The Brian Boru Club
Irish Democratic League News Letter - Winter 2006 -2007
The newsletter of the Irish Democratic League - Contact: ccleggidl2@hotmail.com 01282 602186
Welcome to An Scáthán, the official newsletter of the Irish Democratic League.
We hope to hold a mirror up to ourselves and
reflect what we do as the oldest Irish community network in Britain.
This newsletter and a lot of our joint activities have been very kindly sponsored by Dion, the funding of the Irish government for the Irish abroad.
In a message to the IDL members, Irish foreign minister, Dermot Ahern wishes our members all the best for the future and says the Irish recognizes the valuable work that our clubs and societies do in encouraging social contact. It is in this way that we hope to pass on our love of Ireland and its culture, music and sport.
An Scáthán will reflect all that and help build up our community spirit. We are looking for contributors so please do not hesitate to submit articles, pictures, reports, etc.
The content an style of the newletter will improve as a result and we hope you will enjoy reading it in future as will be available free throughout the IDL network.
PADIS IS TEN IN FEBRUARY
Pendle and District Irish Society (PADIS) celebrates its tenth anniversary on the third of February 2007 with a very special event at the Fence Gate at Fence, nr Nelson. Irish international singing star, Susan McCann has been booked to provide headline entertainment for PADIS members and guests, including Michael Lonergan from the Irish Embassy. Other acts booked include the spectacular Irish dancing duo from Halifax, Celtic Beat and ...... There will also be a buffet available during the evening.
PADIS was formed after the closure of Nelson IDL club in January 1997. The first meeting at the Carlton WMC in Nelson attracted 17 people but a band was booked for St Patrick’s at Barrowford WMC. It was a success and a surplus was made and the PADIS show was on the road. In those ten years, membership has grown steadily and events have been held at over a dozen venues around Pendle. PADIS trips are also becoming legendary. In the last few years, they have visited York, Llanddudno, Beamish Museum and Belgium.
Taking a break from organising the biigest St Patrick’s ball in Lancashire, they are off back to N. Wales for next St Patrick’s weekend. PADIS are also well-known in Lancs IDL for their support of Federation events.
PADIS secretary, Janet Brennan puts the success down to a very hard-working team. ‘ All the committee contribute a lot in terms of time and donations. We are known for our love of dancing and enjoyment and I think that helps attract people to our events. They usually enjoy themselves and want to come back again.’ PADIS membership does extend far and wide they now have a Liverpool section who travel over for events and outings.
Tickets for February 3 are on sale at £12.50 from Janet at 01282 602185.
This newsletter will feature regular articles on our clubs and societies.
JOE NEAFCY RIP
We are very sad to report the recent death of Lancashire IDL Life-President, Joe Neacy of the Brian Boru IDL. He was eighty-eight years old. Joe Neafcy had been a member of the Brian Boru for almost sixty years, holding every office in the club. He was a trustee up until his death. He also played a very important role in the Irish Democratic League and was instrumental in reforming the Lancashire IDL Federation in the 1990’s after a twenty-year gap.
Known as a gentleman, Joe’s family originally came from Knock in County Mayo and he retained his love of Ireland always. He always encouraged the love of Irish music and culture in the Brian Boru and beyond and delighted us all with his Irish songs, particularly the ‘Galway Shawl’.
As vice-president of Lancashire IDL, he always offered wise advice as to our course of action. He said he was very proud that Irish President McAleese had been able to visit Haslingden IDL club in April 2006. When Sile McGuire and Emma Madigan of the Department of Foreign Affairs visited the Brian Boru last February, Joe kept them amused with tales of the Brian over the years.
He will be remembred by us all with affection, He is survived by a brother, three sons and grandchildren
May he rest in peace.
In future issues, we will be running features on all our clubs societies, sports teams, Irish traditional and printing a directory of Irish bands. We will try and have a feedback section and print the best of your pictures. Guests authors will also write exclusively for An Scáthán.
The start of this year’s Michael Davitt celebrations. Halifax Feb 06
Picture shows member of Halifax Irish cluband guests from the Irish Embassy .
Pictures show Sean Hussey of Oldham Irish Society and Richard Conlan of Yorks IDL with Betty Tynan of Sheffield Irish Heartland on a recent visit.
Rugby League News: The Annual Irish Roses match between Lancashire Irish and Yorkshire Irish finished 18-18 all. A full report and pix will feature in our next edition.
The Irish Democratic League of Great Britain
Lancashire Federation
We are the oldest lay Irish organisation in Britain, with roots going back to the Young Ireland clubs of the 1850’s. Michael Davitt (brought up in Lancashire) inspired the majority of our clubs. We are the last remnants of a much larger group.
Ashton-under-Lyne Irish National Institute
Wellington Rd.
A-U-L,OL6 6DP Tel: 0161 330 2513
Contact: Ken Dalton
Brian Boru IDL
Bryn St. Ashton-in-Makerfield,WN4 9AXTel: 01942 727536
Contact: Michael O’Hare
Bolton Irish Centre
Lever St Bolton, Tel: 01204 400127
Haslingden IDL
George St. Haslingden,BB4 5RX Tel: 01706 214787
Warrington IDL
83 Orford Lane, Warrington WA2 7AL Tel: 01925 630680
-Pendle & District Irish Society
Tel. 01282 615
Oldham Irish Society,
27 Gorton St, Chadderton, Oldham
President: Larry Broderick; Secretary: Michael O'Hare;
Treasurer Maura Broderick; Vice
President: John Kavangh
| Brian Boru Club | 55 Bryn Street, Ashton in Makerfield, Near Wigan, WN4
9AX | 01942 727536
|