Since we had no other plans for the weekend, we decided to attend the KC Irish fest down at Crown Center on Saturday. I've always known that I have a very Irish name, so I thought it was a good idea that I go and connect with my roots (I've told that I actually look more Greek than Irish, but Wah Wah agrees however that I have an Irish temper.). I thought it be like returning to a home that I've never been to. Ireland is what I identify with as being the home of my hero (Bono) and my family.
To give a little background, my hertiage can be traced about a hundred years to an area outside of Dublin. My father's side of the family is very Roman Catholic and very traditionally Irish. I remember growing up with pictures of the Pope and the Virgin Mary in my grandmother's house. The Irish like to drink so there was always plenty of alchol around. I'm not sure how my Grandmother felt when I told I was leaving the Catholic church. I am the first in my family( and only one so far) to leave the Catholic church.
I found the Irish fest a attempt to capture the feel of what Ireland is like even though it was in the middle of downtown Kansas City. The fountains were dyed green and there was Irish music everywhere ,no U2 or the Cranberries, but Irish folk music. People were dancing and singing along with it and having a good time
Personally, I love to go to these things and try the different ethnic foods. Then it occurred to me, that Ireland doesn't have a lot of ethnic food. Ireland is known for many things, but food is not one of them.
I think our day would have been much more enjoyable if it wasn't so hot. It definately didn't feel like Irish weather. I was also very interested in seeing more of the music, but was unable to due to Woogy and Pinky not being comfortable in the heat.
Ireland is one of the first places I want to go before I die. I got to know some Irish people when I was in Germany. I found them to be fun people. They could drink like fish but they look after their own. They love being social and singing folk songs in the bar. I guess until I go, KC Irish fest is as close as I'm going to get.
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5 comments:
The potatoe (er, potato) is a food. It is better than the English food of my roots at least. :)
Where do you hear about these things going on? I didn't even know there was an Irish fest happening in town.
I have Scottish background. My maiden name means man from Roe river.
This weekend is the Greek festival at the orthodox church. Lots of good food.
I too enjoy the music and the irish folk songs.
I went to teh Greek Festival with a friend once. It is interesting. Especially the food.
The NPR affiliate at Indiana Univeristy host an Irish Music fest at a bar in Bloomington a couple time a year. The last one I heard of was going to has a special host - that gall on NPR that does the Irish Music Show (the emeral hour or something)I pretty sure the bar had "shamrock" in the name.
I always enjoyed listening to the show - it often traced the connections between the folm music of ireland and how it affected the music of the hills (poular here in place like Branson).
There you have it - I managed to connect BBs Irish post with Dust's SDC post using Hillbilly Music. if only Karen Carpenter was Irish ..... or a Hibilly :-)
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