Geneva Girls, Irish Music Among the Stars at Folk Fest

If you're an old curmudgeon and ever wonder where and the good, smart, respectful, talented, kids have gone these days, I've got an answer for you.

Two of them went to Ireland. And back to Geneva.

Molly Griffin, 17, and her sister Grace, 12, are two of the amazing performers at the Fox Valley Folk Music & Storytelling Festival going on now, Sunday and Monday of Labor Day weekend, at Island Park in Geneva.

Molly and Grace are members of the Murphy Roche Irish Music Club, which performed at 11 a.m. Sunday under the tent at Workshop 3.

Each placed in the top seven in their various categories and age groups in world competition in Ireland. I don't know about other old curmudgeons out there, but I'm not seventh in the world at anything.

Molly has been learning, singing, strumming or fiddling with Irish music for eight years. Grace has been at it for five years.

"I got started when my parents signed me up for a fiddle lesson," Molly said. "I loved it, and I've been playing ever since."

Grace is the lead singer in the group and got started playing the tin whistle. Both girls sing and play a number of musical instruments.

Molly is the Youth Officer of Murphy Roche, along with everything else, and has her own page on the Murphy Roche Web site.

Murphy Roche is also a school for Irish music, of course, and Molly and Grace are among the students most likely to succeed.

The Murphy Roche Irish Dancers are among the many talented actors and musicians at the eight stages at the Folk Fest.