Realta Geala to represent Boston at World Championship event

Last month, a group of young Irish traditional musicians from the greater Boston area known as Realta Geala (meaning "Bright Stars") competed in and won first place in Under 15 at the regional Fleadh in Parsippany, NJ. As a result, they have been selected to represent Boston to compete against a handful of the best bands in the world at the All-Ireland Fleadh in Sligo, Ireland.

Realta Geala is a group of musicians from CCE Boston Music School. The CCE Boston Music School is sponsored by the Reynolds-Hanafin-Cooley Branch of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to preserving tradition Irish music, song, dance, language, and culture.

There are two regions in the United States that can send competitors to the All-Ireland. By winning the Mid-Atlantic regional, Realta Geala has given Boston claim to one of the top bands in the United States. It has also enabled the kids to go on to Ireland to compete against the top bands in the World. In Sligo, there will be two bands from each of Ireland's four provinces, two bands from the United Kingdom, and up to four band from the United States. It is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for these budding musicians.

The band are hoping to raise enough money to purchase airfare for each student as well as two teachers. Donations can be made at the website listed below. In addition to donations, they are holding a raffle to raise funds. There are options for buying tickets for $20, $50, and $100. They will also be holding two fundraisers (see dates below) which will feature music by the children and some great adult musicians. A CD of their music will also be available for purchase at the fundraisers.

Events:

Fundraiser at the Burren, Wednesday, July 1, 2015 7:00PM-10:00PM:

Parts of the group will perform in the backroom at the Burren in Davis Sq., Somerville, MA. Joining the kids, will be adult performances as well.

Fundraiser in Melrose, Saturday, July 25, 2015 7:00PM-10:00PM,

Parts of the group will perform in the backroom at the Knights of Columbus Hall, Melrose, MA. The kids will perform as well as many of their teachers and parents.

To make a donation or find out more information visit realtagealafleadh.weebly.com


Local fighter Jason Kelly set for BKB debut in Las Vegas

Irish American middleweight boxer Jay Kelly will fight Shane Mosely, Jr. (4-1) in a five-round Big Knockout Boxing (BKB) bout on June 27. The fight will take place at the Mandalay Bay events center in Las Vegas. It will be the biggest bout in Kelly's emerging pro boxing career.

BKB is the brainchild of DirectTV and debuted on pay per view last summer. Its modified rules are designed to increase the likelihood of knockouts. Instead of a ring, fighters enter a circular pit 17-feet in diameter. Rounds are two minutes long instead of the traditional three. Title fights are seven rounds; non-title bouts are five. There are no ropes. Intentionally stepping out of the pit is the equivalent to a knockdown on a boxing scorecard.

Kelly's opponent is the son of "Sugar" Shane Mosley, a former holder of world titles in three weight divisions. He has won his last two fights by knock-out. Kelly (3-0), who trains out of the Dorchester boxing club said he is excited by the BKB format as there is "no room to back up" and fighters "must stand their ground". He is confident that he will prevail against Mosley and is excited by the "increased opportunity to deliver an exciting knockout".

More information on BKB can be found at bkb.tv

Medical evidence still under review in Irish nanny murder case

The latest status hearing in the long running case took place at Middlesex Superior Court, Woburn on June 9 .The court heard that the Massachusetts medical examiner requires more time to review the evidence. The Irish nanny had been remanded in custody since 2013 after being indicted on first-degree murder charges. She is accused of murdering infant Rehma Sabir.

The medical review is being undertaken based on a medical report by Dr Andrew Rosenberg which indicated that the baby had vertebrae fractures dating back five to six weeks from the time of the infant's death when she was not under the care of the Irish nanny.

Middlesex Superior Court Judge Maureen Hogan said she did not expect the delay to affect the planned trial date of October 13. A further status hearing will take place on July 9. There were no comments from Ms Brady McCarthy or her defense lawyers following the hearing.

Ms Brady McCarthy was released on bail last month. The conditions of the bail mean that she is confined to home and must wear a GPS monitoring bracelet.

S.M.A. night “a joyful success”


The S.M.A Fathers Benefit took place on May 30th at the Irish Social Club in West Roxbury. Over four hundred people were in attendance. Half an hour before the doors “officially opened” the hall was nearly half full. By the time Andy Healy “struck up the band”, the hall was full and the dance floor was hopping.

The band got a break when the Harney Academy of Irish Dance entertained the crowd by bringing onto the floor twenty magnificent dancers. The youngest must have been about six years old. Then, “the singing S.M.A. priests” took the stage. The Dedham team Frs. Roache, Onyekuru and Darcy harmonized their way through the famous ABBA song “I Have a Dream” and the beautiful hymn “Our Lady of Knock.”

When Fr. Brendan Darcy introduced the young S.M.A seminarian Kyle Jordan from New Jersey he surprised the crowd when he stated that this young man is only one of 300 seminarians from 15 countries studying at several seminaries across the world. He went on to say; “what we are doing here tonight in this hall will contribute toward their education and upkeep besides responding to the needs of our ailing and retired fathers. The S.M.A house in Dedham is completely dependent on local contributions. We are blessed indeed because we have so many loyal and generous supporters and a very hard working committee chaired by Kathleen Sullivan.”

The food, the hall, the service, and the step dancing entertainment were all donated, not to speak of the seven magnificent baskets and door prize. When will we have another night like this? Write it down, Friday May 20th 2016. The S.M.A. Fathers are not only grateful but encouraged by the tremendous support they received that night from so many wonderful people. To see three generations seated at some of the “family tables” enjoying the evening is not a bad sign for the future of S.M.A. in the Boston area.