May events for Irish people in Greater Portland
PDX HIBERNIAN INDEPENDENT 23 April 2026
More than an email. Less than a newspaper. Weekly newsletter of the Portland Hibernian Society. Delivered every Thursday. Available on your browser.
Next meeting. May 21, 2026. Seven P.M.- Kells Restaurant - 112 SW Second Ave - No host dinner at Six P.M. Presentation and discussion following. Free dessert. JFK Trivia too.
Note to PAID SUPPORTERS of the Portland Hibernian Society. May is Membership Month. If you paid your dues last May, you’ll receive an email reminder that it’s time to renew your support. (The PHS doesn't believe in automatic renewals and will never share your email address.) You can support the PDX HI and all we do at the Portland Hibernian Society by clicking here.
Presentation May 21 - When JFK Went "Home" To Ireland
In May of 1963, President Kennedywas preparing for his trip to his ancestral homeland: Ireland. Here's some background from our presenter Hibernian Pat Casey: JFK was proud of his Irish heritage but was also, paradoxically, something of an Anglophile. He was the first foreign head of state to visit the Republic of Ireland, though his advisors were leery of any foreign travel in June 1963 -- civil rights issues were coming to a head and they felt going overseas might look like he was shirking his domestic duties. Ireland was an especially tough sell, since there were no compelling US-Irish foreign policy issues at the time and Ireland was not part of NATO. As well, a significant Irish goal at the time was ending Partition, which JFK did not wish to address publicly. In the end he made it clear he wanted to visit Ireland, regardless of other foreign policy concerns.
Hibernians Patrick and Laura Casey
Join us on May 21 - Seven P.M. @ Kells Restaurant for their presentation: When JFK Went Home To Ireland. (No host dinner at Six P.M.)
Are you thinking of moving to Ireland?
Ever thought of not just visiting Ireland but of actually living there? Then you might want to read a few good reasons to consider certain factors before you do. There are plenty of PROS to the prospect of such a move. But there are some CONS to consider too. You can read about them right here.The Consul General of Ireland is coming to Portland on Thursday, May 14 to host a Passport Clinic and Pop-Up Consulate at Kells Pub. You can book a one-on-one session consulate staffers who handle citizenship, passport and work visa questions all the time. Slots at the clinic are limited and available by appointment only. If you want to book a slot please email irishnetworkportland@gmail.com. Be sure to mention that you read about this in the PDX Hibernian Independent.
Say farewell on May 14. Micheal Smith, the current Consul General, is leaving soon for his next diplomatic assignment: Saudi Arabia. INP will host a relaxed, no-host dinner at Kells on 2nd Ave at 7pm as we thank Micheál Smith, Consul General of Ireland to the Western United States, for his service and partnership with our community. RSVP irishnetworkportland@gmail.com
Get me to the church on time
The number of weddings in Ireland performed in Catholic churches is way down. New numbers from the census show the following: In 2014 just over 13,000 Irish couples exchanged their vows at the altar. In 2024 only 6,700 couples got married at a Catholic church. Get this. For the first time ever in modern Ireland, more couples got married at a courthouse than in a church (Catholic or Church of Ireland or Presbyterian). Interesting note: In 2014 42 Islamic couples in Ireland got married at their Mosque. In 2024 that number barely rose to 45.
COMING ATTRACTION – In next Thursday’s PDX HI there will be coverage of a major new report from Ireland’s census takers comparing the way Ireland was in 1926 compared to 2022. The biggest difference? A lot more people in Ireland. Ireland’s population was 2.97 million in 1926, as recorded in the first census conducted by the Irish Free State. By 2022 it had grown to 5.15 million.
Trump’s new favorite Irishman?
One King. One President. Trump departed from his prepared speech at the state dinner for King Charles II this week to praise one of the King’s subjects. “The entire world has been uplifted by this distinct and special character we share. Speaking of that, where’s Rory McIlroy? Can you stand up Rory, will you please? That was unconquerable courage. I had to interrupt my speech because I watched that man win a tournament. That was a tough one. Congratulations, very proud of you.” McIlroy was born and raised in Northern Ireland but currently lives in Florida.
On St. Patrick’s Day in 2025, as Irish fighter Conor McGregorand his family got a small r royal reception at the White House. “Trump expressed his admiration for the infamous former MMA scrapper, calling him his "favourite Irish person in the world. I do happen to like your fighter... He's got the best tattoos I've ever seen." McGfregor has not been announced as one of the fighters at the cage matches at the White House scheduled as part of the nation's 250th anniversary celebrations. Despite months of public lobbying to headline the UFC Freedom 250 event on the South Lawn of the White House on June 20, “The Notorious” was officially left off the card, according to various news reports.
You’ve got to see this -
Saturday, May 16th, at Kells Irish Restaurant & Pub. Don’t miss out on this free festival favorite - The Half-door and Barrel-dancing Exhibition! Watch dancers show off their steps (confined to either a barrel top or a half door). It's part of a huge festival of very traditional Irish singing, dancing and speaking.
