from John Patrick Walsh, National Liaison…
As summer heats up most of the DC divisions take a small break from official business and instead focus on fellowship. Baseball presents a wonderful occasion for Hibernian families to gather and enjoy the national pastime in our nation’s capital. Some divisions even use the opportunity to promote Irish culture amongst the Tri-State’s baseball fandom.
PND Keith Carney and Commodore John Barry Division 1 have spearheaded “Irish Night @ Nats Park” in conjunction with the Washington Nationals for the past few years. Originally conceived as a Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day fundraiser for local parades and Pat Troy’s Irish Show, the event now hosts delegations from the Irish Embassy and local Irish-American organizations including dance troupes and Tri-State Hibernians. This year’s celebration (Sunday, Sept. 29th vs Cleveland Indians, 3:05pm) will again feature a pregame festival with Irish food, drink, and music for purchasers of the Leprechaun ticket package. Tickets are limited but interested Hibernians can click HERE to reserve their seats.
For the brothers of Msgr. Thomas Wells Division 3, each month of baseball season presents an opportunity to take in a Bethesda Big Train or Silver Spring T-Bolts game. Both teams compete in the collegiate Cal Ripken League, where seats are cheap and fans get to see baseball’s future prospects before they become household names.
On July 20th, the Charles Carroll of Carrollton Division 2 plan to take in the Bowie Baysox (AA-Orioles) and invites brothers from all DC and MD divisions to join them. The annual division outing provides an opportunity for Hibernians and family to more deeply connect while talking about topics other than the AOH, a welcome respite for most spouses and children. When possible, the division tries to plan their event in conjunction with the annual DC Padres game; a contest between the Archdiocese baseball team and local Catholic High Schools, that promotes discernment and vocations.
