I thought I would be giving you information in my Out&About this week on myself as one of the honorees at The Irish American Night at the Eisenhower Park-Harry Chapin Theatre that was to be held last Monday, that was to be hosted by the Irish American Society of Nassau, Suffolk and Queens Counties of New York but unfortunately it never happened. The reason it wasn’t held was, you guessed it, the weather, as it was raining “cats and dogs” (just to let you know, that’s an old Irish saying when the weather is really very bad and it was for most of the day). Yes, it did clear up around 5 pm but it still could not happen as this concert was outdoors and the grass was still soaking wet and it could also be a bit dangerous as there might be a lot of injuries with people falling and kids getting hurt as well. But under the immediate circumstances it was a good call from the Park’s Commission to make even though a lot of people were looking forward to it. The good news is that the new date for the event will be on Thursday September 24th, so mark your calendars! I will be there so I hope you will be there as well when I am Out&About.
The County Leitrim Society of New York along with their President, Noeleen Bohan McGovern, the officers and members invite the public to join them at a special ceremony on Friday 14 August at 1 pm at the Kiltyclogher Heritage Center (Main St, Kiltyclogher, Co. Leitrim, Ireland). This event marks the presentation of the Society’s recently restored parade banner to its new and permanent home in Kiltyclogher, the birthplace of Seán Mac Diarmada. This treasured piece of Irish-American history which features images of St. Patrick and Seán Mac Diarmada, and symbolizes nearly a century of pride, heritage and the enduring bond between County Leitrim and its emigrants in America, was proudly carried by the Leitrim Society up Fifth Avenue for the New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parades from 1937 through 2024. All are welcome to attend this historic event.
Coventry’s Irish community in England is being invited to help create a new theatre project exploring identity, heritage and belonging, as The Seanchaí Collective launches Irish. Here. Heard., a new community arts initiative funded through Coventry City Council’s Made in Cov program.
The Seanchaí Collective is a Coventry based not-for-profit organization founded by the family behind the landmark Message to Margaret campaign, which successfully secured the right to an Irish-language inscription on the gravestone of Margaret Keane.
Established to ensure that lived experience becomes a catalyst for learning, creativity and lasting change, the Collective harnesses the transformative power of storytelling to amplify voices that too often go unheard and to inspire organizations, communities and future generations to listen differently.
Launching in Summer 2026, Irish. Here. Heard. is the Collective’s inaugural community arts project. The project invites young people aged 8–11, 12–18, and adults 18+ from Irish and mixed Irish heritage to explore identity, belonging and what it means to be Irish in Coventry today through theatre, storytelling, Irish history and introductory Irish language.
More than a drama program, Irish. Here. Heard. creates a space where stories are shared, identities are celebrated and a new generation can shape the future of Coventry’s Irish community, because the future of Coventry’s Irish community will be written by the people who tell the next story.
Taster sessions are free and will take place at: Christ the King Parish Center (14 Westhill Road, Coventry) on August 17th. For young people aged 8 – 18 years, taster sessions will be 12 pm – 2 pm or 2.30 pm – 4.30 pm. For adults 18 years plus, the taster session will be 7 pm – 8.30 pm.
For anyone interested in registering for the taster sessions or for more information contact info@seanchaicollective.org.
Bez Martin, Director of The Seanchaí Collective, said: “This project is deeply personal. It grew from our family’s belief that identity, language and culture matter, and that every community deserves to have its stories considered. Every family has stories that deserve to be told. Some are remembered, others are lost, and too many are never shared at all. Irish. Here. Heard. is about making sure the next generation has a place to discover those stories, tell new ones and celebrate what it means to be Irish in Coventry today.”
Find out more about Seanchaí Youth & Community Ensemble at www.seanchaicollective.org/projects.
I hope you enjoyed my Out&About this week and I hope to see you all again next week when I am Out&About again…