News

Luck of the Irish Shines Down on Mount Holly

This young lady evidently received the shamrock memo.

This young lady evidently received the shamrock memo.

Hard to believe it was the same place. In Mount Holly on Saturday, St. Patrick’s Day parade-goers were happily waltzing up and down High Street in shorts and T-shirts—with the salt and cinders from the preceding Monday’s big snowstorm still fresh on the road.

Talk about the luck of the Irish.

Here and there, patches up snow persisted in some of the shadier places, but otherwise it was officially spring in Mount Holly. It might have been the best day they’ve ever had—a perfect day for taking in the pipers, Irish dancers and paddy rock bands on floats as they made their way down through the center of town.

It might also have been the best crowd we’ve seen in the five years of the parade, too, and they were decked out in their finest St. Patrick’s Day regalia—but you can see for yourself. We took lots of pictures.

March 10, 2009 by
People

Conshy Grand Marshal Has a Strong Record of Service

Reine "Rae" Marie DiSpaldo.

Reine "Rae" Marie DiSpaldo.

By Pete Hand

Reine “Rae” Marie DiSpaldo has been selected as the Grand Marshal of the Montgomery County St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The parade will be held on March 14, 2009. in Conshohocken and is hosted by the Montgomery County Saint Patrick’s Parade, Inc. This organization is made up of the members of the AOH, LAOH and friends of the Notre Dame Divisions of Montgomery County.

Rae was born February 7, 1948, in Norristown to Howard and Rita Johnson, who are members of the A.O.H. and L.A.O.H. Notre Dame Division. Their Irish ancestry can be traced back to the counties of Mayo, Tyrone, Donegal, and Brandon Bay in Ireland. As a family, the Johnsons have supported and promoted the mission of the Hibernians and have been a consistent presence in the Irish community.

Rae attended St. Patrick’s elementary school and graduated in 1965 from Bishop Kenrick High School in Norristown. Rae is a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She and her husband John have three children: her oldest son Joseph, his wife Gladys, daughter Leah, her husband Greg and son Gabriel and her youngest, Jake. For the past 21 years, Rae has worked as an administrative assistant at Women’s Health Care Specialists in King of Prussia. Through her involvement with her parish and school community, Rae epitomizes the Christian spirit and demonstrates to her children the importance of service to others. She continues to participate in community services through the Delaware Valley Reading Association by reading to children at affairs sponsored by the Elmwood Park Zoological Society.

Since 1992, Rae has been an active member of the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians and has worked hard to enhance the organization and expand its mission beyond Montgomery County. She has held every position on the board, and set a new precedent for both the LAOH and AOH Notre Dame Division when she became the first member to hold an elected position at the state level. But, perhaps most admirable is the work she did as county president. In her term, Rae reorganized the county division, re-energized its members, encouraged and solicited more member involvement and helped to promote the implementation of two new county divisions.

She continues to work hard on behalf of events sponsored by the AOH and LAOH, such as the Irish Festival, Veterans’ Day Ceremony and Home Association gatherings. Whenever called on to be of service, whether it is serving, setting up, lecturing, or promoting, Rae answers the call. She is an original member of the Parade Committee, where she currently serves as secretary. Each year she organizes the Grand Marshal’s Ball and celebrates with those honored with the Marshal title by putting forth the extra effort to make each Marshal feel special.

March 10, 2009 by
Arts, Music

Danu Dazzles at Zellerbach

There was a moment, just after intermission at their concert Saturday night, when members of the Irish band Danú took to the Zellerbach Theatre stage wearing the kinds of tacky Irish hats you might otherwise see on the street at the Wildwood Irish Festival.

The stunt got a good laugh and they proceeded to play a set of tunes while wearing the headgear—picture box player Benny McCarthy with a tatty leprechaun beard and guitarist Donal Clancy with an undersized green plastic derby. And that’s as green-beer Irish as the band was ever going to get as they presented two hours of solidly traditional Irish music, played with passion and consummate skill.

Zellerbach certainly is capable of handling large crowds, but the theatre somehow comes across as small and cozy. Consequently, the concert at times felt more like an intimate Irish music session—albeit played by musicians who are among the best in their field.

Lead singer Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh was in great voice. Her strong, smoky alto stands in contrast to the breathy sopranos who seem to front most other bands. She knows how to deliver a song, from the sublime (Tommy Sands’ “The County Down”) to the wonderfully ridiculous (“Only 19 Years Old,” a tale of regret told from the standpoint of a young man whose blushing bride turns out to have more in common with the Bride of Frankenstein).

Nic Amhlaoibh also is a master of the flute and whistle, and she gamely jumped between one and the other all night.

Of course, all of the members of Danú are acknowledged masters. Along with Clancy and McCarthy, bouzouki player Eamon Doorley and fiddler Oisin McAuley (brilliant on a “Breton Lullabye”) all provided shining moments.

Sitting in on bodhran was Glaswegian Martin O’Neill. His solo was mind-blowing.

A superb, sure-handed performance by all.

March 10, 2009 by
Columns, How to Be Irish in Philly

How To Be Irish in Philly This Week

Well, you know it’s St. Paddy’s month now. The “Erin Express”—Philly’s 30-year-old pub crawl—leaves for the first time this year on Saturday at noon. Ten buses will take revelers to some of the city’s best Irish pubs and you don’t need a reservation or a ticket. Check our calendar for participating establishments, and drink responsibly.

The first of the region’s parades steps off the curb on Saturday—Mount Holly, NJ’s march is expected to be the biggest ever.

And here’s the rest of the lineup for Saturday:

•Conshohocken will hold its parade grand marshal’s ball in Jeffersonville.
•Queen of Peace Parish in Ardsley has scheduled its annual Irish night fundraiser.
•Sean nos singer Terry Kane and her partner John Beatty will be performing at Porter’s Pub in Easton, part of the Celtic Cultural Alliance’s Celtic music nights.
•Incredible harper Grainne Hambley and her musical partner William Jackson will perform at Calvary Church in Philadelphia.
•Solas is appearing at the Appel Farm Arts and Music Center in Elmer, NJ
•Gloucester County Div. 1 AOH is holding its St. Patrick’s Day party at Richard Rossiter in National Park, NJ.
•Danu is appearing at the Annenberg Center.
• Frank McCourt’s “The Irish and How They Got That Way” is in the beginning of a four-week run at The Kimmel Center.

Then, on Sunday:
Head over to the Springfield Country Club to hear Blackthorn—they’re playing a fundraiser for the Philly St. Paddy’s Day Parade, which came up $40,000 short in the city’s budget crunch.
Before you go, fortify yourself with a full Irish breakfast spread laid out by AOH Div. 22 at Smoke Eater’s Pub—it too is a fundraiser for the parade and other AOH charities.

The rest of the week:

• Scottish group Malinky will appear at the Bethlehem BrewWorks, a fundraiser for the Celtic Cultural Alliance, on Tuesday night.
• Folklorist and musician Mick Moloney will give a musical talk on Jewish and Irish collaborations in Vaudeville and early Tin Pan Alley at the Falvey Library Lounge at Villanova on Tuesday night. The following night, Gerald Dawe, Heimbold professor of Irish studies, will give a talk and reading.
• On Thursday morning, the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick will hold its annual wreath laying ceremony at City Hall, and Mayor Michael Nutter will read a proclamation marking St. Patrick’s Day in the city. A luncheon follows, and Ring of Honor winners, including Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey and District Attorney Lynne Abraham and families of slain Philadelphia police officers will be honored.
• In York, Barleyjuice will be performing on Thursday night, and in Borders in Springfield, golf writer Tom Coyne, author of “A Course Called Ireland,” about his own personal golf tour and genealogy trip to Ireland, will do a book signing.
• AOH Div. 1 in Swedesburg has its annual Irish Coffee Contest on the schedule for Thursday night—it’s always a lot of fun, and there’s a two-time winner that’s facing some steep challenges this year.
• Also on Thursday, Black 47 will raise the roof at the World Café Live, the second “Rambling House” evening of entertainment will be happening at the Irish Center, and Cathie Ryan will be performing at the Montgomery County Community College in a benefit for victims of domestic violence served by the Women’s Center of Montgomery County.
• Friday’s lineup: Bell X1 at the World Café Live, the coronation of the King and Queen of the Allentown Parade, Flogging Molly in Atlantic City, a benefit party sponsored by the American Ireland Fund’s Young Leaders of Philadelphia, and Burning Bridget Cleary burning it up in Spinnerstown.

Next weekend it’s the big Philadelphia St. Paddy’s Day Parade, and much, much more.

March 5, 2009 by
News

Local Irish Business Leaders Honored

John and Joan Mullen accept the Taoiseach's Award from Irish Ambassador Michael Collins.

John and Joan Mullen accept the Taoiseach's Award from Irish Ambassador Michael Collins.

Irish American Chamber and Business Network honored John and Joan Mullen, founders of Apple Leisure Travel and Apple Vacations, for their contributions not only to Philadelphia’s business community but the community at large at a luncheon at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Philadelphia on Friday, February 27.

The Mullens received the Taoiseach Award from Irish Ambassador Michael Collins. Collins was also on hand to honor ICON, a clinical research company founded in Ireland with satellite offices in the Philadelphia area and in Delaware.

March 5, 2009 by
News

Party!

Philadelphia Highway Patrolman Richard Decoatsworth received his Ring of Honor sash on Thursday night.

Philadelphia Highway Patrolman Richard Decoatsworth received his Ring of Honor sash on Thursday night.

Supporters of the Philadelphia St. Patrick’s Day Parade got to mingle with their favorite on-air personalities from CBS3, which broadcasts the parade live every year, on Thursday, March 5, at the first big parade kick-off event.

This year’s parade honors Philadelphia’s fallen and injured police officers, and one, Richard Decoatsworth, who last year was shot and followed his assailant, radioing in his description, before he collapsed due to blood loss, was on hand to accept his parade sash.

We were there and took lots of pictures so you could feel like you were there too, but without the seafood buffet.

March 5, 2009 by
Food & Drink, People

Rollin’, Rollin’, Rollin

Leah Mulholland, 12,at her first Irish potato rolling.

Leah Mulholland, 12,at her first Irish potato rolling.

Diane Driscoll warned me. “After breathing the cinnamon for a while, you get a little crazy,” she said, leaning across a table that was liberally dusted with the spice.

Donna Donnelly, her hands moving at light speed as she rolled the confectioner sugar and cream cheese concoction that would soon be an Irish potato, took no time to snap back, “It’s not the cinnamon, Diane!”

It might be the cinnamon. This was my second year with the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians Div. 87 in Port Richmond, helping make the 2,000 pounds of Irish potatoes they sell as their main fundraiser for the year. And it was as crazy and funny as the first time.

Many of the volunteers had been rolling potatoes all week, dropping into bed at night, their backs, necks, arms, and hands aching, with visions of tiny little balls plopped in a sea of cinnamon the last thing they saw when they closed their eyes. The goal was to make 2,000 pounds of the candies. That’s a ton. A person could be forgiven a little nuttiness.

Donna Donnelly, whom the rest of the women refer to as “the ball Nazi,” hustled, cajoled, bullied, threatened, and, occasionally even encouraged her workers to “just keep rolling.” At one point, she went from table to table with soft pretzels and let people take bites, exhorting them, “Don’t stop rolling! The only reason to stop is death. Yours.”

But it’s all for a good cause. In fact, it’s for lots of good causes, from the Columban priests and nuns to Providence House, a local organization that shelters abused women and children.

Check out our photos and video. Once you see how much fun it is, you’ll want to roll with the ladies (and a few gents!) next year. I know I do.

March 5, 2009 by
Music

A Real Hand-Clapping, Foot-Stomping Time

Slide at the Irish Center.

Slide at the Irish Center.

Slide didn’t slide. They played slides, but they played them with an aerobic fervor that pleased and delighted the crowd at The Irish Center in Philadelphia on Saturday, February 28. For those lucky enough to fill the audience in The Fireside Room, the four lads of Slide (Daire Bracken, Eamonn de Barra, Aogan Lynch and Mick Broderick), along with the ethereal-voiced Eithne Ni Chathain, performed for almost three hours.

Traditional tunes, like “Poor Liza Jane” and “Dance Boatman Dance” shared the bill with those penned by the group, like “Tredudon” which was written while they were on a holiday in the idyllic Brittany region of France. All three tracks are among those featured on Slide’s latest cd release, “Overneath.” Eithne, who recently released her own solo self-titled cd, joined in on the fiddle and keyboard, as well as singing several songs including her own composition, “What’s in the Bag Love.”

With Eamonn playing the keyboard and the flute, Aogan on the concertina and Mick on the bouzouki, the group achieved their “harmonic motion.” Throw in Daire’s kinetic fiddle playing, and things really heated up. It was a small stage, but that didn’t deter Daire, who made bountiful use of the space to perform his stringed wizardry.

Captivating onstage, and gracious off, Slide is just beginning their three-week American tour that will bring them back this way before it ends. So, peruse the photos here, and watch the videos, and then be sure to catch them when they stop at The Grand Opera House in Wilmington, DE, on Thursday, March 19, or Chickory House in Wilkes-Barre, PA, on Friday, March 20. You won’t want to miss them twice, but you will want to see them again.

March 5, 2009 by