The San Jose Dublin Sister City Program has organized many local events
- Concerts
- Irish Week
- Whiskey Tastings
- Golf Tournaments
- Dance Performances
- Professional Sports Games
- Art Shows
Helena Byrne: The Pursuit of Happiness
Seanchaí (Irish Storyteller) and Singer
Thursday, May 17, 2018, 7:00 PM – Private Home in Santa Clara
Another entertaining evening in support of the Pat McMahon Masters Level Scholarship Series.
Helena Byrne is an Irish Storyteller and Singer. https://helenabyrne.com. Combining her love of Irish folklore and passion for Irish music, Helena Byrne regularly performs as a seanchaí (storyteller) and singer in Ireland and further afield.
Tickets included a one-year inaugural membership ($25 value) in the San Jose Dublin Sister City Program. Benefits include invitations to free and discounted events, and more!
Whiskey & Craft Beer Tasting
Thursday, May 10, 2018, 6:00 PM
Five Points, 169 W. Santa Clara Street, San Jose, CA
A fun-filled evening in support of the Pat McMahon Masters Level Scholarship Series with food, libations, music, comradery, surprises, and just a bit of blarney!
Tickets included a one-year inaugural membership ($25 value) in the San Jose Dublin Sister City Program. Benefits include invitations to free and discounted events, and more!
Friday, March 9th, 2018, Black Brothers Band @ Trinity Cathedral
 The Black Brothers Band |
On Friday, March 9th in San Jose at 7:00pm, The Black Brothers Band returned to San Jose, generously hosted again by Trinity Cathedral, 81 N. Second Street, San Jose, bringing The Biggest and Best St. Paddy’s Show in the South Bay with with Special Guests Moonshine Jelly and Greene Academy Dancers!
 Moonshine Jelly |
Black Brothers Band line-up is Shay Black, guitar and vocal, Michael Black, banjo, cittern and vocals, Eamonn Flynn, piano, and Bobbi Nikles, fiddle
Click to see Black Brothers Band videos https://bit.ly/2zCvjYW
 Sarah Buchinski and Kate Behan |
Exciting world folk band Moonshine Jelly opened for the BBB exclusively at the San Jose appearance. Sarah Buchinski and Kate Behan from The Greene Academy of Irish Dance www.greene-academy.com added a graceful and flashy Irish Dance performance.
Thursday, February 22, 2018, New Scholars Reception
On Thursday, February 22, 2018, The San Jose Dublin Sister Cities Program SVG Innovation Center, 189 W. Santa Clara St., San Jose hosted a reception for it’s scholars, and announced our first Pat McMahon Masters Level outbound humanities scholar, Gurpreet Pannu!
Please join the San Jose – Dublin Sister City Program and special guest, Robert O’Driscoll, Irish Consul-General for the Western US for a special welcome reception honoring both our new Scholars Aidan Smyth and Gurpreet Pannu.
Our Dublin born scholar, Aidan Smyth, arrived in California just last month, and met our California born scholar, Gurpreet at the airport just before Gurpreet boarded her flight to Dublin! Aidan is now completing a semester at San Jose State University, while Gurpreet is now completing her semester at Dublin City University. That meeting is pictured here!
Aidan will be in attendance at this free reception, and our newest San Jose – Dublin Sister City Program board members, Burga Santiago, Mary Anne Groen, & Chris and Sue Monahan, will also be on hand for you.
2017 WinterDance Celtic Christmas Celebration
At 7:00PM on Friday, December 15th, 2017, at Trinity Cathedral, 81 North Second Street, San Jose Molly’s Revenge, featuring David Brewer, John Weed and Stu Mason with stunning vocalist Christa Burch of the Syncopaths, and the award winning Rosemary Turco Irish Dancers Nickie Crofts, Rachel Downey and Sammi Powell, presented an evening of music, song and dance associated with the festive season. The performance included Christmas songs both old and new, all played with a Celtic twist, and something new for our regulars. Proceeds benefit San Jose Dublin Sister Cities Program’s Pat McMahon Masters Level Scholarship Fund.
“Spirit of San Jose” Photography Competition, Fall 2017
Exhibit Showcase: Dublin City Centre, Dublin, Ireland
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF THE WINNERS!
Thank you so much for making this a successful exhibition and special thanks to our judges for their due diligence in judging the many entries received:
Daniel Garcia, Content Magazine
Robin Lasser, SJSU Photography professor
Lynn and Harry Powers, artists
Gary Singh, Metro columnist
BEST IN SHOW: Day of the Dead by Adrin Dionisio
ARTISTIC CATEGORY
First Place: Day of the Dead by Adrin Dionisio
Second Place: Unknown Knit by Brenda Buescher
Third Place: Looking Forward into the Past by Brian Grayson
Honorable Mention: Luna Park Chalk Artist by Paul Adolph
Honorable Mention: Mallard of Peace by Ruben Jimenez
ATHLETIC CATEGORY
First Place: 9th Street Cousins by Alex Estrada
Second Place: Acro gymnasts at ATA Gymnastics in San Jose by Shanna McGowan Greer
Third Place: San Jose Skate Boarder by Ruben Jimenez
Honorable Mention: Guarding the Goal by Cole Brady
CIVIC CATEGORY
First Place: City Hall Rotunda at Night by Jim Watkins
Second Place: San Jose Civic Center by Felisa Ihly
Third Place: My City, My Pride! by Madhavi Naik
Honorable Mention: Keeping San Jose Safe by Paul Adolph
Honorable Mention: Fountain by Marie Trafficanda McEnery
CULTURAL CATEGORY
First Place: Dia de Los Muertos Celebration 2 by Felisa Ihly
Second Place: America the Beautiful by Jesus Davilia
Third Place: American Spirit at Almaden Lake by Paul Adolph
Honorable Mention: Hey Josie by Alex Estrada
Honorable Mention: Drumming at the Sierra Vista Open Space Preserve by Jian Liang€Ž
Honorable Mention: Santa Clara Street Grill by Alex Estrada
ECONOMIC CATEGORY
First Place: City Hall by Jim Watkins
Second Place: American Eagle over San Jose by Ruben Jimenez
Third Place: Juxtaposition Domes by Alex Estrada
Honorable Mention: View of Downtown, San Jose by Al Kadis
Honorable Mention: Willow Glen Trestle by Jim Watkins
EDUCATIONAL CATEGORY
First Place: Teach the Young! By Madhavi Naik
Second Place: 2017 iCreaTV Summer Media Camp Talk Show Production by Pam Kelly
Third Place: The MOD Project by Eileen Hunter
Honorable Mention: SJSU Tower Hall by Alex Estrada
Honorable Mention: Freedom by Diana Webb
Marie O’Flaherty
IRISH FLAG RAISING & SPIRIT OF IRELAND AWARD LUNCHEON
On Tuesday, March 28, 2017, the City of San Jose, the San Jose Dublin Sister City Program, the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Ireland and the Irish delegation, honored Marie O’Flaherty with the Spirit of Ireland Award.
The day’s festivities began with the Official Irish Week Flag Raising Ceremony at 11:00am, complete with pipes & drums and dignitaries from Dublin, Ireland, followed by a luncheon, inside the San Jose City Hall Rotunda at 12:00pm.
The event was attended a large crowd of Marie’s friends and supporters, as well as by a special delegation from their Sister City of Dublin, Ireland lead by Lord Mayor Brendan Carr.
At the Luncheon, San Jose-Dublin Sister City Board of Directors presented Marie O’Flaherty with the 2017 Spirit of Ireland Award in recognition of her contributions to the educational and cultural ties between Ireland and Silicon Valley.
Black Brothers Band Concert
On Friday, March 3rd in San Jose at 7:00pm, The Black Brothers Band returned to San Jose, proudly presented by The San Jose-Dublin Sister Cities Program, and generously hosted by Trinity Cathedral, 81 N. Second Street, San Jose.
- Black Brothers Band: Shay and Michael Black, Eamonn Flynn, Bobbi Nikles
- Greene Academy Irish Dancers
- Goodies available from Artisan Celtic Candies
- Opening performance by vocalist Erin Ruth Thompson
The performance was made possible in part by the Harold R. Hayes fund with proceeds benefiting our Pat McMahon Scholarship Programs.
2016 WinterDance Celtic Christmas Celebration
At 7:00PM on Friday, December 9th, 2016, at Trinity Cathedral, 81 North Second Street, San Jose Molly’s Revenge, featuring David Brewer, John Weed and Stu Mason with stunning vocalist Christa Burch of the Syncopaths, and the award winning Rosemary Turco Irish Dancers presented an evening of music, song and dance associated with the festive season. The performance included Christmas songs both old and new, all played with a Celtic twist, and something new for our regulars. Proceeds benefit San Jose Dublin Sister Cities Program’s Pat McMahon Masters Level Scholarship Fund.
Whiskey Tasting Fundraiser
Click to view the Album of 113 photos on facebook
On Thursday, November 3, 2016 6:00 PM at San Jose’s hottest new establishment, Brendan O’Flaherty’s Five Points, 169 W. Santa Clara St., we had a variety of Irish Whiskeys and Craft Beers with representatives from Jameson’s to guide us through a historical tour of Irish Whiskey, and of course, Whiskey Tasting, Beer, Food and Music by Charmas Trio charmasband.com
The proceeds of more than $5000 benefited San Jose Dublin Sister Cities Program’s Pat McMahon Masters Level Scholarship Fund.
Black Brothers Concert
On Friday, March 4th, 2016 at 7:00pm, The Black Brothers Band returned to San Jose, proudly presented by The San Jose-Dublin Sister Cities Program, and generously hosted by Trinity Cathedral, 81 N. Second Street, San Jose, and attended by more than 150 happy attendees, who enjoyed,
- The Black Brothers Band, with Shay and Michael Black, Eamonn Flynn, Bobbi Nickles
- Irish step dance by the Greene Academy Irish Dancers
- and a Short Film California and the Easter Rising
California and the Easter Rising Final from Irish Voices on Vimeo.
Reception
Sister Cities Int’l 60th Anniversary
San Jose Dublin 30th Anniversary
& 2016 Awardee Introductions
January 28th, 2016
Winterdance Celtic Christmas Concert
The San Jose-Dublin Sister City Program presented this live, traditional Irish music concert in partnership with AmeriCeltic.
On Friday, December 11, 2015 7:00 PM generously hosted by Trinity Cathedral, 81 N. 2nd Street, San Jose, the San Jose Dublin Sister Cities Program brought Winterdance back to the South Bay.
Molly’s Revenge, starring David Brewer, John Weed and Stu Mason and stunning guest vocalist Christa Burch with the Rosemary Turco Irish Dancers, and special guests Charmas, presented an evening of music, song and dance associated with the festive season.
The performance included Christmas songs both old and new, all played with a Celtic twist, and something new for our regulars – an opening set from the Celtic combo Charmas Trio, featuring Richard Dwyer, vocals, low whistle and bodhran, Aaron Clegg, vocals, Celtic wooden flute, Jim Powell, backup vocals and guitar.
The performance was made possible in part by the Harold R. Hayes fund with proceeds benefiting our Pat McMahon Scholarship Programs.
2015 Irish Golf Tournament
On Friday, July 24 from 11:00 a.m. — 7:00 PM @ Los Lagos Golf Course in San Jose, The San Jose-Dublin Sister City Program held its annual golf tournament. Hundreds of our supporters and their closest Irish and “wannabe Irish” friends had a great afternoon of golf, food and fun.
Proceeds from the golf tournament, raffle and auction benefited our Pat McMahon Masters Level Scholarship.
Don’t golf? That’s OK!!
No worries. Purchase your “dinner only” tickets and still enjoy the evening’s fun.
Fees and Registration
Individual Player: $150 per
- 18 holes of golf , with cart
- Lunch
- A golf clinic with Los Lagos coach
Matt Flenniken - Refreshments and events throughout
the course (we’ve got surprises!) - Prizes, a raffle and silent auction
We are limited to only 120 players, so make your reservations early.
Dinner Only: $50
$250 Hole Sponsorship
- Your name and logo on signage at one of tournament holes
- Name in our email distribution for the tournament
- Name as a sponsor on the San Jose–Dublin Sister City Program web site
- Inclusion of name and contact information in tournament program
$1,000 corporate Sponsorship
- Four (4) full golf registrations (including lunch and dinner)
- Hole sponsorship (includes benefits above)
- Name in our email distribution for the tournament
- Logo prominently displayed on the San Jose–Dublin Sister City Program web site
- Inclusion of name and contact information in tournament program
- Opportunity to include brand collateral in our goody bag for distribution to golfers
- Opportunity to present at the reception
Story Road Concert
On Saturday, April 18, 2015 @7:30 PM at Prospect HS Performing Arts Center, 18900 Prospect Road, Saratoga CA, the San Jose Dublin Sister Cities Program presented Story Road progressive traditional Celtic creations in partnership with AmeriCeltic.
After forming in 2012, Story Road quickly emerged as a leading traditional Irish band on the West Coast, convening twice a year for spring and autumn tours that delighted trad music fans from Santa Barbara to Seattle. Their live show ranges from driving dance tune medleys to heart breaking songs of love and immigration. This year’s presentation promises a taste of Americana as well, and a singalong or two in the mix.
This all-star Band line up includes Portland, Oregon’s stunning Colleen Raney, of Seattle’s celebrated Raney Family, and two-thirds of Molly’s Revenge, accomplished cross genre fiddler, John Weed and veteran multi-genre instrumentalist Stuart Mason.
Joining these three founding band members is Hanz Araki, the master singer and traditional flute player in the Pacific Northwest for more than 2 decades.
Photo copyright © 2012 Lawrence Whitcomb Photography Licensed for use by Tabard Theatre, San Jose – Dublin Sister City Program, Celtic Society of Monterey Bay, AmeriCeltic, and Black Brothers Band. With Shay Black, Eamonn Flynn and Michael Black at Tabard Theatre.
Friday, March 13, 2015 @ 7:30 PM, The Black Brothers Band Concert
Magnanimously hosted by Trinity Cathedral, 81 N. 2nd St., San Jose CA, the Black Brothers Band returned to San Jose. In partnership with AmeriCeltic, the San Jose-Dublin Sister Cities Program proudly presented Shay & Michael Black, the singing siblings from Ireland’s foremost family of song, The Black Family, with a special appearance by Celia Ramsay in duo with Shay.
A full house spent an enchanted evening with the charismatic charmers from Dublin.
Celia Ramsay and Shay Black sang selections from their collaborative album, ‘Singer’s Request’. This seminal work includes instrumental support from John Doyle, Liz Carroll, Michael Black, Patrice Haan, Charlie Hancock, Eamonn Flynn, David Morris, David Brewer and Rebecca Lomnicky and vocal harmonies on some songs from Shay’s family: niece Róisín, sisters Mary and Frances, and brothers Michael and Martin.
The performance was made possible in part by the Harold R. Hayes fund with proceeds benefiting our Pat McMahon Scholarship Programs.
Irish Week 2015
Wednesday, March 4 – Monday, March 9
Join us in warmly welcoming Dublin Lord Mayor Christy Burke and the Irish delegation for Irish Week 2015.
Thursday, March 5, 2015 | 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
San Jose State University + Dublin City University Alumni Scholarship Reception
Friday, March 6, 2015 | 11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Flag Raising at City Hall Plaza
11:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Free and Open to the Public
Irish Week always includes a traditional Irish welcome gathering, and the raising of the flags of the City of San Jose, Ireland and the U.S. outside San Jose City Hall by the Lord Mayor of Dublin and the Mayor of San Jose accompanied by the singing of the national anthems of both countries.
Spirit of Ireland Awards Luncheon at City Hall Rotunda
12:15 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
This year, we honor Painter, Sculptor and San Jose State Professor Emeritus Harry Powers and Dublin, Ireland, Chamber of Commerce CEO Gina Quinn.
Tickets: $65. Click here to buy your tickets to this year’s awards luncheon.
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