Another fantastic festival weekend!
On Saturday, the band and I attended the 86th Annual Round Hill Highland Games in Norwalk, CT the third oldest Scottish games in the United States.
MacTalla Mor was surprised during the opening ceremonies by a proclamation from the Connecticut General Assembly in honor of the Roots and Traditional Celtic Music Radio Award they received for their latest CD, The New Colossus. State Senator Michael A. McLaughlin was on hand for the presentation.
Levon, Patty, Senator McLaughlin and Jesse
It was an amazing day. The band performed two sets and there was much fantastic piping and drumming, performances and competition, dancing, Scottish athletic competitions, food, drink and fun. Over twenty wonderful traditional bands were in attendance including world renowned Oran Mor, one of the only three grade one pipe bands in this country. Representatives from 25 different Scottish clans were on hand, including one in which I had a particular interest
Im an American, but my ancestors were Scottish, Irish and Italian. My surname is ancient it dates from the 5th century and is well know in both Scotland and Ireland. Long ago my ancestors had their own clan but since sometime in the 13th century we have been honored to be part of another. I brought along my documentation, met with representatives and I am pleased to announce that I am now one of the newest and proudest members of the Highland Scottish Clan Macpherson!
That's not me - I still need to shop for a kilt. Efforts are underway by some of my distant relatives to restore the original historic clan under my family name. The Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs has outlined the steps. One of the first is to find someone who can trace his ancestry back to the last 13th century chief. Genealogical records are being searched and genetic testing is being conducted. Who knows
We had another great day on Sunday at The Connecticut Irish Festival in North Haven. A full day of music and bands, including of course MacTalla Mor. There was tons of food, Irish and otherwise, oceans of Guinness and dozens of lovely and talented dancers - there to compete in the North American Irish Dance Competition. During the bands set I was put to work manning the merchandise table. The festival organizers kept me well supplied with beer and it was just a short walk to the fried Oreo concession. Fried Oreos and Guinness what a combination! So much for my diet
All in all it was a wonderful weekend and a superb way to celebrate my heritage. My Scottish on Saturday, my Irish on Sunday and my Italian On the way home we stopped for awesome pizza and incredible microbrewed beer at the Bru Rm at BAR in New Haven. I cannot even begin to describe how much I enjoyed everything there! I wish Id left a bit more room by eating just a few less fried Oreos throughout the afternoon.
In closing, I leave you with my best wishes for good health and happiness, along with the crest badge and the traditional battle cry of Clan Macpherson may it bring much success to us all
Creag dhu!
On Saturday, the band and I attended the 86th Annual Round Hill Highland Games in Norwalk, CT the third oldest Scottish games in the United States.
MacTalla Mor was surprised during the opening ceremonies by a proclamation from the Connecticut General Assembly in honor of the Roots and Traditional Celtic Music Radio Award they received for their latest CD, The New Colossus. State Senator Michael A. McLaughlin was on hand for the presentation.
Levon, Patty, Senator McLaughlin and JesseIt was an amazing day. The band performed two sets and there was much fantastic piping and drumming, performances and competition, dancing, Scottish athletic competitions, food, drink and fun. Over twenty wonderful traditional bands were in attendance including world renowned Oran Mor, one of the only three grade one pipe bands in this country. Representatives from 25 different Scottish clans were on hand, including one in which I had a particular interest
Im an American, but my ancestors were Scottish, Irish and Italian. My surname is ancient it dates from the 5th century and is well know in both Scotland and Ireland. Long ago my ancestors had their own clan but since sometime in the 13th century we have been honored to be part of another. I brought along my documentation, met with representatives and I am pleased to announce that I am now one of the newest and proudest members of the Highland Scottish Clan Macpherson!
That's not me - I still need to shop for a kilt. Efforts are underway by some of my distant relatives to restore the original historic clan under my family name. The Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs has outlined the steps. One of the first is to find someone who can trace his ancestry back to the last 13th century chief. Genealogical records are being searched and genetic testing is being conducted. Who knows
We had another great day on Sunday at The Connecticut Irish Festival in North Haven. A full day of music and bands, including of course MacTalla Mor. There was tons of food, Irish and otherwise, oceans of Guinness and dozens of lovely and talented dancers - there to compete in the North American Irish Dance Competition. During the bands set I was put to work manning the merchandise table. The festival organizers kept me well supplied with beer and it was just a short walk to the fried Oreo concession. Fried Oreos and Guinness what a combination! So much for my diet
All in all it was a wonderful weekend and a superb way to celebrate my heritage. My Scottish on Saturday, my Irish on Sunday and my Italian On the way home we stopped for awesome pizza and incredible microbrewed beer at the Bru Rm at BAR in New Haven. I cannot even begin to describe how much I enjoyed everything there! I wish Id left a bit more room by eating just a few less fried Oreos throughout the afternoon.
In closing, I leave you with my best wishes for good health and happiness, along with the crest badge and the traditional battle cry of Clan Macpherson may it bring much success to us all
Creag dhu!
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FUCK I AM PROUD!