Second Annual Tulip Ball 2013

Next Saturday June 8th!

When: June 8th, 2013 at 8:00PM to 11:00PM

Where: At the Residence of the Irish Ambassador, 291 Park Road, Rockliffe, K1M 0E1. 

Tickets: Student/Members $25, Adults $30. 

Purchase tickets online at https://ottawatulipball2013.eventbrite.com/

To welcome the 2013 summer season in style, please join us to the Second Annual Tulip Ball on June 8th,at the Residence of the Irish Ambassador.  Enjoy an entertaining evening, with live music and traditional Irish dancing,  hosted by the Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann Youth Group. 

Last year's even was sold out, so don't wait until the last minute to get your tickets!!

For more information contact Lisa at 613 620 7031.

NAACLT 2013 Conference, May 29 - June 1

Next week, from May 29 to June 1st 2013, the North American Association for Celtic Language Teachers will host its annual international conference, at the Official Languages and Bilingualism Institute, University of Ottawa,University of Ottawa Simard Hall, Rm 221.

NAACLT is an international group which includes but is not limited to academic professionals. The motto of the group is "Saving the World form Boring Languages," if you are interested in this conference check their website to register: http://www.naaclt.org

Hope to see you at the conference!

The Glengarry Pipe Band

On the last céilí of the 2012-2013 season, this Saturday May 20th, we will be musically entertained at the break by the performance of the Glengarry Pipe Band. Led by Céilí Band member Ross Davison the band is comprised mostly of youth and community members from Eastern Ontario. The Band actively tours Canada and the United States playing it's unique mixture of traditional and progressive Irish and Scottish Music.

The Glengarry Pipe Band regularly competes and takes prizes at the Grade 4 competition level including a 3-game winning streak at the beginning of their 2012 season and a 2nd place at the North American Championships.

The Glengarry Pipe Band is actively fundraising for it's trip to Scotland this August to compete in the World Pipe Band Championships. We would appreciate if céilí attendants could contribute any donations to help to sponsor their efforts to represent Ottawa and Maxville in Scotland. 

If you want to provide any sponsorship, check their website: http://glengarrypipeband.ca/ 

Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2013 in Derry

For anyone that is seriously considering attending the Fleadh Cheoil 2013, in August in Derry, you can check the updates with all the latest news and developments regarding biggest Irish traditional music festival in the world.

Top Acts Revealed for Fleadh 2013:

• The Poet and the Piper, Seamus Heaney and Liam O’Flynn: Wednesday 14th August 2013 
• Cara Dillon and the Orchestra of Ireland: Thursday 15th August 2013 
• Dervish: Friday 16th August 2013 
• A Gathering of Traditions: Wednesday 14th - Sun 18th August 
• Late Night Tunes: Friday 16th - Sunday 18th August 2013 

And many more excellent artists!

For more information check the official newsletter for Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2013 

See you in Derry, come and join us! 

Irish Set Dancing and Health

For many of us Irish set dancing is enjoyed as an inexpensive and mild cardio workout, with the added social benefits of having a lot of fun, seeing current friends, and making new friends. However, trying to enlist new enthusiasts to join us in dancing can be difficult. Irish dancing goes through different phases of popularity, with peaks and lows, that are common everywhere. But new research shows that perhaps we can add another benefit to Irish dancing.

Earlier this month there was a very interesting article on the BBC news service where the benefits of dancing were explored. The article, Parkinson's patients test Irish set dancing benefits, mentions an international study that focuses on determining if dancing alleviates some of the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. In the Irish Times there is a video clip where you can see some Parkinson's patients dancing an open-air Connemara Set on Inishmore (scroll down the Irish Times article for the video).

Now the research team wants to investigate the efficacy of set dancing on Alzheimer’s Disease. In contrast with Parkinson's disease patients, there likely would be a need for a large number of volunteers to help with the patients.

What we know for sure is that Irish set dancing is a fun social activity, and for that it is worth the effort. If in addition to that benefit Irish set dancing helps patients with degrading physical and, or, mental capacities, that is truly a great outcome.

See you on the dance floor!

Gael Linn

Gael Linn or "Irish people with us," is a non-governmental, non-profit organization, focused on the Irish language and arts. It was founded in 1953 with the goal of nurturing the Irish language and the promotion of artistic events. So far it seems like they are doing a great job.

At the Siansa Gael Linn 2012, the group of musicians that won the first prize, had one of the Echoes of Erin 2012 fiddle players. Enjoy the talent of all those young musicians!

Teaspach - Siansa Gael Linn 2012 - An Chéad Áit

Celebration: The Rideau Canal Workers Designation

A few weeks ago there was an official celebration for the designation of the contribution made by Irish workers to the construction of the Rideau Canal. There was music and poetry, with many invites artists and some public figures like the City of Ottawa mayor and a representative for the Irish Ambassador to Canada.

Michelle Nash of Metroland wrote a piece that described the evening: http://www.emcbarrhaven.ca/20130321/news/Irish+society+hosts+celebration+for+Rideau+Canal+workers