Calendar of Events
Our list of what's going on in the Maryland Irish set and ceili dance scene, plus a little more.
The DC Gaels is an amateur sports club that promotes Irish sports in our area. Youth registration for the March 19 - April 30 session is open.
On Friday March 24: Annual Spring Fling Weekend.
Dance workshops on Saturday with Ann Marie Breheny.
Two bands: Rambling House and Ellis Island.
On Saturday March 25: Educarte hosts a ceili at Glen Echo. They will teach some basic Irish dance steps and beginner group dances. 
On Saturday April 1: Emerald Isle Club ceili. Music by: Peter Fitzgerald and the J. Patrick’s All Stars. All dances are called.
Wednesday April 26: Book Club discusses We Don't Know Ourselves, first session of two.- Wednesday May 31: Second of two Book Club discussions on We Don't Know Ourselves.
Dances for the Winter-Spring 2023 Semester
Dances Currently Being or Soon to be Taught are Shaded in Light Green
videoIf 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 two pages and mail it with your dues and other supporting required information to the address shown on it. Please note our current restriction on in-person gatherings due to the pandemic. More about membership.
F O R M
Quick Steps
St. Patrick's Day Parade, 2023
Twenty-One RKIDs enthusiastically marched in Gaithersburg's windy and cold 2023 St. Patrick's Day parade. They danced the Six-Hand (Fairy) Reel, handed out festive beads, and floated bubbles throughout the event, delighting the audience. Prince Snowflake, the Celebrity Cat, even seemed to approve. See why in this video (if the video is taking too long to load or plays haltingly, click here to view it):
Blackthorn Ceili March 2023
What a night of great music and dancing, with a potluck to match! Tina, Joe and Zan provided the driving musical force. Sample some of the experience:
Lending Library
Check out the interesting reads and media you can borrow from our library for members.
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)
| We Don't Know Ourselves | |
|---|---|
| by Fintan O'Toole | |
| Date: | Wednesday April 26, 2023 |
| Time: | 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm |
| Place: | Zoom - Online |
| The full book title is We Don't Know Ourselves: A Personal History of Modern Ireland, by Fintan O'Toole. It is to be discussed in two monthly sessions. This book received great acclaim from the New York Times, The Atlantic, The Washington Post, and several other prestigious papers. It was marked as one of the best books of 2022. O'Toole, born in 1958, tells his own story of growing up in Dublin as he describes the history unraveling around him. |
| Contact: | Sonja |
| We Don't Know Ourselves | |
| by Fintan O'Toole | |
| Date: | Wednesday May 31, 2023 |
| Time: | 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm |
| Place: | Zoom - Online |
| The full book title is We Don't Know Ourselves: A Personal History of Modern Ireland, by Fintan O'Toole. This is the second of two monthly discussion sessions. This book received great acclaim from the New York Times, The Atlantic, The Washington Post, and several other prestigious papers. It was marked as one of the best books of 2022. O'Toole, born in 1958, tells his own story of growing up in Dublin as he describes the history unraveling around him. |
| Contact: | Sonja |
| Transatlantic | |
| by Colum McCann | |
| Date: | Wednesday June 28, 2023 |
| Time: | 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm |
| Place: | Zoom - Online |
 | TBA |
| Contact: | Sonja |
| First Crossing: Transatlantic Flight | |
| by Robert O. Harder | |
| Date: | Wednesday September 27, 2023 |
| Time: | 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm |
| Place: | Zoom - Online |
 | TBA - Full title is First Crossing: The Transatlantic Flight of Alcock and Brown |
| Contact: | Sonja |
| Condemned to Death | |
| by Cora Harrison | |
| Date: | Wednesday October 25, 2023 |
| Time: | 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm |
| Place: | Zoom - Online |
| TBA |
| 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.
