Ireland Taoiseach Brian Cowan with Mid-Atlantic Rose of Tralee Mairead Conley, left, and Siobhan Lyons, executive director of the Irish Immigration Center of Philadelphia.
Siobhan Lyons, executive director of the Irish Immigration Center of Philadelphia, was named one of the Irish Voice’s 2010 Women of Influence. She received her award on July 12 at the Irish Consulate in New York. Ireland’s Taoiseach, Brian Cowan, attended the event.
Lyons was also recipient of the Irish Echo’s 40 Under 40 Award this year. Sarah Conaghan, who founded the Rose of Tralee Center in Philadelphia in 2002, was also honored at the Echo’s annual event. In the past few years, Philadelphia has been represented on this prestigious annual list by Karen Boyce McCollum, associate director of corporate communications at Cephalon and well known Irish singer formerly with the band Causeway, and Theresa Flanagan Murtagh, an attorney and former president of the Donegal Association who has her own band (The Theresa Flanagan Band).
Irish Consul Leaving
Irish Consul General Niall Burgess will be leaving his post in August to take a top position at the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs Anglo Irish Division where he’ll play a role in the Irish peace process and in relations between Dublin and London. Burgess took a circuitous route to the foreign service—he trained as an archeologist. He and his wife, Marie, have two school-aged children.
A Baby Boy for Barnett
St. Patrick’s Day Parade TV anchor Susan Barnett of CBS3 gave birth on July 13 to a baby boy, Steele Thomas Persichetti, 6 pounds, 5 ounces, 20 inches long. Steele joins big brother Blaise, 3 ½. Barnett, a native of Levittown, PA, is married to Greg Persichetti, a dermatologist and surgeon.
Ed Reavy to Be Honored in Cavan
Celebrated Irish musician and composer Ed Reavy will be honored at a tribute concert on August 21 at the Cavan Crystal Hotel in Cavan Town, where the 2010 Fleadh Cheoil is being held. The late Reavy, who was born in Cavan, is widely considered one of the most important composers of Irish music. He made a living, however, as a plumber in Philadelphia. His son, Ed Reavy Jr., will read a tribute to his father at the event, the largest Irish music competition in the world.
Enda Goes Live Online
Last week singer-songwriter and Philly transplant Enda Keegan debuted his new online TV show featuring–you guessed it–Enda Keegan, singing and playing. You can watch it every Tuesday at 9 PM at www.endakeegan.com/live.htm and post your requests on Facebook. Last week, his tune, “Say Goodbye” was #14 on the Reverb charts.
Local Author Shortlisted for Frank O’Connor Prize
“If I Love You I Would Tell You This,” a book of short stories by Philadelphia-area writer Robin Black, was shortlisted for the Frank O’Connor Prize, established in memory of the noted Irish short story writer. Black’s book, which is also an Oprah selection, is one of five American works on the six-book list. The final winner, who will receive a prize of 35,000 Euro, will be revealed in September at the end of the Frank O’Connor short story festival in Cork.
Go See the Flyers, Help People with MS
Team Ratty Shoes—that’s a reference to a Blackthorn song—is raising money for research into multiple sclerosis. They’ve scored some $30 tickets to see the Flyers face off against the New York Islanders on September 29. Out of that $30, $15 goes to Team Ratty Shoes—a ragtag bunch of Blackthorn fans who do the MS Walk every year. As a bonus, each ticket earns you a chance to watch pregame warm-ups from the best seats in the house—the Flyers’ penalty box! You can also meet Flyers alum! “Bernie (Parent) is awesome,” says Lisa Hunt of Team Ratty Shoes. “He gives the best hugs.” For tickets call Lisa at 267-626-6916 or email lsimoni11@msn.com.
Do you have some news to share? Send it to us at denise.foley@comcast.net.
