The countdown to my trip to Ireland has begun in earnest ...
I leave Tuesday, 15 March, to arrive in Shannon bright (hopefully) and early (definitely) Wednesday, 16 March.
<begin shameless plug>
That evening, my Fife and Drum Corps, the Kentish Guards, will be part of the "Eve of St. Patrick's" celebration in Galway city, involving a short parade representing the gathering of the Celtic Clans. We will be representative of "Irish America" (whatever that means -- am I a clansman then?), and starting at 8pm, playing and parading from our hotel (the Park House) to the Spanish Arch, then, starting at 9pm, the parade continues (unsure of the route ), "collecting" Celtic Clans along the way (Irish, Welsh, Scot, Breton), eventually ending at Town Hall Square.
Any locals gonna be there?
We're playing in the "real" parade on St. Patrick's day as well ...
“Real parade”? The best Paddy's Day parade I ever saw was what I happened upon in Galway in 1990. I was up earlier than normal (I can't remember why) and meandering down a street that twists through one end of the city center. As I rounded a curve I found myself directly in the path of this swarm of red white and blue. It wasn't American red white and blue, but rather the color of blue and white elementary school uniforms topped with lots of red hair. There was this happy sound in the air as they approached coming from all the recorders they were playing, accompanied by a couple of drums. There was no crowd standing by and watching -- just me. They all were happily bouncing along and smiling at me as they passed. It's forever etched into my memory.
sounds like fun but I don't think I can make it there... I'm in Limerick (so you are landing in my neck of the woods!). I am also an american in ireland, here for 4 months. Good luck with the parade!
Joe,
Saying the "real" parade was only to make a disinction between the "Eve of" parade and the "Day of" parade, the latter being the "real" one. Yes, it's in Galway, and it's my first time in the old country as well. I can't wait.
Jack, I, too, would probably have relished that particular "parade", and hope to have the opportunity to absorb as much of the local flavor as I possibly can during my short stay.
PS - I think it's time to change my username here so people can stop calling me by my "clown name".
An American in Ireland
An American in Ireland
The countdown to my trip to Ireland has begun in earnest ...
I leave Tuesday, 15 March, to arrive in Shannon bright (hopefully) and early (definitely) Wednesday, 16 March.
<begin shameless plug>
That evening, my Fife and Drum Corps, the Kentish Guards, will be part of the "Eve of St. Patrick's" celebration in Galway city, involving a short parade representing the gathering of the Celtic Clans. We will be representative of "Irish America" (whatever that means -- am I a clansman then?), and starting at 8pm, playing and parading from our hotel (the Park House) to the Spanish Arch, then, starting at 9pm, the parade continues (unsure of the route ), "collecting" Celtic Clans along the way (Irish, Welsh, Scot, Breton), eventually ending at Town Hall Square.
Any locals gonna be there?
We're playing in the "real" parade on St. Patrick's day as well ...
</end shameless plug>
# Posted on March 10th 2005 by FyfferGuy
Re: An American in Ireland
Is that the Dublin or the Galway "real" parade, Fyffer?
Joe
# Posted on March 10th 2005 by Joe Quinn
Re: An American in Ireland
Gah... I envy you! Oh well, even if I did join, I wouldn't be able to go because of school... Oh well! Have fun!
Cheers,
Armand
# Posted on March 10th 2005 by fiddlinviolinin
Re: An American in Ireland
“Real parade”? The best Paddy's Day parade I ever saw was what I happened upon in Galway in 1990. I was up earlier than normal (I can't remember why) and meandering down a street that twists through one end of the city center. As I rounded a curve I found myself directly in the path of this swarm of red white and blue. It wasn't American red white and blue, but rather the color of blue and white elementary school uniforms topped with lots of red hair. There was this happy sound in the air as they approached coming from all the recorders they were playing, accompanied by a couple of drums. There was no crowd standing by and watching -- just me. They all were happily bouncing along and smiling at me as they passed. It's forever etched into my memory.
# Posted on March 10th 2005 by Phantom Button
I forgot to mention -- It was on Paddy's Day.
# Posted on March 10th 2005 by Phantom Button
Re: An American in Ireland
sounds like fun but I don't think I can make it there... I'm in Limerick (so you are landing in my neck of the woods!). I am also an american in ireland, here for 4 months. Good luck with the parade!
# Posted on March 10th 2005 by fiddletreegypsy
Re: An American in Ireland
Joe,
Saying the "real" parade was only to make a disinction between the "Eve of" parade and the "Day of" parade, the latter being the "real" one. Yes, it's in Galway, and it's my first time in the old country as well. I can't wait.
Jack, I, too, would probably have relished that particular "parade", and hope to have the opportunity to absorb as much of the local flavor as I possibly can during my short stay.
PS - I think it's time to change my username here so people can stop calling me by my "clown name".
-Chris
# Posted on March 10th 2005 by FyfferGuy
Re: An American in Ireland
Oh, and to add to the shameless plug -- here's the press releases for the "eve of" and the parade itself:
http://www.galway.net/galwayguide/news/2005/02/stpatricksecond20050228/
http://www.galway.net/galwayguide/news/2005/02/stpatrick20050228/
# Posted on March 10th 2005 by FyfferGuy