Celtic & Irish Cultural Society Halloween 2009 Newsletter
Agus Dia dhuibh go léir
Welcome to the HALLOWEEN Newsletter of the Celtic & Irish Cultural Society.
Crawley's Celtic & Irish Cultural Society (or C.I.C.S. for short) is a non-for-profit organisation set up in 2004 to promote a greater understanding of Irish and Celtic Culture. Our annual programme of educational and cultural events activities engages over 10,000 people per year, demonstrating our reach into broader communities across South East England. Our activities are key to addressing social inclusion to integrate the Irish community more fully in to a multicultural society and provide opportunities for social interaction and creative expression and help develop social skills, build confidence and lead more active and healthy lives.
PLEASE PASS THIS NEWSLETTER ON TO ANYONE YOU THINK MIGHT BE INTERESTED
and keep checking our website www.celtic-irish.co.uk
Autumn has set in, the clocks have gone back, but there some fantastic events taking place and great places to hang out this month to keep your mind off the cold weather.
In this issue you'll find stuff on
*Halloween,
*Irish language classes in Crawley
*An Irish play being performed at The Hawth Theatre
*The Emerald Sports and social Club
*Diary of future events
*A special appeal on behalf of the CICS
so read on...
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Halloween
Celebrated on the 31st October has it's roots in the Celtic festival of Samhain and the Christian holy day of All Saints.
The celebration of Halloween started in and around 100AD. Back then, Halloween was a pagan festival celebrated by the Celts who called it "Samhain", an old Gaelic word meaning the 'end of Summer'. They believed that on the eve of Samhain (Halloween), the dead spirits would revisit the mortal world, so huge bonfires were lit to keep away any evil spirits. It is known in Gaelic as 'Oíche Shamhna' which is All Souls Day, so in Ireland it is often referred to as the Feast of the Dead. Over the past number of years, people have begun decorating their homes more and more for Halloween with ghosts, ghouls, witches, goblins and harvest displays.
Here are just some of the Halloween traditions which are still very much alive today.
The Pumpkin at Halloween. It is said that when the Irish immigrated to the States they took this Halloween tradition with them, but instead of using turnips, then began to use pumpkins as they were much more plentiful and easier to work with! Traditionally known as the Jack O' Lantern, it is a carved out pumpkin whose top and stem have been removed. The shell is then carved normally in the shape of a scary face, which is then lit up by placing a candle inside. There are many stories of how the Jack O' Lantern custom came about in Ireland. One old tale says it was as a result of a blacksmith called Jack who crossed the devil. He made the devil promise he would not go to hell, but when he was denied entry to heaven, he was left to wander the earth. He told the devil he could not wander about forever in the dark and the devil tossed him an ember from the fires of hell, so Jack placed this in a hollowed out turnip. From that day, Jack roamed the earth using his Jack O' Lantern to light the way.
The Barnbrack, the traditional Halloween cake is a fruit bread where various things are baked inside such as a coin, a rag, a ring and a thimble! The bread is then shared out among family members and eaten very carefully. Each of the items in the cake signify different things, for example if you got the 'rag' it meant that you'd be poor, the coin - rich, the thimble meant you would never marry and the ring meant that you would find romance and be happy ever after - so, of course, everyone wants to find the ring! The shelves at the local supermarket are packed with every kind of Barnbrack, but nowadays it's only possible to buy one that contains a ring!
The Halloween Bonfire is said to also have originated during Pagan times when the Celts lit huge fires on the hills so the spirits could find their way. It was also said that these fires would help to keep away evil spirits. Another old Halloween tale says that if you drop a strand of your hair into the flames and dream of your future husband or wife to be, you're dreams will come true!
Unmarried women were told that if they sat in a darkened room and gazed into a mirror on Halloween night, the face of their future husband would appear in the mirror. However, if they were destined to die before marriage, a skull would appear. The custom was widespread enough to be commemorated on greeting cards from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The telling of ghost stories and viewing of horror films are common fixtures of Halloween parties. Episodes of TV series and specials with Halloween themes (with the specials usually aimed at children) are commonly aired on or before the holiday, while new horror films, are often released theatrically before the holiday to take advantage of the atmosphere.
Trick or Treat originated centuries ago when the poor would go round to the rich peoples houses and ask for food or money, which they would then use for their celebration of Halloween. America has influenced this of late where children dress up in scary costumes and go house to house trick or treating, arriving home with bags of goodies which they use for their Halloween party.
And at the Halloween Party there are many games played. Apples are a traditional Halloween fruit as they were very plentiful in October. One of the most popular is 'Snap Apple'. In this game an apple is hung from the ceiling and the children are blindfolded. The first one to take a bite from the apple wins! This game can also be played by putting apples into basin of water. The first person to lift out an apple by grabbing the stem with their teeth is the winner. Another Halloween custom involves peeling an apple in one long strip. Then throw the peel over your left shoulder and try to figure out what letter it resembles. The initial will be the first letter of the name of you future spouse!
There are also some Traditional foods to be had this time of year. Try Colcannon, it's a tasty savoury dish which consists of potatoes, cabbage, onions, butter, milk, salt and pepper. Other foods such as nuts are also hugely popular (especially hazelnuts, monkey nuts and peanuts), corn on the cob and, of course, apples and oranges!
So wherever you celebrate Halloween this weekend, whether at a club, pub or in your own home why not try out some of the traditional customs and games to make it a good one. Happy Halloween!
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Irish language Classes - every second Wednesday
Irish language classes have resumed again in Crawley. Irish Gaelic is Ireland's official language and has been an official language of the European Union since 2007. These classes will provide everyone with the opportunity to get to know it a little more and learn some everyday phrases.
The class is taught by Marie Aine Ní Dhrainne who teaches at schools throughout London and is aimed at beginners to the Irish language and experienced Gaelic speakers are encouraged to come along. There has never been a better time to refresh, or take your first steps in our native tongue. Classes are run every second Wednesday commencing at 8.00pm at the Emerald Club in Southgate Ave. Give Norah Green a call on 07762 620734 for more information
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A skull in Connemara @ The Hawth Theatre
a play by Martin McDonagh - 21st November
Did Mick Dowd's wife die when he was drunk at the wheel or as a result of a deadly blow by Mick? Since Mick is a gravedigger, and must exhume the graveyard every seven years to make way for new corpses, he's now faced with digging up his dead wife.
This blood-spattered script, directed by Catriona Craig and written by Martin McDonagh, the Oscar, BAFTA and Olivier Award-winning writer (The Pillowman and In Bruges) is part thriller/whodunit and part farce, sending fragments of skulls flying across the stage. The show kicks off at 7.45pm. Check out the Hawth at https://tickets.hawth.co.uk/public/ or telephone 01293 553636
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The Emerald Sports and Social Club
Have you been to The Emerald Sports and Social Club recently, located at Southgate Avenue, Crawley, West Sussex, RH10 6HG, The Emerald Club, is the Irish Centre for Crawley. It was set up during the 1990s following the successful launch of a number of Irish events at the Southgate Pavilion.
History continues with Irish-themed events such as set-dancing classes, regular live and session music, a monthly dance and live GAA sports matches televised on the big screen every Sunday during the Gaelic Football and Hurling season. The Emerald Club also hosts the Irish Senior Citizens Network who meet each Tuesday and it also provides a venue for local Irish dance schools to practice.
The Emerald Club also provides a home for Saint Francis Rugby Club, Crawley Cricket Club and facilities for external events to be hosted at the venue. A typical week at the club is as below
MONDAYS
SET DANCING From 8.30pm - A great way to keep fit if you have the stamina - beginner both ladies and gents welcome
TUESDAYS
SENIOR CITIZENS CLUB from 2 to 4pm - A weekly get together for the over sixties - relax for a couple of hours with music & dance, and if you want - bingo, afternoon tea and raffle - All very welcome
THURSDAYS
OPEN MIKE NIGHT from 8pm - Where local and not so local musicians get together to entertain a large audience young and old, with all kinds of music including rhythm & blues - Very enjoyable - All welcome.
FRIDAYS
TRADITIONAL IRISH MUSIC From 9pm - Sit back, relax and listen. On Alternate Fridays - 30th Oct , 13th & 27th Nov, 11th Dec. If you sing or play a musical instrument why not join in!
25 CARD DRIVE - A new event now run alternative Friday nights to Traditional Irish Music from 8pm. Next night is 6th November.
SATURDAYS
THE MONTHLY DANCE takes place on the first Saturday of each month - with various Irish Bands as listed.
OTHER EVENTS PLANNED
Special Halloween Fancy Dress Party for children and adults of all ages! And there's some great prizes for the winners! Saturday October 31st
Special Guinness Night on November 21th with live Celtic Rock / Trad / Covers band. You've got to be there to experience the 'craic'
AND THERE'S LOTS MORE
Kate and Caroline run the very active Social Committee and will be glad to help you with any functions you've got planned for the future. You can celebrate your retirement, birthday, anniversary, stag or hen party and your 21st birthday second time round if you like!
Even though the club is a 'private members club' you can be 'signed in' as a guest of a member. New members are always welcome. The benefit of membership is very reasonable bar prices and a relaxed atmosphere where you can drink and socialise with family and friends. So why don't you log on at www.emeraldclubcrawley.co.uk or give them a call on 01293 616941 for more info on joining.
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DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Here's some dates for your diary
October 31st, Halloween Party, Emerald Club. Members and their guests
November 21st, A skull in Connemara, The Hawth Theatre
November 21st, Guinness Party at the Emerald Club with live band.
Crawley Fleadh 2010 running the month of March
Crawley's First Ever St Patrick's Concert.The Hawth 20th March 2010
Crawley's 7th Annual St Patrick's Parade, Crawley Town Centre Sunday 21st March 2010
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SPECIAL APPEAL - CICS volunteers and committee members wanted
We are forever on the look out for extra committee members and volunteers to help organise and run our events. We would like to encourage new volunteers to come forward to share their skills, time and talents. The CICS can only do so much. We are an ambitious and very active committee but our numbers are few. We need to extend the committee now that we are going forward. And you know what they say about many hands making the work lighter.
Extra committee members, organisers and helpers are essential; so if you would like to help out and help us develop further do not hesitate to make contact. You will be made very welcome and become part of a team who are out to make Crawley a better place to work rest and play in. Overall you will get the feeling that community engagement has been advanced for the betterment of all.
I'll leave you with this saying "Help is one of the cheapest means of support but one of the hardest to come by"
Please pass on this E-mail to your buddies or those who might be interested in the Society and what we do.
And if you have any news / views or anything you would like included in our next newsletter please make contact .
Sin a bhfuil anois,
Mile buíochas agus slán
John
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John Nolan
Chairman, Celtic and Irish Cultural Society Ltd
Web: http://www.celtic-irish.co.uk
E: john.nolan@celtic-irish.co.uk
M: 07956 317492
H: 01293 513189
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