Here’s your weekly dose of Irish-ness. As always, an interesting mix of events, and you ought to be able to find something—or a few somethings—to pique your interest.
Also, we’ve had some requests to include dates along with days in our announcements, so we’ve changed the format a bit to make it easier for you to track what’s up and when.
Saturday, August 24
The John Byrne Band plays the music of Shane MacGowan and The Pogues at Kildare’s Irish Pub, 18 West Gay Street in West Chester. The show starts at 6 p.m. Recommend highly.
Sunday, August 25
The Mass of the Golden Rose will be celebrated at Saint Patrick’s Church, 714 Dekalb Street in Norristown. The Mass celebrates the feast of Our Lady of Knock. The event is hosted by the ladies and men of the Ancient Order of Hibernians Division 1, Montgomery County. After Mass, you’re invited to the AOH hall from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The Division 1 is at 342 Jefferson Street in nearby Swedesburg.
The ever popular Maggie’s Boots offers two lively hours of Irish tunes (and more) at Earth Bread + Brewery, 7136 Germantown Avenue in Philly’s Mount Airy neighborhood. Maggie’s Boots is Rob Curto on button accordion, Hollis Payer on fiddle and Melissa Brun-Salerno on cello. The tunes start at 12:30 p.m.
Monday, August 26
Philly’s St. Patrick’s Day Observance Association hosts its 22nd Annual Master of the Green at Union League Golf Club at Torresdale, 3801 Grant Avenue in Philadelphia’s Northeast. All are welcome to the St. Patrick’s Day observance Association’s 22nd Annual Master of the Green golf outing. Registration begins at 10 a.m., followed by lunch at 11. Tee-off is at 12 noon.
Wednesday, August 28
John Shields hosts ceili dance lessons with John Shields at the Irish Center (the Commodore Barry Arts and Cultural Center), 6815 Emlen Street in Philadelphia’s Mount Airy neighborhood. Strap on your dancing shoes. Always a good time, if you’re up for set and ceili dancing.
Friday, August 30
The fabulous Byrne Brothers return to Anglesea Pub, 116 West 1st Avenue in North Wildwood, N.J. The show starts at 7. They were a big hit at the Irish Center recently.
That’s it for this week, but once again, a reminder that the Philadelphia Ceili Group Festival is coming up September 12-14. There’ll be non-stop music, dance, crafts, food, activities for the kiddies and workshops—plus a Saturday night concert featuring Tony DeMarco and Atlantic Wave. More info and tickets here. Mark your calendars.
Take care till next week.
