The Irish Cultural Center invites you to an evening with New York Times bestselling author Betsy Cornwell, on Tuesday, October 7. Join us as she shares readings from debut memoir, Ring of Salt, and stories of Irish mythology, followed by a Q&A.

Please register in advance online >

All are welcome to attend this free event – whether you’re a Patron, a Book Club member or simply a fan of great literature. Guests are welcome to make an optional donation of $5 – $10 at the door to support the ICC and help offset costs. The ICC will donate a portion of the proceeds to Safe Passage. 

Join us for this engaging evening: 
• Doors open at 5 pm, with apps provided and the Trinity Pub bar open for purchase (please note there will be no restaurant food service)
• Author talk with Q&A takes place from 6–7 pm

About the Author
Betsy Cornwell is a New York Times bestselling author of six novels and founder of The Old Knitting Factory, an arts residency and retreat space for single parents in Connemara. She holds an MFA in creative writing from the University of Notre Dame and a BA from Smith College, and currently teaches at the University of Galway. She serves as a mentor for the Irish Writers Centre and was the first recipient of their Blue Mountains (Australia) Residency in 2023.

Her debut memoir, Ring of Salt, is forthcoming from Avid Reader Press/Simon & Schuster (USA) and Renegade/Hachette (Ireland/UK) in 2025 (forthcoming on September 30). She received the Markievicz Award in 2024 for her work on this project.

Praise for Ring of Salt
“A beautiful story of resilience, hope, and hard-earned triumph, written in sentences as incandescent as the Irish coastline. Readers will cheer for Betsy Cornwell!” — Christie Tate, New York Times bestselling author

“Beautiful and deeply moving . . . Cornwell explores what it takes to start over with honesty, humor, and courage. A must-read.” — J. Courtney Sullivan, New York Times bestselling author

“Emotional, spellbinding, inspirational, Ring of Salt is a tour-de-force of a book.” — Sam Blake, #1 Irish Times bestselling author

West Springfield, MA – On September 6, 2025, board members and staff of the Irish Cultural Center of Western New England (ICCWNE), West Springfield City officials, and the leadership of the Balise Auto Group gathered at 429 Morgan Road for a ribbon cutting for the newly named Balise Field at the ICCWNE.  

The Balise Auto Group recently made a 5-year commitment to support the ICCWNE’s $2 million Capstone Capital Campaign. Funds from the campaign are being used to complete the Community Performance Center, which will serve the needs of the greater region for concerts, events, and private functions. Notably, the Community Performance Center will provide a home for local, regional, national, and international performance groups, making it a full-scale regional base for Irish heritage and culture as well as a center for cross-cultural collaboration. 

The Balise Auto Group’s donation also includes the naming of the playing field. 

Members of Balise Auto Group attending the ribbon cutting ceremony were Jeb Balise, President & CEO, Alex Balise, Director of Marketing, and Ben Sullivan, COO.

“My daughter, Alex, and I are proud to be part of something special here,” said Jeb Balise. “The Irish Cultural Center plays a meaningful part in making our diverse West Springfield community such a special place to live, and the renovations being made will bring even more people together in this beautiful and welcoming space.”

Balise Field is used as the home field for the Springfield Rifles men’s and women’s rugby teams, as well as one of the playing fields for the West Springfield Youth Soccer Club. The location has become a hub for community sports, as well as introducing spectators to rugby. 

“We are truly thankful to the Balise family for their remarkable generosity,” said Caroline Morrissey, ICCWNE Executive Director. “Their support ensures the Irish Cultural Center continues to grow as a place for culture, sport, and community. It is an honor to be here today and name our Rugby Pitch and Soccer Field after Balise Auto in recognition of their lasting impact.”

Also attending the ribbon cutting were West Springfield Mayor Will Reichelt, ICCWNE President Sean Cahillane, Executive Vice President Ed Sullivan, Co-Executive Vice President Kevin O’Connor, Treasurer Stephanie Joyce, and board members Will Carey and Bill Flaherty.

Ed Sullivan is looking forward to many years of sportsmanship, camaraderie, and community involvement at the Balise Field. 

“We are absolutely thrilled to partner with the Balise family and their tremendously respected brand. Their contribution will ensure many generations of youth and adults will have access to these community-centered facilities,” Sullivan said. 

Members of the Springfield Rifles Women’s Rugby Club and Hartford Women’s Rugby Club, who had played a match at the Balise Field earlier in the day, joined in the ceremony, while the Springfield Rifles Rugby Club were practicing for their afternoon match against the Cape Cod Rugby Club. 

On September 9, 2025, the ICC celebrated the annual Irish Pavilion Dingle Showcase at The Big E and West Springfield’s Sister City connection. At the reception and dinner were Michael Foley (Cathaoirleach, Kerry County Council), members of the Kerry County Council, Dingle Peninsula Tourism, Explore Western Mass, our Irish affiliate organizations, the crafters and merchants of the Big E’s Dingle Showcase, Irish Fulbright Michaela Burke, Mayor Will Reichelt, and our ICC board, staff, volunteers, and Patrons. Jimmy McArdle and Jerry Murphy provided the music for a wonderful evening.

The ICC also hosted another special guest September 12 –13. The historic Sam Maguire Cup is awarded yearly to the winner of the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship. Won this year by County Kerry’s Senior Football Team, the Cup was on display for public viewing exclusively at the Irish Cultural Center for two days. Players on the Kerry team also traveled over to tour with the Cup and meet fans.

Forward Tómas Kennedy is a 6th year student; midfielder Barry ‘Dan’ O’Sullivan is a veterinary surgeon; and fullback Jason Foley is a primary school special needs assistant. Kerry GAA Secretary Peter Twiss also traveled with the trophy.

Pictured: ICC President Sean Cahillane, Tómas Kennedy, Barry ‘Dan’ O’Sullivan, Jason Foley, Kerry GAA Secretary Peter Twiss, ICC Events Coordinator and General Manager Conor Driscoll.

Vendors, artisans and businesses from the Dingle Peninsula, Ireland, are showcasing their art, crafts and products in the Irish Pavilion in the Big E’s Young Building throughout the fair.

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, October 9 from 5:30–6:30 pm at the ICC.

We are reading Gaelic and Garlic: A Boston Love Story by Mike Bernard. 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.

About the Book
Among the most overlooked ethnic problems in the country was the division between Irish and Italians. Historically two of the poorest immigrant communities, they clashed on everything from jobs to housing to politics. As rivals, both were always treated with suspicion and fear. No Italian boy would ever bring an Irish girl home to dinner, and the Irish were even less welcoming.

When East Boston’s Antonio Domenicio Riccardo Maximilianus PrestiDiGiovanni meets Charlestown-tough Margaret Katherine Philomena Coventina O’Shaughnessy (for a combined total of 39 syllables!) they have no idea how their lives are intersected. Richie and Mary Kate both live in a world where things should have been – but one simple decision changed the whole trajectory of their lives.

Gaelic and Garlic is a heartwarming and hilarious story about discovering love when you least expect it, and finding comfort in family and traditions..

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

Books for Upcoming Meetings
• November 13, 2025: Dark Lies the Island by Kevin Barry
• December 11, 2025: Time of the Child by Niall Williams

For all of you Gaelic Football fans, we have a special treat for you! The Sam Maguire Cup is here in Western Massachusetts to see and touch. The historic All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Cup, first awarded in 1928, was won this year by County Kerry’s Senior Football Team.

The Sam Maguire Cup will be on display for public viewing exclusively at the Irish Cultural Center for two days this week. All are invited to visit the ICC this Friday, September 12 from 12 – 9 pm, and Saturday, September 13 from 9 am – 1 pm.

The Cup will then travel to the Big E on Saturday afternoon for a viewing at the Irish Pavilion in the Young Building, before returning to Kerry on Sunday. Accompanying the Cup are three members of the Kerry Championship Team: Jason Foley, Tomás Kennedy, and Barry Dan O’Sullivan, along with Kerry GAA Secretary Peter Twiss.

We hope to see you here!
~ Ed Sullivan, Mick Corduff and Sean Cahillane of the Irish Cultural Center

From the Kerry GAA:
The bond between Kerry GAA and the USA is a testament to the enduring connection between the Kerry diaspora and their roots. Over the years, the Kerry community in the USA has played a pivotal role in supporting the growth and development of Gaelic games in the county. Your generous fundraising efforts have become a cornerstone of our success. With your support, we have realized our dream of creating an American university-style GAA campus with the construction of the much envied Kerry GAA Centre of Excellence, a state-of-the-art facility designed to nurture future generations of players across all codes and levels. Equally important, this relationship helps maintain a strong connection between the Kerry diaspora and their home, fostering a deep sense of belonging and pride in Kerry’s sporting and cultural heritage. By supporting these initiatives, members of the Kerry diaspora in the USA remain actively engaged with their roots, celebrating shared traditions and ensuring that Kerry’s legacy of excellence in Gaelic games thrives on both sides of the Atlantic.

All those coming out to see the historic Sam Maguire trophy, please consider a donation to help us finish the GAA Campus in Kerry.

The Irish Pavilion is open throughout the fair and features Ireland’s Dingle Peninsula / Wild Atlantic Way Irish Crafters / Artisans of Jewelry, Crystal, Celtic Gifts, Distillers, Weaving, Pottery, Knitting, Felting, Tweeds and more.

The Big E, Massachusetts-based New England State Fair and North America’s 4th largest fair, runs September 12–28, 2025.

WEST SPRINGFIELD, MA – Some of Ireland’s most famous vendors, artisans, distillers, crafters and vacation-itinerary planners from the Wild Atlantic Way’s renowned Dingle Peninsula will offer their unique creations and services to mark their 26th year at The Big E, North America’s fourth largest fair. Opening festivities begin Sept. 12 with a weekend-long “Halfway to Saint Patrick’s Day” celebration, sponsored by Aer Lingus.

In addition to the onsite Dingle Peninsula businesses, the 2025 Big E, for the first time, will also showcase through video and other presentations more than 150 members of Dingle Peninsula Tourism businesses, 96 percent of which are family owned and operated.

Visitors to The Big E’s Irish pavilion, in the Young Building will learn about the huge welcome planned for North American visitors when they visit the Dingle Peninsula. More than a dozen Irish businesses will attend The Big E’s Dingle Peninsula Showcase, offering superior products and services from the Dingle Peninsula region, which National Geographic magazine called “one of the most beautiful places on Earth.”

“Our members across the Dingle Peninsula have collectively put a ‘welcome on the mat’ to the North American market, with a focus on delivering local authentic Irish hospitality and activities for an immersive experience,” said Caroline Boland, marketing coordinator for Dingle Peninsula Tourism. “This year, Dingle Peninsula Tourism and its members have adopted a ‘Community and Fáilte (welcome)’ theme, noting that our beautiful part of the world remains focused on providing an exceptional holiday / vacation for our visitors. Our reimagined Irish Pavilion, Dingle Peninsula Showcase, this year will feature a typical retail street scene on the Dingle Peninsula.”

In addition, participants in a series of events at The Big E and nearby communities will host western Massachusetts’ Irish cultural organizations to celebrate the 2025 “Community and Welcome” theme, including the Sons of Erin of Westfield, Mass., the John Boyle O’Reilly Club of Springfield, Mass., the Ancient Order of Hibernians’ James A. Curran Division 1 of Holyoke, the Saint Patrick’s Day Committee of Holyoke, Mass., the Irish Cultural Center of Western New England, and the Springfield, Mass., Elks Lodge.

U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, D-Mass., Irish Consul, Consul General FitzGerald, Mayor of Kerry, Michael Foley, and the Kerry County Council delegation will be guests of honor during a welcome ceremony on Sept. 13, led by West Springfield Mayor Will Reichelt and The Big E President and Chairman Gene Cassidy.

Meanwhile, visitors to the Irish Pavilion’s Dingle Peninsula Showcase, in the Young Building can complete Dingle Peninsula Tourism’s annual survey of the North American market to win a flight to Ireland from Hartford or Boston, sponsored by Aer Lingus. They can also register for a second drawing for a week-long stay at a self-catering accommodation (Vacation Rental) in the heart of Dingle, Ireland, offered by Brian and Mairead de Staic, owners of the famous Brian de Staic Jewellery, who celebrate their 26th year as an exhibitor at The Big E. A third drawing offered at the Irish Pavilion will be a one-year subscription to MyIrelandBox, a monthly subscription package of curated Irish-themed surprises, providing a unique way to learn, taste and experience Ireland’s culture, traditions and crafts, with gifts ranging from a booklet of Irish information and stories and sweet Irish confections to books, homeware, Irish-made accessories and more from Irish artisans.

The relationships across the Western Massachusetts region stem from a vast 20th Century migration of families from the Blasket Islands off the Dingle Peninsula coast and County Kerry to settle in Western Massachusetts, leading in recent years to Sister City relationships between the Dingle Peninsula and West Springfield, between Tralee and Holyoke, Mass., and between Tralee and Springfield, Mass.

Ireland’s Consul General for New England Sighle FitzGerald will again attend The Big E on Sept. 13, and will host a “pop-up” Irish Consulate with her team in the Irish Pavilion. In addition, representatives from other Irish Cultural Centers across New England have been invited to “Mingle with Dingle” events during the fair.

The Irish businesses and organizations participating in the Fair are among the west of Ireland’s most famous jewelers, crystal artisans, weavers, tweed, felt and woolen crafters, tourism executives, potters and more.

Mayor of Kerry, Councillor Michael Foley, members of the Kerry County Council delegation, Dingle Peninsula Tourism and participating businesses, will participate in a business discussion with western Massachusetts tourism and economic development executives on the impact of the trans-Atlantic relationships. It will focus on the Dingle Peninsula and County Kerry as a primary destination for immersive tourism, business and investment to build on already strong partnerships and links between the Dingle Peninsula, County Kerry, the West Springfield region, and the State of Massachusetts.

“County Kerry has long-standing cultural and economic connections with the Greater Springfield area, rooted in the deep ties of our diaspora — particularly those from the Dingle Peninsula and the Blasket Islands who made Western Massachusetts their home,” said Foley. “These bonds have evolved into vibrant Sister City partnerships with West Springfield, Holyoke and Springfield. Attending The Big E is a valuable opportunity to strengthen and expand our trans-Atlantic partnerships.”

Businesses, craftworkers and organizations representing the Dingle Peninsula at The Big E include:

• Brian de Staic Jewellery, crafters of distinctive jewelry for more than 40 years, features one of Ireland’s leading goldsmiths, Brian de Staic and his wife, Máiread, who opened in 1981. This is their 26thAnniversary attending The Big E. Celebrities that include Tom Cruise, Julia Roberts, Saoirse Ronan and Laura Dern own Brian de Staic creations.

• Dingle Crystal, which designed and crafted Shamrock Bowls presented by the Irish Prime Minister at White House Saint Patrick’s Day ceremonies from 2022-2024, will introduce elegant vintage-style champagne/prosecco coupes in their signature classic clear and a beautiful new pink. They also will feature matching pink champagne flutes or roly tumblers, which also are available in a new rich amber tone to pairs with their green tumblers in celebration of the Green and Gold of Kerry. Sean Daly, who apprenticed and worked for 15 years in Waterford Crystal to become a master cutter, established Dingle Crystal when his former employer moved production out of Ireland. Bringing a traditional cutting wheel, Sean and his family will demonstrate Dingle Crystal’s original glass cutting and design at their booth.

• The Blasket Centre overlooks the Great Blasket Island, where many of the Irish Diaspora in Western Massachusetts originated. The Centre offers fascinating heritage and cultural displays and museum artefacts honoring the unique community on the remote Blasket Islands until their 1953 evacuation. It tells their story of island life, subsistence on fishing and farming, modes of work and transport, housing and entertainment. With a variety of exhibitions, interactive displays, artifacts, audio visual presentations and artworks, the Centre details the community’s struggle for existence, for their language and for their culture, as well as their extraordinary literary legacy.

• Dingle Distillery has introduced their limited edition Descendants Cask Programme, and will offer tastings of their famous whiskey, gin and vodka throughout the fair at the Dingle Whiskey Bar adjacent to the Irish Pavilion. Every drop of its spirits has been distilled and matured at the award-winning Dingle Distillery, built in a former sawmill on the fringes of the scenic coastal town of Dingle, County Kerry. Opened in 2012 as the first independent, family-owned, purpose-built, artisan spirits distillery in more than a century, its spirits are available in the United States through Hotaling & Co. importers.

• Dingle Distillery Bar, operated by West Kerry native Mick Corduff, unveils the new layout of two hand-made, horseshoe-shaped wooden bars to serve adult beverages to pause from a busy tour of the fairgrounds. In addition, the Dingle Distillery tasting area has become part of the new look, and it will feature its Big E cask program for the first time. Thirsty fair-goers also can order Guinness, Smithwicks, Harp or Bulmers, and the bar will offer live entertainment on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings.

• My Ireland Gift Box, which provides subscribers world-wide with a monthly curated collection of Irish mementos, returns to The Big E through their great Giveaway of a year’s subscription for the lucky winner. My Ireland Gift Box, Ireland’s Original Unboxing Experience, has delivered Irish-made surprises since 2013. September’s gift box revives its members’ favorite collection, The Irish Sheep: a collection of handcrafted sheep-inspired treasures, “thoughtfully made to bring the charm of Ireland into your home.”

• Celtic Gift House returns to The Big E for its 22nd year, offering a range of Celtic jackets, hoodies, tee shirts and baseball caps, as well as a variety of musical instruments and accessories, including tin whistles, bodhrans and guitar straps. Also available will be ELFIS and “Craic House Chopper” products that have proven a hit with The Big E fairgoers.

• Original Kerry returns for its second year to the Dingle Peninsula Pavilion, where tradition meets innovation. Expect a warm Irish welcome to their reimagined space showcasing the finest of Kerry Made craft collections, from textiles to ceramics, each curated piece encapsulates Kerry’s essence, traditions, heritage and the breath-taking scenery  that inspires us. Crafters and artisans will include Kerry Woollen Mills, Louis Mulcahy Pottery, Mucros Weavers, Ring of Kerry Crafts, Linda Ní hAiniféin Dingle Ceramics and Made4You.

• Daily Video Presentations will offer Big E fairgoers video experiences from Dingle Peninsula Tourism members. These videos celebrate the region’s spectacular scenery, villages, crafts and the literary heritage of the Great Blasket Islands, and ‘muintir na tíre’ – the “people of the place.”

• Irish Cultural Center of Western New England cultivates a connection with Ireland and generations of local Irish diaspora – many of whose ancestors left the Blasket Islands just off the Dingle Peninsula’s Atlantic coast in County Kerry. The ICCWNE provides access to Irish-oriented lectures, concerts, exhibitions of art, artifacts and memorabilia, political discussions, international relations, GAA sports, Irish language classes, student international exchange and genealogical research. It also provides a bridge between the Irish government and the Western New England region.

• Western Mass Tourism / Greater Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau, an Economic Development Council of Western Mass affiliate and a private non-profit destination marketing organization, promotes Western Massachusetts for meetings, conventions, group tours, sports and leisure travel. Irish immigration to New England peaked in the mid-19th century when countless families sought new opportunity and landed in Western Massachusetts, which still celebrates Irish culture and heritage — from one of the largest and most-cherished annual St. Patrick’s Day parades in Holyoke to The Dingle Peninsula Pavilion at The Big E.

• Dingle Peninsula Tourism is a non-profit sustainability-focused, community tourism and destination management co-operative owned and managed by its family-run businesses and community development members across Ireland’s Dingle Peninsula. Representing over 160 local businesses, their website offers visitors the most up-to-date information to plan and enjoy a visit to the peninsula. Dingle Peninsula Tourism also offers a concierge desk staffed by its team to answer questions or help tailor a vacation for visitors. Visit their booth for great local advice and tips to vacationing in Ireland and to participate in the Drawings and Giveaways too!

• Others involved in the Dingle Peninsula Showcase and the organization and sponsorships of the ‘Halfway to Saint Patrick’s Day’ celebration include: from Ireland – Kerry County Council, Údarás na Gaeltachta, Fáilte Ireland and Aer Lingus; and from Western Massachusetts – West Springfield City Council, West Springfield Sister City Committee, the Irish Cultural Center of Western New England, West Springfield High School, Explore Western Mass – GSCVB, and Eastern States Exposition, The Big E.

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Turasóireachta Chorca Dhuibhne / Dingle Peninsula Tourism, the peninsula’s non-profit umbrella tourism group of volunteers, provides sustainable, regenerative development and responsible promotion of the peninsula. Promoting slow tourism, the organization supports award-winning work of local family-run businesses, community groups, festivals and events committees, and local communities. Visit www.dingle-peninsula.ie or like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/dingle.official, and follow us on Instagram using handle @DinglePeninsula. Engage with us using #DinglePeninsula #StayALittleLonger, #MinglewithDingle.

The Greater Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau, an affiliate of the Economic Development Council of Western Mass, is a private non-profit destination marketing organization dedicated to promoting Western Mass for meetings and conventions, group tours, sports and leisure travel. For more information on the GSCVB, visit www.ExploreWesternMass.com or like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/explorewesternmass and follow us on Twitter using handle @XploreWesternMA. Engage with us using #westernmass.

Eastern States Exposition (ESE) is a 175-acre show facility located at the crossroads of New England in western Massachusetts. Founded in 1916 by Joshua L. Brooks, the Exposition is a treasured New England tradition. ESE is home to The Big E, the nation’s fourth largest fair, attracting 1.67 million visitors during its 17-day run in mid-September 2024.  The largest event of its kind on the eastern seaboard, The Big E attracts visitors from all of New England, New York and beyond, who flock to West Springfield for musical entertainment, foods from around the world, a circus,agricultural animals, rides, shopping and more. The Big E is the only fair in the United States that represents more than one state; representing all six of the New England States. Eastern States Exposition’s expansive and versatile facilities are also home to 120 shows and events between Septembers. The Exposition’s current annual economic impact is more than half a billion dollars. Visit Eastern States Exposition, 1305 Memorial Avenue, West Springfield, Mass. 01089. E: [email protected]   TheBigE.com #BigEMoments

Update: THIS SHOW IS SOLD OUT. Tickets will not be available at the door. 

The ICC invites you to an afternoon of indie Celtic fiddle and folk with House of Hamill. Their dynamic performances have been extremely popular in their many years of playing for the ICC, and include original instrumentals, reimagined folk ballads, and original songs that showcase the versatility of the trio of Brian Buchanan, Rose Baldino, and Caroline Browning.

House of Hamill performs on Sunday, November 16 at 3:00 pm at the ICC’s Irish House Restaurant and Trinity Pub. Doors open at 1:30 pm. Food and drinks will be available for purchase (not included in ticket cost). Guests are encouraged to arrive early if ordering food.

Main Room: Tickets are $25 for ICC Patrons, and $30 for general public. Rear Room: Tickets for the rear room, which has an obstructed view of the show when seated, are $20 for ICC Patrons and $25 for general public (the music can still be heard, and guests may stand in the main room during the show). SOLD OUT. Tickets will not be available at the door. 

This is a seated show. Seating location is first come, first served. Seating includes tables with regular height chairs and taller bistro-style, and the bar. Please let us know if accessible seating is required.

About House of Hamill
Pennsylvania-based House of Hamill was created by Brian Buchanan and Rose Baldino, with bassist Caroline Browning joining four years later. The trio is a fixture on festival stages across the US, and have shared their music and stories on premier folk stages throughout the country and beyond. Whether they’re ripping through a set of original jigs and reels, adding lush three-part harmonies into traditional folk ballads, or cracking up an audience with stories from the road, House of Hamill puts on a show that captivates audiences from the very first note. 

Listen to their latest album “Wildfire” now >
Video > “The Bully of Skidmore Town”
Video > “Shine”

Presenting Sponsor
Westfield Bank. Thanks to our Business Sponsors >

All sales are final. Refunds are given ONLY in the event of cancellation by performers.

The Springfield Rifles Rugby Club has announced their 2025 fall season. Home matches at the Balise Field at the ICC are listed below.

Saturday, September 6 at the ICC
Women’s Match vs. Hartford: kickoff at 11 am
Men’s Match vs. Cape Cod: kickoff at 1 pm

Saturday, September 20 at the ICC
Men’s Match vs New London: kickoff at 1 pm

Saturday, October 25 at the ICC
Men’s Match vs Worcester: kickoff at 1 pm

For all home matches, the Trinity Pub bar opens at 1 pm for drinks. The kitchen opens at 2 pm with a specialty menu. We hope to see you here to cheer on your local team on their home field!

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, September 11 from 5:30–6:30 pm at the ICC.

We are reading Good Behaviour by Molly Keane. 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! We’re always looking for ways to make the experience smoother and more enjoyable for everyone, though we’re limited by the layout and capacity of our kitchen. 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.

September Book Club Buffet: House Salad, Chicken Marsala, Roasted Scrod, Pasta Primavera, Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Sweet Treat.

About the Book
Is it possible to kill with kindness? As Molly Keane’s Booker Prize–short-listed dark comedy suggests, not only can kindness be deadly, it just may be the best form of revenge. The novel opens as Aroon St. Charles prepares to serve her invalid mother a splendid luncheon—the silver gleams, the linens glow—of rabbit mousse, a dish her mother despises. In fact, a single whiff of the stuff is enough to knock the old lady dead. “All my life so far I have done everything for the best reasons and the most unselfish motives,” says Aroon soon after. In the pages that follow she will make her case, reminiscing about her youth among the hunting-and-fishing classes of Ireland, a faded aristocracy dedicated to distraction even as their fortunes dwindle.

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
• October 9, 2025: Gaelic and Garlic: A Boston Love Story by Mike Bernard
• November 13, 2025: Dark Lies the Island by Kevin Barry
• December 11, 2025: Time of the Child by Niall Williams

Join us at the Majestic Theater for a special preview performance on Wednesday, September 3 as a fundraiser for the Irish Cultural Center!

Once is a modern, heartwarming musical that tells the story of an Irish street musician and a Czech immigrant who form an unlikely bond over their shared love of music. Set against the backdrop of Dublin, the musical captures the magic of creative connection, love, and the healing power of song. With a score that blends folk, pop, and soul, Once features intimate, soulful performances that bring out the raw emotions of its characters. The show’s unique structure, where the cast also serves as the orchestra, creates an immersive, almost cinematic experience that resonates long after the final note fades.  

Special Ticket Price: $25
Wednesday, September 3, 2025 at 7:30 pm

Please Call the Majestic Theater Box Office to Purchase Tickets
Majestic Theater, 131 Elm Street, West Springfield
Box Office: 413-747-7797

Tickets may also be purchased online at this special link > 

The ICC receives 50% of the ticket revenue from this preview performance.

All ticket holders will receive a 10% off coupon for the ICC’s Irish House Restaurant (food only).