RTE Orchestra

The National Orchestra of Ireland will be on the Whitney Hall stage at our Kentucky Center for the Arts on Thursday, March 13. Narration, song, dance orchestral and traditional music will weave a panoply of Irish experience from the mythic to sentimental surely to delight all comers. Prepare to be dazzled. No stone (at least of the big ones) is left unturned: the Children of Lir story of the swan changelings to a famine story with song and dance. A leg or two of Brendan's voyage as told (or heard) by contemporary composer Shaun Davy will be provided, as well as my uncle Joe Flannagan's favorites in "The Irish American Songbook," music from the mega film "The Quiet Man" and, yes, the ubiquitous "Danny Boy" (which Rock will venture to say will have even the snootiest trad devotee blubbering). No doubt the seats are becoming dearer as you read these words. Alas, hasten to the phone and give KCA a tingle:(502)584-7777.

The Truth (and phantasy) About Ashley MacIsaac.

Regardless of what you have may have read or heard, in fact Ashley is going to be at Phoenix Hill Tavern on Friday, March 21 and will meet you in the flesh at the Irish Rover "Meet and Greet" from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tickets to the show are available at the Irish Rover at $10 per person. In case you do not already know, Ashley "puts wheels" on celtic fiddle music, playing like a man possessed.

Cloigheann

Black 47, Ashley MacIsaac, this is phantastic! Well done PHT!

O'Shea's Traditional Irish Pub

Cloigheann and Galloglas will both be at OTIP on Monday, March 17. Cloigheann (gaelic for "skull") be on at and Galloglas will take the stage from 9 to 11 p.m.

Cloigheann will also be at the Poplar Level Road O'Shea's Pub from p.m. to p.m.

Rashers et alia at the Irish Rover

The Rashers, Cloigheann and Galloglas will be trading sets on Sunday, March 16 and Monday March 17. The official feast day on Monday will house the revelers in a tent over the parking lot. Rock warrants this site as the source of the best pint in River City, bar none ! ! !

The Rashers

Irish Societies Celebrate La Feile Padraig

The Sons and Daughters of Erin will host an emerald soiree at Masterson's on Third Street (near the University) on March 15.

Call Jack at 447-0046 for more details. The Abram J. Ryan Division, AOH will hold its "Wearin' o' the Green Party" in the ballroom of the Spalding University Center on Fourth Avenue on March 8. Galloglas will perform. Call Liam for more details at 635-6367.

Cahal Dunne at The Clifton Center

Irish comedian/entertainer Cahal Dunne will start the season with a grand shebang on Sunday, March 2. Tickets are $12.50 ($15 at the door). The show starts promptly at 6 p.m.(the doors open at 5 p.m.) at the Clifton Center, 2117 Payne Street. Tickets may be purchased at the Center on Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. or call 426-6496 for more information.

The newly renovated theater is a wonderful live music venue. All proceeds will be applied to the very worthy cause of The Feis (pronounced: fesh)- a regional Irish stepdancing competition officially sanctioned by the National Feis Association to be held at Bellarmine College in June.

And Other Worthy Causes

The Spalding Society hosts its annual "Irish Coffee" on Saturday, March 8 in the Mansion at 841 South Fourth Avenue beginning at 10 a.m. The $15.00 admission includes gobs of pastries and Bushmills-flavored cafe. Galloglas will serenade. Proceeds are applied to the preservation of this landmark piece of old Louisville architecture.

Troop the Color

The official St. Patrick's Parade has forsaken Main Street for Jeffersontown and will continue there this year as it steps off at 1 p.m. The reviewing stand is in front of the J-town City Hall which will be the best place to hear the Louisville Pipe Band. Call J-town at 267-8333 for more details.

Have a grand month and thereafter as well ! Decimus Rock

note to Paul Moffett: more to come 2/21