What Santa does in the off-season.
It rained, it snowed, it sleeted–but the Conshohocken St. Patrick’s Day went on as planned on Saturday, March 16. While fewer people than usual lined the march route (Conshy’s main drag, Fayette Street), the folks who braved the bad weather had a very good time–a very good time, indeed.
If you need proof, check out our photos!
Tommy Joyner of Milkboy Recording, chatting with uilleann piper Tim Hill.
A funny thing happened on the way to the public sale of our exciting new compilation of Philly Irish music, “Ceili Drive.”
It was a little thing called St. Patrick’s Month, which does tend to distract us a bit, what with all the parties, parades, pub crawls, pomp, and such.
Happily, the craziness is (mostly) behind us now, and we can devote our full attention to introducing “Ceili Drive” to the world. And by “the world,” we mean you.
We created “Ceili Drive” for a couple of reasons:
So get ready to exercise your clicker finger because we’re about to direct you to our secure online store. You’ll see all the track listings there.
And even though we’ve said this before, we really can’t say it enough. We owe a lot of you a deep debt of gratitude. So thank you, and thank you yet again. You know who you are.
Lorna Byrne Giving a Blessing
On a St. Patrick’s Day that began with Jimmy Lynn’s fabulous and noisy breakfast at the Plough & the Stars and was followed by a solemn and chilly commemoration at the Irish Memorial at Penn’s Landing, I couldn’t have foreseen the sacred and truly spiritual afternoon that would crown my day at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Chestnut Hill. But that’s the wonderful thing about being Irish in Philadelphia on March 17th; you never know what the day will bring.
For me it brought Lorna Byrne, an Irish woman whose earliest memories are of the angels who have always been a presence in her life. Lorna sees angels the way most of us see other people; to her, these ethereal beings are a very solid physical manifestation. And, she assures us, every single one of us has our own guardian angel following us at all times.
It’s a comforting thought, and only one of the many encouraging messages that she has been chosen to share with the world.
As a young girl, her relationship with the angels meant she spent her days in almost a cocoon. They talked with her, she laughed with them, they even played hide and seek together. Her separateness from the world around her led to her being given a diagnosis of “retarded.” Lorna was born into a poor Dublin family in 1953, a time when anyone labeled as different in any way was automatically considered to be somehow mentally deficient. Teachers basically ignored her, and it didn’t help that she was actually dyslexic. Although the angels were adamant during those years that Lorna tell no one about them, they also revealed to her that one day when the time was right, she would write a book and share their existence with the world. At the time, Lorna laughed because her dyslexia meant that she couldn’t read and could barely write; she hardly felt she was the one who would write a book about anything. But as with everything the angels told her, they were correct in this, too.
She used to ask the angels, “Why me?” And their response was “Why not you, Lorna?”
This past Sunday, Lorna spoke to a crowd of more than 550 people who attended her free appearance at St. Paul’s, an audience made up of both those who had read her books and followed her for years, as well as others who came because they were hearing about her for the first time and wanted to learn more. The format took shape as a one hour interview, with Lorna being questioned by Rev. E. Clifford Cutler, the rector of St. Paul’s, followed by a 30 minute question and answer period with the audience. But it was the nearly two hours of blessings that Lorna stayed and gave to every single person who wanted one after the 90 minutes of interviewing that left those who had gathered there awash in a wave of peacefulness and tranquility.
The Archangel Michael gave Lorna the prayer that she recites in her blessings, and that she has had it printed on cards for the audience to take with them:
“Pour out Thy Healing Angels,
Thy Heavenly Host upon me
and upon those that I love.
Let me feel the beam of Thy Healing Angels upon me,
the light of Your Healing Hand.
I will let Thy Healing begin
Whatever way God grants it…Amen.”
Lorna’s messages are about love, acceptance, and being the best we can be during our physical time here on earth. The God she knows doesn’t have a single religion; His angels are gifts to everyone on earth regardless of the faith they follow. Here are some of the words she shared with those who joined her in Chestnut Hill:
“The angels have always been my best friends, my companions, my teachers,” she explained. “But I suppose the important thing to say to all of you is that each and every one of you, no matter whether you believe, or if you’re a skeptic, or what faith you have, or what religion you have…each and every one of you has a guardian angel that God has given you. And your guardian angel never leaves you for one second. So you’re never, never alone and you’re loved unconditionally.
“But I suppose the other thing is that the guardian angel is the gatekeeper to your soul, and I’m afraid you can’t throw that gift away that God has given you. You can ignore it, and you can do your best and deny it, but I am traveling the whole world and I have never seen any man, woman or child without a guardian angel, and it doesn’t matter what religion you are.
“So it is to be conscious and aware that you have a guardian angel and that has been one of the most powerful messages that has come out to the world since I have written the book, ‘Angels in My Hair.’ Angels, I have to say to you, are neither male nor female. Just sometimes they give a human appearance within themselves so we can recognize them. If they didn’t, we wouldn’t.
“And again, it’s to teach us that…material things are important, we do need material things. But they’re not the most important thing. And, if for some reason, your life, you know, creates a lot of material things, you’re actually meant to share them. Because you can’t bring any material thing with you when you die. Your soul brings no material thing whatsoever, just the love and all of the good things you have done. And even too the hurt and pain, but it’s not as if that hurt and pain at that moment is washed away, straight away, because when your guardian angel takes hold of your soul and brings it forward to come out of your human body, you know God is real. You know you are a spiritual being as well. And you know you are being reborn. And that is an important thing to remember. And that is one of the very strong messages in both books, that when you die it’s only your physical body that dies. You actually live forever.
“And, I’m afraid, God IS real, and so is your guardian angel and all those unemployed angels that are here as well, in hope that you will ask your guardian angel to allow an unemployed angel to help you within your life. And, to me that is fantastic. God is real. Don’t wait til the last moment of your life to realize that. Change the world for the better. We all have that opportunity…lots of adults say to me, ‘But my life is insignificant. I have done nothing.’ But your life is very precious, and the most important gift God has given you is to live life, and everything you do within your life is accountable. But everything as well is that you’re changing everyone else’s life every time you do good. Every time you reach out and help someone, even if it is just a smile. I always have to smile at the angels, you know.”
You can read more about Lorna Byrne at her website and order her books here as well.
It rained, it snowed, it sleeted—but the Conshohocken St. Patrick’s Day went on as planned on Saturday, March 16. While fewer people than usual lined the march route (Conshy’s main drag, Fayette Street), the folks who braved the bad weather had a very good time—a very good time, indeed.
If you need proof, check out our photos!
Tommy Joyner of Milkboy Recording, chatting with uilleann piper Tim Hill.
A funny thing happened on the way to the public sale of our exciting new compilation of Philly Irish music, “Ceili Drive.”
It was a little thing called St. Patrick’s Month, which does tend to distract us a bit, what with all the parties, parades, pub crawls, pomp, and such.
Happily, the craziness is (mostly) behind us now, and we can devote our full attention to introducing “Ceili Drive” to the world. And by “the world,” we mean you.
We created “Ceili Drive” for a couple of reasons:
So get ready to exercise your clicker finger because we’re about to direct you to our secure online store. You’ll see all the track listings there.
And even though we’ve said this before, we really can’t say it enough. We owe a lot of you a deep debt of gratitude. So thank you, and thank you yet again. You know who you are.
Lorna Byrne
On a St. Patrick’s Day that began with Jimmy Lynn’s fabulous and noisy breakfast at the Plough & the Stars and was followed by a solemn and chilly commemoration at the Irish Memorial at Penn’s Landing, I couldn’t have foreseen the sacred and truly spiritual afternoon that would crown my day at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Chestnut Hill. But that’s the wonderful thing about being Irish in Philadelphia on March 17th; you never know what the day will bring.
For me it brought Lorna Byrne, an Irish woman whose earliest memories are of the angels who have always been a presence in her life. Lorna sees angels the way most of us see other people; to her, these ethereal beings are a very solid physical manifestation. And, she assures us, every single one of us has our own guardian angel following us at all times.
It’s a comforting thought, and only one of the many encouraging messages that she has been chosen to share with the world.
As a young girl, her relationship with the angels meant she spent her days in almost a cocoon. They talked with her, she laughed with them, they even played hide and seek together. Her separateness from the world around her led to her being given a diagnosis of “retarded.” Lorna was born into a poor Dublin family in 1953, a time when anyone labeled as different in any way was automatically considered to be somehow mentally deficient. Teachers basically ignored her, and it didn’t help that she was actually dyslexic. Although the angels were adamant during those years that Lorna tell no one about them, they also revealed to her that one day when the time was right, she would write a book and share their existence with the world. At the time, Lorna laughed because her dyslexia meant that she couldn’t read and could barely write; she hardly felt she was the one who would write a book about anything. But as with everything the angels told her, they were correct in this, too.
She used to ask the angels, “Why me?” And their response was “Why not you, Lorna?”
This past Sunday, Lorna spoke to a crowd of more than 550 people who attended her free appearance at St. Paul’s, an audience made up of both those who had read her books and followed her for years, as well as others who came because they were hearing about her for the first time and wanted to learn more. The format took shape as a one hour interview, with Lorna being questioned by Rev. E. Clifford Cutler, the rector of St. Paul’s, followed by a 30 minute question and answer period with the audience. But it was the nearly two hours of blessings that Lorna stayed and gave to every single person who wanted one after the 90 minutes of interviewing that left those who had gathered there awash in a wave of peacefulness and tranquility.
The Archangel Michael gave Lorna the prayer that she recites in her blessings, and that she has had it printed on cards for the audience to take with them:
“Pour out Thy Healing Angels,
Thy Heavenly Host upon me
and upon those that I love.
Let me feel the beam of Thy Healing Angels upon me,
the light of Your Healing Hand.
I will let Thy Healing begin
Whatever way God grants it…Amen.”
Lorna’s messages are about love, acceptance, and being the best we can be during our physical time here on earth. The God she knows doesn’t have a single religion; His angels are gifts to everyone on earth regardless of the faith they follow. Here are some of the words she shared with those who joined her in Chestnut Hill:
“The angels have always been my best friends, my companions, my teachers,” she explained. “But I suppose the important thing to say to all of you is that each and every one of you, no matter whether you believe, or if you’re a skeptic, or what faith you have, or what religion you have…each and every one of you has a guardian angel that God has given you. And your guardian angel never leaves you for one second. So you’re never, never alone and you’re loved unconditionally.
“But I suppose the other thing is that the guardian angel is the gatekeeper to your soul, and I’m afraid you can’t throw that gift away that God has given you. You can ignore it, and you can do your best and deny it, but I am traveling the whole world and I have never seen any man, woman or child without a guardian angel, and it doesn’t matter what religion you are.
“So it is to be conscious and aware that you have a guardian angel and that has been one of the most powerful messages that has come out to the world since I have written the book, ‘Angels in My Hair.’ Angels, I have to say to you, are neither male nor female. Just sometimes they give a human appearance within themselves so we can recognize them. If they didn’t, we wouldn’t.
“And again, it’s to teach us that…material things are important, we do need material things. But they’re not the most important thing. And, if for some reason, your life, you know, creates a lot of material things, you’re actually meant to share them. Because you can’t bring any material thing with you when you die. Your soul brings no material thing whatsoever, just the love and all of the good things you have done. And even too the hurt and pain, but it’s not as if that hurt and pain at that moment is washed away, straight away, because when your guardian angel takes hold of your soul and brings it forward to come out of your human body, you know God is real. You know you are a spiritual being as well. And you know you are being reborn. And that is an important thing to remember. And that is one of the very strong messages in both books, that when you die it’s only your physical body that dies. You actually live forever.
“And, I’m afraid, God IS real, and so is your guardian angel and all those unemployed angels that are here as well, in hope that you will ask your guardian angel to allow an unemployed angel to help you within your life. And, to me that is fantastic. God is real. Don’t wait til the last moment of your life to realize that. Change the world for the better. We all have that opportunity…lots of adults say to me, ‘But my life is insignificant. I have done nothing.’ But your life is very precious, and the most important gift God has given you is to live life, and everything you do within your life is accountable. But everything as well is that you’re changing everyone else’s life every time you do good. Every time you reach out and help someone, even if it is just a smile. I always have to smile at the angels, you know.”
You can read more about Lorna Byrne at her website and order her books here as well.
Mary Courtney, John Redmond and Donie Ryan of the band Morning Star
Every once in a while, a live musical experience exceeds even the highest expectations and leaves its audience in a state of permanent thrall…when you walk out still mouthing the word “Wow.” The performance by Mary Courtney & Morning Star did just that when they played for the Philadelphia Ceili Group at the Irish Center in Mt. Airy on March 9th.
All three—singer and guitar player Mary Courtney, button accordionist John Redmond and tenor banjo player Donie Ryan—are well-known and highly regarded musicians in their home base of New York, but it’s long past time that they became household names to music lovers everywhere.
Though they’re residents of the Bronx these days, their Irish roots are strong and proudly displayed, with Mary hailing from Castlegregory in County Kerry, John from Ballindaggin (it means “townland of the stronghold”) in County Wexford and Donie from Lorrha, County Tipperary. Together they’re a force of talent, accomplishment and musical knowledge that is showcased by the tunes they play, and illuminated by the heavenly voice of Mary Courtney when she sings.
The group Morning Star was originally formed in 1982, by Mary, Margie Mulvihill and Carmel Johnston (who was Carmel Glendon then). Other than a hiatus of a few years in the mid 80’s, the band has been together in one formation or another ever since: “This line-up, we’ve been solid now for 6 years, 7 years,” Mary explained. “And we all freelance as well.”
Among Mary’s own freelance gigs was her time with the group Black 47, the highly regarded Celtic rock band who paved the way for today’s groups like Dropkick Murphys and Flogging Molly. She sings on their albums “Fire of Freedom” and “New York Town,” and keeps in contact with founding member Larry Kirwan. “I’m still in touch with him. We did the Sandy Seisiun benefit in the Bronx last month to raise money for the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.”
Performing for charity events is part and parcel for the band. Immediately after their Philadelphia performance, the group was heading to Pittsburgh to play for “Row On for Brendan” at Central Catholic High School, an annual event that honors the memory of Brendan Foley, a student who passed away in 1996 at age 15. Bruce Foley, Brendan’s father, is an Irish musician, and over the years the fundraiser has raised almost $300,000 for the school’s rowing team.
The long ride ahead of them didn’t daunt Mary, and the comfort and graciousness displayed by the band onstage was just as notable after the show. “It’s wonderful to get a new audience. We got such a great welcome here in Philly…such a warm, wonderful welcome,” she said, smiling. “I’m lucky. I’m very blessed to be able to play, and to have John and Donie. And to have Beth Higgins, my partner of 11 years in my life. She’s the love of my life. I’m the luckiest person alive. I was an illegal for 10 years, and in the early 90’s I won a [Bruce] Morrison visa, now I’m a citizen of the United States. I’m very blessed.”
It’s obvious to anyone who spends a minute in Mary’s company that this is the absolute truth.
The band has a new CD out, “Mary Courtney & Morning Star ~ Live From the 33rd County,” which is available at CD Baby and Amazon. For more information, check out Mary’s website.
And here’s a (brief!) list of where you can catch Mary performing in NY:
An Beal Bocht Cafe, in Riverdale, NY. Every Friday night from 6-8, a solo ballad session
Tir Na Nog, at 8th Avenue, between 33rd and 34th, Manhattan. Most Friday nights from 8-11
St. Andrews Restaurant and Bar, on W. 46th Street, between 6th an 7th. Every Saturday night from 9-1, with Patrick Madden
O’Brien’s Irish Pub, on W. 46th Street, between Avenue Of The Americas & 7th Ave. Every other Sunday from 4-7, with Patrick Madden
Doc Watson’s, on 2nd Avenue. Every other Sunday night (the same Sundays as O’Brien’s)
Finally, if you didn’t catch Morning Star when they were in Philadelphia, here are a few videos so you can see exactly what you missed out on (you won’t do it again!):
Mary Courtney, John Redmond and Donie Ryan of the band Morning Star
Every once in a while, a live musical experience exceeds even the highest expectations and leaves its audience in a state of permanent thrall…when you walk out still mouthing the word “Wow.” The performance by Mary Courtney & Morning Star did just that when they played for the Philadelphia Ceili Group at the Irish Center in Mt. Airy on March 9th.
All three—singer and guitar player Mary Courtney, button accordionist John Redmond and tenor banjo player Donie Ryan—are well-known and highly regarded musicians in their home base of New York, but it’s long past time that they became household names to music lovers everywhere.
Though they’re residents of the Bronx these days, their Irish roots are strong and proudly displayed, with Mary hailing from Castlegregory in County Kerry, John from Ballindaggin (it means “townland of the stronghold”) in County Wexford and Donie from Lorrha, County Tipperary. Together they’re a force of talent, accomplishment and musical knowledge that is showcased by the tunes they play, and illuminated by the heavenly voice of Mary Courtney when she sings.
The group Morning Star was originally formed in 1982, by Mary, Margie Mulvihill and Carmel Johnston (who was Carmel Glendon then). Other than a hiatus of a few years in the mid 80’s, the band has been together in one formation or another ever since: “This line-up, we’ve been solid now for 6 years, 7 years,” Mary explained. “And we all freelance as well.”
Among Mary’s own freelance gigs was her time with the group Black 47, the highly regarded Celtic rock band who paved the way for today’s groups like Dropkick Murphys and Flogging Molly. She sings on their albums “Fire of Freedom” and “New York Town,” and keeps in contact with founding member Larry Kirwan. “I’m still in touch with him. We did the Sandy Seisiun benefit in the Bronx last month to raise money for the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.”
Performing for charity events is part and parcel for the band. Immediately after their Philadelphia performance, the group was heading to Pittsburgh to play for “Row On for Brendan” at Central Catholic High School, an annual event that honors the memory of Brendan Foley, a student who passed away in 1996 at age 15. Bruce Foley, Brendan’s father, is an Irish musician, and over the years the fundraiser has raised almost $300,000 for the school’s rowing team.
The long ride ahead of them didn’t daunt Mary, and the comfort and graciousness displayed by the band onstage was just as notable after the show. “It’s wonderful to get a new audience. We got such a great welcome here in Philly…such a warm, wonderful welcome,” she said, smiling. “I’m lucky. I’m very blessed to be able to play, and to have John and Donie. And to have Beth Higgins, my partner of 11 years in my life. She’s the love of my life. I’m the luckiest person alive. I was an illegal for 10 years, and in the early 90’s I won a [Bruce] Morrison visa, now I’m a citizen of the United States. I’m very blessed.”
It’s obvious to anyone who spends a minute in Mary’s company that this is the absolute truth.
The band has a new CD out, “Mary Courtney & Morning Star ~ Live From the 33rd County,” which is available at CD Baby and Amazon. For more information, check out Mary’s website.
And here’s a (brief!) list of where you can catch Mary performing in NY:
An Beal Bocht Cafe, in Riverdale, NY. Every Friday night from 6-8, a solo ballad session
Tir Na Nog, at 8th Avenue, between 33rd and 34th, Manhattan. Most Friday nights from 8-11
St. Andrews Restaurant and Bar, on W. 46th Street, between 6th an 7th. Every Saturday night from 9-1, with Patrick Madden
O’Brien’s Irish Pub, on W. 46th Street, between Avenue Of The Americas & 7th Ave. Every other Sunday from 4-7, with Patrick Madden
Doc Watson’s, on 2nd Avenue. Every other Sunday night (the same Sundays as O’Brien’s)
Finally, if you didn’t catch Morning Star when they were in Philadelphia, here are a few videos so you can see exactly what you missed out on (you won’t do it again!):