The ICC invites you to an afternoon of Celtic fiddle and folk with the premier trio House of Hamill. Their dynamic performances have been extremely popular in their many years of playing at the ICC, and include trad Irish instrumentals, reimagined ballads, and original folk songs that showcase their versatility.

House of Hamill performs on Sunday, November 20 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).

Tickets
Purchase tickets online or call the ICC 413-333-4951. Tickets are $20 for current ICC Patrons, and $24 for the general public. Online sales end at 8 am on November 20. Door tickets are $25.

Seating is general admission. Table seating is first come, first served. Please let us know if special seating accommodations are required. 

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

About House of Hamill
Pennsylvania-based House of Hamill was created by Brian Buchanan and Rose Baldino (Enter the Haggis, Burning Bridget Cleary), 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. Their latest release, “Folk Hero,” captures perfectly the energy and eclecticism of their always engaging live show. 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.

> Listen to their latest album “Folk Hero”
> Video: “The Bully of Skidmore Town”
> Video: 2019 Performance at the ICC

On October 10, 2022, members of the ICC Irish Language classes took part in Comhrá 22. 

This is an annual online initiative run by Conradh na Gaeilge. It first started in 2013, with the aim to promote the Irish Language all over the world and to inspire people to speak the language. 

This year, the online conversation began on Monday, October 10 and ran continuously on Zoom until Thursday, October 13. 

Over 60 groups took part, each with their own slot, making sure there was never a gap in Irish Language conversation over the four days! There were groups from Ireland, America, Canada, and even Singapore! 

It was an honor to get the opportunity to represent not only the Irish Cultural Center itself, but to show that the Irish Language is alive and well here in New England. 

Many thanks to those who partook in the event!

– Written by Fulbright FLTA Emer Maguire

The ICC celebrated Halloween on October 29, 2022 with a fun, free, family-friendly open house. The kids arrived in imaginative costumes, and were treated to candy and cider. We had Halloween craft projects and coloring sheets, plus pumpkin tic-tac-toe and ring toss games. Irish Fulbright teacher Emer Maguire read a story and taught Halloween-themed Irish words. Thanks to everyone who made this a fun afternoon!

Visit our Facebook gallery for more photos >

The Irish House Restaurant and Trinity Pub is open Wednesday through Saturday from 4–10 pm for light fare, dinner and drinks; kitchen is open till 9 pm.

Starting Sunday, October 30, the Trinity Pub bar is open from 1 – 6 pm for drinks only; our kitchen is closed on Sundays. Make our traditional Dublin-style pub your comfortable Sunday gathering place! Share a relaxed beverage with friends, and maybe catch a sporting event on tv.

The Irish House Restaurant and Trinity Pub is open to the public.

ICC President Sean F. Cahillane has received a Kerry County Diaspora Award. He was one of 26 people – and the first American ever – to be recognized this year for promoting Ireland from outside the country.

The ceremony took place in October 2022 at the Rose Hotel in Tralee as part of the Kerry County Council’s Homecoming Festival. The gala event served to recognize those who have worked to help the southwest county in Ireland economically, culturally, and educationally.

Cahillane said he was happy to be able to pick up the award in person.

“This is such an honor, to be recognized for the work that has been my passion for many years,” said Cahillane, the son of Irish immigrants from the Great Blasket Island and Ballydavid, both part of the Dingle Peninsula.

The weekend events were part of the Global Irish Festival Services supported by the Fáilte Ireland and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

With the exception of Cahillane, awardees were originally from County Kerry, went abroad, mostly to London, England, to establish new lives, but always gave back to their home, many with jobs, grants, training and by continuing cultural ties with Kerry.

Cahillane was recognized for being a founder of the Irish Cultural Center of Western New England, and for helping to launch and support growing ties through travel to Ireland, business ties with the Eastern States Exposition, and government ties through organizations such as the Sister City relationship between Dingle and West Springfield. He has also been instrumental in the ICC’s growing connections with the Government of Ireland Emigrant Support Program, the Irish Consul General’s office in Boston, and with local officials and organizations across Western New England.

“It is important that we take the time, at events like this, to stand up and acknowledge the work that is being done outside of Kerry, on behalf of the county,” said Moira Murrell, chief executive of the Kerry County Council.

Next year’s global initiative will target eligible diaspora in Boston, New York, and Chicago.

Please consider becoming a Patron of the Irish Cultural Center of Western New England. Now, more than ever we need your help!

As an ICC Patron, you allow us to continue to promote our American-Irish heritage by providing Irish cultural programming such as live music, in-person and virtual events, workshops, and educational opportunities. The ICC is a gathering place, connecting people to each other and helping us all to preserve our American-Irish heritage for generations to come. 

Thank you for your support. Learn more and donate online here.

Tom Landers, a member of the ICC board of directors, explains why he is a Patron:

Video Transcript
“Hi, I’m Tom Landers. I’m a volunteer and a member of the board of directors here at the Irish Cultural Center. The reason I became involved is because of the great work the ICC is doing to protect and celebrate Irish culture, Irish heritage, and the arts. Culture is a beautiful thing, whether it’s Irish or otherwise. It’s always eroding, and the ICC is really trying to protect, maintain, and celebrate that culture, the history, the heritage, the arts, food, drink, and certainly the music. They do it in a spot that people can come together and enjoy each other and enjoy that heritage and culture. If you’re currently a Patron, please consider renewing, and if you are not a Patron yet, please consider becoming involved. We’d love to have you down here to see the beautiful campus, the beautiful Trinity Pub, and see the enhancements that we’re making both to the facility and to the campus. While we hope that you become a Patron, we want you to know that it’s open to the public, so come on down and see the place, enjoy, have something to eat, have something to drink, and hopefully you’ll fall in love with it and become a Patron.”

Congratulations to Luke Hands, the winner of our Halloween Cocktail Contest! “Eve’s Downfall” will be available at the Trinity Pub this week, October 26–30. Thanks to all who submitted entries – our taste testers had a tough decision.

Ingredients: maple syrup, Jameson whiskey, apple cider, lemon juice, egg white, bitters, allspice dram. Blended until cold and frothy. Garnished with cinnamon sugar rim, apple, and cinnamon stick.

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 November 2022 is Northern Ireland / Six Counties 1937–1972. Takes place on Thursdays, November 3, 10, 17, and December 1 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 November 2022 is County Monaghan. Takes place on Thursdays, November 3, 10, 17, and December 1 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 Trinity Pub is looking for the perfect cocktail special to add to our menu the week before Halloween. Polish up your mixology skills and let us know your favorite spooky fall drink. We will accept submissions from now through Friday, October 21. Our staff and taste testers will choose the winning drink, which will be offered at the Trinity Pub October 26–30. The winner will receive a $25 gift certificate to the Irish House Restaurant, plus bragging rights and credit on our menu.

To submit your cocktail, send us an email at icctrinitypub@gmail.com with the subject line “Halloween Cocktail.” Be sure to include your name, and all the ingredients and measurements needed.

Celebrate Halloween at the Irish Cultural Center! Stop by on Saturday, October 29 from 12–3 pm for a fun, free, family-friendly open house.

Costumes are encouraged! We will have fun activities and treats all afternoon. Irish Fulbright teacher Emer Maguire will tell stories, teach Halloween-themed Irish words, and present info on the origins of “Samhain” in Ireland. We will have supervised Halloween craft projects and games. Plus, there will be apple cider and Halloween treats for the kids.

The Irish House Restaurant and Trinity Pub will be open to purchase food and drinks, including a special Halloween cocktail. We encourage you to make a reservation if you would like to join us for food – please call 413-342-4358.