Our theme for NTIF 2004 is Celtic Women, hence the new look to our web site that features a number of prominent women in both Celtic legend and fact. It also explains why a large number of our headline performers this year are women who have risen to the top in their fields of music.

In almost all of the Celtic Nations, including pre-Roman Britain, women have played major roles throughout history. Many are legends, many simply fairly tales, but many are as real as the influence that they have had in their respective countries.

A few examples will help explain the reason that the 22^nd North Texas Irish Festival has chosen to honor Celtic Women and their influence on society, culture and our whole way of life.

Viewing our banner from left to right we have...
 

Morgan Le Fay

Born of Arthurian legend, Morgan Le Fay was half sister to Arthur and became his most implacable enemy, attempting by means of magic and sorcery to destroy him. She was responsible for stealing the sword Excalibur and when this was recovered, succeeded in losing forever the scabbard which protected its wearer from all wounds.

In several stories, Morgan went to great lengths to end Arthur's reign. Morgan's plots ranged from False Excalibur to stirring up jealousy between the King and Lancelot to conceiving a son (Mordred) with her brother.

In late life Morgan moved to the Isle of Avalon, and it was to here that she and her allies, the Queens of Northgalis (North Wales) and the Wastelands, took her wounded brother to be healed after the Battle of Camlann.
 

Boudica

Few in Britain will doubt the existence of one of the fiercest Celtic warriors of all time; Boudica, or Boadicea, Queen of the Inceni tribe of eastern England at the time of the Roman invasion. Cesar had invaded the ancient land of the Britons in 55BC, but never really contained the rebellious Celts. Then, in 60 AD, Boadicea led a rebellion against the Romans, destroying the cities of Colchester, St. Albans and capturing London. She was eventually defeated by the Romans, but rather than be humiliated by them, she poisoned herself.

"We British are used to women commanders in war. I am the daughter of mighty men. But I am not fighting for my royal power now... I am fighting as an ordinary person who has lost her freedom. I am fighting for my bruised body. The Gods will grant us the revenge we deserve. Think of how many of us are fighting, and why. Then you will win this battle or die. That is what I, a woman, plan to do. Let the men live as slaves, if they want. I won't."

According to myth, she lies buried under Platform 10 of London's King Cross Station. A statue to Boadicea still guards the Thames at Westminster Bridge, close to the Parliament buildings.
 

The Lady of Shalott

On either side the river lie
Long fields of barley and of rye,
That clothe the wold and meet the sky;
And through the field the road runs by
    To many-tower'd Camelot;
And up and down the people go,
Gazing where the lilies blow
Round an island there below,
    The island of Shalott.

Willows whiten, aspens quiver,
Little breezes dusk and shiver
Through the wave that runs for ever
By the island in the river
    Flowing down to Camelot.
Four grey walls, and four grey towers,
Overlook a space of flowers,
And the silent isle embowers
    The Lady of Shalott.

By the margin, willow-veil'd,
Slide the heavy barges trail'd
By slow horses; and unhailed
The shallop flitteth, silken-sail'd
    Skimming down to Camelot
Yet who hath seen her wave her hand?
Or at the casement seen her stand?
Or is she know in all the land,
    The Lady of Shalott?

Only reapers, reaping early,
In among the beared barley
Hear a song that echoes cheerly
From the river winding clearly,
    Down to towered Camelot:
And by the moon the reaper weary,
Piling sheaves in uplands airy,
Listening, whispers, " 'Tis the fairy
    Lady of Shalott."

Alfred Tennyson

Rhiannon

Although pure legend bordering on fairy tale, Rhiannon's story is one of love and magic. Rhiannon was a queen in the "Bright World" which is far above our own. She fell in love with a mortal man and gave up her powers and her world to marry him. The only power she was left with was her power of insight, enabling her to see into the future. Rhiannon had three magical birds, one emerald green, one golden, and one snow white. The three birds could sing the dead to life and the living to sleep. The birds would only come in time of great need to help heal and end suffering.

Stevie Nicks of Fleetwood Mac was so inspired by the ethereal sound of the name Rhiannon, which she first encountered while reading a novel named Triad by Mary Leader, that she wrote a song in tribute to her.

Rhiannon rings like a bell thru the night
and wouldn't you love to love her?
she rules her life like a bird in flight
and who will be her lover?

Annie Moore

Annie Moore, a 15 year old girl from County Cork, became the first immigrant processed at Ellis Island when it officially opened on January 1st, 1882. Annie and her brothers sailed from Queenstown on the SS Nevada on the 20th December and arrived after 12 days of traveling in steerage.

In honor of the 100th anniversary of this milestone, the IACI coordinated an international effort to have a commemorative statue of Annie Moore erected at Ellis Island, and at her Irish departure point, Cobh, in County Cork.

In 1993, Irish President Mary Robinson unveiled both statues. The commemorative statues now serve as symbols of the permanent union between Ireland and the United States. Additionally, the Annie Moore statue stands as a symbol for immigrants of all nations that have contributed to the rich fabric of the United States

This is the statue of Annie Moore and her two brothers located outside the Cobh Heritage Center in Cork harbor unveiled on February 9th, 1993.
 

Mary McAleese

On November 11, 1997 Mary McAleese took office as the 8th President of Ireland and the second woman to hold that office in it's short history. The following paragraphs are extracts from her inaugural speech.

"I am honoured and humbled to be successor to seven exemplary Presidents. Their differing religious, political, geographical and social origins speak loudly of a Presidency which has always been wide open and all embracing. Among them were Presidents from Connaught, Leinster and Munster to say nothing of America and London. It is my special privilege and delight to be the first President from Ulster.

The span of almost sixty years since the first Presidential Inauguration has seen a nation transformed. This Ireland which stands so confidently on the brink of the 21st century and the third millennium is one our forbears dreamed of and yearned for; a prospering Ireland, accomplished, educated, dynamic, innovative, compassionate, proud of its people, its language, and of its vast heritage; an Ireland, at the heart of the European Union, respected by nations and cultures across the world.

Among those who are also owed an enormous debt of thanks are the countless emigrants whose letters home with dollars and pound notes, earned in grinding loneliness thousands of miles from home, bridged the gap between the Ireland they left and the Ireland which greets them today when they return as tourists or return to stay. They are a crucial part of our global Irish family. In every continent they have put their ingenuity and hard work at the service of new homelands. They have kept their love of Ireland, its traditions and its culture deep in their hearts so that wherever we travel in the world there is always a part of Ireland of which we can be proud and which in turn takes pride in us. I hope over the next seven years there will be many opportunities for me to celebrate with them."
  

Let us celebrate this March 5, 6 & 7 and remember all those Celtic women who have contributed so enormously to the culture of not only the Celtic nations in Europe, but the world over.