Central Ohio Shenanigans
by Molly True
The Shamrock Club of Columbus kicked off Green Season with mass and the first meeting of March. After the liturgy and General Meeting, the Annual Guinness Pouring Competition was held in the Pub. Judged by Past President Mike Murphy and Tom Motika (co-members of the Year), eight teams of four competed, testing their talents for the perfect pour.
In the end, Katie Somers, LAOH Patrick Pearce Division 1 President, took home the glory and bragging rights. Thank you to Past President Ed Gaughan and his committee for organizing another great event, and to Bruce and Ann McPhearson for providing an amazing Guinness Stew for everyone in attendance.
A traditional Irish breakfast was hosted by the Daughters of Erin on Sunday, March 8 in Columbus. The annual fundraiser raises funds for central Ohio non-profits and The Irish Way program each year. The Regan Rankin Holland Irish Dance Academy entertained the crowd with a toe-tapping show! The Daughters of Erin donate $8000 each year to Columbus area nonprofits.
Friday, March 6 parents and dancers from the Irwin Academy of Irish Dance, located in Gahanna, Ohio, gathered for a guest bartending event at Fados in Easton, and the naming of the recipient of the PADDI Irish Dance Scholarship. Allison Chapin took home the $500 scholarship to further her dancing career.
Applicants are asked to write an essay describing their history with Irish dance and plans for the future. Here is a small selection from Allison’s essay: “I’m an Open Champion dancer and I’ve earned grade exams 1-3. Since getting more advanced in Irish dance, I have found my passions are in performing and teaching.
“The Riverdance camp is coming to Columbus this summer. This scholarship would allow me to attend the camp. The opportunity to train and try out for Riverdance is a lifelong dream! The other thing this scholarship would help me with is to allow me to work towards the next levels on my grade exams.
“Teaching the littles on Wednesday nights is my favorite night of the week! I’ve always admired Katie Henry and what she’s built with Irwin. I aspire to be like her by teaching at her school. I envision doing Irish dance beyond my childhood.”
Parents and Dancers Dedicated to Irwin (PADDI) is a non-profit organization that supports The Irwin Academy of Irish Dance. The group is made up of the entire school, and it keeps parents and dancers involved with The Irwin Academy and the Irish community.
Their mission is to support the dancers at Irwin Academy. They fundraise throughout the year, which helps them hold events and holiday parties, purchase dance costumes, and offset additional costs, to further the dancers’ instruction and experience.
Pic Desc: Gianna (middle) with her parents, John & Vicki Federico of Dublin, Ohio, and Nicole Rankin, extreme right; and Ann Ralston (L) of the Richens Irish Dance Scholarship committee.
