The Monroe county Irish organizations would like you to enjoy an hour and a half of a variety of authentic Irish entertainment. Known in Ireland as a Siamsa (Shee-am-sah), it includes traditional cultural music, dancing, and historical stories. Please join us in commemorating the city of Rochester’s and county of Monroe’s proclamation of Irish American Heritage Month while enjoying some traditional soda bread.

A Soda Bread Making Demonstration from LAOH (Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians)- Deirdre Hickey. The bread will be cooking while you enjoy the rest of the program and will be available to try at the end of the program.

Traditional Irish Music Session by Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann (Irish Musician Association)

A Historical Presentation by IACI (Irish American Cultural Institute) President and local author Mike McCarthy. “The Deep Cut, the Final Push to Complete the Erie Canal” will describe how as the Erie Canal neared completion, the final push was to make the Deep Cut through the Niagara Escarpment. This presentation will examine the difficulties the engineers faced and how the Irish laborers contributed in making the nearly impossible task a reality.

An Irish Step Dance Demonstration by Kathy Whitfield, TCRG and international competitor will compare modern and traditional Irish step dancing called Sean Nós.

The program is brought to you by Comhaltas, AOH, IACI, Jamieson Irish Dance & Creative Arts, and LAOH. The organizations will be available before and after the program to answer any questions about their groups.