The Bearded Long-haired Irishmen in this picture are relaxing as thought they were cavorting in an Irish Pub. Rather they are having an ale in a St. John's Lounge. But, they claim, the atmosphere and brogue of  many of the St John's residents remind them of home. The Sullivan's Gypsies have performed in many areas of St. John's. They are part of an invasion of Irish troubadours who have found eager and enthusiastic audiences in Canada - particularly Newfoundland.

By Don Morris

Newfoundland experienced it's first big invasion of Irishmen in the 1840s when a potato famine devastated the economy of the Emerald Isle.

Currently There is another invasion - of sorts - underway. Ebullient troubadours - in groups of two to four - are leaving the old sod to perform before audiences across Canada. Newfoundland is receiving it's share of them and no one is griping thanks to the indelible Irish Stamp left in the province's ethnic fabric by successive waves of Irish immigrants. Among the most popular - Certainly the most unique and original of the Irish Rovers to visit Newfoundland is a group aptly named called the Sullivan's Gypsies.

That They Feel at home here and are accepted is attested to by the fact that they always play to capacity houses. Hand-slapping, foot-stomping, slightly off-color jokes told in the rolling Irish Brogue, these roguish, bearded Irishmen are  masters at entertainment. their repertoire of songs, accompanied by an assortment of banjos, mandolins, guitars range from the beautiful Danny Boy to the animated "Paddy Doyle the Poacher."

The Gypsies are not confined to St. John's in their appearances. they have entertained in central Newfoundland and up along the communities of the southern Shore of the Avalon peninsula where, they say, can be found "the second Ireland."

Says the leader of the group, gypsy Don Sullivan, " You just have to listen to a few words from the southern shore people and you know the people came from Ireland. I've never heard such beautiful Irish Brogue anywhere else in the world... outside the old sod."

Sullivan, with facial scar, earrings, black curly hair and a heavy black beard, is a real gypsy. His sidekicks were all born in Dublin, but Don was reared in a gypsy caravan at the foot of the mountains of Morne. he has had a rugged, adventure-filled life. he has traveled extensively and has rubbed shoulders with people from all walks of life.

But he also appreciates he finer things in life. He has written hundreds of poems and songs, some of which are featured in the groups first North American Album, "Sullivan's Gypsies."

His Partners in song, jest and music are: Gary Kavanagh, Fergus O'Brien (sic), and Dermot O'Reilly. All are unmarried except O'Reilly.

Gary as a boy played soccer in Ireland with leading teams. His natural talent lay in entertainment and he ang in Irish pubs and at Parties in his native Dublin before fate teamed him up with gypsy Don. 

Fergus can pass anywhere for a contemporary professor of some University - an intellectual. With his shoulder-length hair, full black beard and "Granny Glasses" he is quiet and unassuming off-stage. You name the subject and he can talk on it. Fergus first played the Classical piano later mastering the five string banjo, guitar, mouth organ and mandolin.

Dermot was born into a musical family and as a kid toured with his family in a minstrel show. Later his uncle taught him to play the mandolin and banjo. And still later Derm obtained a guitar which he quickly mastered.

All four can sing well besides being good musicians.

Two of the group plan to stay in St. John's over the Christmas holidays while the other gypsies will stay for a brief period in Toronto. But the groups will get together just as soon as possible to once again troubadour around Newfoundland.

Says Gypsy Don: "There must be a spell around this place. There is not a place on earth where we feel more at home."

Newfoundlanders - regardless of ethnic background have put the welcome mat out for them. And the Sullivan's Gypsies are grateful.