John Byrne
Get a preview of the John Byrne Band’s new CD, due out in September, at the Tin Angel in Philadelphia on Saturday night. There are still a few tickets available but it’s close to a sellout.
On Sunday, the Delco Gaels youth Gaelic sports league is holding a series of mini games at Cardinal O’Hara High School in Springfield starting at 10 AM. The Irish Immigration Center is having a picnic starting at 2 PM at the Bon Air Fire Company in Havertown. Bring the kids—lots to do, and since it’s a picnic, lots of great food and drink.
At 5 PM on Sunday, the Donegal Association of Philadelphia is sponsoring a fundraiser to help restore St. Columba’s Church in Glenswilly, County Donegal, near Letterkenny. Former association president Mary Crossan, whose parish church it was, told us that the 1841 building is on the National Heritage list but needs thousands of dollars worth of repairs. Singer Charlie Zahm and musician Vince Gallagher will be among the performers; food is being provided by Paddy Rooney’s in Upper Darby, and there will be a Chinese auction. Cost is $20; children are free.
On Monday, RUNA is appearing at Hockessin Memorial Hall in Hockessin, Delaware.
Also on Monday, AOH Div. 39 is sponsoring a free lecture on the 1916 Easter Rising, one of the events leading up to the eventual independence of Ireland from British rule, by Dr. Ruan O’Donnell, senior lecturer in history at the University of Limerick.
On Tuesday through Thursday, the Inis Nua Theatre Company is presenting David Grieg’s two-person play, The Letter of Last Resort, at Fergie’s Pub on Sansom Street in Philadelphia. Tickets cost $15 and includes a beer, soft drink, and a choice of meat or veggie pie. The theater company, which presents contemporary plays from Ireland and the UK, recently lost its lease at the Off Broad Street Theater and will be re-homed The Drake Theater, 1512 Spruce Street, along with several other theater companies in the Philadelphia area.
On Wednesday, the Claddagh Fund, founded by Dropkick Murphy’s front man Ken Casey, is holding its second Celebrity Rock N Bowl at 30 Strikes in Stratford, NJ. The organization raises money for underfunded nonprofits serving children, veterans, and recovering substance abusers. Among the celebs you can share a lane with: Ian Laperrier and RJ Umberger of the Philadelphia Flyers; Hollis Thomas and Sean Landeta, both Eagles’ alumni; Connor Barwin of the Eagles, and Conor Casey of the Philadelphia Union, plus a host of sports broadcasters. There are still some team spots available. A group of four costs $500.
Coming up: Celtic Thunder’s Emmet Cahill will be performing at the Irish Center on May 27. This is the 24-year-old’s first solo tour after leaving the super group after three years. Buy tickets at Cahill’s Ticketleap site.
Details of these and other Irish events are on our calendar.
