Remember and Celebrate – a look back at an exciting year at the New York Irish Center

A busy center with the mission of “mixing of the generations”

As in 2011, we continued our collaboration with the 1st Irish Theatre Festival, under the auspices of their Artistic Director, George Heslin. This year we enjoyed a first time collaboration with the Irish Rep’s Ciaran O’Reilly who performed the opening monologue of Dancing at Lughnasa before a screening of the movie of the same name. Our next Movie Night is on Friday Dec. 21, doors 7.30pm features John Huston’s “The Dead” and our short is an Irish original, “Cluck”. Tickets at www.nyirish.org

Live Music Program - ongoing

Chris also developed the Live Music Program. This is a very exciting program which attracts many new people to the Center. We have a wonderfully intimate space, highly conducive to the enjoyment of quality musical entertainment.

One of the highlights of the year was Grammy Award Winner Susan McKeown who was joined on stage by another major Irish talent, Michael Brunnock. Chris plans to expand the program in 2013.

Annual Fundraiser, June 2012

Our annual benefit was held on June 14th at Symphony Space, a prestigious 800-seat venue on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. This year represented a move away from the traditional Dinner Dance format and it proved to be a great success. Mark Fox, a member of our Executive Board produced the show, ably abetted by Jane McCarter as Stage Manager. The two stars of the show, both titan of Irish comedy, were Brendan Grace and Pat Shortt, with music provided by Colin Smith. All played to a packed house rung loud with laughter, inspiring us to reach even greater heights in 2013.

Genealogy Program - ongoing

Bridget Bray created the Genealogy Program which was held twice in 2012. The first course was in January and the second in October. Over 30 people attended each session. The talks/workshops focused on how to get started in tracing your family roots. Bridget’s enthusiasm and knowledge are infectious  and impressive and it’s no wonder that she was also the driving force behind a very well attended two day Genealogy Event in Manhattan in October.

She has tapped in to a rich vein of breath to see what she has in store for us in 2013.

Public Relations Program - ongoing

Howard Maxwell started the Public Relations Group which developed the monthly New York Irish Center Newsletter. It has been published every month this year and we look forward to expanding it in 2013.

Response to Sandy - ongoing

Under the able direction of Paul Finnegan, a tireless Corina Galvin and a team of volunteers, the response of the New York Irish Center to Hurricane Sandy has been considerable. The Center received many donations from the community and with the help of The Padded Wagon, delivered several truck loads of aid to the Rockaways.

Thank you to everyone for their help and please continue to do all you can to help those affected by Hurricane Sandy.

New Promotional Video

In 2012, Paul Finnegan commissioned a new promotional video. Produced in collaboration with New  Aims Production (based in Ireland), the video runs just over four minutes in length and tells the unique  story of the New York Irish Center and its development since 2003.

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Nster.com