Join us in the Irish Cultural Center Book Club. We’ll enjoy good craic and delve into Irish and Irish-American literature, with guided discussion in a welcoming, relaxed atmosphere. This event is open to all.

Our meeting will take place on Thursday, December 11 from 5:30–6:30 pm at the ICC.

We are reading Time of the Child by Niall Williams. Participants are encouraged to arrive a few minutes early to get settled, perhaps grab a drink, mix and mingle. You are welcome to stay after at the Trinity Pub to socialize with dinner or drinks. 

To Register
The Book Club is free to join. Please register ahead so we know how many people to expect. Register online >

NEW! In addition to our regular dinner menu, we are now offering a specially priced Book Club Buffet, available as an option at registration. This buffet will be offered exclusively to Book Club attendees at $15.50 per person, plus tax and tip. Guests of Book Club attendees are also welcome to partake in the buffet. December buffet menu: baked scrod, alfredo penne, bourbon meatballs, grilled vegetables, roasted potatoes, salad.

About the Book
Doctor Jack Troy was born and raised in Faha, but his responsibilities for the sick and his care for the dying mean he has always been set apart from the town. His eldest daughter, Ronnie, has grown up in her father’s shadow, and remains there, having missed one chance at love – and passed up another offer of marriage from an unsuitable man.

But in the Advent season of 1962, as the town readies itself for Christmas, Ronnie and Doctor Troy’s lives are turned upside down when a baby is left in their care. As the winter passes, father and daughter’s lives, the understanding of their family, and their role in their community are changed forever.

Set over the course of one December in the same village as Williams’ beloved This Is Happiness, Time of the Child is a tender return to Faha for readers who know its charms, and a heartwarming welcome to new readers entering for the very first time.

Available from several vendors online or your favorite local book shop. Or, check your local library.
• Amazon.com  >
• Bookshop.org >
• Better Worlds Books (used) >

Books for Upcoming Meetings
• January 8, 2026: The Pig Did It by Joseph Caldwell
• February 12, 2026: A History of the Irish, As Told By Their Food: A Book About Ireland and Irish America, With Recipes by Leslie Landrigan
• March 12, 2026: The Tide Between Us: An Irish-Caribbean Story of Slavery & Emancipation by Olive Collins
• April 9, 2026: Ring of Salt by Betsy Cornwell

The ICC invites you to a special morning with acclaimed author Kevin O’Hara, on Sunday, December 14. Join us as he shares readings and stories from his new book A Christmas Journey: Volume II. The Berkshire Eagle previously produced Volume I of A Christmas Journey, selling over 1,600 copies locally. Volume II promises to be another hit. This festive, heartfelt collection of stories is not to be missed!

Please register in advance online >

Registration is free; to support the ICC and help offset costs, we kindly suggest a donation of $5 – $10 at the door.

All are welcome to attend this event – whether you’re a Patron, a Book Club member or simply a fan of great storytelling.
• Doors open at 10 am
• Author presentation takes place from 10:30 – 11:30 am
• Enjoy complimentary pastries and coffee
• The Trinity Pub bar will be open for purchase (please note there will be no restaurant food service)

Kevin will have copies of A Christmas Journey: Volumes I and II, plus his other titles available for sale.

About the Author
Kevin O’Hara, of Pittsfield, MA, is a longtime columnist for The Berkshire Eagle, and is the author of three acclaimed books: Last of the Donkey Pilgrims, A Lucky Irish Lad, and Ins and Outs of a Locked Ward. In 2012, Kevin was the proud recipient of the John F. Kennedy National Award, for being “an outstanding American of Irish descent.”

Great news from the UMass Gaelic Football Team! The UMass GAA store is now live for a flash sale. Get your orders in before November 14 to receive them in time for a holidays. These jerseys make a great present for you or a loved one. Proceeds support the team’s travel to the Gaelic football nationals.

Visit the online team store to order >

The ICC is proud to officially sponsor the UMass Gaelic Football Club.

Celebrate the 2025 holiday season at the Irish House Restaurant and Trinity Pub with your family and friends! Enjoy a delicious meal in our beautifully decorated pub while listening to some of the area’s best Christmas music from the Tavern Carolers.

Group sales are available and encouraged. Make a memorable evening at the Irish House Restaurant part of your holiday festivities, for your family, friends and workplace gatherings.

PERFORMANCE DATES

Tuesdays
Music 5:30 – 8:30 pm • Doors open at 4:30 pm
• December 9: Purchase tickets online >
• December 23: Purchase tickets online >

Wednesdays
Music 5:30 – 8:30 pm • Doors open at 4:30 pm
• December 10: Purchase tickets online >
• December 17: Purchase tickets online >

Fridays
Music 5:30 – 8:30 pm • Doors open at 4:30 pm
• December 5: Purchase tickets online >
• December 19: Sold out

Sunday with Santa
Music 4:30 – 7:30 pm • Doors open at 3:30 pm
• December 21: Sold out
This date is especially for kids, with a special visit from Santa! A $30 kids ticket option includes a kids meal.

PURCHASE TICKETS
Tickets are $60 for ICC Patrons / $65 general. Easily purchase tickets online (see links above) or call 413-342-4358.

Ticket price includes music performance, a gourmet buffet, and gratuity (for food only). Gluten free and vegetarian options are available. Full bar will be open for purchase.

Tickets are date specific, non-transferable, non-refundable. Advance tickets for a specific date are required. We expect these shows to sell out – be sure to get your tickets soon! Please let us know if accessible seating is required.

Buffet Menu (all gluten free)
• Herb-crusted Pork Loin with Mushroom Demi-glace
• Baked Haddock with Lemon Butter
• Grilled Chicken with Mango Salsa
• Roasted Garlic Mashed Potato
• Green Beans
• Garden Salad

Vegetarian Meal (only if requested in advance)
• Cauliflower and couscous with chimichurri

Join us for an after school Halloween celebration at the Irish Cultural Center! Stop by on Wednesday, October 29 from 3–4:30 pm for a fun, free, family-friendly open house.

We will have fun activities and crafts including coloring, paper jack o’lanterns, and Irish Halloween words and trivia. Fulbright Irish language teacher Michaela Burke will tell stories about the origins of “Samhain” in Ireland. Plus, there will be apple cider and Halloween treats. Costumes are encouraged!

The Irish House Restaurant and Trinity Pub will be open for drinks. Dinner service starts at 5 pm.

Worksheets including Irish words and Samhain trivia will be available at the Trinity Pub the week of Halloween, to take home for a fun activity in case you are unable to make it to the event.

*UPDATE – CANCELED* Unfortunately Mike Bernard has had to cancel this event due to unforeseen circumstances. We hope to reschedule for the future. 

The Irish Cultural Center presents a special evening with Mike Bernard, author of the ‘Boston Irish Belt Trilogy’ novels. Join us on Tuesday, November 4 for a discussion including his local inspirations, writing process, Hollywood screenplay adaptations, Irish Catholic guilt and passive aggressive mothers (definitely not his own!). The evening also includes a delicious pasta dinner buffet in honor of his novel Gaelic & Garlic: A Boston Love Story (last month’s ICC Book Club choice).

Tickets are $18 for ICC Patrons / $20 General (includes dinner buffet of pasta, meatballs, salad and garlic bread). The Trinity Pub bar will be open to purchase drinks.

All are welcome to attend – whether you’re a Patron, a Book Club member or simply a fan of great literature!
• Doors open at 5 pm
• Pasta dinner buffet starts at 5 pm
• Author presentation takes place from 6:15–7:15 pm

Mike will have copies of his books for sale. We look forward to welcoming you for an engaging and enjoyable evening!About the Author
Mike Bernard is a multi-optioned screenwriter, author and playwright. His work has been recognized internationally in the Academy Nicholl Fellowship, PAGE, ScreenCraft, New York and Los Angeles Screenplay competitions. His ‘midlife crisis’ writing career began when all his children and all his money went off to college. Mike is a graduate of Providence College and Boston College High School. He resides on Cape Cod with his wife Michele. He spends his summers losing to someone twice his age in Pickleball, and his winters aimlessly roaming the aisles of Home Depot.

About the ‘Boston Irish Belt Trilogy’
Gaelic & Garlic: A Boston Love Story (Charlestown)
A hilarious and heartwarming story about discovering love when you least expect it, and finding comfort in family and traditions. Sláinte and Alla Salute!

The Crossing Guards (Southie)
An uplifting story about finding love and friendship in unlikely places, reminding us to keep our hearts open and soldier on. Semper Fi.

Crossing the Sagamore (Dorchester)
A tribute to the enduring power of friendship, forgiveness and music.

Join us in the Irish Cultural Center Book Club. We’ll enjoy good craic and delve into Irish and Irish-American literature, with guided discussion in a welcoming, relaxed atmosphere. This event is open to all.

Our meeting will take place on Thursday, November 13 from 5:30–6:30 pm at the ICC.

We are reading Dark Lies The Island: Stories by Kevin Barry. Participants are encouraged to arrive a few minutes early to get settled, perhaps grab a drink, mix and mingle. You are welcome to stay after at the Trinity Pub to socialize with dinner or drinks. 

To Register
The Book Club is free to join. Please register ahead so we know how many people to expect. Register online >

NEW! In addition to our regular dinner menu, we are now offering a specially priced Book Club Buffet, available as an option at registration. This buffet will be offered exclusively to Book Club attendees at $15.50 per person, plus tax and tip. Guests of Book Club attendees are also welcome to partake in the buffet. November buffet menu: salad, veg medley, meatloaf with demi glaze, roasted garlic mash, chicken piccata.

About the Book
Kevin Barry’s deliciously wicked collection Dark Lies The Island delivers on the many reckless promises made by his virtuosic and prizewinning debut novel, City of Bohane. It firmly establishes him as both a world-class word slinger and a masterful storyteller.

“[Kevin Barry] isn’t sparing with his powers. Even his throwaway lines are keepers.” ―The New York Times

“Outstanding . . . [These] stories triumph . . . They are funny, sad, troubling, illuminating, often in equal measure.” ―Financial Times

“Stealthy and shimmering . . . Darkness abounds in these thirteen stories, though it takes its different forms: vileness, foreboding, ignorance, isolation, self-delusion, despair.” ―The Boston Globe

“[Kevin Barry’s] prose is almost literally indescribable . . . It’s not hard to see a devoted following accrue around this singular talent.” ―Irish Independent

Available from several vendors online or your favorite local book shop. Or, check your local library.
• Amazon.com (new) >
• Better Worlds Books (used) >

Books for Upcoming Meetings
• December 11, 2025: Time of the Child by Niall Williams

Join us in the ICC’s Trinity Pub for a Pop Up Gaeltacht on Wednesday, October 22 from 6:30–8 pm with Fulbright Irish language instructors Michaela Burke, currently teaching this year at Elms College, and Danielle O’Neill, visiting from Notre Dame. Practice your cúpla focal in a relaxed setting, and enjoy the trad tunes from our weekly Irish music session.

Open to anyone with an interest in the Irish language, regardless of level or ability. This is a great opportunity for people of all levels to come together and speak or just listen to the Irish language with friends. Come join us – there will be comhrá agus craic (conversation and fun). Everyone is welcome – tá fáilte roimh chách!

The Irish House Restaurant and Trinity Pub bar will be open. Dinner is served from 5–9 pm. If you would like to join us for dinner, we encourage you to make a reservation – please call 413-342-4358.

West Springfield native Caroline Morrissey has been named the first Executive Director of the Irish Cultural Center of Western New England, bringing with her a wealth of global experience and a deep passion for Irish heritage.

Morrissey, a proud Colby College alumna, earned her Master’s in International Administration with a Policy Focus from the University of Denver. She spent nearly a decade working in post-conflict zones across Africa, most recently serving with President Carter’s The Carter Center in Liberia, before returning to Western Massachusetts just before the pandemic.

Since returning, she has been an active member of the ICCWNE’s Events Committee, where she founded the new Book Club—a now-thriving literary group that she continues to moderate monthly. In summer 2024, she took on a larger leadership role by joining the Board of Directors.

“It’s a privilege to serve as the ICCWNE’s first Executive Director, and I look forward to building on the strong foundation created by so many dedicated volunteers while expanding the ICCWNE’s reach, programs, and partnerships across Western New England,” Morrissey said.

The newly established Executive Director position is made possible in part through the generous support of the Government of Ireland. Serving as the ICCWNE’s chief administrator, the Executive Director will oversee daily operations, guide the implementation of the strategic plan, and expand cultural programming and community reach.

ICCWNE President Sean F. Cahillane welcomed Morrissey to this new position, recognizing her dedication and breadth of experience.

“Caroline’s passion for cultural engagement, combined with her extensive international work and deep Irish roots, make her a tremendous addition to our leadership team,” Cahillane said. “She has already contributed so much to the ICCWNE, and we’re thrilled to have her guiding us into the future.”

Executive Vice President Ed Sullivan said, “The addition of Caroline to the ICCWNE as the Executive Director could not come at a better time. Caroline’s experience, along with her energy and passion to advance the Cultural Center as a local, regional, and international hub is impressive. We are excited to have her on board!”

A lifelong traveler who has visited 50 countries, Morrissey takes immense pride in her Irish heritage, with family ties to County Galway, Westmeath and Wexford. She is also the proud new mom of Mae, a beloved presence at the ICCWNE and likely its youngest Patron.

The Irish Cultural Center was established in 1999 to foster an appreciation of Irish culture in Western New England. The mission of the Irish Cultural Center is to cultivate a connection with Ireland, through the arts, culture, history, language, and heritage. The Center offers opportunities to engage in educational, travel, and social events that promote Irish culture.

The ICC extends a warm welcome to Michaela Burke, this year’s Irish Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant at Elms College. She is the sixteenth consecutive FLTA to teach Irish language classes through the partnership between Elms College and the ICC. Michaela is from Co. Mayo. She has a BA in Education, Math and Irish, and is presently working on her MA in Irish Language at Mary Immaculate College in Limerick. She is looking forward to collaborating on several ICC cultural events throughout the year. We hope she has a wonderful experience here in western MA!