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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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Grab Some Apples for Crisps and Crumbles
From a culinary standpoint, there’s little difference between an apple crisp and an apple crumble, except for the topping: the former is generally made with a flour and brown sugar mix, the latter with an oat-based streusel (nuts are always welcome). The bonus feature of either dessert is that, in addition to being the quintessential autumn dessert, is that you can also add a few berries or dried fruits, as in this one that uses dates […] Read More
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Happy 25th IDC
On Friday October 6th, The Irish Diaspora Center celebrated it’s 25th Anniversary providing services to Irish Community. Special awards were presented: Thomas Griffin,Esq. – The Annie Moore Award Francis Marinelli – The Legacy Award William McCray & James Reardon – The Liam Hegarty Award Also in Attendance was Ms. Helena Nolan, Consul General Of Ireland
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Harvesting a Summer Herb Bonanza
Tomatoes and basil; potatoes and rosemary; salmon and dill. Perfect partners in summer dishes, of course, so grab as many fresh herbs as you can to pair with the last of summer’s bounty. Herbs are the easiest of all edible plants to grow — whether in a small pot on your windowsill, in a container on your patio, or tucked in-between other vegetables or flowers in garden — so grab all you can to embellish […] 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 Beau-tea-ful Send-Off for Philly’s Rose
Marissa Berry, Philadelphia’s 2023 Rose of Tralee, will be heading off to Tralee, County Kerry, Ireland in a week to participate in the annual international festival that’s been going on since 1957. She’ll be competing with Roses from around the world for the coveted title of International Rose of Tralee. Friends, family and members of the Philadelphia Irish community gave her a send-off tea at the Irish Diaspora Center in Havertown on Sunday. The 28-year-old […] Read More
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Christmas in July! (August, Too!
Depending on when you read this, there are about 150 days until Christmas! Shocking, I know, but you can get a head start on shopping for all the cooks in your family by taking advantage of the “Christmas in July” preview of my holiday cookbook Festive Flavors of Ireland. However, if you’re barely surviving the current heat wave and think it’s too early to start thinking about Christmas (shopping or eating), here’s a recipe from […] Read More
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Join a Trip to Visit the Grave of a Lady of Knock Witness in New York City
Photo of Knock Shrine in County Mayo taken by Denise Foley On a rainy August night in 1879, a five-year-old boy named John Curry witnessed one of the most significant events in Irish Catholic history while sitting on the shoulders of his 11-year-old cousin. There, on the south gable of the Church of St, John the Baptist in Knock, County Mayo, Ireland, little John and more than a dozen other local residents saw an apparition […] 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
