November 2026 Newsletter | Irish Network Seattle
Welcome to our November newsletter! We have plenty of upcoming events and community spotlights to share, along with a few words of thanks as we approach Veterans Day and Thanksgiving.
To the veterans in our community and beyond, thank you for your service. And to everyone who joins our events, volunteers their time or brings a friend along, thank you for making Irish Network Seattle such a welcoming community. We’re grateful to be part of it with you and wish you and your loved ones a warm and happy Thanksgiving!
Celebrating the Spirit of Ireland
On October 22, Irish Network Seattle gathered for an evening of music, poetry and community, honoring Mark Pigott with the 2026 Spirit of Ireland Award.
Kate O’Neil served as our MC and was the first poet to speak, while INS President Stephen Doyle welcomed guests. Honorary Consul Bernard Hensey introduced Consul General Marianne Bolger, who shared remarks. We were delighted to welcome both the Consul General and Vice Consul from the Irish Consulate in San Francisco, along with a table of Seattle University scholars.
Carrigaline’s performance of “Brian Boru’s March” set the stage for the award presentation. The award was hand embossed by The Dwiggins utilzing the first letter of the last name of the recipeint so every year the award is bespoke to the recipient. Sean McDowell offered remarks about Mark before joining Stephen for the presentation. Mark accepted the Spirit of Ireland Award wearing his honorary doctoral robes from Trinity College, a memorable moment in the evening.
Following Mark’s acceptance remarks, Sean shared poetry by Pigott Poetry Prize winners. Carrigaline then brought the evening to a close with an a cappella performance of “The Parting Glass.”
Thank you to our guests, poets, musicians, supporters and volunteers for making the evening possible. Congratulations to Mark Pigott, and thank you for joining us in celebrating the connections between Ireland and the Pacific Northwest.
EVENTS COMING UP
December 3rd, 2026 - INS Holiday Party The INS holiday party is on December 3rd, 6:30pm –9:00pm, at the Art Love Salon in downtown Seattle. This event is open to the public and we would love to see you there! Thanks to our generous supporters this year we are able to make the event FREE for all members, and reduce the cost for the general public. If you are a member you should already have received an email your special link and discount code.
We will have an evening of holiday cheer, Irish music, food, and art. Please join us for this annual tradition and register at the button below.
Events coming in 2027 – watch for ticket info soon.
All events will be held at the Art Love Salon located at 110 Union Street, Seattle opposite the Seattle Art Museum at the corner of 1st and Union.
Thursday evening, Jan 28th – Yeats Irish Wake – this Jan 28 marks 88 years since the death of William Butler Yeats. Since INS wasn’t around then – we have decided to hold a wake for our fav poet. This free-to-members will feature traditional Irish music and songs from Carrigaline; poetry recitations, finger food nibbles and wine and beer and Irish coffees and maybe a short film about Yeats. This will be a classic night of great craic, great music, great poetry, and great food and drink. Hope to see you all there!
Satruday afternoon, Feb 20th – The Neuroscience of Learning – this presentation by Dr. Kieran O’Mahony was voted the Best Presentation at the Davos Economic Summit this year! Kieran will present his revolutionary approach to improving learning in K-12 shool students that is spreading rapidly across the globe. If you are a parent, a grandparent, a teacher or a school administrator – this is a do not miss event. Free to all
Sunday afternoon, February 28th – The Art of the Illuminated Manuscript: The Book of Kells. We will hold a reception featuring a film about the Book of Kells and a panel discussion about the art of illuminated manuscripts as part of a multi-week display of the beautiful hand-crafted artistry of Marjorie and Gene Dwiggins, the artists who make our Spirit of Ireland Award each year and frequent exhibitors at the Irish Week at Seattle Center. Their art will be on display and available for purchase through St Patrick’s Day
Thursday, March 11th – our annual joint reception with the Seattle-Galway Sister City organization for the Mayor of Galway and delegation will be hosted. Watch for ticket information in January’s newsletter
Saturday, April 24th – On the 111th anniversary of the Easter Rising, we will present a program about the Women of the Easter Rising. Not a lot of people are aware of the crucial role played by women in the rebellion. At a time when most of Europe was dealing with suffragettes seeking the vote for women – Ireland was one of the first to include women as voters in the newly envisioned Republic. As part of the festivities, we will be raffling off several copies of Nicola Pierce’s acclaimed new book Great Irish Wives: Remarkable Lives from History. Yet another event that will be free-to-members!
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.
This month's book is The Big Chapel by Tom Kilroy.
This book is one in the Irish literary canon that stands alone without comparison to anything that preceded or followed it; that has no reference to time, place, or author but which is unmistakably Irish. The book is based on a 19th century scandal in County Kilkenny and relates the story of a local bishop proposing to replace the local village school with one run by the Christian Brothers. The parish priest, joined by the resident teacher object and the split into two factions devolves into riot, arson and eventually murder. It is a tale most Irish about power, small communities, and pride of place.
AROUND THE COMMUNITY
First Book from Kate O'Neil
Our own Board Secretary of 6 years, Kate O’Neil, has published her first book. Three Cats and Faerie is a collection of seven whimsical stories about her three real orange cats, Todd, Kevin, and Richard; and Faerie who shares a creaky house with them. Kate wrote every word and painted every watercolor.
For cat lovers, and for anyone who reads to children, it is a small balm in a loud world. The stories are gentle, funny, and quietly kind. These stories were written for the adult with the child (inner or outer) in mind.
At the Christmas party, Kate will be showing prints of the original watercolor illustrations alongside a copy of the book. Stop by, say hello, and take a free bookmark with a QR code that leads to the book.
It's the perfect gift for the Cat Lover on your list, especially because December is National Cat Lover's Month!
Poetry from Samuel and Sally Green
Explore four poetry collections from Samuel and Sally Green, including work inspired by time spent in Ireland. Each purchase supports the independent presses bringing their poetry to readers.
Sage & Disciple: New & Selected Poems · Samuel Green
Published by White Pine Press, this 235-page collection brings together fifty years of Sam’s poetry.
Paperback: $20 | Signed cloth edition: $55
Order from White Pine Press
Ordinary Days · Samuel Green
A collection from Mad River Press featuring poems written during the winter of 2025–26. Sam is handling orders directly.
Paperback: $15 | Signed cloth edition: $50
Email to order
Tending the Flock · Sally Green
Published by Empty Bowl Press, Sally’s latest collection gathers poems written over many years, with cover artwork by Philip McCracken.
Paperback: $18 | Signed cloth edition: $50
Order from Empty Bowl Press
Notes to Wang Wei · Samuel Green
Written during a summer teaching in Dublin and Galway and a residency in County Clare, these forty-one poems take the form of imagined notes to Chinese poet Wang Wei. Published by Mad River Press, the collection finds poetry in the small details of everyday life.
Paper edition: $16 | Signed cloth edition: $50, limited copies
Shipping and handling: $5 per order
Email Mad River Press to order
Have news for a future newsletter? Send the details to info@irishnetworkseattle.org.
BE PART OF THE NETWORK
Help keep Seattle’s Irish community connected. Explore membership, join us at an event, or get involved as a volunteer.
See you soon,
The Irish Network Seattle