How to Be Irish in Philly

There are some more opportunities to hear live Irish music this weekend. In this time, it’s more important than ever to support our local musicians. You’ll also have an opportunity to help commemorate Bloody Sunday.

Here’s what’s up:

Friday, February 26

Irish Mike Jordan will perform at Henry James Saloon from 6 to 9 p.m. You’ll find the saloon at 577 Jamestown Avenue in Philadelphia.

Saturday, February 27

Frank Daly, of Jamison Celtic Rock, will be at the Mifflin Tavern, 1843 South 2nd Street, Philadelphia, from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m.

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It’s a short week, but we do try to keep you entertained and in the loop. And look at it this way … there’s at least one chance to get the heck out of your house. 

Here’s what’s on:

Friday, February 19

Jamison Celtic Rock front man Frank Daly holds forth at Gaul & Co. Malt House, 704 Huntingdon Pike in Rockledge. The show runs from 8 p.m. to 12 midnight.

Friday, February 26

The Irish American Business Chamber & Network is sponsoring a virtual Global CEO Roundtable, with Joan O’Shaughnessy, chair of Tourism Ireland. O’Shaughnessy joins a discussion with Madeline Bell, CEO of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and Liam Kelly, CEO of Teleflex Careers. Moderating will be Danny McCoy, CEO of IBEC. The event starts at 11:30 a.m. Details and registration here.

And looking ahead just a little bit:

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If you’re looking for live music, this is the week for it—or more to the point, the night for it. Here’s what’s happening: 

Friday, February 5

Jamison Celtic Rock takes the stage at Sweeney’s Station Saloon, 13639 Philmont Avenue in Northeast Philadelphia. The show starts at 7 p.m., running until 10:30 p.m. Capacity is limited. Reservations are preferred. There’s a $5 cover. (215) 677-3177.

Round Tower returns to Hanrahan’s Irish Pub for a rollicking (and extended) happy hour, starting at 6 p.m. You’ll find Hanrahan’s at 690 Burmont Road in Upper Darby.

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Lots of music this week, including an excellent opportunity to hear it in person. 

In these tough times, it’s critical that we do what we can to support musicians and keep the tunes alive. 

Here’s the deal:

Friday, January 29

Raymond Coleman is back with a live show at New Deck Tavern, 3408 Sansom Street in Philly’s University City neighborhood, starting at 6 p.m. The tavern promises heaters, blankies and hot spiked drinks under a tent to keep you toasty. Of course, there’s also Ray’s warm personality, too.

If you’re online, Cork ballad singer Elle Marie O’Dwyer hosts a show, live on the Irish Singing Sessions Facebook page, starting at 8 p.m.

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A nice, crowded calendar for you this week, including a few live acts. Live, in these times, is nothing short of great. Pandemic restrictions apply, of course, but we’ll take what we can get.

Without further ado:

Friday, January 22

Kevin O’Shea performs for you at the New Deck Tavern, 3408 Sansom Street in University City, starting at 5 p.m. The New Deck is a real landmark. If you haven’t been, go.

Seamus McGroary plays the Henry James Saloon, 577 Jamestown Avenue in Philadelphia, starting at 6 p.m. The folks at Henry James promise the Guinness will be flowing. Always a good thing. And you get to listen to Seamus, too. Even better.

Catch the Jamison Duo—that’s Jamison Celtic Rock front man Frank Daly and fiddler Alice Marie—at Tom N Jerry’s, 1006 MacDade Boulevard in Folsom. The show starts at 6:30 p.m. Social distancing and reduced occupancy rules apply. It’s a last-minute gig, Frank says, so please do spread the word.

Irish songbird Mary Courtney is back with her Friday night Facebook concert, starting at 6 p.m. Catch her show here. Tips gratefully accepted.

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A relatively slow week is on tap, but … at a time like this, we’ll take anything we can get, right?

So here’s what’s going on:

Friday, January 15

Difficult choice tonight:

The effervescent Raymond Coleman will be playing at the Henry James Saloon, 577 Jamestown Avenue in Philadelphia, from 6 to 9 p.m. He’s always a guaranteed good time. Masks required, of course.

Jamison Celtic Rock front man Frank Daly is slated to appear at Gaul & Co. Malt House, 704 Huntingdon Pike in Rockledge, from 7 to 11 p.m. Also one of our very best performers. 

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We’re baaaaaaaa-aaaaaaaack.

Hope you all had a nice Christmas and New Year. (And here’s hoping and praying for a better new year, while we’re at it, though we’re clearly off to an incredibly rough start.)

We have a bunch of Irish-ness lined up for you.

So here’s what’s on tap:

Saturday, January 9

Frank Daly, front man for Jamison Celtic Rock, and fiddler Alice Marie, take the stage at Haggerty’s Cafe, 2373 MacDade Boulevard in Holmes, starting at 7 p.m.

Sunday, January 10

And … catch them again at Mifflin Tavern, 1843 South 2nd Street, Philadelphia, beginning at 1 p.m.

Tuesday, January 12

The Irish Diaspora Center hosts its genealogy group (virtually), starting at 11 a.m. This session’s guest is Emily Schmidt, author of “The Galvin Girls.” (Story about that here.) You can register for the presentation right here.

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It’s beginning to look a lot like Irish Philly Christmas. Most of what’s happening is online—however, there are a couple of live performances. Don’t let a little cold weather stop ya. There’s also a very special online concert that you will not want to miss on Monday.

Here’s what’s what.

Friday, December 18

You can’t keep a good band down, pandemic or no.

Jamison Celtic Rock presents “Celtic Christmas Live” at Renault Winery Resort’s “Vintner Wonderland,” 72 North Bremen Avenue, Egg Harbor City, N.J., starting at 6 p.m. It’s all socially distanced in the winery garden. (With lots of fire pits.) Details here.

Starting at 6 p.m., singer Mary Courtney offers up a bunch of tunes via Facebook. Check it out here. Mary will be accepting tips by PayPal and Venmo.

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