How to Be Irish in Philly

We’ve had festivals of one kind or another for a month—and it’s not ever. There’s a great one in New Jersey this weekend.

Here’s what’s up.

Saturday, October 12

The Smithville Irish Festival kicks off at the Village Greene of Historic Smithville in Galloway, N.J. They’ve got a full schedule of music on two stages, dancing, food, pipers, vendors, and more.

Sponsored by the Ancient Order of Hibernians of Cape May County Division II and all Irish Martyrs, the festival starts at 10 a.m.

You’ll recognize some of the bands—they’re among the best in the area.

Birmingham Six will be on the main stage, along with Jamie & The Quietmen. In the Gazebo, it’s John O’Callahan and Bill Felix and Tom Brett. Continue Reading

It’s a short week in Irish Philly land, but what’s on is pretty spectacular.

Let’s jump right into it:

Saturday, October 5, and Sunday, October 6

We’ve been lousy with festivals lately, and here comes another one: Kilt Fest in Bordentown, N.J.

If it sounds like it must be Scottish, it is—but it’s also Irish. Let’s just call it pan-Celtic and have done with it. Whatever, you’ll fit in, and have fun.

Fun is what they’re all about. Here’s a sampling of the bands that will be on hand: The Kennedys, The Shantys, Rancocas Creek Pipe Band, Na’Bodach, Nothing Sacred, and Chaste Treasure. There’s also highland games—or as the folks at Kilt Fest say, “men and women throwing heavy things.” Celtic Flame Irish Dance will be on hand. You won’t go hungry or thirsty, either. Plenty of grub and brew available. There’s also kilted fun run on Sunday morning at 10.

You’ll find Kilt Fest at Liberty Lake in Bordentown. The fun starts at 9 a.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. Sunday. Continue Reading

Take a little road trip this weekend, and you’re bound to find yourself up to your hackle in things Celtic and Irish.

We’re talking, of course, about the Celtic Classic, a three-day festival in beautiful Bethlehem.

The Classic is already under way today (September 27), but here’s what’s on tap for the next two days.

If you’re into Highland games—hammer throws, caber tosses and such—you’ll find them on the Highland Field. You’ll also get a chance to check out bagpipe bands, and border collies corralling sheep. That’s both days, from 10 a.m. ‘til about 6 p.m. Continue Reading

Break out your flip flops for the last weekend of summer and a great road trip down the shore. This is the weekend of the 28^thAnnual Irish Fall Festival in North Wildwood, sponsored by James Reilly Division 1 Ancient Order of Hibernians.

The festival is already underway, but this Saturday and Sunday cap off one of the biggest and best Irish festivals on the East Coast.

On Saturday, vendors set up shop along Olde New Jersey Avenue and sell their wares from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Plenty of great food and drink on hand, too.

Also starting at 8 a.m., a 5K Run, with sign-in between 1^stand 2^ndon Olde New Jersey Avenue. Entry fee is $20. For more info, visit theirishjog.com.

Starting at 10 a.m. at Bill Henfey Park, at 8^thand Central, check out the Brian Riley Pipe Exhibition, with bagpipe bands from up and down the East Coast. This event always draws a big crowd. Continue Reading

You have one busy week ahead of you—and actually most of the area’s Irish activities are crammed into just this one weekend.

Here’s what’s happening:

Saturday, September 14

It’s the final day of the Philadelphia Ceili Group Traditional Irish Music & Dance Festival, one of the premier events in Philly’s Irish social calendar. If you like Irish music and dance, you’ll find it all day and into the night, capped off by a big concert headlined by Tony DeMarco and Atlantic Wave. There will also be workshops all day, focusing on everything from genealogy to tin whistle to the Irish language. There are kid-friendly activities, Celtic vendors and lots more.

If you want to know more, we have the complete rundown here. Continue Reading

Welcome back to HTBI, your weekly Irish fix.

We’re roughly halfway to St. Patrick’s Day, and you’ll find plenty of ways to celebrate.

Here’s how:

Sunday, September 8

It’s monthly Children’s Story Time at the Irish Immigration Center, 7 South Cedar Lane in Upper Darby, from 3 to 4 p.m. This week’s classic tale: the story of Brian Boru. Stories are followed by arts and crafts activities, supervised by Immigration Center staff and members of the center’s Foróige youth group.

Potty-trained kiddies between 3 and 9 years of age are welcome.

For details, call Ciaran at 610-789-6355 extension 3201 or email him at ciaran@icphila.org to reserve a spot. Continue Reading

Welcome to the unofficial end of summer. (Cue the copious weeping.)

Fear not, there’s much to keep you occupied as we enter the Labor Day weekend and beyond.

Here’s how things shake out:

Sunday, September 1

If you’ve never been to Brittingham’s annual Irish festival, we’ve been there, and we recommend it. The weather is supposed to be picture perfect and you’ll find plenty to occupy your time in an Irish-y sort of way.

You’ll get to hear tunes from the Paul Moore Band and the Flip-N-Mickeys, plus there will be food and drink specials, raffles and giveaways. Proceeds of the event benefit St. Baldrick’s Foundation for childhood cancer research. In other words, a good time for a very good cause.

You’ll find Brittingham’s at 640 Germantown Pike in Lafayette Hill (right at the curve, across from the Barren Hill Fire Company). It starts at 11:30 a.m. and runs for hours and hours. Continue Reading

Here’s your weekly dose of Irish-ness. As always, an interesting mix of events, and you ought to be able to find something—or a few somethings—to pique your interest.

Also, we’ve had some requests to include dates along with days in our announcements, so we’ve changed the format a bit to make it easier for you to track what’s up and when.

Saturday, August 24

The John Byrne Band plays the music of Shane MacGowan and The Pogues at Kildare’s Irish Pub, 18 West Gay Street in West Chester. The show starts at 6 p.m. Recommend highly. Continue Reading