You have two ways to celebrate the centenary of the 1916 Easter Rising this weekend and another mid-week.
On Saturday, Cherish the Ladies will be at the Annenberg Center in Philadelphia playing tunes that celebrate this major event in Irish history. At least two local performers will be joining them onstage: Gabriel Donohue and Marian Makins, who produced a special song honoring one of the women of the revolution, Countess Constance Markievicz, which has been getting air time both in the US and Ireland.
On Sunday, the annual Easter Rising commemoration takes place at Holy Cross Cemetery in Yeadon at the graves of Joseph McGarrity, considered the financier of the rising, and Luke Dillon, who was part of a bombing campaign in England and Canada. This ceremony will be followed by an event at Oaks Ballroom in Glenolden with music by The Spirit of 16 and food and drink.
On Wedneday, Eunan O Halpin of Trinity College will speak on the rising at a special event sponsored by the Philadelphia Alumni Branch of Trinity, the Irish Immigration Centr and the Catholic Philopatrian Literary Society at Stotesbury Mansion, 1923 Walnut Street in Philadelphia.
If you’ve ever considered playing ladies Gaelic football, here’s your chance. The Notre Dames GFC is holding open play days at Edgely Field in Fairmount Park in Philadelphia on Saturday from 1 to 4 PM. And on Wednesday from 6:30 to 9:30 PM.
On Saturday night, Blackthorn is performing at the Regal Banquet Hall in Prospect Park to raise money for AOH Black Jack Kehoe Division charities.
Join singer Oliver McElhone for “Irish Tuesdays with Oliver” at Maggie O’Neill’s Pub in Drexel Hill on, you guessed it, Tuesday.
On Wednesday, award-winning Irish poet Peter Fallon—whom The Irish Times said “brought jazz and pizzazz to Irish poetry”–will be reading from his work at Loyola Hall at Immaculata University from 7 to 8:30 PM.
On Thursday, Slainte will be playing at Con Murphy’s Pub on the Parkway in Philadelphia.
Next Saturday, back by popular demand: Fight Night with the Young Irelands, a fundraiser which features amateur boxers going at it in a real ring erected in the Irish Center ballroom to raise money for the Gaelic football club. It’s always a sellout so get your tickets now. See the calendar for details. Check out some previous YI Fight Night photos below.
Tickets are now on sale for the annual Philadelphia Fleadh, a day-long family-friendly music event featuring Jamison, the John Byrne Band, the Kilmaine Saints, Bogside Rogues, No Irish Need Apply, the Shantys, the Paul Moore Band, Raymond Coleman and more on May 14 in Bensalem. Order tickets here.
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