A finance ministry spokesman declined to comment. "Any recapitalisation proposal must be considered by the government," the spokesman added.
The Irish Times said final technical details were only agreed on Friday with Bank of Ireland first to sign up to the package.
Prime Minister Brian Cowen said on Saturday the government would be finalising arrangements "in the coming days."
"We will be putting more directors in there, we will be taking voting rights in relation to the banks -- these are all detailed issues that will emerge when the final decisions are taken," Cowen told public broadcaster RTE in an interview.
"We are going to get preference shares, we will insist on getting our money back in due course -- paying a coupon for it in the meantime," he said without giving further details.

Read on

2009-02-07T16:44:00.000-08:00

North Country Irish

Ireland defeat France in Six Nations opener

(CNN) -- Ireland beat France 30-21 in an enthralling Six Nations rugby opener at Croke Park, Dublin, to underline their status as genuine title contenders.

Jamie Heaslip, Brian O'Driscoll and Gordon D'Arcy ran in brilliant tries as the Irish registered their first triumph against Les Bleus since March 2003, a sequence spanning seven Tests.
O'Driscoll's try was particularly pleasing with the Ireland captain showing the acceleration and finishing ability that seemed to be on the wane in recent seasons.
Ronan O'Gara chipped in with 15 points as the Irish landed a crucial early blow in the Six Nations title race.
Number eight Imanol Harinordoquy and winger Maxime Medard crossed the line for the visitors, the former rounding off a brilliant passage of play, while the boot of Lionel Beauxis did the rest for Les Bleus.
France went ahead with a magnificent try in the 13th minute. Harinordoquy steamrollered over O'Gara, a clever kick from Julien Malzieu continued the move which openside Thierry Dusautoir was on hand to rescue by gathering the ball and feeding Yannick Jauzion.
Possession was recycled to Chabal out wide on the left and the lock combined with winger Maxime Medard to send Harinordoquy over.

2009-02-07T16:23:00.000-08:00

North Country Irish
Ericsson to cut 300 jobs in Ireland

DUBLIN, Feb 5 (Reuters) - Swedish telecom equipment maker Ericsson (ERICb.ST) will cut 300 of its 1,700 jobs in Ireland as part of plans to save 10 billion Swedish crowns ($1.2 billion), the company said on Thursday.
"This is part of the action being taken across the world to consolidate operations into fewer locations," Country Manager John Hennessy said.
Trade union SIPTU said the redundancies at Ericsson would come from the research and development section of its Dublin office.
"These are high value added jobs with a highly productive, highly skilled graduate workforce and that makes the news that the company intends outsourcing to either China or Hungary all the more worrying", SIPTU said.

2009-02-07T13:40:00.000-08:00

PRESS RELEASE
“NORTH COUNTRY GOES GREEN’
IRISH FESTIVAL

For Immediate Release For Further Information
February 2009 Contact: Sean M. Hennessey
Phone: 315-775-0570
http://www.northcountrygoesgreen.com/

Finbar Furey of The Furey’s band will open the 24th Annual Irish Festival season with a concert at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 12th at the Dulles State Office Building in Watertown. Finbar, sometimes called the “Tony Bennett” of Irish Music, was born in Dublin, Ireland and is seen as a true icon of Irish Culture.

The Furey’s began their career playing many shows with the late great Ronnie Drew of The Dubliners. As their reputation spread wider, they consolidated their success in Europe, Canada and the USA bringing Finbar’s rare talents to a world-wide stage and treating audiences to evenings of pure Irish magic, great music, good humor and the charm and sparkling wit associated with one of Ireland’s great balladeers.

The Furey’s smash hits include: “When You Were Sweet Sixteen”, “I Will Love You Every Time”, “When We Are One”, “Leaving Nancy”, “Tara Hill”, “Green Fields of France”, “Red Rose Café” and the show stopping hit “The Lonesome Boatman.”

Finbar’s recent foray into the big screen has also been a huge success. Mr. Furey was highlighted in the 2002 Blockbuster hit “Gangs of New York” along with Liam Neeson, Daniel-Day Lewis and Leonardo DiCaprio and Finbar’s 2007 hit “Strength and Honour” achieved critical acclaim.

The show starts at 7 p.m. with General Admission Tickets priced at only $10. For Ticket Information please contact the Disabled Persons Action Organization (DPAO) at 315-782-0044 or 1-800-533-2859. Tickets are also available at all Watertown Kinney Drugs Store locations. Seating is limited so order your tickets today!

The goal of the Irish Festival is to raise money to bring children from Northern Ireland to Northern New York for four weeks each summer. The Irish Festival also supports Project Children in their efforts to support the children of Northern Ireland.

For further information on the 2009 Irish Festival please check out our web site at http://www.northcountrygoesgreen.com/.

2009-02-03T04:47:00.000-08:00

north country irish

Two groups vie for Waterford assets, workers protest
Mon Feb 2, 2009 4:49pm GMT

By Carmel Crimmins
DUBLIN (Reuters) - Workers protesting at luxury tableware maker Waterford Wedgwood's Irish crystal plant said on Sunday they supported one of two U.S. private equity groups vying to buy some of the indebted company's assets.
"We are encouraged by the continued firm interest by Clarion Capital," Jimmy Kelly, Irish regional secretary of the Unite union, said in a statement.
"They have lodged their bid and have outlined their plans to us of keeping manufacturing in the city and protecting the immediate livelihood of hundreds of workers and the future prospects for hundreds and thousands more."
Waterford Wedgwood, which owns Waterford Crystal, British potter Wedgwood, Royal Doulton fine china and German porcelain maker Rosenthal, called in receivers, Deloitte, last month after failing to buy more time from creditors.
Read on..

2009-01-31T10:42:00.000-08:00

North Country Irish

Ex-IRA figure faces US

counterfeiting charge

By SHAWN POGATCHNIK
DUBLIN, Ireland (AP)

An Irish Republican Army veteran and Marxist politician was arrested Friday to face a new U.S. extradition warrant claiming he helped launder millions in North Korean-produced counterfeit dollars.
Irish police arrested former Workers Party leader Sean Garland, 74, outside the entrance of the fringe party's Dublin headquarters — more than three years after he jumped bail in the neighboring British territory of Northern Ireland while facing a similar U.S. extradition warrant there.
Garland had been living openly in the Republic of Ireland — which typically refuses to extradite citizens to face criminal charges outside the European Union — since he left Belfast and abandoned a bail of 30,000 British pounds (about $53,000 at the time) following his October 2005 arrest.
Read on.

2009-01-30T16:09:00.000-08:00

The Ancient Order of Hibernians is a Catholic, Irish American Fraternal Organization founded in New York City 4 May,1836. The Order can trace its roots back to a parent organization, of the same name, which has existed in Ireland for over 300 years. However, while the organizations share a common thread, the North American A.O.H. is a separate and much larger organization. > Learn more

2009-01-30T16:03:00.000-08:00

Lean times for the Irish Republic

Ireland may have lost its Celtic Tiger economy but it has not lost its sense of humour.
The fear that the economy in Ireland could crash as spectacularly as it did in Iceland has given rise to a credit crunch joke.
What is the difference between Ireland and Iceland? One letter and six months.
Like most humour, the joke combines a grain of truth with a handful of exaggeration.
Prof Brian Lucey, an economist at Trinity College Dublin, says: "We're not as bad as Iceland because we're saved by the still pretty low interest rates of the euro.

Read on..

2009-01-29T16:45:00.000-08:00

Irish Internet firm to shut off illegal music users

Thu Jan 29, 2009 2:55pm GMT
By Andras Gergely

DUBLIN, Jan 29 (Reuters) -
Irish Internet provider Eircom has agreed to disconnect users who download music illegally from the Web in a settlement with four major record companies that Irish media said was the first of its kind in the world.
The record companies -- EMI, Sony, Universal and Warner -- had wanted Eircom to install software from a U.S. firm to detect the "fingerprint" of copyrighted music files being sent on its network.
Eircom, which feared the software would have interfered with its broadband service and could break privacy laws, instead pledged to disconnect users who continue to download illegally after two warnings.
http://uk.reuters.com/article/rbssFinancialServicesAndRealEstateNews/idUKLT73870420090129

2009-01-28T17:23:00.000-08:00

Barack Obama is IRISH!

Here's the song that prove it.

(Thanks Tammy!)

2009-01-24T15:53:00.001-08:00

CHECK OUT THE HEART

OF THE DERRY DESTROYER

BIG JOHN DUDDY!!

2009-01-24T13:57:00.000-08:00

THE BIBLE CODE SUNDAYS

AND

"DOCKSIDE LULLABIES"

performing in Watertown NY

9pm March 14th 2009 11th floor (21 and over)

at the

NORTH COUNTRY GOES GREEN

IRISH FESTIVAL

http://www.northcountrygoesgreen.com

at the Dulles State Office Building Washington St.

2009-01-20T15:46:00.000-08:00

Did you know about the Fenian Attack on Canada?

Don't feel bad I didn't either!

(Thanks for the tip Doris!)

Fenian Invasions of Canada & The Raid of 1870

This page lists 5 (2 sold but left up for illustration purposes) exceedingly rare CDVs, 4 of which are by T.G. Richardson of St. Albans, Vt. taken in May 1870 during the Fenian/Canadian conflict and the 5th is by A.R. Affleck of Fort William. Here is some background on the Fenians. The images are listed below this text. Fenianism was the name given to the Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB). It is the English version of the Gaelic 'Na Fianna', a term which refers to the ancient protectors of the Ard Ri (High King). The IRB was formed in 1858 in Ireland, with a mandate to create a free and independent Ireland. In North America the IRB was led by John O'Mahony, a veteran of the 1848 Irish insurrection. Membership in the USA included thousands of Irish Brigade, Union and Confederate army veterans.

In October of 1865 at a convention in Philadelphia, USA, John O'Mahony lost his dictatorship over the IRB. William Randall Roberts of New York (born in Cork) was elected Chief Executive of the Senate. Cork born Major-General 'Fighting Tom' Sweeny of the Mexican War and American Civil War fame was appointed Secretary of War. Attending the convention, and claiming to represent 125,000 British North American members, was Michael Murphy of Toronto. The seed was planted at this meeting to strike Great Britain's Achilles' heel. Sweeny was charged with developing a plan to secure an independent territory for Ireland where an ‘Irish Republic in exile’ would be established and used as a bargaining chip to free Ireland, similar to what was done in Texas by the USA

Read on..http://www.antiquephotographics.com/Format%20Types/CDVs/feniancdv.htm

2009-01-20T15:09:00.000-08:00

Hers is my all time favorite Irish Rock band/song

Check it out it's worth a listen

(don't forget now to stay off the top of the trailer!!)

The Saw Doctors

with

The Hay Wrap!!!!!!!

2009-01-20T14:06:00.000-08:00

Laura Halferty

Author of

Irish Women in Oswego, 1855 and 1915

A Featured artist

on Echoes of Ireland Blog

Laura is a writer from right here in Jefferson County and has written her Master Thesis on Irish women in Oswego in the turn of the last Century. Its an incredible piece of work that shows the depth of character and ability to overcome that women of Women of Central and Northern NY had and continue to have up to today.

Please feel free to read on and thanks to our readers for sending me the link. Keep sending these great resources and I'll keep posting them. Read on..

The following study is an updated version of the research I completed for my
M.A. in History thesis (SUNY Oswego, 2000). In this latest incarnation, it is both a look
at Irish women immigrants’ lives in Oswego and a narrative of my own on-going
research process, which I hope will be useful to anyone else interested in tackling a
difficult topic in local history.

This isn’t the definitive work on Irish women in Oswego, nor is it intended to be,
which is why I’ve avoided making statements that read like ironclad theories. A study of
this sort would certainly benefit from primary sources written by Irish women and a
comprehensive analysis of larger census samples. My intent here, though, was simply to
begin at the beginning: to use censuses and other local history resources as a way of
sketching, in broad strokes, a portrait of Oswego’s Irish women immigrants and how
their lives may have changed over time. With the discovery of new sources, this portrait
will no doubt become more detailed in the decades to come.

http://www.nnyln.org/Halferty.pdf

2009-01-19T12:55:00.000-08:00

The BibleCodeSunday's

AND

THE BOYS OF QUEENS

PERFORMING IN WATERTOWN NY

9 p.m. MARCH 14TH 2009 11th floor (21 and over)

at the

NORTH COUNTRY GOES GREEN

IRISH FESTIVAL

at The Dulles State office Building Washington St. Watertown NY

northcountrygoesgreen.com

2009-01-19T12:47:00.000-08:00

FINBAR FUREY

AND

THE LONESOME BOATMAN!!

Thursday March 12th Watertown NY

Keep watching for details

2009-01-19T12:18:00.000-08:00

Listen to the Uilleann Pipes played by Davy Spillane.

This is an incredible piece. This scene from Braveheart was shot in the Wicklow Mountains (My mothers home town) in Ireland. Wicklow is a beautiful area of Ireland nicknamed "The Garden of Ireland". Some areas like Wicklow are sometimes overlooked by tours groups from the North Country. If you visit Ireland you really should suggest going off the beaten path and visit places such as: The Devil's Glen (http://www.devilsglen.ie/meetingofwaters.htm), Glendalough (http://wicklow.com/glendalough/), National Garden Exhibition Centre (http://gardens.ireland-guide.com/national_garden_exhibition_centre_.garden.7104.html) and so much more. Check out this clip of Braveheart set in County Wicklow Ireland.

Braveheart - Battle of Stirling (Davy Spillane, uilleann pipes)

2009-01-17T17:39:00.000-08:00

This weeks "Echoes of Ireland" show will another block buster

Every Sunday at Noon on 1240 WATN Watertown NY

This weeks show will highlight the greats in Irish Music. Bands such as: The Irish Rovers, Tartan Special, The Furey's, The Chieftains, Christy Moore, Floggin Molley and MORE...

So Tune in this Sunday at Noon on 1240 WATN Watertown for all of the best in Irish Music From Traditional to Contemporary. Brought to you every week by the gracious funding of the "North Country Goes Green" Irish Festival.

This years festival will be held on March 12th through the 15th right at the Dulles State office building right in down town Watertown NY. This year we'll be getting an early start with the Finbar Furey Concert on Thursday March 12th. Tickets for the Finbar Furey Concert will be available at all Kinney's Drug Store Locations in Watertown NY as well as calling the DPAO. More details as they develop.

OH!!! We start our give aways this week so make sure to tune in at NOON!!

2009-01-16T17:55:00.000-08:00

New U2 single for 2FM exclusive

Friday January 16 2009
RTE station 2fm has secured the worldwide exclusive for the first radio play of the new U2 single.
Continuing a tradition which has seen RTE's Dave Fanning being the first DJ to play new material from the band, their latest single, 'Get On Your Boots', will be broadcast at 8.10am on Monday. Fanning will hit the play button during the 'Colm and Jim-Jim Show' and will discuss the latest U2 album, 'No Line in the Horizon'.
A BOY injured when a neighbour's front garden wall fell on him has been awarded €81,400 in High Court damages.

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/new-u2-single--for-2fm-exclusive-1603919.html

2009-01-16T17:48:00.000-08:00

MICHAEL COLLINS
Irish Patriot. 1890-1922Commander-in-Chief, Irish Free State Army

THE EARLY YEARSOn 16 October 1890 Michael Collins was born near Sam's Cross, a tiny hamlet in West Cork, named after Sam Wallace, a local highwayman. Sam's Cross lies between Rosscarbery and Clonakilty. Here, in a picturesque valley between river and sea, the young Michael grew up. As a lad, he spear-fished for salmon in the river and played among the cliffs above Black beach and at Cliodhna's Rock. But, as was typical of the times, Michael never learned to swim.
Michael's father, Michael John Collins was sixty years old when he married a local girl, Marianne O'Brien. Marianne was only twenty-three, but they were apparently happy and went on to have eight children. Michael, the youngest, was born when his father was seventy-five.
Michael's father was a farmer by trade, not rich, but living comfortably for the times on a holding of ninety acres. The farm was called Woodfield after a hill in the area. When Michael was six, his father died.

Read on...

http://www2.cruzio.com/~sbarrett/mcollins.htm

2009-01-15T15:14:00.001-08:00

Father and son deny laundering over £3m from Northern heist

Thursday January 15 2009
A FATHER and son have denied laundering some of the proceeds of the £26.5m (€29.4m) Northern Bank robbery.
Timothy “Ted” Cunningham (60) and Timothy John Cunningham (33) yesterday pleaded not guilty to a total of 24 charges of money laundering relating to sums in excess of £3m.
Ted Cunningham faces a total of 20 charges while his son, Timothy John Cunningham, faces four charges. The two men have addresses in Farran, Co Cork, though Timothy John Cunningham now resides in Bandon, Co Cork. Read on..
http://www.independent.ie/national-news/father-and-son-deny-laundering-over-pound3m-from-northern-heist-1602121.html

2009-01-15T15:08:00.000-08:00

Frightening ordeal as Wicklow shop raided
TERROR STAFF MEMBER HELD UP AT KNIFEPOINT

By Myles BUCHANAN
Wednesday January 07 2009
AN EMPLOYEE of Butler's Pantry in Wicklow town was put through a terrifying ordeal when confronted with a man armed with a large kitchen knife the day before New Year's Eve.
While the female staff member was physically unharmed during her ordeal, the culprit managed to escape in broad daylight along Main Street at around 12.45 p.m. in possesion of a sizeable amount of cash.
Normally at this time of day Wicklow would be thriving with people out shopping or about to take their lunch break, but on Tuesday most people were still off work on their Christmas holidays. Read on..

http://www.wicklowpeople.ie/news/frightening-ordeal-as-wicklow-shop-raided-1597128.html

2009-01-15T14:42:00.000-08:00

Irish Ropes ready to do Duddy deal

By Jay Mwambaletters@irishecho.com

January 14, 2009 Irish Ropes Promotions are willing to let John Duddy go: but for a price. "I'd rather look for a settlement and walk away," Eddie McLoughlin, Irish Ropes' president, said last Saturday trying to avoid a court battle. "It's better for everyone if there's a resolution."
He declined to say how much he was looking for to release his world-ranked middleweight [25-0, 17 KOs] whom he signed to a three-year promotional contract in 2006. Duddy also wants to break ties with manager Tony McLoughlin, Eddie's younger brother. Read on..

http://www.irishecho.com/newspaper/story.cfm?id=18993

2009-01-14T19:15:00.000-08:00

Informer Haddock on feud murder charge
From the 8 January 2009 edition of the Belfast Telegraph, by David Gordon:
A loyalist prisoner was yesterday charged with a feud murder — allegedlycommitted at a time when he was a paid police informer.
Mark Haddock (40) will appear in court today accused of the murder of TommyEnglish, a member of the UDA, in October 2000.
English was gunned down in north Belfast in front of his wife and childrenduring a vicious UVF-UDA feud. He was a former Stormont talks delegate forthe UDA-linked Ulster Democratic Party. Read on..

http://www.iauc.org/

2009-01-14T19:09:00.000-08:00

Irish American of the Year
Christine Quinn
By Ray O'Hanlonrohanlon@irishecho.com
December 31, 2008 Christine Quinn, who has blazed a trail through New York City politics and beyond, is the Irish Echo's Irish American of the Year for 2008.
Quinn is the second Irish American to be awarded the honor since its inception twelve months ago. She succeeds U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald, who has been making headlines anew in recent weeks by virtue of his prosecution of the governor of Illinois.

Read on..

http://www.irishecho.com/newspaper/story.cfm?id=18949

2009-01-14T18:24:00.000-08:00

Hands off!
Neeson slams animal rights 'extremists'
By Peter McDermottpmcdermott@irishecho.com
January 14, 2009 Liam Neeson, one of Ireland's best-known Hollywood stars, has defended New York's horse & carriage industry from its critics in a letter to members of the City Council.
The actor writes that there's been a "coordinated attempt by animal activists and a certain Queens council member to ban the industry from the city."
City Councilman Tony Avella's bill to put an end to the city's horse & carriage trade will be discussed at a hearing on Jan. 30. At the same meeting, the horse & carriage workers' proposal for a fare increase -- the first in 19 years, if it's agreed -- will also be debated.

Read on..

http://www.irishecho.com/newspaper/story.cfm?id=18971

2009-01-10T19:58:00.000-08:00

This weeks show went better then I thought it might. We had some issues with the CD's at the begining of the show but as it went on things smothed right out. We heard from all our favorites from: The Terry Mostyn band (Lowville NY) which was a bit choppie, Ritchie O'Shea, Boyz of the Lock, Claytons own Michael Slattery, Cluidan, The Pogues, The Saw Doctors and Finbar Furey.
Talking of Finbar Furey, Finbar will be at our festival this year. Instead of a Friday start we're going to have a block buster star like Finbar start our Festival off on Thursday March 12th. Tickets for Finbar's show will be $10 and will be available at all Kinney's Drug Stores in Watertown as well as calling the Disabled Persons Action Organization (DPAO) at 1- 800-533-2859.
If you'd like to make a request you can email me at watertownaoh@hotmail.com. Please tune in to Echoes of Ireland every Sunday for your chance to win seats to this historic concert.
We'll talk to you this Sunday at noon on 1240 WATN Watertown NY
To listen to last weeks show click below
http://kleekoz2002.hipcast.com/download/157e7f61-46ca-7574-f6d9-ded761b608a7.mp3
Email me your requests for next weeks show to:
watertownaoh@hotmail.com

2009-01-07T18:32:00.000-08:00

This weeks show will be our first time back on the Air in a while and I'm looking forward to being back on the air. This week we'll bring you the best in Irish Music from traditional to contemporary from bands here in North Country as well as abroad. This week we'll highlight The Fureys, Clancey Brothers, Bible Code Sundays and more so please tune in on Sunday from Noon to 1pm on AM 1240 WATN or check this site just after the show for the Virtually live show airing HERE at 1pm. All or best always remember:

May the saddest day of your future be no worse
Than the happiest day of your past

check out our Festival Web Page at:

http://northcountrygoesgreen.com/