It’s beginning to look a lot like ball season. The Cavan Society is having theirs (the 102nd) on Friday night at the Springfield Country Club, with the Vince Gallagher Band providing the music. Next up, Mayo, followed by Donegal, but there’s still a little time to drop five pounds to fit into that dress. . . .they’re not rocking till next month.
A couple of benefits this Saturday: AOH/LAOH Division 87 is holding its annual scholarship fund golf outing at Juniata Golf Course in Philadelphia. And in Delco, the group Misty Isle is providing the music for the Be True to Your School Beef and Beer, which raises money for Catholic grades schools (and you get to choose your own school as beneficiary), at the St. Denis parish gym in Havertown.
Also on Saturday, wear your scariest costume. Or not. But the Irish Club of Delaware County is holding its Halloween party at McGilllicuddy’s on West Chester Pike in Upper Darby.
On Sunday, the New Castle, DE, Irish Society is running its 16th annual Irish fest at the Irish Center on Rodney Street in Wilmington. It starts at 11 AM with mass, and entertainment by the Seven Rings Band and the Willie Lynch Band follows at noon, along with homemade baked goods and “tae”—that’s tea to you—and a raffle for great prizes, including a two-night stay at a Chesapeake Bay B&B. There will also be Irish vendors, so you can get some of your Christmas shopping done. Remember, Irish sweaters save energy costs.
Gloucester City, NJ, resident Ken Doyle, co-author with his brother, Patrick, of “Mother From Hell,” a shocking memoir of their horrific abuse as children at the hands of their mother, will be at the Irish Center in Philadelphia at 4:30 PM to speak and sign copies of the book. If you haven’t read this Irish bestseller, you should. You won’t soon forget it. Read our interview with Ken Doyle.
We added a new session to our session finder this week—Monday night at the Rocking Stone Bar & Grill in Paulsboro, NJ. Local musicians Fintan Malone and Kevin Brennan are the anchors.
On Wednesday, Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, daughter of Robert Kennedy, will be at the Church on the Mall in Plymouth Meeting to talk about her book, “Failing America’s Faithful: How Today’s Churches are Mixing God with Politics and Losing Their Way.”
Don’t forget the jive and ballroom dancing classes at the Irish Center on Thursday nights. Isn’t it about time you learned to shake your groove thing? And consider watching the baseball playoffs in the comfort of the center’s Fireside Room. They just installed three 42-inch plasma TVs and are offering free food (hotdogs, popcorn, and pretzels). You’re allowed to cheer for any team you want. Within reason. Don’t forget to tip the bartender.
If your group is having an event, you can list it on our calendar for free. You can even put it up there yourself. Click on Events on the upper left hand of the home page, then on the highlighted phrase “Notify us about your Irish events,” and follow the instructions. If you need help, just hit the “contact us” button and one of us will get back to you. Our calendar lets your prospective attendees add your event to their e-calendar, send them an email, or even a text message reminding them of the date and time. If your event is on our calendar, we mention it in our weekly “How to Be Irish in Philly” feature. You may have to put up with some snarky comments, depending on our mood, but you get what you pay for.
