IRISH AMERICAN CLUB

Mission Statement

This club is being formed to provide a venue that will include activities of an Irish nature for the residents of Renaissance. This would include such functions as:

Provide periodic Entertainment on site.

Arrange trips to Irish events that are available in the area such as the Chieftains, River Dance, (Live and Closed Circuit) Hurling and Gaelic Foot Ball Matches

Arrange for speakers for such items of interest to the group, Language, Irish and Irish American History.

The club will be open to Renaissance residents with an interest in Irish culture.

Click here for The Renaissance Irish American Club Bylaws

Click here to join or to renew your membership

Renaissance Irish American Club Member Form

2009-2010 OFFICERS

President John Boyle

Vice President James English

Treasurer Richard Mc Dermott

Recording Secretary Marylou Butler

Corresponding Secretary Edward Birmingham

Trustees

Jane Maroney

Michael Shipman

Patrick Scanlon

Half Way to St. Patrick’s Day Dance

With Entertainment by

Willie Lynch.

September 15 Halfway To St Patrick's

Thursday September 15, 2011 7:00 pm until 10 pm

Light refreshments will be served

Ticket Sales

Sunday Aug. 14, 2011 at the Irish American Club meeting.

Tickets will be available to Club Members and guest as per regulations until August 26 and then open to all Renaissance Residents at a sign-up to be held on

Saturday August 27 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM.

15 dollars per person, please make check payable to R.H.A.

Sign-up sheets are in the carousel at the club house

Or contact

Patrick Scanlon

The Irish Census of 1901 - 1911 is now on-line.

Here is the web site for the census.

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/

You can search on Family Name and First Name, County, Age (+ or - 5 years).

Once you successfully find your relative, you can click on his/her first name and see who was living in the home with him/her at the time of the census so you can see the head of household, wife, daughters sons, grandsons, etc.

The census lists occupation, language, literacy status, religion, type of home/building, and you can actually see the filled-in census form, signed by the census taker.

Pat Scanlon found records for his father and uncle and Monica Birmingham found her mother and father's records in both year's census.

Try it out. You'll be on this web site for hours......

Items and Events of Interest April 6, 2011 through October 9, 2011

The Next Meeting of the Renaissance Irish American Club will be on Sunday, April 10, 2011 at 7PM 2011. See details below.

Items of Interest:

1: Please call Pat Scanlon (732) 408-0575 if you are interested in running for Office for our Club. Nominations are taking place now and elections will be at the June meeting (along with some great entertainment – Jimmy Byrne. Details below).

2: Greatest Mob Flash ever.

http://www.breitbart.tv/greatest-st-patricks-day-flash-mob-ever/

(Hat Tip: Pat Scanlon)

3: Base Jumping in Norway. Not too Irish but interesting…. Add this to your bucket list.

http://www.vagabondish.com/base-jumping-mirror-lake-norway-video/

http://www.wimp.com/basejump/

4: Inexpensive NYC Parking info. Check out the coupons and rates at the center-right of this web page. The parking garages cannot deny you the use of these coupons. http://www.iconparkingsystems.com/

(Hat Tip: Dick McDermott)

Events of Interest:

No Meeting in July.
Saturday August 6, 2011. Irish Heritage Night at the Blue Claws Stadium. http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/team2/page.jsp? ymd=20110221&content_id=16695846&vkey=team2_t427&fext=.jsp&sid=t427
Sunday August 14, 2011 at 7PM. The Renaissance Irish American Club will hold our monthly Meeting. Entertainment will be provided by Irish Singer Greg Ryan.
Sunday September 11, 2011 at 7PM. We will hold our Half-Way to St. Patrick’s Day Party. Details to follow when available.
Saturday, September 17, 2011 Irish Festival At The Jersey Shore, Sea Girt National Guard Armory, 6th Ave & Sea Girt Ave, Sea Girt, NJ. Set along the dunes in Sea Girt, NJ the Irish Festival at the Jersey Shore features some of the region's best Irish Bands, Step Dancers, Irish cultural exhibits, traditional food, and fine products. Bring the family for this exciting day of fun in the sun at the Jersey Shore. Rain or Shine
September 22 -25, 2011, Irish Fall Festival, Olde New Jersey Avenue, North Wildwood, NJ. 609-729-0075. One of the biggest Irish festivals in the country is held at the Jersey shore -- every September, Wildwood holds the annual Irish Fall Festival! The yearly celebration of Irish heritage is expected to draw as many as a quarter of a million people to the resort of the Wildwoods for the festival.
The Four-day event celebrates Irish heritage with dancing, music, food, crafts, a piper competition, and a parade on Sunday. 8 a.m. - 11 p.m. Daily. Free Other festival activities include a golf tournament, amateur boxing matches, Irish dance lessons, Ceili, 5k Run and 1 mile walk, pipe exhibition, Irish music concert, Catholic Mass and concludes with a parade on Surf Ave. from 26th to Spruce and Olde New Jersey Avenues, North Wildwood.
Saturday October 8th, 2011, Smithville Irish Festival, Historic Smithville 1_North New York Rd, Smithville, NJ 732-886-0842. Featuring entertainment by:
Shamrock and Thistle Pipes and Drums, Mist of Ireland Dancers, Na Booach, Jamie &the Quiet Man, Bantry Boys, Barley Boys. Please bring a chair. Come browse our Irish crafters, Irish food vendors and our kiddie area. 11 am to 6 pm
Sunday October 9, 2011 at 7PM. The Renaissance Irish American Club will hold our monthly Meeting. Entertainment is open at the moment.

Irish Theater: Two Plays.

#1. The Irish Repertory Theatre (132 West 22nd St.), presents MOLLY SWEENEY
By Brian Friel January 19 – April 10, 2011.

#2: The Irish Repertory Theatre (132 West 22nd St.), presents THE SHAUGHRAUN
By Dion Boucicault. APRIL 21 - JUNE 12, 2011. Against a background ripe with the intrigue of the secret Fenian Uprising in Ireland in 1866, Dion Boucicault, the undisputed master of melodrama, unravels his comic masterpiece, THE SHAUGHRAUN, which springs to life once again on The Irish Repertory Theatre's stage. Desperate forbidden passions! Beautiful damsels in distress! Swashbuckling swordplay! Mustachioed villains! Lots of kissing, and a charismatic hero whose fiddle is the soul of every fair and the life of every funeral...also a dog. Caution: Gaelic spoken here! http://www.irishrep.org/theshaughraun.html

Local Irish Entertainment:

Call these numbers or click on these web sites for scheduling info.

St. Stephens Green Public House, 2031 Highway 71 Spring Lake Heights, NJ. 732 - 449 – 2626 Irish Seisiun (Session) every Tuesday evening, 7 to 10PM. http://www.ststephensgreenpub.com/entertainment.html

Farrell’s in Pt. Pleasant Beach 732-892-2090 www.farrellsstoutandsteak.com

Connelly Station in Belmar 732-280-2266 http://www.connollystation.com/calendar

The Irish Rail in Manasquan 229 E Main St, Manasquan, NJ - (732) 223-9300 has an Irish night on Thursdays. Live Irish Music from 6pm-9pm. http://www.theirishrail.com/

The Dublin House (732) 747-6699 at 30 Monmouth Street in Red Bank NJ hosts the Trinity Celtic Band 1st & 3rd Sundays Traditional Irish Seisiun...open mike. 2nd & 4th Monday Traditional Irish Seisiun Featuring "Trinity”. See this web site for more info. http://www.myspace.com/trinitycelticband

Harrigans Pub, 703 Baltimore Blvd Sea Girt NJ 732-449-8228, has occasional Irish entertainment. See this web site for info. http://harriganspub.com/events.php

Mike Byrne, Bobby Byrne, Willy Lynch and the Bantry Boys are scheduled to appear at some of the above Irish Nights. Check these web sites for info.

Willie Lynch: http://www.willielynchband.com/

Mike Byrne: http://www.allstarmikebyrne.com

Bobby Byrne: http://www.bobbybyrne.com.

The Bantry Boys: http://www.thebantryboys.com/

Trips and Travel:

1: Nov 6, to Nov. 18, 2011. "Bobby Byrne" 12 Night Southern Caribbean Cruise Bobby Byrne will be running a 12 night cruise out of Bayonne. Inside Stateroom $1289, Outside Stateroom $1399, Balcony Stateroom $1479. Celebrity Silhouette from Bayonne! Be sure to join us and enjoy our private performances of "The Bobby Byrne Show" onboard Celebrity's newest and most elegant ship, the Silhouette. This modern wonder is the fourth of the award-winning Solstice Class ships. The Celebrity Silhouette will be the first Solstice Class ship to sail from the port of Cape Liberty, NJ, combining Celebrity's modern design with the stunning scenery to deliver unique moments at sea for the greater New York area. This is the first time the Silhouette will be in Bayonne. Be sure not to miss this opportunity! Call early to reserve - sure to be a sell-out. See the above web site or call Adventure Travel 800-883-8646 for details …..

Items of Interest:

Irish Road Bowling draws a crowd. Check this out. The Munster Senior Road Bowling Championship 2010. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjEmWZzQO7A&feature=related Also check out all the other scenes of Road Bowling on the right side of this web site. Road Bowls, Adrigole, West Cork, Ireland. How to spend a windy blustery day in West Cork. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAlNjAIt_qA&feature=related

An in-depth report of the Irish financial crash from Vanity Fair magazine March 2011 issue. http://www.vanityfair.com/business/features/2011/03/michael-lewis-ireland-201103?currentPage=all

Live Cam and commentary of Bald Eagle pair sitting on two eggs in Norfolk Botanical Gardens, Norfolk VA. Check out this web site. http://www.wvec.com/marketplace/microsite-content/eagle-cam.html

Mike and Sara Shipman have a copy of the book “The Molly Maguires” available for anyone who wishes to read more about the subject of Hank McNally’s last sem

Lucky Golf Shots: For all you golfers out there…….

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCEB9GgKoJ0&feature=player_embedded

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1CKesTyTpI&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqTyDjAhunQ&feature=related

A Nice Cup of Tea: By George Orwell. Evening Standard, 12 January 1946. http://www.booksatoz.com/witsend/tea/orwell.htm

Who knew how difficult this could be?

There are two new plays and several very good Irish performances locally and at The Irish Repertory Theatre in NYC. Details below.

The Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank is hosting some very good Irish, and non-Irish, entertainment in the New Year. BB King, Gregg Allman, several symphonies, Engelbert Humperdinck, Pat Cooper (?), Led Zeppelin, Chicago, Lily Tomlin as well as Riverdance and the Irish Cabaret. Check out their web site at http://www.countbasietheatre.org/calendar/eventlistings.asp

Some trips are being scheduled. Bobby Byrne will be running 2 cruises in 2011. The first is a cruise out of Bayonne for St. Patrick’s Day-week beginning March 11-20, 2011 and the second is a 12-night Nov-6 to 18, 2011 Cruise out of Bayonne to the Caribbean. Details below and when they become available……

Irish Cultural Education:

Brookdale Community College Irish Heritage Series Winter 2010 to Spring 2011.

To register, call 732-224-2315 Monday through Friday from 8:30 am until 5:00 pm.

Course details below or see this web site for info. (PDF Format) http://www.brookdalecc.edu/PDFFiles/OBCD/Spring%202011%20Irish%20Heritage.pdf

The Irish Language Institute: Irish Lives! Here at Brookdale we have taught this ancient language for more than a decade. Instructors at all levels have earned the Fainnes Oir and are experienced teachers of the language. Classes are fun and pressure free with an emphasis on daily conversation. Join people of all ages and from all walks of life, and learn Irish with the clan!

WINTER MINI SERIES

Introduction To Irish Language

Marian Lawlor, instructor, Irish language

Thurs, Jan 20-Feb 17, 7-8:30 pm

Fee and Code: $39, XIRIL 002 W

Fundamentals Of Irish Conversation

Patrick Mullen, instructor

Thurs, Jan 20-Feb 17, 7-8:30 pm

Fee and Code: $39, XIRIL 003 W

Fundamentals Of Irish Grammar

Linda Rath DeHoust, instructor

Thurs, Jan 20-Feb 17, 7-8:30 pm

Fee and Code: $39, XIRIL 017 W

Introduction To Irish Language Literature

Liam Guidry, instructor

Thurs, Jan 20-Feb 17, 7-8:30 pm

Fee and Code: $39, XIRIL 018 W

SPRING SERIES

Learn The Irish Language – Beginner 1

Liam Guidry, instructor

Thurs, Mar 31-May 19, 7-8:30 pm

Fee and Code: $89, XIRIL 006 W

Learn The Irish Language – Beginner 2

Marian Lawlor, instructor

Thurs, Mar 31-May 19, 7-8:30 pm

Fee and Code: $89, XIRIL 007 W

Learn The Irish Language – Intermediate

Rath DeHoust, instructor

Thurs, Mar 31-May 19, 7-8:30 pm

Fee and Code: $89, XIRIL 008 W

Learn The Irish Language – Advanced

Pádraig Mullen, instructor

Thurs, Mar 31-May 19, 7-8:30 pm

Fee and Code: $89, XIRIL 009 W

Grammatical Hor D’Oeuvres

Rath DeHoust, instructor

If there are aspects of Irish grammar you’d like to drill down into, why not join us for a short course on a variety of topics? Learn to form adverbs, match adjectives with nouns, and make comparisons, as well as a few other skills not covered in previous grammar classes. “Cuir snas ar do chuid Gaeilge.” (Polish up your Irish language skills!)

4 SESSIONS

Thurs, Feb 24-Mar 24, 7-8:30 pm

Fee and Code: $39, XIRIL 015 W

No class Mar 17

Enough to Get By: Basic Phrases For The Traveler To Ireland

Marian Lawlor, instructor, Irish language

As the government moves to integrate Gaelic, or “Irish” as it’s known in the Emerald Isle, into the everyday life of the country, the ability to use common greetings, phrases and simply read the road signs will greatly enhance the enjoyment of traveling to this enchanting country. Come spend an evening and become introduced to the language, once thought of as almost extinct, that’s enjoying an unprecedented growth in its homeland.

Wed, Mar 9, 7-9 pm

Fee and Code: $25, XIRIL 010 W

NEW!

The Contemporary Irish Short Story

Rath DeHoust, instructor

Short stories currently emerging from Ireland are a natural fusion of ancient and vibrant story-telling tradition and modern literature, offering us a unique glimpse into her people, her culture and the Irish “inner self.” Read and discuss stories by Colum McCann, Edna O’Brien, Roddy Doyle and others, as we explore the complexity of emotion and memory that is associated with the Irish. First story mailed upon registration.

3 SESSIONS

Tues, Feb 8-22, 7-8:30 pm

Fee and Code: $55, XIRIG 107 W

NEW!

Irish Christianity

Kenneth Ostrand, PhD, historian and archaeologist

Before there was Roman Catholic Ireland there was Irish Catholic Ireland. Join this exploration of the birth, life and death of this fascinating Celtic branch of early Christianity. At its start, there were many varieties of Christianity and the Irish developed their own liturgy, rituals and saints. Slowly, under pressure of Roman Christianity, the Irish gave way, merging until they become one. How, when and why this happened is a fascinating study.

Thurs, Feb 24, 6:30-9 pm

Fee and Code: $24, XIRIG 104 W

NEW!

Irish Authors: Short Story Classics

Dillies Pilevsky, English and history instructor

Sample some of the finest Irish literature. Discover classic “Irishisms”: Family, ambition, mortality and rebellion. We will examine each story in terms of the multitude of voices, themes, tones and relevancy to our lives. Eveline by James Joyce, News from Ireland by William Trevor and The Sniper by Liam O’Flaherty. Are these themes uniquely Irish? If so, why? If not, why not? First story mailed upon registration.

3 SESSIONS

Tues, Mar 1, 8 & 22, 10 am-noon

Western Monmouth Branch Campus

Fee and Code: $59, XHUML 096 W

NEW!

Henry McNally Presents The History Of The Irish People: Part II – Modern Ireland

Henry McNally, MS, MA, Irish historian

The history of modern Ireland is at once tragic and romantic, with frequent connection to the story of America. Examine the history of Ireland from the defeat of the last Gaelic rebellion in 1601 through current times. One session will be devoted to each of the 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Topics include the Plantation system, the suppression of Cromwell, William of Orange and the Battle of the Boyne. Also covered will be the Penal Laws, Protestant Ascendancy, Catholic Emancipation, the Great Famine, Fenianism, rebellion, civil war and eventual freedom for Ireland. The course will conclude with a look at the creation and development of Northern Ireland and the prospects for eventual unification of the island.

5 SESSIONS

Sec. 1: Tues, Mar 8- Apr 5, 11:45 am-1:15 pm

Sec 2: Tues, Mar 8-Apr 5, 7:30-9 pm

Fee and Code; $69, XIRIG 105 W

Tin Whistle

Marian Lawlor, instructor, Irish language

Irish music is played by more musicians than ever before. Remarkably beautiful music can be heard on the tin whistle. This versatile instrument, easier than the flute, is capable of being surprisingly expressive. Beginners will be able to play some lovely Irish ballads by the end of this course. It is not necessary to read music. No previous experience is required, and the class is open to both beginners and students of all levels. Registrant should bring a tin whistle in the key of D or call 732-747-1408 for purchasing information.

6 SESSIONS

Wed, Apr 6-May 11, 7-8 pm

Fee and Code: $59, XIRIG 005 W

NEW!

Irish, Italians, Poles And Jews:

The Decline Of WASP America

Henry McNally, MS, MA, Irish historian

The people who emigrated onto the streets of American cities in the 19th and early 20^th Century were the country’s first “minority group,” with all of the baggage generally represented by that term. Recognizing the prevalent culture of the United States in its early years is essential to understanding the immigrant experience in general and a necessary background to appreciating the development of Irish-America. Examine the arrival of the groups noted in the title, comparing and contrasting their experience with that of English and German arrivals. The course also lays the groundwork for a more concentrated examination of “The History Of The Irish In America,” a course anticipated for fall 2011.

4 SESSIONS

Sec 1: Tues, Apr 12- May 3, 11:45 am-1:15 pm

Sec 2: Tues, Apr 12-May 3, 7:30-9 pm

Fee and Code: $59, XIRIG 106 W

Learn Irish Set Dancing: From The Beginning

Owen Layden, instructor

Irish dancing is back at Brookdale! Owen has returned to the dance floor ready to teach reels, jigs and hornpipes to beginners as well as experienced dancers. Set dancing, the social dancing of Ireland will be taught and a good time will be had by all. Develop your own style as you learn the correct footwork and patterns for dancing to the beat of Irish music. Bring your flat comfortable shoes and friends, but a partner is not required. Classes are open to teens and older.

4 SESSIONS

Wed, Apr 27-May 18, 8-9:30 pm

Middletown Arts Center

Fee and Code: $69, XIRIG 002 W

Local Irish Entertainment:

Call these numbers or click on these web sites for scheduling info.

Farrell’s in Pt. Pleasant Beach 732-892-2090 www.farrellsstoutandsteak.com

Connelly Station in Belmar 732-280-2266 http://www.connollystation.com/calendar

Connelly’s has an Irish night on Tuesday evenings through January 2011, starting at 6:30PM.

The Irish Rail in Manasquan 229 E Main St, Manasquan, NJ - (732) 223-9300 has an Irish night on Thursdays. Live Irish Music from 6pm-9pm. http://www.theirishrail.com/

The Dublin House (732) 747-6699 at 30 Monmouth Street in Red Bank NJ hosts the Trinity Celtic Band See this web site for more info. http://www.myspace.com/trinitycelticband

Harrigans Pub, 703 Baltimore Blvd Sea Girt NJ 732-449-8228, has occasional Irish entertainment. See this web site for info. http://harriganspub.com/events.php

Mike Byrne, Bobby Byrne, Willy Lynch and the Bantry Boys are scheduled to appear at some of the above Irish Nights. Check these web sites for info.

Willie Lynch: http://www.willielynchband.com/

Mike Byrne: http://www.allstarmikebyrne.com

Bobby Byrne: http://www.bobbybyrne.com.

The Bantry Boys: http://www.thebantryboys.com/

Trips and Travel:

1: March 11-20, 2011: Bobby Byrne has 2 trips in 2011. Bobby will be celebrating next year's St. Patrick's Day aboard the hugely popular ship, EXPLORER OF THE SEAS. WHERE: SAIL OUT OF BAYONNE'S PORT LIBERTY TO 4 CARIBBEAN DESTINATIONS: SAN JUAN, SAMANA, CHARLOTTE AMALIE AND LABADEE. HOW MUCH: RATES START AT $829 FOR AN INSIDE STATEROOM AND $970 FOR AN OCEANVIEW STATEROOM. WHY: The question should be "Why not?” Sail luxuriously and swiftly out of the cold March winter into the Caribbean sunshine aboard a ship that is a destination in itself. There is a wealth of things to do and see aboard this ship while enjoying gourmet dining, wonderful lounges, a full gambling casino and plenty of live music and entertainment. We will have, exclusively for you, a private cocktail party and our own "Bobby Byrne Show" entertainment, including a great Irish show to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. WHAT DO I DO: CALL SUNRISE TRAVEL (732 449-2200 - 800 462-1107) FOR COMPLETE DETAILS, INFORMATION AND RESERVATIONS. See http://www.bobbybyrne.com/ for details.

2: Nov 6, to Nov. 18, 2011. "Bobby Byrne" 12 Night Southern Caribbean Cruise Bobby Byrne will be running a 12 night cruise out of Bayonne. Inside Stateroom $1289, Outside Stateroom $1399, Balcony Stateroom $1479. Celebrity Silhouette from Bayonne! Be sure to join us and enjoy our private performances of "The Bobby Byrne Show" onboard Celebrity's newest and most elegant ship, the Silhouette. This modern wonder is the fourth of the award-winning Solstice Class ships. The Celebrity Silhouette will be the first Solstice Class ship to sail from the port of Cape Liberty, NJ, combining Celebrity's modern design with the stunning scenery to deliver unique moments at sea for the greater New York area. This is the first time the Silhouette will be in Bayonne. Be sure not to miss this opportunity! Call early to reserve - sure to be a sell-out. See the above web site or call Adventure Travel 800-883-8646 for details …..

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Click on links below for pictures of Club Events

Click here for Halfway to St Patrick's Day Party Pics

Click here for St Patrick's Weekend Getaway Group Photo