Nessie, the friendly giant mascot of the Colorado Scottish Festival, will be dancing up a storm Saturday night, August 4, when Irish balladeer and humorist, Seamus Kennedy, and the Indi/Scottish/Folk rock group Enter the Haggis take the Festival stage in a musical extravaganza. The internationally known musical acts will follow the5 p.m. Hot! Piping and Hot! Drumming contests, judged by the audience.

Now in its 49th year, the all-new Colorado Scottish Festival and Rocky Mountain Highland Games runs all day August 4-5, 2012, in Highlands Heritage Park, two miles south of C-470 on Quebec in Highlands Ranch.
Come enjoy music, dance and fun for all ages. Experience the earth-shaking sound of the Massed Pipes and Drums, the grace of the Highland dancers, and the power of the great Scottish athletes as they throw the caber (telephone pole) to win the Rocky Mountain Scottish Athletic Championship. Enjoy the ever-popular historical re-enactors and dogs of the British Isles, along with a British car show (on Sunday). Trace your family history as you meet members of your clan. Try a taste of haggis with a wee dram of whiskey, and have a laugh as ladies of the Festival judge the Bonny Knees Contest for Men. Bring the kids for fun children’s games. Wonder at the flying feet of dancers from the Bennett School of Irish Dance, and enjoy food and vendors all day both days
With its new Title Sponsor, the Streets of Southglenn, the Colorado Scottish Festival is open from 9 am to 10 pm on Saturday and from 9 am to 5 pm on Sunday. Tickets can be purchased in advance from the website, or at the door. Special rate for seniors; children 6 and under are free. Free parking and shuttle service.
For tickets and additional information, visit www.scottishgames.org, or call the Festival’s hotline at 303-238-6524.

Shane O’Neill not only made the bench for the Colorado Rapids, put he has been given playing time despite the fact that the 18-year-old native of Boulder, Colo., signed his first professional contract in June. In a recent interview head coach Oscar Pareja said, “[Shane] is s a kid who’s growing within the group…He’s growing with the training and playing with the reserves, and he’s making a lot of progress and he’s one of the options.”
O’Neill attended Fairview High School in Boulder and was named Colorado’s 2011 Gatorade Boys Soccer Player of the Year, as well as earning MVP honors in the 2011 High School All-American Soccer Game. He was also a standout basketball player at Fairview, earning BoCoPreps.com Player of the Year honors this past winter. At 6’2”, 190 pounds, O’Neill has played as both a midfielder and a forward in soccer, and his 10 goals for the Rapids U-18’s this season led the team. He has been training with the Rapids first team throughout 2012, and has played in four Reserve Team matches this season, including playing the full 90 minutes in a 3-1 win over Sporting Kansas City on June 9.

He had planned on playing soccer at the University of Virginia this fall, but instead will stay in Colorado and is available for selection with the first team immediately. O’Neill is the second Homegrown Player – a roster designation that allows MLS clubs to sign players from their youth system to contracts that do not count against the salary cap – to be signed by the Rapids, following Davy Armstrong of Aurora, who joined Colorado’s first team on August 16, 2010.

Born in Midleton, Ireland, Shane moved with his family to the United States when he was one year old, and he has dual citizenship in the United States and Ireland. His father Colm O’Neill, won All Ireland medals with County Cork in Irish Football, and is in the restaurant business, including ownership of Conor O’Neill’s in Boulder.
Both father and son played on championship GAA teams with the Denver Gaels.
(Photo Credit: James Dewhirst / Colorado Rapids)

The 18th Annual Colorado Irish Festival:
Frankie Gavin & DeDannan · The Young Dubliners · The Clancy Legacy · Comas · The Elders · The Fighting Jamesons · The Brazen Heads · Colcannon · The Hounds of Finn · Gob’s O’Phun · Skean Dubh · Lougheed · Delilah’s Revenge · Empty Pockets ·
The Stubby Shillelaghs · Strictly Irish · Pipe Band Competition · Irish Dance Feis · Irish Sports · Cultural Village & Pub · Storytelling · Kids Area · and more

Dates/Times: Friday, July 13th, 5pm – 10pm (5-6pm FREE Admission)
Saturday, July 14th, 10am – 10pm
Sunday, July 15th, 10am – 7pm

Cost: Free for Kids 12 and under all weekend! Free Parking & Shuttle!
Friday, Free for all who arrive at the Festival Main gate 5pm – 6pm.
After 6pm, $10 per person (12 & under Free).
Saturday & Su
nday Advance: $12, $10 Seniors over 65, students with
valid ID and Military personnel with active ID, (12 & under Free).
Saturday & Sunday at Gate: $15, $10 for Seniors over 65, students with
valid ID and Military personnel with active ID, (12 & under Free)
Catholic Mass Sunday 9:00 AM
CLEMENT PARK, 7306 W Bowles Ave, Littleton, Colorado 80123
(Southwest area by Johnson Reservoir)
Advance tickets will be available at King Soopers or online at
www.ColoradoIrishFestival.org

Tiffany Antikainen returned to Denver from Ireland last month feeling a bit surreal. After being picked to serve as Denver’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade Queen Colleen months ago, she was asked to represent Denver at the Rose of Tralee Regional Finals. A series of fundraisers later, she was off to Ireland to the Regional Finals which took place from May 30th to June 3rd 2012 at the Portlaoise Heritage Hotel, Co Laois. The Judges at the National Finals liked Tiffany so much that they chose her among other regional Roses to return for the Rose of Tralee International Festival in August in Tralee, County Kerry.
The 22 year old student, human resource and payroll officer for the family business, Industrial Battery Service, Inc., and competition piper with the Michael Collins Pipes and Drums, was ecstatic to say the least! “My mom, Chrissy, and my aunt Lisa from Minnesota came to Ireland with me. We arrived about a week early to take a tour of Ireland since it was our first times there. We figured “well, this could be a once in a life time opportunity to be there, we may as well make the most of it! .. Who would have thought we would be returning again SO soon! Now I’m looking at tickets to go BACK to Ireland for the Rose of Tralee International Festival!”

As much as Tiffany is looking forward to returning to Ireland in August, she joyfully looks back at her trip to Ireland for the Regionals . “I could not believe how quickly I fell in love with Ireland. People told me before I left how amazing it would be, how beautiful the country was, how extremely friendly the Irish people were and what to expect of the weather. This did not prepare me at all. Everything I was told about needed to be magnified by 10, that’s how exceptional it was!”
She learned first hand that the ‘world famous Irish hospitality’ is not an exaggeration. “The second people found out you were not a local – not hard to tell from my so-called “American Twang”- they would go out of their way to make small talk, help with my luggage onto a train, give directions and local tips of places to check out in each town. I was amazed at how self sacrificing of their time they were, simply to make my trip a little easier… and all this was BEFORE they found out I was a Rose. The second people found out I was a Rose out came the Red Carpets! We had taxi drivers who asked if we were there on holiday slam on their brakes when they found out they had a Rose in their car!”
Pre-pageant Tiffany and entourage toured the west and the south of Ireland. “I fell in LOVE with the Cliffs of Moher as well as the small town of Killarney. Every town we went to I fell in love with the country even more. In the small towns I was able to experience ‘true Irish Coffee’, the best tasting Guinness, and talented, local, traditional musicians.”

Before Tiffany took off to Ireland she daydreamed about the possibilities of meeting new friends from around the world in her circle of contestants. “I thought to myself, ‘Oh, wouldn’t it be cool to really connect with one of the girls in a lifelong friend kind of way? I would love to just really hit it off with one or two of the girls.’” Little did Tiffany know that she was in for a pleasant surprise. “I must admit I was shocked when immediately after I arrive at the hotel in Portlaoise I was greeted by 54 new, incredible family members. The Roses talk about the “Rose family” with the saying “Once a Rose, always a Rose”. This proved to be so much more than a saying; it is extremely accurate to describe the bond that all of us girls now share. In fact many of the girls are already traveling together, visiting each other’s homes etc. It is amazing the bond all of us created in such a short amount of time.”

Even the pageant process was fun and relaxed, Tiffany described. “The entire process was extremely laid back, there was never a time when I felt “judged” or uncomfortable. Every person who was there, judges included, were there to have a good time, to become part of a larger global Irish community and to celebrate all the amazing women there.”
The actual time Tiffany and contestants spent on stage was a very miniscule part of the decision process by the judges. The judges spent time observing the contestants interact with each other and the locals throughout the day, and occasionally would give personal and group interviews. No matter how ‘laid back’ the judges were, Tiffany did not envy their job. “I can’t imagine how difficult their decision was because there was not one girl there who did not deserve to be there and who didn’t light up a room by simply walking into it.”

Because of the relaxed atmosphere created by judges, staff, locals, and fellow contestants, Tiffany was not nervous for her interviews, personal, group or on stage…except for one hyperventilated moment. “The only time I truly was nervous was a few days before my ‘on-stage’. I pulled out my pipes to practice a little and make sure they were adjusting to the climate and altitude, and they sounded horrible! That joke, about bagpipes sounding like someone squeezing a cat… that was me! I panicked! In tears I immediately called Jay Leasure (Pipe Major of MCPD) long distance. I told him I refuse to play, that people would be ashamed if I got on stage and sounded like that. Luckily for me, Jay knows me too well- probably because he has taken me under his wing since I was 12 – and he quickly calmed my nerves and helped me fix my bagpipes from thousands of miles away. Crisis adverted!”

On the big night the pipes worked, as did Tiffany’s smile and charm. Beth Wiseman of the Denver parade committee was on hand to giving support commented, “She did an amazing job on stage speaking of her Irish and Finnish heritage, and how it came to be that a little Denver girl became the first Rose ever to play the bagpipes at the Rose of Tralee.”
When Tiffany was selected to continue on to the Rose of Tralee finale, she momentarily functioned in a stunned fashion but eventually was overcome with emotion at her accomplishment. “When I found out that I was selected, all the girls in the chairs around me were cheering and patting me on the back. I got on stage, looked for my family and Beth and her family, gave them a big thumbs up and hugged the other spectacular ladies who were standing next to me. I don’t think that it actually hit any of us that we had made it to the next round until we got off the stage and went to the “Roses Only” room… That’s when everyone’s water works began; we couldn’t believe that we would have another two weeks together in Aug. It was amazing to feel all the excitement everyone had for each other.”

Back home in Denver, it’s back to work, fundraising, and Queen Colleen and MCPD commitments before she heads back to Ireland.
“I am planning on going back around the 9th of Aug. I report for “Rose Duty” on the 12th of August so I would love to have a few days before to adjust and maybe experience a few things before all the fun and crazy shenanigans begin. But before I leave I have so much to do here! I am competing with Michael Collins Pipes and Drums a couple weekends as well as performing in the Cheyenne Frontier Days Parade. I have loads of fundraising, sponsorship and awareness to work on, because as much as this entire experience is a dream it takes a lot of funds to make it a reality. I am very excited to be holding the “BBQ Benefit for the Denver Rose of Tralee” at local pub Scruffy Murphy’s on July 7th from 3-7pm. There will be food, drinks, raffles and music. It should be a lot of fun and almost like a send off party before I head back to Ireland – I am very excited for it.
Tiffany said that she wanted to thank so many people for all of their support but want to thank to Denver Irish groups in particular. “I want to give a shout out to two Irish organizations that have truly helped all my dreams of Rose of Tralee become a reality so far. First, I want to thank the Michael Collins Pipes and Drums, who not only sponsored me to be Queen Colleen but have helped me in every way imaginable to get to where I am now. They have been more than a group of people who share a hobby with me, but a family and have had a huge hand in molding me to be the young lady I am today. Also, the Denver St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee, without their support and help I would never have been involved in such a life changing event. I have never seen a group of people so excited for someone else as this group is for me. I can honestly say their excitement for this event fuels my excitement. They have been so encouraging and have put so much faith in me. Thank you all!”

Fundraising for Denver Rose of Tralee:
BBQ Benefit for the Denver Rose of Tralee” at local pub Scruffy Murphy’s 2030 Larimer on July 7th from 3-7pm.
The Denver Rose Center will be selling Newbridge jewelry, the official sponsor of the Rose of Tralee, at the Colorado Irish Festival July 13 -15. Tiffany will also be making appearances throughout the weekend at the Colorado Irish Festival.

The Ward Irish Music Archives returns to the Colorado Irish Festival at Clement Park Littleton July 13 -15 with the exhibit The Irish in Film July. This exhibit examines the Irish and Irish American contribution to the art of film. “It is one of our most popular Exhibits.” Said Barry Stapleton, Archive Curator “The exhibit will have over 100 film posters (reproductions) over 50 biographies with pictures, and 64 collages of various Irish films with photos, reviews, lobby cards, advertising, etc.”

In the 19th century, Ireland was known as a prodigious country for playwrights, ripe with a vivid theatrical scene when film was making its debut. Famous Irish playwrights of the time included Oscar Wilde, George Bernard Shaw and John Millington Synge to name just a few.

The silent film era lasted from 1894-1929. In 1910 Ireland played host to the Kalem Company, a touring film company from the United States. Under the direction of Sidney Olcott, Kalem made several short Irish melodramas in Co. Kerry and thereby launched a tradition of great filmmakers using Ireland as a backdrop for their work. Of course, today Ireland is known for the classic film The Quiet Man. Many other films were made in Ireland, including Michael Collins and The Secret of Roan Inish.
Later the establishment in 1961 of Telefís Éireann, the national television service, provided work for a growing number of technicians and a training ground for filmmakers. The establishment in 1981 and re-establishment in 1993 of the Irish Film Board facilitated independent film production. Homegrown images of Ireland are now being brought to international screens by Irish born directors such as Neil Jordan and Jim Sheridan.

Many great actors in film were born in Ireland including Richard Harris, Maureen O’Hara, Brenda Fricker, Liam Neeson, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson and Cillian Murphy.
In America at the beginning of the 20th century, the entertainment industry was full of Irish Americans. Vaudeville was in its heyday and the recording industry was also in its infancy. Tin Pan Alley was roaring with Irish themed music. In silent films Irish Americans such as Buster Keaton, Colleen Moore, Thomas Meighan and many more were pioneers in film.
Mack Sennett was the son of Irish immigrants who had settled in Canada. Mack came to America and started the Keystone Studios in California. Sennett’s silent slapstick comedies were noted for their wild car chases and custard pie warfare. Many important actors started their careers with Sennett, including Mabel Normand, Charlie Chaplin, Fatty Arbuckle, Gloria Swanson, Polly Moran, The Keystone Kops, Bing Crosby, and W. C. Fields.

When the film industry hit its stride in the 1930s & 1940s the proliferation of Irish Americans involved is notable: James Cagney, Pat O’Brien, Spencer Tracy, Gregory Peck & Tyrone Power to name only a few.
Great directors such as John Ford, John Huston, Leo McCarey were Irish Americans. Walt Disney & Alfred Hitchcock also had significant Irish family connections.
While Irish & Irish Americans played an important role in film, so did Irish and Irish American history as the source of many scripts for film. The Irish Civil War, IRA and the Troubles in Ireland were utilized for countless films made in Ireland and America such as Ryan’s Daughter and The Patriot Games. Many Irish plays were made into films such as The Playboy of the Western World; even the film My Fair Lady was based on the original stage play Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw.
Today Irish roles can be identified by their accents, names, and situations within a film. But the Irish American role has changed dramatically. No longer can all Irish Americans be viewed as all Catholic or Democrats, policeman or priests. In some films it is only through a characters name that you would find an Irish connection. Still the Irish contribution to film is as strong as ever and through this exhibit we hope you’ll enjoy all that the Irish & Irish Americans have contributed to film.

by Rodger Hara

The Colorado Irish Festival Battle of the Bands that began on April 11th, fittingly enough, at the Sheabeen Pub in Aurora where the very first Irish Festival was held, finished with a grand flourish on June 20th at Stoney’s on Capitol Hill where Pandora Celtica was crowned the winner over a field of nine other talented local Irish Bands.

On the first night, Pandora Celtica’s tight a capella harmonies won a highly contested event, narrowly winning out over the uber-energy Celtic pirate sound of Potcheen and the more traditional and rock-tinged music of Chancer’s Hooley.
The next contest on April 25 at The Exchange Tavern in Westminster saw four bands with the multi-instrumental group then known as Parting Glass and now known as Haypenny Bridge coming out on top over Boulder’s newest Celtic rock band Delilah’s Revenge, the hard-driving Bogside and the more traditional sound of Mulligan Stew.

In the final preliminary round on May 9th at Scruffy Murphy’s Irish Pub in LoDo, El Paso County’s Ceol Ceili was the winner over Star Edwards & Kingbeat’s rock and roll Irish set and the bluegrass-flavored traditional sound of Juice O’the Barley.
Of the groups that didn’t advance, Delilah’s Revenge had the highest score from the judges (who included Doug Pooley, Kasey O’Connor, Tom Quinn, Karen Miller, Shelly O’Hara and me) and was the “wild card” band filling the field for the final four.

The first semi-final event on May 23rd at Scotty’s Side Door Saloon in Wheat Ridge matched Pandora Celtica against Delilah’s Revenge. Pandora Celtica, with their legion of faerie-clad fans, prevailed on that night too, although Delilah’s Revenge was handicapped by the absence of their drummer who had been called out of town on a family emergency.

The second semi-final featured Ceol Ceili against Haypenny Bridge, two bands with similar traditional sounds and multi-instrumental styles with Ceol Ceili’s harmonic energy and crowd engagement taking them over the top, setting up a most interesting final with two bands with completely different sounds and styles.

Pandora Celtica’s only instruments are their voices and a djembe, which they used to great effect; Ceol Ceili’s four members play over a dozen instruments among them including acoustic and electric fiddles, tin whistles, djembe, bhodrán, Irish bouzouki, acoustic guitar and flute. Both groups feature voices with similar colors that blend well and the affection and respect for each other within the groups is readily apparent in their performances – all of which made the choice of a winner exceedingly difficult for the judges.
In the end, Pandora Celtica’s a capella sound, that has set them apart from the rest of the bands at every step, tipped the balance for the judges, earning them the $1,000 first prize and a spot on the Main Stage at the Colorado Irish Festival on Saturday, July 14th at 12:30 PM.

Ceol Ceili gained a spot on the stage in the Jameson’s Pub Tent at 2:00 PM on July 14th and the runner-up prize of $500. Other bands that competed and will also play at the Festival include Haypenny Bridge, Mulligan Stew and Delilah’s Revenge.

by Rodger Hara

Seanchaí is Irish for the bearer of old lore – a story teller. In the times before written language – and those times when written language was forbidden to many (e.g., the days of the hedge schools), the oral tradition was the only means for sharing and preserving the stories, legends, traditions and history of the people. Some were highly respected members of royal households who retained important information for the clan while others traveled from place to place sharing their stories for food and lodging.

Colorado is blessed with its own seanchaí. Denis Michael John McCarthy Gorman Gessing, a Colorado native and third generation Irish-American who calls himself the “American-Irish Seanchaí” and the “Celtic Cowboy”. Tracing his roots to County Donegal on his maternal grandfather’s side, he became a story teller twenty years ago after pursuing careers in film-making, acting, working in human services with the deaf and disability communities and survivors of traumatic brain injuries. Although to hear him tell it, he’s been telling stories “All my life. At least since I told my 2nd grade teacher a big windy about the missing pages of my arithmetic book. But I’ve only been getting paid for it for the dozen years or more.”

His stories cover a wide range of topics that reflect his family heritage and the places he’s lived, including the Old West, World History and Ghosts as well as Celtic, Fairy and Folk tales. His favorites are mostly Irish and include “Timothy and the Lady,” “The Blackthorn Walking Stick,” “Martha and Johnny.” It is the Irish stories that come to him the most naturally and he believes that it’s important to be true to the culture and tradition. He enjoys most audiences and likes those with the young or the old the most. He particularly enjoys more intimate settings – like living rooms, family reunions or around campfires. A major influence on his story-telling style has been Liz Weir, a world renowned professional story-teller, writer and B&B operator from Belfast and he hopes one day to do a “reverse migration” and take his stories of the Old West back home to Ireland.

A graduate of St. Francis de Sales High School in Denver, he also has a degree in film from the School of Visual Arts in New York City and a certificate in American Sign Language interpretation from El Camino College in California.

It was his work with the deaf that led him to meet his second wife and her daughter, who was deaf, that inspired him to begin writing a young adult novel in 1995 featuring a young deaf girl as the protagonist “Midnight and the Magic Prairie Schooner” that begins in Donegal and moves west to Oregon. The young girl survives bullying and taunting because of her handicap with mystical powers she’s inherited.

In addition to the book, he’s produced a CD of stories for children 8 years and older called “Tales From Eiré”. He tells stories at schools, colleges, community and senior centers, senior living facilities, businesses, around campfires and at festivals – especially the Colorado Irish Festival where he will be returning for his second appearance on the Cultural Stage this year. Check the Festival Entertainment Schedule for times. His stories will enchant you – and your children too.

And if you can’t make the Festival, you can hear some of his stories on his podcast or on YouTube, links for which can be found on his website, www.olstoryteller.com.

It’s been another furious year of touring and music making for The Young Dubliners. But, The ‘Dubs’ promise to squeeze Colorado into their busy schedule to perform one night only at the Colorado Irish Festival on Friday July 13.
The ‘Dubs’ founder and frontman, Keith Roberts, recently spoke with the Celtic Connection about life in ‘Dubland.’
“This year has turned into another full year on the road in the US and Europe. We had thought it might be a bit lighter as we worked on the new album but the “Touring Gods” had other ideas and the offers flowed in. Sometimes it’s hard to turn down shows you really want to play. It has meant that work on the new CD has been slowed down but we are still juggling the time and moving forward every chance we get.”

The band will make and market their new CD independent of a record label this go around, a strategy Keith knows has both up and down sides to consider. “The big “up” to the approach is that you are no longer on a labels’ time schedule which can be very demanding. You also don’t have a “non band member” looking over your shoulder second guessing your every move. Over the years we have had A and R reps from labels try to lead us in the wrong direction and be quite forceful with their opinions. You can’t say much when it’s all their money so we had to bow down and deal with it. This time we are enjoying working with our producer and no one else.”

Independence and originality will hold true throughout the new CD according to Keith. “Its all original at this point. Maybe a cover song will find it’s way on but no plans for that right now. We are working on a title now but as the lyrics are usually the last thing we do it’s tough to settle on one just yet. I think the theme of the album is current issues. I tend to draw a lot on what’s going on around me at the time, both personal and world affairs. But don’t worry, it won’t all be doom and gloom. There’s still loads of funny stuff that gets my attention and I love to write about that too.”

On the logistics of raising funds for the expensive process of recording a CD, Keith developed a pledge system specifically for the band to partner with their fans. “We have the best fans in the world!” Keith enthused, “A few years ago when all our equipment was stolen we received over 40K in help from the fans to buy new gear and stay on the road. This time we developed a pledge system based on other ideas we have seen. We didn’t want to use an outside existing system like Kickstarter as its all about being independent this time. So I designed our version and right away we started receiving donations. Its truly phenomenal how much people get behind you on something like this. The pledges go from $10 for a digital album all the way up to $1000 for a guitar, tickets to shows, vinyl copy of the album, guitar lessons, dinner with the band and that sort of stuff.”

The fan support for the Dubs’ new CD highlights the fan loyalty the band has built over the years. Some folks might recall when the California based band first played Denver years ago. It was down at the original site of Nallen’s Irish Pub on California Street.
John Nallen had been playing the bands CD at the pub, turning a lot of people on to the sounds of Dublin native Keith Roberts and company. When the word got out that the band was heading to Colorado there was a good deal of excitement and a full house waiting.
However, there was a hitch. The Dubs were Nallen’s first touring band, understandably they assumed that the band was caring sound – but they weren’t.
The band gained fans without even playing a note with their ‘Stay calm and Hooley on’ attitude. It was quite a display of determination and technical ingenuity on the Dubs part. Somehow just enough equipment was rigged together to give it a go – and what a night of music! The energy and talent of the band and Keith’s abilities as a frontman, forever impressed their new fans. Since then they’ve been rockin’ up and down the Rockies building fans all the way.

The Young Dubliners will headline a high energy night of music when they return to the Colorado Irish Festival Friday, July 13th , where they will join friends, The Elders, The Brazen Heads, The Fighting Jamesons, and others. And, their fans should be thrilled to know that they can get in free if they arrive at the front gate between 5-6P – that could be the best musical deal in the country!

So will the Dubs give us a little taste of the new CD at the fest, or should we brace ourselves for the reload and fire of ‘The Irish Sessions’ album as they’ve done recently?
“It’ll be a big mixture of all the albums. We are already playing a few new songs from the new CD but the Irish festivals always bring out the Irish songs so ‘Sessions’ will be well represented. It’s great to be back at a festival in Colorado. Although we play at least once a year in the area most of our shows tend to be over 21. This gives us a chance to reach the kids and hopefully give our more “mature” audience a chance to bring the kids and share something as a family. We are looking forward to it!”

For more info on the Colorado Irish Festival go to www.ColoradoIrishFestival.org
For news on the Young Dubliners, including how you can trip with them to Ireland this November, go to www.youngdubs.com
Hear Keith Roberts live on KGNU (88.5FM/1390AM or stream KGNU.org) Seolta Gael show Wednesday July 11, 7-8pm, with Shay, Pat and studio guest John Nallen. Absolutely!! Count me in

June 2012 Celtic Connection PM www.CelticConnection.com

Alan O’Gorman, owner of the Irish Rover pub and restaurant will beat the drum 7 times in June to commemorate the number of years open for business in Denver’s popular Baker Neighborhood He might beat the drum an extra 3 joyous times because he has tripled the size of his 54 South Broadway location with a rooftop bar/ restaurant, party room, and new kitchen. The opportunity for the improvement became possible when the space next door to him became available explained Alan. “I always wanted to do a rooftop but learned that it is very difficult to do structural work to existing Rover premises without having to shut down completely while under construction. It was a great opportunity to do it when the space next door became available. Also, we lacked an adequate size kitchen in the Rover to do more than a limited menu. Now we can offer significantly more on our menu. With the expansion we’ve added a private space which I hope to book private parties such as birthdays, weddings, and perhaps use as an overflow room on special occasions such as ST. Patrick’s Day.

The Rover had a ‘soft opening’ last month with friends and employees celebrating on the new rooftop. Prior to the official unofficial opening, two guests stopped by with some special wishes. Alan tells the story, “Father David was ordained as a priest – if that’s the correct terminology -well he’s a priest anyway. He went in to the seminary a month after we opened the Rover along with his friend Brother John. They made the Rover their second home and on occasion were involved in a couple of, what is described in the pub business as a ‘lock in.’- Featuring John singing like Pavarotti until 4 in the morning!” Laughed Alan as he recalled, “I’m not sure if that’s what caused him trouble at the Seminary but his seminary days were cut short abruptly.”
Before the proverbial ribbon was cut opening the rooftop oasis, a small ceremony took place as Father David gave the Pub an official blessing.

A number of well wishers in the pub business stopped for a toast said Alan. “John and Una Nallen from Mayo, who I believe put Irish Pubs on the Map in Denver being that they opened the first true Irish Pub in Denver back 20years ago or so -great pub, great pint, great people!” Other attendees included Glen Eastwood GM of Fado Irish Pub, Wes Ingram, owner of Dougherty’s around the corner, and Tommy who now works for Crispin Cider.
Alan is originally from Limerick, and is an alumnus of the Denver Gaels, the local Irish sports association, so the Gaels were well represented on the roof. Included was one of the Gaels founders Shay Dunne who is originally from Dublin. Alan and Shay banter about what county has the best teams. Said Alan, “Shay even brought the Dublin jersey with him in the hope of me putting it up on the wall opening night, but clearly, that was never going to happen,” he added with a chuckle, “but a nice gesture nevertheless on his part.”
Friends in the neighborhood also stopped by the rooftop to show support. “It’s great to see how well the neighborhood has reacted positively. I am very fortunate to have a neighborhood pub in the Baker Neighborhood. Baker has everything great restaurants, great music venues great galleries, great bars, great coffee shops etc. etc.” And now they have a great rooftop!

The rooftop and kitchen are open now. The official grand opening will be in mid June. Call the Irish Rover at 303-282-4643 for details.

June 2012 Celtic Connection