The Commdore John Barry statue, behind Independence Hall.
Happy Memorial Day!
Since it’s the time of the year when we remember those who fought for our freedom, the Commodore John Barry Societies of Philadelphia and New York will be gathering to honor Barry, a Revolutionary war hero and father of the American Navy, on Sunday, May 26. The day starts with a Mass, celebrated by Philadelphia Archbishop Charles Chaput, at Old St. Mary Church on Fourth Street in Philadelphia, where Barry is buried. The day ends with dinner at the Commodore Barry Club (The Irish Center) on Emlen Street in the Mt. Airy section of Philadelphia.
On Saturday, Slainte will be performing at Keenan’s in North Wildwood, then later that night they’ll join the rest of the gang, known as Jamison, at Casey’s in North Wildwood. It’s the weekend to open up the house, so take a break and catch these great Irish musicians after you’ve cleared out the cobwebs. You can catch Jamison at Keenan’s on Sunday night at 5 PM.
On Thursday, May 30, the Young Irelands GFC squares off against the St. Patricks GFC at Cardinal Dougherty High School field in the Olney section of Philadelphia. It’s pre-season for the Philadelphia GAA. Irish players are on their way and then it’s every Sunday. It’s great sport and great entertainment. Many families come (with umbrellas and liter containers of sunscreen) and enjoy a picnic while watching the action. The small admission price ($5) helps support the GAA which is in the process of building a complex in Limerick.
Then get ready for a fun weekend: The annual AOH Montgomery County Irish Festival starts on Friday night and runs through Sunday. Have dinner at the festival on Friday night (gates open at 6 PM), and enjoy the music (Tom McHugh, Jamison, the Bogside Rogues, Irish Thunder Pipes and Drums, and the Celtic Flame dancers) all weekend. Proceeds from the event go to AOH charities.
Also next weekend, the annual Irish Festival on Penn’s Landing is on Sunday, June 2, featuring Blackthorn, the Hooligans, and Jamison, as well as dancers from all of the region’s Irish dance schools to pay tribute to Jane Richard, the 7-year-old Irish dancer who lost a leg in the Boston Marathon bombing. The event is free.
Check our calendar for details on these events and more. And if you have an Irish event, you can post it to our calendar and get a mention in How to Be Irish, our most read feature, and promoted in Mick Mail, our e-newsletter. Just go to the orange bar at the top of the page and click on “Irish Events Listing” and do everything the nice directions tell you to do. We try to post events when we learn of them, but we haven’t gotten that mind-reading thing down pat yet.
