The John Byrne Band at last years Philadelphia Fleadh–they’re back this Saturday in the park.
This Saturday, the Philadelphia Fleadh takes over Pennypack Park in Philadelphia with The Mahones and some of Philly’s finest Irish musicians, along with a feis—an Irish dance competition—sponsored by Celtic Flame School of Irish Dance. Gates open at 11 AM and the whole thing winds up around sundown.
Before you go, stop in at the American Catholic Historical Society on 4th Street in Philadelphia to see a one-off exhibit of items relating to James Connnolly the union activist who was involved in the Dublin Lockout of 1913 which set the stage for the 1916 Easter Uprising, one of the first steps towards Irish independence.
If you’re more the sea-faring type, set sail with McDermott’s Handy—that’s Dennis Gormley and Kathy DeAngelo– on the A. J. Meerwald, New Jersey’s only tall ship, at 1:30 when the ship leaves the Riverfront Promenade Dock near the Oneida Boat Club in Burlington.
Local music producer and performer, Gabriel Donohue, is being feted for his 25 years in the business at the New York Irish Center in Queens on Saturday night, with an all-star cast of well-wishers including Cherish the Ladies’ Joannie Madden, fiddler Eileen Ivers, Cathy Maguire, Brian Conway and many others.
On Sunday, St. Declan’s Well on Walnut Street in Philadelphia is hosting a fundraiser for the Malvern-based Amigos de Jesus organization, which runs an orphanage in Honduras co-founded by a local Irish-American priest, Father Dennis O’Donnell. There will be music, dancing, food, beer specials, and raffles.
Like barbecue? Like free barbecue? If you also like Irish music, come to the Commodore Barry Club (The Irish Center) at 6815 Emlen Street in Philadelphia on Thursday to hear a group of talented musicians from all over Ireland who call themselves Porterhead and enjoy a meal hot off the grill.
There are still a few seats available (as of Friday) for next Friday’s house concert with the legendary John Faulkner, who early in his career performed with Dolores Keane, then his wife. Contact barnstarconcerts@gmail.com to reserve your spot in the living room of Gabriel Donohue and Marian Makins to hear this concert up close and personal.
McDermott’s Handy will be playing on Friday night at Café 420 Coffee House in Bordentown, NJ.
If you’re a Celtic Thunder fan—specifically, a George Donaldson fan—his loal friends are holding a fundraiser for his daughter, Sarah, on Saturday, May 10, at The Plough and the Stars, where the late singer often did his solo act. Donaldson died several months ago of a heart attack at the age of 46.
Look for details for all these events on our calendar.
