Category: Latest News

The Irish Cultural Center of Western New England will hold its eighteenth Lá na Gaeilge (Irish Language Day) on Saturday, May 4, 2019 at Elms College in Chicopee, MA. It is an opportunity for those with an interest in this ancient language, which is now enjoying a resurgence, to deepen their knowledge and appreciation of this vital component of Irish culture. The program consists of two classes available at four levels: a beginner’s class, a class for those who have an introductory knowledge of Irish, an intermediate-level class and a class for advanced learners.

Download a registration form.

As well as formal classes, Lá na Gaeilge consists of workshops (céilí dancing, film), and cómhrás (opportunities for conversation and dialog at the learner’s appropriate level). A lecture, The Irish Language and the discourses of colonisation and decolonisation, will be given by Kerron Ó Luain, Villanova FLTA. Lá na Gaeilge concludes in a seisiún with an opportunity for participants to display their musical talents, and all are encouraged to bring their instruments and voices.

Lá na Gaeilge begins with registration at 8:30 am and concludes at about 5:00 pm. The cost is $50 per person / $45 for ICC Patrons. The cost for college-age and under students is $15. The price includes lunch and refreshments throughout the day. Lá na Gaeilge is a unique opportunity to encourage and promote Irish language learning at all levels. Registrations are due by May 1 – please download a registration form. For further information contact the ICC office at 413-333-4951 or email irishcenterwne@gmail.com.

Please join us for a special performance at the Majestic Theater on Wednesday, April 10 at 7:30 pm as a fundraiser for the Irish Cultural Center!

It’s 1958, and it’s the Super Senior Prom at Springfield High School. There’s only one problem: Billy Ray Patton, the lead singer of The Crooning Crabcakes, has been suspended — and they’re the scheduled performers for the night! As a last-minute replacement, the Wonderettes (Cindy Lou, Missy, Betty Jean, and Suzy), the third-place finishers in the State Song Leaders competition, not only get the gig but come back ten years later to perform at their reunion. Through popular songs like Dream Lover, Stupid Cupid, Lipstick On Your Collar, and many others from both the 50s and 60s, we learn about the friendship, hopes, and dreams of these four women — all in four-part harmony!

Special Performance Tickets: $20
Wednesday, April 10 at 7:30 pm
All ticket holders will receive a 10% off coupon for food purchases at the ICC’s Irish House Restaurant. See coupon for details.

Intermission Snack $5: Irish Scone w/Butter (please pre-order)

Please Call the Box Office to Purchase Tickets
Majestic Theater, 131 Elm Street, West Springfield
Box Office: 413-747-7797

Please join us at the Irish House Restaurant and Trinity Pub for a special Whiskey Pairing Dinner on March 28 at 6:00 pm; dinner begins at 6:30 pm. Four courses, including Puff Pastry Pinwheels, Sugar Snap Pea Slaw Salad, Cinnamon Lamb Stew and Chocolate Trilogy, are paired with four whiskey 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 February 19. 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.

Celebrate St. Patrick with us at the ICC on Saturday, March 16! Opening early at 12 noon, with live Irish music, food and drink all day at the Trinity Pub. The Blaney Brothers play from 1:00–4:00 pm, and The Healys play from 6:30–9:30 pm.

Call the Pub directly for lunch and dinner reservations: 413-342-4358.
(Note that we are closed on Sunday, March 17 for a private event.)

The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Westfield welcomes Bo Sullivan to work as Chief Advancement Officer of the organization, effective in March.

Bo is currently the Executive Director of the Irish Cultural Center of Western New England. He is a well-known professional in the area, serving on the Westfield School Committee and spending several years at Westfield State University in the Advancement office. He is also a former long-time morning show radio host at WHYN 560 AM.

ICC Board President Sean Cahillane, along with the rest of the Board and staff, wish Bo all the best, thanking him for his professional service, dedication and many accomplishments during his time with the ICC.

“Our loss is their gain. We at the ICC have no doubt he will be an asset in his new role,” Cahillane said.

Westfield Boys & Girls Club Chief Executive Officer William Parks said he looks forward to working with Bo. “Bo has been a long-time volunteer for the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Westfield. I have worked very closely with him to raise millions of dollars for our annual budget and our last capital campaign. I look forward to having him join our organization’s administrative staff,” he said.

Sullivan agreed, adding that he is excited for the opportunity to help enhance and grow the organization.

“I am pleased and thankful to be helping to develop and continue the fine mission and tradition of the Westfield Boys & Girls Club. I have been involved with the Club for almost 20 years and know what an exciting and outstanding organization it is.” Sullivan said. “I will miss my work with the Irish Center. The people I met and the work that is being done there is truly amazing. My experiences there have taught me so much. I will continue to maintain the strong ties I have made, I will be no stranger to the ICC.”

In his new duties at the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Westfield, Sullivan will work with Chief Executive Officer and Board to develop and steward donors, and grow and sustain funding streams. He will oversee development including grants and marketing. 

The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Westfield is a non-profit, charitable organization that seeks to inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens.

The Irish Cultural Center invites you to an afternoon of Celtic fiddle and folk rock with House of Hamill – Brian Buchanan (Enter the Haggis), and Rose Baldino (Burning Bridget Cleary). Their intimate, relaxed performances have been extremely popular in their many years of playing for the ICC, and include new fiddle tunes and unique original compositions, plus new life breathed into traditional and contemporary songs.

House of Hamill will perform on Sunday, March 3 at 3:00 pm at the ICC’s Irish House Restaurant and Trinity Pub at 429 Morgan Road, West Springfield, MA. Doors open 1:30 pm. Food and drinks will be available for purchase (not included in ticket cost).

This show is sold out.

Seating is general admission. Table seating is first come, first served; seating is also available in attached function room, where some views may be restricted (tv screen also will broadcast show in this room). Please let us know if special seating is required.

About House of Hamill

Brian and Rose are both accomplished traditional fiddle players and classical violinists, and have over 25 years of writing and performance experience between them. Together, they write unusual new fiddle tunes while also breathing new life into traditional and contemporary songs. Both are confident and unique lead vocalists, and the blend of their two voices in harmony is hypnotic and irresistible.

Whether House of Hamill is playing songs from their debut album “Wide Awake”(2016) or stomping through a set of original jigs and reels from their follow-up “March Through Storms”(2018), their chemistry onstage is always engaging and often hilarious. You’ll leave with tired feet, a huge smile, and a new appreciation for the versatility of folk instruments in a modern context.

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Thanks to our Programming Sponsors

Presenting Sponsor

Gold Sponsors

Green Sponsors

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

The Irish Cultural Center invites you to an evening with Sarah the Fiddler on Thursday, March 14 at 7:00 pm at the ICC’s Irish House Restaurant and Trinity Pub at 429 Morgan Road, West Springfield, MA. The Restaurant and Pub will open at 4:30 pm to ticketholders only.

This show is sold out.

Cost is $20 for ICC Patrons / $25 for general public, for table seating in our main room and back room. The main room/bar will be filled first in order of purchase. Drinks and dinner will be available for purchase, from our special event menu (view menu – not included in ticket cost).

Combining her influences of Old-Time, Irish, World and Classical music, Sarah takes her audiences on a musical journey from old-time sing-alongs, to lively polkas and rousing reels. Sarah will be performing with her husband Keith DaSilva on drums and Joe Dziok on piano & accordion. The influences of these three musicians makes for a high energy show loved by audiences of all ages.

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Thanks to our Programming Sponsors

Presenting Sponsor

Gold Sponsors

Green Sponsors

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

The Irish Cultural Center invites you to TWO evenings with the YankCelt Band on March 8 and 15 at the ICC’s Irish House Restaurant and Trinity Pub at 429 Morgan Road, West Springfield, MA. The shows begin at 6:00 pm. The Pub opens at 4:00 pm for ticketholders only.

Advance purchase is highly recommended. Cost is $25 for ICC Patrons / $29 for general public, for table seating in our main room and back room. The main room/bar will be filled first in order of purchase. Drinks and our regular dinner menu will be available for purchase before, during, and after the show (not included in ticket price).

We are excited to have the YankCelt Band at the ICC for two shows this March 8 and 15! Don’t miss out on celebrating the St. Patrick’s season with this local American Irish supergroup, on their “Farewell Tour Part Four.” These shows will sell out quickly!

To order by phone, please call 413-342-4358. For online orders, see below.

March 8, 2019 • 6:00 pm
SOLD OUT

March 15, 2019 • 6:00 pm
SOLD OUT

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Thanks to our Programming Sponsors

Presenting Sponsor

Gold Sponsors

Green Sponsors

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

Please join us for a special Valentine’s Day Dinner on February 14 at 6:30 pm. Enjoy a delicious, romantic dinner with your special someone in the comfort and hospitality of the ICC’s Irish House Restaurant and Trinity Pub.

Included: Two complimentary glasses of champagne per person – when seated and with dessert. Plus, musical accompaniment by Joe Wilson on jazz saxophone.

The 3-course dinner includes a choice of Lobster Bisque or Mediterranean Salad for the first course; 6 oz Filet with Coconut Shrimp and Baked Potato or Brown Butter Mushroom Pasta for the second course; and a Red Velvet Cake for dessert. View full menu.

Cost is $75 per couple (Patron) / $85 per couple (non-Patron). Please note that server gratuity is not included. Reservations are required, please call 413-342-4358. Your meal choice will be needed when making your reservation. View full menu.

The Irish Cultural Center of Western New England is sponsoring this exciting raffle, with a first prize of a trip for two on one of the ICC’s group tours to Ireland in 2019!

The drawing will take place on Friday, February 1, 2019 at the ICC’s Trinity Pub. The event will begin at 6:00 pm, with a welcome and remarks from the raffle committee and ICC President. Irish language FLTA Jill McMahon will give a brief history of St. Brigid. At 6:45 pm tickets will be drawn for first and second prizes (winner need not be present). Additionally, all those who attend the drawing will receive a free raffle ticket for a chance to win one of two $100 gift certificates to the Irish House Restaurant and Trinity Pub (must be present to win).

Please call 413-342-4358 if you would like dinner reservations at the Irish House Restaurant and Trinity Pub.

FIRST PRIZE
An all expenses paid trip for two people on a group tour to Ireland hosted by the ICC in 2019. Winner may select group tour of choice – learn more about our May and September tours. More info will be available shortly on our October/November tour. Prize is transferable to another party.

SECOND PRIZE
A 14K Gold Saint Brigid’s Cross necklace crafted by Brian de Staic Jewellers of Dingle, Ireland. Retail value €500.

Cost is $20 per ticket. Cash, check or credit card accepted. Please call 413-333-4951 or visit the ICC to purchase tickets.