Irish in New Mexico (Albuquerque, Las Cruces: bars, yard, stations)

[MMAllen]

Cool, BrianH! Be sure to post the link when it's up and running!

[BrianH]

Will do, give me ideas of what you think would be good too. Im doing clubs n bars, musicians forums, picture gallery and some other stuff right now. Even looking to translating it all as gaeilge when alls finished up too.

[nicky1097]

I Just realized your original post was from a while ago..but I think what your doing is a great idea. My fiancé and I are from Boston, he moved to Santa Fe six months ago, me, two weeks ago! We are both of Irish descent! He owns a Irish Draught born and foaled in Kilkenny who is with us in Santa Fe as well! Maybe you could have something about Irish horses since I've seen a couple people post about them!! I can't wait until the link is up! Keep us posted!

MMcKenna--How ironic..that's my Fiance's name and he moved from Boston as well!

[jsc23]

Originally Posted by BrianH

As may know im from Dublin, now living in NM. Im looking to see if there are many Irish people in NM. Im considering (if there is interest) setting up and IrishNM club or group / society or whatever.

I think it would be cool for people who have moved to NM from Ireland or people who are of Irish descent to mix and share stories / experiences. Im a web designer and plan on building a site for it. I think it would be cool for annual gatherings around the state too, i know of a couple of performers from Kerry that live in Santa Fe. What do you think ?

Very good idea... grandma first cried in Dublin, though grandpa and pa are Glaswegian... all celts at least... and I can mangle many a tune on the whistle (my cats literally try to knock the whistle out of my hands whenever I practice).

My visage is stereotypically celt. Living in Las Vegas, NM, I tend to stand out a bit. To my great pleasure, many "de la gente" locals feel compelled to regale me with proud tales of their Irish ancestry. Unfortunately, these encounters too often result in nasty whisky/tequila hangovers...

[mmckenna]

ANyone familiar with O'Hara's pub in Rio Rancho? I keep driving by meaning to check it out, but not sure if it is respectable or not

[MMAllen]

Hmmm, correct me if I'm wrong but wouldn' t most places in Rio Rancho be respectable? to an old-timer like me, everything in RR is relatively "new" and wouldn't have had much time to enter ill repute, hah! It's so strange each time I come back to NM, to see how RR grows...I remember when it was a handful of houses in the dust and NOTHING else. No stores, NOTHING. Not that long ago either. 1979.

As for the website, maybe some links to NM Celtic merchants, there are jewelry makers who do knotwork (you can find them at the games)...actually one of the best is in Colorado but he comes to the games sometimes (Golden Torc)...there's a celtic store in Albuquerque somewhere on Lomas...and, again, maybe put a blog link so folks can converse about specific events that come up. Also there are some writers in NM who are Celtic-based in their heritage and themes. I know of two I have reviewed in the past, could pass along to you info if others come up. (I write book reviews.)

Have fun building it! They will come!

[santafescribe]

I'm Irish - born in Dublin - and living in Santa Fe now, working as a realtor. Always happy to join a crowd. One easy way to set up such a group is on Facebook. I'd be happy to do it and invite all who replied if you send me your "real" email addresses.
I'm afraid I prefer Black Bush to Jamesons, and single malt Scotch to them both. Does that mean I'm already eliminated?!?

[MMAllen]

NO, it means you have good taste! What's your fave? I like The Macallans best...also enjoy one I found here in Scotland by Isle of Jura called "Superstition"...I love going around testing different ones...

[santafescribe]

yeah, it's a tough job, etc. etc. ;-}
me I'm all for Laphroaig....

[MMAllen]

That's a good one too...point of curiosity: my American friends who introduced me to single malt all drink it straight. Here in Scotland I've been instructed to have it with water (brought to you in a small pitcher), preferably water from the place the particular s. malt is made when possible. How do you drink it? Being originally from Ireland, I mean...is there a protocal there?

Of course, in America one can't drink the water from the well so...it's a bit of a moot point. But I have come to like it with the water.

Also strange to me, a Guinness costs more here than a single malt in a pub. Quite the reverse in Albuquerque!!!