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Hello AmeriCeltic Reader, • Continuing on Friday, July 9th at 5:00 AM PDT, and concluding on Wednesday, July 14th, 7:00 AM PDT, Clifton House, Belfast continues its series of lectures on humanitarian and activist Mary Ann McCracken to anyone, anywhere, Online via Zoom. (See Below)
• On Friday evening, July 9th at 8:00 PM, The Jig Monkeys open for The Pikeys, appearing live and in person at Father Paddy's Irish Public House from Woodland, CA. Then, on Saturday July 10th at 8:00 PM, its Blame the Whiskey. (See Below)
• On Saturday, July 10th, from 1:00 - 8:00 PM at the United Irish Cultural Center, there will be outdoor dining from 1:00 - 8:00 PM with LIVE Irish music and songs from 4:00 PM from The Gasmen, under their 1800 sq.ft. 'Big Top', and now inside their large facility in San Francisco, CA. (See Below)
• On Saturday, July 10th, at 2:30 PM, the Irish Marvels 2nd Saturday Lectures continue, this time giving the story of Los San Patricios, (the Irish brigade that fought with Mexico in 1846), Online via Zoom. (See Below)
• On Saturday, July 10th at 4:00 PM, the Jig Monkeys Duo (James Wilson & Bob Waller), will perform at Husick's Taphouse, just past the Old Sugar Mill in Clarksburg, CA. (See Below)
• On Sunday, July 11th, 11:00 AM PDT, the Facing Our History series examines Culloden, Colonialism, and Capitalism live Online via Zoom. (See Below)
• On Saturday, July 17th, at 11:00 AM, it's SF Virtual Chantey Sing! After years singing from the wooden decks of the historic 1886 sailing ship Balclutha at the Maritime National Historical Park, Hyde Street Pier, San Francisco, CA, this 39 year old maritime cultural tradition rises like the Phoenix from your computer or device. (See Below)
• On Sunday, July 18th at 11:00 AM, Piper Sundays, an hour and one half long Zoom meeting is hosted Patrick D'Arcy, returns with guest Becky Taylor joining from Yorkshire, England. (See Below)
• Wednesday, August 4th, Lark Camp Online, the Zoom version of Lark Camp's annual Music, Song, & Dance event for 2021 that is usually held in the Mendocino Woodlands starts a four day run through Sunday, August 8th, 2021. (See Below)
• On Saturday, August 21st Redwood Dulcimer Day kicks off at 9:00 AM the Community Music School of Santa Cruz offers their annual day of dulcimer workshops Online via Zoom. (See Below)
• On Labor Day Weekend, Saturday, September 4th & Sunday, September 5th, from 9 AM to 6:30 PM, its the World's Largest Celtic Festival, aka the 155nd Scottish Highland Gathering and Games at the Alameda County Fairgrounds, in Pleasanton. (See Below)
• On Saturday, September 18th at 9:00 AM, its the 44th Annual Fresno Highland Games, at Kearney Park in Fresno, CA. (See Below)
• On Fridays, at 5:30 PM, the Cross Keys band, Cormac Gannon, Stacy Samuels, Neil O'Neill, sing out at the Way Station Smokehouse & Beer Garden in Fairfax, CA. (See Below)
• On Saturdays, at 1:00 PM, Sin Silver, performs her piano bar show, and this week the theme is 'TV Theme songs'. Stay safe at home, and stream it online from from 'Murray's Pub' (her recreation/piano room) in Concord, CA. (See Below)
• On Wednesdays, well known button accordionist John Whelan offers two free events, a 'Tune Teach' and John's 'Taking Time' Session (See Below)
• Co-Founder Cecilia Fábos-Becker's e-book Ancestry & DNA: Beyond the basics, is available for download now! (See Below)
• The Chieftain Irish Pub & Restaurant, the local Irish Pub bringing the culture of Ireland to downtown San Francisco at 5th and Howard, is Open again as of Thursday, July 8th! (See Below)
• Music is returning to the cherished San Francisco Celtic cultural institution, The Plough and the Stars, now open from Wednesday through Sunday, 4:00 PM to 12:00 AM. (See Below)
• Sláinte Pub Jack London Square in Oakland, CA is open Tuesday - Sunday, with a full menu of great food and drink with outdoor and limited indoor dining service and on Sundays from 4 PM to 7 PM offers traditional Irish music from their house band, Buncrana. (See Below)
• On the first Sunday of each month, a small group of Starry Plough regulars stream a re-newed online Irish Session from 8:00 to 10:00 PM. (See Below)
• Multi-genre violin teacher (especially Irish Traditional Music) and performer Darcy Noonan is available for gigs and lessons. (See Below)
• Sport your Celtic heritage! AmeriCeltic offers a colorful array of items, each emblazoned with the AmeriCeltic logo. (See Below)
• The Celtic Tea Shoppe, in San Jose is your source for Celtic and Celtic inspired carry-out fresh baked foods, confections and rare teas! (See Below)
• Live music is slowly re-emerging in California! Every Sunday, there are now LIVE Irish tunes at the Auld Dubliner in Long Beach, CA. (See Below)
• While Lark In The Morning in Berkeley, CA and Exploring Music in the outer sunset neighborhood of San Francisco, CA are closed for walk-ins, both stores are open for online sales and lessons. (See Below)
• Publican Stan Gamble has re-opened The Duke of Edinburgh Pub & Restaurant, offering outdoor service 7 days a week from 4pm to late. (See Below)
• The Celtic Society of Monterey Bay, has a 32 year record of producing Celtic Concerts in various venues in and around Santa Cruz and Monterey, CA. (See Below)
• Catherine Barry's Irish Culture Bay Area , offers a succinct listing of Irish events around Bay Area. (See Below)

Scan our feature articles below, or as always, you can click here to check the full listings on our website.

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Mary Ann 250: Series of FREE
Irish History Talks from Belfast

June 10th — July 14th, 5:00 AM & 11:00 AM PDT
(1:00 & 7:00 PM BST)

Online via Zoom

From 10th June 2021 to the 14th July 2021, Clifton House in Belfast, along with our partners, will run a series of unique free events to celebrate the life, legacy and relevance today of Mary Ann McCracken, on what would have been her 250th birthday.

Mary Ann McCracken (1770-1866) was born and lived in Belfast. In life and in the recorded history that followed, she was often overshadowed by her brother, executed United Irishman Henry Joy McCracken. However recently her name and her achievements are becoming more widely known. Mary Ann was an abolitionist, social reformer and activist who fought for the rights of women and championed the disadvantaged at both home and abroad. She lived a long life that encompassed the most turbulent years of Irish history. Her radical, humanitarian zeal and generous strength of character were indefatigable, and her contribution to Belfast life is still felt and celebrated today.

To see the full list of events and to register, visit https://belfastcharitablesociety.org/mary-ann-mccracken-foundation

We look forward to welcoming visitors from across the pond to these events. If you would like any further information, please don't hesitate to contact me:
Caroline McCoubrey
Freelance Marketing Consultant on behalf of Clifton House, Belfast
mccoubreycaroline@gmail.com

Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CliftonHouseBelfast.

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Jig Monkeys / Pikeys / Blame the Whiskey

Friday, July 9th and Saturday July 10th, 8:00 — 11:00 PM

Father Paddy's Irish Public House, 435 Main St., Woodland, CA

Join us, Blame The Whiskey, LIVE and IN PERSON at the Father Paddy's Irish Public House. Come see your favorite Celtic Rock Band Play your favorites, and join us for a Beer! All Local Mask Rules will be enforced. No Cover Tips Encouraged In person attendees must observe social distancing and wear a mask. No exceptions.

Blame the Whiskey is:
• Meghan Jean Arthur, formerly of Play Naked, vocals and guitar
• Joseph Paganucci, vocals, percussion and guitar
• Bob McGowan, resident bass vocals, mandolin and soloist
• Randy Carnahan, vocals, fiddle

Blame the Whiskey is a five piece Irish Ensemble with a Rock and Bluegrass influence and a diverse musical background. Highly versatile, our songs and melodies carry you through the ages of traditional Irish and Medieval, through solid rock and into today's acoustic folk stylings including Traditional Irish dance tunes and songs and not so traditional classic rock, all with a stylized Rock and Roll Flair. For energy, instrumentation, and musical eclecticism, Blame the Whiskey holds a unique niche in the greater San Francisco Bay Area as the firestarter for your party, festival, or fundraiser.

For more on Blame the Whiskey, email sendwhiskey@gmail.com or check https://www.facebook.com/blamewhiskey

More on the Facebook Event.

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United Irish Cultural Center

Wawona Gates 2nd Year!
Saturday, July 10th The Gasmen
Outdoor Dining and limited Indoor Dining

2700 45th Avenue, San Francisco, CA

On Saturday, we continue the Summer at Wawona Gates with The Gasmen at 4:00 PM LIVE on the #WawonaGates stage singing IrishSongs.

Despite the pandemic, the United Irish Cultural Center has successfully operated a large event facility near the Zoo in San Francisco, serving the Irish and other Cultural communities, in the Sunset District of San Francisco. Thanks to our hard working small staff and dozens of volunteers, the UICC Wawona Gates Outdoor Dining has operated a bustling outdoor dining space under a 1,800 square foot open-sided canopy since January 2021.

And now, thanks to the reductions in related restrictions, the UICC is also offering limited indoor dining in their spacious Saint Patrick's Room!

Anne Cassidy Carew is busy collating photos and stories for the San Francisco Irish Dance Exhibition later on this year.

Facebook Event
UICC website
UICC Facebook Page
'Irish Shoppe' Facebook Event

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Los San Patricios
Irish Marvels Past & Present Zoom Meeting

Saturday, July 10th, 2:30 PM PDT

Online via Zoom from the Dowling Library @ UICC, 2700 45th Avenue, San Francisco, CA

This presentation by Pati Traktman tells the story of the battalion known as the San Patricios - 200 men who deserted the U.S. Army and fought for the other side during the Mexican-American War (1846-1848).

As a round table conversational meeting, all are encouraged to have their cameras, microphones on and participate.

Preregister with your Zoom account here https://us02web.zoom.us/.../tZAld-ihpj4sHtWMNiVvIM3Nw3...

or through our Facebook Events page https://www.facebook.com/dowlinglibraryattheuicc
https://www.facebook.com/events/1543326679346269

Browse our online catalogue and read issues of The Leader [1902-1940] and other early Bay Area periodicals in our digital archives. Website link in bio.
Facebook: @dowlinglibraryattheuicc YouTube: Librarian P.J. Dowling Library
Donor supported & volunteer run. To support the Library, donate on the UICC's website: https://irishcentersf.org/donations/

~~~Lisa Hilmoe, Irish Marvel contact: hilmoe.gleason@gmail.com

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Jig Monkeys (James Wilson & Bob Waller)

Saturday, July 10th 4:00-7:00 PM

Husick's Taphouse, 36510 Riverview Dr, Clarksburg, CA

James Wilson says:
Well, it looks as though Bob Waller and I (James Wilson) will be venturing out to Clarksburg to play some music on July 10th (and ) from 2:00-5:00 pm at Husick's Taphouse.

Thanks to Mathew Hagan and Lisa Tucker for the venue referral. Come out and join us for songs, tunes, beer, and bbq.

For those who don't remember, I even made a 'gig flyer' as used to be used by musicians to advertise live music performances, but this AmeriCeltic thing wants to do this their own way.

Husick's Taphouse is located just past the Old Sugar Mill, as a beer and bbq oasis in a sea of great wine. Initially opened in 2013 replacing the previous country store, like other such businesses, Husick's was closed down by the pandemic restrictions.

Josh Says:
We are incredibly moved by the support of our loyal customers and the Clarksburg community, your support and continued patronage has lifted our spirits and hearts. We are doing the absolute best to continue to serve you in the safest and most expeditious manner possible. In order to comply with CDC and local health ordinances we have taken all the steps required.

GOOD NEWS!! You can now eat at Husick's again! We have expanded our patio to allow for outdoor dining! Remember, per Yolo County Health Code you are REQUIRED to wear a mask when entering our building.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts! - Josh Kress & The Husicks Taphouse Family

Check out Husick's Website.

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Facing Our History: Culloden, Colonialism, and Capitalism

Sunday, July 11th, 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM PDT (2:00 – 3:30 pm EDT)

Online via Zoom

Culloden has become shorthand for a much more complex process of socio-economic change across a one-hundred-year period. Building on Micheal Newton’s previous discussion 'Bury My Heart at Culloden', in this second session of our series, Facing Our History, we continue to explore the historical change experienced in Gaelic Scotland in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.

This dialogue between Scott Morrison and Matthew Dziennik is intended to help make sense of how historical change happens and how narratives of historical change are represented and understood. As Facing Our History explores the history of the Gaelic struggle for survival, and strives to remove colonial ideology from Scottish Gaelic history, the underlying question is the same: What insights does that give us for our past and how does it help us shape a path forward today?

Moving from an ethnic, cultural, or national perspective on the historical changes that impacted Gaelic Scotland, Matthew Dziennik argues that it is only by understanding the overlap between colonialism and capitalism, and the importance of economic stratification, can the historical changes seen in Gaelic Scotland be properly understood. At its heart, this presentation suggests that historical change in Gaelic Scotland cannot be distilled down to simple explanations of cultural suppression. It was, instead, the imposition of market capitalism, with complex interactions between political, social, and economic change, that did the most to transform the Scottish Gàidhealtachd. Colonialism and capitalism were mutually supportive aspects of British policy in Scotland and the wider empire.

Check the Facebook Event

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SF Virtual Chantey Sing Series

Saturday, July 17th, 11:00 AM to 1:15 PM PDT

Online via Zoom from SF Maritime Association

A folk music 'landmark' on the historic ships at Hyde Street Pier, this 39-year San Francisco singing tradition continues in the virtual realm, hosting singers from across the Bay Area – and the country - and now all around planet Earth!

Peter Kasin says,
Ahoy -
Amidst all the chaos going on around us, we still have the monthly virtual chantey sing to help bring joy, calm the nerves, and help us get through these trying times. The next one is on Saturday, July 17th, 11:00 AM to 1:15 PM Pacific time, USA, around 7pm in London and 8pm in Paris.

Lead singers will receive a separate link in another email. Since the sings have gone virtual, they have gone international. We have singers from across the country, the UK, and the Czech Republic lined up to lead us in song. All but the lead singer will be muted. Enjoy singing along on the choruses to chanteys from home.
Link for signing up to lead a song: https://maritime.org/sea-chantey-sign-up/ Please use this link ONLY if you are signing up to lead a song. You will be sent a link a few days prior to log on.

For general information,. and for non-song leaders to log in on the day and time: https://givebutter.com/ChanteySing

Visit https://maritime.org/events-home/chantey-sing for details, including links to a signup sheet, info for lead singers, and some suggested virtual backgrounds. You should have a good internet connection and be ready to have fun!

Fair winds,
- Peter Kasin

• Sign up to Lead a Song Here: https://maritime.org/sea-chantey-sign-up/
• Virtual Backgrounds required for lead singers available here: https://maritime.org/chantey-virtual-backgrounds/
• Song Leader On-boarding Instruction Here: Chantey Sing Song Leader Guide

Donations to the Association will be accepted during the event, which will be used to buy virtual technologies to broadcast more events from the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park.

For more details, check this Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/SanFranciscoMaritimeNHP

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Piper Sundays

Sundays at 11:00 AM
Southern California Uilleann Pipers Club

Online via Zoom
Join the Zoom Event:

Event Website: http://socalpipers.com/piper_sunday.html

Host Patrick D'Arcy says:
'It's every Sunday from 11:00 AM (PDT) for about 90 minutes. I try to get high profile Uilleann piper guests from Ireland and elsewhere. It's not so much a concert as it is a talk show with the guest playing a handful of tunes throughout. Drop by this Sunday to check it out. Our guest will be Becky Taylor, joining us from Yorkshire, England.

Here is a video preview: Piper Sunday trailer with Tom Klein

• July 11th, No Piper Sunday due to in person Pipers Club Meeting
• July 18th, Becky Taylor — Details
• July 25th, Catherine Ashcroft — Details
• August 1st, Michael Stribling — Details
• August 8th, Ben Jaber — Details
• August 15th, Mac Dara Mac Donncha — Details
• August 22th, Leo Rickard — Details
• August 29th, Kara Doyle — Details
• Sepember 5th, Debbie Quigley — Details

From 1:30 PM on this will become our monthly So Cal Pipers Club social call

Southern California Uilleann Pipers Club Facebook Events: https://www.facebook.com/SCUPC

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Lark Camp Online

Wednesday, August 4th — Sunday, August 8th
10 AM — 5 PM

Online via Zoom

Lark Camp will be Online via Zoom this August 4th - 8th! Registration is open now and it's FREE!

Each day will include 18 workshops, beginning at 10 AM and ending at 5 PM, with a Breema session and lunch break in the middle. These will be followed a happy hour and two evening sessions every night. For the schedule, registration form and details, visit their Website: https://www.larkcamp.org/lark-online-workshops

Register now for workshops, Breema, happy hours, a virtual swap meet, and TWO evening sessions every night.

• What's Different?
  
• Five full days of workshops/three breakout 'classrooms' – that's two more days, starting Wednesday and running through Sunday, and five more full workshops per day.
• An extra session! Campers reported they loved the live sessions in February, so we're offering an additional session each day (more variety!) in lieu of having pre-recorded concerts.
• Special short workshops! Check out the workshops on the schedule at 4pm. Instead of running for a full week, these run only one or two days, providing a taste of some interesting topics such as Common & Uncommon Banjo Tunings, Balkan Rhythms for the Balkan-Curious, Gaita Ornamentation, and Mariachi & Traditional Sones of Mexico.

You can view the full schedule on our website.

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Redwood Dulcimer Day

Saturday, August 21st, 9:00 AM

Registration is Now Open!

Now in its 21st year, our annual event - staying virtual in 2021 - offers beginning to advanced music workshops on playing both the mountain and hammered dulcimers. Redwood Dulcimer Day offers a low-pressure, low stress environment where everyone can relax and have fun playing and learning about the dulcimer and just making music.

This year's special guest artists are Lois Hornbostel and Ehukai Teves. Also teaching will be Jessica Comeau, Kevin Roth, Neal Hellman, Janet Herman, Peter Tommerup, Steve Eulberg, Laura Devine, Dusty Thorburn, and Ron Beardslee.

Cost: $60 for the Saturday workshops, $15 for the Friday concert, or $70 for both.

Tickets: https://www.communitymusicschool.org/dulcimer-day

More information (including descriptions of the 19 workshops) is online at the official Redwood Dulcimer Day website or on our Facebook Events Page.

For additional information contact Neal Hellman: 831-425-4939 or e-mail: neal@gourd.com

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155th Scottish Highland Gathering and Games

Alameda County Fairgrounds, Pleasanton — Labor Day Weekend,
Saturday, September 4th & Sunday, September 5th, 9:00 AM to 6:30 PM

The Caledonian Club of San Francisco is actively working on hosting their 155th Scottish Highland Gathering and Games on Labor Day Weekend (September 4-5, 2021) at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton.

Come join us for some Celtic Craic! Saturday, September 4th & Sunday, September 5th at the enormous Alameda County Fairgrounds, 4501 Pleasanton Ave., Pleasanton, the Caledonian Club of San Francisco presents The 155nd Pleasanton Scottish Highland Games, two glorious days of fun and entertainment for the whole family from 9:00 AM to 6:30 PM.

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44th Annual Fresno Highland Games

Kearney Park, 6725 W Kearney Blvd, Fresno, CA

Saturday, September 18th 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

A Family Event To Be Enjoyed.

Saturday, September 18, 2021
Gate Opens @ 8:00 AM
Event Opens @ 9:00 to 5:00PM
Clan March @ 12:00 Noon

General Admission: $15.00
Seniors (60 +), Students and
Military with ID is: $10.00
Children 12 and Under are Free

County of Fresno Parking Fees per Vehicle, currently is $5.00 and is Mandatory. CASH ONLY!!!

Scottish Athletic Competitions start @ 9:30am

Advance tickets and full details available at www.fresnoscottishsociety.com

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The Cross Keys

Fridays, 5:30 - 8 PM PDT

Way Station Smokehouse & Beer Garden, 2001 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Fairfax, CA

The Cross Keys are a Folk Explosion, with Cormac Gannon, Stacy Samuels, Neil O'Neill.

Cormac says:
Looking forward to playing with my comrades!

Here is a sample video featuring Stacy Samuels: https://youtu.be/8wKMcbIzKzs

Located in beautiful Fairfax, in the heart of Marin County, the Way Station has risen from the site of a former gas station into a family-friendly beer garden and smokehouse. The Way Station team prides itself on super friendly customer-focused service.

Check waystationmarin.com or The Facebook Page or call (415) 300-3099.

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Sin Silver

Saturday, July 10th, 1:00 - 2:00 PM PDT

Online via YouTube and Facebook LIVE, from Concord, CA

Sin Silver is an Irish singer songwriter based in the Bay Area in California. To watch the show, go to Sin Silver's YouTube channel or Facebook Profile, and then look for the little red LIVE button.

Sin live-streams from 'Murray's Pub' (her recreation/piano room) every week and this week's theme is 'TV Theme songs'. Find Sin's Live Performance by checking Sin's Facebook Profile, or go to www.livestream.com/watch and search for Sin Silver.

During the live stream, just drop your requests in the comments.

Virtual Tip Jar:
PayPal https://www.paypal.me/sinsilversin
Venmo @Sin-Silver

With a unique style, her 'Irish piano' and angelic voice are delighting audiences. A featured artist at Northern California's Graton Casino Resort, she brings a unique flavor to her craft. Whether she is playing her expertly crafted originals, covers with her own twist or celtic music, Sin Silver is someone that deserves to be heard live.

Check out her website here:  www.sinsilverandtheavenue.com or email her at sinsilverandtheavenue@gmail.com.

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John Whelan Tune Workshop & Session

Wednesdays, 2:30 - 5:00 PM

Online via Zoom

Since March 2020, John has stepped up his online activities, and his latest project is Master Sessions with John Whelan. This edition of Whelan Master Sessions features The McCarthy Family.

On Wednesdays, John also offers a free one-hour tune teach from 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM followed by John's 'Taking Time' slow session at 4:00 PM Pacific - Check them out here: http://johnwhelanmusic.com/slow-session. John sends out a tune list and Zoom link for them on Wednesday mornings. Email John at whelanbx1@me.com to get on the list or for more details.

Seven-time All-Ireland Button Accordion Champion John Whelan is one of the world's best living Irish button accordion players. John was raised in the vibrant London Irish music scene of the 1970s, and learned his craft from such legends as Lucy Farr, Roger Sherlock, Paddy Taylor, Mick O Connor and his teacher Brendan Mulkaire. Along with his All-Ireland Championships, he was twice awarded musician of the year from the Irish Music Association. He has over 15 CDs and has performed on Late Night with Conan O'Brien. John's music has been featured on such TV shows as 'Sex in the City,' 'History's Mysteries' and 'History Detective.' John performs with the John Whelan Band and has also teamed up with his old pal Brian Conway forming the group Gailfean, which also features Máirtin De Cógáin and Don Penzien have released their first new CD. For over a decade, John has performed 'Monday's with John' every Monday evening on his Facebook Profile.

Get more details on John's website: http://johnwhelanmusic.com

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