Category: Latest News

Guinness Six Nations Rugby is back at the Trinity Pub! The Springfield Rifles Rugby Club and the ICC continue our tradition of hosting viewing parties for select matches during the tournament on our big screen tv. The Trinity Pub full bar will be open, with light snacks and pizza available. All are welcome to attend.

Schedule:
February 4 @ 11:45 am – England vs. Scotland
February 11 @ 11:45 am – Scotland vs. Wales
March 11 @ 11:45 am – England vs. France
March 18 @ 1 pm – Ireland vs. England

The Irish Cultural Center is excited to introduce our Tin Whistle for the Complete Beginner Workshop taught by Ellen Redman. This free 6-week series of classes is aimed at kids aged 8–12, with no experience needed. Advance registration is required.

Enter the magical world of Irish music! Learning the tin whistle is an easy and fun way to get started playing the polkas, jigs, reels and songs that are such an important part of Irish culture. In this introductory workshop we will learn all the notes on the whistle which will enable us to play a few tunes just in time for St. Patrick’s Day. The tunes will be taught by ear so reading music is not a requirement. We will also take time to explore Irish music in its many forms and what it’s like to play in a session.

Dates and Time
Wednesdays from 4:45–5:30 pm
February 8 & 15, March 1, 8, 15 & 22 (note week off for school vacation)
After our last class on March 22, we will perform a few tunes before the weekly trad session at the ICC.

Location
Irish Cultural Center
429 Morgan Road, West Springfield, MA
(use the patio entrance to the Irish House Restaurant)

Cost
Workshop is free. Whistles and materials will be provided.

To Register
Parents/guardians must complete the online registration form by February 6. Class size is limited to 12 students, ages 8–12. Click to register. 

This program is supported in part by a grant from the West Springfield Arts Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

About the Instructor
Ellen Redman, (Irish flute and tin whistle) is both a classically trained flutist and accomplished traditional Irish flutist and whistle player. Inspired by the flute playing of Kevin Crawford and Nuala Kennedy and with nurture and encouragement from Boston fiddlers Larry Reynolds and Seamus Connolly, she found a new direction and passion in her musical life and in 2006 and 2007 qualified for the All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil. Ellen is an instructor of classical and Irish flute at Smith College and teaches Irish flute and whistle at the Connecticut Academy of Irish Music. She is a flutist with the Springfield Symphony and co-hosts a weekly session at the Irish Cultural Center of Western New England, as well as guest-hosting sessions around New England. She is also the director of The Wailing Banshees, a traditional Irish group she formed at Smith College, and frequently appears in and around the region with the band Banish Misfortune and her newly formed trio, Last Night’s Fun.

Join us at the ICC this February for a two-part Celtic Script workshop with Jonathan Evans from The Herbarium in Chicopee. No experience needed – learn how to script beautiful Celtic Letters with all the materials you need.

The classes take place Thursdays, February 9 and 16 from 6–8 pm. At the Irish Cultural Center, 429 Morgan Road, West Springfield, MA. Food and drinks are available for purchase at the ICC’s Trinity Pub (not included in program cost).

Cost: $110 (includes materials)
Register by February 2 – call Jonathan directly at 413-598-8119.

Due to a shortage of lefthanded pens, this class can only accommodate right handers. If you have a lefthand pen set, you are more than welcome to register.

Jonathan Evans
www.theherbarium.com | Facebook

 

The Irish Cultural Center of Western New England is sponsoring this exciting raffle, with a first prize of a trip for two on an ICC group tour to Ireland in 2023 OR $5,000 cash!

The drawing will be held on Wednesday, February 1 on St. Brigid’s Day at the ICC. The Trinity Pub will be open with a light fare menu available for purchase. Entertainment begins with our traditional Irish music session at 6:00 pm.

Those who attend will receive a free raffle ticket for a $100 gift certificate to the ICC’s Irish House Restaurant. There will be two winners drawn for these certificates; must be present to win.

The raffle event will begin at 7:00 pm with welcomes from ICC officials followed by the drawings. Winners for the first and second prize need not be present.

Raffle tickets must be purchased by 6:30 pm on the night of the event. Cost is $20 per ticket. Cash, check or credit card accepted. Please call 413-333-4951 or visit the ICC to purchase tickets.

FIRST PRIZE
Winner may choose an all expenses paid trip for two people on a group tour to Ireland hosted by the ICC in 2023 OR a $5,000 cash prize. Tour destinations and schedules are currently to be determined. Trips run approximately ten days, with the estimated value $6,000 for two people. Prize is transferable to another party. 

SECOND PRIZE
A 14 karat gold St. Brigid’s Cross Pendant designed and crafted by renowned Dingle, Ireland jeweler Brian de Staic. Retail value €599.

THIRD AND FOURTH PRIZES
A $100 gift certificate to the Irish House Restaurant and Trinity Pub. You must be present to win one of these prizes. Cannot be used on the night of the drawing.

The Irish Cultural Center is linking 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. Courses are presented on Zoom. Each student will receive an electronic copy of each presentation.

The first topic is a general history of Ireland from ancient times to the present day. The course module for February 2023 is From Civil Rights to Hunger Strikes 1968–1981. Takes place on Thursdays, February 2, 9, 16 & 23 from 7:30–9:00 pm. Download course flyer.

The second topic is a general history of each of the thirty two counties in Ireland. Featured in February 2023 is County Westmeath. Takes place on Thursdays, February 2, 9, 16 & 23 from 6:00–7:30 pm. Download course flyer.

To Enroll
The enrollment fee is $90 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 call 508-790-0438.

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. 

The Irish Cultural Center is linking 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. Courses are presented on Zoom. Each student will receive an electronic copy of each presentation.

The first topic is a general history of Ireland from ancient times to the present day. The course module for January 2023 is Republic of Ireland / 26 Counties 1968–1998. Takes place on Thursdays, January 5, 12, 19 & 26 from 7:30–9:00 pm. Download course flyer.

The second topic is a general history of each of the thirty two counties in Ireland. Featured in January 2023 is County Meath. Takes place on Thursdays, January 5, 12, 19 & 26 from 6:00–7:30 pm. Download course flyer.

To Enroll
The enrollment fee is $90 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 call 508-790-0438.

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. 

Update: this event is now sold out.

Join us at the Irish House Restaurant and Trinity Pub on the evening of December 31, 2022 as we ring in the New Year with a live stream of the ball drop in Dublin, Ireland at 7 pm local time! Doors open at 4:30 pm; the pub closes at 10 pm.

Buffet
A delicious buffet offering starts at 5 pm. Menu includes: Shrimp Cocktail, Cheese and Cracker Platter, Fruit Platter, Guinness Glazed Steak Tips, Seafood Stuffed Sole, Roasted Chicken, Vegetarian Pasta Primavera, Au Gratin Potatoes, Vegetable Medley, Salad, Rolls.

Live Music
The Blaney Brothers play from 6–9 pm, providing a great evening of entertainment with pub songs, jigs and reels, ballads, and jokes.

Champagne Toast and Dublin Ball Drop
We will have a toast at 7 pm (local time) with a live stream of the ball drop from Dublin.

Tickets (Sold Out!)
$60 for ICC Patrons / $65 for general public – includes buffet, music and champagne toast. Advance tickets are required. Call the restaurant at 413-342-4358 to pay with a credit card. Come in to the ICC to pay by card, cash or check. Tickets are non transferable and non refundable.

Enjoy the holiday season at the Irish House Restaurant and Trinity Pub with your family and friends while listening to some of the area’s best Christmas music. 

Wednesdays
Music 5:30 – 8:30 pm • Doors 4 pm
December 7
December 14 (sold out)
December 21 (sold out)

Fridays
Music 5:30 – 8:30 pm • Doors 4 pm
December 9
December 23

Sundays
Music 4 – 7 pm • Doors 3 pm
December 11 (sold out)
December 18 (sold out)

Seating is limited. Reservation and ticket paid in advance is required. An optional buffet is offered with the purchase of a buffet ticket. The buffet is the only food option available during performances. Full bar will be open for purchase. There is one seating per evening.

Ticket With Buffet: $40 ICC Patron / $45 general public
(Includes music and buffet; does not include gratuity.)

Ticket Only: $10 ICC Patron / $15 general public
(For music only; does not include food.)

TO ORDER TICKETS
Call the restaurant at 413-342-4358 to pay with a credit card. Come in to the ICC to pay by card, cash or check. Tickets are date specific, non transferable, non refundable.

Ticketed Buffet Menu
Starters: Garden Salad & Rolls • Homestyle Tomato Basil Soup
Entrees: Aloha Teriyaki Chicken • BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders • Meatballs in Marinara Sauce • EVOO Herb Pasta • Meatless Marinara Sauce • Pasta Primavera
Extras: Red Roasted Potatoes • Seasonal Mixed Vegetables • Assorted Holiday Desserts • Coffee or Tea

GivingTuesday is a Global Generosity Movement on November 29. There are two ways to support the Irish Cultural Center on this day of giving! 

We are so proud of what the Irish Cultural Center has accomplished in the past 20+ years as an organization, and we look forward to expanding in the years to come with your help. The ICC is a gathering place, connecting people to each other and helping us all to preserve American-Irish heritage and culture.

Your support allows us to share Irish arts and culture in the community by providing in-person events, virtual events, and educational programming. A traditional Irish music seisiún, concerts, Irish language classes, children’s events, book readings, Irish-oriented lectures, political discussions, international relations, GAA sports, and student international exchange are all examples of what we offer, many of them free, and all available to the public.

Without financial donations, these achievements would not be realized. In these uncertain times, financial support is more vital than ever to help keep the ICC going into the future. GivingTuesday is the perfect time to make a one-time tax-deductible gift in any amount. 

This is also the perfect day to become an ICC annual Patron. A Patron is a person who has made a commitment to preserve, promote and cherish our Irish culture and heritage. The success and continued growth of the ICC is only possible because of the enthusiasm and sustaining commitment of our Patrons. Learn more about Patron levels and benefits.

We are so thankful for your support.

The Irish Cultural Center is linking up with Irish historian, Sean Murphy, to introduce our community to live, weekly online Irish history courses via Zoom. Sean presents a special topic for December 2022, A History of Christmas and Christmas in Ireland. Takes place on Thursdays, December 8 and 15 at 7:00 pm. Download course flyer.

To Enroll
The enrollment fee is $50 for the two-week course. Please contact Sean directly for information or to enroll – send an email to seanmurphy630@gmail.com.

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.