Author: icc-admin

What a year for rugby! If you, like us, were glued to the Summer Olympics and are missing all the rugby action, we have you covered here at the ICC. The Springfield Rifles fall season is coming up and we can’t wait to welcome the club and all their fans back to their home field.  

Sauce Hogan, President of the Springfield Rifles Rugby Club, says “The entire Springfield Rifles Rugby Club is looking forward to the upcoming season at the ICC. The ICC is a venue rich with our community’s spirit and tradition; it’s the perfect home for rugby. We’re excited to build on last year’s successes and welcome both returning players and new members to our men’s and women’s teams. Join us as we continue to strengthen our club and celebrate our 55th year with unmatched enthusiasm and camaraderie. Practices are every Tuesday and Thursday from 6–8 pm at the ICC. Thursday practices are followed by socializing at the ICC’s Trinity Pub. Let’s make this season one to remember! God Bless America, God Bless the Rifles.”

Conor Driscoll, Rifles Vice President and ICC Events Director, is proud that the ICC allows the community to experience both local and international rugby. “For years, rugby has been called a ‘sleeping giant’ of a sport, but the provocation is fully awakened here in Western MA and South Western New England. The ICC, for the past few years, has been a mecca of international, professional and semi-professional rugby in the region, covering areas spanning from Hartford, CT and Albany, NY all the way to Worcester and Southern Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. We are committed to bringing the full throttle excitement of rugby, both live and broadcasted, to the people of the Pioneer Valley and beyond.”

“Come watch Springfield Rugby live right here every spring and fall. Or you can follow us on social media and find dates to catch live broadcasts of Ireland International games, including the Guinness Six Nations Tournament every spring. On top of all that we have you covered on live USA Rugby as well. Come watch the Lady Eagles of USA Women’s Rugby try and capitalize on the incredible and historic Olympic Bronze Medal run by the USA Women’s 7s team, as they compete in the 2024 Women’s Rugby World Cup this fall!”

Visit our events calendar for the latest information to cheer on the Rifles here at the ICC this fall. Home matches will take place September 21 and 28, October 19, and November 2.

Wheelchair Rugby is happening right now at the 2024 Paris Paralympics! Learn more and find the schedule >

World Rugby has a fascinating look at rugby’s history in the Olympics. Learn more >

The Irish Cultural Center is hosting a Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day Party on Sunday, September 8 with shopping from local vendors, live music, and a bounce house for kids. We’re joining in the fun with the town of West Springfield’s Halfway to St.Patrick’s Day 5K & Kids Fun Run that starts and ends at the ICC.

The Trinity Pub opens at 12 pm, and the kitchen opens for food at 1 pm. Enjoy the atmosphere before and after the races in our authentic Dublin-style pub or out on the patio. Join us for live music with Jimmy McArdle and Jerry Murphy from 2–5 pm on the patio.

We’re featuring local vendors of crafts and gifts, including:

Celtic Creations by Barney McElhone
– Stained and etched glass art, Dichroic jewelry and miniature Irish Cottages

Seashells By Michelle
– Seashell art and beach decor

Highlands Card & Gift (visit website)
– The Pioneer Valley’s largest importer of Irish-themed gifts including Irish Knit Sweaters, flat caps, scarves and knit hats, Celtic jewelry, glassware, wool capes and handbags, throws, mugs, teapots and more, plus all your favorite Irish foods

Arbonne Health and Beauty (visit website)
– Skin health and beauty from within

The Irish Cultural Center invites you to a special evening with Éilís Kennedy, National Award-Winning Irish singer/songwriter, and guitarist Adam Hendey. This intimate acoustic performance will showcase the talents of one of Ireland’s most celebrated folk singers. All the way from the shores of Dingle, Co. Kerry to West Springfield!

Join us on Monday, September 16 from 6–8 pm at the ICC’s Irish House Restaurant and Trinity Pub. Doors open at 4:30 pm. Enjoy a specialty menu created by Chef Anthony Padilla – food and drinks will be available for purchase (not included in ticket cost). Guests are encouraged to arrive early if ordering food.

Purchase tickets online or call the ICC 413-342-4358. Tickets are $30 for current ICC Patrons, and $35 for the general public.

This is a seated show. Seating location is first come, first served. Seating includes tables with regular chairs and taller bistro-style, and the bar. Please let us know if accessible seating is required.

All sales are final. Refunds are given ONLY in the event of cancellation by performers.

Presenting Sponsors: Westfield Bank, Freedom Credit Union, PeoplesBank. Thanks to our Business Sponsors >

About Éilís Kennedy
Éilís was born and raised in West Kerry, Ireland by parents who passed on a lifelong and committed interest in the poetry and songs of that region. The emotion and stories associated with Gaelic singing informed her love of song, having been fortunate to listen to many of the finest singers in her locality. As well as being recognized as one of Ireland’s foremost folk singers, Éilís plays whistle and Irish flute and is a fluent  native Gaelic speaker.

Éilís has recorded three solo albums with her friend and Grammy award winning US guitarist William Coulter – Time to Sail, One Sweet Kiss, and Westward.

In 2007, along with composer Shaun Davey, Rita Connolly, Seamus Begley, Jim Murray, Eoin Ó Beaglaoich, and Dáithí Ó Sé, Éilís was a part of BéalTuinne – Live at St. James’ Church, Dingle. The common thread was a sense of place, and pride in the undeniable magic of West Kerry.

Éilís formed Lumiere with fellow West Kerry musician Pauline Scanlon in 2009, on discovering a shared interest in and love of song and enjoying the new experience of duo singing. They have recorded two award winning albums – Lumiere, and My Dearest Dear.

Songwriting is a new departure for Éilís and her newest album, So Ends This Day, is a themed album of songs she has composed about lives involved in whaling, New Bedford whalers and their wives, including a song about the Fenian rescue in Fremantle by the whaleship Catalpa in 1876. The album received critical acclaim and was nominated for an RTE Folk Award. Eilís also received the 2021 ACLSR Award for Female Vocalist of the Year. The song Petticoat Whalers from the album is a runner up in the 2021 American Songwriter International Songwriting competition.

Éilís continues to sing and play with a variety of musicians at the pub she has run with her husband, John Benny Moriarty, in Dingle for the past 25 years.

About Adam Hendey
Adam is a multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, and composer living in Boston, MA. Known for his sense and skill as a sought-after accompanist in the city’s vibrant traditional music communities, Adam is available for private and group instruction, professional collaborations, and commissions for new music in Boston and beyond.

Adam is a graduate of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, where he studied Traditional Music as a Master’s student, and the Robert D. Clark Honors College at the University of Oregon, where he finished with Bachelor’s degrees in Music and Philosophy.

Video > Éilís Kennedy – Petticoat Whalers (Live from John Benny’s Pub Dingle) 

Video > Éilís Kennedy – Ciumhais Charraig Aonair (Live from John Benny’s Pub Dingle) 

Video > Éilís Ní Chinnéide – An Droighneán Donn | Tigh John Benny, An Daingean | Geantraí 2009 |TG4

Join us in the Irish Cultural Center Book Club. We’ll enjoy good craic and delve into Irish and Irish-American literature, with guided discussion in a welcoming, relaxed atmosphere. This event is open to all.

Our meeting will take place on Thursday, September 12 from 5:30–6:30 pm at the ICC. 

We are reading Northern Spy by Flynn Berry. Participants are encouraged to arrive a few minutes early to get settled, perhaps grab a drink, mix and mingle. You are welcome to stay after at the Trinity Pub to socialize with dinner or drinks. 

To Register
The Book Club is free to join. Please register ahead so we know how many people to expect. Register online >

About the Book
A producer at the BBC and mother to a new baby, Tessa is at work in Belfast one day when the news of another raid comes on the air. The IRA may have gone underground in the two decades since the Good Friday Agreement, but they never really went away, and lately bomb threats, security checkpoints, and helicopters floating ominously over the city have become features of everyday life. As the news reporter requests the public’s help in locating those responsible for the robbery, security footage reveals Tessa’s sister, Marian, pulling a black ski mask over her face.

When the truth about Marian comes to light, Tessa is faced with impossible choices that will test the limits of her ideals, the bonds of her family, her notions of right and wrong, and her identity as a sister and a mother. Walking an increasingly perilous road, she wants nothing more than to protect the one person she loves more fiercely than her sister: her infant son, Finn.

Riveting, atmospheric, and exquisitely written, “Northern Spy” is at once a heart-pounding story of the contemporary IRA and a moving portrait of sister- and motherhood, and of life in a deeply divided society. (text from Amazon)

Available from several vendors online or your favorite local book shop. Or, check your local library.
• Amazon.com (new) >
• Better Worlds Books (used) >

Books for Upcoming Meetings
October 10, 2024: Last September by Elizabeth Bowen
November 14, 2024: An Irishman’s Story of Survival by Jack Cashman – Special Book Club Presentation with author
December 12, 2024: The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods
January 19, 2025 (Sunday at 12 pm): Nora by Nuala O’Connor – Special Book Club Presentation with author via Zoom

The Irish Cultural Center has linked up with Irish historian, Sean Murphy, to introduce our community to live, weekly online Irish history courses. Sean presents two monthly topics, divided into four-week modules. On enrollment, participants will receive the Zoom link, a copy of each week’s PowerPoint presentation, and additional background materials. The courses may be taken as recordings if Thursday presents access difficulties for any reason. Participants also have a half hour one-on-one session with Sean to answer any questions on the course content.

The first topic is a general history of Ireland from ancient times to the present day. The course module for September 2024 is The Protestant Ascendency and the Penal Laws. Takes place on Thursdays, September 5, 12, 19 & 26 from 7:30–9:00 pm.
• View course flyer >

The second topic is a general history of each of the thirty two counties in Ireland. Featured in September 2024 is County Mayo. Takes place on Thursdays, September 5, 12, 19 & 26 from 6:00–7:30 pm.
• View course flyer >

To Enroll
The enrollment fee is $100 for each four-week course. Please contact Sean directly for information or to enroll in his course(s) – send an email to seanmurphy630@gmail.com or register at www.irishhistory.online.

About Sean Murphy
Sean Murphy was born in Dublin and came to live on Cape Cod in 2005. He has a passion for his homeland and loves to share his knowledge and interest about his heritage through classes, workshops and conversation. He is a teacher of Irish history, music, and dance.

In cooperation with Elms College, the Irish Cultural Center is pleased to offer a range of Irish classes for the 2024/2025 academic year. We welcome Édith de Faoite, our fifteenth Fulbright Irish Language Teaching Assistant (FLTA). A Kerry native and graduate of Coláiste na hOllscoile Corcaigh (UCC), Édith looks forward to serving as a cultural ambassador to the Elms, ICC, and broader community. With the strong familial links to Kerry in this area, Édith’s transition here will undoubtedly be quick and smooth. She will teach the Intermediate Class at Elms College, deliver a lecture, and organize the Lá na Gaeilge in May. Fáilte mhór romhat, a Édith.

The Irish Language program will also offer Zoom classes for those beginning their studies. Irish I and II will be offered starting in September. Join us in September to start or further your language journey. View the class details and download a registration form >

Things are moving along quite well at the Irish Cultural Center. We are excited to embark on the final phase of construction on our unique Community Performance Center. We’ve been busy at work with our Capstone Capital Campaign to raise the final $2M needed for completing this community space.

Please take a few minutes to view this short video outlining the campaign with a tour of the Community Performance Center’s new home.

On Behalf of the Capstone Committee,
Honorary Chairperson, Congressman Richard Neal
Campaign Co-Chairs, West Springfield Mayor Will Reichelt and ICC President, Sean Cahillane

Steering Committee Members:
Ed Sullivan, Former Mayor, COO Sullivan Paper, ICC Vice President
Kevin O’Connor, Executive VP of Westfield Bank, ICC Vice President
Will Carey, Chair of Freedom Credit Union, ICC Board Member
Frank Quigley, former Chair of Special Olympics
Linda Melconian, Former State Senator
David Keaney, Attorney

The ICC invites you to an afternoon of indie Irish fiddle and folk music with the trio House of Hamill – Brian Buchanan, Rose Baldino, and Caroline Browning. Their dynamic performances have been extremely popular in their many years of playing for the ICC, and include original instrumentals, reimagined folk ballads, and original songs that showcase the trio’s versatility.

House of Hamill performs on Sunday, November 17 at 3:00 pm at the ICC’s Irish House Restaurant and Trinity Pub. Doors open at 1:30 pm. Food and drinks will be available for purchase (not included in ticket cost). Guests are encouraged to arrive early if ordering food.

THIS SHOW IS SOLD OUT. Tickets will not be available at the door. 

Tickets are $23 for current ICC Patrons, and $28 for the general public. Once the main room sells out, tickets will be available for our rear Celtic Room for $20/ICC Patrons and $25/general. The room has an obstructed view of the show when seated; the music can still be heard and guests may stand in the main room during the show.

This is a seated show. Seating location is first come, first served. Seating includes tables with regular chairs and taller bistro-style, and the bar. Please let us know if accessible seating is required.

About House of Hamill
Pennsylvania-based House of Hamill was created by Brian Buchanan and Rose Baldino, with bassist Caroline Browning joining four years later. The trio is a fixture on festival stages across the US, and have shared their music and stories on premier folk stages throughout the country and beyond. Whether they’re ripping through a set of original jigs and reels, adding lush three-part harmonies into traditional folk ballads, or cracking up an audience with stories from the road, House of Hamill puts on a show that captivates audiences from the very first note. All three members also play with Enter the Haggis.

Listen to their latest album “Wildfire” now >
Video > “The Bully of Skidmore Town”
Video > “Shine”

Presenting Sponsors
Westfield Bank, Freedom Credit Union, PeoplesBank. Thanks to our Business Sponsors >

All sales are final. Refunds are given ONLY in the event of cancellation by performers.

Come join in the fun, as comedian Dave Kane brings you a laugh filled presentation of jokes, one liners and stories that celebrate the warmth and resilience of the Irish sense of humor. Don’t miss this delightfully entertaining one man show, from the creator of the sold-out hit Misgivings last year!

The show takes place on Thursday, August 22 at 5:30 pm at the Irish House Restaurant and Trinity Pub. Doors open at 4:00 pm. Food and drinks will be available for purchase (not included in ticket cost). Guests are encouraged to arrive early if ordering food.

Tickets are $25 for ICC Patrons / $30 for the general public. Get your tickets online or call 413-342-4358.

Table seating location is first come, first served. Seating includes tables with regular chairs and taller bistro-style. Please let us know if accessible seating is required.

Tickets are non-refundable. 

Presenting Sponsors
Westfield Bank, Freedom Credit Union, PeoplesBank. Thanks to our Business Sponsors.