Thought I’d write a quick update before I fly to Philadelphia tomorrow to join the NCL ship Majesty. I’ll be gone until October 4 and will be mostly out of touch to all except those on the cruises.

We’ve been working hard on the 2010 Tours to Ireland these last few weeks.

The first will be with Fr. Liam and Mary Collins, meeting at Shannon airport on July 8 and the second, my 20^th Tour to Ireland will meet, again at Shannon airport, on July 22.

 We will have the full brochure up on the website soon and will be ready to take reservations at the beginning of October. We expect both tours to be well received and we have some nice surprises in store and have chosen lovely hotels and a well paced sightseeing itinerary. I am very pleased with the cost of the tour, it’s a great value and If you plan to come along leave your name and contact numbers at my email address and Traci or I will be in touch. hodmusic@aol.com

The Ireland at Sea cruise in January with Seamus Kennedy and Fiona Molloy is picking up steam. To reserve a cabin call Isle Inn Tours at 1-800-237-9736.               I must say that I am really looking forward to being back in turquoise Caribbean waters …and in good company.

The 4^th Gaels of Music concert in Statesboro will be on Tuesday October 13. Gabriel Donahue and Danny Ray Cole are the headliners and Frank Emerson, Johnnie Kennedy, the Savannah Irish Dancers and I will round out the program. There will be a meet and greet/social hour before the event and a coach has been arranged to take people from and back to Savannah. Cost for coach transport and ticket to the show: $20. The coach will leave from the Visitors Center in Savannah at 5.30PM

We’re also having a raffle to help the scholarship fund. First prize is a two night stay at the brand new Bohemian Hotel in Savannah, dinner at the Shrimp Factory, dinner at The Boar’s Head Restaurant, after dinner drinks and show at Kevin Barry’s and a city trolley tour.

Second prize is my left handed Takemine acoustic/electric guitar signed by some of the Irish musicians who pass through town. Third prize is $250

Tickets are $5 each or five for $20…it’s a terrific cause and great prizes. You can purchase tickets at Kevin Barry’s or at: www.emeraldeddie.com

The raffle will be held on the night of the show and you don’t need to be present to win.

Thanks for stopping by, please share your thoughts on our Guestbook page and my next writing will be more in depth.

All the best,