Reclaim the Ceilidh

by Seán de Barra Tue May 02, 2006 01:46

".. because we're taking the piss, dear!
(and they won't let us dance on his grave!)

BTW he never actually said 'comely maidens dancing at the crossroads', it's a bit of an Irish 'urban myth'. The word 'comely' was in the radio transcript but I believe he actually said 'happy' in the speech."

Good, so you can stop going on about it.

">"like there is nothing more to your lives?"

Do you like the sound of women laughing? You should have heard us when we read that bit!"

While I said that in tongue in cheek, I am serious in that the phrase should be done away with, leaving aside the fact that he didn't even say it.

I'm not A FF or de Valera lover (particularly in relation to the current crop of FF) but I do agree with what John Waters said about the alleged comment and the continued reaction to it in his book "An Intelligent Persons Guide to Modern Ireland".

Keep up the good work and I hope to join you at another céile in the future, although not beside de Valera monument. Outside the GPO would be a better place.

Beannacht

Seán

by chris - the unmanageables Mon May 01, 2006 18:30 dotliath at gmail dot com n/a 087-7765289

The garda on duty did take it very seriously and had us shovel it up and put onto a flower bed or into a community garden, otherwise someone would have been charged under litter laws. The pic's are coming through later.
Thanks everyone for coming down and dancing. Sorry to the garda whom I accidently flashed as we took off the petticoats. That pic won't be coming up.
see you all on the Tara walk.

by chris - the unmanageables Mon May 01, 2006 13:15

why don't you?

We have a few garters for the men who are not afraid of them,
as to the underclothing context: kilts, skirts and stockings welcome from either sex.

we are doing the walls of Limerick.(The dance).

bring noise makers.

by Seán Ryan Sun Apr 30, 2006 21:18

It would seem that your own comment is much more leading towards patronism than my own. I say what I believe and find that to do otherwise to be patronising.

I was very serious when I described our traditions and if you took offense, so be it.

Plus you should try reading what I said again eventhough you cannot bear it. I used the word 'courageous' not 'outrageous.'

And that single word makes a lot of difference.

Look before you leap.

by Rojos Sun Apr 30, 2006 20:15

The above comment by Seán Ryan makes me cringe. Maybe, it's just that I think it's in bad taste, or maybe, it's because I think it's sexist and a bit patronising, however well-meant.

"...outrageous tradition...us men should emulate rather than mock".

I could hardly bear to read it again. Like anywhere else in the world, Ireland has produced its fair share of outrageous women and men, no doubt. It's likely that ethnocentricity and sexism might have meant your forgetting Jean d'Arc, Pocahontis, Boudicca, Cleopatra, Lady Godiver[?sic?], Francis Sheehy-Skeffington, Roger Casement, Jack White, Padraic Pearse...

I reckon the role of women in 1916 has been underplayed, especially by a sexist bias in historiography, but please don't compound things by stereotypes.

Although all are welcome at this event, the very symbolism of red petticoat, is gender-exclusive. (even though men once wore dresses for the most part, anyone can wear a petticoat - I suppose), a red sash might have been more gender-neutral and all-embracing.

Red for passion, danger, British colonialism, Socialism/Labour, violence, stop, hot, angriness, impetuosity, embarassment, and Man United.

by Seán Ryan Sun Apr 30, 2006 16:31

When the 'Dancing on Dev's Grave' demo is happening, I hope I'm invited. I'll remember to drink lots of fluids for the ceremony after.

The tradition of producing courageous women is Ireland's most ancient and sacred tradition. Us men should take note of this and emulate rather than mock.

I'm from Limerick. Limerick's motto is, 'Limerick an ancient city skilled in the art of war.'

Back in the days of the Siege of Limerick the great walls of Limerick were breached. The women of Limerick held back two of the mightiest armies the world was ever unfortunate enough to produced, the English and the Dutch, for days, while the breach was filled, armed with sticks, stones and taunts.

Unmanageable.

It's good to see some traditions to be alive and kicking.

by Elaine Sun Apr 30, 2006 14:17

... because we're taking the piss, dear!
(and they won't let us dance on his grave!)

BTW he never actually said 'comely maidens dancing at the crossroads', it's a bit of an Irish 'urban myth'. The word 'comely' was in the radio transcript but I believe he actually said 'happy' in the speech.

>"like there is nothing more to your lives?"

Do you like the sound of women laughing? You should have heard us when we read that bit!

by Seán de Barra Sun Apr 30, 2006 03:40

Why are you meeting beside the de Valera monument? Do you still hark back to his "comely maidens" speech like there is nothing more to your lives?

by c murray - the unmanageables Sat Apr 29, 2006 20:04 dotliath at gmail dot com 087-7765-289

(After many dying adventures)........ Thank you non-herbal chemical box that doesn't do what it says on the tin.......
the petticoats, beribboned garters and banners are nearly there, bring banners to the US embassy , all groups are welcome. (balloons and face paint also).

ps, for future reference : re veggie dyes ...... onion skins make yellow, beetroot makes a nice purple, hints on vegetal dying most welcome!

by Duine Thu Apr 27, 2006 17:26

Ó! A Dhiabhail!

An Laircíneach faoi dhearg faoi dheireadh.

Go mbeidh lá dearg agaibhse!

by the unmanageables Thu Apr 27, 2006 15:39

"YOU HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE BUT YOUR PETTICOATS"