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John Byrne’s Songwriting Skills Take Center Stage
Standing in front of the noontime crowd at WXPN’s Free at Noon concert on this St. Patrick’s Day, John Byrne sounded almost giddy. “How are ye all?” he called to the crowd as he and his eponymous band launched into their version of the Dubliners’ “The Twang Man,” the story of a man who kills his lover’s new partner, then rolled right into “The Well Below the Valley,” an ancient tale of incest and infanticide, with […] Read More
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My Life with Uncle Jake
The late, legendary Villanova University Athletic Director John “Jake” Nevin wasn’t my uncle by blood, but he was closer to me and my family than any blood relative could be. As the Irish like to say, we’ll begin at the beginning. Jake lived near my maternal grandparents’ humble Bryn Mawr apartment near Lancaster Avenue, in which my mother, Doris, and my aunt, Joanie, grew up. Sadly, their father (my grandfather), Buck, had a stroke in […] Read More
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In on the Ground Floor with Ambler Celtic Strings
The musicians of Ambler Celtic Strings are assembled in the community room of the Wissahickon Valley Public Library branch in Ambler, hemmed in by lime green plastic stacking chairs, and they’re running through the set list for their first gig at Jenkintown’s MacSwiney Club. As it happens with most practices, some of the tunes are a little rough around the edges, needing a few tweaks here and there, but fiddlers Bruce Fenderson and Aine O’Sullivan, […] Read More
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2023 Irish Memorial St. Patrick’s Day Ceremony
Philadelphia’s Irish gathered at the Memorial to remember those that were starved to death in Ireland by oppressors and the many that travelled on what was known as Coffin Ships to America. Today we paid homage to their courage and fortitude.
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Historic Rebel Band Appears at The Irish Center
On Friday night March 10, the Irish Center presented a rare appearance of the Irish Brigade, the well-known band from Northern Ireland. Still fronted by founding member and songwriter Gerry O’Glacain, the band continued its reputation for high-spirited performance along with superb musicianship. Generally known as a rebel band, their repertoire focuses on Irish republicanism and resistance to England’s occupation of Northern Ireland, through political ballads written by O’Glacain during the Troubles. Each song commemorates and […] Read More
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Views from the 2023 Philadelphia Saint Patrick’s Parade
Philadelphia Saint Patrick’s Day Observance Association proudly announces 2023 Philadelphia Saint Patrick’s Day Parade Award Winners: Hon. James H.J. Tate Award (Founded in 1980)Outstanding Organization that Exemplifies the Spirit of the Parade Sponsored by: Mike Driscoll2023 Philadelphia Federal Credit Union Msgr. Thomas J. Rilley Award (Founded 1979)Outstanding Fraternal OrganizationSponsored by: AOH Division 39 Msgr. Thomas J. Rilley2023 Cairdeas Irish Brigade George Costello Award (Founded 1979) (This was named the Jim Enright Award Prior to 1986)Outstanding Float in the ParadeSponsored by: The Irish Society2023 The Friendly […] Read More
