2021 Virtual Lawn Program

Fáilte! Welcome to the House of Ireland's 2021 Lawn Program. In a normal year, this would be a live program on the International Cottages stage, packed with music, song, dance and other entertainment. Due to the onset of the COVID pandemic in March of 2020, we had to cancel last year's Lawn Program a mere couple days before it was scheduled to take place. As the cottages are not yet open for visitors, we decided to host a virtual Lawn Program this year - a sampling of past Lawn Programs and new material highlighting San Diego's rich Irish traditions. Please feel free to explore the videos at your own convenience. We at the House of Ireland hope you enjoy our program and wish you a Happy St. Patrick's Day. We look forward to a day when we can see you again in person at our cottages.

  • Welcome to the House of Ireland 2021 Lawn Program

    Featuring: Shanti Hofshi - President, House of Ireland

  • Entrance

    The House of Ireland Lawn Program traditionally starts with the Cameron Highlanders leading our performers onto the stage.

    Featuring: Cameron Highlanders (2018 Lawn Program)

  • US National Anthem

    Here the House of Ireland singers lead us in the US National Anthem.

    Featuring: House of Ireland Singers (2017 Lawn Program)

  • Step Dancing - Reels

    Irish step dancing is done as an individual (solo) or with multiple dancers performing a traditional or choreographed routine (figure). Dance steps are keyed to various types of Irish music such as reels, jigs and slip jigs, each with its own beat and timing. Some of our local dance schools have been able to continue offering step-dancing classes over the last year so kids can safely pursure their interest in Irish dance. Here the Rose Academy performs a set of reel steps.

    Featuring: Rose Academy of Irish Dance

  • Poem - An Gleann inar Tógadh Mé

    This is a poem written by Dubhghlas de hÍde (Douglas Hyde), a strong proponent of the Irish language and the first President of Ireland. It speaks about his longing for the idyllic days of his youth in "The Glen where I was Raised". If you are interested in learning the beautiful and ancient Irish language, classes are offered at the House of Ireland (currently via Zoom) throughout the year.

    Featuring: Shanti Hofshi - President, House of Ireland

  • Song - Come By The Hills

    Come by the Hills is a 20th century composition to the traditional air Buachaill ón Éirne.

    Featuring: "Interlace" - Nina Gibson and LeAnne Gioeli

  • Step Dancing Medley

    Here Clan Rince presents a medly of Irish dance steps in both hard shoe and soft shoe.

    Featuring: Clan Rince School of Irish Dance

  • Song - Inisheer

    Ireland is home to a rich assortment of tunes that go back centuries. This is a more recent air named after one of the Aran Islands off the west coast of Ireland, Inis Oírr, or Inisheer.

    Featuring: Kathleen Hartshorne and Jim Moore

  • Step Dancing - Slip Jigs

    Here the Rose Academy performs a series of slip jigs.

    Featuring: Rose Academy of Irish Dance

  • Song - The Irish Rover

    Here the House of Ireland Singers give us a rousing rendition of The Irish Rover. Our singers usually meet at the cottage on the fourth Sunday of each month for a singing session. Visitors are always encouraged to join in the merriment (song books provided).

    Featuring: House of Ireland Singers (2013 Lawn Program)

  • Figure Dances - Reels

    Figure dances are performed by 2 or more dancers together. Here we see a 2-hand (2 dancers), a 3-hand (3 dancers) and a line dance called "The Fairy Reel", which you'll often see at a ceili (Irish dance party).

    Featuring: Pride of Erin Irish Ceili Dancers (2013 Lawn Program)

  • Gaelic Song - Báidín Fheilimí

    There is a rich tradition of singing in the Irish Gaelic language. Here Jo gives us a little history of the song "Báidín Fheilimí" and performs a lovely rendition. The House of Ireland offers a "Survey of Irish Songs" class each Spring as part of its Irish language program. You can find the lyrics to the song, with an English translation on Wikipedia.

    Featuring: Jo Daniels (2014 Lawn Program)

  • Song - Star of the County Down

    Here Bill and Rebecca give us a lovely rendition of Star of the County Down with Rebecca playing the Irish Harp and Bill singing the tune. Bill and Rebecca have long supported our weekly Irish music sessions and monthly Irish singing day.

    Featuring: Bill and Rebecca Lee

  • House of Ireland Art Class

    The House of Ireland art class meets the first Saturday of each week. Kids and adults enjoy creating unique Irish-inspired crafts in various media. Here are some samples of past projects.

    Featuring: "Interlace" - Nina Gibson and LeAnne Gioeli

  • Figure Dances - 6-Hand Jig

    Here the Pride of Erin Irish Ceili Dancers perform a choreographed 6-hand jig.

    Featuring: Pride of Erin Irish Ceili Dancers (2018 Lawn Program)

  • Song - Uir Chill A' Chreagáin

    Featuring: Kathleen Hartshorne and Jim Moore

  • Set Dance - St. Patrick's Day

    There are numerous hard shoe set dances (dances to a set piece of music) in Irish dancing. This one is called "St. Patrick's Day" and is a dance commonly seen at a feis (Irish dance competition). Here dancers from several schools perform the dance, wearing their solo dresses, as opposed to their school uniforms.

    From: 2013 Lawn Program

  • Irish National Anthem

    In Ireland, the national anthem is traditionally played at the end of a program rather than at the beginning. Here the House of Ireland singers give us the anthem in both Irish and English. You can find the lyrics and additional information about the anthem on Wikipedia.

    Featuring: House of Ireland Singers (2014 Lawn Program)

Extras

  • Activities at the House of Ireland

    Irish Language and Knitting classes are currently being offered as Zoom classes by the House of Ireland. As soon as we can safely do so, we will be reopening our cottage for visitors on Saturdays and Sundays as well as offering in-person classes on Art, Knitting, and Irish Language; resuming our musics sessions on Saturday afternoons and Sunday mornings; and filling our Sunday afternoons with Irish music, dance, and singing. Please check our home page or follow us on Facebook for the latest updates on our offerings.

  • Joining the House of Ireland

    The House of Ireland always welcomes new members with a passion for Irish culture. If you'd like to be a part of the great group of people that keeps our cottage running, contact info@houseofireland.org for details.

  • Recipes

    Normally we would be serving you our delicious Irish stew, soda bread and other Irish fare as part of our Lawn Program. This year, we encourage you to try out your favorite local fare at home or patronize a local Irish restaurant. Here are a few recipes that you can try out at home.

  • Tour of the Cottage

    The House of Ireland is normally open on Saturdays and Sundays for visitors. As we are currently closed due to coronavirus restrictions, our Board member, Frank, here offers us a virtual tour of the cottage.

  • Past Lawn Programs

    Louis Cutino has kindly filmed several of our past Lawn Programs, and those of other international cottages. You can see them on his Long Live Humanity YouTube channel.

  • Our Performers

    If you are interested in additional information about the groups featured above, please check out their web pages: