People
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InBy Frank Keel
A Tin Pan Alley Tribute To Dad
By Frank Keel March is the Month of the Irish and, of course, St. Patrick’s Day is the pinnacle of the celebration of our shared Irish heritage. It’s an especially joyous time here in Philadelphia, which for a long, long time boasted the largest Irish population per capita in the United States (Boo, Boston!) I have treasured St. Patrick’s Day my entire adult life but since my Dad, Frank Sr., passed in 2021, the day […] Read More
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InBy Frank Keel
Local Building Trades Union Helps Parents Find “Angel Eyes” to Keep Watch Over Their Preemies
By Frank KeelThe birth of a child is one of life’s most joyous experiences. But for the parents of prematurely born infants, the first few months of their frail child’s life can be an incredibly stressful time. In 2022, preterm births affected about one of every 10 infants born in America. The “preemie” phenomenon knows no geographic boundaries. Each year, in Ireland, for example, 4,500 babies are born too small, too soon and too sick. The […] Read More
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In
Delaware Valley Irish Hall of Fame Inductees 2023: The Conaghan Family
By Lori Lander Murphy When the Conaghans are welcomed into the Delaware Valley Irish Hall of Fame as 2023 inductees, it will be both as a family and as individuals who have devoted their lives to their Irish community. Sarah, Karen and Mary Conaghan consider themselves exceedingly fortunate to have grown up as the daughters of Tom and Mary Conaghan. They couldn’t help but be influenced by the parents’ who met at a dance hall […] Read More
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In
Delaware Valley Irish Hall of Fame Inductees 2023: Pat and Nancy Boyle
By Liz Kerr Pat and Nancy Boyle could very well win the title of most philanthropic couple in Philadelphia. Their generosity and dedication to those in need, particularly toward children, is unmatched. In their careers, Pat and Nancy have lived a life of service to others. Pat served as a member of the Philadelphia Police Department from 1966 to 2004, when he retired at the rank of Detective. Nancy dedicated her career to caring for […] Read More
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Commodore Barry Award Winner 2023: Pari Livermore
By Lori Lander Murphy The Commodore John Barry Arts & Cultural Center is far from the first organization to benefit from Pari Livermore’s generosity of spirit and commitment to fundraising, but the institution better known as the Irish Center may be the most appreciative. She, along with co-chair Kathy McGee Burns, organized last year’s wildly successful Top 100 Irish Women in Philadelphia event that raised much needed funds for the Center. To the many in […] Read More
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InBy Denise Foley
Delaware Valley Irish Hall of Fame Inductee 2023: Pete Hand
Pete Hand’s Irish heritage, like that of many Irish Americans, was always a bit of a mystery. “My family is from County Mayo on my father’s side, but I was never told how far back,” he says. “My aunt used to say that a Hand fought in every American war since the Civil War so it must have been very far back.” Mystery aside, there’s no doubt that his Irishness has always been a fixture […] Read More
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Emerald Pipers and Michael and Linda Bradley Draw Mayo Association Honors
It’s difficult—maybe impossible—to think of an event that the Philadelphia Emerald Society Pipe Band has not helped commemorate, mourn or celebrate. “They’re simply ubiquitous,” says Maureen Callahan of the Mayo Association of Philadelphia. “Every event you go to, they’re there. The band has provided the soundtrack of Irish culture in the Philadelphia area for decades. They’re part of so many events from one year to the next, and not just on St. Patrick’s Day. They’ve […] Read More
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August 25 Banquet to Honor Heroes of Duffy’s Cut
In August 2004, brothers Dr. Bill Watson from Immaculate University and Rev. Dr. Frank Watson were part of a team that began excavation at Duffy’s Cut, a mass grave of 57 Irish immigrant railroad laborers along the SEPTA railroad tracks in Malvern. Excavation at the site, based on research from the old Pennsylvania Railroad, suggested the bodies were buried at the site following their deaths in 1832 from cholera—and, as the evidence also suggests, gruesome […] Read More
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A Great Night for a Great Man
Early in the recent Irish Center benefit for beloved local musician Pat Kildea, Bernadette Browne Mahr, one of the organizers, said that the original fundraising goal was $10,000. The ballroom was already packed with supporters at that time. However, she added, “At this point, we’re probably good for $30,000.” By the event’s end, that tally had been increased yet again, to something more like $40,000. Kildea is recovering from life-threatening medical issues, entailing weeks in […] Read More
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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