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	TITLE - Clan Na nGael Weekly Notes March 11th 2003 -3/11/2003 MARCH 11th 2003 Welcome to the Atlanta Clan Na nGael GAA Club email Newsletter. It's purpose is to inform our members and friends of goings on and items of interest. Feel free to forward this to anyone you think may be interested in our activities ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARADE The 122nd Atlanta St. Patrick's Day Parade will be held in Buckhead this Saturday, March 15th, starting at 1pm. This will be the largest, best publicized St. Patrick's Parade since the first such event 145 years ago. This year we anticipate 200 units, including at least 24 major floats, bands of every kind, military units, pipes & drums, hundreds of children, Irish dancers, clowns, high tech firefighting equipment, police units, drill teams, dogs, horses, antique cars and a nationally known Grand Marshall. This year is going to be an even BIGGER DEAL than last year's spectacular success. For up to date info on the Parade check www.stpatsatlanta.com. Clan Na nGael are responsible for "marshalling" the Parade. We need volunteers to help us from 10am – 3pm with organizing the line up, assisting with the start and the smooth running of the parade along the route. Please email PRO@atlantagaa.org for information. If you are interested in marching with Clan Na nGael in the parade please report to the junction of Maple Drive and East Paces Ferry Road at 11am. If possible we ask that you wear a Clan Na nGael t-shirt or your County GAA Shirt from home. For more info email chairman@atlantagaa.org (Laura THE HARP IRISH PUB Live Music Friday 9.30pm – 1am St. Patrick's Weekend Sat – Mon Live Music Inside & Outside All Weekend Including Martin Conway Saturday 15th 9pm – 1am Sunday 16th 6pm – 10pm Monday 17th St. Patrick's Day 7pm – 11pm For further info on The Harp please check out www.harp-pub.com or call 770 645 0118 ST. BALDRICKS RAISES MONEY FOR KIDS CANCER RESEARCH Last St. Patrick's Day Patrick Connolly and myself got our heads shaved as part of the St. Baldrick's Fundraiser. This event is going to be repeated again this year   Nearly a million dollars was raised last year by people like ourselves known as 'Shavees' who for sponsorship from family, friends etc. had their heads shaved in support of the NCCF and in solidarity with all those cancer patients who lose their hair as part of treatment.   Pediatric cancer centers around the world also benefit from NCCF research. For instance Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin, Dublin, Ireland has an alliance with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis. This year the event will be held in three venues in Atlanta: Mc Duffs & Fado in Buckhead and The Harp in Roswell. On the 15th of March in McDuffs at 3pm then Fado at 5pm. On Sunday afternoon "shaving" will take place in The Harp. One early volunteer in The Harp is Paul Smith - it will be worth money to see "The Pony Tail" go!!!!! It hasn't been confirmed yet but Paddy and myself may do it again this year. Turn up on Sunday to see.   Also getting his head shaved in The Harp on Sunday is Donal Fleming whose  3-1/2 year old daughter, Ciara, was treated for a rare childhood cancer from Sept. '01 to July '02 in Children's Healthcare of Atlanta (Scottish Rite), one of the hospitals that benefits from the support of the National Childhood Cancer Foundation (NCCF). Thanks to recent childhood cancer research Ciara's prognosis is good. If you would like to sponsor Donal can you please click here. or else show up at any of the scheduled events and give a little to help a very important cause.   RAT IN THE SKULL Clan Na nGael in association with Theatre Gael are pleased to present Rat In The Skull by Irish playwright Ron Hutchinson on Thursday, March 20th at the 14th Street Theatre in Midtown starting at 8pm Rat in the Skull by Ron Hutchinson is an intensely powerful piece about the sectarian divide in the North of Ireland. It paints a terrifying picture of a society so divided against itself that reconciliation seems impossible. An IRA bomber, Roche, is caught by the Metropolitan Police Anti-Terrorist Squad and held in Paddington Greenpolice station in London. Detective Inspector Nelson of the RUC is called back from leave to interview Roche and try to "turn" him, lead him into becoming an informant. The story is told in flashback and the relationship between the Catholic Roche and the Protestant Nelson is laid bare in searing detail, watched in total bafflement by Harris, a senior Anti-Terrorist Squad officer, and Naylor, a probationary constable. For these two (and, incidentally, there is a sub-plot about the Force "looking after its own") the world of what both Roche and Nelson see as a war zone is totally foreign and almost beyond their understanding. Harris, in fact, sees Nelson and the RUC as almost as much of an enemy as the IRA. The play is both a police thriller and a psychological dissection. At its heart is a confrontation between two raging obsessions. What cause is there in nature that makes these hard, bigoted men. obsessed with the past, with age-old grievances, and their ghastly symbolism? To an Ulster Protestant, keeping the taigs underfoot is the continuation of insecurity by other means. To an Ulster Catholic, terrorism is freedom of choice by other means. Meanwhile the British observe things with distaste or despair, according to their level of intelligence or moral conscience. As Harris sagely observes: "Scratch them and they're all paddies underneath." Tickets are a special reduced $10 for this performance (Normally $16) with all proceeds going to Clan Na nGael. Please email MARTCONWAY@aol.com for information and reservations. Thank you to John Stephens and Theatre Gael. For information on Theatre Gael please check their website www.theatregael.com ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT Entries are coming in fast for the Annual Clan Na nGael Golf Tournament to be held on Saturday, April 19th at The Hampton Golf Village, Cumming, starting at 12 o' clock. The Hampton Golf Course is a scenic 18-hole Championship course designed by Clyde Johnson with many interesting and challenging hills (especially after six pints of stout) set against a backdrop of lakes and hills. Teams of 4 and individuals are welcome. Team Entry $300 Individual Entry $75 In the tradition of previous tournaments complimentary "beverages" will be available. Awards will be presented in The Harp later in the Evening. Places are limited for this very popular event so don't miss out on the craic, the prizes and the opportunity to support the Club's activities. So take a few minutes and register today. For registration and hole sponsorship information please call Tom Mc Sorley @ 770 392 0107 or email ttmcs@mindspring.com. CAMOGIE Camogie coaching will continue every Wednesday, at Morgan Falls Park starting at 7.30pm. For further info please email pfconnolly@yahoo.com (Patrick Connolly) HURLING PRACTICE In preparation for the tournament in Chicago Hurling practice will start on Wednesday, at Morgan Falls Park, Sandy Springs, starting at 7.30p. For directions, info etc email Paul@excellatron.com (Paul Browne) HURLING TOURNAMENT Clan Na nGael have been invited to participate in a Hurling and Camogie tournament involving teams from Notre Dame, Milwaukee and St. Louis. This competition is to be played at Gaelic Park, Chicago on the weekend of April 26th. If you are interested in playing or traveling as a supporter please email chairman@atlantagaa.org for details. MEN'S & LADIES FOOTBALL Football training for both Men's and Ladies will be starting soon. More information next week. ST PATRICK'S DAY EVENTS The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra presents a St Patrick's Day celebration opener with Cherish the Ladies and the All-Ireland champion step dancers, Symphony Hall, Woodruff Arts Center, Mar 14-15, 8PM, 404-733-5000, $21-55 St. Paddy's Day Weekend at Fadó Irish Pub, Mar 15-17. See the Bordercollies 3-5PM each day. Mickle-a-do will be performing all weekend long every evening 6-8PM. Other groups and performers throughout the weekend. Fadó is even sponsoring a float in the St Pats Parade on Saturday. Spivey Hall St. Patrick's Day Celebration presents Anuna, a gorgeous blend of voices and theatrical presentation that focuses on the largely lost music of ancient Ireland. Mar 14th, 8:15PM $25 Glen Road will perform at Fiddlers Green Coffee House Decatur, Mar 15th, 8 PM. For more details, contact Seegar Swanson at 404-727-2751. Hall has 150 seats at $12.00 each, $10.00 advance. There is an opening act. the Bordercollies will be performing at The Bridge Assisted Living Center, Lawrenceville, noon Eddie's Attic presents a St. Patrick's Day Extravaganza with The Buddy O'Reilly Band - Mar 16th 6PM All Ages, 9PM 21&Over - $10 per show **Specials on Irish beer & whiskey** Emerald Rose will be performing at the St Pat's weekend party Mar 16th, at the Garden Hills Rec Center, Atlanta, great stage in an intimate hall, just S of Buckhead (E. Wesley Road at Pinetree Dr) Beer and refreshments served! $10 admission. the Bordercollies will be performing at the James Joyce Irish Pub,  Avondale, 7PM until Emerald Rose will be performing at M'vorneen's Irish Pub, Cartersville, Mar 17th, 8:30PM. Diamond Dave's Steakhouse and Piano bar, Kennesaw, is having an Irish gala weekend with music from Ken McPage All Star Band, contests, prizes, and Irish food. Ceili! A Celtic Celebration! The DeKalb Choral Guild will present a special evening of music, food and dance in the Celtic tradition. The event brings all the elements of the Ceili together, including choral music from all the Celtic regions, a "Celtic Cabaret" featuring the individual talents of Guild singers, dancing led by members of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society and desserts and beverages prepared by members of the Guild. Ceili starts 8PM at the Family Life Center of the Embry Hills United Methodist Church, 3304 Henderson Mill Road, Tucker. $15 for adults, $10 for students and seniors, $5 for children 12 or under. For reservations, call 678-318- 1362. For more information, please visit the Choral Guild web site. Kathleen Donohoe and Debra Peterson - Vocals, Celtic harp, Flute and whistle March 14 -  Oakhurst/Decatur Art Gallery Museum - 321 W. Hill Street, Oakhurst   7 - 10 pm. Free to listeners March 17 -  Celebrating  M'Vorneens,  Museum St, Cartersville  first St. Patrick's Day party.  Full dinner and drinks menu.  Live music begins  6 pm (Last minute Irish Music Gift -  Kathleen Donohoe - Irish Songs You'll Love - featuring the hilarious 'Bodhran Song/When I grow up, Paddy's Green Shamrock Shore and other favorites.   email:ceolcait@mindspring.com or go to http://www.irishkathleen.com/) CREGAN O'BRIEN DANCING SCHOOL FUNDRAISER Many thanks to everyone who turned out to support the fundraiser in The Harp on Sunday afternoon. The money raised will help in sending a group of young dancers to Ireland to compete in the World Irish Dancing Championships. ATLANTA HARLEQUINS RUGBY CLUB GOLF TOURNAMENT The Atlanta Harlequins are hosting their 3rd Annual Golf Tournament at Sugar Creek Park on Sunday, March 23.  Tee times begin at 11am.  Consider it a good warm-up for the Clan Na nGael Tournament, or a shorter drive for those on the south side of town.  We, too, will have complimentary beverages delivered at each hole, along with a cookout and awards ceremony following at the course.  Team of 4 entry is $320, or $80 per individual, and hole sponsorships are available.  We are also accepting raffle item donations.  The Atlanta Harlequins are a Georgia non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation, so your donations are tax-deductible.  To register, please contact Carly Harrington at 404-243-9529 or asinsimon@yahoo.com A COUPLE OF QUOTES I HADN'T HEARD BEFORE "Football is a game for those not good enough to play hurling" - Tony Wall.   "Hurling is the Riverdance of sport" - Liam Griffin. "The GAA is an amateur association run by professionals. The FAI is a professional body run by amateurs" - Fan during the Roy Keane saga. "Fermanagh has such a small playing base. Half the county is made up of water and half of those living in the remaining half are protestants" - Fermanagh man bemoans the paucity of talent in the county You know You're a Junior Hurler when...... - after playing a stinker you hear your old fella say that your brother living in New York was a better man....and he never played hurling. - the grey haired fella at left corner forward, that you never saw at training, played hurling with your father in the early '70s and was as useless then as he is now...but he's still a legend. - you hear the old guys on the line talking about the old sliothar, that was heavier than a bag of sugar on a wet day. - you tog off underneath some trees on the 1st of February. - you go to solo with the ball the ref awards a free against you for overcarrying because the cornerback  has your hurley under his axter. - every sideline cut trickles for 5 yards. - the ref is continually giving throw ins because more than 10 hurlers were whipping on the sliothar. - the team trainer says "when we won the championship in '68... - the team trainer remembers all the dead hurlers in the pep talk. - when the bony arsed bog man in midfield is wearing shin pads. Feel free to email me any information that you would like to have included in the email Newsletter. For further information on Clan Na nGael activities please email info@atlantagaa.org All the best!!!! Martin Conway Posted By:Martin Conway