“Living in Pearl River we’ve been constantly surrounded by Irish natives, Irish Americans, and even people who aren’t really Irish but still enjoy Ireland’s traditions and music. It was nice to have the amount of support that we did when we first started. “ – Blaithin Loughran, Girsa
“We’ve created our own style – the new New York style. We have so many influences from different people. Being so young and having so many influences, without knowing it we have our own style.” – Pamela Geraghty, Girsa
This week KissMyCountry’s thoughts turn to Ireland and all things Irish as we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. We had the chance to interview Girsa, an all-female Irish-American singing group based out of the Irish and Irish-American community of Pearl River, New York. Performing traditional Irish music at events and festivals, the Girsa members have known each other since childhood, bound by family, musical talent and cultural tradition. They’ve appropriately chosen to call themselves Girsa, which means ‘young girls’ in Gaelic. You’ll enjoy getting to know these girls and their manager, who is also one of their moms. Don’t forget to listen to Girsa’s debut CD!
“The girls had a concert last night. Most of the families and even the grandmothers came. We had so much fun,” says Pat Geraghty, Girsa’s manager, mother of Pamela and aunt of Emily McShane, two of Girsa’s members. In the group some are sisters, some are cousins, all are from musical families who are an important part of the Irish traditional music world and have known each other, studied under each others’ parents, aunts and uncles, and sung together for many years. It’s a unique combination with a wonderful result – respect for the value of tradition with an eye toward the new. That’s Girsa.
“The biggest reward is hearing them today and seeing how they have turned out to be such a tight knit group of friends and band mates,” Pat reflects. “This group of girls had been asked to represent the local Irish Traditional Teachers in our town at different events, and they were amazing. Little gigs started to come in for them.” The group’s popularity grew, and invitations came from festivals outside the New York area.
Margaret Dudasik, Girsa member, talked about their most exciting moments - and plans for more this summer. “Getting to compete in the senior ceili band competition at the Fleadh in Tullamore last summer was a huge milestone. I remember Bla (Blaithin Loughran) saying ‘I didn’t think I’d be competing in this ‘til I was 50,’ and we all agreed. Our dream of playing the biggest Irish festival in the country is about to come true – this summer we’ll play at the Milwaukee Irish Fest. It’s crazy to be able to say, “My band is touring this summer.”
Girsa’s popularity is not limited to the US – they’re developing a following in Ireland as well, and are considering a tour there during the summer of 2011 or 2012. Emily McShane says, “Our CD is played all over Ireland, and our families over there are promoting them. My aunt was driving down the road one day and heard Girsa being played in another car.”
Girsa’s love of music extends to other traditions. Margaret Dudasik, a musical theater major, loves ‘everything Broadway’ and is a ‘jazz fanatic’. Pamela Geraghty and Emily McShane are country music fans, noting that a number of country artists have gone to Ireland and collaborated with Irish musicians, including Kathy Mattea.
St. Patrick’s Day will be a busy time for Girsa, starting the weekend before. “We have five performances, starting with the Big Apple Feis which is a dancing competition for Irish dancers. There’s Thatcher McGee’s and a concert at Hofstra. On St. Patrick’s Day we’ll go to the parade in New York, and then we have a gig at Brady’s on Maiden Lane.
Although performing is exciting and fun, both Pat and the members of Girsa still enjoy time spent together with friends and family. “My favorite times with the girls has been just sitting in my living room listening to them laugh, tell stories and of course create such beautiful music together,” says Pat. Dierdre Brennan, Girsa member says “When my family gets together, my grandmother always asks me to sing Caledonia. It’s her favorite song and I performed it at my grandparent’s 50th wedding anniversary last year.”
Girsa , Pat, and all your families – we wish you the best at your gigs this year, and we’ll be thinking of you on St. Patricks’ Day. We’ll check in later this year because we want to stay in touch and hear how it’s going!
