Jeff Meade – Page 80 – Irish in Philly

Dance, Music

Dazzling Lineup for the Philadelphia Ceili Group Festival

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Courtney Malley, with a portrait of her late father Frank

There’s been a lot of water under the bridge since Dé Danann last graced the stage at the Philadelphia Ceili Group’s annual festival. Twenty-five years and a few personnel changes, to be exact.

But have no doubt that the version of Dé Danann that takes to the Philadelphia Irish Center stage Saturday night, September 8, at the Philadelphia Ceili Group Festival is the genuine article. Founding members Alec Finn and Johnny “Ringo” McDonagh will be joined by past members Brian McGrath, Derek Hickey, Eleanor Shanley, and Mick Conneely.

Anne McNiff, secretary of the Philadelphia Ceili Group, expects an amazing night of music from the band, and from the opener, acclaimed uilleann piper Paddy Keenan, as well.

McNiff says Dé Danann’s appearance culminates the Ceili Group’s year-long series featuring music from the west of Ireland. “The band originally came from the Galway area, and that’s where they currently list themselves as being from,” McNiff says. “Also we wanted to pick a band that would be a grand finale for the music series. We thought the band would be popular, attracting Ceili Group members as well as others. Many people are familiar with the name Dé Danann, and revivals are all the rage right now.”

This particular revival won’t represent a radical departure from the sound the band is known for, says McNiff.

“At the core, they certainly have a sound that they’re known for. It’s the way the band plays with each other that makes them great.”

So that takes care of the festival finale, but there’s a whole lot of Irish music, dance and culture on the agenda in the days leading up to the Saturday night concert.

Thursday night (September 6) is singers night, dedicated to vocal music, and dedicated to the memory of the late Ceili Group leading light Frank Malley, who dearly loved songs. Look for performances by Rosaleen McGill, Matt Ward, Marian Makins, and others. The night is hosted by Gabriel Donohue.

Friday night (September 7), you’ll be able to dance to the music of the McGillians & Friends, or you can grab a chair in the cozy Fireside Room to take in a brilliant little one-man show, “Who Killed James Joyce,” by troubadour Sean Tyrrell. McNiff is looking forward to that performance.

“We have had Sean Tyrrell before. He is famous for these one-man shows. This is his latest, and he’ll be presenting not only works from Joyce, but other Irish poets as well. While it’s not a theatre piece, it has theatrical aspects to it. Sean’s shows very much incorporate the spoken word as much as the music. We really wanted to present something different in the Fireside Room, which is a smaller, more intimate venue. It’s more of a pub-like experience.”

Earlier in the day Saturday features a wide range of workshops, from Irish singing to the irish language. There will also be live music throughout the day, kiddie activities, vendors, and of course delicious food and drink.

You can find out more about the festival by visiting the Ceili Group website.

Sports

St. Patricks Top Young Irelands in Midweek Matchup

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Closing in (photo by Gwyneth MacArthur)

As a prelude to Sunday’s long, grueling afternoon of men’s and ladies’ football, and men’s hurling, Wednesday night’s football game at Cardinal Dougherty saw the St. Patricks taking on the Young Irelands for Division 1 bragging rights.

It was a hot night to begin with, but all the action on the field was even hotter. The final score: Saint Patricks 0-13 to the Young Irelands’ 0-8.

We dispatched photographer Gwyneth MacArthur to record all the action.

If you want to see even more, head on down to Dougherty, 6401 North Second Street in East Oak Lane, on Sunday. (We’ll be there for sure.)

News, People

Remembering Collin Abrams

Father and son, at a training exercise

Collin Abrams never had any doubt about what he was going to do with his life … or whose life he would choose to emulate.

A fourth-generation firefighter, the 21-year-old Washington Crossing man was in line to start fire school in Philadelphia in September, preparatory to become a city firefighter, his life’s ambition. Active in several fire companies and rescue squads along the Bucks County-New Jersey border and frequently singled out for honors locally, statewide and nationally, he was the son of Michael and Cheryl Abrams. Michael, also a lifelong volunteer, currently serves as fire marshal in Raritan Township, N.J.

Collin Michael Abrams, the couple’s only child, died July 14th in a drowning accident at the home of a friend in Hopewell Township, N.J. He left his family and friends with treasured memories of a passionate, dutiful and committed young man who wanted nothing so much as to spend his life in the service of others.

“From the day he was born, he was raised in the fire service,” says Michael Abrams. “I don’t think a day went by when there wasn’t an interest in the fire service. He followed in my footsteps. It was our passion. Collin from day one was taught the history and tradition of the fire service, and he respected that. He got it all from early on. That’s where he wanted to be.”

Just a few months ago, Collin took the test for the Philadelphia Fire Department, and scored about as high as you can score without being a veteran, who get preference on the entrance exam, says Michael Abrams.

“He scored 100 on the test, and then because of his certifications being a Pennsylvania firefighter, certified with the National Pro Board, he was given extra points. He was also a Pennsylvania emergency medical technician, which also scored him extra credit points.”

Collin was also a swift water rescue technician.

If firefighting was in the young man’s blood, so was his Irish heritage. Michael says he and his son were members of the Hibernian Fire Company in Lambertville. Cheryl Abrams is British-born, but most of the Abrams family were Irish

Perhaps it was the Irish in him that propelled him to join the Philadelphia Police and Fire Pipes and Drums . But it’s a safe bet that Collin once again was following his father’s example.

“We went to the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Philadelphia in March, and I saw the band,” says Michael Abrams. “Man, the way these guys came up, the fire department right behind them, it was just incredible. Well, my mother (Alice) had died last July 18, and I thought … I want to do something to honor my mother.”

Collin Abrams

Michael drove down to practice at the Philadelphia Police Academy, and he brought Collin along. Collin at that point, perhaps feeling a bit overextended, was not certain he wanted to join the pipe band, but Michael joined, hoping to become a drummer … and it wasn’t long before Collin picked up sticks. Practice and band gigs soon occupied much of their time.

“Collin and I both, our commitment levels are very high,” says Michael. “We knew right away, this was gonna be cool. It was a thing that me and Collin shared together. We shared good times on our ride down to practice.”

For Collin, band practice was also an opportunity to pick the brains of the current and retired Philadelphia firefighters who belonged to the unit, says Michael. “The guys in the band gave him so much information. They were prepping him for the career he was going into. We’d stay for hours and hours.”

It quickly became apparent to the other musicians that the father and son were deeply committed to the band … and the son in particular was making his mark.

“Anything we asked him to do, he was jumping up and getting it done,” recalls band President Sean Gallagher. “He made all of the parades. He was in the honor guard. The kid had a great impact on everybody.”

Band master and music director Mark O’Donnell was particularly touched by the young man’s enthusiasm. “He was with us a very short period of time, but from the instructor’s perspective, he really reminded me why we do this.”

When band members learned of Collin’s untimely death, they took it hard, but they resolved to honor his memory in a way that would have meant everything to him. It’s the custom in the Police and Fire Band that members who have passed through their probationary period are honored in a ceremony in which they are presented with their kilt. Typically, the probationary period lasts about a year. Band president Gallagher says that the Abrams were so active and so obviously, deeply committed, that they both were on target for a “kilting” well ahead of schedule.

Here, however, Collin was just a step or two ahead of his father.

“Collin had been playing with the band only three months, but he was learning fast. He was definitely going to be playing in time for the Irish festival in Wildwood in September.”

At his family’s request, Collin was “kilted” posthumously, buried in his band uniform. “We didn’t have to think about it,” says O’Donnell.

The band also presented the family with a Philadelphia Fire Department helmet with Collin’s name on it. They saw him off with full honors, playing at the funeral as if it had been a line-of-duty death. It was, O’Donnell acknowledged “a rough day.”

“We’re a service band,” O’Donnell explains. “We play a lot of funerals. Line-of-duty deaths (like the recent deaths of Philadelphia firefighters Robert Neary and Daniel Sweeney) are really hard.” But in Collin’s case, he added, there was the sad realization that a potentially brilliant career had ended before it ever had a chance to begin.

The Abrams, for their part, were grateful that band members saw fit to honor this young man that they had know for a few short months. Now, they face the task of moving on, drawing on their memories for solace. Michael Abrams in particular will remember a young man who was much more than a son. “We were best buddies,” he said. “Best friends. I don’t know many fathers who had the relationship that Collin and I had. We were very tight.”

July 27, 2012 by Jeff Meade

News, People, Sports

Welcome to Philadelphia

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Tom McGrath heading down State Road

With the regularity of a metronome, long-distance runner Tom McGrath’s sneaker-clad feet slapped against the pavement as he made his way down State Road in Cornwells Heights. As he rounded a corner approaching the small bridge at Grant Avenue that marks the border between Bucks County and Philadelphia, a waiting delegation from the Philadelphia Irish Center-Commodore Barry Club erupted into cheers. A saffron-kilted piper broke into “The Minstrel Boy.”

This was the moment they’d been waiting for, the chance to greet and support the slightly built marathoner and New York City pub owner as he continued on his one-man mission to raise funds for a Naval Academy memorial honoring the father of the American Navy and the namesake of their club.

On this bright Sunday afternoon, with temperatures hovering in the low to mid-90s, McGrath took it all, you might say, in stride.

With a police motorcycle escort leading the way, McGrath and his admirers made their way up the road a couple of blocks to the Delaware River Yacht Club, where the 61 -year-old multi-sport athlete planned to take a breather.

Pausing for a few moments beside the club’s drydocked boats, McGrath marveled at his enthusiastic reception in the city that became Barry’s home.

“Of all the runs in my life, this is the best one I’ve done. I’ve been treated royally, believe me,” he said. “It gives me a lot more willpower, discipline, determination, and strength. And of course, God is on my side, too.”

The $200,000-plus memorial is the work of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, and McGrath was happy and proud to lend his long legs to the cause, helping the AOH get a bit closer to their goal.

McGrath, from County Fermanagh, believes his countryman is well deserving of the honor.

“Commodore Barry was one of the greatest Irishmen who ever left the shores of Ireland. He came to the United States from poverty in County Wexford, and made it to the top by being entrusted with the construction and leadership of the United States Navy, the greatest navy in the entire world. That was a massive, massive undertaking.”

The break didn’t last long—20 minutes, perhaps—and McGrath was once again on his way, stopping for a while at AOH 39’s hall in Tacony. He was scheduled to arrive at the Naval Academy tomorrow.

We have photographs and video of McGrath’s arrival in the Northeast.

Watch the video.
To learn more about McGrath’s run, visit his website: http://www.barryrun.com/

Sports

Philadelphia GAA Men’s Football News

Jubilant St. Patrick's footballers with the Jim Harvey Cup.

By Peter McDermott

Sunday, June 24. The Saint Pat's Club lifted the second piece of available silverware in Philadelphia men's Gaelic football–the Jim Harvey Memorial League Cup–by a scoreline of 3-12 to 0-11. Jim Harvey was from Donegal Town, and was a great ambassador of the games here in Philadelphia. When his name is mentioned, it is with reference and respect by all that knew him.

Saint Pat's led at the half over the Young Irelands by a score of 1-05 to 0-07, the minimum. The Young Irelands weren't getting a ton of scoring opportunities, but when they were available, they were slotting them over. With just 20 minutes gone, the Young Irelands were reduced to 12, after Referee Joe McGinn displayed the red card. Young Irelands put six points on the board before registering their first wide of the day. They would finish the half with just two wides. Scores came off of Declan Gormley, Patrick O'Hara, Martin Curran, and Sean McTernan.

Saint Pat's was struggling to convert their fluid play into scores during that first half, kicking five wides and lobbing two gifts straight into the keeper, Shane Callaghan's hands. It was near the short whistle with 27 minutes gone that Stevie Robinson sent the size five into the back of the net, putting just a point between them. Scores came off of Ciaran Porter, Stevie Robinson, and Lee Moore.

The second half resumed and both clubs couldn't find the target as shots were sailing just outside the posts. Both clubs made adjustments and the shooting improved. Young Irelands kept matters close till the 45-minute mark, but signs of fatigue were starting to show. The man advantage was starting to open the cracks in the Young Ireland's façade. The loss of workhorse, Adrian Mark, to injury only compounded their problems.

Midfielder Lesley Stevenson was thrown onto the top of the 20-meter line to create havoc for the Saint Pat's backline. The demand was there but the supply of ball was scarce. Instead of dropping balls into the Big Man via express airmail, they were going in 3-day ground parcel and to the wrong address. Then, they tried forcing balls into closed corridors that should have been popped over the bar.

High tide was coming, and the flooding started. Liam O'Donnell got loose inside the large parallelogram, but was denied by Shane Callaghan. Moments later, Lee Moore slipped inside his Defender, but his shot was also turned away for a 45 meter kick. The 45 was beautifully converted by Matt Crossan, with plenty to spare. That point was the beginning of the end.

The next time Liam O'Donnell got away from his marker, his shot was stopped again; very uncharacteristic based on past performances from “OD.” Shortly thereafter, Lee Moore pointed from play with his back to the uprights. American- born Conor Canavan, never left his side; but whenever Moore did find the space, he usually converted. The next ball came into Lee Moore and with a bit of dummying and sidestepping he was all alone with only Keeper Callaghan to beat. Callaghan had no option but to pull him down, and the ensuing penalty was converted by Moore. Another fine 45 from Matt Crossan, and Liam O'Donnell wasn't to be denied again, as his third time was the charm for a goal. Scores for Saint Pat's came from John Docherty, Ciaran Greene, Lee Moore, Liam O'Donnell, Stevie Robinson, and Matt Crossan.

Up next Sunday, is the Kevin McCartan Memorial Tournament Cup, which will be a Seven-a-Side Format. Most would put the Favorites Tag on the Saint Pat's Club, but within days the landscape of these teams could and will change.

Just a fortnight away from the start of the championship, and over 3 weeks to acquire the outside help before the July 20 deadline; those who have help coming will be welcoming it with open arms.

Predictions? I'll respectfully decline. We all know Saint Pat's will most likely be adding a few more, including a

new keeper (no disrespect intended, Mr. Cannon). The Kevin Barrys have a couple landed and it's rumored that there's more coming shortly. Young Irelands must add to their panel, after this day’s final.

Saint Pat's have scored 11 goals in the last two games. Any opposing clubs ringing for players, you may want to try for a couple of backs.

Monday, June 25 Those familiar colors have been making an Appearance at the Gaelic Field adjacent to the shuttered Cardinal Dougherty High School during the last four (4) weekends. The Green & Gold of Tir Chonaill, repackaged as the Saint Patrick's Gaelic Football Club.

Over the past couple years, the club redirected their focus on a rebuilding process centered around a youth program, which was composed of mostly American-born players. However, the calendar has changed, and so has the face of this club. Their selection of sanction players and the return of other players are making a lot of noise within the Philadelphia GAA.

On Sunday, June 10, their gifted American-born players lifted the Bill Drake Memorial League Cup, with a win over the Philadelphia Éire Óg boys. I'm sure that piece of hardware became well acquainted with a majority of the finest spirits in Jack Quinn's Lamplighter Tavern.

Then on Sunday, June 24, in the Jim Harvey Memorial Cup League fixture, Saint Pat's pummeled a depleted Kevin Barrys team by a score of 8-15 to 1-05; to advance to the final.

Sunday July 8 Since the Jim Harvey Cup Final, Saint Patrick's have added a big man between the posts to protect the house, Ryan Monteith. Young Ireland's picked up a cornerback in Niall McQuillan, a wing halfback in Caolan Haughey, and a dangerous forward in Patrick Quinn. Would it be enough?

Young Ireland's jumped out of the gate with some good ball work, trying to pump balls into Patrick Quinn, Patrick O'Hara, and Luke Coyle. David Doyle, Ciaran Greene, Paul Butcher, and Patrick Kennedy did well for Saint Patrick's in cutting off the incoming supply. Quinn had trouble turning his defender. Unable to get inside, he slotted over a marvelous point from the most acute of angles; well inside the 20-meter line and over near the sideline.

Monteith's kickouts were massive, falling out of the sky, when needed; or sent as long, sharp passes when midfield was congested. Quinn looked like he was going to completely torture Saint Patrick's when he hammered the ball, low and hard, on Monteith's short side for a goal. Saint Patrick's management switched a couple markers in front of Quinn, rather than suffocating him, and the moves worked. Declan Gormley and Patrick O'Hara also added nice scores for the Young Ireland's. Scores for Saint Patrick's came off Stevie Robinson, Liam O'Donnell, Lee Moore and Ciaran Porter. Two-point advantage to the Young Ireland's.

Half-Time:
Young Ireland's 1-05 to Saint Patrick's 0-06

The second half started under the assumption that the Saint Patrick's squad must have received an earful at the half, as they seemed to sharpen up between the 45s. Saint Patrick's began to attack from the halfback line of Doyle, Greene and John Doherty, who were fed from balls cleaned up by the two cornerbacks, Butcher and Kennedy. Lee Moore, Robinson, and O'Donnell took some good points for Saint Patrick's. The highlight reel of the game came when Lee Moore served up a gem straight onto the laces of Robinson, which he volleyed one-time into the back of the net. The gift-wrapping was done by the Craigbane forward, leaving his Ballerin counterpart only to stick a bow on it. Young Ireland's managed another point, but couldn't get the equalizer. Tough loss for the Red and Black.

Full-Time:
Saint Patrick's • 3-10 to Young Ireland's • 1-12

Up Next in Division I Men's Football, Sunday, July 15: the Young Ireland's hope to bounce back against the Kevin Barry's. The Barrys have been sitting and watching patiently, since June 17.. They have added Stephen Slater, Paul Johnston, Stephen Shannon, David McGarrity, Francis McCrudden, Conor McClelland, Patrick Fox, Conall Duffy, Ger O'Sullivan, and Dean McNally, thus far. Paperwork is rumored in the pipeline for Stefan McKenna, and Peter Mallon.
Young Ireland's will add at least Kevin Davey to the lineup.

July 11, 2012 by Jeff Meade

Music

CD Funding in Record Time

Conal O'Kane and Tim Hill

Who knew we had so many friends?

Last Saturday morning, we launched a website to raise funds for our CD project, “Ceili Drive: The Music of Irish Philadelphia.” The goal: $3,000. We figured it might take a few weeks to hit the $3,000 mark, and even then, we might not hit our goal.

How wrong we were–in a really good way.

As of midday Tuesday, we were just $830 short of our target, which was, all by itself, pretty amazing. We never thought we’d get so far, so fast. But we weren’t prepared for the incredible surprise that greeted us the morning of Independence Day, by which time we had officially crossed the $3,200 mark. All that was thanks to amazing generosity from many people, with a big assist—$500—from the great Delaware Valley band Blackthorn.

All told, 55 people or organizations contributed to our fund. Even more surprising: More money continued to flow in, even after we had ripped past the $3,000 mark. As of Friday midday, we’d raised $3,420.

With that, we can now very comfortably move on to production of our CD, which showcases Irish traditional music from many of the area’s finest players and singers, moving them to center stage—right where they belong. Our plan was to share the talents of mature veterans and young upstarts alike, and to draw attention to the role families play in upholding the tradition, and moving it forward. (Kudos to the the Boyces, Brennans, and McGillians, all of whom contribute tunes to the effort.) Of course, Irish music in Philadelphia probably wouldn’t be as rich and as vibrant as it is without the contributions of Irish natives who now make the Delaware valley their home. Their influence on the making of “Ceili Drive” is also significant.

That we are where we are now is actually pretty remarkable, given that we’d never done anything like a recording project before, and often had no idea what we were doing. (Thanks to our musicians for their patience, and for setting us straight when we needed it.)

Clearly, we had a lot to learn. Then again, maybe recording a CD really is just that challenging. Harper Ellen Tepper, in an email a few weeks ago, helped us put it all in perspective: “Recording projects, like home improvements and divorces, take longer than you think, cost more than estimated, make a big mess and are SO nice when they are over.”

Ain’t it the truth.

So, here is where we are.

We recorded six original tracks in Milkboy Studios. We have six additional tracks donated by musicians who have previously recorded on their own. Now we move on to final production. All of that is what the $3,000 is for.

There are some loose ends we need to tie up, but we expect to release “Ceili Drive” toward the end of the summer. (And, though we’ve mentioned it before, it bears mentioning again: Our gratitude to Facebook fan Pete McDermott for suggesting the clever name.)

Thank-you gifts should be mailed out to all of our donors at about the same time.

The ultimate thank-you, we hope, will be “Ceili Drive” itself. We’re onto something special here, and we can’t wait for you to hear it.

July 6, 2012 by Jeff Meade

News

How to Be Irish in Philly This Week

If you haven't seen GAA sports, do!

Better late than never!

Your usual trusty HTBI guide Denise Foley is enjoying a well-deserved rest, which leaves the task of filling you in on all things Irish and Philly during the upcoming holiday week up to me.

As seems to be the case every time Denise hits the road, most of the coming week is a bit on the light side. Maybe everyone’s at the shore.

But there is one big exception: Sunday.

Let’s start with the Project Children Benefit in Kildare’s in Manayunk, Sunday from noon to 3. We’ve been there, of course, and it’s a great venue in one of Philly’s funkiest neighborhoods. Hard to think of a better place for the fund-raiser. Project Children helps contribute to peace in Northern Ireland in its own small but significant way, bringing Protestant and Catholic kids from that often troubled area of the world to the United States for summer vacations. Price of admission is $20 for adults, and $10 for kids. (Kids under 10 get in for free.) There’s going to be a great buffet, plenty of draft beers to keep you cool, and Irish tuneage by Frank Daly of Jamison and friends. Irish dancers, too, of course, and fun for the kiddies, including face-painting.

More details here.

Sunday being a bright, beautiful sun-filled day in the summer, there is, of course, more to do on Sunday. Starting at 2 the same day, there’s Irish football and hurling at cardinal Dougherty High School field. If you haven’t seen these uniquely Irish sports, find time sometime this summer to take in an afternoon of games. (Bring plenty of sunblock. There aren’t many trees.)

And if you love Irish music, Sunday is a day full of traditional Irish music sessions at local bars. See our calendar for all the details. It’s a pretty good bet there will be a session near you.

See you next week.

June 30, 2012 by Jeff Meade

News

A Day to Honor Heroes

Kelly Mosca and Pat Nally

Philadelphia firefighter Pat Nally and his fiancee Kelly Mosca sat on folding chairs in a small, unobtrusive corner of a big tent, just outside of Maggie’s Waterfront Cafe. They were just two out of close to 2,000 happy guests who shelled out 25 bucks a pop to gain entry to last week’s “Honoring Heroes Block Party” at Maggie’s, in the city’s Holmesburg neighborhood.

They could easily have blended into the background. Not much chance of that, though. Nally, who was badly injured in the April 9 Kensington warehouse fire that took the lives of comrades Lt. Robert Neary and firefighter Daniel Sweeney, was the center of attention for much of the afternoon. Friends, probably including a lot he didn’t know he had, stopped by in an unending stream to shake his hand, wish him well, and thank him for his service.

Nally, still wearing a cast on his injured leg and getting around on crutches, looked a bit dazed by all of the attention, which, he conceded, was “very overwhelming.” Half of the day’s proceeds went to offset some of the financial challenges that have come Nally’s way since the fire and subsequent building collapse, and he was very thankful for that. But he was quick to divert attention away from himself. “It’s a tremendous outpouring of support,” he said. “Sweeney and Neary … they deserve it.”

Nally acknowledged his rehabilitation was going very well. “Physically, everything is on the up and up. I still have three to six months of recovery,” he said. “It’ll be two to three months before I can put weight on my foot.” Emotionally, though, things might take a little more time, as Nally continues to cope with memories of that fateful moment on April 9, when a wall came tumbling down and changed his whole life. “I think about about it everyday.”

Still, Nally had little doubt what he wanted to do as soon as his body and mind had healed: return to the Philadelphia Fire Department. “If it’s up to me, I’ll be back,” he said. “A hundred per cent, for sure. I can’t wait to get back.”

We have photos from our afternoon at Maggies. The slide show is up top. To see the photos with captions, click here.

June 30, 2012 by Jeff Meade