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Gaelic Adventure

Support the Dramatic Comeback of the Irish Language

Gaelic Adventure in the news ...

Gaelic Adventure in the news ...

Historic Row to Ireland in Traditional Irish Currach...The Adventure Has Begun!

American Legion, Connolly Post in Scranton, PA

Brian o h-Eachtuigheirn and Alexis Frees invited to the American Legion, Connolly Post, Scranton, PA for the Presidential Primary 2008.

Alexis Frees courageously reports, "That's part of our world tonight."

There is an evening of Gaelic Adventure, music, song, debate, poetry and whatever, planned for Saturday 5/10/08 at Popi's on Main St. in Palmetto beginning at 7.30 p.m. (see also)

May 7, 2008 - An Claidheamh Soluis/Gaelic Adventure Log

A chairde! It means friends in Irish. Yes its us again. Fresh or should I say wet, from the Rennaissance Faire with the help of and Tony Dees. Would have been hard put to pull it off without them as John Sherman was out of town on a job. The Fair was quite the experience - which we may get to recount at another time and place - it included a near miss with death when a company SUV ran into the open door of our parked vehicle just as I was about to alight.

Well! we were no sooner back in Palmetto planning to do some canvassing repairs on the naomhog when we got an opportunity to canvass and confront Presidential candidates in Scranton, PA., and to do coastal recon in Savannah, GA planning for our future arrival.

After two twisters, two blowouts, a clergy chase, world wide web radio broadcast from Scranton University, NBC news interviews, a declaration of support from Sen. Clinton and a donation of support from Sen. Obama, and a little help from our friends at T.A.D. ‘s Auto, Suffolk, VA. . . . we find ourselves again in repose in Palmetto reminiscing in the manner of the late, Jason Miller, dear friend an author, as he would have been at his regular seat at the Farr Bar or the corner booth in Farley’s on Linden St., where he pondered similar world problems during the last moments of his own Championship Season.

Following down the Rocky Road to Erin we invite you all to experience and exchange ideas while you fill your cup along with friends, music, storytelling and adventure this Saturday night at JAVA ‘N JIVE CAFÉ, 815 8TH AVE., 7:30 pm MAY 10th. SEE YOU THERE!!! Hope to make it a regular thing. Slan agaibh go foill.

The currach en route to the Festival.

Gaelic Adventure will have the currach on view at the Bay Area Renaissance Festival at MOSI for the weekends of March 28^th and April 5^th, where attendees will have an opportunity to sign up to show their support. More info about the Festival is available at this link.

currach on the truck (196K)

Christmas Dinner Theater & Debate
"A Portrait of Christmas"
Opening Night December 15th at 8pm
Tickets Available Now for Benefit Fundraiser in Hollywood (CLICK HERE)

	In memory of Denny Doherty November 29, 1940 - January 19, 2007 Brian, Alexis, and the whole Gaelic Adventure group along with St. Brendan's Church wish to express their love for Denny and deepest sorrow at his passing. He will be so greatly missed.
President of Ireland Mary McAleese, Denny Doherty, & Brian at Cape Breton University, Nova Scotia - 1998

celticBenefit02.jpg [announcement] (331K)

Boat on the trailer ready for the trip to the east coast

December 31, 2006 - FRESH START AT NOTES ON “TAISTEAL” FROM BRIANO

Freagra: An taonu la trochaid de mhi na Nollag, blian dha mhile is a se i mblian ar dtiarna. Lord have mercy on us?
How did we get to this point? Here is the short version. The what? The short version! The short version. The short version. The short version. What a language. You could sing that if you had an air to it. All in the emphasis never mind the spelling. No wonder O’Conell said he could drive a coach and four thru any english law. So much for why did we get to this point. What? Why did we get to this point. Well that is a story that is soon told as they say in Irish. A long story but soon told. As they say in Irish? Yes. No. What? When they changed from Irish to English. (Screamed) Now we’re into Italian - freagra: when will these accursed imperialist cultures take a break! I need to take a break. What where how when why. On the road sometimes you find you are behind the times. Yesterday I learned that James Brown Gerald Ford Sadam Hussein died among others. They were some days apart I think but not many. I also began to read Godot again. Not much has changed since the first time I read it. For the better that is. More children dying of starvation than ever before in history I’m told. This is not a christmas and New Year letter. But it might as well be for all the difference it has made to our leaders these days. Could it be that the world’s population will get the idea together close enough to do something about it before our leaders do? Doubt it. I think we are equally distant from each other. Heres a run down on some dates. The news goes from bad or good to start with take your pick. Then it gets worse I mean better then it gets better I mean worse and then it gets worse and then better again. You see what I mean. And I’m speaking english. Can you imagine if I was speaking what where how etc kind of punctuation for this point? Kind of explains the spanish practice of putting a question mark at the beginning. Why? Who gives a what how when Brendan Behan he was specific on the where and the who not to mention results that frighten. No wonder persons have difficulties with Joyce Beckett the law the music the promise the dream the nyth! The what? Ah go on.. Fix it any way you like. Just fix it and continue. Onwards and upwards as Denny would say. You could sing that if you had an air to it. briano

Now for the good news. It is soon told short and sweet version. The popular press has it that ga ( ), put in whatever u like there, is about to take off. Again? What? Where? When? How? No. no no no. yes yes yes yes. Why? Isn’t that what they tell u in sales. Sails? So now we’re selling the language? (Premptory.) Soon. Welcome aboard Daithi (David Lindsey). Just figuring out how the Irish would handle Alexis brought about the great realization that contrary to Shaw’s optimistic or was it carefulistic hopes english has been trying to add more letters to irish words than is mecessary. Or should we be saying al-Ecksheesh … ssshhhh! Now if we only had the siniu fadas and seimhus and can u believe it one of the boarders at the red house is named shavu. I am not sure of the spelling. To get back t the point David has joined with Alexis Frees and Leonid Gorkin and Caroline Coulihan to get the website and newsletter underway again. Where will be found nav info (pause) concert info, wish list and volunteer info. The vounteers (fianna) are never too far behind. What? or what do we do now or what would u like me to do or how can I help. Where is Madam, Constance, Countess Gore Booth Markievicz (try irish spelling on that one) now that we need her without the anti-buffalo ancestral antics. Showcases to look forward to: Msgr. Michael F.Devine; Pete Brennan; Maureen Kelly; Denny Doherty; Tony Belmont, The Knockouts; Djun Djetti; Robin and Eddie; Tommy Duff; Andy White; Hooker and friends.

That’s where we are for the minute. You may have noticed some recent subtle recent changes such as concert announcements; e mail addresses; phone numbers; mailing address and the LL IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT THAT ALL DONATIONS ARE TAXDEDUCTIBLE EVEN THAT THEY BE FOR CONCERT ADMISSIONS GOODS ETC.

Well? questions Vladimir; Shall we go? Yes comma responds Estragon, let’s go and nobody moves in fact they stop right there with the curtain or by the curtain. And so it was with history up until today when we freagra soon. Bo

September 6, 2004 - First report from Brian

A chairde, Silim go bfhuil se in am tosnu le sceal an tAsgard Abu agus i ar an dturas fada treasna Americea. (Literally - I'm thinking it is in time to begin with the story of the "Asgard Abu" and she on the long journey across America.) The lettering does not reflect the Irish accenting of vowels as I have not yet figured out how to program the laptop I'm using. Later with the appropriate script available I will provide bi-lingual reports.(more...)

September 6, 2004 - Photos from San Francisco, California (thanks to Joy Kennedy).

August 4, 2004 - Photos from Bakersfield, California (thanks to Joy Kennedy).

See also Older photos

If you would like to participate or meet the team, send an email to acsmdr@yahoo.com

Take a look at the photos of the boat and the crew, and more photos!

It is a little known and appreciated fact thatthe Irish language (Gaeilge) is the second oldest language in Europe. Japanese business appreciated the wealth of culture and knowledge that was ready to be unlocked within its folds. Hand in hand with investments in computer technology and manufacture during the 70s they undertook the study of the Irish language - so much so thatat one point there were more Japanese adult-students of Gaelic than there were Irish.

But that has changed now and the Irish language is enjoying a strong and vibrant revitalization, particular-ly amongst the young. Gone now is the reluctance to show an interest in the tabernacle of the culture. Gone now is the shame, and fast disappearing is the indifferencethat for many years, saw and considered the language as an unnecessary and useless burden in life. In its place is a growing pride in the richness that is to be found in thewell-spring of the culture. Slowly but surely the role of the language and the inspiration it provided Yeats, Joyce, Shaw, Lady Gregory, O'Casey, Becket, Behan and others is dawning on modern artists. Young people today in Ireland are proudly realizing that the language is the key to the Gaelic identity, to the storytelling, the music, the dance, the hospitality, the sports and the theater.

boat (95K) And the influence of the present Gaelic revival has reached American shores. In turn the revival has inspired an awesome project that promises to become a great artistic and memorable theatrical adventure. Brian Ã³ h-Eachtuigheirn, founder of An Claidheamh Soluis/Irish Arts Center in New York and An Claidheamh Soluis/Celtic Arts Center in Hollywood, and The Brave Hearted Woman Theater Company in Nova Scotia, has organized sister chapters of An Claidheamh Soluis in Galway (Gaillimh) Ireland (Eire) and in Marina Del Rey, California. The emphasis of the latter two organizations is on the Irish language and projects designed to gather together support on land and sea in Ireland and abroad in all lands where Celts are to be found, to restore Irish as the spoken language.

boat2 (43K) An Claidheamh Soluis, Marina del Rey ("ACSMDR") is pleased and excited to announce that it has acquired the use of a 36' traditional wooden ketch to accompany a traditionally built Naomhog on a transoceanic voyage by oar and sail to Ireland. In preparation for the voyage the ketch is being restored and will embark on an odyssey that will parrallel and match in a different form that of the "Asgard". In 1914 on theirketch, "Asgard," the Childers ran guns into Ireland to provide arms for theheroic establishment of Poblacht na h-Ã‰ireann, Proclaimed on Easter Monday, 1916 by a Provisional Government of artists and poets.

On this occasion Asgard III will be honored to bring moral and physical support to complete the historic task begun in 1916. A different cargo this time perhaps, but one no less neccessary to achieve a national identity.The voyage will be extremely symbolic of the quest for freedom yet to be completed by the successors of the women, men and youth who valiantly fought and died to create a nation - "Not merely Free but Gaelic as well - not merely Gaelic but Free as well."

boat4 (43K) The immortal words of Padraic Mac Piarais take on a poignant meaning in the Gaelic expression or slogan, 'TÃr gan Teangan - TÃr gan Anam.' A land without its own language is a land without soul. When it is realized that the Irish language was removed from 4/5 of the people of Ireland in a 80 year period, then it can surely be restored within the same time frame. Because practically the entire population of Eire has received considerable formal educational exposure to the Gaeliclanguage, there remains little to be done which a strong national will cannot realize. And the reward is great. Whereas in the past one language extinguished another, this time the nation and the world will not lose one language but gain another. It is to give a boost to the efforts of those who have steadfastly kept their eyes on the prize, that we undertake this venture.

At ACSMDR we are restoring the ketch and learning to sail through the medium of the Irish language. We will use theater, music and other arts to this end. A crew for Asgard III will be chosen from among those who participate in the preparation and work.Others will be considered for membership on the crew of An Claidheamh Soluis, the naomhÃ³g (traditional fish-ing boat of the currach class found on the south-west coast of Ireland and made with canvas over lathe and may have voyaged to the American continent as far back as the time of Brendan's Voyage) that will lead the voyage to Eire in the summer of 2004.

boat3 (43K) ACSMDR and company will raise the money necessary for the restoration and the safety equipment necessary for the voyage. We are seeking sponsorships for the journey of Asgard III, which will begin from Marina del Rey, California in the Spring of 2004 heading for the east coast and thence to Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. In Cape Breton at Mawio'mi, ("Gathering Place") home of the The Brave Hearted Woman Theater Company, Asgard III will be joined by An Claidheamh Soluis, a naomhÃ³g built by Padraic Ã³ DuinÃn with the assistance of the members of The Brave Hearted Woman Theater Company. Padraic himself expects to be there to prepare for and participate in the journey across the Atlantic. A minimum of ten members will crew the two crafts. It will be the primary task of Asgard III to escort and provide security for An Claidheamh Soluis.

Upon landfall in Ireland both crafts will participate in a meitheal mara, abhann, loch agus tÃr ar son an Gaeilge (joint venture by sea, river, lake and land for the restoration of the Irish language). Traditional currachs will circumnavigate Ireland in both directions, making land each day in communities to spend the night and exchange ideas and gather information on how to proceed with restoring the language as the vernacular. At the same time, groups will traverse Ireland on foot or by river, lake and canal, stopping each day in villages and communities in the same manner as at the sea ports. Each evening gathering will end in poetry, song, music and dance in a traditional gathering. At the end, a great Lughnasa celebration will come together in a long weekend of study - to energize the nation for the coming years' work. In this manner ACSMDR and ACS Gaillimh intend to show our support and keep faith with those who have gone before and contributed so much that we might survive as a nation.

For the purpose of protecting and giving effect to the restoration and execution and recording of the voyage a business plan has been developed to put the project on a solid legal footing. ACSMDR is legally incorporated and sponsorship is being sought from private individuals, and corporations, both public and private along with international bodies and interest groups. All are requested to participate in the endeavor to the extent they can.