Irish American group plans seminar on history

Members of the band County Mayo will give a presentation as part of the event.

YOUNGSTOWN — The Irish American Archival Society will have a seminar Oct. 11 at St. Christine Parish Center, 3165 Schenley Ave.

The seminar, which will include four presentations on Irish history and culture, costs $15, which includes lunch.

Reservations are due by Oct. 2. Send a check, made payable to the IAAS, to The Irish American Archival Society, P.O. Box 454, Canfield, Ohio 44406.

Bob Casey is the master of ceremonies. The seminar will begin at 10 a.m. with coffee, tea, soda bread and scones.

The morning session, which will begin at 10:30 a.m., will start with a lecture by Diane Van Skiver Gagel, author and genealogist, on “The Irish Diaspora: The Famine Irish in America.”

After Gagel’s presentation, the Burke School of Irish Dance will explain the history of Irish traditional dance. Students of the school will perform the dances.

A luncheon of potato soup, corned beef sandwiches, brownies and cookies will follow.

In the afternoon session, Sally Murphy Pallante, IAAS president, will give a presentation on “Irish Families in the Valley.”

Afterward, Irish folk musicians Bill Lewis and Bill Davis will give a presentation that will cover songs of Irish immigration, folklore and culture.

Both Lewis and Davis are members of the band County Mayo.