Saint Patrick’s Day Celebration - A Tribute to P.V. O’Donnell at Saint Joseph College

Saint Joseph College will present a Saint Patrick’s Day Celebration in tribute to the late P.V. O’Donnell as part of The Bruyette Athenaeum Performing Arts Series on Sunday, March 13, 2011 at 3:00 p.m. in the Hoffman Auditorium on the College’s West Hartford campus. Advance admission: $25 Adult, $20 Senior Citizen, $12 Child; from March 7: $30 Adult, $25 Senior Citizen, $17 Child. Reserved seating; to purchase tickets, contact the Frances Driscoll Box Office at 860.231.5555 or place your order online at http://tickets.sjc.edu. Box office hours are Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and one hour before performances.

Join us for the annual Saint Patrick’s Day concert which, up until this performance, featured Connecticut’s own sparkling gem from the Emerald Isle. Saint Joseph College’s 2011 celebration of Irish culture and tradition on Sunday, March 13 will be a tribute to the life, career and legacy of the “Irish Fiddler from Donegal,” P.V. O’Donnell. The event will include performances by Connecticut’s best Irish musicians: Michael “Piper” Cooney (uillean pipes); Jean Freeman (fiddle); Loretta Murphy (box); Peter Maxwell (bass); Janine Randall (piano); Danny Ringrose (vocals and guitar); special guest Charlie Coen (concertina); and Irish dancers. 

About the late P.V. O’Donnell …

A master fiddler in the Irish tradition, Patrick Vincent O’Donnell - P.V., as he was known to family and friends - passed away on January 28, 2011. Born in the town of Buncrana in County Donegal, Ireland, P.V. later came to the United States and settled in Manchester, Conn. Recognized by many fans as "The Donegal Fiddler," P.V. began playing the fiddle at the tender age four; over the years he studied with some of the most highly-regarded Irish fiddlers. His notable and dynamic performances included appearances with the Hartford Symphony at the Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts; various concerts and festivals locally and across the country; on Connecticut television and radio; at the popular annual Saint Patrick's Day concert here at Saint Joseph College; and at private weddings and gatherings. In addition to his inspiring on-stage performances and recordings, P.V. created an everlasting legacy as a fiddle instructor, sharing his talent and mastery with students of all ages. He was instrumental in the forming of the first branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Eireann in Buncrana and was later involved with the Connecticut chapters – a group that promotes traditional Irish music and culture.