Calendar of Events
Our list of what's going on in the Maryland Irish set and ceili dance scene, plus a little more.
Tuesday December 12: Our Final Fall semester class will be a mini-ceili. Toni will select dances from the Blackthorn ceilis of this year.
December 15 - 18: Christmas Revels presents the Magical Medieval Tale of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.
On Friday December 15: Let's sing Christmas carols with Jean!
Saturday December 16: Book Club Chat on Murder at an Irish Christmas
Quick Steps
Blackthorn Halloween 2023 Ceili
Once again it was held at beautiful McCathran Hall, with lively music supplied by Joe DeZarn,Tina Eck, and Zan McLeod, and Marilyn Moore's expert calling. Obie O'Brien organized this can't-miss event. The video's highlights include the High Cauled Cap, Walls of Limerick and the Merchant Set.
If you'd like to join us but aren't interested in going to dance class, download our annual membership form below. Please fill in the first page and mail it to us with a check for your dues. But ... if you want to join either of our two semesters of classes, offered during the Fall and Winter/Spring seasons, complete the entire form and bring it to class for registration. Thank you! More about membership and classes.
F O R M
Dances for the Fall 2023 Semester
video
Book Discussions
Every member who is interested in participating may sign up for this group. Contact Sonja via her email as listed in our membership directory. Discussion sessions will be conducted via Zoom on designated Wednesdays; see our events calendar. Registrants will get an email from Tom O. with connection instructions shortly before each discussion date. There will also be an outline of ideas to talk about. You have to acquire the books on your own; we'll display the videos when books aren't on tap. On the soon-to-review agenda is:
Upcoming Readings and Viewings (click here)
| Murder at an Irish Christmas | |
|---|---|
| by Carlene O’Connor | |
| Date: | Saturday December 16, 2023 |
| Time: | 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm |
| Place: | Connie's place - see your RKIDs directory. |
| SPECIAL EVENT: Discussion will take place at a tea in Frederick. By invitation only. |
| Contact: | Sonja |
| More About This: | Only active members of the Book Club will be invited due to space limitations. |
| Tis: A Memoir | |
| by Frank McCourt | |
| Date: | Wednesday January 24, 2024 |
| Time: | 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm |
| Place: | Zoom |
 | Questions will be coming out at a later date. This would be a great book to listen to via Hoopla. Frank McCourt, with his lovely Irish accent, will have you laughing and crying as he recounts his escapades as a teacher in the US. No one contacted me about i>Hoopla so we won't be having a learning session. |
| Contact: | Sonja |
| The Irish Boarding House | |
| by Sandy Taylor | |
| Date: | Wednesday February 28, 2024 |
| Time: | 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm |
| Place: | Zoom |
 | Heart-warming Irish historical fiction Alternative book is The Lost Girls of Ireland by Susanne O’Leary, Heart-warming story about an Irish family |
| Contact: | Sonja |
| Raise the Titanic | |
| by Clive Cussler | |
| Date: | Wednesday March 27, 2024 |
| Time: | 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm |
| Place: | Zoom |
| Written before the Titanic was found. |
| Contact: | Sonja |
| Factory Girls | |
| by Michelle Gallen | |
| Date: | Wednesday May 22, 2024 |
| Time: | 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm |
| Place: | Zoom |
 | Setting: Northern Ireland, 1994 |
| Contact: | Sonja |
| Northern Spy | |
| by Flynn Berry | |
| Date: | Wednesday June 26, 2024 |
| Time: | 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm |
| Place: | Zoom |
 | Two sisters in Belfast during the Troubles |
| Contact: | Sonja |
| The Rose Code | |
| by Kate Quinn | |
| Date: | Wednesday September 25, 2024 |
| Time: | 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm |
| Place: | Zoom |
 | Women decipher codes during WWII |
| Contact: | Sonja |
Recommended Readings
Books endorsed by our discussion club members, ordered by title, author and who recommends it. You might find you like them, too.
