IRL-PALATINE-L Archives

Archiver > IRL-PALATINE > 2006-10 > 1161314271


From: Lois Sparling <>
Subject: Re: [IP] [IRL-PALATINE] 2009 anniversary
Date: Thu, 19 Oct 2006 21:17:51 -0600
References: <BAY101-F206657C56D96FB9286496FB40C0@phx.gbl>
In-Reply-To: <BAY101-F206657C56D96FB9286496FB40C0@phx.gbl>


We cannot all afford to go to Ireland. Rallying points in Germany,
North America and Australia and/or New Zealand will let most of us get
involved. I would have a couple thousand km to travel from home to that
Methodist church in New York or St. Marys, Ontario where my own Irish
Palatine ancestors settled. I still work and I still have 2 children to
educate. That will still be the case in 2009. (I missed out on being a
hockey Mom but my boys are both bent on many years in university and
graduate school. At least I have my mortgage paid off.) This does not
detract from the main gathering in Rathkeale. In fact, it enhances it
since it would be an international rather than an Irish event. If we
decide on having the gatherings on the same weekend, we could try for a
TV link. If we go with the notional relay idea, we can send a video or
DVD around with each gathering adding it's own bit. There may be a
small group who would like to take a world tour to all the gatherings,
digital video cameras in hand.

I agree that this should be about the Irish Palatines, not the Palatines
who skipped the Ireland phase. However, I believe that there was a
group who went to Ireland, decided that was not what they wanted and
soon headed back to England and/or off to America. What is our position
on their descendants, should any of their descendants wish to join in?

Lois Sparling
Calgary, Alberta (that's in Canada within sight of the Rocky Mountains)
(definitely related to Chris)

Christopher Le Gear wrote:

> I really hate to pour cold water on some of these wonderful ideas but
> I'm wondering whether the route people are travelling at the moment is
> really practical. For instance, whilst in theory a relay is a good
> concept I'm doubtful if it would be a success being so widespread, as
> well as having different levels of input and support. We should also,
> I believe, bear in mind that we would be commemorating the 1709
> arrival of the Palatines into Ireland. Whilst many of their
> descendants did go on to the colonies many of the Palatines that ended
> up in the US and Canada did so well into the 18th century direct from
> Germany and had absolutely nothing to do with those that ended up in
> Ireland, who were a relatively small contingent of the 5 parties that
> left Rotterdam for London.
>
> I believe that the most effective way of celebrating, without
> detracting from anything anyone would like to do locally, would be to
> focus attention on Ireland in general, Rathkeale and the Irish
> Palatine Centre in particular. We have three years. Perhaps a
> special exhibition over the summer period with input from as many
> contributors as possible where visitors from all over the world could
> be sure of a welcome and the chance to meet others of the same ilk.
> There may well be grants and contributions available from both public
> and private sources. Perhaps we could get sponsorships! I would think
> the more specific we focus effort the more likely we are to gain this
> type of support particularly from local authorities and government.
>
> And would a trip to Ireland for a couple of weeks in the summer three
> years from now be so out of the way....the place every one of us that
> subscribes to this site has in common.
>
>
> I welcome your thoughts!!
>
> Chris LeGear
> (probably related to everyone!)
>
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