Activities Admission Directions History Sponsors Contacts

Irish Culture

 

     One of the goals of the Irish American Society of County Will, the principal organizer of the fest is to promote Irish Culture.  Toward this end, we have secured the following activities, as part of our interest in Irish Culture :
     This year, the Manhattan Irish Fest is expanding our cultural presence within and throughout the festival.

  • Irish Entertainment -- Stories and songs will be passed on to more generations, when you come to listen to Lee Murdock at St Joseph's School on Saturday March 5, 2011 at 2:00 PM.  The Manhattan Music Angels will be performing prior to Lee Murdock.
     

  • Manhattan Irish Fest Culture Center at St. Joseph's School
    Saturday, March 5th, 2011      9am - 4pm
     

  • 9am Irish Mass at St Joseph Church
     

  • 1:00pm - 1:15pm    Stockyard Kilty Pipeband

  • 1:15pm - 1:30pm    Triallta Irish Dancers

  • 1:30pm - 2:00pm    Manhattan Music Angels

  • 2:00pm - 3:30pm    Author and Folk Singer Lee Murdock

     

  • Trinity Knot Irish Store - Opens at 9am

  •  Concessions 9 - 4

After the parade, around noon, be sure to stop in at the Caboose, at First and Wabash and First Streets in Manhattan.  The Manhattan Historical Society will be there to give tours of the newly restored caboose.  The caboose will be staffed from Noon to 2:00pm.

Irish Storyteller and Musician:

Sponsored By:     Manhattan-Elwood Public Library District
  Manhattan Irish Fest  
 
 

Come meet the author:  Book Signing to be held afterwards

 
       

Lee Murdock began his performing career in the Chicago area in the mid 1970's, expanding his repertoire of blues and popular music as his interest in folk music and the maritime tradition grew.

A Concert of Irish Music
 Best-known for his interpretations of Great Lakes maritime songs, Murdock has also spent many years researching and performing songs from Ireland. In fact, Murdock's musical influences span over five centuries, from ancient Celtic harp melodies to piano rags written by the likes of Scott Joplin, to more contemporary American music.

Songs of the Irish immigrants who settled in Chicago and the Midwest will be included in the concert, including an anthem honoring the Irish laborers who built the Illinois and Michigan Canal (and Erie Canal), and those who settled on Michigan's Beaver Island. Murdock will round out the program with some boisterous pub songs for all to join in, alongside some sweet ballads from the Emerald Isle.
Lee Murdock will be performing at St. Joseph's School for Manhattan Irish Fest on Saturday, March 5 at 2pm. His books and CD's will be available for sale before and after his performance. His appearance is made possible by the Manhattan-Elwood Public Library and the Irish Fest Committee.

 

 

 
         The Manhattan Music Angels is an independent orchestra started in January of 2010.  Six girls who have been playing together for the last six years decided to form their own orchestra so they could give back to the community which helped get them started.  On violin, we have Natasha Bateman, Rebecca Coutcher,  Alena Pacheco, Maddie Stonis and Madeline Torkelson, and on cello, we have Maggie Pluskota.  The Manhattan Music Angels are proficient in classical string pieces, as well as fun Irish/American fiddle tunes.  They are available to play for your group or function by emailing   Donna Bateman .  
   

For more information, please contact the Manhattan Public Library at 815.478.3987 or via eMail 

 

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