G.I.S. Nuachtlitir / Newsletter : Bealtaine/ May 2015 Issue No: 49
MAY 1st (Protomagia) is the festival of flowers and also INTERNATIONAL WORKERS’ DAY, which
is celebrated as a Public Holiday in many countries.
May 1st is the day Greeks use to collect flowers and prepare the wreath which hangs outside the
door or on balcony railings. Since the 18th Century Roman Catholics have celebrated May Day
with various devotions to the Blessed Mary, often crowning a statue of Mary with a garland of
flowers.
In the late 19th Century, May Day was chosen for International Workers Day by the Socialists and
the Communists to commemorate the Haymarket Affair in Chicago, USA when workers went on
strike demanding an eight hour working day. The peaceful rally in support of the striking workers
ended in several deaths, while scores of people were wounded. This event is generally considered
as the origin of International May Day observances for workers. The 1st May is a celebration of
laborers and the working classes that is promoted by the International Labour Movement,
anarchists, socialists and occurs every year with marches, parades demonstrations and speeches
worldwide.
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G.I.S. Nuachtlitir / Newsletter : Bealtaine/ May 2015 Issue No: 49
The May birth flower is Lily.
May Birth Flower is Lily, this low growing perennial plant has small fragrant bell-shaped flowers
and two large oblong lanceolate leaves and bloom in white.
Latin words ‘maius’ (May) and ‘anthemon’ (flower), a reference to when this plant blooms, is how it
was named.
Lily of the Valley symbolizes sweetness and humility and “You’ve Made My Life Complete” is the
hidden message connected to the flower.
WALK ON YMITTOS MOUNTAIN SUNDAY APRIL 26th 2015
On a beautiful Spring day 32 members and friends, including two young boys, walked three
kilometres over Ymittos mountain. The lush green mountain was full of an amazing variety of
flowers and plants.
The walk was led by Carol Skinner, who was very informative, stopping at certain spots to point
out facts or places of interest.
Carol Skinner and Jan Papagalou, our Membership Secretary, then took us to a local tavern for a
wonderful lunch and an opportunity for everyone to eat, drink and chat.
We would like to thank everyone who joined us to make it a memorable occasion.
For further photos of the event please check out our website www.greekirishsociety.gr
Bazaar in Aid of the Poor
Caritas Voula are organizing an Economy Busting Bazaar in Aid of the Poor at the Catholic Church, K.
Karamanli 77, Voula on Saturday 23 rd May from 11.30 – 15.30 and on Sunday 24th May from 12.00
– 13.00. There will be great bargains for all with fashion, bric-a-brac, presents, toys and a vast selection
of books in English and other languages. Come along for some real bargains AND help out the really
unfortunate!
For information please call 210 8958694 or Anna 6973 516470
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G.I.S. Nuachtlitir / Newsletter : Bealtaine/ May 2015 Issue No: 49
Greek Irish Society Pub Quiz Saturday 9th of May 8.30 pm
O’Connell’s Irish Pub, Akti Miaouli 79, 185.38 Piraeus
Come on down early - keep your seat- put your thinking caps on. You can enter teams up to 4
people
3 euro entrance fee for members, 5 euro for non-members.
Special priced meals also available...Come and join the fun… a good craic guaranteed!!!
GREEK IRISH SOCIETY’S “LADIES NIGHT” Saturday 16th May
For those ladies who wish to join us for the “Ladies Night” at the Mavros Gatos Taverna , Polemonos
4, 116.35 Pangrati, here the menuChoice of salads- tomato or lettuce
Courgette patties or fried courgettes
Chips
Tzatziki
Choice of meat- chicken, meatballs or sausage.
Dessert
and as much wine as you can drink!!!!!
The cost is only 15 euros per person and the company priceless!!!!
Meet at the Black Cat at 8.30pm. Contact Val for bookings 694-761-4818
Hope you can join us
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G.I.S. Nuachtlitir / Newsletter : Bealtaine/ May 2015 Issue No: 49
GIS OFFICAL NOTICE OF THE 2015 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Well it’s May already and it’s almost the end of what we hope has been an enjoyable year with us
at the Greek Irish Society.
As you all know it is the month of our A.G.M. As always we ask for your support at this event.
Come along and celebrate a great G.I.S year with us and give us your feedback.
Please note the date is Sunday 31st May 2015, 7.30pm in the Athens Centre.
The A.G.M is naturally only open to fully paid-up members of the Society.
The Agenda is as follows:
1. Approval of Agenda
2. Treasurer’s Report and Presentation of 2014-2015 Accounts
3. Membership Secretary’s Report
4. Matters arising i.e. Sponsorships/ Charities.
5. Presidents Report and Address
6. Election of Committee Members
7. Any Other Business
If you have anything else you would like added to the agenda and you are a fully paid up member
please email us [email protected] and let us know before the 24th of May 2015.
If you are interested in nominating yourself or someone else for the GIS Committee or the subcommittee please also email us the details by the 24th of May 2015.
We can confirm that the following Committee Members are not running for re-election:
Eileen Morfoniou, President
Valerie Assimacopoulos, Vice President
Amanda Norris, Secretary
Catherine Aylward, Treasurer
Jan Papagalou, Membership Secretary
Ann Davis
John Arvithis
And Gillian Efremiadis
*Gerry Tripolis is Undecided.
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G.I.S. Nuachtlitir / Newsletter : Bealtaine/ May 2015 Issue No: 49
Always remember to forget … The things that made you sad.
But never forget to remember …The things that made you glad.
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G.I.S. Nuachtlitir / Newsletter : Bealtaine/ May 2015 Issue No: 49
May 2 - Zoodochos Pigis
May 3 - Timotheos (Timothy, Tim)
May 5 - Eirinis, Irini (Irene)
May 6 - Serafim
May 7 - Akakios
May 9 - Christoforos (Chris)
May 10 - Simonos (Simon)
May 11 - Kyrillos & Methodos
May 13 - Sergios, Glykerias, Glykeria (Sergio)
May 15 - Paxomios
May 17 - Andronikos
May 18 - Ioulias, Ioulia (Julia, July, Julie)
May 19 - Menandrios
May 21 - Konstantinos & Elenis, Konstantinos, Kostas, Thina, Kostathina, Eleni (Helen, Tina, Dina)
May 27 - Ioannos Rosos
May 28 - Tis Analipseos
May 29 - Theodosias
May 30 - Isaakios (Isaac)
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G.I.S. Nuachtlitir / Newsletter : Bealtaine/ May 2015 Issue No: 49
THE IRISH PUB CULTURE
In the small villages that dot Ireland, the pub plays an important role in social life; it is the social
hub of the community. For instance, Dingle town – population 1,000 – boasts more than 50 pubs.
That’s one pub for every 20 people. Village folks don’t sit in front of the telly after supper; they
meet at the local pub and don’t go home until everyone at the table has politely bought a round.
Shaw maintained that the Irish find their imaginations too tortuous to bear without whiskey.
More likely it’s the pub as much as the pint that the Irish would find life unbearable without.
The same applies for those of us who find ourselves far from home, thankfully here in Athens we
have our own Irish Pubs that help us keep our social life alive…
O’Connell’s Irish Pub -Akti Miaouli 79, Piraeus 185.37 Tel:210-957-9114
Molly Malone’s Irish Pub- Yannitsopoulou 8, Glyfada 166.75 Tel:210-894-4247
James Joyce Irish Pub- Astiggos 12, Thessieo 105.55 Tel: 210-323-5055
… Great company, great service and great food & drink… what more could you ask for?
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G.I.S. Nuachtlitir / Newsletter : Bealtaine/ May 2015 Issue No: 49
Dermatology Call Helen Ruby Kassimatis on 210-384-0383
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*Greek bouzouki tutor. Call George Tsimbouksis 697-190-6107 [email protected]
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*Handmade silver and bronze jewellery. Call Marijke Smiet-Bunker 695-615-4955 or contact per mail
[email protected] or via FB'
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*Keg & Crew Engish Pub and Resturant- Akti Miaouli 83,Pireaus
Available for all private and corporate function. Open Saturday night for events and private functions. Child friendly
kegncrew.wix.com/kegncrew Tel: 210 429 0396
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*Professional freelance photographer. Weddings, baptism, portrait, landscape, advertising and architectural
photography (also on facebook George Tsimbouksis Photography)
www.georgetsimbouksis.com
Call George Tsimbouksis 697-190-6107
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*Real Estate. “A Home For You”. Call Terry Corridan 693-239-3569 [email protected]
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*Singing and piano tutor .Ethnonusicolosist / organiser and tutor in Irish song lessons and seminars.
Call Labrini Gioti 698-086-0471 [email protected]
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* The English Centre, provides specialized consultancy and education services to those wishing to move to the UK
and overseas for academic or professional reasons.
www.englishcentre.gr
Call Kim Hedley 697-305-3745
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*The Athens Centre, educational and cultural organization, Greek language courses, university programs, cultural
events for Information, contact: Rosemary Donnelly, email: [email protected]
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