Spirit - The Irish Diaspora

Rose of Tralee 2011

On the night update..!

Congratulations to Tara Talbot from Queensland, our new Rose of Tralee 2011. She was the bookies favourite and you can see why; attractive and intelligent, and with a good singing voice to boot, a natural winner who’ll wear the crown beautifully.

Tara TalbotQueensland

Dáithí Ó Sé is in the ‘hot seat’ again this year as he hosts the TV finale for 2011, but no prob we’re sure he’s had plenty of tips from his bride to be, the 2008 New Jersey Rose Rita Talty (congratulations to you both sir!)

The festival has surged in popularity in recent years, and in 2010 RTE viewing peaked at over one million and averaged 916,300 – the highest in more than a decade. That popularity is also reflected by what must be an avalanche of visitors to the official website, slower tonight as it tries to keep up with a huge demand, so here’s the girls for 2011…

Caitlin McNeilBig Apple

Moira SullivanBoston & New England

Siobhan CarrollChicago

Kathryn BrennanCork

Niamh McTagueDerby

Catherine FeeneyDerry

Maria McColeDonegal

Nicole CurrenDown

Gráinne BoyleDubai

Siobhéal Nic EochaidhDublin

Tara KeigherEdmonton

Saoirse FitzgeraldGermany

Síle Ní DheargainKerry

Sinead FennellLaois

Caroline MarleyLondon

Erin LoughranNew York

Ailbhe RyanNew Zealand

Katherine ScottOttawa

Melanie GorePerth

Beth KeeleyPhiladelphia

Tara TalbotQueensland

Roisin GuihenRoscommon

Sheila AshtianiSan Francisco

Susan GellardSouth Australia

Molly O'KeefeSouthern California

Niamh O'ConnellSunderland

Caroline HarneySydney

Danielle YbarraTexas

Noirin RyanTipperary

Aileen DoyleToronto

Dorothy HenggelerWashington DC

Mary KehoeWexford

The Rose of Tralee on Facebook

The Rose will be crowned tomorrow evening, August 23rd, and as usual we remain unbiased – wouldn’t be too upset though if it turns out to be Corks year this year!

Hail Glorious St Patrick

Happy St Patrick’s Day everyone…

Leaving Dublin

The ‘Leaving Dublin’ project is an inspired work-in-progress by photographer David Monahan.

Since early 2010 David has been capturing a moment just before Irelands young and talented become voluntary exiles, and set in Dublin at night they make for striking images.

Each background has a particular significance for the subject, and in his own words “the idea is to make a heroic shot, to celebrate the person, to say they’re full of pride, full of dignity, they’re going out to do something, and they’re going to do it well.”

David recognises the differences between this and previous waves of emigration, and at the same time acknowledges that the quest remains the same – the search for a better life. He honours the courage behind the decision, and the fact that moving to a different country can dramatically shape the future lives of those who leave.

Emigration is tinged with all sorts of emotion, the sadness of seeing loved ones go, the anticipation of those who leave – sometimes uncertain, other times full of confidence – and Leaving Dublin reminds us of the intensely personal nature of such a decision.

This project is an important recording of modern Irish history, and it’s a visually artistic masterpiece. David is looking for new participants and if you’re leaving Dublin you can contact him via his blog or viewpage:

A Photographic Blog For The Small World
David Monahan Photographer – Viewpage

From Stage To Street

There’s a great account of Irish theatre history running on RTÉ Radio 1 at the moment, and it’s a world full of riots, protests, and high drama..!

From Stage To Street is an absorbing journey back to the times when what was happening on the Irish stage was also reverberating out on the streets. From the Playboy riots of 1907 to more recent controversies, it’s a fresh and entertaining look at key moments in Irish theatre.

Why did Lady Gregory’s nephew lead a drunken chorus of ‘God Save Our King’ at the Abbey in 1907? And why, 50 years later, was Brendan Behan leading a drunken chorus of ‘The Auld Triangle’ outside Dublin’s pocket theatre, the Pike?

Why, in 1926, was an actor in Sean O’Casey’s “The Plough and the Stars” the victim of an attempted armed kidnap? and was it really that unpatriotic to fly the tricolour in a public house?

Tennessee Williams’ “The Rose Tattoo” at Dublin’s Pike theatre saw it’s director Alan Simpson hauled from the stage and arrested for bringing indecency to the theatre when a condom fell from the pocket of an actor during the play.

Presented by Colin Murphy the series captures these events and more, and it’s very enjoyable to listen to. Each week there’s talk about the players and passions at stake in the most provocative moments in Irish theatre history, and each story is brought back to life in a colourful reminder of the vibrancy of the times.

A delightful education and you can enjoy the latest playback here. There’s also a Stage To Street Facebook page with video, photos, soundtracks and archive material so plenty to delve into if it’s caught your imagination.