With The Emerald Isle, the Museum of Man, in collaboration with the Irish community of San Diego, celebrated St. Patrick's Day a wee bit early on Thursday, February 24, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., honoring Ireland with a "taste" of all things Irish, including regional Irish cuisine, libations, and live traditional music and dance presented by The Session, The Westlin Weavers, Sheela-na-Gig, Kathleen Hartshome, Crossroads, Skelpin, Celtic Ensemble, Michael Eskin, George Rubsamen, and Irish Dancers from several San Diego schools.

Irish Dancers at the Emerald Isle celebration February 24. Photograph by Robert Cass.

Stop by after work, or drop in on your way to dinner or a show. Each month The Tower After Hours presents a unique opportunity to make new friends and catch up with old ones, with the vibrant mix of music, dance, food, and drink taking participants on exciting journeys to far corners of the world. Proceeds from each Tower After Hours evening will benefit Museum programs. The cost of The Tower After Hours is $20 for general admission, $15 for members and students. Admission is for adults ages 21 and over only, and includes food, drink, and entertainment. Tickets may be obtained in advance by calling the Museum at (619) 239-2001.

Irish Drummers at the Emerald Isle celebration February 24. Photograph by Robert Cass.

Emerald Isle was presented in collaboration with: The House of Ireland and the San Diego Irish community • The Irish Shop.

Sponsored by: San Diego National Bank • City of San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture • County of San Diego Community Enhancement Program • The Field Authentic Irish Pub & Restaurant • Tom Giblin's Irish Pub • Hooley's Irish Pub & Grill • R. O'Sullivan's Irish Pub • Dublin Square Irish Pub & Grill • Diageo-Guinness USA.

In addition to immersing themselves in the music, dance, and cuisine of these cultures, those attending were able to explore the Museum's exceptional exhibits at no additional cost. This year truly promises to be one of surprises and excitement at the Museum of Man. Mark your calendars now for the next program in The Tower After Hours series.

The wonderful positive feedback we have received on the Tower After Hours series has been very gratifying. We'd like to share with our members a letter we received after the recent Emerald Isle program:

Javier,

What a great evening the Irish night was at the Museum. Thank you for hosting it and for such a great outreach to the communities of San Diego. I think it is a fantastic program and I hope every month is successful. I hope Shanti shared my experience with you but in case he didn't here it is, and please pass this along to the staff involved, museum directors, future participants, and any others.

As the last folks were walking out at the end of the program, a thin frail old woman grasped my arm (she may have thought I was with the museum) and said "Thank you." She continued on that she had been to Ireland many times leading tour groups and she said she enjoyed all the perfomers, the food, and the whole thing. She then grasped my hand in her withered bony fingers and squeezed tight and just said "Thank you" many times. Her eyes welled up with tears as she held tightly to my hand. I told her we were very happy to do this and was so happy that she enjoyed it. Her companion led her away with tears on her cheeks; she just didn't have words to say.

Javier, If nothing else that night, this woman's response should make the entire expense, frustration, work, volunteer, sacrifice, etc., worth it. Don't you think? Thank you, and the museum directors, for having this program. You may not hear feedback, or maybe it's sporadic or even critical, but there are many each month who are as touched as this woman. Great job to everyone involved. Thank you.

Sincerely,
John Hyatt
Human Being, Irish community member,
House of Ireland, Irish Herald

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