St Brendan’s Feast Day May 16th

Ancient Order of Hibernians

St Brendan the Navigator Division

Mecklenburg County Division # 2 ISSUE #7 MONTHLY NEWSLETTER VOLUME#3

July 2011 Our next business meeting is on Thursday, July 14th at 7:30 PM

Room 200 & 201

2011 Officers

Chaplain Father David Miller President Joe Dougherty

Vice President Brian Bourque Secretary Ray FitzGerald Treasurer Chris O’Keefe

Financial Secretary Ron Haley Standing Committee Scott Stephan

Marshall Ted Leahy Sentinel Deacon Bob Murphy Chaplain Emeritus Father Pat Hoare

www.aohmeck2.org

THE PRESIDENT’S SOAPBOX Brothers, First, let me wish all of you a good Independence Day. Since we are in the dog days of summer, I would think some of

you are enjoying the lake and vacation.

As the division President, I need to bring you up to date on some items of great importance.

Last night, Thursday, June 30th

, the County Board held a meeting to form a plan of action regarding the validity of the

Mecklenburg County Board. At the last State board meeting, which started at 7:00 PM, it was determined that the State

Secretary did not have minutes from the last State Convention in 2009 in Raleigh. At that convention, two amendments

were presented, both of them making changes to the NC State By-Laws, one, recognizing the Mecklenburg County

board and the second was giving the County officers the rights of voting delegates to all future State convention. Since

the minutes of the convention have been misplaced and since all by-laws and amendments to the same, must be sent to

the National Secretary for approval, the validity of these two amendments are in question. Another discussion at the

meeting was the 2013 State convention, which we were lead to believe, was awarded to Charlotte. I was informed that is

not the case, but that Charlotte would be asking to host it at the Wilmington convention in October of this year. After I

brought up the fact that the State conventions are jointly both a AOH and LAOH endeavor, and since the two AOH

divisions are putting in money, were the two LAOH divisions also going to match these funds. At this point the

discussion became very heated. It also came out that the only representation on the Convention committee were from the

Charlotte AOH division and the Huntersville LAOH division. I was reminded that on Feb. 13th

I was sent an email

asking for two representatives from our division to attend a committee meeting. The first meeting was to be held on Feb.

26th

. After I received that email, I sent a request to the division officers asking for two volunteers. Again on Feb 22nd

, I

sent another email asking for someone to volunteer. On March 7th

, after the committee meeting was held, someone did

email me and said they would be one of the two. A day or two later, another brother offered to be on the committee.

Again, this was after the first meeting was done and over. We were told last night that a hotel had been picked and a

deposit placed, and that entertainment was already secured, and this all being done without any reps from Meck 2 AOH

and Meck 1 LAOH.

At that point, going on 9:00 PM, I informed the County President that the St Brendan division would not be part of the

2013 convention. There were other issues that Ron Haley, our division’s raffle chairman, had asked brother Ray

Fitzgerald to bring up, but due to the heated atmosphere and the lateness of the hour, these issues were not brought up. I

am asking all of the brothers of the St Brendan division to please try to make the July business meeting because some of

these items need to be voted on and I would like to have a majority of brothers in attendance.

God Bless

Joe Dougherty

THE RAFFLE TICKETS ARE IN AND AVAILABLE. PLEASE SEE BROTHER RON HALEY FOR YOURS. REMEMBER, THIS IS OUR ONE BIG FUNDRAISER FOR THE YEAR AND WE NEED YOUR HELP. WE ASK EACH BROTHER TO BUY OR SELL AT LEAST 7 TICKETS.

BIRTHDAYS IN THE MONTH OF July

Colin Haley Son of Brother Ron July 3rd

Robert Murphy Jr. Son of Brother Robert July 3rd

Charlie Swengros Division Brother July 4th

Michael FitzGerald Son of Brother Ray July 6th

Sandy O’Keefe Wife of Brother Chris July 7th

Allison Fisher Daughter of Brother Scott July 9th

Michelle Fisher Wife of Brother Scott July 14th

Kathleen Mann Daughter of Brother Gene July 17th

Amy Dougherty Daughter of Brother Joe July 21st

Emily O’Keefe Daughter of Brother Chris July 28th

Martin Fisher Division Brother July 28th

Anniversaries in the Month of June

Scott & Erin Stephan Married July 3 rd

Shane & Mary Margaret Lis Married July 6th

Joe & Nancy Dougherty Married July 12th

View from Jury’s Hotel in Galway Father Voitus Blessing

Inside Old St Patrick’s NYC Front door of Old St Patrick’s AOH Plaque at Old St Patrick’s

Irish Saints

Saint Oliver Plunkett

Feast Day, July 11

Oliver Plunkett was born in 1629 in Loughcrew, County

Meath, Ireland to well-to-do parents of Hiberno-Norman

origin. He was related by birth to a number of landed

families, such as the recently ennobled Earl of

Roscommon, as well as the long-established Earl of

Fingall, Lord Louth and Lord Dunsany. Until his

sixteenth year, the boy's education was entrusted to his

cousin Patrick Plunkett, Abbot of St Mary's, Dublin, and

brother of the first Earl of Fingall who later became

bishop, successively, of Ardagh and Meath. As an

aspirant to the priesthood, he set out for Rome in 1647,

under the care of Father Pierfrancesco Scarampi, of the

Roman Oratory. At this time, the Irish Confederate

Wars were raging in Ireland; these were essentially

conflicts between native Irish Roman Catholics,

English, and Irish Anglicans and Protestants. Scarampi

was the Papal envoy to the Roman Catholic movement

known as the Confederation of Ireland. Many of

Plunkett's relatives were involved in this organization

He was admitted to the Irish College in Rome and he

proved to be an able pupil. He was ordained a priest in

1654, and deputed by the Irish bishops to act as their

representative in Rome. Meanwhile, the Cromwellian

conquest of Ireland (1649–53) had defeated the Roman

Catholic cause in Ireland and, in the aftermath, the

public practice of Roman Catholicism was banned and

Roman Catholic clergy were executed. As a result, it

was impossible for Plunkett to return to Ireland for

many years. He petitioned to remain in Rome and, in

1657, became a professor of theology. Throughout the

period of the Commonwealth and the first years of

Charles II's reign, he successfully pleaded the cause of

the Irish Roman Church, and also served as theological

professor at the College of Propaganda Fide. At the

Congregation of Propaganda Fide on July 9, 1669, he

was appointed Archbishop of Armagh, the Irish

primatial see, and was consecrated on November 30 at

Ghent by the Bishop of Ghent, He eventually set foot on

Irish soil again on March 7, 1670, as the English

Restoration of 1660 had started on a tolerant basis. The

pallium was granted him in the Consistory of July 28,

1670. After arriving back in Ireland, he set about

reorganising the ravaged Roman Church and built

schools both for the young and for clergy, whom he

found 'ignorant in moral theology and controversies'. He

tackled drunkenness among the clergy, writing 'Let us

remove this defect from an Irish priest, and he will be a

saint'. The Penal Laws had been relaxed in line with the

Declaration of Breda in 1660 and he was able to

establish a Jesuit College in Drogheda in 1670. A year

later 150 students attended the college. On the

enactment of the Test Act in 1673, which Plunkett

would not agree to for doctrinal reasons, the college was

levelled to the ground. Plunkett went into hiding,

traveling only in disguise, and refused a government

edict to register at a seaport to await passage into exile.

In 1678, the so-called Popish Plot, concocted in England

by Titus Oates, led to further anti-Roman Catholicism.

Archbishop Peter Talbot of Dublin was arrested, and

Plunkett again went into hiding. The Privy Council in

London was told he had plotted a French invasion.

Despite being on the run and with a price on his head,

he refused to leave his flock. He was arrested in Dublin

in December 1679 and imprisoned in Dublin Castle,

where he gave absolution to the dying Talbot. At some

point before his final incarceration, he took refuge in a

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loughcrewhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/County_Meathhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/County_Meathhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiberno-Normanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landlordhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earl_of_Roscommonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earl_of_Roscommonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earl_of_Fingallhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earl_of_Fingallhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baron_Louthhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baron_Dunsanyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earl_of_Fingallhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pierfrancesco_Scarampihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_Confederate_Warshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_Confederate_Warshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Catholichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anglicanshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protestantshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confederate_Irelandhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_College_in_Romehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cromwellian_conquest_of_Irelandhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cromwellian_conquest_of_Irelandhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_Commonwealthhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_II_of_Englandhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Collegeshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghenthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bishop_of_Ghenthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_Restorationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_Restorationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palliumhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consistoryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penal_Lawshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Declaration_of_Bredahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesuithttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Droghedahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Test_Acthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Popish_Plothttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titus_Oateshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archbishop_Peter_Talbothttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dublinhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Privy_Councilhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dublin_Castlehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incarceration

church that once stood in the townland of Killartry in

County Louth, in the parish of Clogherhead, seven miles

outside of Drogheda. He was tried at Dundalk for

conspiring against the state by plotting to bring 20,000

French soldiers into the country, and for levying a tax

on his clergy to support 70,000 men for rebellion.

Though this was unproven, some in government circles

were worried about, and some used the excuse, that

another rebellion was being planned. Lord Shaftesbury

knew Oliver Plunkett would never be convicted in

Ireland and had him moved to Newgate Prison, London.

The first grand jury found no true bill, but he was not

released. The second trial was claimed to be a kangaroo

court; Lord Campbell, writing of the judge, Sir Francis

Pemberton, claimed it a disgrace to himself and his

country. Plunkett was found guilty of high treason on

June, 1681 "for promoting the Roman faith,"[citation needed]

and was condemned to a gruesome death. On July 1,

1681, Plunkett became the last Roman Catholic martyr

to die in England when he was hanged, drawn and

quartered at Tyburn. His body was initially buried in

two tin boxes next to five Jesuits who had died before in

the courtyard of St Giles. The remains were exhumed in

1683 and moved to the Benedictine monastery at

Lamspringe, near Hildesheim in Germany. The head

was brought to Rome, and from there to Armagh and

eventually to Drogheda where, since June 29, 1921, it

has rested in Saint Peter's Church. Most of the body was

brought to Downside Abbey, England, where the major

part is located today, with some parts remaining at

Lamspringe. Some relics were brought to Ireland in

May 1975, while others are in England, France,

Germany, the United States, and Australia. Oliver

Plunkett was beatified in 1920 and canonised in 1975,

the first new Irish saint for almost seven hundred

years,[4]

and the first of the Irish martyrs to be beatified.

For the canonisation, the customary second miracle was

waived. (He has since been followed by 17 other Irish

martyrs who were beatified by Pope John Paul II in

1992. Among them were Archbishop Dermot O'Hurley,

Margaret Ball, and the Wexford Martyrs.) Nevertheless,

his ministry during its time was most successful and he

confirmed over 48,000 people over a four-year period.

In 1997, he became a patron saint for peace and

reconciliation in Ireland, adopted by the prayer group

campaigning for peace in Ireland, 'St Oliver Plunkett for

Peace and Reconciliation'.

Ashford Castle Bloody Sunday victims, Derry Seisiun band in Galway Pub

The Wall in Derry Our Lady of Knock Shrine

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clogherheadhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dundalkhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_rebellion_of_1641http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_Ashley-Cooper,_1st_Earl_of_Shaftesburyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newgate_Prisonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/True_billhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kangaroo_courthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kangaroo_courthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lord_Campbellhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Pembertonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Pembertonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_neededhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martyrhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanged,_drawn_and_quarteredhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanged,_drawn_and_quarteredhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tyburn,_Londonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesuitshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Giles_in_the_Fieldshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lamspringehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hildesheimhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armaghhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Droghedahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Peter%27s_Roman_Catholic_Church,_Droghedahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Downside_Abbeyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Relichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oliver_Plunkett#cite_note-3http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_martyrshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beatifiedhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_John_Paul_IIhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archbishophttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dermot_O%27Hurleyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Ballhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wexford_Martyrshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confirmation

A Bi t of Irish History July 1690 - The Battle of the Boyne

On July 1st, 1690, two armies consisting of Danish, French, Dutch, Huguenot, German, English and even Irish troops met on the banks of the River Boyne near Drogheda. Both were led by men insisting that they alone were the rightful King of England. The main force of both armies never took part in the fighting. The Battle of the Boyne was not decisive in any way. It wasn't even about Ireland - yet it became one of the most iconic events in Irish history. 1688 - The Glorious Revolution To explain the Battle of the Boyne one has to start at the root cause of it. King James II of England, a Stuart, aroused the suspicions of the Westminster parliament by his reactionary politics and his definite leanings towards the Catholic Church. Succeeding his brother Charles II as king, James was already 51 years old and not expected to last. Or build a dynasty - he was childless. And next in line for the throne was Mary, Charles' niece, married to William - an obscure European nobleman currently Stadtholder of the (staunchly Protestant) Netherlands. While his religious beliefs might have been tolerable for a while, James' claim to being the absolute ruler got the Houses of Parliament's collective feathers immediately into a ruffle. Less than 40 years ago a king's head was chopped off for similar aspirations. Four months after James II accession the first rebellion under the Duke of Monmouth (his nephew, albeit illegitimate) failed. The "Bloody Assizes" followed, ringing home the reality of absolute kingship. The final straw arrived on June 10th, 1688, in the form of the Prince of Wales - as if by magic James had suddenly succeeded in creating a male heir! Catholic succession was ensured. William put all his eggs into one basket, sailed for England and landed at Brixham on November 5th, 1688. Ensuring the support of English dissidents, William marched upon London, manage to throw James out of England. The "Glorious Revolution" was a success and on February 13th William and Mary were crowned joint sovereigns - after signing the Bill of Rights and effectively making absolute monarchy impossible.

Jacobites Versus Williamites

The Glorious Revolution ripped Britain politically apart - supporters of "the Old King" vowing to resist the political change by force. They became collectively known as the Jacobites, James being the English version of the Biblical name Jacob. Not surprisingly supporters of King William became known as Willamites. To view this conflict as a religious issue is a futile exercise - though James' Catholicism caused suspicion and ultimately led to his downfall. Political issues were far more important. And the Protestant William actually had the support of Pope Innocent XI. And William's European allies were mainly drawn from the League of Augsburg - an anti-French cabal of nobility, but including Catholic states as well.

Battleground Ireland

Ireland became a battleground almost by accident - having left England, James II had de facto handed William the crown on a silver plate. His only hope of restoration was linked to a return to his realm. And only one part was considered secure and sympathetic enough - Catholic Ireland, effectively ruled by the Jacobite Tyrconnel. Tyrconnel was determined to hold on to power in Ireland and played a diplomatic cat-and-mouse-game involving William, James and Louis XIV of France. With French blessings and military support James II landed at Kinsale on March 12th, 1689, bent on re-conquering Ireland, than Scotland, then

http://goireland.about.com/od/countycork/gr/kinsale.htm

England. Several Jacobite successes followed and the Siege of Derry began on April 16th, the Williamites were seemingly losing on a big scale. And James even managed to establish his own parliament in Dublin. But the military campaign of the Duke of Schomberg, at that time a Brandenburg general "on loan" to William, almost reversed the situation. And on June 14th, 1690, William III entered Ireland at the head of 15,000 troops (mostly Dutch and Danish) - using the port of Carrickfergus and heading south for Dublin via Newry and Drogheda. James II decided to thwart this plan by defending Dublin on the banks of the River Boyne. Occupying Drogheda and the Oldbridge Estate to the west looked like a good idea at the time.

The Battle of the Boyne in 1690

The situation on the morning of July 1st, 1690, was clear - William III wanted to get through to Dublin and had to find a way across the Boyne. Easier said than done, with Drogheda occupied and fortified by Jacobite troops a crossing near the Oldbridge Estate looked the only achievable goal. So William marched his assorted troops there. Waiting to meet him was the army loyal to James II, led by the man himself. And this is the first reason why the battle achieved fame: It was the only time both kings were actually on a battlefield, facing each other (albeit at a distance). The battle itself, though bloody enough, was not a massive engagement. Many troops only "fought" outside musket range, others got (literally) bogged down, reduced to glaring at an enemy scowling back across a piece of unpassable land. And while the Jacobites had (in theory) a very defensible position the Williamites more than straightened the odds by having and employing artillery as well as fielding experienced soldiers. Within a few hours these soldiers, despite losing the Duke of Schomberg, managed to force a passage across the Boyne, to beat back counter-attacks and to establish a safe passage across the river, onwards to Dublin. And here further iconic status was gained - William of Orange crossing the Boyne became the emblematic image it still is today. And James fleeing pell-mell southwards, finally to France and never to return, is not forgotten either. Neither is his remark to Lady Tyrconnel that her countrymen certainly ran well. In reply to which she observed that he seemed to have outrun them. But one has to add that James was not too far off the mark - especially the "Gaelic Irish" regiments again proved their tendency to simply go home when their commanding officer was killed. The "cause" was a very nebulous concept to them.

The Subsequent Failure of the Jacobite Cause

As the Battle of the Boyne was not decisive in any way, the war continued. Mainly thanks to William's biggest blunder - instead of opting for peace and reconciliation he lambasted the Jacobites and drew up punitive terms under which their surrender might be recognized. Winning hearts and minds obviously was not very high on his agenda - and thus he actually managed to stiffen the enemy's resistance. Which only ended more than a year later at Limerick. Jacobites made two more serious attempts to regain the throne for the Stuarts - in 1715 and again in 1745, the last under the ineffective but very romantic "Bonnie Prince Charlie". After the massacre of his troops during the Battle of Culloden (Scotland) the Jacobite cause effectively ran out of steam. But Culloden became as iconic for Scotland as the Battle of the Boyne is for Ireland.

The Battle of the Boyne as a Protestant Icon

Despite its ultimate historic insignificance, the Battle of the Boyne became a Protestant and Unionist icon - this was mainly due to the presence of both kings on the battlefield. The image of James running from the victorious William was too good to resist. Even if the Protestant William fought the Catholic James with the unlikely backing of Pope Innocent XI! The Orange Order, founded in the 1790s to preserve the Protestant Ascendency, made the celebration of the battle the central event of its calendar. Which it still is today - though the highlight of the marching season is actually taking place on July 12th, the wrong day. July 12th is a public holiday in Northern Ireland and massive parades are held in commemoration of William's victory. An impressive event, though highly divisive and sectarian in character. And a tour of (Protestant) Belfast will surely bring you face to face with the iconic image burned into Irish minds - "King Billy" in a red coat, astride a white horse, pointing his sword towards victory and a glorious Protestant-dominated future. This representation may not be historically correct, but every Irish schoolboy will instantly recognize it. On both parts of the divide. It represents not only Protestant victory but also the close connection to England.

http://goireland.about.com/od/historyculture/qt/boynebattlemyth.htmhttp://goireland.about.com/od/preparingyourtrip/qt/publicholidays.htm

Division Calendar of Events for July

July 14th Regular Business Meeting 7:30 PM Room 200 St Mark’s

July 28th Division Social at Pelican’s Patio & Grill in Cornelius 6:30 PM

If you have something you would like added to the website, please send to Brother Chris

O’Keefe @

www.aohmeck2.org

The Old Sod Group at the Bloody Sunday March AOH Club in Derry

Along a road in Cong Getting ready for the March The Finian Club in Belfast

DON’T FORGET TO ORDER YOUR CHARLOTTE

KNIGHTS BASEBALL TICKETS FROM BROTHER SCOTT

STEPHAN. THE DATE IS AUGUST 21ST

Irish Recipe

Irish Apple Cake

Ingredients: • 4 tablespoons butter • 1 cup granulated sugar

• 1 egg, beaten • 4 Granny Smith apples, cored, peeled, and diced

• 1/4 cup chopped walnuts • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

• 1/2 teaspoon salt • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

• 1 cup all-purpose flour • Whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for serving

Directions:

Food historian and cookbook author Theodora Fitzgibbon once said, "All Irish people have a very sweet tooth," and if

you grew up in an Irish household you know this to be true. In the earliest times, the sweet was a simple concoction of

fruit and honey: later cooks found that fruit and berries were equally delicious baked in pies, puddings, and cakes.

Legendary Irish cook Myrtle Allen of Ballymaloe House, County Cork, says, "Homemade apple cakes are the most

popular sweet in Ireland," and apples in general are the basis of many traditional and contemporary Irish desserts.

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Generously grease an 8-inch square cake pan. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar

together until light and fluffy. Add the egg, apples, nuts, and vanilla and stir well. Sift in the dry ingredients and mix

well. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake until the cake is lightly browned and a skewer inserted into the

center comes out clean, about 45 minutes. Let cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then unmold and serve warm or at room

temperature with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

Serves 10 to 12.

RAFFLE TICKETS

ALL CHECKS FOR RAFFLE TICKETS SHOULD BE MADE OUT

TO:

“MECK 2 AOH”

Martin In Ireland, the surname Martin may be of English, Scottish or native Irish origin.

Those of Irish origin are believed to stem from 'Mac Giolla Mhartain' meaning 'son of the follower of (St) Martin'. The

best-known Martins were strongest in Galway city and county for centuries and were of English extraction, having

arrived with the Normans. These Martins were one of the celebrated "Tribes of Galway".

'Mac Giolla Mhartain' was also anglicised as 'Gilmartin' or 'Kilmartin', and they were a branch of the O'Neills, who

originally held territory in the barony of Clogher in County Tyrone. They were eventually displaced into the adjoining

counties of Sligo and Leitrim, where they are still numerous today.

The surname is very common, in many variant forms, across Europe and this is credited to the widespread fame of the

fourth-century St Martin of Tours. The Martin surname might also have origins in the ancient Latin name Martinus,

derived from Mars, the Roman god of fertility and war.

Famous Martin People

Giolla Ernain Ó Martain, who died in 1218, was an Irish poet and Chief Ollam (bard / poet) of Ireland.

Fergal MacMartin was Bishop of Killala from 1425 to 1432.

Richard ('Humanity Dick') Martin (1754-1834), of the Galway family, the originator of legislation against cruelty to

animals, who was one of the founders of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Irish political activist John Martin (1812-1875) the Young Irelander.

In the Irish literary world, the novelist Harriet Letitia Martin (1801-1891), her niece, Irish writer Mary Letitia Martin

(1815–1850) and her cousin Irish author Violet Florence Martin (1862–1915).

Thomas Augustine "Gus" Martin (1935 – 1995) was an Irish academic, Anglo-Irish scholar, teacher, writer, broadcaster

and literary critic. During his career he was Professor of Anglo-Irish Literature at University College Dublin, Artistic

Director of the Abbey Theatre (Dublin) and an elected member of the Seanad Éireann from 1973 to 1981.

Northern Ireland's Alliance Party founder Sir Oliver

Napier dies aged 75

Sir Oliver Napier, the first leader of Northern Ireland's cross-faith Alliance Party, died Saturday.

He was 75.

Sir Oliver Napier Photo: PA

2:43PM BST 02 Jul 2011

Sir Napier helped found the Alliance Party, which was designed to appeal to both Protestants and

Catholics in Northern Ireland's divided political scene, in 1970. He went on to become its first leader in

1973, and later served as a minister in the 1974 powersharing parliament.

The Alliance Party is now the fifth largest party in Northern Ireland.

Alliance Party leader David Ford praised Sir Napier as a "visionary" whose work eventually led to

peace in Northern Ireland.

David Ford said: "He was ahead of his time but the vision he had is demonstrated in all the excellent

work being done to improve community relations in Northern Ireland."

Sir Napier was born in Belfast and raised as a Catholic. He became a lawyer at his father's firm before

going into politics. He is survived by his wife Briege, nine children and 23 grandchildren.

Sir Napier's son John Paul Napier said his father had never let threats of violence against him deter

him.

He said: "Despite entering politics in Northern Ireland's darkest hour, he was eternally optimistic that a

meaningful partnership between both sections of the community was possible if people had the courage

to reach for it."

W H A T ’S G O I N G O N ? Since many of the brothers’ travel during the year, I will list things that are going on throughout the U.S. that

may be of interest to any Irish man or woman.

New York City- New York Public Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center-

“Irish America: The Ties that Bind”. Now until August 13th

. Info:

www.nypl.org/events/exhibitions/ties-bind-irish-performing-america?hpfeature=2

Free to the Public

Littleton, CO- Colorado Irish Festival: July 8th

9th

and 10th

www.coloradoirishfestival.org/Home.html

Augusta, GA – Irish-Celtic Week: July 24th

to 29th

www.augustaheritage.com/irish.html

Dublin, OH – Dublin Irish Festival: August 5, 6 & 7

www.dublinirishfestival.org/

Fort Mill, SC - St. Brendan Division picnic at Charlotte Knights Baseball Game: August 21st

Charlotte, NC – The Charlotte Irish Summer Festival: It is in August but date is not

certain. Web site still has 2010 dates.

www.charlotteirishsummerfestival.com/

Milwaukee, WI-Milwaukee Irish Festival; August 18th

19th

20th

and 21st

www.irishfest.com/

Louisville, KY-Louisville Irish Festival: September 10th

and 11th

www.louisvilleirishfest.com/

www.nypl.org/events/exhibitions/ties-bind-irish-performing-america?hpfeature=2www.coloradoirishfestival.org/Home.htmlwww.augustaheritage.com/irish.htmlwww.dublinirishfestival.org/www.charlotteirishsummerfestival.com/www.irishfest.com/www.louisvilleirishfest.com/