From local Irish happenings to News From Ireland
PDX HIBERNIAN INDEPENDENT 5 February 2026
More than an email. Less than a newspaper. From the Portland Hibernian Society. Delivered every Thursday. Available at our website.
A chara.
Irish Lace
NEXT MEETING – 19 February, 2026 – Third Thursday Monthly Meeting at Kells Restaurant at Six P.M. Irish Stories: Ireland’s Craft Industry & Legacy. Tim Hennessy will talk about Irish Crystal, David O’Longaigh explores Irish Pottery, Ed Curtin has the background of Belleek China and Katie Hennessy will be sharing the story of Irish Lace. Are you a bit of a hoarder of fine Irish items? Kells Restaurant - Thursday Feb. 5 - Six P.M.
SAVE THE DATE – 31 days until the Annual Hibernian Saint Patrick’s Day Banquet upstairs at Kells. March 7, 2026. To book your place(s) at the table REPLY TO Portlandhiberniansociety@gmail.com
Ireland's other patron Saint
Portland’s second annual celebration of Saint Brigid was a multi-generational meeting of those who marvel at her miracles and appreciate her spirituality. It took place on her Feast Day, Sunday Feb.1, at T.C. O’Leary’s. It’s not too late to read more about who Saint Brigid was, how she became Ireland’s first native Saint and why millions still celebrate her Feast Day. Vice Consul Naoise Kenny from the Irish Consulate in San Francisco was in attndance after a visit to the Hibernian High Cross at the Potato Famine Memorial.
Speaking of An Gorta Mor...
Potato Famine Remembrance in Forest Grove Now Open
Pacific University is hosting an exhibit this month that you might want to visit. "I reflect on the Irish Potato Famine in a variety of paintings and drawings that interpret the Famine factually while trying to suggest its relevance today." That’s from Doug Anderson. For inspiration Anderson hiked along the 103-mile National Famine Way trail, which he descibes as "a physical connection to the harrowing forced exodus of 1,490 tenants evicted by their landlord Denis Mahon in 1847." NOTE: One of the better books about the Famine is The Killing of Major Denis Mahon (2007) by Peter Duffy. I nominate it for inclusion in Ed Curtin’s Second Annual Irish Book Night next November 19, 2026. EXHIBIT DETAILS - BLIGHT Paintings and Drawings by Doug Anderson with Poetry by Kevin Cahill Music by John McKinnon Feb. 2-27. Artist's Reception Feb. 7th at 4-6 p.m.
From the Website – Derry 1972 & Minneapolis 2026
Did history just repeat itself in Minneapolis? Renee Good and Alex Pretti may not have been shot at a protest march, but their fate followed a tragic scenario that played out 54 years ago in Derry.
Geo. Michell cancelled over Epstein involvement
It’s impossible and unfair to say of one person, “Without him or her, there’s no Good Friday Agreement.” While there’s plenty of credit to go around for that breakthrough pact, the Senator from Maine, George J. Mitchell, comes across as the first among equals of the negotiators. Whether he’ll always be seen that way is now very much in doubt. Mitchell was a friend of Jeffrey Epstein. His name has also been removed from a prominent scholarship.
Epstein Files Irish minutiae
Kerrygold Butter is not being removed from store shelves in the wake of its mention in the Epstein Files. "The tabloid Irish Mirror reports, (JE is...well you know.) In one email, signed off from the “island manager”, an update is given on the “serving of JE Muffins”, explaining “he is no longer using ‘I Cannot Believe It Is Not Butter’ spray, but using thin sliced room temperature ‘real butter’, Kerrygold Irish Butter or similar high end butter." The Irish Mirror did a deep dive. "Using the search terms Ireland and Irish, the newspaper uncovered multiple instances where Ireland is mentioned, or an Irish person is discussed."
First Friday in Tualatin features all-female Ceili band
Put together five fiddles, two flutes, a guitar and a piano and you’ve got the guts of the 12-woman ensemble called the Two Rivers Celi Band. They’ll be playing their Celtic/Irish songs and tunes Friday night, Feb. 6 at the Grange in Tualatin.
SPORT IRELAND - Rugby Today - Olympcs Tomorrow - Soccer Next Month
If one of your New Years Resolutions was to watch more topflight international rugby, start today, Thursday February 5. Ireland is playing France is Paris in the Guinness Six Nations competition TODAY – Kick Off at One P.M. You can catch the action at Kells Brewery on NW 21st or T.C. O'Leary's on NE Alberta. It will be streaming on Peacock. France won it all last year.
Ireland to Italy
Thursday is an unusual day for Six Nations matches but the move was made to avoid competing with the Winter Olympics in Italy. Is Ireland, not known for its snow, sending a team? Yes! It’s a small squad, just four Olympians, but they’ve got four Irish stories. Like Dubliner Cormac Comerford in the downhill, giant slalom run and Super G disciplines. "Comerford first honed his skills at the Kilternan dry slopes in Co Wicklow. Working as a mechanical engineer in the off-season.”
As for World Cup Soccer
Ireland’s Men’s National Team is playing the national team from Czechia on Thursday, March 26 in the ancient city of Prague. Ireland’s squad must win this one to have any chance of playing in this summer’s World Cup.There’s talk among some nations that have made it into the tournament of a possible boycott. That talk just got louder. The guy who used to run FIFA, the outfit that organizes the WC, is telling supporters to stay home. This summer's World Cup games will be played in the U.S., Mexico and Canada.
