How to Be Irish in Philly

We’ll start with a past Philly St. Patrick’s Day parade picture to remind us that happy days will be here again.

But for now, coronavirus has changed many St. Patrick’s plans significantly, so we’re going to have to break with our longstanding upbeat tradition and start by telling you what isn’t happening.

Probably the most visible celebration of St. Patrick in the Philly area is the Philadelphia St. Patrick’s Day parade, which this year would have celebrated its 250^th anniversary on Sunday. “Would have,” as in “not happening.”

Many of you probably have already heard the unhappy news by now, but for those of you who haven’t, parade organizers characterized their decision as difficult but necessary in the interest of public safety. Continue Reading

St. Patrick’s month roars in like a lion. The first full week is jam-packed with Irish things to do.

Without further ado:

Friday, March 6

A lot of you have been waiting for this one: It’s the fabulous John Byrne Band, appearing at World Café Live, 3025 Walnut Street near Center City. John and the gang promise a night of tunes off their new album, together with music of the Pogues and a ton of surprises. Also on the bill: No Irish Need Apply. The show starts at 8 p.m. Doors at 7. A cool night of Irish music at one of the best venues in the city. Details and tickets here.

On the same night, and speaking of the Pogues, you can check out “Poguetry: Songs of the Pogues” at City Winery Philadelphia, 990 Filbert Street in Center City. Doors open at 6 p.n.; show at 8.

The concert features Spider Stacy & Cait O’Riordan with the Lost Bayou Ramblers. You can get tickets here.

A little farther afield, check out Scythian at Musikfest Cafe Steelstacks with Poor Man’s Gambit. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. Doors and dinner at 6. There’s a $10 minimum food and beverage for all reserved seating. Details here.

Finally, Rob Groden and Dave Pedrick serenade the folks at Con Murphy’s 1700 Benjamin Franklin Parkway. The show starts at 8 p.m. Continue Reading

We’re getting into March! You know what that means! Spring!

Well, yes, that. And enough with the exclamation points. It means St. Patrick’s Day and all the hoo-hah that surrounds our favorite holiday.

We’ll even get into it a little bit in this particular dispatch. Which means you can get an early start.

Here’s what’s up.

Friday, February 28

Mentioned last week, but worth reiterating Glenside Gaelic Club is hosting its first ever Trivia Night Fundraiser at North Penn VFW Hall, 2519 Jenkintown Road in Glenside, starting at 7 p.m.

$25 to get in. Price includes dinner, beer, wine, dessert, and a night a trivia. Contact Noreen McAleer for tickets at 215-593-5502. Continue Reading

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

It’s a busy week, with plenty to do, see and listen to. Of course, compared to March, it’s the calm before the storm. We’ll touch on that a bit later on.

For now, here’s what’s happening this week.

Friday, February 21, 2020

Just a reminder that one of the best and coolest events of the Irish Philly calendar is happening tonight. The Delco Gaels present season 9 of “Dancing Like a Star” at Springfield Country Club, 400 West Sproul Road, Springfield Delco. Sixteen dancers are competing. It all starts at 7:30 p.m. Continue Reading

Plenty of tunes and two big fund-raisers to get you into the Irish spirit this week.

Let’s get right down to it.

Saturday, February 15.

For all you Survivor fans, here’s your opportunity to meet and greet the show’s Janet Carbin at The Hearth, 1901 Darby Road in Havertown. (We’ve been to The Hearth. You must go.) Janet is a local. You can join her for breakfast from 9 to 11 a.m. She’ll sign autographs and share her experiences on this long-running show. Reserve your table by calling 484-454-3176.

Sunday, February 16

Ancient Order of Hibernians Division 87 hosts its annual fundraiser at the hall at St. George, Venango and Edgemont in Port Richmond, starting at 2 p.m. The Shantys and the Natterjacks will be on hand to provide the music.

Cost of admission is $35, which includes live entertainment, kielbasa, roast beef, meatballs, salad and dessert.

BYO beer and booze.

Soft drinks will be available, and domestic can beer for $1. Continue Reading

Call it the calm before the St. Patrick’s Day storm. We can see from our calendar that March is shaping up to be incredibly nuts. Sooooo much going on.

In the meantime, here’s what’s on tap for this week. It doesn’t compare to March, but what’s on is still plenty fun.

Sunday, February 9

We’ll start with a tasty Chili Cookoff at Hanrahan’s Irish Pub, 690 Burmont Road in Drexel Hill. Yum. It’s Hanrahan’s first event of this sort. Want to claim bragging rights for the best chili? Signups start at 1 p.m., and the contest kicks off at 2. There’s no fee to enter. There will be a 50/50, and the prizes for the winners are pretty great. First prize is a 32-inch flat screen TV. Second gets a $50 gift card, and third place earns a $25 gift card. Continue Reading

It’s a relatively short week—but the weekend in particular is pretty crowded with great goings-on.

Here we go.

Saturday, February 1

It’s time for Irish Rebel Saturday with the 2nd Street Plough Bhoys at Marty Magee’s, 1110 Lincoln Avenue in Prospect Park. Shaun, Matt and Joe will perform an all-rebel set for the Bhoys, our local Celtic Supporters Club, and it all starts at 4 p.m.

Also Saturday, Poor Man’s Gambit plays at Rigby Mansion, 523 East Church Lane in Philadelphia. It’s all tunes and food—bring your fave dish to share for the potluck. There’s a $20 suggested donation. The show starts at 6 p.m.

Later on, the John Byrne Band is in concert at the new Kelly Center for Music, Arts, and Community, 4 East Eagle Road in Havertown. The show starts at 7:30. Tickets are 15 bucks.

Finally, there’s a beef and beer Team Orange Fundraiser for Delco Gaels/Dancing Like a Star at Paddy Rooney’s Pub, 449 West Chester Pike, in Havertown. It starts at 8 p.m. Music by Shaun Durnin.

Tuesday, February 4

There’s ceili dancing—it’s billed as “stress-free,” always a good thing—at Annunciation Church, Brookline Boulevard and Wexford Road in Havertown. The foot-stomping starts at 7 p.m. Continue Reading

This is going to be a busy week, with a particularly busy weekend.

Let’s jump right into it.

Friday, January 24

A quick look at tonight’s schedule: The Shantys will appear at the Black Taxi, 25th and Aspen Streets in the city’s Fairmount neighborhood, starting at 7:30 p.m. Tunes and pints!

Saturday, January 25

It’s Burns Night at Plough & the Stars, 2^nd Street between Market and Chestnut in Old City. Poet Robert Burns was Scottish, not Irish, but he was a Celt, and that’s close enough—and the Plough is nothing if not Irish, of course. The festivities start 6 p.m. There’ll be pipers on hand to play tunes, Highland dancers, and an opportunity or two to sample a wee dram. And best of all (maybe not, though—it’s an acquired taste) haggis! Continue Reading