Lots of great activities planned for the 31st Annual Irish Cultural Week in Lowell. Here’s the schedule:

SUNDAY, MARCH 9, 2014

IRISH CONCERT
10:00 AM – Traditional Irish Music Performed by St. Patrick Parish Choir
Directed and Accompanied by Ginny Corcoran

IRISH CULTURAL WEEK OPENING MASS
10:30 AM – St. Patrick Church, 282 Suffolk Street Lowell, MA
Principal Celebrant & Homilist: Rev. Terrence O’Connell, OMI; Rev. Paul Ouellette, OMI, Rev. Daniel Crahen, OMI, Rev. Michael O’Hara, OMI and Deacon An Peter Ros. Readings in Gaelic by Eileen Sullivan

IRISH PARADE
11:30 AM – Parade to City Hall.
Raising of the Irish Flag by Irish Person of the Year Lauris Donovan. Laying of the Wreath at the Irish Memorial Monument. Bagpipes performed by Phil Klibansky. Irish National Anthem sung by Eileen Sullivan (Gaelic) and Anita Campbell (English). United States National Anthem sung by Lowell Former City Mayor & Councilor, Edward “Bud” Caulfield.

IRISH BRUNCH
St. Patrick Church Hall (Lower Level) 282 Suffolk Street. Immediately following Mass/Parade. Irish music with Chuck Campbell
Donation: Adults $5.00; Children $3.00

TRADITIONAL CÉILÍ (Irish Folk Dancing) 1:00 – 6:00 PM
Lowell Lodge of Elks, 40 Old Ferry Rd., Lowell
Free Admission: Sponsored by the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians Division 1
Join the Lowell Ancient Order of Hibernians, and the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians as they host the Annual Ceili. Celebrate your heritage and kick up your heels with an afternoon of music, family, dancing and laughter.

TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 2014

IRISH FILM NIGHT: ONCE
Co-Sponsored by the Lowell Film Collaborative. 6:00 PM Doors Open; 7:00 PM Film. Lowell Beerworks 301 Cabot Street Lowell MA. Free admission; recommended free will donation of $5.00. Once starts out as a small-scale romance, before arriving somewhere unexpected. An Irish busker meets a Czech flower seller while singing on the streets of Dublin. She likes what she hears and lets him know. Turns out she’s a musician, too. They work on a few songs together and a friendship is forged. Filmed with more efficiency than elegance on the streets of Dublin, John Carney’s movie, Winner of the World Audience Award at Sundance in 2007, does not look, sound or feel like a typical musical. It is realistic rather than fanciful, and the characters work patiently on the songs rather than bursting spontaneously into them. But its low-key affect and decidedly human scale endow Once with an easy, lovable charm that a flashier production could never have achieved. The formula is simple: two people, a few instruments, 88 minutes and not a single false note.

THURSDAY, MARCH 13, 2014

ACRE FORUM
7:00 PM – Made in Lowell: The Story of Lowell’s Irish Community, Produced by Robert Rafferty; Archival film provided by David McKean, Lowell National Historical Park Visitor Center 245 Market Street Lowell MA 01852. Join Historian David McKean and Robert Rafferty as they release a documentary depicting life in the Acre. Produced from hours of interviews, film reels and photos – come take a trip back in time. Post-screening we welcome your questions and stories!

2ND ANNUAL ANAM CARA AWARDS
The term Anam Cara in Galic is translated as Soul Friend. It represents one who has bound themselves to another through an act of friendship and belonging. We recognize the contributions of those who have shared their time, treasures, and talents in preserving and promoting Lowell’s Irish Culture.

SATURDAY, MARCH 15, 2014

ACRE NEIGHBORHOOD WALKING TOUR
10:00 AM – Tour begins at National Historical Park Visitors Center, 245 Market Street. David McKean, Historian and Parish Archivist will conduct a walking tour of “God’s Holy Acre”. Step back in time to the Irish Acre of the 1800s with local historian David McKean. Join David for a walking tour of the “old neighborhood” as he tells tales of family, fortitude and faith. David has been actively involved in the UMass—Queen’s University Archaeological projects since 2010, and has been researching Lowell’s Irish history for as long as he can remember. This is a “must-do” on your Lowell Bucket List!

ANNUAL IRISH DINNER DANCE
Co-sponsored by: Ancient Order of Hibernians Division 19, Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians Division 1 and Lowell Irish Cultural Committee
6:30 PM Cocktails
7:00PM Dinner
Lenzi’s Mill House, 810 Merrimack Avenue, (Rte. 110) Dracut, MA
Music Provided by the Silver Spears Irish Band
Tickets $37.00 and available online, through the Lowell AOH (president@aohlowell.com) or the Irish Cultural Committee (irish.lowell@gmail.com)

$5,000 Lucky Leprechaun Drawing
Tickets are $25 and may be purchased from any ICW committee member, via email (irish.lowell@gmail.com) or by calling the rectory (978-459-0561)

MONDAY, MARCH 17, 2014

ST. PATRICK’S DAY MASS
In Honor of An Gorta Mor: The Great Hunger. 9:00 AM at St. Patrick Church, 282 Suffolk Street Lowell, MA
Principal Celebrant & Homilist: Rev. Daniel Crahen, OMI and Deacon An Peter Ros.

ST. PATRICK’S SCHOOL STUDENT PERFORMANCE
10:00 AM – St. Patrick Church Hall, 282 Suffolk Street.
Students from grades K1 – 8 at St. Patrick School perform traditional and contemporary Irish songs