How to be Irish in Philly this Week

Summer doldrums may be setting in, but fear not. There are two big Irish fund-raisers coming up—both of them next Saturday, July 13, with one at the shore and the other in Upper Darby. So unless you’re prepared to drive like the wind up the AC Expressway (it’s been done, of course) you might not catch both.

We’ll start with the shore gig, a benefit for the Philadelphia St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Yes, it’s months till the next parade, with the bands, the floats and all the dudes wearing funny hats, but it’s always a good time to support the cause.

It’s at Keenan’s North Wildwood, 113 Olde New Jersey Ave., North Wildwood, N.J., from 3 to 7 p.m. It costs $30 to get in, and your entry fee gets you a lot—domestic bottle beer, wine, chow, and tunes by a DJ. Tickets will be available at the door. Details, contact Kathy Fanning at 267-237-2953. The shore’s a great place to be this time of year, so if you’re planning on a beach trip, don’t forget to check in.

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Welcome to another scintillating episode of “As the Philly Irish World Turns.”

Aside from all the other features on our heavily populated events calendar, there are five events in particular this coming week to which we’d like to draw your particular attention.

First, on Saturday, it’s the third annual Havertown Irish Festival, behind the Manoa Shopping Center, 1305 West Chester Pike in Havertown. It’s sponsored by Acme Markets.

Much like all the other Irish and Celtic festivals this summer, the Havertown event features plenty of entertainment, food and drink, fun for the kids (and everybody else). Music includes a day of tunes from a variety of Irish and Celtic bands, including the John Byrne Band, Dylan McGuire, Scott McClatchy Band, Shades of Green and Poehemia. If you’re into bagpipes, look for appearances by Philadelphia Emerald Society Pipe Band and Brian Boru Pipes and Drums. There’ll be appearances by Irish dance schools and plenty of crafters selling their Irish-themed goods.

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A busy weekend ahead for Irish goings-on. Let’s get right down to it.

On Saturday, it’s time for the Charlie Dunlop Memorial Fund Golf Outing at Cobbs Creek Golf Course, 7400 Lansdowne Avenue in Philadelphia, with a shotgun start of 1 p.m.

The Charlie Dunlop Memorial Fund helps people who have run into financial difficulty due to illness, death, or loss of income through no fault of their own. The fund has helped 65 families or individuals over the past six years, to the tune of more than $150,000.

There will be prizes for closest to the pin on all par threes and longest drive on 7 and 11. Entry fee is $100 per player, and includes light snacks, dinner, golf and prizes.

For information contact John Cullen 610-213-5370 or Paddy Rooney 610-789-6969.

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Summer’s here and the time is right for Irish and Celtic events of all kinds.

We’ll start with what is shaping up to be a very busy Saturday.

Kilt Fest, a celebration of all things Celtic, debuts at the Trifecta Sporting Club, 4666 East Bristol Road in Feasterville, Bucks County. It’s the first time on the Pennsylvania side of the Delaware for this event, which runs from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Strap your kilt on for the Kilted Fun Run, which starts the day (10 a.m. to 11 a.m.). Kilts are mandatory for this one, though for nothing else during the day.

Gaelic sports continue the festival at noon, running through 5 p.m., with kids’ Highland games from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Irish dance goes from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. And there’s music, including na Bodach and the Kilted Rogues, both of which combine Scottish and Irish elements, together with entertainers like C.J. Mills and Seamus McGroary. Also: food and vendors throughout the grounds.

Sounds like a great time.

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Big doin’s this weekend!

Tomorrow, Saturday, you can get a total immersion sneak preview of the Irish language at the Commodore Barry Arts and Cultural Center (the Irish Center).

It’s called Satharn na nGael. Although about a third of the attendees are expected to be Irish language newbies, there will also be intermediate and advanced classes.

In addition to language, there will be a focus on Irish folklore, customs, music and poetry.

The language classes take place in the morning and afternoon. You’ll also get a chance to try your hand (or foot) at Irish dance.

It’s all expected to be pretty informal, with lunch provided, and a traditional music session (seisiún) at the end of the day. You’re invited to bring snacks. The cost of admission is $50. The event is sponsored by Daltaí na Gaeilge (Students of the Irish Language).

For details, call Aengus Lawlor at 484-854-1040. Visit the Daltai website to register.

The Irish Center is at 6815 Emlen in the Mount Airy neighborhood of Philadelphia.

Next up:

If you’ve never been to the Philadelphia Irish Festival at Penn’s Landing, here’s your opportunity. (And if you have been before, you already know what to expect—and why it’s a guaranteed great time.)

The festival kicks off Sunday at noon on the waterfront below Front and Chestnut, and runs through 7 p.m. Throughout the day, you’ll be treated to Irish rock on the main stage—local bands and performers Jamison, and CJ Mills, Seamus McGroary and Joe Kirschen, along with first-timers from New York City, the McLean Avenue Band. And throughout the venue, you’ll find plenty of food and drink, and vendors selling Irish tchotchkes all over the darn place. If you dig Irish dance, you’ll be able to take in a good deal of high stepping, too.

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Happy Memorial Day weekend!

Here’s how the week is shaping up.

Saturday night, Nathan Carter brings his Celtic country show to the Keswick Theater, 291 N. Keswick Avenue in Glenside, Montgomery County. The show starts at 8. Carter is hugely popular all by himself, but for this concert he is also joined by Celtic Woman alum Chloe Agnew. He has a superb band as well. Carter was a big hit a few months back at the Irish Center. Here’s another chance to catch his act.

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It’s a light week for Irish types, but still manages to provide plenty of interest..

We have three events in the lineup.

The John Byrne Band takes the stage Saturday for a free concert—yes, free—at Drexel Lodge Park in Newtown Square. The concert starts at 4:30 p.m. The park is at 4104 West Chester Pike. A great band in a neat outdoor venue, and did we mention it’s free?

On a different note, catch an award-winning short film called “The American Wake” Sunday at 4:30 at the Philadelphia Irish Center, 6815 Emlen Street in Mount Airy. It’s the story of filmmaker Kevin Quinn’s grandmother’s immigration from County Mayo to New York back in 1950. You can also meet the filmmaker after the presentation. The film will show in the Irish Center’s Barry room right after the Mayo Association meeting.

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