INS September Newsletter
AN EVENING TO CELEBRATE THE SPIRIT OF IRELAND
Thursday, October 22 | The Rainier Club
This October, Irish Network Seattle invites you to one of our most special evenings of the year: the 2026 Spirit of Ireland Literary Dinner, honoring Mark Pigott as this year’s Spirit of Ireland Award recipient.
And this year, we’re elevating the experience.
The evening begins at 6:00 PM with a cocktail reception, featuring traditional Irish music from Carrigaline, passed appetizers and a premium hosted bar all included with your ticket.
Following cocktails, guests will sit down for dinner before we present Mr. Mark Pigott with the 2026 Spirit of Ireland Award, recognizing his longstanding commitment to strengthening the connections between Ireland and the Pacific Northwest and his extraordinary support of Irish culture, education and poetry.
To close the evening, Sean McDowell will bring the literary tradition at the heart of this dinner to life, sharing a specially selected collection of poetry from four past Pigott Poetry Prize winners.
THE EVENING
6:00–6:45 PM
Cocktail reception
Traditional Irish music by Carrigaline
Passed appetizers + premium hosted bar
6:45 PM
Dinner
Evening Program
Presentation of the 2026 Spirit of Ireland Award to Mark Pigott
Poetry reading by Sean McDowell featuring four past Pigott Poetry Prize winners
Evening concludes by 9:00 PM
Your ticket includes the full evening: cocktail reception, premium hosted bar, passed appetizers, dinner, music, poetry and program.
Come raise a glass, share a table and celebrate the people and traditions that continue to connect Ireland and Seattle.
If you are interested in sponsoring a table, please email info@irishnetworkseatt.org and we will coordinate payment and seat assignments with you.
Save the Date for Our Upcoming Events
October 22, 2026 - Spirit of Ireland Literary Dinner
December 3,2026 - INS Holiday Party at Love Art Salon (LUMA link coming soon!)
Kenny’s Choice: 101 Irish Books you MUST read
Every month, we feature a title to honor the great Irish bookseller, the late Desi Kenny of Kenny’s Books in Galway. Desi was the fellow who selected almost all the books in the Patricia Frost Memorial Library we were gifted last year. He has also selected books for many of us over the years when we subscribed to his Book Parcels from Ireland program.
Kenny’s Books has graciously granted us permission to excerpt portions every month to feature another Irish book he recommended.
The Heather Blazing by Colm Toibin
The Heather Blazing epitomizes the transition of the old Ireland of the 1950s and 1960s to the new Ireland of the end of the twentieth century.
In the old the twin crutches of Church and nationality were the arbitrators of our behavior and aspirations, while in the new the individual is more often than not the sole arbitrator of his or her own destiny, as defined by personal experience and natural inclinations. In this respect Toibin’s novel was an important step for a country aspiring to cultural maturity. It also marked Toibin’s emergence as one of the finest writers of his generation.
Community News
This section is open to our community to share events, asks, or promotions from our Business Members. If you would like to add an event to the next newsletter, please hit reply to this message or email info@irishnetworkseattle.org
Gráinne Hunt with Jules Stewart
Thursday, September 10 | 7:30 PM | The Royal Room
Acclaimed Irish singer-songwriter Gráinne Hunt brings her powerful, intimate sound to Seattle alongside drummer and vocalist Jules Stewart. Together, the duo creates a queer, nu-folk sound built around rich vocal harmonies, emotive storytelling and dynamic percussion — landing somewhere between the Indigo Girls, Brandi Carlile and contemporary folk at its most honest.
Gráinne — guitars + vocals
Jules — drums + vocals
Seattle Irish Dance Company Choreography Showcase
Saturday, September 26 | 7:30 PM | Erickson Theatre
Seattle Irish Dance Company returns for its second annual choreography showcase, featuring original works created by company dancers and alumni, accompanied by live music from The Morrigans. A great opportunity to experience how Irish dance continues to evolve right here in Seattle.
Amble at The Showbox
Monday, October 26 | 8:00 PM | The Showbox
One of Ireland’s rising folk acts is coming to Seattle. Formed in Western Ireland, Amble brings an intimate, acoustic sound built around guitar, mandolin, bouzouki and close vocal harmonies. Catch the trio at The Showbox this October with Vincent Lima.
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