The history of and the contemporary use of the Irish Historical Ballad is the subject of the Irish Cultural Society's meeting on October 17 at 8 p.m. at the Garden City Library, 60 Seventh Street, across the street from the Garden City Hotel. The public is invited.

Lorcan Otway, the speaker at the meeting, has been referred to in scholarly papers and reviews as a modern master of the Irish Ballad. He lectures each year at New York University on the topic, illustrating his lectures with ballads ranging from the Middle Ages to his own compositions. His ballad "Engine 33" about the loss of a quarter of the firehouse in his neighborhood on 9/11 has entered the folk tradition, being performed by four different bands at the Whitby Music Festival several years ago in England. He will also present his latest piece "Mali Dhonn" about the loss of a trawler off the coast of Kerry.

Lorcan Otway's experience with audiences and his exuberance for his subject assure the success of this meeting.

At this meeting, president Martin Kelly will confirm final details of the Society's sponsored tour of St. Patrick's Old Cathedral on October 21 at 1 p.m. Directions will be available and payments of the $12 fee accepted both in person and by mail to the Society's Garden City Post office box 247.