KCGAC at The Celtic Ranch

Beer 'n Sports: who doesn't love that combination?

The KCGAC board headed up to Weston early and had our monthly meeting upstairs in The Celtic Ranch. We sipped on a few O'Malley's Weston Brewing Company beers while we debated the in's and out's of the club.

Then around 3 o'clock we invited people to come up and share a beer with us and talk about Gaelic Football and Hurling.

We had people from Hawaii there who had never heard of Gaelic games before, but were so impressed that they took our information and are going to see if there are any Gaelic clubs back on the big island.

People from all over the Kansas City metro area and Lawrence came up and we got two new "Honorary" members, the sisters Meghan and Erin, we tried to get their Dad to sign up, but he was having none of it!

Later we walked around the store wearing our club jerseys, listening to an acoustic session of Flanagan's Right Hook and absorbing the great atmosphere of The Celtic Ranch. Some of the lads stayed the night in Weston, and I think I'll do the same next time. 

Thank you Terry and John, you and the gang at The Celtic Ranch are the best.

Mike, Pete and Anto wearing their KCGAC gear

Sully and Scott chillaxing Ranch style

Anthony and Devin showing what not to do with a hurley stick

Curtis explains why looking good on the field is as important as being good!

Erin and Meghan will be out to practice next week or maybe to just cheer us on

Showing ball skills

Fearsome KCGAC players

After a hard day doing PR work, its time to sit down and drink

The Unsung Hero of Gaelic Games

Our Referee most days: Mr. Chad Griffin

When the ball goes wide, when you get a hard challenge and don't get a free, when you miss kick the ball, when you give a bad hand pass, when you run out of energy and gasp for breath: You blame the Ref.

That's right, the guy who is out there of his own goodness officiating YOUR game, so YOU can have fun and play Gaelic games and all you want to do is tell this fella where to stick it. So, today all us hot headed players are going to cool it and show respect for the man that makes tournaments happen and keeps friendly games friendly. All hail the Ref.

Here's some refs in the spotlight:

St. Patrick's Day - 2010

We were promised warm, sunny weather from the local news stations. All of Kansas City woke up expecting a beautiful St. Patrick's Day and even though we looked outside and saw drizzle, we held to the belief that by mid-morning it would become a tad more clement. It never did. We froze our collective arses off.

Here's some action from the parade. Thanks to all those that came out to march and to watch from the sidelines. And a special thanks to Lynn Klein for bringing her truck to carry the Irish flag for the KCGAC, which she did in memorial for her mother Jane Klein. We miss you Jane.

Green (as in the environment) was the theme this year

The things parents will make their kids wear: Wellies, Kilt, Paddy Cap. Check, check and check

This guy looks like an extra from Patriot Games.

Hurling and ATV riding = Multiple Dental Visits 

Irish Potato Famine Victims

Irish Cowboys

See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil

The Taylor Lads and their Dad braved the cold

Robert was Protected from the Elements

This wee Galway man came out to show the KCGAC hurlers how to play the old Celtic Cricket

Another great and safe St. Paddy's Day under our belt, hope to see you all again next year, when it will be bigger, better, faster and greener than ever.

The Celtic Ranch

Whether we're playing locally or around the Midwest we get asked about the white horse on our shirts and we simply answer "It's the Celtic Ranch in Weston, MO, the best sponsor an Irish club could have." I drove up there on Sunday morning to see what's going on for St. Patrick's week.

This is Nikki Tikki, he was hanging out with family at the Celtic Ranch. He looks like a classic Irish Sheepdog, but they said he's only tried herding horses, no sheep yet. He's now an honorary member of the KCGAC.

Inside they had complimentary Irish coffee, cake and Guinness brownies for all guests and shoppers.

The Celtic Ranch is not your typical Irish Store and it's definitely no Plastic Paddy Depot. You'll find beautiful Irish handcrafts, local art and photography. Currently there is an amazing collection of work on display by Irish artist Anna Nielsen. They also have a small library of books on Ireland from fiction and food to memoirs and travel. If you're planning a trip to the old country, this needs to be your first stop. And in the back of the store there is a miniature horse called Half-Pint McCoy.

The Celtic Ranch now has hurley sticks and sliotars in stock. Save yourself the expense of ordering from Ireland and get your gear locally from Terry at the Ranch. And as always they have the wonderful KCGAC jerseys in stock. Club members get a nice discount.

You don't need to wait for St. Patrick's Day or Irish Fest to go to the Celtic Ranch, just find a few hours off and take the beautiful drive up Highway 45 from Parkville (you can take I-29 but it's not as scenic) and make a day of it in Weston.