Commodore Barry’s statute, located behind Independence Hall.
It’s Memorial Day Weekend, the traditional joint celebration by the Commodore Barry Clubs of Philadelphia and New York of the life of Commodore John Barry, the Wexford-born, Philadelphia-based father of the American Navy. The Saturday event starts with a Mass and graveside ceremony at Olde St. Mary’s Church on Fourth Street in Philadelphia, concluding with a meal and music at the Irish Center, 6815 Emlen Street in Philadelphia’s Mt. Airy neighborhood.
Or, you could start your day earlier at the Irish Center watching pay-per-view Gaelic football at the bar, with a full Irish breakfast.
If you’re down the shore, you’ll find Blackthorn at LaCosta Lounge, 4000 Landis Avenue, in Sea Isle, starting at 5 PM–look outside, they’ll be under the tent. Catch them Sunday at Cattle ‘n Clover, 3817 Pacific Avenue in Wildwood, NJ.
On Wednesday, May 28, Tyrone-born singer-musician Garry Gormley will be entertaining at AOH 61’s hall at Rhawn Street and Frankford Avenue in Philadelphia.
On Thursday, May 29, join Irish Network-Philadelphia for a whiskey-tasting dinner at Fado Irish Pub on Locust Street in Philadelphia. On the menu—get ready for your mouth to water—will be smoked salmon tartar with Connemara whiskey; strawberry goat cheese salad served with Tyrconnell; haddock glazed in a Kilbeggan butter on rice pilaf with Kilbeggan; Greenore whiskey marinated duck breast with garlic mash, served with Greenore; and have some Molly’s Irish Cream over ice for dessert. Sounds like you’ll need a designated driver or to take public transportation. Cost is $35 for members, $50 for non-members.
On Friday, May 30, Jamison Celtic Rock is helping AOH 22 save “Big Green,” its green firetruck, at the union Hall of the Philadelphia Firefighters and Paramedics Local 22 in Philadelphia. AOH 22 is named for Philadelphia Firefighter John J. Redmond, who was killed responding to a 5-alarm fire in South Philadelphia 20 years ago.
Rugby fans: an invitational tournament featuring 20 of the nation’s top college teams will be competing for the Pete Dawkins Trophy on May 31 at PPL Park in Chester. The reigning champs, University of California-Berkeley will be returning to defend their title. Six teams with strong Philly ties—Drexel, Kutztown, Penn State, St. Joe’s, Penn, and Temple—will be trying to take it away.
Then on Sunday, June 1, head down to Penns Landing for the annual–and free–Irish Festival featuring Blackthorn, the Hooligans, and Jamison on stage, Irish step dancers, food and vendors.
