Second Annual Irish- and English-Language Mass a Rousing Success!

On March 14th, an Irish- and English-language Mass was held to

St. Patrick's Old Cathedral

celebrate the Feast of St. Patrick at Saint Patrick’s Old Cathedral, New York’s first Cathedral. This Mass, just like the first one, held in March 2008, was extremely well-received by the Irish-American community. The 2009 event brought even more people into the historically-significant edifice, as it was filled almost to capacity.

This event was co-sponsored by the New York Irish History Roundtable, Glucksman Ireland House at New York University, and by Saint Patrick’s Old Cathedral.

Washington Square Harp & Shamrock Orchestra

As our guests filed into the church, piper Lisa Farber played the bagpipes. The readings were done in both Irish and English. Father Andrew O’Connor and Professor Padraig O Cearuill of Glucksman Ireland House-NYU handled the Irish readings. Irish-language vocalists Patrick Connolly and Dawn Doherty sang beautifully, and Jared Lamenzo played liturgical music on the church’s historic pipe organ, built by Henry Erben in 1868.

After the Mass, a party was held in front of the church, complete with traditional Irish music played by the Washington Square Harp and Shamrock Orchestra, refreshments, and camaraderie.

Father Andrew O’Connor of Holy Family Church in The Bronx, Monsignor Donald Sakano, pastor of Saint Patrick’s Old Cathedral, and Father Gavin Reilly were concelebrants of the Mass.

Come to the Irish-Language Mass at St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral – Saturday, March 14th, 2009, at 12 Noon!

Old St. Patrick's Cathedral

Come celebrate the Feast of St. Patrick at New York’s First Cathedral!

In honor of St. Patrick, an Irish- and English-language Mass will be
celebrated at St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral on Mott Street in Manhattan,
between Prince and Houston streets, on Saturday, March 14th, at 12:00 p.m.

Father Andrew M. O’Connor of Holy Family Church in the Bronx will
celebrate the Mass, with Msgr. Donald Sakano, pastor of the Old Cathedral,
as a concelebrant. Readings will be done in English by Father O’Connor and in Irish by Padraig O’Cearuill, Language Lecturer of Irish Studies, NYU. The Washington Square Harp and Shamrock Orchestra, led by Mick Moloney, Global Distinguished Professor of Irish Studies and Music, NYU, will perform traditional Irish music. Jared Lamenzo will play the beautiful and historic 1868 Henry Erben pipe organ. More information and photographs of this organ are online at http://www.jaredlamenzo.com/erbenrenewal.

After the Mass, a party celebrating the Feast of St. Patrick will be
held in front of the church, with traditional Irish music and refreshments.

This event is co-sponsored by the New York Irish History Roundtable, Glucksman Ireland House at New York University, and by St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral.

There is NO CHARGE to attend the Mass or after-party!

The historically-significant Old Cathedral was the seat of the Diocese (and then the Archdiocese) of New York from 1815 to 1879. The architect for this Gothic building was Joseph-François Mangin, who also designed Manhattan’s City Hall.

For more information, visit: http://irelandhouse.fas.nyu.edu/object/ne.oldstpatricksmass

I Heard They Went to New York City

 

I’m afraid we’re a little late on this one, but if you’re going to Monaghan in Ireland in the next couple of days get over to the Monaghan County Museum where they’re hosting an exhibit called “I Heard They Went to New York City.”  This photographic exhibit explores the lives of immigrants from Monaghan who went to New York taking with them a great deal of the cultural and social traditions of their homeland. 

 

“I Heard They Went to New York City” runs until the end of July.  If you can’t get to Ireland in time, check out the article in the current issue of Irish America magazine.

St. Brigid’s Church is Saved!

St. Brigid’s, the Irish Famine church located on the Lower East Side of Manhattan has been saved by an anonymous donor! For more details on the story, see:

http://www.irishecho.com/newspaper/story.cfm?id=18729

This is wonderful news for the St. Brigid’s Community, and we would like to say CONGRATULATIONS to our friends and members on The Committee to Save St. Brigid’s.

More on St. Brigid’s

A few weeks ago we had an entry here about St. Brigid’s in Manhattan. At the New York Irish History Roundtable’s program today I met Sheila Houlihan, who is involved with the Committee to Save St. Brigid’s Church, at 8th St and Ave. B on the Lower East Side.  She told me some of the fascinating history of the buiding that has become known as the Famine Church because it welcomed many of the Irish who came to the city during the Great Hunger. 

Sheila reported that the committee will be running a fundraiser on Thursday, June 12.  We will supply details about the event as they become available.

Roundtable May 3rd Program Reminder

 

Just wanted to remind readers about the Roundtable’s upcoming program on Saturday, May 3.  Christopher Finan will speak about the role of noted New York Irish Americans in the struggle for free speech in the United States.  Full information is available at the earlier blog entry.

Forgotten New York

Anyone who loves New York City  history should check out the webpage for Forgotten New York.  It has wonderful pictures and descriptions of sites throughout the five boroughs.  One way to get started would be to click on search, and then enter the word Irish.  If you are planning to go to this site, make sure to set aside an hour or more, because time seems to melt away at Forgotten New York.  Enjoy!