Contest, Over

Well that didn't take long. Justin Janorschke was first in with answers in our inaugural 2009 kids' contest, announced yesterday. Kansas City Irish Fest Children's Area Chief Shawn Sullivan Warner reports:

From Michelle, the Mom of our Winner:
"I'm typing this for my son, who wrote this down, but forgot to email it before school, so gave it to me to email to you because he didn't want some one to beat him to it, you see. Yep, we are in the car on the way to school and he asks if I can do this for him, at least he remembered his homework, I think.

Anyway, he says Finn was a deer and he made the Isle of Man and his dogs were Newfoundland's like Lewis and Clark's dog. At least that is the scribbled note I got.

So there you have it, and I hope he is right."

Justin Janorschke, 12

("I know, not so Irish sounding, but his great-great grandparents came to America from Ireland via the Isle of Man.")

Congratulations to Justin, his answers were perfect except the Newfoundland and the answer is Irish Wolfhound, which are about as big and both known for their sweet dispositions, loyalty, and being laid back, so we understand some mixup. Merriweather Lewis had a Newfoundland named Seaman, did you know these dogs have webbed feet? There is a statue of Seaman on the Missouri River.

As for Bran and Sceolang, the bronze statues of these pets are in Kildare. Kildare Village has features which serve to recognize the importance of the heritage of the Town and surrounding area – two bronze Irish Wolfhounds, Bran and Sceolang, the Hounds of Fionn Mac Cumhaill, legendary hero and leader of the Fianna, who had their home on the nearby Hill of Allen.

Well done, Justin! I went O-fer on my guesses. For the rest of you, I'd be surprised not at all if Shawn came up with more contests in the near future. Stay tuned.