An Irish mother loses a son to a tragic drowning in Malawi.

One year later, the mother travels the 5,000-plus miles to the central African country to say goodbye and leave a stone marker in his memory in the town where he died. She sees the abject poverty, and returns to build and run a medical clinic, which opens in 2004.

A few months after that, Bondsville author Suzanne Strempek Shea meets the mother – Margaret ‘Mags’ Riordan – at the Big E, and is so moved by her story that she is inspired to write a book.

Strempek Shea’s book, This is Paradise: An Irish mother’s grief, an African village’s plight and the medical clinic that brought fresh hope to both, was released this spring by PFP Publishing of Boston, and has been met with enthusiastic support across New England, and beyond. She travels in September to Ireland to showcase her work, and to help raise funds for the cause that is already dear to many hearts there.

Strempek Shea and Riordan will discuss their work at an ICC event on Sunday, October 19. The 2 pm event at the Elms College Alumnae Library lower level is free and open to the public. Books will be available for purchase and signing.

Strempek Shea said the idea for the 293-page book grew from the 2004 meeting with Riordan. It was five years after Billy Riordan died while swimming in Lake Malawi in Cape Maclear, a small village that he loved because it reminded him of his hometown, Dingle, Co. Kerry. Billy was just 25 when he died in 1999.

Strempek Shea was working at the Big E in West Springfield, selling clothing and gifts for Dingle Linens in the Young Building. Riordan had a small stand there, where she was selling African trinkets and trying to raise interest – and money – for her new clinic in Malawi.

“I was listening to Mags tell her story over and over. She’d only usually tell up to the point of founding the clinic and people would usually walk away,” she recalled. “I wanted to know the rest. I went over and introduced myself. I wanted to know the rest of the story. I went home at one point and said to Tommy (Shea, her husband) ‘This is a magazine piece, this woman is amazing.’ Tommy said, ‘No, this is a book.’ So I agreed with him,” she said.

Though she didn’t approach Riordan about the idea for the book for three more years, the seed stayed with her and even grew as she got to know the woman who left a secure job as a high school guidance counselor in Dingle to a poor village in Malawi, where she continues to work and expand her clinic.

Getting Riordan’s story took Strempek Shea to both Ireland and Malawi, where she met with friends and relatives of both Riordan and her late son, and saw for herself the clinic that treats all manner of physical malady, including HIV/AIDS, which is rampant in the African country.

“Malawi was very eye opening for somebody from a first world country. I think everyone should go to a place where people are in need, poor. To go to this place that is at once so beautiful, but people are so in need of the basics that we take for granted, like education, health care, food, clothing,” Strempek Shea said.

“If you have a pair of flip flops, that indicates you have some means, that someone is working in your household. Most people are barefoot. It’s not what you’re used to. People were just lovely, welcoming. They clearly love Mags and what she’s doing. There was also a strong story to tell, I felt lucky having the chance to be there, get to know the clinic and a few of people involved,” she added.

Proceeds from the book are being donated to the Billy Riordan Memorial Clinic in Malawi.

Written by Mary Ellen Lowney.

The Irish Cultural Center invites you to an evening with The Elders, one of the most critically acclaimed American Celtic folk rock groups touring today.

WHEN: Friday, October 3, 2014
WHERE: Holyoke Elks Lodge, 250 Whitney Avenue, Holyoke, MA. Get directions.
TIME: The Elders take the stage at 8:00 pm. Doors open at 7:00 pm.
TICKETS: Advance tickets $22.50 / $20 for Irish Cultural Center members. $25 at the door.
General admission, table seating.

They have performed across the United States, Ireland, and Europe, drawing faithful crowds and earning new fans wherever they go. Don’t miss The Elders’ only New England appearance this year. This is a special opportunity to see one of the most exciting bands in the Celtic folk rock world! *Note: phone orders will not be available the day of the show, and online ordering will close at 10:00 am.*

Watch videos, listen to tracks and learn more about The Elders.  See what the critics say.

Thanks to our major sponsors:

and Dr. Megan Doe

About The Elders

Since forming in 1998 in Kansas City, The Elders have set the music scene on its ear, thanks to a skillful blend of American roots rock and amped-up Celtic folk; a cross-pollination of elements that is high-octane and progressive, yet rooted in tradition.

Employing a variety of instruments including guitars, drums, banjo, accordion, mandolin, piano and fiddle, these six gentlemen collectively create music that transcends the stereotypical notion of Celtic music. Powerful four part harmonies, blazing instrumentals and song writing that is unaffected by fads, trends and the giant maw of mind-numbing commercialism.

The Elders are fronted by vocalist and percussionist Ian Byrne, a native of Ireland’s County Wicklow, with guitarist Steve Phillips (The Rainmakers), bassist Norm Dahlor (Tommy Shaw Band, The Secrets and Shooting Star), keyboardist and fiddler Brent Hoad (The Secrets), drummer Kian Byrne (The New Riddim and The Grisly Hand) and fiddler Colin Farrell (Creel and Gráda).

Their songs are mystical, comical, political and cultural, while covering a wide variety of topics such as poverty, civil war, family bonds, spirituality, love and friendship. They tell us stories of people, places and events – some recent, some distant, some real and some imagined.

To date, The Elders have produced 6 full-length studio CDs and 3 live CD/DVDs. Their newest album, “Story Road,” will be released later this year. Their new DVD, “Live @ The Uptown Theater” debuts on Kansas City PBS in August, and is coming to additional PBS stations this fall.

Watch videos, listen to tracks and learn more about The Elders.
See what the critics say.

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

Art Exhibition and Reception
Join Elms College and the ICC on Thursday, September 4, 2014 for a reception with the artist, 4:00 to 6:00 pm.
Borgia Gallery, Dooley Campus Center, Elms College

The exhibit is on display in the Borgia Gallery from August 30 to October 4, 2014.

Paintings of Ireland: A Sense of Place

My paintings have a lot to do with light, and with paint itself. I try explore the full range of what daylight and nighttime have to offer, tackling blinding sunshine, to absolute darkness, and every mood that exists in between those two extremes. Using layers of transparent paint, I try to create maximum depth and richness in a scene. As a plein air painter, I love to work outdoors with spontaneity and speed, and to harness happy accidents. Rather than vistas or panoramic scenes, I am often inspired by the true colors of Irish street life, pub interiors, and other ordinary places. I’ve been influenced by many different schools of thought in art, including the Ashcan School, Russian Impressionism, the Taos painters, Turner’s landscapes, and Rembrandt’s portraits, as well as my early trade-school training in sign painting and decorating, which gave me a great foundation in the practical aspects of applying paint efficiently. I immigrated to Boston in 1990 from my hometown of Kanturk, County Cork, Ireland, and since then, I find that returning home to Ireland is a source of endless inspiration in my life and in my work. ~Vincent Crotty

The Irish Cultural Center and Elms College are pleased to offer a range of Irish classes for the 2014/2015 academic year. In addition, this partnership is again successful in bringing to campus our fifth consecutive Irish Language Fulbright Teaching Assistant, Vikki Ní Bhréin, from Dublin. She brings a great deal of talent and enthusiasm, and will help us showcase the language in our community.

Vikki will teach a Novice class for credit on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. In addition, she will teach the Intermediate class which may be taken on a credit or non-credit basis. This meets on Wednesday evening.

There will be two sections of the Introduction to Irish I non-credit class. Gerald (Chip) Costello, who has participated in Immersion Programs in Kerry and Connemara and has taught Irish at local schools, will teach on Tuesday evening. To accommodate beginners unable to attend classes during the week, Kathleen Gilhooly, a recently retired English teacher at Central High School, and an instructor at the ICC’s Lá na Gaeilge and the Celtic Adventures Camp, will teach another introductory session on Saturday mornings.

A new offering, Introduction to Irish I+, will be offered for students who have had an introduction to the language but are not yet prepared to enroll in the intermediate class. Tom Moriarty, professor emeritus at the Elms and founding member of the ICC, has taught Irish for many years. He has participated in Immersion Programs in Kerry and Donegal. Tom’s class will meet on Tuesday nights.

The ICC and its language subcommittee seek to provide new and satisfying activities for our membership. If you would like to be involved with our annual language day, to select Irish language films, or make suggestions, please contact Chip Costello or Tom Moriarty.

Finally, the ICC does have funds that have been provided by donations in memory of John Johnson. Because of his kindness, we have been able to offer “tuition free” classes for several people. If you are aware of anyone who would like to study the language and might need some assistance, you should call the Director of the Center, Ellen Dziura at 413-265-2537 for details. The maximum number of grants a student can receive from this fund is two.

We are looking forward to another great year. Talk with your friends about the classes, send in your registrations early, and help us increase our visibility for the program. Learn more about the classes and download a registration form.

This year’s Lá na Gaeilge on May 3, 2014 was marked by increased attendance, wonderful faculty, numerous workshops, and remarkably talented presenters. Students ranged from having no Irish to being fully fluent. The theme for the day was Labhair í agus marfidh sí (Speak it and it will last). With that in mind, everyone was encouraged to use whatever Irish they had and to enjoy the benefits of learning and speaking the language.

Participants came from Boston, Worcester, the metro-Springfield area, Utica, NY and Fairfield County, CT.  Four different classes were offered to accommodate the experience of the students. Instructors Kathleen Gilhooly, Mary McShane, Rath DeHoust, and Síobhra Aiken did fantastic jobs in presenting material, encouraging the students to use what they learned, and challenging them to see and appreciate some of the unique characteristics of the language.

There were several workshops throughout the day to supplement the classes. Many students look forward to the varied nature of the day, and Erin Mulvaugh’s popular Irish set dance class was one of the reasons. In addition, Jonathan Kennedy and Amanda Bernhard, recent masters graduates of the UC Galway Irish Language program, and Rath DeHoust facilitated two Irish conversation workshops. The final workshop offering was Irish film. Friendly English subtitles were mercifully available.

The highlight of the day was the presentation delivered by Breandán Ó Caollaí, the Consul General of Ireland in Boston. The ICC was very appreciative that he would take the time to visit with us on a Saturday to discuss the state of the Irish language in Ireland. He spoke about the Language Act, the government’s strategy to strengthen the language, and various statistics regarding the percentage of people who understand the language and use it outside of school or in the Gaeltachts. Breandán read the Nuala Ní Dhomnaill poem on the “Question of Language” to serve as a reminder of how fragile the life of a language can be. He concluded by asking several members of the audience why they were taking the time to learn the language. Many of the answers focused on the opportunity to learn about one’s heritage and culture. “Enjoy the benefits of learning and speaking a language that has been spoken for 2,500 years,” said Ó Caollaí.

Hearing native Irish speakers converse is a treat. Two familiar friends to the Irish Cultural Center, Mike Carney and Muiris Ó Bric, spoke of their native West Kerry roots and the importance of language in their lives. Both men delivered interesting and humorous stories and gave the audience the opportunity to hear what typical conversations in West Kerry would sound like. Both men are great friends and continue their conversations in Irish weekly by phone. This segment ended with Síobhra Aiken’s class reciting a poem, “For Mike Ceárna, Blasketman” written by the Irish poet Louis de Paor.

The day ended with a seisiúin – an opportunity to play an instrument, sing a song, or recite a poem. Fiddles, uillean pipes, and guitars created a wonderful atmosphere for the group. There were traditional songs sung by the group and fine individual efforts by Tom Moriarty, Rath DeHoust and Katie Fournier. The day concluded with the Irish National Anthem and a desire by many to keep the language alive for another 2,500 years.

– By Chip Costello

Two Irish Language learners at Elms College were recently selected as recipients for a Gaeltacht Summer Award scholarship to continue their language studies in Ireland this summer. These awards are funded by the Irish Government’s Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and National Lottery.  Through the college’s and the ICC’s participation in the Fulbright Language Teaching Assistant program, we were able to nominate individuals.

The recipients are:
Amy Baker – English major, Irish Studies minor at Elms College
Gerald Costello – Irish Cultural Center member; Head of the ICC’s Language program 

Pass on the Heritage | July 28 –August 1, 2014 | Download a registration form.

Celtic Adventures for Kids is a week-long program designed to give children in Grades 1 through 9 an introduction to the richness of Irish culture, through the auspices of the Irish Cultural Center at Elms College in Chicopee, MA. Space is limited. Sign up early!

Daily Activities Include:
– Irish language
– Irish dance
– Irish music
– Arts & crafts
– Storytelling/literature

What to bring: Sneakers with non-marking soles; soft dance shoes if your child has them; swimsuit and towel; lunch (optional: money to purchase snacks.) The Maguire Center swimming pool will be available for the children to use daily during the week; lifeguard is on duty.

The program is in session from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Participants should be dropped off between 8:45 and 9:00 am at the Maguire Center. Pick up is promptly at 3:00 pm at the Maguire Center.

WHEN: Monday, July 28 to Friday, August 1, 2014
WHERE: The Maguire Center at Elms College, Chicopee, MA
COST: $200 per child; $20 discount for Irish Cultural Center members; $20 discount for each additional child from the same family
NON-REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT: $50 with registration due by June 12, 2014
BALANCE DUE BY JULY 11, 2014
Please make check payable to Irish Cultural Center at Elms College.
Download a registration form.

Representatives from many of Massachusetts’ Irish organizations were guests at the March 16 reception for Taoiseach Enda Kenny, at the Irish Cultural Centre of New England in Canton. The event was hosted by the Consul General of Ireland, Breandán Ó Caollaí. Síobhra Aiken, Elms College FLTA, and I had the pleasure of attending the program, meeting other organizations’ members, talking with old friends, and making new ones. The program consisted of the Taoiseach’s remarks, ranging from the new signs of Ireland’s economic recovery to the lasting contributions of the Irish in Massachusetts. He said that Ireland’s victory over France and its capture of the six nations tournament on Saturday were emblematic of a growing belief at home and in the future. Everyone had an opportunity to meet the Taoiseach, and we left Canton that afternoon thinking about the enduring connections between the people of Ireland and Massachusetts.

Written by previous Board president and ICC member, Chip Costello.

On May 3rd, the Irish Cultural Center at Elms College is sponsoring its fourteenth Lá na Gaeilge (Irish Language Day) on the Elms campus. This day of immersion in Ireland’s ancient language has become a key event in the Irish Center’s annual agenda. It is an opportunity for those with an interest in the language – beginners and those with varying levels of competence – 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.

As well as formal classes, the Lá na Gaeilge consists of workshops and Cómhrás (opportunities for conversation and dialog at the learner’s appropriate level). We are pleased to announce that the Consul General Breándan Ó Caollaí of the Boston Irish Consulate, an enthusiastic and fluent Gaeilgeoír, has agreed to attend and address our Lá na Gaeilge audience. We also plan to have as participants two great Irish speakers from the area who have been generous supporters of the Irish Cultural Center. Last but not least, one of the major participants on our day will be Síobhra Aiken, our Fulbright Scholar, who is teaching introductory and intermediate level Irish at Elms College. Lá na Gaeilge concludes with a seisiún at which participants have opportunity to display their talents. They are encouraged to bring their instruments.  

The Lá na Gaeilge begins with registration at 8:30 am and concludes with the seisiún at about 5:00 pm. The cost for members of the Irish Cultural Center is $40 and for non-members is $50. The cost for college-age and under students is $15. The price includes coffee, tea and light refreshments throughout the day and a generous luncheon. The Irish Cultural Center’s Lá na Gaeilge is a unique opportunity in our area to encourage and promote the Irish language. We hope that as many as possible will support our effort and participate. For further information contact Ellen Dziura at (413) 265-2537 or email us at irishcenter@elms.edu. You can also download a registration form.

Thanks to the Chicopee Cultural Council for their support.