|
Published: September 14, 2008 12:41 am
FESTIVAL: Celtic fun
Drizzle makes Olcott Beach a little like old sod
By Bill Wolcott E-mail Bill
Lockport Union-Sun & Journal
By Bill Wolcott
wolcottb@gnnewspaper.com
NEWFANE — Overcast skies and threatening weather made it a perfect Celtic day early Saturday. Drizzles may have changed Olcott Beach a tad to look a little too much like home, but it was not dreary for the good-natured folks from the British Isles.
There was cheer, beer, dancing, singing, bag piping and games for the children, who threw little bean bags, played miniature golf and had their faces painted. Meanwhile, the big kids were throwing heavy things in the Highland games.
Music came from the Celtic Art Stage and the main stage. That’s where Maureen Daniels, Liz Moffit and Kathy Murphy danced to the music of Boughton Hill Band. Their dance wasn’t on the program — it was spontaneous merry-making by the silver-haired ladies who held hands and went in circles and then locked arms and went in circles.
“I don’t even live around here,” said Daniels who was catching her breath. “I live in South Carolina and I’m just visiting. They made me dance.”
It’s true. “Wherever we go, she’s got to go,” Murphy said. “She’s
having a great old time.”
Moffit, who is originally from Limerick, Ireland, was the queen of the crew. The women offered a song and Kitty O’Shea recited a limerick.
“I have the most dangerous name in Irish history,” she said. “I’m only carrying the name. I’m not carrying the blame.”
Kitty O'Shea was an English woman of aristocratic background whose relationship with Charles Stewart Parnell eventually caused his political downfall.
A woman of high rank left her husband, Capt. William O'Shea, a Catholic Nationalist Member of Parliament, to live with Parnell who fathered three of her children.
It was a scandalous story that had to do with First Irish Home Rule Bill in 1886.
There were several full-bosomed women, many who played wenches. Others were of the merchant class.
Sarah Keidel came with the Sterling Invaders from the Sterling Renaissance Festival. Although she enjoyed Guinness in a mug, she was not barmaid, but from the merchant class.
Men in kilts threw long poles and a fellow with a red beard shot off a blunderbuss. Clans were re-enacting; sheep, goats and donkeys were being fed by the children.
Rachael Gaines, 13, of Hilton, was carrying a terrier in a shamrock-embroider pouch. A member of the Sterling Invaders, she was dog-sitting while in a costume.
Rachael has been coming to the Olcott festival since she was 7. “I like the fact that they allow the animals to come in and run around and let the children be involved in some things, instead of just shops.”
There were plenty of shops and a Gaelic libations tent where one could buy mead, perhaps the first wine, made of honey.
“We came to check it out,” Carl Creasey of Hamlin said of the festival. “It sounded like a fun day and my wife, Brenda, is Irish. Alexis and Nicolina were anxious to go to the play area.
Diane Donner of Lockport brought her twin sons, Jason and Michael, 8 at the urging of her sister Doreen Haseley. The kids liked to hand feed and pet the animals.
Gil Paul of Niagara Falls enjoyed a Scottish hard-boiled egg topped with sausage and horseradish sauce. Sharon Paul tried the shepherd’s pie.
The festival resumes today at 11 a.m. The McCarthy School of Irish Dance will perform on the main stage at 12:30 p.m. The O’Sullivan Academy of Irish Dance performs at 4 p.m.
Closing ceremonies are at 5 p.m.
Contact reporter Bill Wolcott
439-9222, ext. 6246.
|
|
|
Photos
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Store Manager
STORE MANAGER - Looking for individual with strong leadership and customer service skills to run convenience store in Lo...>MORE
PATIENT SERVICE MANAGER
PATIENT SERVICE MANAGER Full-Time management position responsible for promoting & maintaining the...>MORE
Nurses
NURSES RNs & LPNs
We have assignments available in home care & staffing. Interim Health Care...>MORE
Spanish Teacher
SPANISH Teacher-F/T, Exp., NYS Cert. Send resume to khalgash@ wny.twcbc.com or St. Peter RC School 140 N. 6th St., Lewis...>MORE
Patient Service
PATIENT SERVICE MANAGER Full-Time management position responsible for promoting & maintaining the...>MORE
School District Treasurer
IMMEDIATE Opening - School District Treasurer. Degree in accounting and experience required. Supervisor skills a must. S...>MORE
Senior Resident Counselor
SENIOR RESIDENT COUNSELOR: Responsible for the Case Management and Rehabilitation Planning for a caseload of residents i...>MORE
waitress
Waitress will train. Apply at Christos Restaurant, 2117 Military Rd. Niagara Falls, NY ...>MORE
Occupational Therapist
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST. Full-time day position. NYS license and registration required. Send resume or apply: Employment ...>MORE
Packagers
Packagers , General Production & Assembly. 1st shift. Sanborn area. Remedy, 298-4933...>MORE
See all ads |
Dodge 1996 Grand Caravan
Niagara Falls 2753 NIAGARA ST. FRI. SAT. 9AM-4PM oriental rug, old tools, antique car parts, toys, ...>MORE
1994 Buick Roadmaster Estate Wagon
BUICK 1994 Roadmaster Estate Wagon, V8, 130k, fair condition, 1 owner. $2800 or BO. 297-1061....>MORE
Pontiac 2004 Grand prix GT
PONTIAC 2004 Grand Prix GT 4 door, good cond, $8000, 998-5596...>MORE
Chevrolet 2002 Cavalier
CHEVROLET 2002 CAVALIER with 80,00 miles. Must see! Well maintained! Silver ext., Gray int., 2DR, Automatic, Fro...>MORE
2000 Chevy S-10
CHEVY 2000 S-10 pick up, 2.2L, 5 spd, ext cab, EC in & out, CD, cold AC, great gas mi. $2750. 523-7102...>MORE
1997 Ford Taurus GL
FORD 1997 Taurus GL, good condition, cold A/C, cruise, 1 owner, white. $1995 or BO. 990-6187....>MORE
1994 Pontiac Sunbird
PONTIAC 1994 Sunbird conv. V6, EC in & out, red w/blk top, wht int., CD, real sharp. $2850. 523-7102...>MORE
1990 Chevy 2500
1990 CHEVY 2500 pick up, fresh paint, 160k mi, good runner, 4WD, ext cab, $2500, 716-572-9153...>MORE
Ford 1999 150
FORD 1999 150 pickup, good cond., tool box, bedliner, standard, $2500 or BO. 523-3653...>MORE
Dodge 2001 SLt
‘O1 DODGE SLT, 8’ bed, cap, spray line, low miles. Never seen winters, $7,300. 998-0230...>MORE
See all ads |
|
See all ads |
|
 |
|