Dennis Gormley and Kathy DeAngelo … with a portrait of Ed McDermott. He’s always just over their shoulder.
It’s back! We resurrecting our news briefs because there’s just so much going on in Philly’s Irish community, we just had to. For those of you who aren’t Irish speakers (full disclosure–neither are we), Aon Sceal means “what’s the story?” Feel free to send us your special announcements.
Major Honor for Two Local Musicians
Musicians Dennis Gormley and Kathy DeAngelo will be inducted into the Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann Mid-Atlantic Hall of Fame at the Provincial Fleadh and North American Convention in Parsippany, NJ, in April. The husband-and-wife duo have been performing together in the Delaware Valley as McDermott’s Handy since 1979. They are multi-intrumentalists who are also co-founders with Chris Brennan Hagy of The Next Generation, a group of student musicians who take instruction, play and perform together at the Irish Center and at events. Gormley and De Angelo have been teaching for more than 17 years. They will join an illustrious group of musicians and promoters of Irish culture and music in the Hall of Fame, including Mick Moloney, Ed Reavy, the late Tommy Moffit, Cherish the Ladies’ Joanie Madden, and Kevin McGillian.
Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann (pronounced coal-tis keeyol-tory air-in) is an international organization, based in Ireland, dedicated to the preservation and enjoyment of Irish music, dance, and culture with over 400 branches worldwide.
Ray Says a Musical Thanks
A few weeks ago, Tyrone born musician Raymond Coleman was awakened early in the morning by police. Someone had broken into his van and took all of his instrument and equipment. It started out as just about the worst day of his life. Coleman supports his family as a fulltime musician. But before the day was over, it turned into one of the best days he’s ever had.
Fellow musician Frank Daly of Jamison Celtic Rock started a crowd-funding campaign on giveforward.com to help Coleman replace his stolen guitars and equipment. By the next day, dozens of people—and a few foundations—had donated more than $3,000.
To say thanks to his donors, Coleman is holding an “Appreciation Night” at the Plough and the Stars, 123 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, on November 21, starting at 7:30 PM. His brother, singer-songwriter Mickey Coleman, and several other guest performers will join Coleman on stage. If you helped this young musician out, you’re invited.
Win a Box of Goodies
You can win tins of biscuits, a Christmas stocking, tea, jam, sweets and loads of your favorite Irish goodies and support the Philadelphia Irish Center just by buying a raffle ticket.
The drawing for the basket, which contains hundred of dollars worth of treats, will be on Sunday, December 15. It benefits the Commodore Barry Club Real Estate Tax Fund. Contact members of the center’s board for tickets.
Tom Walsh, 215-843-8051
Vince Gallagher, 610-220-4142
Denise Hilpl, 215-527-8380
Tom Farrelly, 610-633-1803
Kathy Burns, 215-872-1305
Honors for Two Local Lawyers
Last month, Lisa Maloney, senior vice president of Capmark, and Mark Foley of
Philadelphia law firm Cozen O’Connor were among other members of the legal community nationwide to be honored at the Irish Legal 100 event. The program acknowledges the most accomplished lawyers of Irish descent from around the U.S. Past honorees include Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, NJ Gov. Chris Christie (a former federal prosecutor) and Associate Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy. The ceremony was held in Washington, DC, at the residence of Irish Ambassador Anne Anderson, who was named to her post in August.
