with Mike McFischman, Mary King & Phil Edmonds

Celebrating Ireland in Story & Song is an all Irish program which embraces Irish history and culture in story and song.

Phil Edmonds, a native of Killaloe, Country Clare, Ireland, learned to play the tin whistle in a place where he says: "The backyard was the fields." When he was 14 years old, his family emigrated to America and settled in South Providence where he still lives. Along with his tin whistle, Phil plays button accordion with great warmth and spirit. In 2008, he wrote his first book, "Reconnecting with the Soul of Ireland' about his family, memories of growing up in Killaloe, roaming the fields and hills, and finding the new Ireland alongside the old.

Both of Mary King's parents are from Ireland and she was raised in that culture, taking Irish step dance lessons by age 4 and listening to her mother sing the songs of Donegal where she was born. She often visits her two aunts in Ireland, Bridget-Mary and Madge (now 94), who told her the stories of their youth — from "doing battle with the hay" to the monthly fairs that travelled the countryside bringing everything one might need, from pots and pans to the "dentist" who pulled out the tooth that was ailing you with pliers. They often spoke of the hard work of living solely off the land, where everyone worked on their small farm, including the children — all with great humor. Mary keeps the tradition of Irish music alive with the Celtic harp and her fiddle.

Rounding out the group is Mike McFischman, who has been playing folk music for 40 years. He is an outstanding guitar, banjo and bouzouki player. A wonderful accompanist, Mike adds just the right touch on the tunes and songs of "Celebrating Ireland." A member of several different bands, he is well known in the Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut.

The Celtic soul is alive and well in the stories and songs you will hear, and your ears and eyes will smile.

For additional information or booking, please call Mary King at 401-949-2533.