A Weekend of Irish Christmas Celebrations

Irish Christmas in America

Join the Irish Cultural Center for a weekend of Irish Christmas celebrations, with the annual Christmas with an Irish Touch mass at Our Lady’s Chapel at Elms College on Saturday, December 13 at 4:00 pm, with readings and parts of the mass performed in the Irish language; and the Irish Christmas in America show on December 14.

The Irish Cultural Center presents the hugely popular Irish Christmas in America show for the second year in a row. Featuring some of Ireland’s finest traditional musicians, the joyful performance highlights Irish holiday traditions through music, story, song, and dance. Irish Music Magazine calls it “captivating!”

The show is on Sunday, December 14 at 2:00 pm. in Berchmans Hall at Elms College, 291 Springfield Street, Chicopee, MA. Doors open at 1:30 pm. General Admission advance tickets are $26, $22 for ICC members. All tickets are $30 at the door, cash or check.

Call the ICC at 413-265-2537 or purchase tickets online. **Please note: Phone orders end at 3 pm on Saturday, Dec. 13. Online ticket sales end at 11:00 pm Saturday.**

Now in its 10th season, the enchanting holiday show features top Irish music, song and dance in an engaging performance rich in history, humor and boundless energy. Produced by Oisín Mac Diarmada, the brilliant young fiddler of the award-winning Irish group Téada, the 2014 tour brings back the stunning vocal prowess and charming wit of Séamus Begley, (TG4 Traditional Singer of the Year), along with the angelic voice of his daughter Méabh Begley. Award-winning Irish step dancer Samantha Harvey dazzles with her fancy footwork. The all-star band also includes Sean Gavin on flute and uilleann pipes, and Matt Griffin on guitar.

Mac Diarmada enthuses about the program as a way to bring traditional and often unknown Irish customs to the States. “One of the most heartfelt themes of Irish Christmas is emigration,” says Mac Diarmada. “Music was a way that people stayed close to home.”

This family-friendly performance features evocatively-sung Irish ballads, lively instrumental tunes and thrilling Irish dancing, while evocative photographic images provide a backdrop to some of the rich historical traditions. Take a memorable glimpse into the enchanting spirit of Christmas, as the finest traditional artists from Ireland bring you on a fun-filled start to the holiday season of 2014. Learn more about the show at IrishChristmasinAmerica.com.

Thanks to our major sponsors:

Log Cabin - Delaney House
UMass Fine Arts Center
Ventry Associates

Irish Christmas in America Features Six Outstanding Performers:

Oisín Mac Diarmada is the producer of Irish Christmas in America. A graduate in Music Education from Trinity College Dublin/RIAM, Oisín has been described by The Irish Echo’s Earle Hitchner as “one of the most gifted and creative traditional fiddlers playing today.” Founder of noted group Téada, Oisín is also a regular solo performer, having appeared as guest soloist with the Southern Georgia Symphony Orchestra in the U.S. along with an extensive recording history. He has recently been appointed Chief Examiner of the SCT Irish Traditional Music Examination System, administered by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann.

Séamus Begley comes from the Irish-speaking region of West Kerry and is a member of one of Ireland’s most musically-acclaimed families. Famous for his heartfelt singing, Séamus is equally brilliant on the accordion, which he plays with astonishing energy and spontaneity. In 2013, Séamus was honored with the hugely prestigious TG4 Traditional Singer of the Year Award.

Méabh Begley, daughter of West Kerry legend Séamus Begley, commands an audience with her beautiful angelic voice tackling themes of love, emigration and loss in both English and Irish language. Despite her youth, she is fast becoming one of the most respected singers in Ireland, recently performing in the United States during December 2013 and with Téada in Japan and Taiwan during 2014.

Sean Gavin’s playing on the flute, whistle and uilleann pipes reflects his lifelong immersion in traditional Irish music. Sean learned from his father Mick as well has having studied the uilleann pipes with teacher Al Purcell. Currently residing in Chicago, he’s been strongly influenced by flute legend Kevin Henry. He tours regularly with the acclaimed groups Bua and NicGaviskey as well as performing often with his family.

Matt Griffin is a multi instrumentalist based in Dingle. Born in London of Irish parents, Matt grew up playing and learning music within the capital’s vibrant traditional Irish music scene. Matt’s abilities as a guitar accompanist have been in great demand and he has recorded and/or performed with a variety of artists including Alan Kelly, Steph Geremia, Niall Keegan, Garry Shannon, Michael O’Suillleabhain and The Chieftains.

Samantha Harvey is an award-winning step dancer and pianist. Beginning Irish dance at age seven, she reached Open champion level and competed regionally, nationally and internationally. Samantha performs, teaches and choreographs various step dance styles. In addition to Irish Christmas in America, she recently danced with the band Téada during their seven-week tour of Japan and Taiwan.

Irish Christmas in America @ CMU, Mount Pleasant MI from Musical Ireland on Vimeo.