Meet Kitty Friend Aisling (pronounced Ash-ling), from Ireland. Aisling has a new hairstyle with pigtails, and I added instructions in the Flexible Kitty Friends Tutorial, so you can make a similar hairstyle for your own Kitty Friend.
Aisling’s skirt has three colors: green, white and orange. It mimics the Irish flag, and the three colors are meant to represent unity (white) between Catholics (green) and Protestants (orange). The color green has been associated with Ireland since the late 1600s, when the Irish started wearing green ribbons in honor of St. Patrick’s Day. St. Patrick is also associated with the shamrock, because he used the shamrock’s three leaves to explain the doctrine of the Trinity to pagans in Ireland.
Aisling is very creative, and she loves to make “Charming Necklaces” for all her friends. Aisling gives Kitty a necklace with a cat. Isn’t it purrfect for her?
Shannon Rose’s charm is called a “Claddagh.” The Claddagh is a traditional style often used for wedding rings. The hands (friendship) encircle a heart (love) which is topped by a crown (loyalty).
Maeve’s charm is a woven Celtic heart.
Maeve is Irish through and through. On the back of her head is a beautiful “Wild Irish Rose.”
Maeve, Aisling and Shannon Rose are all members of a musical group called, “Celtic Friends.” Kitty is excited to watch them rehearse.
Aisling explains that music is part of the heart and soul of the people of Ireland. When the English were in control of Ireland, they tried to suppress the Irish spirit. Queen Elizabeth I ordered the arrest of all Irish artists and pipers, and some were even hanged. But that didn’t stop them from keeping traditional Irish music alive to the present day. Traditional instruments include fiddles, bagpipes, flutes, drums and harps of all sizes. Traditional Irish folk music has also influenced American country music.
The girls start with a lively Irish tune called, “The Wearin’ of the Green.”
The Wearin’ of the Green
Oh, Paddy dear and did you hear the news that's goin' round? The shamrock is by law forbid to grow on Irish ground. Saint Patrick's Day no more we'll keep his colours can't be seen, For they're hangin' men and women for the wearin' of the green.
Next Maeve sings a ballad called, “The Minstrel Boy,” which tells of a young boy who goes off to war.
The Minstrel Boy
Author: Thomas Moore The Minstrel-Boy to the war is gone, In the ranks of death you'll find him; His father's sword he has girded on, And his wild harp slung behind him. "Land of song!" said the warrior-bard, "Tho' all the world betrays thee, One sword, at least, thy rights shall guard, One faithful harp shall praise thee!"
Time for something more upbeat. The girls hum an Irish jig while Maeve shows off her dancing skills.
Next Maeve tells an ancient Irish folk tale called, “The Swan Maiden,” while Aisling strums the harp. The story is adapted from “The Dream of Oengus.”
The Swan Maiden
The Irish god of love, Aengus, son of Dagda, was young and handsome. With his fair hair and blue eyes, he rivaled Adonis from Greek mythology. But Aengus was a huge flirt, and no woman could capture his attention for long. He would often shape-shift into the form of a bird so he could observe a woman in secret. Then, when she was alone, he would transform back into a man and use his charms to make her fall in love with him. When a young Faery maiden named Caer (pronounced “Keer”) saw this, she decided to teach him a lesson and change his wayward behavior. That night, Aengus had a dream about a beautiful girl who played the harp for him. She had long golden hair, and she wore a golden chain around her neck with a golden charm shaped like a swan. He dreamed the same dream every night for a year until he became very sick and wouldn’t eat. Physicians couldn’t find anything wrong with him. Finally, his family realized that he was lovesick. They searched throughout the countryside but were unable to find the girl of his dreams. Then one day a Faery named Bodb came to visit Aengus and told him of a girl he had seen who fit his description. Bodb took Aengus to Loch Bél Dracon (Lake Dragon’s Mouth), where they saw a group of 150 young girls frolicking in the water. Each girl wore a silver chain, except for the tallest girl who wore a golden chain with a charm shaped like a swan. Aengus was amazed to see that this was the very girl he had been pining for. “Who is she?” He asked Bodb. “That is Cáer Ibormeith, the Swan Maiden from Connacht,” Bodb replied. Bodb said that Aengus would need to travel to Connacht to ask Queen Maeve and King Ailill if he could marry her. Aengus went to Connacht, but Maeve and Ailill could not help him. They said he must ask Cáer’s father, Ethal Anbúail, who was a powerful Faery King, for his permission. When Ethal Anbúail refused Aengus, Maeve (who loved a good fight) and Ailill sent their warriors to attack Ethal’s home. Ethal finally surrendered, but he revealed that he could not give Cáer to Aengus, because her magic was even more powerful than his. Ethel said that next Samhain (Halloween), Caer would be at the lake again, but this time in the form of a swan. If Aengus could find her then, he might persuade her to marry him. On the last day of October, Aengus went to the lake, where he saw a flock of 150 white swans swimming on the water. All but one wore silver chains around their necks. The largest swan wore a chain of gold, and Aengus knew this was his true love, Caer. Aengus called out, “Come and speak with me, Cáer!” “Who is calling to me?” she asked. “Aengus is calling,” he replied. “I will come,” she said, “If you promise that I may return to the water.” She became a woman then, and Aengus put his arms around her. But as he leaned in to kiss her, she said, “Now, I hope you don’t plan to flirt with any more beautiful maidens in the future.” “No, my love. I have thought only of you for the past year and a half,” he replied. Caer seemed satisfied with his answer. She shape-shifted back into a swan and started to sing a haunting melody. The magical tune turned the other swans back into maidens. “Go home, my faithful friends,” she said. Then she flew off into the sky. Aengus quickly followed her in the form of a swan, and together they circled the lake three times. They headed into the distance toward Aengus’ home in Brugh Na Boinne (Newgrange). And that is how Aengus, god of love, married Cáer Ibormeith, the beautiful Swan Maiden.
For the finale, the three girls sing, “Danny Boy.”
Danny Boy
Author: Frederick E. Weatherly Oh, Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling From glen to glen, and down the mountain side. The summer's gone, and all the roses falling, It's you, It's you must go and I must bide. But come ye back when summer's in the meadow, Or when the valley's hushed and white with snow, It's I'll be there in sunshine or in shadow,— Oh, Danny boy, Oh Danny boy, I love you so! But when ye come, and all the flowers are dying, If I am dead, as dead I well may be, Ye'll come and find the place where I am lying, And kneel and say an Avé there for me. And I shall hear, though soft you tread above me, And all my grave will warmer, sweeter be, For you will bend and tell me that you love me, And I shall sleep in peace until you come to me!
Is that a tear on Kitty’s face? Or is she just happy because the song is so beautiful? Either way, it is a wonderful concert, and Kitty applauds with enthusiasm.
The Celtic Friends and Kitty want to wish you a Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
