Trove of Irish Historical Artifacts

(A series of posts leading up to/including The Nocturnes Photo Tour in the West of Ireland, July 15-25, 2013)
 
Thru the New York Times, this St. Patrick's Day, came news from Ballina (up in Mayo) of an astounding collection of Irish history.
 
Jackie Clarke (1927-2000) could be dismissed (and probably was) by some, as a bit of a "packrat" - but this much is clear now: This is an amazing collection of Irish documents and artifacts; some dating back to the 1700s, others reflecting the everyday life of the Irish in this remote part of Ireland, in the 20th Century.

Included are some of the icons of Irish Republicanism and the fight for Independence, such as one of the few remaining original copies of the Easter 1916 Proclamation  (Irish: Forógra na Poblachta), or the 'cockade' worn by Wolfe Tone in 1798 (Year of the French).

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 "To understand Jackie Clarke you must first understand County Mayo, in the west of Ireland. It is a landscape both inviting and forbidding, one of serene greens and rocky grays, megalithic tombs and medieval abbeys, famine roads, mystical mountains and the violent sea — all combining to assert the lingering presence of what has come before.

 'You’re so close to the past all the time,' Ms. McCoole said."

(From the NY Times article by Dan Barry)

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The Jackie Clarke Collection opens in April, housed in a landmark 1882 bank building on Pearse Street in Jackie's beloved Ballina.

We hope to book an "historical extension" to our trip to Ireland in July to see the Collection - sounds fascinating, and Ballina is where my roots are in Ireland!

Read the full story, and be sure to view the video about the life of Jackie Clarke.

From The [not so] Daily Nocturne 

Easter Monday 1916

(A series of posts leading up to/including The Nocturnes Photo Tour in the West of Ireland, July 15-25, 2013)

"Easter 1916" - by the poet W.B. Yeats. And, more about the Easter Rising (Irish: Éirí Amach na Cásca) here.

From The [not so] Daily Nocturne

"Your papers, please . . ."

(A series of posts leading up to/including The Nocturnes Photo Tour in the West of Ireland, July 15-25, 2013)

For the tour to Ireland in July, if you've not renewed your U.S. Passport, you should be thinking about that at this time. I renewed mine about a month ago and was quoted 4-6 weeks turn-around (it came in about 3 weeks!). If you are a first time applicant for a  U.S. Passport - you can probably add a little more time to the above.

For U.S. Mexican and Canadian Citizens, only a Passport is required for entry into Ireland (no Travel Visa).

Check out the State Department website for all the details.

From The [not so] Daily Nocturne

The Light - and Spirit - of Ireland

(A series of posts leading up to/including The Nocturnes Photo Tour in the West of Ireland, July 15-25, 2013)

 

Great news - our trek to Ireland IS ON !! - for July 15-25, 2013! Of course, we still have a few spots available - so, book early and book often (makes a perfect 'bucket list' gift)! Be sure to check back in to  "The Nocturnes in Ireland - 2013" Blog for periodic missives about the trip, along with specific travel hints, inspiring images, musical treats, readings, and reflections on the West of Ireland - all suitable for Nocturnes travelling with us in July - or not (the "armchair travelers" amongst you)!

Check out the itinerary and other details of the trip here.

 

 

Recently, I picked up a CD (to further get in the mood . . .) called "The Spirit of Ireland." Normally, I don't care that much for compilations of music by different artists around a theme, or composer (Barber's Adagio notwithstanding); but this eclectic collection caught my eye with its broad range of artists, artistic syles, and Irish source material. From the standards ("Danny Boy" performed by the Jazz pianist Bill Evans in 1962) to the harmonic stylings of The Pogues ('Wild Cats of Kilkenny'), even including St. Glen Hansard with the Frames ("Rise").

Worth the price of admission - "The Foggy Dew" featuring Sinead O’Connor with The Chieftains - a tune which was showcased prominently in the movie "Michael Collins."

From The [not so] Daily Nocturne

George Berkeley

(A series of posts leading up to/including The Nocturnes Photo Tour in the West of Ireland, July 15-25, 2013)

 

"The eye, by long use comes to see even in the darkest cavern: and there is no subject so obscure but we may discern some glimpse of truth by long poring on it."

- George Berkeley (Irish philosopher, 1685-1753)

George Berkeley, also known as Bishop Berkeley (Bishop of Cloyne), was an Anglo-Irish philosopher, physicist, mathematician, whose primary achievement was the advancement of a theory he called "immaterialism" (later referred to as "subjective idealism" by others). This theory denies the existence of material substance and instead contends that familiar objects like tables and chairs are only ideas in the minds of perceivers, and as a result cannot exist without being perceived. Thus, as Berkeley famously put it, for physical objects "esse est percipi" ("to be is to be perceived"). Berkeley is also known for his critique of abstraction, an important premise in his argument for immaterialism.

The university town of Berkeley in California is named in his honour.

Image and links to lots more info here.

From The [not so] Daily Nocturne

The San Patricios

(A series of posts leading up to/including The Nocturnes Photo Tour in the West of Ireland, July 15-25, 2013)

On this St. Patrick's Day, some little-known facts about the San Patricios during the Mexican-American War, in an article by Andy Porros.

Also a link to the brilliant album by the Chieftains, produce by Paddy Moloney and Ry Cooder.

From The [not so] Daily Nocturne

Postcard from Kilkelly, Ireland

(A series of posts leading up to/including The Nocturnes Photo Tour in the West of Ireland, July 15-25, 2013)

Back in the glory days of video production on "Irish-American Televison" in San Francisco, Elizabeth Platt (of "The Irish Hour" on KUSF) once said "This song has been known to bring battle-hardened ex-Marines to tears!" Why the song, you ask? Well, it IS The Nocturnes, afterall - and 'cos, as I'm reminded: the past is never far away in Ireland, and the music is even closer . . .



Words and Music by Peter Jones, based on the true story of 10 letters written to Jones' great, great grandfather who left Kilkelly around the time of the potato famine. And yes, the real-lfe Kilkelly is in Mayo.

Recorded at Matt Molloy's (of Chieftains fame) pub, Westport, Co. Mayo, Ireland.
Pat and Becky Egan: vocals, guitar; Olcan Masterson: flute and whistle; Tom Doherty: accordion; Johnny Curtis: mandolin. (Olcan is our local Guide and driver for this trip)

From The [not so] Daily Nocturne

Who was/is Strabo?

(A series of posts leading up to/including The Nocturnes Photo Tour in the West of Ireland, July 15-25, 2013)

Strabo (pron. stray-bow) was a Greek Geographer, Philosopher, and Historian living in ancient times (63 BC – 24 AD), His towering accomplishment, the 17-book "Geographica" preserved the work of many previous geographers (some dating back to Homer). We can learn a lot about the man, his life and times, by studying his work. Strabo's ability to turn basic observation - with insights from the worlds of Mathmatics and History - into Science is one reason why he is considered to be one of the most important of all the ancient geographers.

Strabo Tours was established in 2003. From Shaw Photography Guides: ". . . Strabo strives not only to show you the world and explore its breathtaking diversity, but to be inspired by it." With their "Photo Tour Collection" they work with many well-known (and travelled!) photographers, as well as extraordinary local guides for journeys that help increase the travellers photographic skills, while immersing them in the culture of the destination. We offer The Light of Ireland trip in July thru Strabo Tours.

From The [not so] Daily Nocturne

Maigh Eo Nocturne 
  
(A series of posts leading up to/including The Nocturnes Photo Tour in the West of Ireland, July 15-25, 2013)

I gaze deep into the cold Maigh Eo night.
As long, lonely shafts of light
Search the darkened sky.
Searing 'cross rooftops, treetops
and low clouds seeded by turf-fires.

And for what?
A reason? Why?
When we've this symphony of stars,
In residence
Above us, all our nights and days.

(Copyright 2000, Tim Baskerville)

Pre-election Blues - L.Cohen

"I'm just staying home tonight,
getting lost in that hopeless little screen.
But I'm stubborn as those garbage bags
that Time cannot decay,
I'm junk but I'm still holding up
this little wild bouquet:
Democracy is coming to the U.S.A."

"Sail on / sail on / O mighty Ship of State!"