MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

I would like to wish all our members a Happy New Year and thank them for all of their services the past year. At the Centre we are busily planning our festivities

around St. Patrick’s month – March. Meanwhile we continue with our monthly lecture and Historical Presentation series. Be sure to take a look at the list of upcoming events listed in the newsletter. A huge thanks to the Ladies Auxiliary for hosting our Monthly Mass – it is a great way for old friends to meet up and enjoy an Irish Breakfast. As we look back on the �nal months of 2011, I want to

thank the Annual Drawing Volunteer Group led by co-chairs Phil Maguire and John McDevitt along with Marie Maguire and her committee for their Trojan work in running our very successful Draw. �anks again to all who sold and purchased tickets and congratulations to Brendan Hoarty, the Grand Prize winner. Our Annual Children’s Christmas Party saw many wide

eyed little ones enjoying Santa and Mrs. Claus while our New Year’s Eve Party was memorable with many enquiring about next year’s already! March is membership renewal month for many of our

members. To sweeten the pot, you will be entered into a drawing for an exciting trip to Ireland! �e drawing is to be held on St. Patrick’s Day. At this quiet time of year we urge you, our members, to

avail of everything the Centre o�ers. Stop by at weekends to sample the food and �ne music. Visit our Library, research your roots and attend one of our talks, concerts and upcoming events. We are here by volunteer e�ort and we will only be sustained by the ongoing commitments of our members. Please consider us in your charitable gift giving and volunteering. What �ner reward can there be than knowing you sustain a centre of Irish Culture for you, your children, and your children’s children! A special thank you to Eamonn McGrath, our interim

Executive Director, who has done a great job keeping the Centre going while we continue our search for an Executive Director.

Congratulations to one of our own! Colleen Gri�n has just been named as one of the 2012 Irish Top 40 under 40 by the Irish Echo. �is award honors up and coming personalities of Irish America from every walk of life and from every part of the nation. It’s great recognition for Colleen who works as an administrator at the centre and writes a regular article for this newsletter. I am looking forward to working with all of you and all of

the great things the Centre has to o�er in 2012!

�ank you for your continued support! Tom Gallagher

President and Chairman of the Board

NEWSLETTER OF THE IRISH CULTURAL CENTRE OF NEW ENGLAND

Winter / Spring 2012

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UPCOMING EVENTS AT THE IRISH CULTURAL CENTREFebruary 2012

5: Monthly Irish Mass: Please join us for our monthly Mass being held on the first Sunday of every month. The Mass begins at 11am and breakfast is available for $12. Sit & Knit: This fun knitting class takes place on the first Sunday of every month. Starts at 1pm. Suggested donation of $5.

11: Irish Historical Presentation: Take a look back at the patron Saint of Ireland, Saint Patrick. Evening includes lecture, meal, and a viewing of the film St. Patrick: The Irish Legend. Hosted by Seamus Mulligan. Tickets are $25 for members and $30 general admission. Purchase tickets online at www.irishculture.org or by calling the ICC at 781-821-8291.

16: Irish Pastoral Centre Senior Citizen Outreach Program: The event will be held at 12pm and is $10 per person. To reserve a seat please call the IPC office at 617-265-5300.

24: ICC Library Author Series: The Irish Cultural Centre Author Series is pleased to announce that Moira Linehan will be at the Irish Cultural Centre. Begins at 7:30pm. Moira Linehan, an award winning poet from Winchester, MA will read from her collection, If No Moon. Some of those poems are set against the backdrop of the Aran Islands. This is a FREE event. Pre-registration is required. Please email authors@irishculture.org to register.

March 2012 3: On the Road: A one man show performed by Cork native Gerry Motherway brings us the experiences and memories of an Irish

football fan. The performance is excruciatingly funny, sharp and its comedic writing often masks deeper themes. Join us in viewing this first time performance in the states; you don’t want to miss this dramatic and hilarious comedy straight from Ireland. Performance starts at 8:30pm. Matinee at 2pm on March 4th. Tickets are $10.00. Please call the ICC at 781-821-8291 to purchase tickets.

4: Monthly Irish Mass: Please join us for our St. Patrick’s Day Mass being held on the first Sunday of every month. Mass begins at 11am and breakfast is $12. Pub will be open 1pm-4pm. On the Road matinee show at 2pm following Mass. Tickets only sold at the door. Sit & Knit: This fun knitting class takes place on the first Sunday of every month. Starts at 1pm. Suggested donation of $5.

9: Joshua Tree Concert: Come and belt out your favorite U2 songs while seeing Joshua Tree, the nation’s premiere U2 tribute band at the ICC! Starts at 8pm. Pub opens at 6pm. Tickets are $15 per person and can be purchased by calling the ICC office at 781-821-8291. This concert was Sold Out in 2011. We advise you to purchase tickets in advance.

10: St. Patrick’s Cooking Demo: ICC chef Seamus Healy will demonstrate the cooking of corned beef & cabbage. Seamus provides the perfect ingredients to season the most popular Irish signature dish. Corned beef and cabbage lunch will be served after the demo. Beginning at noon. $35 for members/$40 general admission. PRE-REGISTRATION required. Call the ICC at 781-821-8291 to register.

16: ICC Traditional Session: Come to the ICC and enjoy a night of traditional Irish music and set dancing. Music provided by Carraroe, who specialize in lively jigs & reels. Irish dancers performing throughout the evening. Begins at 7pm until 11pm. $10 per person. Pub will be open. Tickets are sold at the door only.

17: St. Patrick’s Day Celebration: Saint Patrick’s Day is a day to remember when you celebrate at the ICC! Breakfast & pints served at 10am along with a viewing of All Ireland Final highlights from 1947-1959. The celebration continues with lunch of corned beef & cabbage at 12pm, followed by music from John Kearney and friends from 3pm-7pm. In the evening, we’ll switch gears to popular Irish musician Amy Basse & friends. Irish step dancers will be performing throughout the evening. The night concludes with the anticipated announcement of the winner of the FREE trip to Ireland. Anyone who signs up or renews their membership from now until March 17th will be entered into the drawing. Beginning at 12pm tickets are $10 per person and tickets are sold in advance by calling 781-821-8291 or at the door.

22: Irish Pastoral Centre Senior Citizen Outreach Program: The event will be held at 12pm and is $10 per person. To reserve a seat please call the IPC office at 617-265-5300.

26: Irish Cooking Workshop: Shepherd’s Pie: ICC chef Seamus Healy teaches you how to make one of Ireland’s traditional meals, Shepherd’s Pie. 7-8:30pm at the ICC. $25 for members & $30 general admission. PRE-REGISTRATION is required. To register please call the ICC at 781-821-8291.

April 2012 1: Monthly Irish Mass: Please join us for our monthly Mass being held on the first Sunday of every month. The Mass begins at 11am

and breakfast is $12. Sit & Knit: This fun knitting class takes place on the first Sunday of every month. Starts at 1pm. Suggested donation of $5.

19: Irish Pastoral Centre Senior Citizen Outreach Program: The event will be held at 12pm and is $10 per person. To reserve a seat please call the IPC office at 617-265-5300.

Weekly Events Monday: Set Dancing begins at 6:30pm. No dance experience or partner required. All are welcome. $5 at the door. Tuesday: Home Health Aid Classes. To register please contact the Irish International Immigrant Center at (617) 542-7654 Wednesday: Progressive 25 card game is played until May 2012. Starts at 8pm sharp until 10:30. Suggested donation of $11 at the door. Contact Paddy O’Malley at 781-449-4457 or Joe Heneghan at 781-449-2059 for more information. Thursday: Bodhran classes starting on March 22nd, every Thursday for 10 weeks until May 25th. Class for beginners is from 7pm-8pm and intermediate/advanced class is from 8:15pm-9:15pm. Ages 16 & up. $175 for ICC Members & $200 for Non-Members. PRE-REGISTRATION required. Call the ICC at 781-821-8291 to register. Friday: It’s a night of music kicking off with our Comhaltas Music Sessions and then switching gears to Bill Black at 8pm. Pub opens and music starts at 6pm. Full Bar menu available. Saturday: Enjoy the music styling of Amy Basse & Friends – a lively Bluegrass/ Celtic combination. Pub opens at 6pm and music starts at 8pm. Full bar menu available.

*For up to date pub closings please visit www.irishculture.org*

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3

In ConcertRonan Tynan

In the main church at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross 1400 Washington St., Boston, MA 02118

617-542-5682

Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 7pm

Featuring music selections from Traditional, Irish, Religious and Classical venues

Doors open at 6pm | $25.00 per ticket

Tickets can be purchased at:�e Cathedral O�ce 75 Union Park St. in the lower ground level of the church

M-F 10AM-2:45PMOR

�e Archdiocese Pastoral Center , 66 Brooks Dr. Braintree MA M-F 10AM-2:45

Proceeds bene�t theCathedral Outreach Ministries & �e Food Pantry

4ICCNE

4For more information, you may also contact: Dr. Bill or Rita O’Connell at 781-585-8181 or by E-Mail: rvoconnell@verizon.net.

5ICCNE

Q: How long have you been involved at the Irish Cultural Centre?

Sean: Since day one in 1989. I was on the �rst ever Board of Directors. Rory: Since 1990. Joe: For almost 20 years.

Q: In what ways are you involved/volunteer at the centre? Sean: I assist with the Mass and setting up the function rooms for di�erent events. I also help with the live telecasts of games from Ireland. Rory: I help with setting up the rooms for events and I help with the electrical around the building. Joe: I volunteer a lot with set up and tear down of function rooms.

Q: What is your favorite thing about being involved with the centre? Rory: Volunteering at the centre will help give future generations a place to enjoy and call home.

Q:What is your favorite event that the Irish Cultural Centre hosts? Sean: New Year’s Eve, but anytime there is an open house at the ICC it’s a good time. Rory: �e Irish Festival & New Year’s Eve Joe: �e Monday night Set Dancing and Seamus Mulligan’s Irish Historical Presentations.

Boston Chosen to HostFAMINE TRIBUTE

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

L-R: Joe Deery, Sean Lyons & Rory Moore

CantonCitizen

Newspaper“bringing Canton

closer to you”

5

By: Colleen Gri�n

On January 7, 2012, Jimmy Deenihan T.D, Minister for Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht and Chair of the National Famine Commemoration Committee, announced Boston as the location for the 2012 International Commemoration of the Great Irish Famine. He made the announcement while visiting the Irish Hunger Memorial in Battery Park City, New York. Boston will host the International ceremony to commemorate the 1.5 million Irish people who died or who were forced to emigrate between 1845 and 1852, due to the famine in Ireland.

�ere have been three International Commemorations of the Great Irish Famine to date. Previous overseas events include Canada in 2009, New York in 2010, and Liverpool in 2011. �ese overseas events coincide with the annual National Famine Commemoration, which rotates around the four provinces of Ireland.

�ere are two events in 2012, an International event in Boston and a National event which is held in Ireland. �is year, the National Famine Commemoration is taking place in Drogheda, Co. Louth on Sunday, May 13th. An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny T.D, has accepted an invitation to lead the o�cial representation at this years National Famine Commemoration. Deenihan explained, “Drogheda was the second largest port of departure for over one million people who were forced to emigrate. Some travelled only as far as Britain while others travelled onwards from the UK to North America. Many of these people arrived in Boston, full of hope for a better life. We know from the evidence of the Irish heritage in Boston that many settled and prospered in that city.”

Deenihan is happily anticipating the 2012 International Commemoration of the Great Famine in Boston. He stated, “I look forward to working with the community in Boston to ensure that the victims of the famine are remembered and respected in a digni�ed manner.” �e Irish Cultural Centre of New England, along with other Irish organizations, will be hosting events to coincide with the International Commemoration of the Great Irish Famine in Boston.

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Christmas 2011 Open House and $30,000 Annual Drawing

A great time was had by all at our Annual Open House and Drawing on Dec 10th. Patrons danced the night away with Music on both �oors from Dan Hallissey, Amy Basse plus Friends and food from Kilcommons

Caterers. Around 9.45 pm a packed house waited with bated breath as the $30,000 ticket drawing commenced. Cheers and applause followed as friends recognized the lucky winners.

�e ra�e, a major fundraiser for the centre, was co-chaired by Phil Maguire and John McDevitt, to which we are very thankful. Volunteers, too numerous to mention, worked late into the night as the drawing drew to a close.

�anks also to Konditor Meister of Braintree who donated delicious cakes.

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200 New Boston Drive,Canton, MA 02021

Newsletter of the Irish Cultural Centre

Phone:Fax:Email:Web:

(781) 821-8291(781) 821-8295info@irishculture.orgwww.irishculture.org

Non-Profit Organization

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�e ICCNE Pub is open to the public! Please join us for great Irish Food, Music and

Atmosphere!

CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS!

The Irish Cultural Centre is seeking volunteers to assist with

programs, events, membership, of�ice work and more! Volunteers

are the heart and soul of our organization. For more info, please

email info@irishculture.org

Disclaimer: On behalf of the ICCNE sta�, we apologize in advance for any problems that may occur with the mailing or labeling of the Winter / Spring 2012 Newsletter. We ask that you please bear with us during this transition period. �ank you -�e ICCNE Sta�

Winter / Spring 2012

Prime Advertising Space

Advertise your products and services to increase your sales to the Irish Community, while helping the Irish Cultural Centre provide much needed

services, programs, and education to the community at large!

For more info call 781-821-8291 or

info@irishculture.org

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