HarpKeeping Irish history and culture alive in South Texas.

StringsEstablished 1966

Volume 48 Issue 3

www.harpandshamrock.org

Summer 2015

Celebrating the Texas Irish!It was the second of our South Texas Alamo Irish Festivals and the weather couldn’t have been better. Pictured at left, SAGAC Chairman and team leader of the St. Baldrick’s Foun-dation event, Sean Hipp presents President Dana Goodman with a thank you plaque (pic-tured right) during the head shaving event. The Harp and Shamrock Society is proud to announce that during the STAIF 2015 over $40,000 was raised for St. Baldrick’s Founda-tion for childhood cancer research. 36 people shaved their hair during the festival to raise money and awareness for childhood cancer research. Thank you to Sean Hipp and Terry Peak, who facili-tated this collaboration and also shaved their heads for this great cause. Below left, this years honorees enjoy

a beautiful St. Patrick’s Day in front of the Alamo; Elissa O’Brien, Terry Peak, Kevin Dowd, Dana Goodman and Rick Grinnan. Below center, we raised the Irish flag to officially kick off this years event at UIW.

9th Annual Halfway to St. Patrick’s DayOur annual Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day Hooley is coming soon. On September 19, 2015 we are hav-ing our 9th annual Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day Hooley, and Irish stew and soda bread tasting compe-tition. As part of this event we have the installation of our Board of Directors. There will be plenty of Irish food, music, songs, dance and fun, fun, fun. There are usually great raffle prizes. This year the Halfway is being organized by Dana Goodman and Diana Jordan. Please support this event with your attendance. Please also consider entering into the Irish stew and Irish soda bread con-test. Applications should be on line at both our web site and on Facebook very soon.

There are many more pictures inside!

HARP AND SHAMROCKSOCIETY OF TEXAS, INCP.O. Box 15306San Antonio, TX 78212

PRESIDENTDana Goodman 210-219-7356VICE PRESIDENTMelissa Schulz 210-445-27772nd VICE PRESIDENTMelinda Britten 210-699-8632TREASURERJ.T. Norris 210-621-3407SECRETARYDiana Jordan 210-872-7092CHAPLAINFr. Francis McHugh 210-416-4516

BOARD of DIRECTORSCarolyn Dowd 210-896-1598Darryl Britten 210-215-9952Elissa O’Brien 210-348-6877Joan Moody 210-656-2666Erin O’Brien 210-348-6877Rob Holden 210-243-5067Derek Cossey 210-886-8640J. Sean Habina 210-523-9267Allison Hicks 210-822-1182Barbara Patrick 210-658-1506Mike Dodd 210-373-7986Michael O’Brien 210-422-2446Eileen Faught 210-379-8462Kevin P. Dowd 210-845-4424

IRISHMAN OF THE YEARTerence Peak 2015

EDITOR IN CHIEFKevin Patrick DowdThe Staff:

Carolyn DowdJohn McCarthy

Mariee PilkingtonTerry Peak

Eileen Burke FaughtPat Peak

©2015 Dowd Ranch Publishing

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This newsletter, like the Harp and Shamrock Society itself, cannot be done alone. Once again I’m asking for those fledgling writers to send me what interests you. Is there a photo editor out there? One of the favorite sayings in the boating community is “Man plans, God laughs.” Life has a way to throw a wrench in the works and the molehill grows mountainous before your eyes. I lost a few friends and family members this year. A dear uncle brought me to New Hampshire in February. It was rough to go to New England from Texas in February. This was during all those snowstorms hitting the Northeast. Then my father died due to complications brought on by the scourge of the golden years, the dreaded Alzheimer’s. Now my aunt and founder’s wife Virginia Dowd is having some health issues. Keep her in your prayers. We’ve made great strides in the society this year (as you can see in the article from our president on page 3) and we will continue to

grow. Our presence on the World Wide Web con-tinues to grow and it has become a great place to showcase all the old pictures from the Harp’s his-tory. Please friend us on Facebook and follow our blog on our website. Instagram is next!

Kevin Patrick Dowdshamrockeditor@gmail.com

The electronic revolution is here!

The headline is so last year. Or last minute. But the Harp is getting our extensive archives finally online where they belong. Our 50th Anniversary is right around the corner. As I come across pictures and news clippings I’ll scan and share them and ask if any one has any information about the when, where, why and what-not of the photo I hope you will share it with the Society. I stumbled upon a treasure trove of old pictures and clippings and started putting most of them on Facebook. Be sure you like us and friend us and whatever else you can do to help spread the word about the Irish In SA, TX. The above picture is The Irish Cottage that was built for Folklife 1998. I recognize Terry McDonald. Who are the rest of the fellows? Whose back yard is this? There are more that I’ll be putting up on Facebook and eventually archiving on our web site. Let’s catch up to the revolution!

From the Laptop of Your Editor

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From the PresidentHere is a review of this past year’s accomplishments.In order to help further define what we are about as an organization, last summer the Board of Directors ad-opted a Mission Statement for the Harp and Shamrock Society:

“Keeping Irish history and culture alive inSouth Texas”

We do this by 1. Laying a wreath at the Alamo shrine every March 17 to honor those of Irish Ancestry who gave their lives.2. Producing of educational materials for a walking tour of the Irish Flats in San Antonio.3. Hosting a festival that highlights Irish music, dance and food as well as hosting sanctioned GAA Irish football at the stadium at the UIW. 4. Hosting and paying for Irish music and dance at the Arneson River theatre stage for St. Patrick’s Day.5. Producing educational materials regarding the Irish com-munity of Avoca that was founded at the headwaters of the San Antonio River, near what is now the UIW campus.6. Restoring and maintaining a 200-year-old statue of St. Patrick, which has been on display in the Library at the UIW.7. Co-producing the St. Patrick’s Day river parade with the Paseo del Rio.

We have updated our web site to better reflect what the Society is about, including information about past Scholarship winners, and information about Irish in San Antonio and Texas.The Irish Consulate officially opened in Austin in March. The Harp hosted the New Irish Consul General, Adrian Farrell at our Christmas party in December, and the Irish consul general joined us at our wreath laying ceremony on March 17.

The Harp and Shamrock Society was represented at a reception hosted by The Irish Consulate in San Anto-nio to introduce the Irish Minister Jimmy Deenihan, responsible for foreign affairs and trade with special responsibility for the diaspora, who travelled to many states during his visit. (See pictures on page 4) Unfor-tunately his first stop on this trip was to travel out to Berkley, California to be with the families of the 6 Irish students who died after falling to their deaths when a balcony they were standing on collapsed.

Several Board members attended a Birthday party and reception at the Denman estate for Sister Alice Holden of UIW, to launch a capital campaign to raise money for a retreat and conference center on this property. There have been early discussions between the UIW and H&S to have space in this facility for an Irish library and available meeting space. Stay tuned!

(continued page 7)

STAIF

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Irish Minister’s Visit

To mark the visit of Mr. Jimmy Deenihan T.D. Minister of State at Departments of the Taoiseach and Foreign Affairs and Trade with special responsibility for the Diaspora our local Consul General, Adrian Farrell, invited a few local

representatives of the city and the Irish to meet him.Minister Deenihan was the first international dignitary to

meet with San Antonio’s new mayor Ivy Taylor. Very special thanks photographer Greg Lewis.

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Scholarship Recipients 2015

There were many happy recipients of scholarships this year. Eileen Burke, chairman, presented checks

at the Election meeting and Jamison Perez(top right), Erin O’Brien(left), Nick Henderson(his dad

Matt top center) Darryl McGhiey(top left), and Maribel Dodd(right) were all present.

Not pictured is Connor Sharp.

Congratulations to the newly elected officers of the board, Melissa Schulz, president, Melinda Britten, vice president, Elissa O’Brien 2ndvice, JT Norris,

treasurer, and Dana Goodman, secretary. The new-est member of the board is Jim Gorman, and re-

turning members are Eileen Faught, Darryl Britten and Joan Moody. We have some challenging years

ahead with the 50thanniversary coming quickly.

Terry Peak, Sister Alice Holden, CCVI and Kevin Dowd celebrate the kick off, Apr.12, for the first fund-

raising effort for the UIW International Retreat and Conference Center at the Denham estate.

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Book Review

Thomas Molloy, age 70 passed away Saturday, Feb-ruary 7, 2015 in San Antonio, Texas. He was born in Moycullen County Galway, Ireland on July 7, 1944 to the late Hugh and Nellie Conneely Molloy. Thomas served his country proudly in United States Air Force. After his military service, Thomas worked as a Data Processing Manager in the Heating and Air Condi-tioning industry. He is survived by his loving wife, Rosa Molloy; three sons, Michael Molloy, Sean Mol-loy and Patrick Molloy and wife, Amy; granddaugh-ters, Amber, Aliah, Adriel and Erin Molloy; great granddaughters, Ava, Ariella Trinidad and Amyah Hardin; and many family members and friends that will remember him always. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, February 18, 2015 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. with a Rosary at 7:00 p.m. at Porter Loring Mortuary on McCullough Ave. Mass will be held on Thursday, February 19, 2015 at 11:45 a.m. at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 8500 Mountain Trail. Interment is in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.

Frank J. Dowd on April 2nd, 2015. Dad was born to James and Mary Dowd on March 1935. Retired Po-lice Sgt. Metro North Railroad, Korean War Veteran and St. Patrick’s Day Parade committee 1960-2004. Beloved Husband of Irene (nee Clarkin). Devoted Father of Francis J. Jr., Kevin P., Mary Kate Corbett and Eileen McCosker. Dear Brother of the late James and Patrick; as well as being a loving grandfather of James, John, Meagan, Katie, Erin and Kelly. Denis S. O’Connor Funeral Home, where Dad spent many years working after his retiremant, did a great job. Interment was at Calverton National Cemetery.

James A. Delaney, 84, passed away peacefully at home on June 6, 2015. He was surrounded by his family. His parents, Hubert and Grace Delaney, a brother, Bob Delaney, and a sister, Jeanne Wagner, preceded him in death. Survivors includehis beloved wife of 51 years, Catherine Delaney, nee Gleeson; loving daughters, Jean Delaney, Kathleen Schroeder (Jay), and Mary Delaney; cherished grand-children, Ryan, Patrick, James, Garrett, and Meagan; a sister, Kathryn Dahlke; and many nieces and neph-ews. Interment will take place in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery at a later date.

In Memorium

We were once again involved in this citywide day of giving. I set my sights too low and only looked to double our donations from last year. We did that and probably could have done more. Hopefully a volunteer can step up next year to lead this and do a better job than I did. Also congratulations to the SAGAC who did it the first time this year. Keep up the great work!

The Nature of Water and AirBy Regina McBride

This is an intense and engrossing tale of Ireland’s mothers and daughters. The sins of the mother… Some secrets are best never revealed. McBride’s prose brings the winds and the waters that batter the island of Ireland alive

on the page. The myth of the selkie, or the seal people, is invoked as one of the possible haunting mysterious tales of the mother’s story. You will get drawn into this world of not-so-long-ago Ireland and the cast of charac-ters you’ll meet along the way. This is an emotional and heart felt story well worth your time. The author began this story as a poem and that lyricism comes through in the great prose.

320 pages. Available in paperback or Kindle edition.Simon and Schuster Digital Sales Inc

“If You Find Mistakes in this publication, please consider that they are there for a purpose. We publish something for every-

one, and some people are always looking for mistakes.”Circa a 1970s era Harp newsletter.PJD

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The River ParadeFor the second year we participated in the Big Give SA, organized by the San Antonio Area foundation, it is open to all non profit organizations in the city

The Board of Directors also voted to withdraw from state sponsored charity bingo, as the board thought the new rules and regulations were unduly cumber-some, as well as being uncomfortable with some of the business practices of the organization running the bingo locally.At our festival in March we hosted a fund-raiser for St. Baldrick’s, which raises money for childhood can-cer research. They were able to raise over $40,000 at our festival. Many people came to our festival to support this event and had their heads shaved in order to help raise money and awareness for this cause.We again awarded scholarships to some very deserv-ing people this year. The Harp has distributed over an amazing $20,000 in scholarships since 2006 per our treasurer!

All of our March events, including the Donovan’s run, Shamrock Scramble golf tournament and the South Texas Alamo Irish Festival, were all very successful this year.The Run netted $4789; STAIF- $3096; Golf- $6647. Thank you to all of you who made a financial dona-tion to the South Texas Alamo Irish festival at the University of the Incarnate Word. The River parade and Arneson Entertainment cost $2,140.

Sponsorships are very important to our events; Major sponsors include Valero, Guinness and Pabst Blue Ribbon and Waxy O’Connor’s on the Riverwalk.Thanks to our treasurer JT Norris for doing an out-standing job.Thanks especially to all the volunteers!More than 150 volunteers came out to help on the day of the run and festival. We need members to become more active in the planning of these and other events throughout the year. A Calendar of events for the next 12 months is on our web site.

Dana Goodman

From the President continued from page 3

The Harp & Shamrock Society of TexasNewsletter EditorP.O. Box 15306San Antonio, TX 78212

Cultural Civic Patriotic SocialEducational

Thank Our Sponsors

©2015 Dowd Ranch Publishingwww.harpandshamrock.org

Shamrockeditor@gmail.com

Waxy O’Connor’s Irish PubLion & Rose Restaurant & Pub

McCombs Foundation

September19th Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day

General membership/ Installation of BoardBeethoven Maenhorcor

October2nd SAGAC Golf Scramble

24th San Antonio Founders DayThe Alamo Shrine

*Volunteer opportunity!

November14thVeterans Day Parade*Volunteer opportunity!

Please check out the calendar on our web site!

President Dana Goodman and Irishman of the Year Terence Peak are enjoying the St. Patrick’s

Day River Parade in San Antonio, TX.More Pictures inside.