No Irish Need Apply are performing at the Irish Center fundraiser on Saturday.
Sometimes it seems like it’s all fundraisers, all the time, but the Irish are a generous people so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that there are at four of them this weekend, all for good causes.
The one I’m involved in is the Irish Center fundraiser at McGillicuddy’s in Upper Darby on Saturday, June 27. I hope you’ll come out and say hello, listen to the music (including the fabulous No Irish Need Apply who always make me feel safe—several of them are cops!), have something to eat and drink, and buy a raffle ticket. The raffles are amazing: two bikes, including a darling Hello Kitty bike for your favorite little girl; two free passes to see Emmett O’Hanlon of Celtic Thunder when he comes to Philadelphia on August 21; four tickets to the Phillies Vs. the Atlanta Braves (and they’re great seats!); dinner for four at the new McKenna’s Kitchen and Market which opens on July 5; free tuition to Act One, the two-week summer theater camp for kids in Ardmore; a spa basket of goodies for those of us with Irish skin from Celtic Complexion; and much, much more.
There will also be a silent auction for exquisite handmade chiming mantle clocks from local artisan and musician Tom Gilbride (who will also be performing). I hope to see you all there!
On Saturday, The Charlie Dunlop Memorial Fund is holding its annual fundraiser, a golf outing and dinner at Five Ponds Golf Club. This organization honors the memory of a man who was always ready to help someone in need—and it continues his work.
On Sunday, there’s a fundraiser at the Plough and the Stars at Second and Chestnut in Philadelphia for some of the young musicians from our area who qualified to go to the All-Irelands music competition in Ireland this summer. We regularly send four or five kids who come back with trophies bigger than they are, and we’re thinking that this year will be no exception.
Also on Sunday, starting at 5:30 PM, there will be a fundraiser at Tir na Nog at 16th and Arch in Philadelphia to raise money for victims of the Berkeley balcony collapse which killed five young Irish people in the US on J1 visas to make money for school. The money will go to help their families and the other victims, several of whom were critically injured and will require lengthy hospital and rehab stays.
Sunday is also Celtic Day—19th version—in Bristol Borough, with the Bogside Rogues, Bristol’s own River Drivers, the Philadelphia Banjo Society and the Fitzpatrick Irish Dancers on the scenic waterfront. Festivities start at 1 PM.
Next Friday, catch the Paul Moore Band in their favorite spot, doing First Friday honors at Brittingham’s in Lafayette Hill.
Also next Friday, there’s a beef and beer fundraiser for the Young Irelands Gaelic Football Club at Paddy Rooney’s in Havertown. Even if you don’t care for Gaelic football, go for the food. It’s always terrific. Hats off to you Paddy and Una!
Then on Saturday, while you’re being Irish in Philly, be American in Philly. It’s our national birthday! Happy Birthday to you, home of the free and the brave! Cue the fireworks.
