The O’Kelly Welcome (Failte Ui Ceallaigh)
Christmas time 1351, Clan Chief William Bui O’Ceallaig(O’Kelly) of Ui Maine, issued an invitation to the poets, writers and artists of Ireland to a great feast at Knockcroghery, Co Roscommon. The gathering was remembered for William’s hospitality and generosity. This was his poem of welcome to his guests:
“A blessed, long living, great, courteous welcome,
An affectionate, charitable, just, proper, true hearted welcome,
A welcome and twenty, and I add hundreds to them,
Like the surge of the stream is my welcome to you”.
This is considered a precursor of “Céad Míle Fáilte,” the now popular Irish welcome. As members of the Tampa Bay Irish, we welcome you and invite you to join us in our year round events celebrating the Irish/Scottish/Manx/Gaelic/Celtic cultures and music.
And remember, “Today’s Rain is tomorrow’s whisky.” (Old Scottish Saying)
Celebrate With the Tampa Bay Irish
The GAELS, or Gaelic Speaking People, are the, “Celts who outran the Romans.” Once known as the ocean Kingdom of Dal Riata, they comprise the island nations of Ireland, Scotland and Mann (“a rock in the Irish Sea”). The Tampa Bay Irish celebrate the culture of the “Clan na Gael” through Music, Art & Dance.
Over the years, we’ve had the opportunity to work with many Irish and Celtic bands and performers including The Ashley Davis Band, The Brayzen Heads, The Byrne Brothers, Cassie & Maggie, The Celtic Tenors, Celtic Conundrum, The Chancey Brothers, Cherish The Ladies, The Curragh, Kevin Crawford, David Curley, Dallahan, Daymark, The Diddley Idols – Dave Barckow & Louise Barry, Gabriel Donohue, The Elders, Colin Farrell, Shane Farrell, The Finns, The Fuchsia Band, Gaelic Storm, Frankie Gavin & De Dannan, David Gilmore, The High Kings, House of Hamill, Jig Jam, The Kilkenny’s, The Kissers, Lunasa, Will MacMorran, Manran, Katie McNally, Sean McRactagan, Andy Meaney, Men of Arran, Fiona Molloy, The Moxie Strings, Bill Mullen, Alan Murray, Brenda Nolan, Off Kilter, Garry O’Meara, One For The Foxes, Open The Door For Three, Paddy Keenan, Pappy With A Hatchet, Neil Pearlman, Vonnie Quinn, The Red Hot Chilli Pipers, Reel Treble, Enda Reilly, Haley Richardson, Rising Gael, Runa, Searson, Seven Nations, Aoife Scott, The Screaming Orphans, Skerryvore, Slip Jig, Stephen’s Green, The Sweet Colleen’s, Tairis, Talisk, Tallymoore, The Tannahill Weavers, Gerry Timlin, Andreas Transo, Cillian Vallely, The Wild Colonial Bhoys, Derek Warfield & The Young Wolfe Tones, Kiana June Weber, We Banjo 3, West Wind, Wylde Nept, and The Young Dubliners.
Tampa Bay Irish 