How to Be Irish in Philly

This will be our last column for a while. We’ll be back, we hope. Technical issues, mostly, are an issue at the moment. Cross fingers.

Here’s what’s up:
Saturday, August 21

John Byrne performs solo at Paddy Whacks Pub, Welsh Road, starting at 3 p.m. Paddy Whacks is at 9241-43 Roosevelt Boulevard in Northeast Philly, tucked into a little shopping center at the corner of the Boulevard and Welsh.

The multi-talented and well-traveled Sean Fleming brings his act to The Dubliner on the Delaware, 34 North Main Street in New Hope, starting at 7 p.m. As we suggest, Sean, who hails from Killarney, seems to have been everywhere, from the Robin Hood Dell to, oh, say, Carnegie Hall. Promises to be a great show.

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It’s that time again! Time to get the skinny on all the Irish doings in and around Philly and the Shore.

Here we go.

Saturday, August 14

The great singer-raconteur and County Tyrone native son Gerry Timlin will perform at Dubliner on the Delaware, 34 North Main Street in New Hope, beginning at 7 p.m. A terrific venue, and anyone who has seen Gerry on stage knows it’s a guaranteed good time.

Also Saturday, starting at 9 p.m., Jamison Celtic Rock holds forth at a deck party at Avalon Yacht Club, 704 7th Street, Avalon, N.J.

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Big doings this week for those of an Irish inclination. (You, that is.) There’s music, Gaelic games and, for those with a great thirst, a whiskey tasting.

Check it out.

Friday, August 6

Galway Guild performs at Marty Magee’s in the Beer Garden, starting at 7 p.m. Marty Magee’s is at 1110 Lincoln Avenue in Prospect Park. A good night for Irish tunes.

And the John Byrne Band holds forth at an usual but nonetheless cool venue, the rooftop at Kennett Square Parking Garage, 100 East Linden Street, beginning at 7 p.m. This is a rescheduled concert from Saturday, May 29. Bring your own chair, with socially distanced pod seating for groups. Masks are required. Snacks and non-alcoholic drinks allowed, no booze, no coolers. Tickets purchased for the earlier date will be honored at this event. Doors open at 6 p.m. Details here.

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There’s plenty to keep you in an Irish frame of mind all this week and beyond.

Here’s what’s happening.

Friday, July 30

Fiddler Alice Marie accompanies Shaun Durnin at Catherine Rooney’s, Trolley Square, 1616 Delaware Avenue in Wilmington, starting at 7 p.m.

It’s the great singer-guitarist Gerry Timlin at Dubliner on the Delaware, with all his songs and stories—and you can always count on Gerry for the best and funniest of stories. Dubliner on the Delaware is at 34 Main Street in New Hope, Bucks County. The show begins at 7 p.m.

Paul Wiese and C.J. Mills perform at Fred’s Tavern, the landmark pub in Stone Harbor, N.J., 314 96^th Street, from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Catch their act in this lovely shore town. (Try the banana peanut butter ice cream at Springer’s for me before you go to the show. I haven’t been back to Stone Harbor at all this summer.) 

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Break out the Celtic-strength sunscreen. You’re gonna need it. Lots of Irish doings happening outdoors this weekend.

Here’s what’s on.

Saturday, July 24

It’s a full day of Gaelic athletics at the Philadelphia Gaelic Athletic Association’s field, up in the shadow of the Limerick cooling towers. (For GPS purposes, the address is 945 Longview Road, Pottstown.) The day starts with hurling at 10:30 a.m., followed by ladies’ football, developmental football and men’s games from 1:30 p.m. onward. $10 to get in.

Down the shore, Jamison Celtic Rock brings some of the Christmas spirit to Wildwood Crest’s Christmas in July Celebration, at Sunset Lake along New Jersey Avenue from Farragut to Miami Avenues. That particular gig runs from 6 to 8:45 p.m. Details of the event here.

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We have lots of Irish-ness to keep you happy this week, including music, dance and probably some adult beverages along the line.

Here’s what’s on:

Friday, July 16

The John Byrne Band takes the stage for a drive-in concert sponsored by People’s Light and Point Entertainment tonight at 39 Conestoga Road in Malvern, starting at 6:30 p.m. The band will be performing the music of Shane MacGowan and The Pogues.

This is one hot ticket: Which is to say you can no longer buy tickets online, but if you move fast you can still score them by phone at 610-644-3500. (Or so the ticket office told us at noon.)

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Summer’s here. Time for dancing in the streets. Or in the pubs. Wherever the spirit moves you. All you need is music. 

There’s plenty of that this week and in coming weeks, so strap on your dancing shoes. And maybe that tacky Hawaiian shirt. 

Here’s what’s on. 

Friday, July 9

Jamison Celtic Rock continues its residency at the Shore. You can see the band at North Shore Bar and Kitchen, 301-303 New York Avenue, in North Wildwood, starting at 6 p.m. $3 beers!

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You might want to pack your sunscreen and head down the shore. Plenty of live tunes there. Or you can stick closer to home and check out some traditional Irish music in Bucks County. Plus, more excitement to come.

Here’s what’s on:

Friday, June 25

Jamison Celtic Rock will rock the house at Seaport Pier in North Wildwood, starting at 6 p.m. You’ll find Seaport Pier at 2201 Boardwalk. You could hardly ask for a more summer-y location, down along the Irish Riviera.

Saturday, June 26

Jamison Celtic Rock is back, this time at The Inlet, 101 East Walnut Avenue, North Wildwood. The show begins at 6 p.m. 

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