A huge thank you to everyone who came out to the Festival this year, it was a grand, grand time, with music, singing and dancing; finding old friends and making new. The Festival music started on Thursday evening and didn't stop until late Saturday night.
We want to especially thank the Commodore Barry Club, aka "The Irish Center" for being our home not only during this 3-day concert but all year round. The Management and Staff at the Irish Center are top-notch!
Thank- you to the fabulous performers throughout the Festival, including:
John Shields
Cass Tinney
Tony DeMarco
Martin O’Connell
Sean Earnest
Donie Carroll
Siobhan Butler
Nuala Kennedy
Eamon O'Leary
Tom O’Malley
Paddy O’Neil
Dave Hanson
The Cummins School of Irish Dance
The Next Generation
And to all the many “special guests” who performed throughout the Festival.
Thank - you to the volunteers who do it all – from hanging lights and signs, taking tickets, providing housing for performers, setting up chairs, taking down chairs, and setting up chairs again! You are too numerous to list here but the Festival could not happen without you and we are truly greatful.
Thank - you to the folks who handle the technical aspects of making sure the performers look and sound great: Jeremy Birnbaum, Suzie Birnbaum – Sound; Miles Thompson, Rhys MacArthur-Thompson - Lights, and Jim Cannon – Archive recording.
Thank - you to the vendors and workshop presenters:
Face Painting & Body Art by Sue Foo
Anna Ryan’s - St. Brigid’s Cross Workshop
Marianne MacDonald - Vintage & Irish Sewn Goods
Irish Philadelphia
The Water Gallery Lansdale
Irish Calligraphy and Art
Anna Ryan
Leo Mohan
Lori Lander Murphy & Billy Brennan
Basha Gardner
Dennis Gormley
Lori Lander Murphy
Kenneth Milano
Dave Hanson
Janet McShain
Thank you to Lindinger's for coming on board at the last minute and providing delicious food througout Saturday.
And finally to our Festival Sponsors – your support makes the Festival happen –Thank you!
Kathy McGee Burns
Jane Cahill & Harry StultingThe Irish American Business Chamber & Council
Courtney & Bryan Malley
McGillian & Donnelly, LLC
Meehan Avenue Crew
Robert & Adelaide Moran Family
Lori Lander Murphy
Marybeth Clucas-Phillips & Stephen P. Phillips
The Plough and the Stars - Irish Pub & Restaurant
The Festival is organized and run by volunteers, headed up by the Festival Committee of the Philadelphia Ceili Group Board of Directors: Mary Lou McGurk, Courtney Malley, Beth Ann Bailey, Anne McNiff, Rosaleen McGill, Tom O’Malley and Jane Cahill - thanks to all for their hard work!
The 2013 PCG Board of Directors: Mary Lou McGurk, Courtney Malley, Beth Ann Bailey, Anne McNiff, Jim McGill, Lori Lander Murphy, Marybeth Phillips, Rosaleen McGill, Tom O’Malley.