I remember a few years ago when a reporter asked Denise and me, “So what are you going to write about when you’re all done writing about beer and shamrocks?”
I suppose he thought it was a good joke. Whatever could be happening in that sleepy little Irish Philadelphia community?
Ha ha ha, Mister Jokey Reporter Man. The joke’s on you this week, pal.
It isn’t just that there’s a lot to write about this week; it’s also the variety.
Let’s start wth two Saturday benefits.
First, starting at 3 p.m. and lasting ’til 9, the venerable MacSwiney Club in Jenkintown will host a building fund picnic and raffle. Here’s a great way to help sustain one of the Irish community’s most beloved institutions.
Next, from 7 to 10 at Bain’s Deli/Fuelhouse Coffee in Vineland, N.J., lovers of traditional Irish music will plunk down cash to support 6-year-old fiddler Haley Richardson’s trip to the world Irish music championships, the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Tullamore, County Offaly. Haley snagged first place in under-12 fiddles at the Mid-Atlantic Fleadh at Pearl River, N.Y., in the spring, qualifying her to compete at the world level. (See our story.) Haley and her brothers are slated to perform. If you’re an Irish musician, you’re invited to bring along your instrument and participate in a big session. You can count on Haley to keep up.
Switching gears, those rabid Gaelic Athletic fans will gather at Cardinal Dougherty High School field in the Olney section of Philadelphia on Sunday for game two of the Joe Lyons Championship Cup hurling match. If you’ve never seen hurling, you’ve missed one of the most exciting and crazy fun sports on the planet. Turn out to watch the local Shamrocks battle the Allentown Hibernians, starting at 1 p.m.
Later in the week, the Jameson Sisters—also known as singer Terry Kane and harper Ellen Tepper—will team up for two Delaware Valley performances: first, Tuesday night from 7 to 8:30 at Doylestown’s cool Fonthill Museum, and on Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Mount Airy train station. (Read our interview with Ellen Tepper.)
Going out a bit beyond a week, get ready for some kick-butt Paddy rock as the Young Dubliners and Na’ Bodach perform at Sellersville Theatre Saturday, August 1, from 8 to 10 p.m.
All that, and we haven’t even mentioned shamrocks and beer. You’re bound to run into them somewhere this week.
