April 2023
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A Belated Focus on Women As Peacemakers in The Troubles: Peace Activist Monica McWilliams
Photos by Tom Keenan At a youth conference in Northern Ireland recently, a young woman taking her O levels in history approached Monica McWilliams, co-founder of the Northern Ireland Women’s Coalition political party and a signatory of the Good Friday Peace Agreement in 1998. The student had a complaint. The only reference to women during “The Troubles” in the history curriculum, she told McWilliams, “was that women handed out tea and buns when the British […] Read More
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Sister James Anne: A Life Lesson in Irish Pride
Ask Sister James Anne Feerick where she grew up, and, like many Philadelphia Catholics, she answers with the name of her parish—Transfiguration of Our Lord, 56th and Cedar Avenue, in West Philadelphia. “It’s one of those churches that was taken down,” she says, “but it was a great place.” Transy, as locals called it, was the center of everything. Sister James Anne—then known as Nancy—recalls Valentine’s dances for the grown-ups, and Christmas parties for the children. […] Read More
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Welcome to Céilí’s Village
“It takes a village to raise a child” is a proverb that means that an entire community of people must provide for and interact positively with children for those children to experience and grow in a safe and healthy environment. There has been something very special going on this month of April for a special family and very special little girl. My friend Raymond Coleman has been playing his usual mad schedule of gigs but […] Read More
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This Local Irish Dance Trainer Brings New Science to the Job
If you want to know the secret behind some winning Irish dancers, the Proud Mama Facebook posts say it all. From one whose daughter placed second in the under 22 age group at the regional Irish dance competition knowns as Oireachtas: “Thank you Angela for getting Chloe into dance shape both mentally and physically.” From another, whose daughter placed third in her competition and qualified for the world championships: “Thank you to all who have […] Read More
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2023 Celtic Flame Dance Recital
The 19th Annual Dance Recital was held yesterday in St. Anselms Hall in the Parkwood section of Philadelphia. There were jigs and reels in gillies and hard-shoe performed by dancers from 2 year olds to adults. It doesn’t get any cutier than watching the wee ones doing the Unicorn song complete with a Unicorn. The audience loved it. Many of the older dancers started as little ones themselves and are always helping with the beginners. […] Read More
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If You Can’t Be Back Home in Derry, Do the Next Best Thing … Join the Derry Society
Philadelphia’s Irish community is gifted with several societies and associations for people with family ties back to counties throughout the Emerald Isle, but the Derry Society is relatively small. Small, yes … but mighty. Unlike larger county associations, the Derry folks don’t host a large fancy gala. Nothing against the big, splashy events—Derry Society people happily support and attend them, dressed to the nines. However, Derry generally hosts less formal events. Their Spring Fling on […] Read More
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107th Easter Rising Commemoration Éirí Amach na Cásca 24-29 April 1916
Today family and friends came together, to honor those that lived, breathed and died for Irish Freedom. Luke Dillion the hardest man of all… (1850-1930) ” I came to Philadelphia and joined the Clan na Gael, A secret band of Irishmen who would twist old England’s tail. We swore to bomb proud London town, Right up to the palace wall, And they sent me there to do the job, As the Hardest man of all.” […] Read More
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RUNA and the Choctaw Nation: A Friendship Rekindled
Photo of RUNA with members of the Choctaw Nation by Brad Joe In 1847, members of the Choctaw Nation, who had lost one-sixth of their population in the forced resettlement known as the Trail of Tears only a decade before, did a remarkable thing. It was an act of kindness that would reverberate throughout 175 years of history and create a permanent friendship between two cultures an ocean apart. Members of the indigenous tribe met […] Read More