Irish Festival 2018at Seattle Center’s Armory

Saturday, March 17th – EIGHT Hours - 10 am to 6 pm Sunday, March 18th– SIX Hours - Noon to 6 pmIrish Genealogy Seminar, Sunday, 10 am -6 pm

seattlecenter.com/festal

IRISH WEEK 20182

Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig!Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Irish Heritage Club - IrishClub.orgTacoma Rangers Gaelic Football, Hurling & Camogie - TacomaRangers.com

Society of the Friends of St. Patrick in Seattle - FOSP.orgSeattle-Galway Sister City Association - SeattleGalway.org

Seattle Irish Immigrant Support - IrishSeattle.com

Seattle Gaels Gaelic Football, Hurling & Camogie - SeattleGaels.comIrish Reels Film & Video Festival - IrishReels.orgIrish Network Seattle - IrishNetworkSeattle.org

Ceol Cascadia Irish Music Association – CascadiaIrish.orgCascade Youth Gaelic Games – Cascade@irishclub.org

This is our 37th Annual Irish Festival at

the Seattle Center and it’s also the centenary of

momentous events in Ireland in 1918. Not only did

Irish women get the vote for the first time in 1918, but

as Ireland was still part of the UK, they were able to

cast votes in the British general election later that year

where an Irishwoman became the first woman ever

elected to the British Parliament. Sinn Féin’s winning

of 73 of Ireland’s 105 seats led to the foundation several

months later of a rebel parliament in Dublin. 1918

also saw the end of World War 1 in which over 50,000

Irishmen had died, the sinking by a German U-boat

of the City of Dublin’s RMS Leinster mail boat off

Dublin Bay resulting in the loss of 500 lives, and the

Spanish flu pandemic which killed over 20,000 Irish

people. That 1918 centenary is the focus of our

Irish Week celebrations as we continue the tradition

of bringing together many of the Seattle area’s finest

performers and artists to provide a taste of the very

best of what it means to be Irish. We hope you enjoy

learning about Irish culture and history! As always,

Míle, Míle Buíochas (A Thousand, Thousand Thanks) to

all our performers, dancers, musicians, exhibitors and

our dedicated volunteers without whom there would be

no Irish Festival.

Enjoy this Taste of Ireland.

IRISH HERITAGE CLUBOFFICERS & BOARD OF DIRECTORS

PRESIDENT: David JacobsenVICE-PRES: Ari Hausler

SECRETARY: Jane SepedeTREASURER: John Keane

MEMBERSHIP SECTY: Caron McMahonBOARD MEMBERS: Ari Hausler, Brendan Shriane,

Candace Dunne, Corbin Johnson, David Jacobsen, Frank Gill, Caron McMahon, Heather Murphy, Jane Sepede, Jean Roth,

Meagan McGuire, and Nanci Speaker

IRISH WEEK CHAIR: John KeaneIRISH FESTIVAL CHAIR: Nanci Spieker

STAGE BOOKING/MANAGEMENT: Ralph Kosche, Caron McMahon

VENDOR COORDINATION: Candace DunneWORKSHOPS/DISPLAYS: Frank Gill

IRISH REELS FILM FESTIVAL: Caroline CummingCHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES: Meagan McGuire

ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE: David JacobsenIRISH SODA BREAD CLASS & CONTEST:

Mary Shriane, Fionna Shriane-Travis, Brendan ShrianeGREEN STRIPE: Heather Murphy

MAYOR’S PROCLAMATION LUNCHEON:Jane Sepede

MASS FOR PEACE: Corbin JohnsonGENEALOGY: Jean Roth

Irish Festival 2018Céad Míle Fáilte ó Chumann Oidhreacht Gaelach Seattle

One Hundred Thousand Welcomes from the Irish Heritage Club of Seattle

Irish Heritage Club Affiliated Programs

Follow the Irish Heritage Club on Facebook.com/IrishClubSeattle and on Twitter.com/IRISHSEATTLE

IRISH WEEK 2018 3

Irish festival 2018SALES DEPARTMENT:

Sales Manager - Tammy GreenawayAd Representatives - Matt Wilemski & Kibby Brackman

ART DEPARTMENTDesigner - Emigdia Castro

Art Director - Mark FalconerProduced by Pacific Publishing Company, 636 S Alaska St, Seattle, WA 98108

THE IRISH HERITAGE CLUB NEEDS YOU!

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Seattle Firefighter P i p e s & D r u m s IRISH DANCERS

OPEN 9AM-2AM FRI, SAT & SUN

BREAKFAST, LUNCH & DINNER WITH LIVE MUSIC ALL WEEKEND

FRI: STARK RAVING PLAID

SAT: OCKHAM’S RAZOR

SUN: OLIVER MULLHOLAND

Even if you cannot be as actively involved as you

would like, your membership shows your support for

this Irish Festival and for all the others Irish events

that we organize throughout the year. Please show your

support by being a member in good standing.

For Irish Heritage Club Membership Information,

visit our website: IrishClub.org,

email: Membership@IrishClub.org,

or call: 253-237-3811

Programs of the Irish Heritage Club

IRISH WEEK 20184

2018 IRISH FESTIVAlMain Stage Schedule

Saturday, March 17

All times on schedule are approximated

Stage Manager: Ralph Kosche. Backstage Manager: Caron McMahon

Sunday, March 18

Crafton Street Irish Dancers

Set Dancers

Balefire - Irish Dancers

No Programming

Raffle for 2 R/T Tickets to Ireland

Fire and Ice Irish Dancers

Comerford Irish Dancers

Slieveloughane Irish Dancers

Carrigaline Irish Music

St Patrick’s Day Parade Closing Ceremony

Tara Academy Irish Dancers

Dublin Abbey Irish Folk Music

Garret Heraty Irish Folk Music

Irish Music

Children’s Contest:Most Irish Looking Face

Children’s Contest:Smilingest Irish Face

Carroll-Henderson Irish Dancers

The Emerald Bards w/ Bruce Cosacchi & Bill Barnes

10:00 am

10:30

11:00

11:30

Noon

12:15

12:30

12:45

1:00

1:15

1:30

1:45

2:00

2:15

2:30

2:45

3:00

3:15

3:30

3:45

4:00

4:15

4:30

4:45

5:00

5:15

5:30

5:45

6:00

The Irish Heritage Club and its affiliated programs gratefully acknowledge the support of the Irish government through grants provided by the Irish Abroad Unit of the Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin

IRISH WEEK 2018 5

We’re honored to have Bob Ferguson, Washington State’s 18th Attorney General, as Grand Marshal of Seattle’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 17. The state’s chief legal officer, Bob is a fourth-generation Washingtonian, a graduate of the University of

Washington and New York University law school. Bob is one quarter Irish through his O’Brien

grandmother. However, the name Ferguson is widespread in Ireland especially in the northern province of Ulster. The name itself is of Old Gaelic origin, a form of “Fergus” or “Fearghus”. Harry Ferguson, who was born in Co. Down, is credited with developing the Ferguson Tractor and was the first person in Ireland to build and fly his own airplane, but Bob doesn’t know if there’s any connection.

Bob and his wife, Colleen, are the parents of 9-year-old twins, Jack and Katie, all of whom will proudly march with him on March 17.

We’re honored to have Bruce Cosacchi as Honorary Grand Marshal of Seattle’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 17.

A longtime member of the Irish Heritage Club and a former Board Member, Bruce has participated in Seattle’s

St. Patrick’s Day Parade since 1974. For over 20 years he has played the Irish and US National Anthems on his trumpet before the start of the parade and in recent years has been joined by his grandson, Conor, for a trumpet duo.

Bruce had a 25 year career as an FBI Special Agent in various locations ending in Seattle. Proud of his Irish heritage, he is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame, a former drum major of the “Band of the Fighting Irish”, and a Past President of the local Notre Dame Club.

Bruce’s mother was from Bawnboy, Co. Cavan, a place Bruce and Birgit visit frequently. He is the father of 4, the grandfather of 16 and the great-grandfather of 4.

The Attorney General, Séamus Woulfe SC, was appointed on the 14th of June 2017. He is the legal adviser to the Irish Government and is therefore the chief law officer of the Irish State.

Attorney General Woulfe was educated at

Belvedere College before obtaining a BA (Mod) (Legal Science) from Trinity College, Dublin in 1984. He then obtained an LLM Degree from Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia in 1986 and the BL degree from the Honourable Society of King’s Inns in 1987. He began practicing at the Irish bar in October 1987 and was called to the Inner Bar as senior counsel in March 2005. He has acted as Legal Assessor to the Fitness to Practice Committees of the Irish Medical Council and the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland.

This is Attorney General Woulfe’s first ever visit to Seattle and he is accompanied by his wife Sheena Hickey. We wish them a warm Céad Míle Fáilte to Seattle.

Parade Grand Marshal: Attorney General

Bob Ferguson

Parade Honorary Grand Marshal: Bruce Cosacchi

Shawn O’Donnell’s Irish Pub

Now Open in Three Locations: Fremont, Pioneer Square and South Everett

Voted King 5’s Best of Western Washington

6 Times

Open for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

ShawnODonnells.com

Visitor from Ireland: Irish Attorney General

Séamus Woulfe

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Ronald Thompson, a native of Dublin, became an active artist in his teens and sold many of his works before he began his studies in Architecture with the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland and also with the Royal Institute of British Architects. Working for prominent Architects in Dublin and London enabled him to have a lucrative sideline as a perspective artist. During his career in London, he took advantage of the numerous Art Exhibitions available, and also became a member of the Royal Academy of Art. In 1962 he emigrated to the US and qualified to practice Architecture here. His career since then involved working on a variety of prestigious airport design projects around the world, including in Singapore and Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, he continued painting and took regular painting vacations to Ireland and Scotland. His paintings have been exhibited in places as diverse as Saudi Arabia and at the Museum of Modern Art in San Francisco.

Visit: http://bit.ly/2EAZ3dY for details.

Join Mary Shriane and her assistant cooks at the Irish Cooking Demonstration Booth on the Upper Level at the Seattle Center during the Irish Festival on Saturday and Sunday, March 17 and 18, from 12:30 pm – 4:30 pm both days.. Demonstrations, sampling, discussion and recipe sharing.

Loft Level (top of the stairs)

UPPER LEVEL LOFT ACTIVITIES

Cooper Family’s Antique Irish Postcards

IRISH COOKING DEMONSTRATION

John and Alice Cooper and their granddaughter Keely Cooper grace the Irish Festival again with their exhibition of thousands of antique Irish postcards, plus 48 original reproductions of Bartlett’s Views of Ireland dating from the 1840s, just a few years before the Great Potato Famine. Ever changing and ever interesting, the Coopers’ collection provide an interesting glimpse into the social history, cultural history and material culture of Ireland, especially in the late 1800s and early 1900s, the “Golden Age of Postcards”.

12:30 pm - FOR YOUR TEA BREAK: Traditional Irish Soda Bread

1:30 pm - DINNER ENTRÉE: Dublin Coddle Irish Stew with bacon, sausages, potatoes & veggies

2:30 pm - SIDE-DISHES: Colcannon, parsnips, carrots, turnips (rutabaga)

3:30 pm - DESSERT: Irish Trifle

Image: Sneem Ring Of Kerry, a painting by Ronald Thompson

FEATURED ARTIST:RONALD THOMPSON

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An Irish Genealogical Workshop conducted by experts from Ireland

Presenters:Fintan Mullan, Executive Director, has been with the Ulster Historical Foundation

(ancestryireland.com) for 22 years and is also a non-executive director of the Irish Family History Foundation.

Gillian Hunt, Research Officer, manages the genealogy side of the Foundation’s work and carries out research for individual clients. She is a hugely experienced user of the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland and of Ireland’s General Register Office.

A detailed workshop schedule can be found at:irishweek.org.

Email: Genealogy@IrishClub.org

Lecturer: Ari Hausler, MA Irish Studies, Certified Irish Travel Specialist

Learn how to make the most out of a trip to Ireland that fits your budget. From B and B’s to castle stays and whether or not to drive, this talk will have something for everyone from first time visitors to seasoned explorers of Ireland.

Join us at Sully’s Lounge, located inthe heart of historic Queen Anne. A great neighborhood spot with a touch of Irish charm.

Saturday, March 17:We will be opening at 12pm on the Big Day.

Our back deck will be open, covered, and heated!

The only Irish bar in Seattle that doesn’t charge cover on St. Paddy’s Day!

Spend St. Patrick’s DayOn Top o’ the Hill!

1625 Queen Anne Ave. N.(206) 283-3900

www.SullysLounge.com

UPPER LEVEL

Workshops / LecturesRoom 311

IRISH GENEALOGY SEMINAR

SUNDAY, MARCH 18, 10 AM – 6 PMUpper Level Loft Suites

SATURDAY MARCH 17, 2 PM “Irish Women and the Struggle for the Vote”

SATURDAY MARCH 17, 3 pm“Basic Irish Genealogy”

SATURDAY MARCH 17, 4 PM“Tips for Visiting Ireland on a 3-5 Star Budget”

Lecturer: Father Thomas Murphy, Associate Professor of History, Seattle University

It was one hundred years ago that Irish women first gained the right to vote. This talk will examine the events leading up to this historic achievement and the impact it would have on Irish society.

Lecturer: Jean Roth, Irish Interest Section, Seattle Genealogical Society

Get some idea of the background of your Irish ancestors’ family history. We’ll look some of the basic guides to research and major new resources that have recently become available to help you in your search.

IRISH WEEK 20188

tara academy of irish dance • www.taraacademy.com

CHILDRENS ACTIVITIES UPPER LEVELLOFT SUITE 2

OUTSIDE MAIN DOOR

CHILDREN’S PLAY AREA - Children can become little leprechauns and Irish dancers by crafting masks and finger puppets. They can learn the legend of the shamrock and decorate their own three-leafed clover. Interactive games for children include the Monster Head game, Ring Toss, and Tic Tac Toe, all games presented by the professionals at National Event Pros.

All children 12 & under are invited to participate onstage in these fun contests - just be at the Main Stage when the contest is announced. What determines who has the “Most Irish-looking Face” or the “Smilingest Irish Eyes”? As the song says, the winners are those kids with smiles that would “steal your heart away,” or eyes that “twinkle as bright as can be”. It’s not necessarily kids with fair skin, freckles, red hair, green eyes, etc.

SATURDAY & SUNDAY, Noon – 5:00 pm “Irish Reels Film Festival”

All screenings are FREE. Visit IrishReels.org for the complete schedule and other screening details. Note that films are not rated and may contain graphic language or adult situations. Parental discretion is advised. Call (206) 330-4913 with questions. Program subject to change.

DeLOREAN AUTO DISPLAYOutside the Armory, SATURDAY and SUNDAY, 1–4 pm

The futuristic-looking Irish-made DeLorean DMC-12 sports car that was made famous in the 1985 movie ‘Back to the Future’ will again be on display outside the Armory at the Seattle Center. 9,200 DeLoreans were manufactured in Belfast in 1981 before the company went bankrupt. Pacific Northwest DeLorean Club members are a community of enthusiasts dedicated to preserving the DeLorean heritage by bringing the community together for social events and to exchange technical expertise. Visit pndc.org for details.

LOFT LEVEL (above the main stage)

SATURDAY & SUNDAYNoon to 5:00 pm

MAIN STAGE (lower level)

SATURDAY, MARCH 17, 4:00 pm“Most Irish-looking Face” Contest

SUNDAY, MARCH 18, 1:30 pm“Smilingest Irish Eyes” Contest

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FEATURED PERFORMERS

Traditional Irish music from local players who are steeped in Irish traditional song and dance. Christine Traxler on fiddle, is a local Seattle player who enjoys traditional music and brings her unique talent to Carrigaline. Bob Howell is a teacher of percussion who specializes in Irish bodhrán. Andrew Anderson, talented vocalist and multi instrumentalist sings in Irish as well as English. He plays an array of stringed instruments including the harp, cittern and banjo. Kieran O’Mahony, a native of Carrigaline, the picturesque village in County Cork from where the band is named, plays Uilleann pipes and whistles.

DUBLIN ABBEY is an Irish folk band out of Seattle. They invite you on a journey back to Temple Bar, the Falls Road, the Bogside and the narrow lanes of South Armagh. They perform a theatrical combination of Irish originals and standards coupled with the poetry and brogue of Ireland. They are oriented towards bringing the sound and imagery to transport the audience through distance and time to the shorelines and fields, to the country roads and boreens of Ireland.

Carrigaline – Bob, Andrew, Kieran and Christine

DUBLIN ABBEY - Rick Mangan, Patrick O’Donin,Amanda Fitch, and Joey Westmeath

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Some lucky person will leave the Irish Festival owning a coupon for two Round Trip tickets direct from Seattle to Dublin on Aer Lingus, a 9 hours and 15 minute flight. Tickets can only be purchased in person from an Irish Heritage Club member – they cannot be sold online or via the mail – and only 1,000 tickets are being sold. So pick up your tickets at any of the Irish Week events or at the Irish Heritage Club booth during the Irish Festival.

2nd prize is a week’s stay for two people (one room, dates to be mutually agreed, etc.) at the Blooming Wildflower Cottage B&B located on the shores of Dingle Bay in Co. Kerry (details at www.wildflower-cottage.com), while the 3rd prize is two Belleek China Collectible Plates. The special drawing is on the Festival’s main stage at 5:30 pm, Sunday, March 18, and you do not have to be present to win. Ádh mór - Good luck!!

RAFFLE: TWO ROUND TRIP TICKETS TO IRELAND

IRISH RE-UNION? Once upon a time there was a group of immigrants who came to the Seattle-Tacoma area from Ireland. They began the Gaelic Club and the Irish-American Club and other Irish groups which have since morphed into today’s Irish Heritage Club. Were you one of those children, hanging around at the dances, Christmas parties, summer picnics doing the 3 legged race or so many other memorable events together in the 70s,

80s and 90s? Join us and reconnect with others you may not have seen in years, on Saturday March 17th from 3-4 pm on the Upper Level at the Seattle Center, near the Cooking Demo. Please bring a copy of your family picture to share on our memory wall. AND a picture of your parents to assist all to remember. Name tags will be available!

For any questions contact Teresa (Rowland) O’Leary at Rowland.oleary@gmail.com.

Soda Bread • Northwest King SalmonFresh baked Pot Pies • Fish & Chips • Great Steaks

Salads • Burgers • Made-In-House Deserts And of course;

Harp Lager, Guiness Stout & Seattle’s Best Irish Coffee

Happy HourMONDAY - FRIDAY from 3-6 PM

ALL APPETIZERS $5

Families Welcome • Children’s Menuwww.TSMcHUGHS.coM

206-282-1910

What butter or whiskey will not cure, there’s no cure for.

21 Mercer Street one block from seattle center

SEA to EuropeMay 2018

IRISH WEEK 2018 11

Irish Dance, 206-851-2101, celticartsnw@hotmail.com or tonycomerford.com• Carroll-Henderson School of Irish Dancing, 509-688-7609, carrollhendersonsid@gmail.com or chirishdance.com • Balefire Irish Dancers, 206-707-3895, balefiredancers@hotmail.com or balefireirishdance.tumblr.com

SET DANCING: Kathleen O’Grady Graham or Michael Graham, 206-592-2590, irish-dancer@comcast.netSET DANCING: Jim Belcher, 425-205-1696, Bothell, setdancer@aol.com;SEAN-NÓS OLD STYLE - Sean-nós Seattle, Alicia Guinn, seannosseattle@gmail.com;

In Seattle, Liam Boyle, 206-542-3781 or lboyle292@gmail.com

For a listing of Musicians and weekly Traditional Irish Music Sessions, check the Irish Heritage Club website at irishclub.org/irish-directory

Fr. John Madigan, a native of Co. Limerick, is the officially appointed Chaplain to the Irish Immigrant Community of Seattle, available to serve all faiths and none when accidents, unexpected illnesses or deaths occur, and also to help celebrate life events. Contact Fr. John at atsean47@gmail.com, or call 425-778-3122.

Contact John Keane, Honorary Consul of Ireland, 7511 210th St SW, #1, Edmonds, WA 98026, Tel: 425-582-2688, Email: jkeane@irishconsulseattle.com, Website: irishconsulseattle.com

• The American Dance Institute, 206-783-0755 or americandanceinstitute.com• Tara Academy of Irish Dancing, 206-286-6619, TaraAcademy@hotmail.com or taraacademy.com • Slieveloughane School, 206-714-9112, NewSRSDancer@hotmail.com or SRSIrishDance.com • Shoreline Parks Irish Dance Club,

veronica-summer@hotmail.com • Momentum Music & Dance Academy, 206-592-2590, irish-dancer@comcast.net, or momentumdanceacademy.org • Grafton Street Academy, 425-361-1541, graftonstreetdance@hotmail.com or graftonstreetacademy.com • Fire & Ice Irish Dancers, 253-874-1533, fireandiceirishdance@mac.com or fireandiceirishdance.pike13.com • Comerford School of

IRISH STEP DANCING

ADULT IRISH DANCING

IRISH LANGUAGE CLASSES

HONORARY CONSUL OF IRELAND:

COMMUNITY CHAPLAIN:

2018 IrIsh EvEnts

sEattlE arEa IrIsh DIrEctory

Mon, May 28 Memorial Day Mass at St. Patrick CemeterySun, July 1 Irish Day at the RacesSat-Sun, Jul 7-8 Skagit Valley Highland GamesSun, Jul 15 Irish Community PicnicTue, Jul 24 Irish Night at the MarinersVisit irishclub.org for more details

IRISH WEEK GENERAL INFORMATION NUMBER – 253-237-2811For specific information on any event, email: IrishWeek@IrishClub.org or visit: irishweek.org

IRISH / CELTIC MUSICIANS

IRISH WEEK 201812

2018, THE CENTENARY OF MOMENTOUS EVENTS IN IRELAND IN 1918

In March, 1918, John Redmond died. He had been the leader of Irish nationalism since 1900, and he left behind an Irish Parliamentary Party battling a revitalized Sinn Féin Party seen as best representing those who supported the ideals of the 1916 Easter Rebellion.

In April, 1918, the British government proposed conscription for Ireland, seeking to make military service compulsory. All the Irish political groups united in opposition, along with labor and the Catholic Church. Rallies were held around the country as thousands demonstrated defiant opposition. ‘Lá na mBan’ (Women’s Day) was a major, all-Ireland anti-conscription event held on June 9 involving thousands of women activists. An estimated two-thirds of Ireland’s women signed a ‘solemn pledge for the women of Ireland’ stating that, ‘the enforcement of conscription on any people without their consent is tyranny’. The British government abandoned the proposal.

In the late spring and summer of 1918, an influenza virus that infected one billion people around the globe and may have killed approximately 100 million, also hit Ireland. It spread with remarkable speed, and 20,057 Irish people died of influenza in 1918 and 1919. In October, 1918, a German U-boat sunk the City of Dublin’s RMS Leinster mail boat off Dublin Bay as it headed for Holyhead in Wales, resulting in the loss of 500 lives.

In November, 1918, the war finally ended with the Armistice signed on November 11. The conflict had exercised a heavy toll on many Irish families as over 50,000 Irishmen had died fighting in WW-1, while thousands more returned to a changed country.

In December, 1918, voters across Ireland and Britain went to the polls with the vote extended for the first time to most women aged 30 and older, and to all men aged 21. In the election in Ireland, Sinn Féin swept to victory over the Irish Parliamentary Party winning 73 out of the 105 seats available, cementing its position as being the sole voice of Irish nationalism.

Sinn Féin had put forward two women candidates in the 1918 election: Constance Markievicz, who was victorious in a Dublin constituency and became the first woman elected to the British parliament, and Winifred Carney, who represented Sinn Féin in Belfast but was defeated. Markievicz was in a British prison during the election but even after being released refused to take her seat at Westminster because of her opposition to British rule in Ireland.

Sinn Féin set its eyes on gaining independence through diplomacy by appealing at the Paris Peace Conference after WW-1 for recognition of Ireland as a nation. Sinn Féin also decided that their 73 newly elected MPs would not take their seats in Westminster, but instead their MPs met on January 21, 1919 to establish the First Dáil, the first meeting of the parliament of a revolutionary Irish Republic.

Constance Markievicz, better known as Countess Markievicz

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From the mid-19th century, middle-class suffrage women in Ireland campaigned for the right to vote on the same basis as men. They were reformist rather than militant and used the ‘soft’ campaigning techniques of letter-writing, organizing drawing room meetings, gathering signatures on petitions, etc. However, by the early years of the 20th century, Irish suffrage activists began to become more radical and militant. In 1908 Hanna Sheehy Skeffington and Margaret Cousins set up the Irish Women’s Franchise League (IWFL), which represented a new generation

of suffrage activists who were determined to push their ideology of ‘Suffrage First, before all else’.

Chaining themselves to railings and breaking windows in public buildings including Dublin Castle, the GPO and Custom House, led to a swift response from the authorities. Several activists, including Hanna Sheehy Skeffington, found themselves arrested and imprisoned. Sheehy Skeffington and other IWFL members in prison at the time went on a hunger strike and were soon released, but Sheehy Skeffington did lose her job as a German teacher because of her imprisonment. By late 1914 the largest women’s organization in the country was nationalist rather than feminist in orientation.

In April, 1914, Cumann na mBan was founded with the aim of creating a women’s organization to work for the cause of a free Ireland. The influence

in the activism and ideologies of these women can be best seen in the inclusion of the promise of full citizenship in the Easter Proclamation of 1916: The Republic guarantees religious and civil liberty, equal rights and equal opportunities to all its citizens.

It was only in 1918 that the vote for women was finally granted when the British Parliament passed a law on February 6, 1918, which also applied to Ireland which was then still part of the UK. It gave the vote to women over 30 who met a property qualification. Later that year, the first and only woman elected to the British Parliament in the 1918 election was an Irishwoman who had been a leader of the 1916 Easter Rebellion, Constance Markievicz.

After Independence in 1922, the new Irish Free State Constitution guaranteed women the same political rights as men.

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IRISH WEEK 2018 CELEBRATES IRISH SUFFRAGETTES

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IRISH WEEK 2018

SATURDAY, MARCH 10

IRISH SODA BREAD CONTEST – from 2 – 3 pm at T S McHugh’s Restaurant, 1st & Mercer, Seattle. Contest Admission is free and judging starts at 2 pm. Entries should be delivered to the restaurant between 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm and contest winners will be announced at 3 pm. During the judging, enjoy Irish music and Irish stepdancing. For all the details, visit: www.IrishWeek.org

SUNDAY, MARCH 11

MATT TALBOT DINNER– 6 pm, the Elysian Fields Restaurant, 542 1st Ave S (located across from the CenturyLink Field Parking Lot and down the street from the old F X McRory’s), this is a fund-raiser for the Matt Talbot Center, Seattle’s downtown program for the homeless. For more information on the programs of Seattle’s Matt Talbot Center, visit: mtcenter.org or contact: 206-256-9865 LANDING OF ST. PATRICK on South Lake

Union – 5:30 pm – St. Patrick was originally brought to Ireland by Irish pirates around 400 AD. Over 1600 years later, the South Lake Union Pirates will deliver St. Patrick back to the Emerald City, dropping him off at South Lake Union (near MOHAI) at 5:30 pm Friday evening. No admission fee and kids are welcome. You will be brought back to Occidental & South King Street by 6:30 pm for the Green Stripe Laying. Call 253-237-2811

GREEN STRIPE LAYING ON 4TH AVE – 7 pm A mini-Parade to mark the route of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade down the center of 4th Ave. A large crowd participates by riding the flat-bed Truck and children are welcome. There is no charge to participate and all are welcome! Climb on board at Occidental & S. King Street at 6:30 pm for the trip to 4th & Jefferson and back afterwards to Shawn O’Donnell’s! Call 253-237-2811.

MAYOR’S IRISH WEEK PROCLAMATION LUNCHEON, Noon, at THE NINETY, 406 Occidental Ave S (located across the street from F X McRory’s), in Seattle’s Pioneer Square – Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan and other dignitaries will issue City, County and State proclamations of Irish Week 2018. This is also our annual St. Patrick’s Day Irish Seniors Luncheon. Advance reservations are required - call 253-237-2811

FRIDAY, MARCH 16

SATURDAY, MARCH 17

ST. PATRICK’S DAY DASH – 8:30 am – Note the new start time and new route for this nearly four-mile run that starts from T S McHugh’s near the Space Needle! Seattle’s largest single-distance run/walk, jog or crawl where the winners cross the finish before the last person starts. The Dash covers nearly 4 miles of city streets with a 10,000+ person ribbon of green. There is no race-day registration. To register, visit: stpatsdash.com

IRISH FLAG-RAISING – 12:20 pm on 4th Ave at Jefferson, immediately before the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The Parade Grand Marshals and other dignitaries join the Mayor of Seattle in raising the Irish Tricolor in front of the King-County Administration Building. That is followed by the playing on trumpet of the Irish and US National Anthems.

ST. PATRICK’S DAY MASS FOR PEACE 10 am, St. Patrick’s Church, 2702 Broadway E (just off Roanoke), Seattle. Presider and Homilist is Fr. Seamus Laverty with our Irish Choir leading the singing. For more information, call 253-237-2811

IRISH WEEK 2018 15

IRISH WEEK 2018

ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE, ON 4TH AVE At 12:30 pm, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Grand Marshal and the Honorary Parade Grand Marshal lead Seattle’s 47th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade up 4th Avenue. The Parade travels north starting from James St, and after passing the reviewing stand at Westlake, goes via the Monorail to the Seattle Center for closing ceremonies in the Armory at 2:30 pm. Seniors are invited to ride the parade for free in a Duck’s Boat – just be at 4th Ave and Jefferson by 12 noon to take your seat. For more information, call 253-237-2811.

IRISH FESTIVAL SEATTLE, SEATTLE CENTER ARMORY – 10 am – 6 pm, FREE admission. The weekend Festival in the old Center House features booths selling Irish and Celtic products, Irish food and libations, Irish music, singing, dancing, workshops, lectures, cultural displays, an Irish art exhibit, children’s contests and activities, etc. The IRISH REELS FILM FESTIVAL which runs from Noon – 5 pm both days, offers a wonderful collection of refreshing and exciting new works in Irish cinema.

SUNDAY, MARCH 18

IRISH GENEALOGY SEMINAR – 10 am – 6 pm on the Upper Level Armory at Seattle Center. A full day of Irish Genealogical Research classes conducted by genealogical experts from Ireland, Fintan Mullan and Gillian Hunt. For more details, call 253-237-2811.

IRISH FESTIVAL SEATTLE, SEATTLE CENTER ARMORY – 12 noon – 6 pm, FREE admission. The weekend Festival continues on Sunday. For details, call 253-237-2811

SUNDAY, MARCH 25

SEATTLE GAELS FIELD DAY – Noon to 4 pm. The Gaels annual Open Field Day is at Magnuson Park for men and women, boys and girls, to try their hand at any of the games of Hurling, Gaelic Football or Camogie. Visit: SeattleGaels.com

www.IrishWeek.org

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