A CELEBRATION OF AN IRISH CHRISTMAS

The December meeting of the Irish Cultural Society will be “A Celebration of an Irish Christmas.” The meeting will be held on December 11 at 7:30 p.m. at the Garden City Library, 60 Seventh Street, across the street from the Garden City Hotel.  The meeting is free and open to the public.

Jim Hawkins’ “Celebration of an Irish Christmas” show consists of stories, songs, and poetry illustrating the many facets of an Irish Christmas celebration.  Throughout the presentation there will be descriptions of the wonderful traditions which have been repeated over the generations on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and the interval between St. Stephen’s Day and January 6, “Little Christmas.”  Jim will ask audience members to share their Christmas traditions.

Jim Hawkins is a frequent guest of the Irish Cultural Society.  At his last appearance at the Society’s October 2010 meeting, Jim introduced his audience to the stories of the great storyteller Eamon Kelly.  Jim’s talents as an entertainer have been noticed by the wider community.  He is often on the program list of public libraries (including the Garden City Library), colleges (including Hofstra and Molloy) and at festivals throughout the tri-state area. 

The audience for this meeting is advised to leave the Christmas shopping list and discount coupons home—this night is for a Christmas celebration.  The meeting will close with an Irish Christmas blessing: Nodlaig shona duit, agus go n-eirighidh an t-ádh leat i rith na bliadhana nua. (Happy Christmas to you and may the luck thrive with you throughout the new year.)