How to Be Irish in Philly

How to Be Irish in Philly This Week

Hannah Griffin of Newtown Square is ready for Samhain--are you?

Hannah Griffin of Newtown Square is ready for Samhain–are you?

A Halloween-themed beef-and-beer, the first of several fundraisers for the Philadelphia St. Patrick’s Day Parade, takes place this Saturday at St. Denis Church Hall in Havertown. Wear a costume—there are prizes!

And don’t forget, this week is also Samhain (pronounced sow-in, it’s Irish for Halloween). It’s traditional to eat barmbrack to celebrate this end-of-summer holiday. It’s also traditional to have plenty of candy on hand for the ghosts, ghouls, goblins, and Disney princesses who come to your house and yell, “Trick or treat!”

“A Night with Lady G,” featuring three plays by Irish playright Augusta, Lady Gregory continues this week at Plays and Players Theater in Philadelphia, as does “The Weir” by Conor McPherson in Jenkintown.

On Sunday, there’s a ceili at the Irish Center in Wilmington, a ballad session at Fergie’s in Philadelphia with John Byrne. You can ask John about his upcoming tour of Ireland—one you can join!

Irish language classes continue at Villanova on Monday.

Next Saturday is a biggie. There’s an Intercollegiate Irish Dance Festival at Villanova Field House, the 13th Annual Ceili for Kayleigh, a Blackthorn fundraiser for a young girl with a rare disease, and the 109th Mayo Ball will be held at the Irish Center.

And on Sunday, former Limerick and Philadelphia resident, musician Mick Moloney, will be bringing some talented friends to the city for a concert, an annual event to raise money for St. Malachy’s School in North Philadelphia. The event is held in the magnificent church, built more than a century ago by Irish immigrants.

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