Category: Latest News

The ICC held our annual Feast of St. Brigid Raffle Drawing on February 1, 2022. It was a fun and festive evening as everyone gathered to celebrate being together and hear the winners announced.

Thank you to all our ICC volunteers, board members, and staff who worked so hard to sell tickets throughout the year! And thanks to everyone who purchased tickets. Our goal was exceeded as the raffle raised over $17,000 to support our non-profit mission and the ICC facility. 

The winner of the first prize trip for two to Ireland with the ICC is Jenna Recko of Southbridge, MA. The winner of the second prize 14k gold St. Brigid’s Cross necklace from Brian de Staic Jewellers is Eileen Bello of West Springfield, MA. Congratulations!

There were also two winners drawn for two $100 gift certificates to the Irish House Restaurant and Trinity Pub.

Special thanks to Brian de Staic Jewellers of Dingle, Ireland for their continued support of the ICC and their generous donation of the beautiful necklace.

See more photos of the event in our Facebook gallery >

There is an Irish proverb that says “Beatha teanga í a labhairt” which means the life of a language is to speak it. Our Fulbright Irish Language teaching assistant, Réaltín McElhinney, has taken this approach not only for her ICC class but also for her advocacy of conversation circles. This approach encourages students to take an active role in their own Irish language journey.

Réaltín inspires her students to use what they have learned during their conversations. “Don’t be afraid to make mistakes,” she said during a recent Zoom call. Encouraging teachers, who promote this active learning, produce students whose confidence grows in their own ability to communicate.

In addition to her class, Réaltín has opened up a conversation circle with others from her native Donegal. Her students and other ICC and Conradh na Gaeilge members have an hour opportunity each week to listen and speak with others from this group. Language acquisition is a social activity after all. What better way is there to learn and practice the language with others who are on the same journey? Our invitation to participate in the group is one of the many benefits the ICC and Elms College receive from the Fulbright Program.

How will Réaltín continue this positive momentum? She is already thinking about activities for the annual Irish Language Immersion Day that the ICC offers to the community each May. In addition, students may see table quizzes in Irish and other activities that encourage speaking. Her goal is always to get more people speaking.

Those of us involved in Irish Language activities appreciate Réaltín’s active leadership, encouragement, and opportunities to improve our Irish. “As an obair a fhaightear an fhoghlaim” is a proverb that means “Learning is gotten through work.” Fortunately, Réaltín’s approach does not make it seem like work. Let’s keep talking.

– written by Irish language instructor Gerald Costello

Time is running out to get your tickets for our Feast of St. Brigid Raffle, with a first prize of a trip for two on one of the Irish Cultural Center’s group tours to Ireland in 2022 or 2023!

The drawing will be held on Tuesday, February 1 on St. Brigid’s Day at the ICC. Our doors will open at 5:30 pm. 

We will offer a light menu (soups and sandwiches) and the Pub will be open. Reservations are required in advance for those wishing to attend – please call 413-342-4358.

For those who attend, we will give a free raffle ticket for a $100 gift certificate to the ICC’s Irish House Restaurant and Trinity Pub. There will be two winners drawn for these certificates; must be present to win.

The raffle event will begin at 6:45 pm with welcomes from ICC officials and our Fulbright Scholar, Réaltín McElhinney. This portion of the event will be streamed live on both our Facebook pages. Drawings will begin at 7 pm. Winners for the first and second prize need not be present.

FIRST PRIZE
An all expenses paid trip for two people on a group tour to Ireland hosted by the ICC in 2022 or 2023. Tour destinations and schedules are currently to be determined. Trips run approximately ten days, with the estimated value $6,000 for two people. No cash offering is available. Prize is transferable to another party. 

SECOND PRIZE
A 14 karat gold St. Brigid’s Cross necklace designed and crafted by renowned Dingle, Ireland jeweler Brian de Staic. Retail value €500.

THIRD AND FOURTH PRIZES
A $100 gift certificate to the Irish House Restaurant and Trinity Pub. You must be present to win one of these prizes. Cannot be used on the night of the drawing.

Raffle tickets must be purchased by 6:30 pm on the night of the event. Cost is $20 per ticket. Cash, check or credit card accepted. Please call 413-333-4951 or visit the ICC to purchase tickets.

Thanks to our Business Sponsors. 

Masks are encouraged. We recommend that guests wear masks if they are not vaccinated.

The Irish Cultural Center will host a St. Brigid’s Cross-making event on Thursday, January 27 from 5–7 pm. Families are welcome! This is a great opportunity for kids to make a fun craft and learn about Irish culture. The event will be held at the ICC, 429 Morgan Road in West Springfield.

Reservations are required; please call us at 413-342-4358 if you plan on attending.

Educator Mary Ellen Russell and Fulbright Irish scholar Réaltín McElhinney will guide participants through a session of making the crosses with straw. They will also share the story of how St. Brigid made the first cross in Dundalk, Ireland at about 450 AD, as she sat at the deathbed of her father.

This event is free and open to the public. Participants will get to bring home their own crosses. The Irish House Restaurant and Trinity Pub will be open with our pub grub menu.

Thanks to our Business Sponsors.

Masks are encouraged. We recommend that guests wear masks if they are not vaccinated.

A word to our Patrons and Friends: Due to the unprecedented spike in Covid-19 and in order to keep our Patrons, friends and staff safe, the Irish House Restaurant and Trinity Pub is temporarily modifying operations. Beginning on Wednesday, January 12, our bartenders will be happy to serve you at the Pub. We will offer a pub grub menu and beverages. Live music will be temporarily suspended.

Please let us know if you are coming and we will save you a seat. Our ICC hospitality will be there to greet you. Private events may still be held. To book, please contact our General Manager Sheri Hannifan at 413-342-4358.

Trinity Pub Hours (beverages and light fare only):
• Wednesday–Saturday 4–10 pm (kitchen closes 9 pm)
• Sunday 1–6 pm

Due to the unprecedented spike in Covid-19 and in order to keep our Patrons, Friends and Staff safe, the Irish House Restaurant and Trinity Pub is temporarily modifying operations. The Whiskey Tasting has been postponed until further notice. 

Réaltín Mc Elhinney (ICCWNE/Elms Fulbright Irish Language teacher) enjoyed her experience hanging out with the MA Governor and Lt. Governor at their Annual Christmas party at the Lenox Hotel in Boston.

“It was great to be with the Governor and Lt. Governor for their Annual Holiday Celebration. It was also wonderful to have Fulbright Scholar and Irish Cultural Center language teacher, Réaltín Mc Elhinney be part of the event. She brought the flavor of Ireland to the festivities, which everyone thoroughly enjoyed.”
~ Ed Sullivan (ICCWNE Board of Directors)

Join us at the Irish House Restaurant and Trinity Pub on December 31, 2021 and celebrate as we ring in the New Year with live music and two separate buffet seatings. Separate advance tickets are required for both seatings.

Buffet Seating #1 from 12–4 pm (limited to 100 people)
Shrimp Cocktail, Cheese and Cracker Platter, Fruit Platter, Guinness Glazed Steak Tips, Seafood Stuffed Sole, Roasted Irish Chicken, Vegetarian Pasta Primavera, Augratin Potatoes, Vegetable Medley, Salad, Rolls.

Live Music for Seating #1
Doors open at 12 pm, with Irish music with The Blaney Brothers from 1–4 pm. 
The Pub closes at 4 pm while we reset for the evening.

Tickets for Seating #1
$60 for ICC Patrons / $65 for general public.
Reservations are required – call 413-342-4358.
*Please note the second buffet seating/music/ball drop requires a separate ticket.*

Please note the evening seating is now sold out.
Buffet Seating #2 from 5:30–10 pm (limited to 100 people)
Shrimp Cocktail, Cheese and Cracker Platter, Fruit Platter, Guinness Glazed Steak Tips, Seafood Stuffed Sole, Roasted Irish Chicken, Vegetarian Pasta Primavera, Augratin Potatoes, Vegetable Medley, Salad, Rolls.

Live Music for Seating #2
Doors open at 5:30 pm, with music from local legend Dee Reilly from 6–9 pm. The Pub closes at 10 pm.

Champagne Toast and Ball Drop
We will have a toast at 7 pm (local time) with a live stream of the ball drop from Dublin.

Tickets for Seating #2
$60 for ICC Patrons / $65 for general public – includes buffet, party favors, champagne toast.
Reservations are required – call 413-342-4358. This seating is now sold out.
*Please note the first buffet seating/music requires a separate ticket.*

Oh, what a year it has been! The Irish Cultural Center continues to provide cultural offerings and programs to keep the Irish arts and heritage alive.

Our Annual Christmastime Appeal is an important fundraising effort. This is not the Annual Patron renewal, rather a charitable donation request to support the ICC’s operations. The appeal lasts through the month of December. As the ICC progresses, our needs for ongoing building renovations, enhanced technology, cost of operations, and cultural growth require financial assistance from people like you.

We have asked our volunteers to give freely of time and talent. Now we are asking for your help – easily donate online at this link. Your generous financial support to continue the Irish Cultural Center’s mission of providing a place for all American-Irish individuals and for those who are Irish at heart. We believe that generosity and loyalty are two great virtues of the Irish community – please donate today! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Celebrate with the Tavern Carolers
Enjoy a festive dinner and drinks with your family and friends while listening to some of the area’s best Christmas music. Start the holiday season in front of our warm and welcoming fireplace in our traditional Irish House.

Sundays 3–6 pm 
• December 5
• December 12 (sold out)
• December 19 (buffet only: $20 Patrons, $25 non, dessert included)

Wednesdays 5–8 pm
• December 8
• December 15 (sold out)
• December 22

Tickets must be purchased in advance as we always sell out. Tickets are $9 per person for ICC Patrons and their guests, and $12 per person for the general public. 

Please call 413-342-4358 to pay with a credit card or come in to the ICC to pay by cash or check. Full menu and drinks will be available to order for your enjoyment. (Dec. 19 date is buffet only: $20 Patrons, $25 non, dessert included.)

Tickets are date specific and non refundable. Ticket price does not include food and drink.