Number One Question

Where does the money go?

That's what we get asked most here at Irish Fest HQ during the Fest and in the days and weeks immediately after. Number two question: is it true that Ed Scanlon gave up a successful career as a Calvin Klein underwear model to go into the Irish Fest business?* To that number one question about where the money goes, this year we have an easy answer.

To you, if you ask nicely.

If you were inspired by something you heard, read or saw at Irish Fest this year, you still have one week to apply for a cash grant through the Kansas City Irish Fest Grant Fund. Applications will be accepted through October 1st and the grant advisory board will begin reviewing requests immediately after. The grant fund, according to its official mission statement "was created to foster awareness and appreciation of our area's rich Irish heritage and to enhance and promote Irish music, dance, literature, theater, visual arts, sports and cuisine". What does that mean to you?

You saw Joseph Manning at the Feis dance and leap and your heart leapt with him. You must learn to dance like that. We can help pay for lessons.

You were swept away by Miranda Mulholland's flaming fiddle. You need to make a bow fly like she does. We want to make that possible.

You swooned at the beautiful, complex tones of the language of the Gael. Those words are buried deep in your DNA. We want to help you find them.

Your 501c3 organization has dreamed of bringing that professor from Galway over to the US to talk to your group about her latest study of the tomb at Newgrange, but the expense is daunting. We can, um...undauntify it.

In a nutshell, we want to help make your Irish dream come true.

It will surprise you not at all when I say there are limits. We won't pay the light bill or rent for the local chapter of the Malachy McCourt Fan Club office. We won't pay for the printing of brochures to get your friend Honest John O'Flaherty elected to the city council. We won't write you a check so you can go to Mexico on vacation to you'll be more relaxed as you plan the upcoming James Joyce film festival and disco. Applications will be carefully reviewed, monies are limited and grants must be used by the end of calendar year 2008. Only qualified individuals and 501c3 organizations are eligible. If you're one of those, apply today.

Remember you've only got a week and then applications will be closed until next summer. Good luck. I hope all your Irish dreams come true.

*Yes.