ICC Hosts Ambassador of Ireland on Parade Day – Irish Cultural Center of Western New England

The Irish Cultural Center of Western England was honored to take part in Ambassador of Ireland Geraldine Byrne Nason’s visit to Western Massachusetts during the Holyoke St Patrick’s Parade celebrations. Delegates from the ICC attended the Holyoke Parade Committee’s Ambassador’s Award Breakfast on March 23, along with Ambassador Byrne Nason and Consul General of Ireland Síghle Fitzgerald.

The ICC hosted Congressman Richard Neal at a lively post-parade reception at its Irish House Restaurant and Trinity Pub, along with the ambassador, consul general, state and local officials, and the Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade community. Ambassador Byrne Nason and Consul General Fitzgerald enjoyed dinner and a tour of the continued progress being made at the ICC, including the Community Performance Center. The Performance Center’s completion is being supported in part by a grant from the Government of Ireland Emigrant Support Programme, which focuses on supporting cultural, community and heritage projects that foster a vibrant sense of Irish community and identity.

ICC President Sean Cahillane said of the visit, “We built this beautiful gathering place to showcase our wonderful Irish culture and heritage. We host our neighbors and visitors from near and far away with Irish hospitality. A memorable day was had by all; we were honored to host the ambassador, the Boston consul general and all our Patrons.”

The ICC would like to thank Ambassador Byrne Nason and Consul General Fitzgerald for their support of Irish heritage in Western New England, and the Irish Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Emigrant Support Programme for its continued support in the advancement of the ICC’s programming and capital projects.

Ambassador's Award Breakfast — Mick Corduff, Mary Lou Berdnarz, ICC President Sean Cahillane, Consul General of Ireland in Boston Síghle Fitzgerald, Ambassador of Ireland Geraldine Byrne Nason, Irish Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant Édith de Faoite, ICC Vice President Ed Sullivan, Mike Cahillane of Northampton, and Caroline Boland, Consultant for the Dingle Peninsula Tourism Alliance, attending the Ambassador’s Award Breakfast.

ICC on Holyoke Parade Day — Clockwise from top left: Holyoke Parade Day; ICC President Sean Cahillane with the ICC’s newest Patron; Congressman Neal’s parade after-party at the Trinity Pub; Maura Cassin, ICC Vice President Kevin O’Connor, Consul General of Ireland in Boston Síghle Fitzgerald, Ambassador of Ireland Geraldine Byrne Nason, and ICC President Sean Cahillane tour the Community Performance Center in-progress.