https://www.visitmontserrat.com Archives - Jim Murty’s TravelTravelTravel

It was a familiar keep out sign in the UK but it’s different in Montserrat where it’s know blacks, know Irish.

And where they’re already getting things in hand for their ten-day annual celebration for St Patrick’s Day next month.

The Gaels have an enduring footprint in the West Indies.

Where Irish and Scots servants were exploited after wars of freedom back home.

On the face of it the St Patrick’s Day festivities sound like a coming together then.

Of two disenfranchised peoples, the Gaels and black West Indians.

Rebels’ yell

But its origins are diametrically opposite as the imported African slaves used the opportunity of St Patrick’s Day, 1768.

To rise up against their overlords, many of them Irish, who they knew would be partying that day.

Alas, for the locals their plans were said to have been overheard by an Irish woman who told the British.

And nine of the ringleaders were executed while another 30 were exiled.

And so it is Cudjoe and his rebels that the good people of Montserrat commemorate every March 17.

Hands across the ocean

Though surprisingly their sacrifice only started to be acknowledged in 1971 when researchers began to publicise it.

While it was not until 1985 that the savvy and very forgiving Montserrat government decided.

To tie in their day with St Paddy’s Day.

All of which makes this year, the 40th anniversary of that initiative, even more anticipated.

Greening up

Now our Caribbean chums have been sharing what they have in store for this year.

Including Leprechaun’s Revenge, a thrilling night of music and revelry with a Caribbean twist.

And Chess Entertainment‘s Boozey Brunch, a sophisticated mix of gourmet flavors and great vibes.

Now if it’s soca you want, and the answer is yes, always then it’s in abundance with KISS Montserrat and STRATIFY.

The festival also showcases heritage tours, J’ouvert (dancing on the street), National Heroes Day, the Emerald Brunch.

And the stand-out event, the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Heritage Feast.

Win Winair

Now you’ll fly through either the US, Boston, New York, Miami with our Montserrat mates recommending Winair.

Or from the other Caribbean islands with St Kitts the closest but our favourite Barbados too, giving us an excuse.

Travellers are encouraged to book accommodation early

For more updates, follow Montserrat Festivals or island of Montserrat on social media.

We imagine you’ll have your own green suits and ginger beards.

But there will be shortage on Montserrat where it’s know blacks, know Irish.

Caribbean, Countries, Culture

Jamaica green list? Why not?

25th June 202125th June 2021 funtime65

Jamaica green list? Why not? The Caribbean has got the go-ahead from the UK but Reggaeland has been given no respect.

Imagine if everywhere in your neighbourhood gets lifted from curfew and you stay locked down.

The case for Jamaica

Well, that’s what’s happening to Jamaica which was slated to be back on the roster with a case rate of just 14.4.

The first question you’ll be asked by anyone you meet in the Caribbean is what your favourite island is?

To which, of course, you say the island you’re on which won’t be difficult.

The islanders are fiercely proud of their dots in the sea but equally they know that their fortunes are forged by their geography.

West Indian unity

West Indians come together, of course, most famously at carnival and on the cricket ground.

But also when Mother Nature shows her displeasure and batters their islands.

And that was evident again this year with the joint effort to help Saint Vincent after La Soufriere volcano erupted.

So while each Caribbean island who got back on the green list will be celebrating our return there will be sympathy for Jamaica.

Jamaican independence

It is as we all know a big year for Jamaica next year, the 60th anniversary of independence from the UK.

And I’ve got missionary work to do, spreading the Jamaican word back here.

About how independent Jamaica is forever linked to Scotland.

You see that thread run through the Caribbean and I found it in Barbados (green 😊) and Tobago (red 😢).

Island hopping

And I’m making it a life’s mission to check out for myself in Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Bermuda, Dominica, Grenada, and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

I’ll see the tracks of the Irish there too and nowhere more so than Shamrocked Montserrat.

Of course, it’s a cause for celebration that some of the most welcoming islands in the world are open again.

But it will only really be carnival time until they all are.

So again I ask the question… Jamaica green list. Why not?

MEET YOU ON THE ROAD

Caribbean, Countries, Culture, Ireland

Oh Ireland in the Sun – Montserrat

14th April 202117th April 2021 funtime65

There’s an advert on Irish television where the winner of the EuroMillions lottery buys a tropical island for his friends and family… oh Ireland in the sun!

Didn’t he know there was a Caribbean island there already which is more Irish than Ireland?

Montserrat is the tiny 39 and a half sqm Emerald Island of the Caribbean because of its Irish links which run deep.

The Irish have been around the Leeward Island since 1632, sent there from neighbouring St Kitts and later Virginia.

Fly the flag

Montserrat was to build a thriving economy around tobacco and indigo (that’s blue dye) and later tobacco and sugar.

Fast forward to today by way of Cromwell’s transportations, and if it wasn’t for the sun, palm trees, volcano and rain forest you’d swear you were in Ireland.

It’s there in the island flag with its figure of a cailín standing by a cross and holding a harp. We’ll gloss over the Union flag in the corner.

While a shamrock adorns Government House.

So why then is Montserrat not a throng of Irish visitors from the Old Country?

Possibly because they prefer the Canaries and there is a lot to like about them but say that it’s Tenerife you love then you’ll love Montserrat too.

Hot-Hot-Hot

There’s the volcano which gives you the distinctive black beaches shared by both islands, though there is one white beach that we all love too on Montserrat.

While there’s evidence of the volcano’s activity in the form of a buried city, and now St Vincent’s has awoken and is erupting the focus switches south to the ghost town of Plymouth.

The best place to view it is from the Garibaldi Hill viewpoint or the viewpoint from Jack Boy Hill on the east of the island following a short hike.

Combined, of course, with a trip to the Montserrat Volcano Observatory.

While Montserrat’s Irishness is all around you in its symbols (the shamrock stamp in your passport), names of villages and they say too in an Irish brogue it goes into overdrive around St Patrick’s Day.

When the Montserratians tie in their own commemoration of their slavery past with the saint’s day.

For the craic, yes, but also because it is steeped in their history.

St Paddy’s Day, mon

Irish pubs everywhere: Martin Healy and his band in Montserrat

On St. Patrick’s Day in 1768, the African slaves on the island rose up and it is alleged nine slaves were hanged.

And they have never been forgotten with St. Patrick’s Day now heradling a ten-day festival to honour their Afro-Irish heritage.

Again there are too few of the Irish who go out to Montserrat, and we mean to do something about it.

Martin Healy and his band have been pioneers over recent years.

And trawling through the records we’ve seen that Martin is a regular visitor out to the Emerald Island

Caribbean craic

Where he was a special guest at Governor’s wife Sujue Davis’s popular latest Coffee Morning on Tuesday, March 11 before that same evening performing at the Uncle’s bar/restaurant a popular night spot in Flemings.

And the Montserrat Reporter (are you employing?) chronicled that ‘the three-man Irish band performed throughout the week at probably every ‘rum shop and bar’ and is a major performer in the popular “Pub Crawl’.

So Montserrat, all 4,900 of them, celebrates their Irish roots with good trad music then, and also its Caribbean heritage with our favourite Soca Music.

Arrow hits the mark

Hot-hot-hot? Yeah, you now it, mon. It’s this classic from one of Montserrat’s favourite sons, the legendary late Soca star Arrow

So to get there… you’ll fly out of the UK to Antigua where it’s only a 15-minute flight out to your Ireland in the Sun.

And here’s where you’ll stay with a wide range of hotel rooms, guest houses, villas and apartments all flagged up on the Montserrat site.

And with less than 5,000 people on the island, everyone practically knows each other, and if you say you’re Irish you’ll get a warm welcome from Warren and Cherise!

Slainte!

And no, you don’t get away that easily… here’s why we love the Caribbean so, from Trinidad and Tobago to Barbados.

And next up is Jamaica where we’ll bring you all the news of how they’re jammin’.