Jennifer Ireland

Movie Premiere Press Release...

Hey everyone...

Check out the Kansas City press release for the movie premiere event benefiting The Jennifer Ireland Foundation:

Download Barleypressrelease.pdf

Mairtin and I had the opportunity to be on the radio show "Celtic Crossings" on 1510 AM on Sunday. I'm guessing most of the city was sleeping in or at church, so I'm not sure how well we promoted the event. We appreciated the opportunity and enjoyed it nonetheless. Mairtin was fantastic and even did a live performance. I'll do my best to get the audio from the interview and post it soon. Stay tuned and I'll let you know what other media outlets will be helping us expose this event and the foundation.

All is well here at the Ireland household. We've had such a great stretch of weather here and the girls are loving it. They play hard all day and sleep like rocks at night!

A little time to think...

Sitting in an airplane looking down on some beautiful terrain (maybe the Grand Canyon), I’m wondering what it is that Jen and those that have gone before me see when they look down. Are they really looking down as I am from a plane or are they just looking through some sort of spiritual eye that looks beyond what we can physically see? Do I disappoint when I do something terribly stupid or do I make them proud when I do something honorable? My belief is that they don’t scrutinize our actions but enjoy the fruits of our good intentions. What about time? Do the long days become years as they yearn to be with us once again? I doubt it. My hope is that “earthly” time and “heavenly” time are very different. Rather than being long years away from joining Jen and other loved ones, they see us as only a heartbeat away. If it were only that way for us…

This grief thing has become all too familiar to me over the years, but with some practice, I can use it constructively. Of course, there are times when it sneaks up behind me and takes my breath away or squeezes a tear out of me, but most often it is a motivator. Like a good, upbeat song on a long run, grief can energize you. I have found a way to suppress it when I don’t want to deal with it, but I can also conjure it up when I need some strength or direction. It hurts at first but the result is inspiration. I can use that inspiration in many ways. Whether it is getting my out of shape rear-end through the homestretch of a workout or decision-making as we develop the Jennifer Ireland Foundation, my grief gives me purpose.

I read something in a book today that correlated with these deep thoughts. Although the book was fictional, the character brought up a good point as he pondered the death of a good friend: “Life goes on. That is a good thing, right?...The scars heal. But when you let that happen, your soul goes dead a little.” I’m not saying I agree or disagree, but it definitely sparked some discussion between me, myself and I as we descended into Kansas City this evening. Does overcoming sorrow harden you and make you less capable of emotion the next time around or does it simply make the next experience a little more understandable?

If you get a chance, tune your radio into Hot Talk 1510 AM (in KC) this Sunday morning at 10:30. Mairtin and I will be chatting with the hosts of Celtic Crossing, a weekly radio show heard on Sundays from 10:00 to 11:30 AM. We’ll discuss the movie The Wind That Shakes the Barley, the Jennifer Ireland Foundation, and the movie event on May 10th that will benefit the foundation. Mairtin is quite entertaining…I guess I’ll be his side-kick!

Have a great weekend everyone. That's an order.

The cast is off...

I hope everyone had a great weekend. Ours was packed with lots of action and we enjoyed it all. I should start with Friday when Peighton had her cast removed. The doctor thinks it healed up well and his only instructions were to keep her from banging it around or falling on it for about a week -- like that's an easy task when dealing with a two year old! There was a pretty cute moment in the busy waiting room at Children's Mercy. Peighton and I were waiting patiently when a little boy decided that she was going to be his new girlfriend. I should have taken a picture because he was following her around everywhere (and he had a sweet little three year old mullet). Anyway...he asked her where her daddy was and Peighton pointed at me and said "over there." He asked where her mommy was and Peighton said "she's with Jesus." The little boy didn't quite understand and said "where?" Peighton said again "with Jesus." I don't know that he fully understood but he decided to pick her up at that point and give her a big hug. About that time I had to jump in and make sure he didn't drop her on her good arm.

Saturday we were paid a visit by Jen's grandmother Blanche, aunt Gail, uncle Frank, and cousin Madeline. The girls really enjoyed the day and all the attention. Following lots of time outside, some great carry-out Mexican food, and a solo flute concert by Madeline, the girls were definitely ready for baths and bed. They spent the night at Jan and Bob's and were able to see the family off on their trip back to Cape Girardeau. Jan graciously kept the girls most of the day Sunday so that I could get a round of golf in with some friends. Man was it windy! What happened to March going out like a lamb? 35 mph gusts don't make the game any easier.

This week I'll be heading back out of town for a trip to the west coast. Stephanie and Jana will take good care of the girls. I'm sure Nana Jan and Papa Dan will swing in for a visit. While on the road, I'll also be plugging away (along with several others) at the "to do" list for the May 10th movie event and fundraiser. This event has the potential of being a huge source of funding for the Jennifer Ireland Foundation. We just need to make sure we fill the seats that night!

Here are some great pictures from the weekend...

Enjoying Spring...

I neglected to share any pictures from Peighton's birthday party a couple of weeks ago. Here's a good one of her getting some help blowing out the candles from big sis Emma.

We're doing well here and especially enjoying the change in weather. The girls love to get outside and play. It also seems as though the warm weather has cured me of my "shanks" on the golf course.

Many people have been working diligently on the May 10th movie premiere event. Everyday brings about new developments that make things even more exciting. Rumor has it that two more stars from the movie are very interested in flying in from Ireland to participate. Some press is also being generated so get your tickets early before all of Kansas City catches on.

I've tried to keep the Crawl for Cancer roster updated with changes over the past couple of weeks. Please take another look at it (on my April 1st post) and let me know if you have any questions. I'd also like everyone to start thinking about transportation. It is a day that centers around two things - fundraising for a great cause, and beer. I want to make sure everyone has a safe ride home. We will be arranging "party buses" that will leave from the Courtyard Marriott in Blue Springs around noon on Saturday May 12th. We will hop back on the buses around 7:30 PM that evening and head back to the Marriott. I'd like to remind everyone that the Marriott has offered up rooms at a special rate of $69.00 per night if you tell them you are with the Jennifer Ireland group. It might be a great idea to crash at the hotel and sleep the pitchers off! If you are interested in riding with us, please email Rachael Althaus at [email protected]. She'll need to get a good estimate on numbers so we know how many vehicles to reserve. Depending on how many people we have riding, it will cost riders between $10 and $15. I'll be honest, last year's ride down and back on the bus was almost as fun as the Crawl itself.

I have sat down to post something here on the blog the past couple of nights but found myself catching up on some of the blogs listed in our "Cancer Blog Network." Reading a lot of these recent posts makes it difficult for me to find anything worthwhile to write about. Sometimes I feel like writing something as simple as "Please read Trent's blog and pray for peace and comfort for him"...or "Check it out - Mary has a plan!"...or "Doesn't Shawndra still make you smile, even when you know she feels like crap!." Even with the difficult times we've been through recently, each of these stories still touches me and fuels my desire to do something to help. Your continued attention and support proves you feel the same. Have a great Friday.

Movie poster...

Get your "Barley" tickets...

The weather didn't stop the Figg Tree Foundation golf tournament and it didn't stop us from having a great time on Saturday.  Our two foursomes representing Jen included Jan, Dennis, Jason and Jordan (Jen's brothers) and several friends.  We converged on Foristell, MO Saturday morning with about 5 layers of clothing and our golf clubs.  Tammy Figg, a colon cancer survivor and tournament organizer, did a wonderful job of putting the 4th annual event on and memorializing three individuals that recently lost their lives to the disease.  Jen was on of the three and we were very honored.  We are excited to make this an annual trip to St. Louis and participate in this great tournament for a great cause.

I am also happy to announce that the tickets are now available for the May 10th "Wind That Shakes the Barley" KC premiere.  There is a lot of effort being put into making this a first class, memorable event.  There will be a limited number of tickets available at the following locations:

Browne's Irish Market

3300 Pennsylvania

Kansas City, MO

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Eddie Delahunt's Cafe &

45th and State Line

Kansas City, MO

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Doherty & Sullivan's Irish Goods

213 SE Main

Lees Summit, MO

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The Trouser Mouse Bar & Grill

625 Mock Ave.

Blue Springs, MO

Right behind Applebe's on 7 HWY

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There will also be tickets available for purchase via Paypal on the Jennifer Ireland Foundation website.  Tickets are $100 and the night will include finger foods and live music before the movie and a great after party at Kelly's in Wesport.  We'll all share a pint or two while being entertained by Eddie Delahunt and friends.  Mairtin de Cogain, who stars in the movie, will also grace us with his presence.  It will definitely be a great time!  Tomorrow I'll show you the poster that you may see at various locations across the city.

Just some stuff...

Hey everyone!  I'm back from a short trip early in the week and believe it or not, they are getting the same crappy weather in Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan.  This trip was especially important to me because I needed reassurance that the girls would do well without me around.  I haven't traveled in nearly 6 weeks and they were growing awfully "clingy" to me.  I know...I know...they have done just fine without me time and time again, but a dad just likes to feel like the world doesn't revolve without him.  They did really well and Stephanie says they were perfect. 

Today I had a unique opportunity.  I was invited by staff at Missouri Western State University to do a videotaped interview that will be edited and used for a course titled "Fitness and Wellness."  The interview was conducted at a cool little coffee shop in St. Joseph, MO and went well.  I don't know how well I can speak to cancer awareness and prevention, but I did my best to be brief, but honest in the short interview.  Truth is, I could probably speak about our experiences long enough to last an entire semester, but I don't think it would be fitting in a Fitness and Wellness course.  I really appreciated the fact that I was asked to do the interview, and it was actually kind of cool sitting down to chat with three cameras shooting us from different angles.  I guess deep down, no matter how remote the chance, I hope the interview leads to the discovery of a person's medical condition that the patient or doctor may initially assume is something less concerning than it really is.  Cancer or not, early detection is obviously key in most illnesses.

Many are wondering..."When do the tickets for the Wind That Shakes the Barley event go on sale?"  The tickets are actually at the printer as I speak...errr...type...and should be available by the weekend at the following venues:  Browne's Irish Market, Eddie Delahunt's Cafe &, Doherty & Sullivan's in Lees Summit, and the Trouser Mouse in Blue Springs.  There will also be a limited number of tickets available via Paypal on the Jennifer Ireland Foundation website.  I will officially let you know when I know the day.  Considering there are less than 300 tickets available, I feel like I need to keep you informed up to the minute!

A couple of bunnies...

Thanks to everyone that stopped by for Peighton's birthday party.  We had a great time!  Once things quieted down and all of her friends left, she decided to open all the presents.  She was very excited about everything.  You all did a great job of shopping.

Easter Sunday was another good day.  It started off a little hectic when Belle looked up at me and the girls this morning with one eye swollen shut.  I quickly remembered her falling out of bed at some point in the middle of the night.  I think she hit the edge of the bed frame on the way down.  Ouch!  So I ran her up to the emergency vet service so they could check out the eye and make sure there wasn't any severe damage.  She seemed to be doing better as the day progressed.  The girls enjoyed church and an afternoon at Nana's hunting Easter eggs and opening a few gifts.  They were also glad to see Uncle Jordan and Uncle Jason.

This week looks to be as busy as the past few...I'll be on the road for a few days.  However, I am looking forward to the weekend when I am playing in a golf tournament with Jen's family and some friends.  The event is a benefit for the Figg Tree Foundation in St. Louis.  I hope the weather warms up just a bit.  Of course cold can be a good excuse for a poor golf performance, but I'd rather enjoy the weather and find a better excuse.

Happy Easter...

It was a Good Friday around our house.  The girls spent the night with Nana and arrived back home late this morning.  Awaiting their arrival was Dennis, Tina, and Aunt Jane - up from Cape Girardeau.  Papa and Grammy in town usually means lunch at Red Robin, a lot of play time, and usually some great gifts.  The best gift of all was a giant, air-filled bouncer that fits just perfectly in the basement rec-room.  Thank you to Amanda for the surprise visit this evening.  She came bearing cupcakes and a birthday present for Peighton.  Now that the girls are finally in bed, I'm doing some picking up around the house.  We're having a small gathering for Peighton's 2nd birthday tomorrow.

With Peighton turning two, I can't help but get a little emotional about everything we've been through the past two years.  Sometimes I think of Peighton as the ray of hope that emerged out of a stormy time in our lives.  If any of you haven't had the chance to meet her, she is simply beautiful.  Much like her sister Emma, her personality and intelligence at such an early age is something special.  As crazy as it may sound, I often think that Jen gave her life in exchange for our beautiful, youngest daughter.  The only reason the thought would cross my mind is because I often ponder how we could have detected Jen's cancer sooner.  But honestly, in hindsight, I still don't have a good answer.  Her pregnancy with Peighton masked any symptoms.  Even six months following Peighton's birth, "postpartum issues" was a phrase used as an explanation for what we now know was much more.  I'm not one to dwell on the past or what could have been.  Tonight I just had fun with Emma and Peighton and thanked God for giving me Jen for a short time and giving me our wonderful girls for a lifetime.

Have a Happy Easter.

May movie premiere...

               The Wind That Shakes the Barley

I'd like to direct everyone to the KC Irish Fest Blog, maintained by Dan Regan.  He has a very humorous update on information regarding the Kansas City premiere of The Wind That Shakes the Barley.  The May 10th event will directly benefit the Jennifer Ireland Foundation and will, without a doubt, be a great night.  Check out our buddy Mairtin de Cogain in the lead with the rifle! 

I'm not a huge fan of movie critics only because I enjoy making my own decision about a movie. However, Rotten Tomatoes is never too far off when they compile reviews and rate a movie as "fresh" or "rotten".  Their assessment of this movie is excellent.