Lynn McCarthy Named to ICC Board of Directors

West Springfield resident Lynn McCarthy has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the Irish Cultural Center of Western New England. McCarthy happily committed to serving, and especially being named to the Cultural Events and Marketing, Communication and Public Relations Committees.

Born and raised in West Springfield, McCarthy is the daughter of Janet McCarthy and the late Derry McCarthy.

McCarthy recently retired from her full-time job at Effectv, which is the advertising arm of Comcast. She has worked part time for the Town of West Springfield Recreation, teaching Yoga and Aerobics for many years. She also now also teaches at the West Springfield Senior Center, along with some bartending duties at the Tatham Social Club.

ICC President Sean Cahillane welcomed McCarthy to the board that oversees all aspects of the organization, now in its 26th year.

“Lynn McCarthy has the kind of dedication and energy that we love at the Irish Cultural Center,” Cahillane said. “She has already made a big difference, and we look forward to working with her in the future. Lynn will serve on our Marketing Committee; with her experience this will be a premier appointment as we strive to open up our Community Performance Center on the top floor. Lynn will also work on the Events Committee creating new attractions and bringing a variety of quality cultural events to the ICC to be enjoyed by the wider community.”

McCarthy is a board member of the St. Patrick’s Parade Committee and was the West Springfield Parade Marshal in 2016. She is a past member of the Recreation Commission, Town Meeting Member and the Conservation Commission. She was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award from West Springfield High School in 1989, and the Recreation Award from Park and Rec in 2011.

McCarthy has also been very active as a Local Program Coordinator for the West Springfield Special Olympics Program for over 25 years, running 4 basketball teams, 2 softball teams, 2 flag football teams and a cheering squad throughout the year. She was inducted into the Special Olympics Massachusetts Hall of Fame in June 2023.

This board appointment highlights McCarthy’s involvement in Irish events, visiting Ireland, and loving everything about its culture and history. “Our family has been instilling our Irish Pride and Heritage all my life, so this is a perfect relationship to work with the Irish Cultural Center – they have come so far, but there is still so much to do!”

McCarthy says that “giving back” is her passion. And as the old Irish quote goes “I should go anywhere I like to, even if I haven’t been invited, since I haven’t been un-invited!”