All posts from Tom Keenan
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2023 Mass at the Irish Memorial – The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity
Huge thank you to everyone who made our Mass special Special gratitude to our celebrant:Rev. Michael Callaghan, CMChaplain, Camilla Hall, infirmary for Sisters,Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary at Immaculata University,Malvern PA 19355 Music Ministry: Karen Boyce McCollum and John HoeyLectors: Andrew Maloney and Jim CoyneGift Bearers: John Donovan and Michael Flynn Sincere appreciation to everyone whocontributed to making this Mass possible especially:Norbert McGettigan, VP, Irish MemorialEveryone who help get the word outOur flag […] Read More
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2023 Philadelphia Irish Festival at Penns Landing
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Trivia with “Billy D”
I stopped in the’ Pub on the Pike’, Rockledge’s Gaul & Co Malt House to see what all the quizzo hubbub was about. Billy Donahue of Shantys fame was holding court and trying to stump the house full of Quizzo buffs. As I looked around, everyone sitting at the tables in both rooms and even those at the bar had their sheets and pencils in front of them anxiously waiting for the next question. The […] Read More
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Dinner and Dancing “At the Crossroads”
Inspired by Janet McShain’s beautiful painting, that graces the stage at the Commodore John Barry Arts and Cultural Center, Pari Livermore and Kathy Magee Burns conceived of this event to benefit the Irish Center. The crossroads dance was a type of event popular in Ireland years ago, in which people would congregate at the large cleared space of a crossroads to dance. The tradition of the dance was continued in America at local Social clubs, […] Read More
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‘Crossroads’ by Janet McShain
Soulfully on display as a vibrant yet grounding backdrop for the Philadelphia Irish Community’s sacred cultural life- Janet McShain’s grand and luminous painting,“Crossroads,” offers added beauty and depth to the many gatherings held at TheCommodore Barry Irish and Cultural Center. Janet’s sensitive brushstrokescreate a warmly inviting scene layered with as many greens as the Artist couldboth imagine and create from her palette; and from her knowledge of Ireland’sbeloved landscape. Golden light filters softly on hearth […] Read More
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The Feis @ The Fleadh
Fleadh is an archaic spelling of the Irish word fleá (pronounced [fʲlʲaː]), meaning a festive occasion or banquet. It is used by a number of festivals such as The Philadelphia Fleadh, which have an Irish-originated inspiration. The term Feis is commonly used referring to Irish dance competitions , So there you have it, Irish Lesson 101. I’ve been going to this festival since it began. This year was the best by far. The Feis has taken on […] Read More
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2023 Philadelphia Rose of Tralee
Softly smooth gentle to the eye. Oh, so fragile and sweet to smell a woman is a blessing from the sky. Each is uniquely enfolded in its own delicate form. But all possess adorable traits that were specifically created and magnificently transform her position and are able to withstand any life-raining storm. Her empowerment of alluring beauty is shapely made with everything in tack a persona of wonder that it doesn’t lack. A woman can […] 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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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