February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
. . . TO SWIM WITH DOLPHINS
A Musical Tribute to Jolene Briege Marlow
Loreto Grammar School Choir
Some good can come out of bad. The aftermath of the Omagh bomb tragedy has spawned a number of worthwhile projects, not least this CD/tape in memory of Jolene Briege Marlow, a high school student who lost her life in the blast that shattered not just the physical heart of a County Tyrone town. Jolene’s ambition in life was to become a marine biologist and to swim with dolphins. "That would be paradise," she wrote a friend in 1995. This recording features a number of well-known songs by the senior and junior choirs, musicians and soloists of the school which Jolene attended up to her tragic death. All profits from sales are to go to charity, the first earmarked being the Kosovo Relief Fund. CD/tapes are available by mail from Ireland. For details on availability and price contact Open Ear Productions, Main St., Oughterard, Co. Galway, Ireland or phone O11-353-91-552816. E-mail details at production@openear.ie while general information is available from Ciaran Mulhearn "Atlantic View," Forremoyle East, Barna, Co. Galway, phone 011-353-91-590357 or e-mail at ciaranmulhern@tinet.ie.
IN THEIR OWN WORDS
The Famine in North Connacht, 1845-1849
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Liam Swords
Much as been written about the Famine, or Great Hunger, in Ireland. But this book by Liam Swords, a priest of the Diocese of Achonry, recounts the experiences, words and reflections of eyewitnesses to the Famine in their own words. Some are the words of victims themselves, others come from letters by priests and ministers, resolutions of boards of guardians, reports of local constabulary or Poor Law inspectors. The book also contains lists of passengers who sailed from Sligo to New York. In addition, there are more than 50 pages of names of inhabitants of towns, villages and parishes. Distributed in U.S by Irish Books and Media, (612) 871-3505. 490 pp. $49.95.
SPORT AND NATIONALISM IN IRELAND
Gaelic Games, Soccer and Irish identity since 1884
Mike Cronin
Two round balls. One you can pick up, one you can’t. But in the context of Irish history over the last 100 years or so, the differences between Gaelic football and soccer have often been defined in terms of more than just rules of play. At the same time, both games have competed for the hearts and minds of Irish fans eager to display loyalty to a particular county, city, culture, nation. The author, based at the International Centre for Sports History and Culture at De Montfort University in Leicester, examines the development of Irish nationalism within the context of the two footballing codes. Published by Four Courts Press and available through ISBS distributors 5804 N.E. Hassalo St., Portland, Oregon 97213, phone (503) 287-3093. 214 PP. $55 hardback, $29.50 paper.