Happenings Around My Town

March 14 and 16, 2007

Some fun events leading up to St. Patrick's Day were captured with the following pictures. On Wednesday, March 14th, The McCabes performed in Concert at Mullaney's Harp & Fiddle. The McCabes, based in New York, made their third appearance at the Harp. Their music was very exciting - a combination of rock, contemporary and some good old standards.


Here is Rick Snell on electric guitar and backing vocals, and Sean McCabe on lead vocals, and acoustic guiar.

This photo captures Sean McCabe, Clarence Ferrari on fiddle, Ryan Cavan on Drums and backing vocals, and Chris Posteraro on electric bass and backing vocals. Clarence so sweetly played the fiddle mixing a variety of genres - from fast & fiesty to rock'n & roll'n with a bit of blues & country.

The leader of the band, Sean McCabe!

How good is the band without good sound? Sound is what Jerry O'Neil of O'Neil ProSound provides. Jerry has been the sound engineer in the overall Pittsburgh Music Scene for many, many years. He knows what he is doing and makes everyone sound really good. The way to go Jerry!

Jerry O'Neil

Carol Lavrinc and Anne Mullaney, Proprietor of the Harp & Fiddle, were enjoying each others company along with The McCabes.

David Regan, Manager of Mullaney's Harp & Fiddle and Shannon Boyle, one of the waite staff, although she was off this evening, were both enjoying the concert. David has been Manager of the Harp since it opened in 1992.

Shannon Boyle, still enjoying herslf with Roddy Delaney. Roddy is the father of Miss Smiling Irish Eyes 2007 - Jocilyn Delaney.

Here we have Anne Mullaney and Tom Goslin, both enjoying the concert. Anne is also President of 'Neighbors in The Strip' and Tom is one of the business owners in The Strip.

This happy couple, Sandy Haas and Ed McManus, are usually out and about supporting many of the Irish events that occur in and around Pittsburgh. Both Sandy and Ed are members of the Irish American Unity Conference, Pittsburgh Branch.

These three were really enjoying each other's company along with the concert. On the left is Kevin Delaney, in from Chicago; center - Jim Delaney, uncle to Kevin; and on the right is Jim Schenk, a good friend of the Delaney's. Jim Delaney, affectionately known by his friends as 'Lefty', is grandfather to Miss Smiling Irish Eyes 2007.

Most concerts are not complete without dancers around, Susan Kozak and Laura Conroy. Susan is the Artistic Director and Dance Instructor with the Pittsburgh Ceili Club. Laura Conroy, TCRG, is one of the dance instructors with The Burke School of Irish Dance located at the Irish Centre of Pittsburgh.

Good buddies - Brian Regan and Peter Burns from County Cavan. A few years back Peter came to Pittsburgh under the Walsh Visa Program, administered by The Ireland Institute of Pittsburgh. He had worked at Mullaney's Harp & Fiddle and made some very good friends. Peter periodically comes back 'home' to visit with friends and we had the pleasure of his company for St. Patrick's Day 2007.

Friday, March 16th The Ireland Institute of Pittsburgh Presented an Evening with Hugo O'Neill, Hugo Mac Ui Neill Buidhe, Chief of the O'Neill Clan Worldwide & President of the Standing Council of Irish Clans.

The evening began with an Introduction by Jim Lamb, President of The Ireland Institute and Grand Marshall of the Pittsburgh St. Patrick's Day Parade 2007, followed by Prothonotary, Michael Lamb leading us in The Pledge of Alligence with a Marine Flag Guard. Brian O'Neill then presented a synopsis of Irish history, followed by Christine O'Doherty speaking on the O'Neill Summer School. 'The O'Neill' (Hugo O'Neill) gave a presentation on The O'Neill Clan. 'The O'Neill' is from Portugal, where his ancestors settled after the 'Flight of the Earls'.

The speakers gave very interesting presentations and hopefully, folks from the Pittsburgh area will attend the O'Neill Summer School in September 2007. You can call the Ireland Institute at 412.394.3900 for further information. Brian O'Neill will be a guest on Echoes of Erin later in the Spring talking about this subject.

Photo from left to right: Jim Lamb, Brian O'Neill, The O'Neill, Christine O'Doherty.

Beatrice Gibbons, Robert Morris University and Hugo O'Neill, 'The O'Neill'

Wife and Husband, Ann Burns and Jim Lamb, President of the Ireland Institute of Pittsburgh and Grand Marshall of the St. Patrick's Day Parade 2007.

Catch the next posting with photos of the Button Party and a couple of shots at the St. Patrick's Day Parade.

Slan,

Diane