Please join the Irish Coastal Club in presenting "Tá an Geimhreadh Taghta (Winter Has Come): Celebrating the Winter Solstice & Christmas in Ireland Through the Centuries". Since ancient times, the winter solstice has been observed around the world as a period of rebirth and hope. Archaeological evidence reveals that the winter solstice was commemorated in Ireland thousands of years ago—and the solstice and Christmas holiday season continue to be a time of reverence and rejoicing in Ireland today. Join lecturer Elizabeth Hannan Kading and musician Richard Donohue for a lively and engaging exploration of how this festive season has been celebrated in Ireland from pre-history into the present. This program is sponsored by the Irish Coastal Club of Westerly. 

About the presenters:

Elizabeth Hannan Kading is a second-generation Irish American with a deep appreciation for the history, culture, and language of Ireland.  She is a leader of the Irish Coastal Club’s Irish Language & Culture learning community, which meets at the Westerly Library.  Liz is a founding member of The Dirty Blue Shirts living history collective, and she teaches about maritime culture as a member of the Maritime Studies Dept. faculty at UConn-Avery Point. 

Richard Franklin Donohue is a singer, private music instructor, and historian. Vocally, he is a tenor who specializes in historic music ranging from Middle English Carols to 19th century romantic music. He has been teaching Piano, Voice, and Music Theory since 1992. Richard is the Town Historian of his hometown of Cromwell, Connecticut and has been the President and Program Director of the Cromwell Historical Society for nearly twenty years. He is the author of "Rosetown Review," a monthly history article published in the Cromwell Life newspaper and presents historical lectures throughout New England on various topics.