Gathering at the Philadelphia Irish Memorial.
Beer, first thing in the morning. It takes some getting used to.
Mind you, I didn’t indulge—by 10, I would have needed a nap—but I stand in awe of those who did.
Of course, the main attraction at the Patrick Kerr Benefit at Fado in Center City and at Judge Jimmy Lynn’s annual festivities at the Plough and Stars in Old City was breakfast. And if you were into Irish bacon, blood sausages and brown bread—who isn’t?—there was plenty to keep you fat and happy.
The affair at Fado was relatively low-key, but obviously satisfying to those who support the scholarship fund. At Jimmy Lynn’s bash, on the other hand, it was standing room—make that squeezing room—only. It was the most crowded I’ve seen the place. There was barely room for the McDade and Peter Smith school dancers who dropped by, or for the St, Malachy College musicians from Belfast.
In other words, a perfectly wonderful time.
Later in the morning, a more solemn occasion—the annual obervance a few blocks away at the Irish Memorial on Penn’s landing.
We have all the events of that unusually sunny and warm morning.
