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The Best Seat in the House: A Dance Judge Takes You Behind the Scenes
By Kate O’Neill Wosczyna In the fall of 1974 when I was four, my Mom started me in Irish dancing. Being a first generation Irish American, my Mom felt it was important that I remain close to my Irish heritage. All four of my grandparents were from Ireland–Mayo, Donegal, and Tyrone. Along with the dancing, I attempted playing the accordion, fiddle, piano, and tin whistle. Needless to say (and for the betterment of everyone’s ears), […] Read More
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Cherishing Joanie Madden
By Frank Keel Many apt descriptors come to mind when one thinks about Joanie Madden, the world-renowned flute and tin whistle virtuoso and unquestionable leader of the acclaimed Irish-American trad band, Cherish The Ladies. Gifted. Visionary. Trail-blazing. All the terms fit. But, for this long-time fan of Cherish The Ladies and Joanie Madden, there is one descriptor that truly captures the essence of this remarkable musician and band leader. Indefatigable. Take a glance at her […] Read More
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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
