Ireland’s Number One Christmas Song
PDX HIBERNIAN INDEPENDENT 18 December 2025
More than an email. Less than a newspaper. Delivered every Thursday (except Thanksgiving and Christmas in 2025). Published by The Portland Hibernian Society.
Nollaig Shona agus Athbhliain faoi Mhaise Duit.
NO MEETING TONIGHT – Thursday December 18. See you next year on January 15, 2026
HIBERNIAN HIGH CROSS SITE OF COMMEMORATION
Motorists driving by Mt. Calvary Cemetary on West Burnside Saturday morning must have wondered what was going on up on the hill by the Cross. It was there 17 years ago on December 13 in terribe weather that the President of Ireland came to Portland for the official dedication. That was then and this is now? Has much changed?
A snow storm drove the dedication ceremonies in 2008 into a tent erected at the last minute at Mt. Calvary.
Turns out David O’Longaigh of Dublin, one of the founders of the Irish revival in Portland in the late 1990s, has more than the Hibernian High Cross at Mt. Calvary to worry about. OPB reported December 17 on his work to bring the Thomspon Elk Statue back to downtown Portland. "O’Longaigh said the statue will have a new reinforced foundation, new stonework sourced from the original quarry in Vermont, and more." Good man.
ORE-IRE SISTER STATE SET UP STALLS
There’s been a delay in the creation of the first ever Oregon-Ireland Sister State Commission. It was created by the Legislature to improve economic relations with Ireland while developing cultural ties.Members of the Commission were expected to be named in early December. From Brandy Martinez in Governor Kotek's office: "Our process was delayed slightly as we sought more applicants, however we are nearing the end of the appointment process for the committee. We expect to have a decision from the Governor by the end of this month." From the PDX HI in September: The mission is to increase Oregon exports to Ireland and encourage Irish investments here according to the bill. Besides inviting and hosting delegations from Ireland, the committee “may" travel to Ireland once every two years. Oregon is the eighth state to create a Sister State relationship with Ireland.
NYE IN IRE
Can’t remember the last time I stayed up until midnight on 31 December when I wasn't picking someone up at PDX. So, the trend of Irish hospitality establishments counting down to Midnight in Ireland is a welcome one. 2026 arrives in Ireland at 4:01 P.M. Wednesday afternoon here in Portland. Eight hours before everyone else you can kiss 2025 goodbye. Irish celebrations at 4:00 P.M. will tke place at Kells on SW Second and TC O’Leary’s on NE Alberta.
THE UN-CHRISTMAS CLASSIC
Fairy Tale of New York,Ireland’s Number One Christmas song, without a doubt, is a song that many Americans have never heard. Or heard of. But those who know it mostly love it. Its appeal is multigenerational. The Pogues love it too. The royalties from Fairy Tale exceed half a million dollars a year. Here are FIVE REASONS we love it.
ONE MUSICIAN AGREES
“The greatest Christmas song of all time opens in a drunk tank.” So wrote Jeff Baker in the Dec. 13 edition of The Oregonian. When the PHS Minister of Music Mike Phillips read that he knew he had to check this song out. He did and here’s where it led him.
IRA EXECUTIONER OF BRITISH SPIES WAS WORKING FOR MI 5
What will the consequencs be - if any - for the British intelligence bosses who approved of the killing and torturing of their own agents in Northern Ireland during The Troubles? That's just one of the unanswered questions about a British spy operation targeting the IRA. It was called Stakeknife. Here' another one. How did the IRA get taken in by this double agent?
HO HO HOW COME YOU HAVEN'T BECOME A PHS MEMBER YET? IF YOU'RE NOT ALREADY A SUPPORTER CLICK HERE TO FIX THAT.
John Bradch, Sr. Portland Hibernian
GOOD NIGHT AND JOY BE WITH YOU ALL