This is absolutely one jam-packed week, starting with a weekend full of events you won’t want to miss.
Without further ado:
Friday, November 15-Sunday, November 17
Tickets are still on sale for The Straight Out of Ireland exhibit, presented by the Irish Immigration Center of Philadelphia, which kicks off tonight with a VIP reception and a preview of this stunning art show in a mansion on the campus of Sacred Heart Academy, 480 S. Bryn Mawr Avenue in Bryn Mawr.
The exhibit showcases more than 20 artists from Ireland and another dozen artists from the United States who have been influenced by the culture of Ireland. Straight Out of Ireland features a range of contemporary art, including ceramics, glass, drawings, lace, jewelry, photography, paintings fashion and more.
The event continues through the weekend, with Saturday devoted to a celebration of the art, with panel discussions featuring the artists, and the opportunity to check out the exhibit at your leisure. Sunday is Family Day, featuring activities for the kids, including a puppet show, dance exhibition and presentation by the local Gaelic Athletic Association.
We previewed the event last week, ever hopeful that many of you would get tickets. If you didn’t, there’s still time, and here’s the link. We also presented a story on Straight Out of Ireland that will give you many more details.
Saturday, November 16
Out at Villanova, you can catch the university’s annual Intercollegiate Irish Dance Festival, starting at 9:30 a.m. at the Jake Nevin Fieldhouse. The day is jam-packed with Irish dance routines presented by college and university Irish dance teams from throughout the country. We’ve been there a few times, and absolutely loved it. The event is hosted by Villanova University’s Irish Dance Team.
If you like playing cornhole you can try your best at the Irish Center’s first annual indoor Cornhole Tournament, 6815 Emlen Street in Mount Airy. The tourney begins at 2 p.m. The first prize winning team gets a nice tidy sum: $1,000 Cash. Second place gets two Eagles tickets. Third place gets a Custom Cornhole Set. Games will be single elimination in a bracket format with total number of teams limited to 64.
You can get more information, including sponsorship opportunities, from Carolyn Killion at (610) 389-1911, or any board member. Tickets here.
Sunday, November 17
The Ancient Order of Hibernians/Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians hosts a Freedom for All Ireland Fundraiser at FOP Lodge 5, 11630 Caroline Road in Northeast Philly. It starts at 1 p.m. The fundraiser will feature many favorite local Irish musicians. A donation of $35 is requested, which covers draft beer, soda and buffet.
Also, The Delaware Valley Irish Hall of Fame is hosting its 2019 Dinner, honoring four esteemed representatives of the local Irish community. They include: Judge Patrick Dugan and Sister Marguerite O’Beirne, OSF, with a Commodore John Barry Award to be presented to Russell W. Wylie. Liam Hegarty is being honored posthumously.
The dinner begins at 5 p.m. at the Commodore John Barry Arts and Cultural Center (The Irish Center), 6815 Emlen Street in Mount Airy. Reserve tickets here.
Thursday, November 21
The Evening Genealogy Group at the Irish Immigration Center focuses in on the origins of the Irish Travellers. Join irishphiladelphia.com’s genealogy maven Lori Lander Murphy and Bill McCray for this special Evening Genealogy group. The Immigration Center is at 7 South Cedar Lane in Upper Darby. The event begins at 7 p.m.
Friday, November 18
Strap on your dancing shoes for a Thanksgiving Ceili Mor with McDermott’s Handy at the Philadelphia Irish Center. The ceili steps off at 7:30 p.m. Tickets $12. Dance instruction by John Shields.
That’s it for this week! Go forth and be Irish.
