Let’s Be Irish for a Day!

Saturday, February 24 will kick off the “season” of Saint Patrick with music, friendly gathering, and good fun, all offered by local groups who are Irish year-round, not just during one month, and collaborate to provide excellent cultural staples.

The local and well-known band Bards of Gungywamp will swing into action at Stumble Inne Restaurant and Pub, at 4 PM, 90 Halls Road, Old Lyme, with lively Irish jigs and reels in support of the New London Currach Rowers team. During the band's intermission, students from the Spirited Soles Irish Dance Academy will showcase a variety of Irish dances in full colorful costume. The team’s Irish currach will be on display during the concert to display the vessel’s construction and canvas outer skin..

Tickets for this fundraiser for the Currach Rowers are available online for $20 directly through Paypal, through https:/tinyurl.com/NLCURRACH; by asking about sending a check through row.currach.nl@gmail.com, or by purchasing at the door. Concertgoers may order pub sandwiches from a special event menu.

Earlier that same afternoon, families may enjoy a medley of traditional Irish folk tunes at the Westerly Library, from 1:00-2:00 pm, sponsored by the Irish Coastal Club of Westerly. Celebrating ‘The Irish in America’ will be Cathy Clasper-Torch, Dan Lanier and Mary Kin presenting Irish folk songs, storytelling and good humor using traditional musical instruments. It’s free and open to the public. http://www.irishcoastalclub.org

Currach Rowing President Maureen Plumleigh explains, “I believe that, in our community, it's important for compatible groups to collaborate. That way, the events are richer, and it's win-win for everyone, including supporters." While the Currach Rowers team showcases Irish culture through recreational rowing and the sport of currach competition, the Ancient Order of Hibernians lends their support. The John P. Holland Division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians enthusiastically supports the Currach Rowers, as a means of fulfilling their mission of promoting Irish culture.

Later in the season, the New London Custom House and Maritime Museum educates on currachs as a maritime tradition. The annual regatta of the Currach Rowers takes place at the Custom House pier, New London at the end of July. The night prior to the regatta, the Custom House hosts a showing of an Irish filming of a recreation of the voyage of Saint Brendan, who, with his following of monks, sailed across the Atlantic in 5 B.C.

Throughout the year, the Irish Coastal Club participates in parades and public events with the currach rowers, and offers evening classes in the traditional Irish language available to the public. https://www.irishcoastalclub.o...

Plumleigh states she is happy to not only support her family's heritage, but to showcase it to others, which also means that everyone has a great time.

You can find out more about the New London Currach Rowers on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/nlcur...