tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-189630022011-12-31T19:01:59.843-05:00The Web guide to Irish music and culture in and around the Quaker CityJeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14847285503851738733noreply@blogger.comBlogger351100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18963002.post-1157743648939749392006-09-08T15:27:00.000-04:002006-09-08T15:27:28.943-04:00

Singer Eugenia Brennan led the crowd at the Philadelphia Ceili Group Festival Circle of Songs in Foster's "Hard Times." She was accompanied by brother John and friend Mike Burke.MP3 File

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14847285503851738733noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18963002.post-1157743249336361692006-09-08T15:20:00.000-04:002006-09-08T15:20:49.400-04:00

Singer Eugenia Brennan led the crowd at the Philadelphia Ceili Group Festival Circle of Songs in Foster's "Hard Times." She was accompanied by brother John and friend Mike Burke. MP3 File

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14847285503851738733noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18963002.post-1153507301591841032006-07-21T14:34:00.000-04:002006-07-21T14:47:17.470-04:00

Joe Ferry made landfall in Falcarragh, County Donegal, just a few days ago. The Donegal Democrat graciously allowed us to reprint their article. (Thanks, folks.) And thanks to Jim McGill of the Philadelphia Ceili Group for bringing the story to our attention.Joe set sail from Cape May on May 24 in a sloop named after the town. His dad was born in Falcarragh. Ferry had tried twice before. The

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14847285503851738733noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18963002.post-1152706798223318992006-07-12T07:33:00.000-04:002006-07-12T08:30:56.746-04:00

I'm not a sports guy. Hey, I was in the band. But even I can appreciate the passionionate, aggressive athleticism of Gaelic games.Nothing about Gaelic football and hurling is subtle. (OK, I'll confess, the scoring system is a mystery.) But if you're used to watching pro sports, probably the only one that comes close to matching the non-stop action of Gaelic athletics is hockey. And even hockey

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14847285503851738733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18963002.post-1151418376683617252006-06-27T10:19:00.000-04:002006-06-27T12:10:27.100-04:00

But don't expect these guys to row "gently."They're really putting their backs into it (as you can tell by the look on the face of the guy with the glasses and the bandanna).And they're not paddling ordinary rowboats. They're plowing up the Delaware in currachs (pronounced "CUR-rah"), derived from traditional Irish fishing boats.This is a hard, hard workout, and yet another example of an obscure

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14847285503851738733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18963002.post-1150475868584029112006-06-16T12:33:00.000-04:002006-06-16T12:37:48.600-04:00

Hot off the presses (so to speak):Celebrate Bloomsday Today at the Rosenbach The great museum on Delancey Street commemorates James Joyce's masterwork "Ulysses"with a day of readings by local notables. And check out the museum's Joyce manuscript.Locals Make Beautiful Music at the Mid-Atlantic Fleadh We Philadelphians have a lot to celebrate.Brian McNamara, the "Piper's Piper," in Coatesville His

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14847285503851738733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18963002.post-1150145681439558952006-06-12T16:47:00.000-04:002006-06-12T16:56:51.516-04:00

If you don't know what Gaelic football and hurling are all about, our photo essay ought to give you a pretty good idea.Both are pretty wild, fast-moving games (unlike U.S. football, which is about 90 percent beer ads, butt scratching and officials waving their arms and throwing their hankies down, apparently in a fit of pique).Hurling in particular can be exceptionally hairy. My partner Denise,

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14847285503851738733noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18963002.post-1149283938136191882006-06-02T17:20:00.000-04:002006-06-02T17:32:18.146-04:00

The Irish traditional supergroup led by Hatboro native Seamus Egan is returning to Chestnut Hill for a FREE concert in Pastorius Park Wednesday, August 2, at 7:30 p.m.Solas is by far the most popular of the 10 concerts in the Pastorius series, drawing 2,000 to last year's show.If you come, make sure to bring a folding chair or blanket, and maybe a picnic supper. And don't forget bug spray. One

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14847285503851738733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18963002.post-1148528054233546692006-05-24T23:24:00.000-04:002006-05-24T23:36:26.910-04:00

We shot uillean piper Ivan Goff and Sligo-style fiddler Tony DeMarco (photographically, of course) when they appeared in concert on Friday at the Irish Center.View photosOn Saturday, we took lots of great photos at RiverGathering, an outdoor Irish music and dance party in Palmyra, N.J.View photosAnd on Monday night, we took over a dozen pictures at the ceili at the Knights of Columbus Hall in

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14847285503851738733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18963002.post-1147796188125211892006-05-16T12:09:00.000-04:002006-05-16T12:16:28.156-04:00

Meet the New Philadelphia Mary of DungloeLike many pageant winners, Brittney Lough was startled into tears when she heard the emcee pronounce her Philadelphia’s new “Mary from Dungloe” at the climax of the Donegal Association’s annual competition at the Irish Center.But the miracle was, she heard it. Read her storyRead our interview with the previous "Mary," Katie ArmstrongAll Irish Philadelphia

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14847285503851738733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18963002.post-1146591736010997112006-05-02T13:37:00.000-04:002006-05-02T13:42:16.026-04:00

What: This will be a grand time to meet people, hear and maybe play some great music and have a good old time. All of the presenters are long-time practitioners and masters of their fields, but only a few are full-time musicians. (UPDATE: Ciaran Somers will be coming over from Ireland to teach at least one flute class and join in the evening concert.)We'd like to keep the stress level down for

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14847285503851738733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18963002.post-1145983185026127542006-04-25T12:24:00.000-04:002006-04-25T12:39:45.050-04:00

The new live Solas reunion CD/DVD is being released today nationwide.We have a review, along with our earlier Seamus Egan interview, plus a preview of "Pastures of Plenty," the lead track on the CD.The Review (with access to to "Pastures of Plenty")The Seamus Egan InterviewWe also have a review of a great Joanie Madden-Mary Coogan concert Saturday night at the Coatesville Cultural Society,

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14847285503851738733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18963002.post-1145767500488492272006-04-23T00:38:00.000-04:002006-04-23T00:45:00.500-04:00

Just got in from a superb concert at the Coatesville Cultural Society, sponsored by the Coatesville Traditional Irish Music Series, run by Frank Dalton.I'll have more to say about it on www.irishphiladelphia.com in a day (two, at most), but in the meantime, I built a page for all my fellow whistle addicts. (I have lots of whistles. Sure wish I could play one of them worth a damn.)As the show

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14847285503851738733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18963002.post-1145615546121174732006-04-21T06:30:00.000-04:002006-04-21T06:32:26.123-04:00

This is a big week for us. Just moments ago, we published an interview with Seamus Egan of Solas. Solas appears this Saturday in Sellersville, but the big news is the imminent release of a live Solas reunion CD/DVD. About which, more in a second.Cheers, Denise and JeffSolas at 10: The Seamus Egan InterviewTo celebrate the big anniversary, the band recorded a live performance on CD and DVD. And

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14847285503851738733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18963002.post-1145467213538764702006-04-19T13:11:00.000-04:002006-04-19T13:20:14.886-04:00

We already have a nice question and answer with Joanie Madden. She and Mary Coogan appear on Saturday in Coatesville as part of the Coatesville Traditional Irish Music Series.But another great band is appearing in the area on Saturday: Solas. They play Saturday night in Sellersville at Sellersville Theatre 1894. Solas also has a major release within the next few days. Watch the site for some cool

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14847285503851738733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18963002.post-1144754281211447912006-04-11T07:10:00.000-04:002006-04-11T07:18:01.236-04:00

My friend Denise, who shot the video, says it looks like we shot it through a shower curtain. We ain't thrilled. However, it was our first dip in the video webcast pond, and I think we learned a lot.The video is of fiddler-flutist Peadar O'Loughlin and uilleann piper Ronan Browne, in concert last Thursday night at the Irish Center in Philadelphia. Happily, I think the package in its entirety is

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14847285503851738733noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18963002.post-1144510553174295832006-04-08T10:59:00.000-04:002006-04-08T11:37:58.186-04:00

I had a really nice e-mail exchange with Cletus McBride the other day. He's agreed to submit to the torment of one of our "Five Questions" pieces on the site. Cletus is one of the most popular Irish performers in the area. And evidently, out of the area, too. For the next several weeks, he's playing a gig at Molly Malone's in St. Thomas, mon.I was interested in chatting with Cletus because my

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14847285503851738733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18963002.post-1144293696675899972006-04-05T23:12:00.000-04:002006-04-06T09:37:36.330-04:00

We call it "The Lazy Person's Guide to Genealogy." And no, you probably can't do all of your digging for roots online, but you can sure do a lot.Denise Foley has written a really succinct, useful little guide. I think we new that it would be interesting to people. But we didn't know it would blow the doors off our fledgling Web site. So it's pretty cool.We're still plugging along, trying to

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14847285503851738733noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18963002.post-1141421943254571042006-03-03T16:38:00.000-05:002006-03-03T16:39:03.266-05:00

Saturday, March 41 p.m.Mount Holly St. Patrick's Day ParadeStarting on High Street near the Fairgrounds Plaza and continuing to the bottom of the hill, turning onto Washington Street and ending at the Town Hall.Set e-mail/cell phone reminderSaturday, March 1110 a.m.Annual Bucks County St. Patrick's Day ParadeNew Falls RoadLevittownSet e-mail/cell phone reminder12 noonWilmington St. Patrick's Day

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14847285503851738733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18963002.post-1140805945243286122006-02-24T13:19:00.000-05:002006-02-24T13:35:57.826-05:00

Have I told you lately how I love the Web?OK, so here's the deal.I'm in Phoenix at a conference, at a four-star resort owned by the Gila River Indian Community. I'm listening to recorded Indian flute music that in some ways sounds amazingly like Irish flute music. I'm in a coffee bar at said resort (where they serve Starbucks coffee, but of course). I'm tapping away on my laptop, sending

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14847285503851738733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18963002.post-1140306564325024422006-02-18T18:42:00.000-05:002006-02-18T18:49:24.336-05:00

The details:Gráinne Hambly and William Jackson Sunday, March 26, at 7 p.m.Ritz Theatre, Oaklyn, N.J.The event is sponsored by the Delaware Valley chapter of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann, in partnership with You Gotta Have Harp Productions, Ballyhugh Irish Imports and the Virginia Harp Center.I'm a big fan of Gráinne in particular. An immensely gifted performer. We play her CD Golden Lights and

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14847285503851738733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18963002.post-1139976051813918052006-02-14T22:58:00.000-05:002006-02-14T23:00:51.823-05:00

St. John Of God Community Services1145 Delsea DriveWestville Grove, NJ 08096 Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of St. John Of God Community Services in the United StatesFriday, Feb. 17, 7-10 p.m.Featuring:BlarneyMcDermott's HandyMweelreaThe Shanagolden DancersIrish Dancers of Dansations School of DanceMC Tommy MoffitAdmission is $5; children under 12, free.Refreshments provided.For information: (

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14847285503851738733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18963002.post-1139886031916234882006-02-13T21:53:00.000-05:002006-02-13T22:00:31.930-05:00

Session lists complete with driving directionsStoriesProfiles of local Irish notables such as Gerry TimlinPhoto essaysPodcasts ... and I could go on.www.irishphiladelphia.com has been a kind of dream of mine for years. Now it's a reality--a massive site loaded with valuable information aboutIrish and Celtic music, culture and community.It's been months in the planning, and now it's here. It's

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14847285503851738733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18963002.post-1139185414058267962006-02-05T19:07:00.000-05:002006-02-05T19:23:34.070-05:00

There's a new traditional music session in town.McKinley's Tavern881 Township Line RoadElkins Park, Pa.(215) 576-9066The first session will be held Feb. 16.Future sessions will be held the Third Thursday of each month (excluding March).Kevin McGillian and Fintan Malone are the co-hosts.For details: Fintan Malone (215) 379-0424

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14847285503851738733noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18963002.post-1136730849294702172006-01-08T09:29:00.000-05:002006-01-08T09:34:09.306-05:00

Just passing on a message from Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann.Irish language classes will begin Feb. 20 and will continue for 10 weeks. Classes will be on Mondays at 7:30 p.m. Classes are open to beginners and continuing students.Further info? Call Poilin at (215) 233-2450.Also, Spring Classes in Irish traditional music begin Feb. 15. Instruments include whistle, guitar and flute. For details,

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14847285503851738733noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18963002.post-1135877878668019552005-12-29T10:54:00.000-05:002005-12-31T09:41:07.130-05:00

I'll make this fast. My wife is starting to think I am having an affair with my laptop. (Yes I am, of course, and I would be grateful if you would refer to her henceforth by her proper name, Boopsi.)I know I've said this before about sessions at the Mermaid Inn, but the session last night was a keeper. It was one of those sessions that seems to draw energy from some limitless source. Perpetual

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14847285503851738733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18963002.post-1135745853127293482005-12-27T23:40:00.000-05:002005-12-31T09:40:29.113-05:00

Just before Christmas, I took my cheapo bodhran down to the Plough and the Stars. I'd always heard it was a great session, maybe the best, and I wanted to see whether my drumming would pass muster or send Plough patrons screaming into the night, blood streaming from their ears.The good news is: no screaming patrons or streaming blood. I'm sure I didn't set the world on fire, but not too horrible

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14847285503851738733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18963002.post-1135175342809948212005-12-21T08:08:00.000-05:002005-12-31T09:41:31.646-05:00

It's the first time I've heard "We Wish You A Merry Christmas" on two-row button accordion.It started out low, then it started to grow. And it was merry! Very!Before long, the tune had been taken up by a tenor banjo player, then a flutist, and soon piano and mandolin.And then it all magically morphed back into traditional Irish music. (Hear sound sample.)It was that kind of night at the Shanachie

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14847285503851738733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18963002.post-1133745332990297672005-12-04T19:14:00.000-05:002005-12-14T10:04:42.470-05:00

A thin sliver of moon peers through bare, snow-flecked branches over the cemetery at St. Thomas' Church in Whitemarsh. Venus hangs alongside. It looks like a silver asterisk.Inside the church, the Celtic Service is just beginning, marking the second Sunday of Advent. Candles line the aisles. On the altar, in the center, stands a large stone Celtic cross. On a cold, dark night, this warm, bright

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14847285503851738733noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18963002.post-1133714809580553232005-12-04T11:06:00.000-05:002005-12-14T10:04:13.100-05:00

In no particular order:1. The Bells of Dublin (The Chieftains, RCA Victor, 1991)Perhaps the definitive Celtic Christmas recording. The Chieftains play host to a variety of guests, including Marianne Faithfull, Kate & Anna McGarrigle and others. Always in heavy rotation at our house around the holidays.Best track: Medley: The Wren! The Wren! Really six short tracks. It's a party.Worst track: O

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14847285503851738733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18963002.post-1133531852350810552005-12-02T08:37:00.000-05:002005-12-14T10:05:49.366-05:00

I was thinking this morning about Frank and Mary Jelinek. I can't explain the random appearance of this thought. Who knows how any of this crap pops into your head?Frank and Mary used to have a radio show in the Philadelphia area called "Dining Around," and I remember thinking, probably the first time I heard them, that their idea of a good meal seemed to be a lot like my father's. (Sorry, Dad.)

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14847285503851738733noreply@blogger.com79tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18963002.post-1132583043545539482005-11-21T09:18:00.000-05:002005-12-21T11:33:56.310-05:00

I see dead people. They're eating hot dogs and shopping for tacky souvenirs.I see dead people. They're eating hot dogs and buying tacky souvenirs.I am in Gettysburg for Remembrance Day, commemorating the 142nd anniversary of Lincoln's dedication of the Soldiers National Cemetery. Held each year in November, Remembrance Day is one of the most popular events in the town of Gettysburg and at the

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14847285503851738733noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18963002.post-1132287349901238522005-11-17T22:51:00.000-05:002005-11-18T13:22:46.776-05:00

About this blogIs fearr Gaeilge bhriste ná Béarla cliste.Translation: Broken Irish is better than clever English.I hope that's true. Because right about now, massively mangled Irish is about all you're going to get from me.It is my first day in a total immersion Irish language program sponsored by the local chapter of Daltaí na Gaeilge—Students of Gaelic.I'm still not completely clear on how "

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14847285503851738733noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18963002.post-1132181583659522792005-11-16T17:28:00.000-05:002005-11-18T13:16:37.326-05:00

About this blogI wrote most of this in February 2005, and recently updated it a bit.It's a frosty Wednesday night in February at the Mermaid Inn in Chestnut Hill. Three fiddlers, a flutist, a button accordionist and a hammer dulcimer player–it sounds like the setup for an obscure Irish traditional music joke–are circled up in a corner. They're charging through a selection of reels whose names no

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14847285503851738733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18963002.post-1132105422386957432005-11-15T20:42:00.000-05:002005-11-18T08:43:44.306-05:00

I am shivering at attention in the Holy Cross Cemetery in Yeadon, alongside the gravesite of Joseph McGarrity, the loyal Fenian financier born in Carrickmore, County Tyrone, who became a successful Philadelphia businessman. It’s an usually chilly and damp day in the spring, and I can feel the wet and the cool of the tall grass all the way up my aching, goose bump-dotted calves. (I apologize for

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14847285503851738733noreply@blogger.com17