By Paddy McCarthy
Snow, snow go away, come back again another day! Or year! I’m ready to wave goodbye to February and winter. Just had to express that feeling. Anyway, I’m ready to Spring into March. I know it’s not over yet so it’s wishful thinking. I was reading this parody back in my teens and it sounded a very poetic thought then.
Here is something that should interest you and I love it as it makes my job much easier. Here we go… This Irish Tea History Virtual Event includes organic tea, Irish soda bread, Kerrygold Butter – all shipped to a participant’s home. Starfish Junction Productions, an award-winning Long Island-based event company, continues its virtual tutored-tasting series on Sunday, March 14 with Irish Tea History: A Virtual Tasting Special Event sponsored by Greenhalgh Tea, The Secret Garden Tearoom & Café, and Kerrygold. This tasting event will celebrate the history of Irish tea and is perfectly timed for the celebration of St. Patrick’s Day. Virtual events are growing in popularity as strict pandemic guidelines continue to be encouraged and enforced. The virtual event series offers participants an opportunity to enjoy gathering with others who share their passion in an environment that is safe and pandemic-compliant and it offers sponsors the opportunity to stay connected to their fans and create new customers.
“Taking tea” is an Irish custom enjoyed by people of all walks of life. Assam tea, better known in this country as Irish Breakfast Tea, is the hot beverage Irish farmers and fishermen have long depended upon to warm on a wintry day—but that is only a small part of the Irish tea story. In this seminar, Tea Sommelier and Owner of Greenhalgh Tea company, Karen Donnelly will present Comfort and Rebellion in a Cup: The Story of Tea in Ireland. Timed perfectly as a St. Patrick’s Day celebration, participants will learn about tea’s introduction to Ireland, its historical impact, and its rich culture of hospitality while they brew and enjoy Organic Irish Breakfast Tea and nosh on traditional, freshly-baked Irish soda bread and Kerrygold pure Irish butter, all included with the ticket and delivered to the participant’s home. This virtual event is perfectly suited to serve 2-4 people.
Each ticket for this educational and entertaining morning of Irish tea history includes Organic Irish Breakfast Tea; a large round loaf of freshly-baked Irish soda bread; two 8oz. blocks of Kerrygold butter; paper tea filters; direct shipping to participant’s home; and access to the 60-minute virtual, interactive, and educational seminar.
The presenter, Karen Donnelly, is a certified Tea Association of Canada Tea Sommelier Professional and has been a writer, speaker, and teacher for over 25 years. She currently writes the Cuisine page for The Tea House Times magazine and is a regular contributor to the Tea & Herbal Association of Canada’s Sip Magazine. She manages the Orchard Tea Room at the Rose Hip Barn in Thornton, PA. She is the owner of Greenhalgh Tea selling premium loose-leaf teas and teaware. Karen teaches classes on the history, production styles and culture of tea, and cooking with tea at local schools and on-line.
Tickets ($39) to this special event serve up to four people from a single location/log-in. Deadline to purchase is 5 pm on March 2 or when maximum capacity is reached. A sell-out is expected. This virtual class is presented by the Starfish Junction Productions, and sponsored by Greenhalgh Tea, The Secret Garden, and Kerrygold. Tickets and more information can be found at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/irish-tea-history-a-virtual-tasting-special-event-tickets-137833284063.
I got avery sad notice from the United Irish Counties Association New York on the passing of Cecelia “Cecily” Rohan on February 5, RIP. Cecily was the mother of Brian Rohan who I worked with at the Irish Voice newspaper for many years and I would personally like to send my sincere condolences to the Rohan family.
Cecelia Rohan (nee Kelly) passed away peacefully after a two-week battle with Covid-19. At age 76, Cecily joins her beloved Bernie in heaven. She is survived by her five children: Sheila (Jack O’Gara), Brian (Jessica Cassidy), Breege, Patrick (Theresa O’Sullivan) and Kelly (Richard FitzGerald) and 12 grandchildren: Aidan, Ailish, Fiona & Ciaran O’Gara; Terence & Bernard Rohan; Patrick & Mary Rohan; and Desmond, J.P., Anna & Louise FitzGerald. She will be missed by her sisters Maureen and Chrissie, brothers Tommy, Pat and Gerry, sister in-laws, brother in-laws and large extended family and friends both here and in Ireland.
Native of Castle Lambert, Athenry, County Galway, Cecily immigrated to New York in January 1963 and quickly immersed herself in the Irish community. She married fellow Athenry native, Bernie Rohan on July 15th, 1967. Together with Bernie they were loyal supporters and officers of the Galway Hurling Club and Galway Association.
Cecily was proud to serve Galway as the first female President of a NY GAA club. She later served as President of the Galway Association. A sports fanatic, Cecily could be heard shouting from the sidelines of Gaelic Park, Croke Park, or Athenry’s Kenny Park on many Sundays. Cecily will be remembered for her overflowing love and generosity. She was like a mom to many.
If you were a travelling GAA player, a visiting niece or nephew or just a new face in town there was always a dinner, a place to stay and a cup of tea at Cecily’s house. Cecily was always on the go. She spent her days visiting friends no matter the distance. She loved her trips to Ireland every year and staying connected to her large circle of family and friends.
In 2012, Cecily lost Bernie, the love of her life. After a private ceremony, Cecily will be laid to rest alongside Bernie at St Denis’ cemetery, Hopewell Junction, New York. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to charities close to Cecily’s heart: St. Elizabeth Seton Hospital in Yonkers or Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind.
A private funeral will take place on Wednesday February 10, 2021 at 11am. Please join them via the live stream link at https://www.mchoulfuneralhome.com.
Again I would like to offer my deepest sympathies to the Rohan family from all of us here at The Irish Examiner USA.
Hope to see you all again when I am Out&About again…