If you like music and Irish things, go here to the Launie Links to Music;
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HAWAII:
Go here for the Launie Links to Hawaii; * * *
WRITING:
Nowadays, he mainly writes about music, especially Irish and Hawaiian music, and football (real football, that is - soccer). But he also has written extensively about food and restaurants (until stomach problems and allergies spoiled his life!), as well as anything else that appeals to him (canoeing and outdoor life, dance, language and more.)
Go to Rambles to see some of his work there. (In fact, why not check out the whole site?)
Go to RootsWorld for articles on Galway-based accordionist and singer Mary Staunton, seán nos singer Iarla Ó Lionáird, and slack key guitarists/singers Dennis Kamakahi as well as Led Kaapana and Cyril Pahinui, along with numerous reviews (including albums by: Aes Dana, Baltinget, the Battlefield Band, Keola Beamer, Debashish Bhattacharya, Birkin Tree, Bohola, Bob Brozman, Liz Carroll, George 'Toofie' Christian, Danu, Dervish, Ivan Drever & Duncan Chisholm, Martin Hayes & Dennis Cahill, Daniel Ho, George Kahumoku Jr., Dennis Kamakahi, Alan Kelly, Kila, Ozzie Kotani, Grey Larsen, Lunasa, Pete Morton, Liam O'Flynn, Old Blind Dogs, Niamh Parsons, Patrick Street, Rock Salt & Nails, the Sevens, and Townes Van Zandt, as well as Traditional Irish Music from Temple Records and Shanachie's Thousands Are Sailing).
Go to acousticmusic.com for reviews of albums by Darlene Ahuna, Bob Brozman, the Bumblebees, Cindy Combs, Hart-Rouge, Led Kaapana, Raymond Kane, Deborah Wai Kapohe, Laoise Kelly, Leonard Kwan, Joe MacLean, Natalie MacMasters, the Makapuu Sand Band, the Mollys, Bonnie Rideout, the Robichaud Brothers, Chip Taylor and Thistle & Roses as well as the compilation album, A Place Called Hawaii 2.
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VENUES:
The Appalachian Brewing Company, Cameron Street, Harrisburg - one of Harrisburg's claim to fame! They brew some excellent beer here (especially Hoppy Trails, their IPA) and have an interesting, diverse menu; great staff, too.
The Bullfrog Brewery, 231 West Fourth Street, Williamsport - a bit out of the way for me, but I love it when one of my tours takes me to this neck of the woods and I get to play here. Of course, for those in the know, this is where the journey started on that fateful night...
The Glenside Pub, 122 S. Easton Road, Glenside, Pa - unfortunately, the session here is no more. Still a neat place, though.
Herby El Mexicano: if you like Mexican music and you like Mexican food, there is really only one place to go in central PA - Herby's, El Mexicano. An unusal name, perhaps (but there was a Herby and he was Mexican); and Steelton/Bressler might not seem like the right setting for such a restaurant (but it is); there is also a store nearby full of Mexican food, CDs and more; the restaurant is at 720 Main Street, Bressler, PA - call them at (717) 939-0624 to find out who's playing.
J. Patrick's, 1371 Andre Street, Baltimore, MD - live Irish music every weekend, it seems. And on Thursday evenings, Peter Fitzgerald leads an excellent session. When I don't fancy the two hours' ride to Philadelphia, then it's the hour and a half to Baltimore.
Kirby's Cafe & Pub is a new establishment at 4035, North George Street, Manchester, PA (717-266-2944). It's not exactly Irish, but the owners have a leaning to things Irish. For example, they've started having music in the restaurant a couple of times a month on Saturday evenings and are introducing area Irish and celtic bands. They also serve a good Guinness among other drinks and have some excellent food - great staff, too! Definitely worth a visit. It's smoke-free, too!
O'Rorke's Irish Pub, Steinwehr Avenue, Gettysburg - a great place to go. This was the first establishment to offer the Launies a residency. Music is played most Fridays and Saturdays. Definitely worth a visit!
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CINEMA:
But not everybody lives in Coudy. For those living in the Harrisburg area, there are two series really worth investigating: the Midtown Movie Theater, with its three screens, first runs and two showings a day, seven days a week; and Hollywood On High, a weekly series (often with showings on five evenings) of alternative, independent and foreign films. York Flicks is a similar series 30 miles south of here in York, PA. Support your local film series - go along and enjoy the shows.
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More to come...
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Football:
A quick update on the lad - after playing soccer in Bolivia at Real Santa Cruz, he went over to Germany to try his luck there with FC Denzlingen. Now he's back, still following his dream wherever that may lead. Good luck!
Life for a soccer player is constant movement. Our Ciaran is back home and has been invited to train with the Reading Rage and is playing with Harrisburg Amateur Soccer Club.
Another update on the little lad. He's currently playing junior college soccer at CCBC Catonsville (on the edge of Baltimore). Catonsville is right at the top of the league, heading for the playoffs, Ciaran is one of the top scorers and team captain and looking better than ever. Is there no stopping this lad?
After a few tough years, Queens Park Rangers is on the rise, again. I've been following the team since I was knee-high to a grasshopper - I once dreamed of playing for the club, but the nearest I ever got was being a season ticket holder, writing for the match day magazine and buying a genuine replica 1970s blue and white hooped shirt (and now I also have the red and white halves away shirt, too!) Ah well, you can't win 'em all. At least they're not Chelsea. This was meant to be a season of consolidation, following their promotion to what is now called the Football League Championship (formerly known as Division 2). The trouble is, after a shakey start, the Rs can't stop winning and have climbed up the table to fourth place, one point behind the leader. Of course, this can't last and I'll be happy this year if we stay up. Next year? Well, that's another story. Chelsea beware! Who needs money?
The Hershey Wildcats were in existence for only five seasons, but what an impact they made. The best team in the A-League under the guidance of one of the brightest hopes for US soccer - coach Bob Lilley. The team may be gone, but the spirit lives on. With a little luck and determination, we'll soon have a new team in the area; such an optimist! Since writing that, the Harrisburg Heat indoor team has closed its doors and soccer - outdoor and indoor - no longer exists in the Harrisburg area at professional level. The Reading Rage are still there, two hours down the road, but that's about it. Ah ha, how the world changes. The Rage has dropped to the USL's PDL (4th division), but the Harrisburg City Islanders have come into being, scheduled to play in the PSL (Div.3) of the USL in the 2004 season. Stand by for more information.
After all these years (I first saw them in 1994), I still have a soft spot for the Montreal Impact (aussi en francais), possibly the best footballing team in North America - no wonder MLS doesn't want Canadian teams in their league - the cup would soon leave the country!
Take a look at the A-League for up-to-date news on the American Division 2 game, or go to the USL site for all their divisions.
I used to live in Strasbourg - needless to say, I'd go along to Stade Meinau each week to watch Racing Club play. If you speak French, take a look at the RCS site.
I used to live in Freiburg, too, so I'd go to watch ... Racing Club de Strasbourg play whenever I could. But if they were miles away, then I'd go to see SC Freiburg.
Now, if you're a Chelsea fan, my condolences. You'd probably do better to go here.
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There's more coming soon, so keep checking this page!