• Echoes of Erin
  • Sundays 12:30PM - 2:00PM
  • WEDO Radio 810AM

One hundred thousand welcomes to you to my official blog of all things Irish from me, Diane Byrnes, host of the Echoes of Erin radio show on WEDO Radio 810AM.

Sunday, June 01, 2014

DATELINE IRISH - Sunday, June 1, 2014
Sunday, June 1

·       Echoes of Erin on WEDO 810AM @ 12:30pm. Listen Live at www.wedo810.com or later at www.wedo810.com, Click on Program Guide, scroll down and click on Echoes of Erin, click a program number, download, & play.  The Ireland Report from Donegal with Patricia Sharkey, Editor of The Donegal Newsletter @ www.dun-na-ngall.com.  

 
·       The Gaelic Arts Society of Pittsburgh presents “An Irish-Style High Tea” (a catered event) @ Saint Maximilian Church Hall, 363 West Eleventh St. Extension, Homestead. Open to public.  Reservations required by May 27th.  Information 412.371-7153 or 412.341.5683. 

 Tuesday, June 3

·       Riley’s Pour House, 215 East Main St. in Carnegie, 412.279.0770 – Riley’s Piano Night 8pm.

·       Mullaney’s Harp & Fiddle, 2329 Penn Ave., in The Strip, 412.642.6622 – features Ceili Dancing from 7 pm.

Wednesday, June 4 through June 21
·       PICT (special Father’s Day performance) presents “Waiting for Godot”, by Samuel Beckett two tickets for $54, 412-561-6000, email tickethelp@picttheatre.org or  www.visitpicttheatre.org.  Mostly at the Charity Randall Theater on the University of Pittsburgh Campus.


Wednesday, June 4
       Riley’s Pour House, 215 East Main St. in Carnegie, 412.279.0770 – features Open Mic hosted by Downtown Bishop @ 8pm.

·       Mullaney’s Harp & Fiddle, 2329 Penn Ave., in The Strip – features BE BOLD @ 9pm.

 Thursday, June 5
·       Riley’s Pour House, 215 East Main St. in Carnegie, 412.279.0770 – features Live Music @ 8pm.

 
Friday, June 6
·       Riley’s Pour House, 215 East Main St. in Carnegie, 412.279.0770 – features Happy Hour @ 5:30pm, followed by Live Music @ 8pm.

 ·       Mullaney’s Harp & Fiddle, 2329 Penn Ave., in The Strip – features Happy Hour @ 5:30pm followed by Live Music at 9pm.

 Saturday, June 7
·       Riley’s Pour House, 215 East Main St. in Carnegie, 412.279.0770 – features Breakfast @ 8am, followed by a Reunion Show with Laughrey Connolly @ 8pm.  Christopher Laughrey is back in Pgh for a few days and invites all to come on down.

·       Gaelic Football –   Intra-Divisional Friendly

Philadelphia Donegal @ Pittsburgh Celtics, Founders

Mason Dixon @ Pittsburgh Celtics, Founders

Philadelphia Notre Dame @ Pittsburgh Banshees, Founders

Banshees Ladies Football vs. Washington DC @ Baltimore

 ·       Mullaney’s Harp & Fiddle, 2329 Penn Ave., in The Strip – features Live Music at 9pm.

 
Sunday, June 8
·       The Pioneer Total Abstinence Association of the Sacred Heart presents their Mass of Thanksgiving at St. Bede’s Church, 309 S. Dallas Avenue, Point Breeze, at NOON.  Luncheon to follow.  Reversations: Peggy Bond at 412.343.3040.  All are welcome.

 ·       Echoes of Erin on WEDO 810AM @ 12:30pm. Listen Live at www.wedo810.com or later at www.wedo810.com, Click on Program Guide, scroll down and click on Echoes of Erin, click a program number, download, & play.  The Ireland Report from Galway with Brian Nolan.  Sponsor for The Ireland Report is AOH Division 4, North Hills.  Guest in studio is Patrick Donnelly from AOH Div. 4 on Irish Day of Entertainment at Schitizen Park/The Croatian Center.

 
Tuesday, June 10
·       Pittsburgh Ceili Club General Membership Meeting @ Mullaney’s Harp & Fiddle, 6:30pm; five new positions are available on the Board of Governors.  Information: Cheryl McLafferty Grey cmcgrey@zoominternet.net.

Wednesday, June 12 through Sunday, July 13
·       Mullaney’s Harp & Fiddle, 2329 Penn Ave., in The Strip is the FIFA World Cup 2014 Headquarters.  You can enjoy the games right here.  Check out schedule: http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/.

Saturday, June 14
·       Riley’s Pour House, 215 East Main St. in Carnegie, 412.279.0770 – features Breakfast @ 8am, followed by Live Music @ 8pm.

·       Gaelic Football –   Pittsburgh Celtics Team B vs. Washington DC @ Baltimore

Pittsburgh Celtics Team A vs. Baltimore @ Baltimore

Banshees Ladies Football vs. Baltimore @ Baltimore

Banshees Ladies Football vs. Washington DC @ Baltimore

·       GAA Hurling – Intra-County Competition: Pittsburgh Puca’s @ Toronto 9’s Tournament

·       Burke Conroy School of Irish Dance presents “An Afternoon of Irish Dance” at Antonian Theater at Carlow University.  Program 4pm to 6pm; Admission $5 child/$10 student/$15 Adult.  Doors open at 3:15pm.  Information: burke.conroy@gmail.com  or 412.781.3273.

 
Sunday, June 15 – Father’s Day
·       Echoes of Erin on WEDO 810AM @ 12:30pm. Listen Live at www.wedo810.com or later at www.wedo810.com, Click on Program Guide, scroll down and click on Echoes of Erin, click a program number, download, & play.  The Ireland Report from Dublin with Davy Kettyles Sponsor for The Ireland Report is AOH Division 4, North Hills.  Jim Caldwell will be Guest Host.

·       PICT presents “Waiting for Godot”, two tickets for $54, 412-561-6000, email tickethelp@picttheatre.org or  www.visitpicttheatre.org

Thursday, June 19
·       Film Screening: Anthology: Local #471 Musicians’ Union, 7:30 p.m. at the Historic Pump House, 880 East Waterfront Drive, Munhall, PA 15120.  The Battle of Homestead Foundation (BHF) is a diverse organization of citizens, workers, educators and historians.  Its purpose is to preserve, interpret, and promote a people’s history focused on the significances of the dramatic labor conflict at Homestead, PA in 1892. For more information, go to http://www.battleofhomesteadfoundation.org

Saturday, June 21
·       3rd Annual PGAA Golf Tournament

 ·       Riley’s Pour House, 215 East Main St. in Carnegie, 412.279.0770 – features Breakfast @ 8am, followed by Live Music @ 8pm.

 
·       AOH St. Patrick Division 4 & LAOH St. Bridget Division 4, host their Annual Day of Irish Music at Schitizen Park / Croatian Center on Schitizen Park Road in Ross Township.  Day begins at Noon, minimal admission, food & beverage available for purchase.  Music throughout the day; Children’s activities.  Irish Auction and raffles.  Other details TBD.

 
Saturday & Sunday, June 28 & 29
·       WV State Championship Irish Road Bowling, held in Ireland WV.  Winners go on to the national finals in Wampatuck State Park, south of Boston August 2 & 3.  Winners in Wampatuck go on to the All Ireland Finals in  Ireland (the country).  Check out schedule www.wvirishroadbowling.com or www.wvirb.org.

 Sunday, June 29
·       Echoes of Erin on WEDO 810AM @ 12:30pm. Listen Live at www.wedo810.com or later at www.wedo810.com, Click on Program Guide, scroll down and click on Echoes of Erin, click a program number, download, & play.  The Ireland Report from Belfast with Mairtin O’Muilleoir, The Lord Mayor of Belfast, www.newbelfast.com.   Sponsor for The Ireland Report AOH Division 4, North Hills.

 
·       Gaelic Football –   Pittsburgh Celtics Team B vs. Cleveland St. Pat’s @ Founders Field

Pittsburgh Celtics Team A vs. Cleveland St. Jarlath’s @ Founders Field

·       Hurling      --          Akron City Celtic Guards @ Pittsburgh Puca’s, Founders Field, evening game

Saturday, July 12
·       Riley’s Pour House, 215 East Main St. in Carnegie, 412.279.0770 – features Breakfast @ 8am, followed by Live Music @ 8pm.


·       Gaelic Football –   Banshees Ladies Football vs. Detroit St. Anne’s @ Detroit

Pittsburgh Celtics Team A vs. Detroit Wolfe Tones @ Detroit

·       Hurling      --          Jr. C Pittsburgh Puca’s @ Akron Celtic Guards
 

Friday, July 18 through Sunday, July 20
·       Cleveland Cultural Festival @ Berea Fairgrounds in Middleburg Heights OH.  Entertainment this year includes: Black 47, Dermot Henry, & Eileen Ivers & Immigrant Soul from NY, Dervish from Sligo, Ronan Tynan from Kilkenny, The High Kings from Dublin, Damien Dempsey from Dublin, Malachi Cush from Tyrone NI,  James Kilbane from Achill Island, Step Crew from Toronto (Dance & Musician group), Scythian from Washington DC, The New Barleycorn, Brigid’s Cross, & Lost State of Franklin, Donal O’Shaughnessy, The Kilroy’s, & Mary’s Lane, from Cleveland, Guaranteed Irish from Pittsburgh,  Dennis Doyle from California, and Fintan Stanley from Boston, http://clevelandirish.org/.  Admission Only $10, Free Parking.  Make your hotel reservations ASAP as many are already sold out. This is an excellent lineup and something for everyone. 
 
Saturday, July 26
·       Gaelic Football –   Pittsburgh Celtics Team B vs. Buffalo @ Buffalo

Pittsburgh Celtics Team A vs. Toronto @ Buffalo

Banshees Ladies Football vs. Buffalo @ Buffalo

Banshees Ladies Football vs. Toronto @ Buffalo

Thursday, July 31
·       Battle of Homestead Foundation (BHF), @ The Pump House in Homestead, 7:30pm  – Movie “Inequality For All”.  Documentary @ 7:30pm, by Robert Reich, an economist and former US Secretary of Labor under Bill Clinton.  Is inequality good for a society, or dies it have dire consequences? www.battleofhomesteadfoundation.org

Saturday, August 2
·       Gaelic Football –   Pittsburgh Celtics Jr. C vs. Columbus @ Columbus

Pittsburgh Celtics Team A vs. Baltimore/Philly @ Founders

Banshees Ladies Football vs. Baltimore/Philly @ Founders

Friday, August 8
  • AOH Sean MacBride Division 32 will sponsor their annual Golf Outing, contact Bill Delaney.
 Saturday, August 9
·       Gaelic Football –   Banshees Ladies Football vs. Detroit St. Anne’s @ Founders

Pittsburgh Celtics -- FREE

 August 11 to 21, 2014
·       D’Arcy McGee’s Ireland Trail, a 10-day tour of sites associated with Thomas D’Arcy McGee, The Young Irelanders and other historical Irish themes.  Arrive in Dublin; travel the roads of Wexford & Wicklow, special reception in the Canadian Embassy.  Travel the roads of ‘The Battle of the Boyne’ to Belfast; visit The Glens of Antrim, through Donegal, Carlingford, Co. Louth.  Information: sales@matthews.ie or call 011.353.42.937.8188.  Visit www.jennyirishtours.com or www.matthews.ie and reference D’Arcy McGee Tour.  Also check out www.dkit.ie/thomas-darcy-mcgee or www.facebook.com/darcymagee.ie.  You can also contact Tommy Fegan at tommyfegan@gmail.com or call 011.3536.42.937.0241.

 
Saturday, August 16
·       Gaelic Football – Midwest Finals Jr. B & Jr. C    -- TBD / Founders

August 29 through August 31, Labor Day Weekend
·       Gaelic Football – Nationals Weekend                    -- TBD

Saturday, September 6
·      The Clan O’Neill Gathering will take place for anyone with the name of O’Neill, any derivative, relatives, branches of, i.e.  O’Neill, O’Neil, O’Neal, O’neil, McNeil, McNeal, McShane, Nolan, Neil, Neely, O’Hagan, O’Rourke, Donnelly, Devlin, O’Kane & Quinn whether that’s your name or your Great-Grandmother’s name.   Contact Sean O’Neill for further details @ 412.292.9181 or Email: oneill.sm0302@gmail.com OR  https://www.facebook.com/groups/ohiovalleyancientclanoneill/
 
Saturday, September 13
·       AOH Sean MacBride Division 32 will host their 25th Anniversary Banquet at Chartiers Country Club, 601 Baldwin Road, in Crafton.  Entertainment with ‘The Mansfield 5’.  Details TBA.

Wednesday, September 17
·       Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day with a Pirate Baseball Game; Tickets are 28.00, in section 147 outfield reserved seats. They will be sold on a first come, first serve basis. All reservations and payment must be made by July1.  Information & Reservations: Rich O’Malley 412-401-3945, pghsaintpat@verizon.net

 Sunday, October 5, 2014
·       Pittsburgh Ceili Club celebrates with their 25th Anniversary with a Dinner-Dance, 4pm, at the LeMont Restaurant in Mt. Washington.  Details TBA.  Information: Maureen Strotmeyer 412.980.5900.

Sunday, October 19
·       Samhain, The Celtic New Year Celebration @ Mullaney’s Castle (Harp & Fiddle), 2329 Penn Ave. in The Strip.  Doors open @ 4pm.  Donation at door $20.   Raffle, Costume Contest, and King & Queen crowned.  A fundraiser for Echoes of Erin.  More to come. Donations for the baskets will graciously be accepted.  Information Diane Byrnes 412.781.6368, or email: diane.byrnes@verizon.net. 

 November 7, 8, & 9
·       The Third Annual Sneem Folklore & Storytelling Festival in Sneem, Co Kerry.  See below.

 Friday & Saturday, November 21 & 22
·       8th Annual Balmoral Classis – US Junior Solo Piping & Solo Drumming Championships.  Concert on Saturday with The Battlefield Band at Central Catholic High School McGonigle Theatre.  Information: 412.323.2707.  www.balmoralclassic.org.  More details to follow.

Tuesday, December 9
·       Celtic Thunder will perform with The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra at Heinz Hall.  Details TBA.
 

Traveling in Ireland in 2014
Festivals and Tours to consider attending!!


Ardara, County Donegal, information on the town
·       Information: Patrick McGill 011–353–74–953.7949 or call             Eileen 011 – 353 – 86 – 239-1441.   http://www.ardara.ie


 

Irish Festivals in Ireland & England

 August 11 to 21, 2014 D’Arcy McGee’s Ireland Trail,
 a 10-day tour of sites associated withThomas D’Arcy McGee, The Young Irelanders and other historical Irish
themes.  Arrive in Dublin; travel the roads of Wexford & Wicklow, special reception in the Canadian Embassy.

Travel the roads of ‘The Battle of the Boyne’ to Belfast; visit The Glens of Antrim, through Donegal,
Carlingford, Co. Louth.  Information: sales@matthews.ie or call 011.353.42.937.8188.  Visit
www.jennyirishtours.com or www.matthews.ie and reference D’Arcy McGee Tour.  Also check out www.dkit.ie/thomas-darcy-mcgee or www.facebook.com/darcymagee.ie.  You can also contact Tommy Fegan at tommyfegan@gmail.com or call 011.3536.42.937.0241.

 

November 7, 8, & 9, 2014, The Third Annual Sneem Folklore & Storytelling Festival, in Sneem, County Kerry.  There will be concerts, workshops, storytelling, Pub trail, young tellers and plenty of music.  The Lead storytellers are Pat Speight, Michael Harvey, Mike Mazur; plus Batt Burns in his home county.  Check out Irish TV at




Twitter: @SneemStory

 

2014 Storytelling Tour of Ireland --  Calling all Storytellers and Story Lovers


·       This tour is a unique opportunity for storytellers and story-lovers from the USA to attend the third annual International Storytelling and Folklore Festival at Sneem one of Ireland’s most beautiful villages on the famed Ring of Kerry. It will be hosted by international Seanachie (Irish Storyteller), Batt Burns , (www.battburns.com) who has been leading tours of Ireland for over twenty years. He will tell stories, recite the poetry of his homeland and acquaint you with the history and legends of the Irish nation.  Leading the tour from the US will be Mike Mazur, the well-known Cleveland storyteller, a man steeped in Irish tradition and with strong Irish roots. He has worked with Batt on an Irish tour previously.

·       While the three day festival will be an integral part of the tour, a further five days will be spent enjoying the breath-taking scenery of other parts of Ireland, a country steeped in history, tradition and ancient custom. Numerous opportunities will be afforded to chat with Irish people in congenial surroundings and get a real feel for this ancient land.

 

 

Irish Festivals in United States

June 6 – 7         Boston Irish Festival @ Stonehill

June 14             Boston Irish Festival Feis

June 7 – 8         16th Annual Staten Island Festival, Staten Island Boys Football League Complex

June 8              New Jersey Irish Festival, Monmouth Park

June 27 – 28     Irish Fest Kalamazoo, Michigan, Arcadia Creek Festival Place

June 27 – 29     Ohio Celtic Festival, Lake Country Fairgrounds, Painesville Township, Ohio

July 11 – 13      Colorado Irish Fest, Clement Park, Littleton, CO

July 15 – 20      Catskills Irish Arts Week, East Durham, NY

July 17 – 20      Canada Irish Festival @ Mirimichi, NB, Canada

July 18 – 20      Cleveland Cultural Festival, Berea Fairgrounds, Middleburgh Heights, OH

July 25 – 27      The Great American Irish Festival, Herkimer County Fairgrounds, Franklin NY

July 25 – 27      Greater Hartford Irish Music Festival, Glastenbury, CT

 

It is About Time for Another Posting!

Hello Friends,

It has been ions since I have posted to my blog and so many things have happened since last October 2013. 

The program 'Echoes of Erin' on WEDO 810AM is now in its 27th year and it is amazing that I AM still here broadcasting; may it and me last a long so as to continue this journey.

In 2013 I had a fundraiser to raffle a hand made violin by Peter Shovlin, Sr.  It was beautiful!  The person who won was Cian Dalton, originally from County Clare; his family moved to British Columbia, Cian and his brother then went off to California.  In Cian's journey, he came to Pittsburgh for a few years.  While here he earned his living working as an engineer, he also played Gaelic Football for the Pittsburgh Celtics and he was professional boxer, at least working towards that achievement.

Cian and his manager Mick McAuley came on the program last July, purchased tickets for the violin, then went about their business.  The drawing was held at Samhain, the Celtic New Year Celebration and another fundraiser for the program; Cian's name was drawn as the winner.  Now it just so happens, Cian's mother is a musician on the fiddle; Cian passed his winnings on to his mother and I hope she is playing it wildly and with passion.  It was a beautiful instrument.  Had I won it, it would have been a piece of art on my walls.  However I did not purchase a ticket.

Here we are in the springtime of 2014 and there is much ahead.  I will make a concerted effort to continue posting here on my blog.

Thanks for reading,
Diane