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B.C. Launch for New Book on the History of the GAA in Canada

VANCOUVER - The Vancouver Irish Sporting and Social Club will host the B.C. book launch of The History of the Gaelic Athletic Association in Canada by John O'Flynn...more

A Dark, Well-Plotted Game of Cat and Mouse'

THE REAPERS by John Connolly -The Reapers is not an 'action' thriller but rather a lengthy, dark, well-plotted game of 'cat and mouse'...more

Mystery Novel Reveals More About Ireland and Her People

THE CASE OF THE MISSING BOOKS By Ian Sansom -Sometimes it's hard to believe that anyone could be quite so naive and gullible as Israel Armstrong....more

Racecourse is Backdrop for Intriguing New Mystery Novel

THE PRICE OF BLOOD By Declan Hughes -"Whatever you say, say nothing" - that's really the bottom line in Declan Hughes' deeply disturbing novel, The Price of Blood....more

New Book Says Welsh Coal Miners 'Were a Wonderful Breed of Men'

THE BLACK MYSTERY By Ronald Rees - "Men do not with impunity tear the guts out of the earth"....more

Blackthorn: A Leading Light in the B.C. Celtic Music Scene

VANCOUVER - Blackthorn is one of Vancouver's finest local Celtic bands.....more

JUNE CD REVIEWS By CATHOLINE BUTLER

DAMANTA The Drunken Priest: and the Ghostly Hymns of Autumn - Folk band Damanta ( an Irish-Canadian hybrid project) have released their new record ....more

Broadcasting to Glasgow and the World

GLASGOW - Celtic Music Radio on 1530 kHz now broadcasts to Glasgow....more

Irish Music Songwriter Says: 'My mother raised me on Planxty'

The Canadian folk band Damanta are poised to release their new CD entitled The Drunken Priest and the Ghostly Hymns of Autumn.....more

Over 900 People at Celtic Gala Sponsored by Delta Police Pipe Band

VANCOUVER - On May 31 the Delta Police Pipe Band hosted a Celtic Gala at the South Delta Baptist Church in Tsawwassen....more

CEOL AGUS CRAIC Bring on the Summer! By ERIN MULLAN

Ceol binn a bhaint as an saol! Another soggy June on the west coast leaves residents wondering if summer will ever appear.....more

An Amazing Night for Celtic Music Fans

VANCOUVER - The Chieftains are truly one of the best Celtic bands in the world.....more

'It's Just Good Clean East Coast Table-Thumpin' Music'

VANCOUVER - Lauded by audiences and critics alike, The Back Kitchen Release Party takes over the Granville Island Stage this June.....more

Vancouver Folk Music Fest Offers Something for Every Folk-Roots-World Music Taste

VANCOUVER - This year an exciting mix of contemporary and traditional folk and roots music will ensure another lively weekend....more

California Welsh Choir on Tour in Washington State and B.C.

The Welsh Choir of Southern California (Cor Cymraeg De Califfornia) will sing at several venues....more

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Latest in Series of Crime Fiction is Nothing Short of Ingenious

CROSS By Ken Bruen - One day Jack Taylor will simply implode. Taylor is the beleaguered hero of Ken Bruen's thriller novels. ...more

Murder Mystery Grips Reader From Beginning to End

IN DUBLIN'S FAIR CITY By Rhys Bowen - My penchant for murder mysteries is usually confined to dramatizations....more

CD REVIEWS FOR MAY 2008 By CATHOLINE BUTLER

CAPERCAILLIE Roses and Tears - Capercaillie are without a doubt one of the most popular of Scottish traditional groups ....more

CEOL AGUS CRAIC Local Musicians Show Support for Well-Loved Fiddler

Ceol binn a bhaint as an saol! The local Celtic music crowd did itself proud ....more

Newfoundland's Female Artist of the Year to Launch New Album in Vancouver

ST. JOHN'S, Newfoundland - Mary Barry, Newfoundland's Female Artist of the Year, will launch her new CD Red Eye Tonight in Vancouver....more

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For those in the battlefields war is always hell

THE OTHER MAN By Kevin Dooley. The Other Man is author Kevin Dooley's second published novel, the first in The Angira Trilogy. ...more

Weaving a Forlorn Tale of Cruelty and Isolation Into One of Optimism

MICHAEL: The sequel to Norah's Children By Ann O'Farrell. Opening her latest novel in 1925 Bristol, England, Ann O'Farrell continues her admirable tale of the Kelly family...more

CD REVIEWS FOR APRIL 2008 By CATHOLINE BUTLER

Karan Casey is one of the most influential and imitated vocalists in Irish and American folk music...more

Ceili Irish Music and Dance Camp 2008

VANCOUVER - Are you a musician looking for an exciting and unusual vacation for yourself, your children or for your whole family?...more

Bringing the Concept of 'Tenor' Into Cool New Territory

One minute you're wrapped in the emotion of a song, the next you're falling over yourselves laughing at some off-the-cuff comment...more

CEOL AGUS CRAIC Friends Rally to Support Well-Loved Local Fiddler

Ceol binn a bhaint as an saol! Here's a chance to show some support for a great local musician and simply a lovely person who's in need of a helping hand....more

The Proclaims Back on Tour to Promote Latest Album

VANCOUVER - The Proclaimers return to Canada April/May to promote their latest and seventh studio album Life With You....more

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CELTIC MUSIC CD REVIEWS MARCH 2008

Sheila Ryan has just released her new CD, entitled Autumn Days...more

School of Celtic Music Forges Trad Band

GIBSONS, BC - When Iain Fraser encouraged Ann Law to begin a School of Celtic Music on the Sunshine Coast ...more

New High Kings of Ireland From Creators of Celtic Woman

From the creators of the smash hit Celtic Woman comes the new exciting Irish ballad group, The High Kings ...more

Poet and Author John O'Donohue Laid to Rest in County Clare

DUBLIN - Tributes have been paid to the life of Irish poet, author, and philosopher John O'Donohue....more

Tales From the Hearth: In the Tradition of a Great Storyteller

The tradition of the storyteller, sitting on the church steps or by the fireside spinning yarns, is captured in Kevin McFadden's little book: Tales From the Hearth....more

The Intriguing Story of an Anglo-Irish Landlord Murdered During the Great Famine

THE KILLING OF MAJOR DENIS MAHON
On the evening of Tuesday, November 2, 1847 near Strokestown, County Roscommon, Ireland, an Anglo-Irish landlord named Major Denis Mahon was assassinated...more

Gortnamona: the Life and Times of Percy French Told through Song, Sketch and Dance

VANCOUVER - Hold on, Vancouver, the Calgary Celts are a-coming! The entire cast of Gortnamona: the Life and Times of Percy French, by Frank Talbot, are returning for a limited two-night engagement...more

CD REVIEWS FOR DECEMBER/JANUARY 2008 By CATHOLINE BUTLER

MURPHY'S LAGH Dear Irish Boy - Belfast-born Damian Brennan is well-know to Lower Mainland audiences and has always has a strong following in whatever town he performs in....more

CEOL AGUS CRAIC Spring is Coming, Spring is Coming!

Ceol binn a bhaint as an saol! Spring really is coming! I know, I know, it seems foolish to say this right now, writing these words while staring out at a very snowy Vancouver.....more

Québec's Spirited Musical Heritage Showcased at Festival du Bois

COQUITLAM - The annual Festival du Bois delivers a weekend of great music focusing on the venerable squeezebox plus a Big Night Out on Saturday night featuring La Volée d'Castors!....more

Newfoundland Band's Tour Snagged by the Taxman

ST. JOHN'S - The federal tax collector pulled the plug on a Christmas tour by the Irish Descendants, a Newfoundland Celtic band. ....more

Martin Hayes Awarded Traditional Musician of the Year

ENNIS, County Clare - Martin Hayes has secured the top accolade of Traditional Musician of the Year in the 2008 TG4 Gradam Ceoil Awards...more

The Vancouver Welsh Men's Choir: Singing for the Joy of Singing

VANCOUVER - The Vancouver Welsh Men's Choir (VWMC) was formed in 1980 by a few enthusiastic members of the Vancouver Welsh Society...more

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A Well Informed and Researched History of the Hatred of Women

A BRIEF HISTORY OF MISOGYNY: THE WORLD'S OLDEST PREJUDICE By Jack Holland. "The topic was quite a conversation starter....more

The North Shore Celtic Ensemble Enthralls their Audience Again

NORTH VANCOUVER - The annual pre-Christmas concert of the North Shore Celtic Ensemble (NSCE) took place to a packed audience....more

CD REVIEWS FOR DECEMBER/JANUARY 2008 By CATHOLINE BUTLER

FUAR, Music In The Glen: Fuar in the Irish language means, cold, but there's nothing cold about the Atlanta, Georgia based group, Fuar....more

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CEOL AGUS CRAIC Great Music Helps a Great Cause - in Memory of a Great Guy!

Ceol binn a bhaint as an saol! Make sure you're down at the Wolf & Hound on December 9 for the sixth annual Danny Burns Memorial "Feed the Hungry" Benefit...more

Sixth Annual Danny Burns Memorial 'Feed the Hungry Benefit'

VANCOUVER - Mark your calendars now for the Celtic FUNdraiser event of the season....more

CD Recording Party a Great Success

VANCOUVER - The Pat Chessell Band is a new band recently formed in the Lower Mainland....more

A Fascinating Journey of Story and Song Offered on Local Trio's New CD

VANCOUVER - The Maenads is a trio that blends the rich sounds of three unique musicians....more

The Town Pants Celebrate 10th Anniversary at the Commodore

VANCOUVER - The Town Pants return to Vancouver after a three month tour of the U.S. and Canada to perform their tenth anniversary show....more

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A Look at Some of the Scots Who Helped Form Canada

HOW THE SCOTS CREATED CANADA -By Paul Cowan
The Scots left the Highlands and the Lowlands in droves to conquer the wilderness and create a thriving nation in Canada....more

An Eloquent Novel Born of Long Ago Whispers About Five Abandoned Children

NORAH'S CHILDREN - By Ann O'Farrell
After the death of my mother, Nora, this past summer, I noticed a book sent for review back in April or May. Ann O'Farrell's new novel, Norah's Children, caught my eye...more

CD REVIEWS FOR OCTOBER 2007 By CATHOLINE BUTLER

TILLER'S FOLLY -A River So Wide -British Columbia's own Tiller's Folly have just released their new CD, A River So Wide, in celebration of 10 years of playing music...more

CEOL AGUS CRAIC Great Music Can Chase Away the Rainy Day Blues!

Ceol binn a bhaint as an saol! With the early arrival of the rainy season, it's definitely time to feed the soul with an ample helping of sweet music...more

Great Big Sea: Revelling in the Tunes They Love

Great Big Sea is one of Canada's best-selling artists with well over one million records sold in Canada since 1993....more

World-Famous Irish Tenors Bringing Their Magic to Seattle

SEATTLE - The world-famous Irish Tenors will bring their magic to Seattle on December 17 when they will perform a special Holiday Concert at Benaroya Hall...more

You're Invited to a CD Recording Party

VANCOUVER - The Pat Chessell Band is a new band recently formed in the Lower Mainland....more

Calling All Celtic Musicians

Tim Readman, the new artistic director for CelticFest Vancouver, will continue to host the Tim Readman and Musical Friends series at Montmartre Café ...more

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CD REVIEWS FOR SEPTEMBER 2007 By CATHOLINE BUTLER

OLD BLIND DOGS Four On The Floor
Fifteen years is a long time in the life of any band and most who reach that milestone are content to rest on the tried and true formulas that have worked in the past....more

CEOL AGUS CRAIC Fall back into Autumnal Music!

By ERIN MULLAN
Ceol binn a bhaint as an saol! As another of our fleeting sweet summers passes, the autumn brings a variety of indoor musical pursuits as compensation....more

Michael O'Brien: A Passion for Traditional Irish Music

By SHARON GREER
My sister and I were fortunate enough to spend the month of July touring Ireland on an amazing road trip.....more

In Memory of a Legend: Tommy Makem - 1932 - 2007

By CATHOLINE BUTLER
Legendary Irish folk singer Tommy Makem was born on November 4, 1932.....more

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How Will Jack Taylor Survive His Latest Calamity?

PRIEST By Ken Bruen
Reviewed by Sharon Greer - That old booze-hound, Jack Taylor, is back in full force in Ken Bruen's recent novel, Priest.....more

CD REVIEWS FOR JULY/AUGUST 2007 By CATHOLINE BUTLER

GRÁDA Cloudy Day Navigation
Nu-Folkers Gráda released their new album Cloudy Day Navigation and in one way or another every track is related to traveling, journeys or finding one's way.....more

CEOL AGUS CRAIC Time to Take it Outside!

By ERIN MULLAN Ceol binn a bhaint as an saol! Summer's here and the time is right for partying in the parks at some of our great outdoor festivals of course! .....more

The Rankin Family: The Magic is Still There

The Rankin Family - Raylene, John Morris, Jimmy, Cookie and Heather - began touring together professionally in 1989....more

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CD REVIEWS FOR JUNE 2007

By CATHOLINE BUTLER - NUALA KENNEDY The New Shoes
Nuala Kennedy is a musician in the broadest sense of the word: teacher, composer, session musician, singer and flute virtuosa.....more

New Solo Album for Dolores O'Riordan

Dolores O'Riordan - the voice of The Cranberries - is back after a five year hiatus with her first solo CD, Are You Listening?, released on May 15.....more

CEOL AGUS CRAIC Summer is Festival Music Season

By ERIN MULLAN - Ceol binn a bhaint as an saol! Our sweet brief summer looms and with it the festival season. There's heaps of great music to be enjoyed in the great outdoors. ....more

Mission Folk Festival Celebrates 20th Anniversary

MISSION, BC - The 20th annual Mission Folk Music Festival kicks-off on July 27 and runs through July 29 at the beautiful Fraser River Heritage Park ....more

Talented Celtic Youth Group Visits Nanaimo School

By CAROLYN CUSSON - VANCOUVER - The North Shore Celtic Ensemble, an accomplished group of musicians aged 9-16, recently travelled to Vancouver Island ....more

The Sounds of Joy: A Night to Rememberl

By CATHOLINE BUTLER - VANCOUVER - What do you call 100 men, handsomely dressed in tuxedos with red cummerbunds and matching bow ties all singing on stage in perfect harmony? ....more

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WHOM GOD LOVES By Vivian Hollis Mayne

Review By CATHOLINE BUTLER A Family's Journey From the Easter Rising Through Independence: Irish author Vivian Hollis Mayne recently published a new book entitled Whom God Loves and some might find the title a bit misleading ....more

CD REVIEWS FOR MAY 2007 By CATHOLINE BUTLER

THE CORRS/DREAMS: The Ultimate Corrs Collection. The Corrs are a multi-platinum, Grammy-nominated Celtic folk-rock and pop group from Dundalk, Ireland....more

CeltFest 2007 Passes on Traditions on Canada's 'Other Celtic Coast'

NANAIMO - The seventh annual CeltFest 2007 will present its international summer school of Celtic music, dance and culture from July 7 to 13 on Vancouver Island...more

CEOL AGUS CRAIC Local Talent Busting out like May Flowers By ERIN MULLAN

Ceol binn a bhaint as an saol! I couldn't help but notice how much of the content of this month's column involved local music here on the wet coast....more

O'Brien Brothers Reunite to Play in B.C. This Summer

The O'Brien brothers, Paul and Aidan, were born into an Irish family living in Manchester, England. From a very early age both brothers embraced Irish music, song and instrument....more

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DARBY O'GILL AND THE GOOD PEOPLE - Wild and Improbable Adventures With Leprechauns, Fairies,Ghosts and a Banshee

At first glance, I thought Darby O'Gill and the Good People must be a children's book, but in fact it is a great read for adults as well as children. .....more

An Evocative, Melodious Story of Survival in Dundee - BEYOND THE BLUE

By Andrea MacPherson - Reviewed by Sharon Greer
"Dundee was known as a 'woman's town' or 'she town' due to the dominance of women in the labour market......more

Horrific Conditions of 1940s Irish Industrial Schools Exposed

The life of Surrey, British Columbia resident Walter O'Keeffe is the subject of a fascinating and tragic new book....more

CD REVIEWS FOR APRIL 2007 - By CATHOLINE BUTLER

EDDI READER Peacetime
Scottish-born, Eddi Reader is the former lead vocalist from Fairground Attraction and has previous solo releases on RCA, Warner Bros. And Compass.....more

The Celtic Tenors: Three Proud Sons of the Emerald Isle

The Celtic Tenors and their trademark soaring harmonies are Ireland's most beloved and best selling classical artists to cross over into global mainstream popularity.....more

CEOL AGUS CRAIC - Thanks a Million, Jacquie!

Ceol binn a bhaint as an saol! Vancouver Celtic music fans should raise a glass in gratitude this month to Jackie Metzler, one of our town's finest publicans.....more

Gaelic Music Festival Features Concerts, Workshops and Competitions

By JOHN MACLEOD - VANCOUVER - Scottish Gaels in Vancouver are eagerly looking forward to the upcoming Mňd Vancouver 2007, ....more

Vancouver Welsh Men's Choir Along With Special Guests Returning to Chan Centre at UBC

VANCOUVER - The internationally-renowned Vancouver Welsh Men's Choir returns to the Chan Centre on May 26 ....more

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The McDades Celebrate 2007 Juno Nomination

EDMONTON - The McDades - Danielle, Shannon, Solon, Jeremiah, Andy and Francois - have enjoyed an exciting year.....more

Some Legendary Names Featured on Irish Music Cruise in Hawaii

By HAMISH DOUGLAS BURGESSMAUI - In January, great Irish musicians arrived in Hawaii, when legendary singer Liam Clancy was joined by his son Donal ....more

Brick by Brick: Building a New Elementary School

VANCOUVER - A wedding in the church and a hooley in the kitchen...don't miss A Little Bit of Grace for a Brick.....more

CEOL AGUS CRAIC Downtown Vancouver Welcomes the CelticFest Invasion

By ERIN MULLAN Ceol binn a bhaint as an saol! The rainy west coast seems a bit unreal as I file this column from Bangkok.....more

Cottars' Artists to Visit Vancouver Island

NANAIMO - For six years, Ciarán and Fiona MacGillivray have travelled the world as lead singers and instrumentalists with the multi-talented Cape Breton Celtic band The Cottars.....more

CD REVIEWS FOR MARCH 2007 By CATHOLINE BUTLER

OISIN McAULEY Far From The Hills Of Donegal
On his debut solo album Far From The Hills Of Donegal....more

Lindsay Lohan, Pierce Brosnan to Star in Dylan Thomas Movies

Over the last few years Hollywood has produced a spate of movies on famous literary figures, among them Truman Capote ....more

Brian Boru Film Planned Next Year

DUBLIN - Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio could be starring as Brian Boru in a movie to be filmed in Ireland next year....more

A Race Against Time to Quash an Impending Plot

CODEWORD: RED SHAMROCK By William K. Meade, Reviewed by Sharon Greer
It's Moscow 1986 - a plan is being hatched for the appropriation of Ireland. A revolutionary faction supported by the Soviet State wants a missile base situated in Ireland ...more

Fascinating New Book Highlights 150 Years of the Irish in Seattle

IMAGES OF AMERICA: IRISH SEATTLE By John F. Keane
SEATTLE - On March 3, San Francisco's Consul General of Ireland for the Western United States, Émer Deane, joined with other guests of the Irish Heritage Club....more

New Book by Patrick Taylor Based on His Journals as a Rural Doctor

AN IRISH COUNTRY DOCTOR By Patrick Taylor
Author Patrick Taylor has released a new book entitled An Irish Country Doctor.....more

Irish-Canadian Author Uses Personal Odyssey As a Mirror for His Fictional Tale

Reviewed by Catholine Butler
BY THE HOB Irish-born and bred author Kevin Michael Dooley spent 11 years at sea ....more

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A Spellbinding Thriller Filled With Twists and Turns - THE SEARCH FOR JACQUELINE By Patricia O'Connor

Reviewed by Catholine Butler Irish born author Patricia O'Connor has published her second book entitled The Search For Jacqueline ....more

New Release for Celtic Woman Two Years After Their Last Smash Hit

The cast of Celtic Woman were recently in Toronto, Ontario to help promote their latest DVD/CD release of Celtic Woman: A New Journey...more

CELTIC WOMAN A New Journey Live at Slane Castle, Ireland

Celtic Woman is the mesmerizing sirens voice of five Celtic women who tantalizingly peek out through curly locks and have captured the imagination of the world ever since they made their North American debut on PBS in March 2005.....more

The Lull before the Madness of Mid-March Storms In

By ERIN MULLAN Ceol binn a bhaint as an saol! My mantra of late, which I recommend for repeated muttering during wind/rain/snow storms...more

Annual Danny Burns Memorial Feed the Hungry Benefit Another Great Success.

By MICHAEL VIENS VANCOUVER - The evening was advertised to start at 4 PM - an hour earlier than last year to accommodate the earlybirds - but there was still a good crowd rolling in early to get good seats...more

Fun for the Whole Family at Festival du Bois

By GWEN KALLIO COQUITLAM - It's a well-known secret. You don't have to be or speak French, or have any hereditary connection to francophone culture to not only enjoy, but enthusiastically revel in the music, dance, craft, food and other entertaining activities at Maillardville's Festival du Bois....more

Ross Welsh - The Singing Welshman

THE VANCOUVER WELSH MEN'S CHOIRRoss Welsh is a busy guy. This octogenarian is a lawn bowler, a member of the Evergreen Kiwanis Club, is an Area Captain for Meals on Wheels, and is a member of the world-renowned 100 voice Vancouver Welsh Men's Choir (VWMC)....more

Stage Eireann Elects New Executive

VANCOUVER - Due to the resignation of Timothy Kevin O'Keefe, Catherine Brennan Schwarz has accepted the position of president of one of the longest running theatre groups in Vancouver....more

Calgary's Liffey Players Tackle Real-Life Courtroom Drama With a New Production

CALGARY - Real-life drama will take to the stage this coming March when the Liffey Players tackle their most dramatic and controversial production to date, Bloody Sunday: Scenes from the Saville Inquiry....more

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