Today's blog post is especially for New York readers and anyone planning a trip to the Big Apple before June 2nd, 2016.
I'm delighted to announce that CualaNYC, New York City's first annual festival of Irish culture, kicks off today at 11 am in front of City Hall.
CualaNYC, (pronounced Kool-ah)
A Mammoth Celebration of Irish Culture,
Featuring Dozens of Events Across NYC,
Now through June 2,
Commemorates the 100th Anniversary
of the Easter Rising in Dublin
Table of Contents
Such a great name for this group and festival!
Did you know "Cuala" was one of the five ancient Celtic roads that led to the Hill of Tara, the seat of the High Kings of Ireland?
And let's face it, many of the roads of New York point right back to Ireland.
In 1908, William Butler Yeats and his sister Lolly, set up a printing press which they aptly named Cuala Press. And one of Dublin's most successful Gaelic Athletic Association clubs is named none other than Cuala.
And so, here's a little bit of information about this fantastic Irish festival which will be launched in a few short hours.
Who?
- Executive Director and Musician Susan McKeown,
- NYC Council Majority Leader and Cultural Affairs Committee Chair Jimmy Van Bramer
- Irish-American Caucus Chair Daniel Dromm
- Council Member Elizabeth S. Crowley
- Author Colum McCann
- Harper Maeve Gilchrist
What?
CualaNYC, the first-annual festival of Irish culture, featuring concerts, poetry readings, and theatrical and dance performances and more, in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Easter Rising in Dublin, which set the stage for Ireland’s independence from Britain.
When?
Tuesday, April 26, 2016 11 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Where?
Steps of New York City Hall, between Chambers Street, Broadway and Park Row
Priority Events
I know this blog post is a little late notice for today's launch, but fear not. Today is the kick off for an amazing line up of events, scheduled right through June 2, 2016. Here are some of the highlights ...
April 29 at 8 pm:
Poets and Patriots: The Easter Rising 1916
CooperUnion
April 30 at 12 pm to 3 pm:
Dánta - Irish Poetry
NY Waterway’s East River Ferry
April 30 at 3 pm to 6 pm:
New York Ireland 1916 Ceiliúradh,
Knockdown Center, Queens
May 1 at 12 pm to 3 pm:
Dánta - Irish Poetry
NY Waterway’s East River Ferry
May 7 at 3 pm:
On Baile’s Strand, play by William Butler Yeats,
Sligo’s Coney Island, Blue Raincoat Theatre Company,
Rockaway Beach
May 8 at 3 pm:
On Baile’s Strand, play by William Butler Yeats,
Sligo’s Coney Island, Blue Raincoat Theatre Company,
Coney Island
May 12 at 7 pm:
James Connolly’s New York,
Cooper Union
May 13 at 8 pm:
Victor Herbert’s Ireland: Music of the Emerald Isle
Special tribute to Victor Herbert and his legacy
Gerald W. Lynch Theater at John Jay College of Criminal Justice
May 14 at 7 pm:
Victor Herbert: Irish American Hero,
New York Public Library for the Performing Arts,
Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center, LPA Café
May 16 at 7 pm:
The People Speak Ireland,
The New School, 12 Street Auditorium
May 18 at 8 pm:
Irish bands,Walking on Cars and Old Hannah,
Music Hall of Williamsburg
May 19 at 4 pm:
Soapbox and 100 Union Pipers,
Union Square
May 19 at 6:30 pm:
An evening of New York and Irish History,
Irish American Historical Society
May 28 at 7 pm:
Newgrange Festival,
Gantry State Park, Long Island City
And so, if you should find yourself in New York City in the coming weeks, why not check out one of these Irish cultural events.
You can find the complete schedule of events on the CualaNYC Website.
I just wish I could make it to New York, but school's not yet out for summer for my four kids, so there'll be no gallivanting off to the Big Apple for this Irish American Mom.
But I do hope some of you can make it. If you do attend one of these events, make sure to stop back to let us know all about it in the comment section below.
Learning about events like this makes me proud to be Irish and just as proud to be Irish American.
Slán agus beannacht,
(Goodbye and blessings)
Mairéad -Irish American Mom
Pronunciation - slawn ah-gus ban-ock-th
Mairéad - rhymes with parade
Note: Images published with permission from CualaNYC.
Here are some other recipes and ramblings you might enjoy...
Where To Celebrate Saint Patrick's Day In Ireland
What The Irish Eat For Saint Patrick's Day
Fruit Rainbow for Saint Patrick's Day
Annie Davis
Thank you, Irish American Mom, for the cultural perspective of our heritage. I found "Soldiers of Erin" performed beautifully by talented music students on YouTube. Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgA7l7pamio
Annie
Irish American Mom
That's a lovely performance, Annie. Thanks so much for the link, and thanks for stopping by.
Best wishes,
Mairéad