“Every shade of green”
PDX Hibernian Independent - 15 October 2026
More than an email. Less than a newspaper. Weekly newsletter of the Portland Hibernian Society. Delivered every Thursday morning.
In San Francisco last weekend (Oct. 10), members of the United Irish Cultural Center took advantage of perfect Fall weather and an iconic backdrop to show support for the Garvaghy Road residents of Portadown in Co. Armagh who are trying to stop an Orange Order parade through their neighborhood. Photo courtesy of UICC. SCROLL DOWN TO ITEM #5.
Meeting Tonight. Agenda: Canada
We’ll gather tonight at Kells Restaurant. No-host dinner at Six P.M. Presentation at Seven P.M. No cover charge. All are welcome. 112 SW Second Avenue. Downtown Portland. “There is more to Irish-Canadian history that most people know…especially Americans,” Hibernian Dan Holden. With this long friendly history, why the current conflict? Discussion to follow. Free desserts too.
Special guest from our other neighbor to the north
Caron McMahon, president of the Irish Heritage Club of Seattle, will attend our meeting this evening as part of her goodwill tour of Portland. McMahon was born in Ennis, County Clare. Lived in Dublin for 20 years and ended up in Seattle ten years ago this month. She has headed up the Irish Heritage Club since 2017. Find out how she manages a 600-member Irish organization when Caron speaks at The Dullahan in Lake Oswego Saturday afternoon at 4 P.M.
Ireland’s West Coast diplomat in Portland Tues Oct. 20
It was one year ago in late October that the Government of Ireland announced its new Consul General in San Francisco: Marianne Bolger. Her job description was articulated by Tánaiste (Deputy Prime Minister) Simon Harris at the time. Support Irish citizens...advance Ireland's interests and values around the world...strengthen Ireland’s global presence..influence, deepen and expand our network... build new partnerships and amplify our voice in the world. Meet Consul General Marianne Bolger Tuesday Oct. 20 at TC O’Leary’s. Seven P.M. Click here to RSVP.
Speaking of diplomacy…Irish-American Ambassador to Greece is sacked
Kimberly Guilfoyle was once the pride of San Francisco’s vibrant Irish community. Her father (Tony) had emigrated from Ennis, Co. Clare, she was taught by the Sisters of Mercy, spent summers in Ireland, put herself through law school, married a mayor and future governor named Gavin Newsom and almost married a Trump son. Now though, as you may have read, her career is in tatters. Might she return home? Did she leave her heart in San Francisco? KRON TV reports, “Guilfoyle, who was once engaged to Donald Trump Jr., kept a secret "burn book" on the Trump family.”
“No Orange parade” SF Irish support Garvaghy Road residents
It’s still a dynamic situation in Portadown, Co. Armagh but so far there’s been no replay of the bad old days in the north of Ireland. The battles are being fought in courts and not on the streets. One side is scoring points with the public while the other is divided. Click here for a recap.
Ireland’s ‘soft power” is spelled B.I.N.G.O.
Taoiseach Micheal Martin took Manhattan by storm recently when he made the media rounds, hung out with Mayor Zohran Momdani and addressed the General Assembly of the United Nations. What caught my eye was a report on his appearance at the New York Irish Center in Long Island City. The Prime Minister of Ireland called the Wednesday afternoon bingo game for seniors. Mamdani and Martin called out all the bingo lingo classics – 71, bang on the drum, 74, candy store, and 17 dancing queen. But 30, feeling flirty, was one too far for Mamdani. “Are you making these up?” he asked. “Do they all have to rhyme?”
Speaking of Bingo. Game on Saturday at Stamp Society
If any of what the Taoiseach was saying makes sense to you, you will want to check out the All Ireland Cultural Society meeting Oct. 17 in NE Portland. Doors open 3:15. If you knew what the Taoiseach was talking about, this will make sense. BINGO with an additional $100 cash for the blackout. $1/card or 6 for $5 - PAYS 50%/game. Blackout $2/card or 6 for $10 - PAYS 100% plus $100.00. 5 Games plus blackout; straight line (diagonal, horizontal or vertical), inside picture frame (4 corners around free), outside picture frame (outside corners, no I, N, G), postage stamp (top right (NE corner) G & O), railroad (2 verticals B & O only), BLACKOUT. Here’s all you need to know.
Corrib Theatre: How to pronounce Samhain
An Scéal: Samhain x Dia De Muertos makes the case that Ireland and Mexico share a reverence for death that doesn’t preclude humor. FINAL PERFORMANCES THIS WEEKEND at Kilo D’Cofi NE, 1615 NE Killingsworth St. Samhain, the ancient Celtic festival marking the end of the harvest and the thinning of the veil between the living and the dead, meets Día de Muertos, the Mexican tradition of honoring ancestors through ofrendas (offerings), celebration, and remembrance.” Eighteen days until Samhain and All Saint’s Day. CLICK HERE FOR SHOW INFO. Pron. “Sau-ihn”
Serious fun at Féile Portland
If your engagement with Celtic culture is anything but casual; if you’re interested in keeping the old ways alive, this is for you. Féile Portland, a festival of Irish language, dance and culture sponsored by the Irish Cultural Society of the Pacific Northwest (ICSPNW) takes place the first weekend of November at PCC Sylvania Campus and includes special events at TC O’Leary’s and Kells. Click here for the full rundown and ticket info.
Where in the world?
This is something you don’t see very often. The Stars and Stripes, Maple Leaf and Tri Color flying side-by-side-by-side.
These three flags. Where?
Friday Harbor, Washington
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