In New Orleans this November, “feast or famine” will take on new meaning thanks to a feast of Irish music events taking place as part of the 2014 annual International Irish Famine Commemoration.  

The Irish Famine Commemoration runs from Nov. 6, 2014 through Nov. 9, 2014. During that time, New Orleanians will be able to choose from a variety of events that reflect both the diversity of Irish Culture in the Crescent City, and the welcoming spirit of the New Orleans.

The Poor Clares, one of New Orleans’ best-known Irish bands, are reuniting to headline Lace Curtain Night on Friday, November 7 at the Irish Cultural Museum on 933 Conti Street:  and Irish Fest, a new music festival event to be held in conjunction with the Muggivan School Irish Channel Feis at Kingsley House 1600 Constance Street on Saturday November 8.

The Poor Clares are singer Betsy McGovern, mandolin player Patrick O'Flaherty, flutist and multi-instrumentalist Justin Murphy and bouzouki-playing songstress Beth Patterson.

According to Murphy, New Orleans is the perfect place to host the celebrations.

“New Orleans isn’t generally thought of as having an Irish history,” said Murphy. “But the huge number of Irish immigrants who came here in the 1800s left a huge impact on the city.”

Murphy also sees a parallel between the forced immigration of the Irish during the Irish Famine, and the evacuation of New Orleanians during Hurricane Katrina.

“While I live Orlando now, first I was in D.C., and there was nothing New Orleans about D.C.,” said Murphy. “They just didn’t really understand the culture. Like hurricane parties; that was just an alien concept.  But since Katrina, you find these little “New Orleans” islands of both food and music, even in Orlando. So one of the few good side-effects of Hurricane Katrina is that it exported an awareness of New Orleans’ culture to the rest of America - that New Orleans isn’t just Mardi Gras, Bourbon Street and beads.”

Betsy McGovern’s path to Irish music came through the Appalachian music she listened to while growing up in the Washington D.C. area.

“What drew me to both Irish music and Appalachian music is the story-telling aspect of the songs,” said McGovern. “These songs are about emotion, and over the hundreds of years these songs have been sung, people’s emotions haven’t changed. Details might change, but the stories remain the same. So, the story of the Famine can give us a perspective on current problems. And remembering this time in Irish history gives the Irish Community a chance to give back to those in need today.”

Patrick O’Flaherty, former co-owner of “O’Flaherty’s Irish Channel Pub,” which closed after Katrina, currently lives and works in Lewisburg, West Virginia. His popular new bar, “Irish Pub on Washington Street,” also features live Irish music, but according to O’Flaherty, New Orleans, and its music, is still close to his heart.

“What I miss about New Orleans is that it doesn’t matter what you want to listen to,” said O’Flaherty. “It is here, you can find it there. New Orleans embraces spontaneity and fun, and The Poor Clares are simply the most fun band I have ever played with.”

 “It would be great if the festival becomes an annual thing,” said McGovern. “There is a thriving Irish community in New Orleans. I would like to see it flourish.”

Also playing at Irish Fest will be Wild Irish Roots, and the New Orleans Strathspey and Reel Society. Proceeds of the events will benefit various non-profit organizations including the American Red Cross; Dags House; Lantern Light ministry at the St. Joseph Rebuild Center; and Kingsley House. 

Further information about the 2014 Irish Famine Commemoration events is available at:

http://ifnola2014.org/