Celebrating the Links With Ireland

Newfoundland and Labrador's Avalon Peninsula is the site of the largest concentrated migration in the Irish diaspora; it's estimated that as many as 80% of Newfoundlanders have some Irish ancestry on at least one of their family trees. Much of the landscape is reminiscent of Ireland, and even the voices of the people echo the patterns of Irish speech. Some of the most Irish regions of this very Irish place are found on the southern half of the Avalon Peninsula, located in the southeast corner of the Island of Newfoundland. The most predominant dialect here stems from the southeast corner of Ireland: Counties Waterford, Wexford and Cork. It's not unusual to find communities that treasure and celebrate that Irish heritage through festivals, theatre and community concerts. In this most Irish corner of Newfoundland, I attended a St. Patrick's Day Concert that drew tight the Celtic knot of this link with every note that was performed. There were singers, dancers, instrumentalists and skits featuring local performers. Almost the entire community turned out -- the hall was packed with locals who joined in on the choruses of the songs and whose laughter made the rafters ring during the comedy skits. The schedule was packed with a full two dozen acts, most from within the community but a handful from places an hour or so away -- "just for variety" as the organizers explained. The concert was followed by a dance with a live band; admission to both concert and dance added up to $7 per person! The performers shown below are Kelsey Arsenault, Eta Nash and Eddy Lundrigan -- and no, Arsenault isn't an Irish name, but her mother is an O'Keefe!

Traveller or Tourist?

"The traveller sees what he sees, the tourist sees what he has come to see." -- G. K. Chesterton



If you subscribe to G. K. Chesterton's assessment of the difference between travellers and tourists, I've always been a traveller. Pre-conceived notions of what I'd encounter have always taken a backseat to the actual discovery -- the people I've met, the surprises that have lain in store, and the incredible variety of sights, sounds, smells and tastes experienced on the journey. Thirty years of travel have led me down a wonderful variety of roads and lanes, and it's a delight to be able to share some of the experiences along the way with my fellow travellers. I travel for work, but also for pleasure; the two can't be separated. Alone or in company with others, the spirit of discovery leads me on around the next bend in the road to see what lies beyond.



For me, it all boils down to the approach, summed up in another quote:

"The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity." -- Ellen Parr

Do you travel to see what's been promised in a printed itinerary or a description on a website, or do you travel to discover and experience and satisfy a craving for the spirit of a place? Please leave a comment with your views -- I'd love to know!

Living the Tradition

One of my favorite annual events took place on Sunday afternoon. Young Folk at the Hall is a musical concert sponsored by the Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Arts Society to foster and encourage a love of traditional music in the province's younger residents. It's organized by a man who has the status of musical legend in NL, Fergus O'Byrne, who came here in the 1970s as a member of the Irish band Ryan's Fancy. This was the eleventh year that YFATH has taken place, and each year's crop of young performers seems to be better than the last. The thirty or so participants get together on two successive Saturdays to form a number of smaller groups, then choose repertoire and rehearse. They have literally only a few hours in each other's company to put together a set featuring the musical talents of the group's members.

The "Young Folk" involved range in age from seven to seventeen, and there are a wide range of skill levels present. That's the idea; kids mentoring other kids and helping one another learn more about the traditional songs and tunes of Newfoundland. One of the most heartening facets of the program is that for the last several years, young people who have graduated from the program have returned to facilitate the experience for the new, younger participants. The smiles on their faces during the performances -- and during the standing ovation at the end of the concert -- are a clear indicator that these young people are having a great time, and it's a great time that doesn't involve video games, computers, TV or a trip to the mall.

The choice of material is surprisingly varied, with traditional and contemporary songs, instrumental tunes, and a wide range of instruments from fiddles and tin whistles to cello and mandolin. Songs are often arranged so that each member of the group contributes a verse, so every participant is featured at least briefly. It's inspiring to watch the spirit of cooperation and camaraderie that's demonstrated by these young people. It's also wonderful to watch them develop polish and professionalism year by year as they take part in Young Folk; seeing the shy seven-year-old becoming a poised and confident nine- or ten-year-old and stepping in to mentor younger participants. Young Folk at the Hall not only encourages an appreciation of the traditional music of the province, it provides an opportunity for young people to stretch their wings as performers, and to develop a passion for the musical heritage that sets Newfoundland and Labrador apart.

Photos: 1) Hayleigh McGrath; 2) The Pull Hair Dummies (William Corbett, Leslie Amminson, Bryan Snow, Victoria Smith, Chelsea Parsons) 3) Ellen Power 4) Finale with all participants performing "Mussels in the Corner".