Mick Molony, right, with Saul Broudy, at St. Malachy’s.
The Philadelphia Rose of Tralee Centre is the first to yell “Boo!” this year. They’re holding their Halloween Party at the newest Irish pub in town, St. Declan’s Well on Walnut Street in Philadelphia on Saturday, October 19, and while there will be a prize for the best Halloween costume (for kids), you older folks are encouraged to bring formal dresses for all ages and sizes for The Fairy Godmother. The Cheltenham-based organization provides gowns for junior and senior high school students who might not otherwise be able to attend their proms.
Saturday is a busy day. At the Irish Center, dancer Shannon Dunne will teaching sean nos dancing—that’s Irish step dancing but without the gymnastic moves. There are two classes, one for beginners and one for more advanced dancers.
There’s a fundraiser in Port Richmond to provide the dependents of Irish political prisoners with money at Christmas time. See our story.
And the Shanty’s are playing at Paddy Whacks on Roosevelt Boulevard in Northeast Philadelphia.
On Sunday, musician and folklorist Mick Moloney, who was recently honored by the Irish government for his lifetime of work promoting the Irish culture, will be performing at St. Malachy’s Church in North Philadelphia, an annual fundraiser to which he invites some of the best Irish musicians from around the world to play with him. This is a standing-room only event every year, so get there early.
Moloney and mates will be doing a session later in the evening at Maloney’s Pub in Ardmore. On Monday, Moloney will be giving a lecture at Villanova University on Monday evening on “Two Roads Diverged: African and Irish Mornings and Afternoons.” There will be a reception afterwards.
Also on Sunday, there’s a ceili and potluck at the New Castle County Irish Society in Wilmington. On Wednesday, learn Irish ceili dancing from teacher Mary Collins and set dancing from Bud Burke also at the New Castle County Irish Society.
Kudos to the Irish Thunder Pipes & Drums of AOH Notre Dame Div. 1! They raised $2,500 for the Susan G. Komen Foundation of Philadelphia to help fight breast cancer through the sale of a pink version of the band’s t-shirt. You can see the shirt at www.irishthunder.org. They’re making the donation on Wednesday at the AOH hall in Swedesburg.
That same night, musician Mike Brill will be perfoming at AOH Div. 61 in Philadelphia—all are welcome.
On Friday, there will be a tribute to the late Irish poet laureate Seamus Heaney, featuring Inis Nua Theatre Company, Barn Star Productions (which does house concerts), and Irish-American writers and artists from the region.
Olive McElhone will be performing Friday night at Tip O’Leary’s in Havertown.
And next weekend the Irish Memorial will celebrate its 10th anniversary with a gala at the Hyatt Penns Landing in Philadelphia. It all starts with a rededication of the Memorial at Front and Chestnut Streets.
