Irish Heritage on Tuesday 2nd December had a distinctly festive feel, with a special Christmas quiz. Here’s Chair Michael Walsh’s take on the fun:
Ann Robinson Misses Heritage Quiz
Manx 5 pence with Manx Gaelic inscription
The Christmas Quiz of the Birmingham Irish Heritage Group survived the absence of Ann Robison. Not just any Ann Robinson but Ann Robinson Queen of the BBC TV Quiz, The Weakest Link and undoubtedly a star of the current trend of “humiliation television” shows. You know the sort of programme where a very powerful person degrades and humiliates people who are in a very weak position, and can’t wait to tell them “Your Fired” or “Your Going Home” or “Good Bye” thus smashing their dreams.
Well! at least they have not reverted to throwing Christians to the lions on live TV just yet. Now to be fair to Ann Robinson she did not promise to conduct the heritage quiz or even attend, but even somebody as exalted as her is still a member of the general public, so she could have come along. As is widely known the general public is invited to all Birmingham Irish Heritage Group Events which are held at 7pm on the first Wednesday of each month, upstairs in the Irish Centre, High Street, Digbeth, Birmingham.
However the Heritage Group survived the absence of Ann and her place was more than adequately filled by the Vice Chairman of the Group, John Macintyre. He conducted a lively, humorous and interesting quiz, without resorting to humiliation, and in fact he ensured that everybody had a good time, just by force of personality and great preparation. He did all this without a production staff and without even a single facelift, or makeup, unless there is something he is keeping from us.
Questions were generally of Irish Interest but with a good proportion of general knowledge, across music, films, sport and current affairs. It made for a keen contest between the several teams formed by people on the spot as they arrived. Individuals also got the opportunity to shine by being the first to jump up and correctly answer special questions to win spot prizes. Final victory went to an all ladies team, not that there was any kind segregation going on, just a group of friends.
One Pound Edge inscription - PLEIDIOL WYF I'M GWLAD
They are to be greatly congratulated have won against very knowledgeable opposition, capable of answering really obscure questions such as on the existence or not, of Welsh and Manx Gaelic inscriptions on modern British coins. The other teams also received well deserved prizes followed by a fine buffet provided by the Heritage Group and ordered from the Irish Centre. Then everybody enjoyed live music from Anthony Drury accordion, Kieran Clifford fiddle and Sue Shortland-Webb fiddle, and although they did not end with “Will Ye No Come Back Again” we do all want them back again.
Remember all are welcome free of charge, just come along to the next Birmingham Irish Heritage Group Event, upstairs at the Irish Centre at 7pm on Wednesday 6th of January 2010.
Michael Walsh
