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The Irish Cultural Center of Western New England presents our second annual Irish cultural festival on Saturday, August 24, and our first annual Feis on Sunday, August 25.

The Saturday festival will be a day of Irish music, dance, and culture. Gates open at 11:30 am, and events run to 7:30 pm. The Cassin Academy of Irish Dance and Black Rose Academy of Irish Dance will present dance exhibitions. Visitors can learn Irish dance and participate in workshops featuring Irish arts and language. Music entertainment throughout the day will include an opening trad Irish seisiún, and featured performances by local fiddle sensation Zoe Darrow, Boston’s Erin Og, and, from Galway, Padraig Stevens with Leo Moran of The Saw Doctors.

The Sunday Feis (Irish dance competition) will run from approximately 9:00 am – 4:00 pm. Bakers can enter an Irish soda bread competition at the Feis.

There will be a variety of vendors of Irish crafts and products, food trucks and concession stands, along with beer and drinks for sale. Parking will be available at the Irish Cultural Center, along with additional parking and a shuttle service from West Springfield High School.

Both events will take place rain or shine on the Irish Cultural Center field at 429 Morgan Road in West Springfield, MA. Tickets on both days are $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 6–12, and free for children 5 and under. Please no dogs except service animals. No smoking, no coolers. Cash only for tickets, food and drinks. Visitors are welcome to bring their own lawn chairs.

Visit the website for more information on both events, full schedule, and FAQs.

The Irish word “lúnasa” is traditionally used to describe an ancient Irish festival to celebrate the beginning of the harvest season and end of the summer months.

Thanks to our Mainstage Sponsors, Sarat Lincoln and the O’Leary Limited Partnership., and our Dance Stage Sponsors, Elms College and Jerome’s Party Plus.

The partnership between Elms College and the Irish Cultural Center has succeeded in bringing to campus our tenth consecutive Irish Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant, Yvonne de Faoite. Yvonne recently completed a master’s degree in Irish immersion education from Mary Immaculate College in Limerick, and will teach the Intermediate: Advanced class this school year. In cooperation with Elms College, we will be offering a range of Irish classes – fall semester schedule coming soon. Read the MassLive article >

Holyoke native Jamie Cardoza Boyle has begun working as director and chief advancement officer of the Irish Cultural Center of Western New England.

Cardoza Boyle was selected recently as the second person to hold the position of running the day-to-day operations at the facility at 429 Morgan Road, West Springfield. She is managing fundraising efforts as well as helping to run major events such as the Lúnasa Irish Festival and Feis in late August, among other things.

Cardoza Boyle said she has jumped into the work of her new position and loves it, especially because it relates so well to her own Irish heritage.

“I love it here,” she said. “The work is interesting and challenging, and I like that. I’m learning a lot and I’m also learning that I need to dive deeper into my Irish heritage.”

ICC Board of Directors President Sean Cahillane said Cardoza Boyle is fitting perfectly into the organization, and is gaining an understanding of projects underway, especially with regards to fundraising for the final phase of building development.

“We’re very happy with Jamie,” said Cahillane. “She’s got a great background. She’s dedicated to Irish culture. We’re looking forward to a successful adventure with her, to the benefit of the Irish community and the Irish culture of Western New England.”

Cardoza Boyle has solid experience in both fundraising and events planning, key components of her new work.

Most recently, she was annual giving officer at Trinity Health System, formerly known as Sisters of Providence Health System. There, she cultivated and solicited gifts and sponsorships for annual fundraising events, created outreach and engagement programs, identified and cultivated new donors, planned, marketed and promoted events, and created volunteer programs, among other things.

She also worked as event coordinator at Springfield Country Club and other area venues.

At the ICC, her focus will be on planning and fundraising for the final phase of development of the facility, the Performing Arts Center on the top floor of the building. The initial phases have been completed, including the Irish House Restaurant and Trinity Pub, an outdoor patio, and playing fields. The Library and Museum are in the final stages of preparation before opening.

As for the top floor performance hall, Cardoza Boyle said, “That’s our final phase and I’m ready for it. People need to be wowed by this place. Just showing it to people will help them see the magnitude of the project, and the potential that it holds for the region.”

The ICC Performing Arts Center will be used for concerts, educational programs and workshops, and private events.

Cardoza Boyle said she has been most impressed by the level of enthusiasm and commitment by members of the board as well as staff and volunteers at the center.

“I’ve never seen an organization run almost totally on volunteers,” she said.

“People come here every morning because they want to, and because it’s so important to them. There’s so much pride in this center. They won’t let it go and they don’t want it in anyone else’s hands. If people didn’t have the heart for this, or feel as connected, it wouldn’t feel the same. This place runs on heart,” she added.

Cardoza Boyle is married to Brendan Boyle, a detective in the Holyoke Police Department. They live in Holyoke with their three children.

The ICC is celebrating its 20-year anniversary this year. It began in 1999 at the Elms College, and as the college expanded its own programming, moving to the West Springfield location in 2015. Since then, patronship has risen significantly, and the Irish House Restaurant and Trinity Pub has become a hub of activity and entertainment.

The ICC works with support from the Government of Ireland Emigrant Support Program, and with the Irish Consulate in Boston. The organization also receives funding and support from the Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation, Westfield Bank, and the Chicopee Savings Foundation.

The Irish Cultural Center was established in 1999 to foster an appreciation of Irish culture in Western New England. The mission of the Irish Cultural Center is to cultivate a connection with Ireland, through the arts, culture, history, language, and heritage. The Center offers opportunities to engage in educational, travel, and social events that promote Irish culture.

Please join us at the Irish House Restaurant and Trinity Pub for a special Island Breeze Pairing Dinner on July 25 at 6:00 pm; dinner begins at 6:30 pm. Four courses, including Mango Watermelon Summer Salsa, Berry Delicious Summer Salad, Garlic Shrimp with Pan-Roasted Tomatoes and Summer Squash Noodles, and Summer Berry Crostini, are paired with four tropical summer drink varieties.

Tickets are $35 for ICC Patrons, $40 for general public. There is a special ICC Patron presale for the first 7 days – tickets for the public go on sale July 16. General public may call for reservations during this time, and will be placed on a wait list until the presale is over. Seating is limited for this special event – for tickets, please call 413-342-4358.

Download information flyer and full menu.

The Irish Cultural Center of Western New England welcomes Ireland’s new Consul General in Boston, Laoise Moore. ICC President Sean Cahillane met CG Moore at the Consulate’s “First Friday” Networking Breakfast on June 7. This monthly event allows attendees to connect with the Irish and Irish-American community, and share the latest community, cultural and business news.

Congressman Richard E. Neal also attended the event. “I was thrilled to be on hand to welcome Laoise Moore to her post as Boston’s new Irish Consul General at a recent event in Boston,” said Neal. “The Consul General’s office is very important to the city and the entire state as a whole. We are lucky to have someone with Laoise’s background in foreign affairs, trade, and government work in this position. I look forward to welcoming her to the western part of the state soon. In addition, special thanks to outgoing Consul General Fionnuala Quinlan and Vice Consul Aoife Budd for their service these past few years.”

Arrangements are being made for CG Moore to visit western Massachusetts and the Irish Cultural Center in the near future.

Learn more about Consul General Laoise Moore in this article from the Boston Irish Reporter.

Please join us at the Irish House Restaurant and Trinity Pub for a special Sangria Pairing Dinner on June 27 at 6:00 pm; dinner begins at 6:30 pm. Four courses, including Peach Bruschetta, Italian Summer Vegetable Salad, Kielbasa with Summer Vegetable Packet, and Summer Fruit Crisp, are paired with four refreshing sangria varieties.

Tickets are $35 for ICC Patrons, $40 for general public. There is a special ICC Patron presale for the first 7 days – tickets for the public go on sale May 27. General public may call for reservations during this time, and will be placed on a wait list until the presale is over. Seating is limited for this special event – for tickets, please call 413-342-4358. Download information flyer and menu.

The outdoor patio is ready for the warm weather, and will officially open this Saturday, May 4 at 12 pm! After this date, the patio will be open Friday–Sunday with our light menu of sandwiches and salads.

Please note our updated hours for the restaurant and pub beginning May 4.
Wednesday & Thursday:
Pub 3–10 pm / Dinner 4:30–9 pm
Friday & Saturday:
Pub 12–10 pm / Patio light menu 12–4 pm / Dinner 4:30–9 pm
Sunday:
Pub/Patio light menu 12–5 pm

Please join us at the Irish House Restaurant and Trinity Pub for a special Margarita Pairing Dinner on May 16 at 6:00 pm; dinner begins at 6:30 pm. Four courses, including Shrimp Ceviche, Mexican Salad, Cheesy Mexican Chicken, and Churros, are paired with four margarita varieties.

Tickets are $35 for ICC Patrons, $40 for general public. There is a special ICC Patron presale for the first 7 days – tickets for the public go on sale May 6. General public may call for reservations during this time, and will be placed on a wait list until the presale is over. Seating is limited for this special event – for tickets, please call 413-342-4358. Download information flyer and menu.

Join us at the ICC on Saturday, April 27 at 1:30 pm for an informative talk by Jill McMahon, this year’s Irish Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant for Elms College and the ICC. With It Takes a Village – what growing up in a remote village in East Clare taught me about the world, Jill will be speaking about her home town of Feakle, its rich history, sport, traditions and community, and her life growing up in Co. Clare. You are welcome to stay and order food at the Pub after the presentation.

Please join us at the Irish House Restaurant and Trinity Pub for a special Spring Picnic Pairing Dinner on April 25 at 6:00 pm; dinner begins at 6:30 pm. Four courses, including Bacon Wrapped Asparagus, Baby Red Potato Salad, Baby Back Ribs with Garlic Butter Vegetables, and Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Pie, are paired with four Irish ale and stout varieties.

Tickets are $35 for ICC Patrons, $40 for general public. There is a special ICC Patron presale for the first 7 days – tickets for the public go on sale April 8. General public may call for reservations during this time, and will be placed on a wait list until the presale is over. Seating is limited for this special event – for tickets, please call Sheri at 413-342-4358. Download information flyer and menu.