Each week, the West of Ireland continues to grow, not in size but in the talents of our community members and in the ways we support each other and Project Children. We have diverse events going on every day, wonderful volunteers who are the face and soul of the WOI, and great friends who come by to talk, dance, and participate. Additionally, your donations make it possible for us to send Project Children roughly $1000US a month. Real world money that is put to very good use improving the lives of children in difficult circumstances. Thank you, everyone.

Highlights of recent and upcoming events:

- The West of Ireland Step Dancers made their debut on Sunday, in a joint appearance with the Scotland sim’s pipe band! Daisyblue Hefferman, Derry McMahon, Seana McMillan, Feargal Flanagan, and Diane McMahon put on an amazing performance, with dances coordinated and choreographed by Daisyblue.

- In addition to his wonderful live concerts (on hiatus while his wrist heals), Tone Uriza is now DJ’ing at Nancy Blake’s, usually on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 7pm. Tone’s blues collection is unrivaled and his shows are wonderful, both as a chance to dance and as a way of learning more about this style of music.

- Slip Stringfellow, appearing each Thursday night at Nancy’s, again thrilled audiences with his playing of traditional Irish music t his week. I have a soft spot for Slip’s fiddle playing, but he’s equally as amazing on the flute and guitar.

- Syd Goff, a long term and beloved member of our WOI family, is back in full force, DJ’ing Wednesdays at noon at Nancy’s and Saturdays at 11am on Bundoran Beach. You’ll also find him holding impromptu DJ events on the deck at Nancy’s at various times during the week, greeting new visitors and giving us all a chance to dance to his mixture of classic rock and experiemental music.

- Sunday was our first Dancing at the Crossroads event, held in the Celtic Crossing Marketplace and DJ’ed with skill and style by Lyndzee McMillan. The dance drew a huge crowd and introduced people to not only wonderful Celtic rock but also the marketplace itself. Thanks to Lyndzee and to the great hosts for the event, Addie Dollinger and Aislinn Heron.

- In response to requests to hold weddings here in the WOI, we now have a great wedding planning and support team, headed up by Padula Bing. The time is fast approaching for the first WOI mock wedding ceremony to be held on Sept 30, from 11-12 SL on Clare Island. The happy couple is none other than Derry McMahon and Professor Maertens. Reception following at Nancy’s 12-2pm SL featuring DJ Syd Goff. For those of you who just can’t stop dancing, DJ Lyndzee McMillan will play an afterparty from 2-3pm slt. Please mark your calendars! Please notify Queen Hostess Kloacen Dagger if you are interested in assisting during the event. Padula Bing also needs some assistance in building a reception canopy. Please let her know if you can provide help in the way of materials or building skills. The canopy will be a simple wooden frame draped in white sheer fabric.

- On Sept 17th, the Storytelling Guild of SL will return to Neart Island at 7pm for an open mic storytelling event! Bring your stories and participate either via voice or text. Trinity Fitzpatrick and Padula Bing will be hosts for this event.

Thank you again for making the West of Ireland a great place to be.

Sioban