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.

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, April 10 from 5:30–6:30 pm at the ICC.

We are reading The Alternatives by Caoilinn Hughes. 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 >

About the Book
The Flattery sisters were plunged prematurely into adulthood when their parents died in tragic circumstances. Now in their thirties—all single, all with PhDs—they are each attempting to do meaningful work in a rapidly foundering world. The four lead disparate, distanced lives, from classrooms in Connecticut to ritzy catering gigs in London’s Notting Hill, until one day their oldest sister, a geologist haunted by a terrible awareness of the earth’s future, abruptly vanishes from her work and home. Together for the first time in years, the Flatterys descend on the Irish countryside in search of a sister who doesn’t want to be found. Warm, fiercely witty, and unexpectedly hopeful, The Alternatives is an unforgettable portrait of a family perched on our collective precipice, told by one of Ireland’s most gifted storytellers.

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
May 8, 2025: The Wilderness Way by Anne Madden

The Irish Cultural Center’s Trinity Pub is now open on Sundays by popular demand!

Starting March 9, the Trinity Pub is open to the public on Sundays from 12–6 pm for drinks only (no food service). 

Soak up the authentic Irish pub atmosphere on Sunday afternoons throughout the year, whether you’re happy in a seat at our custom handcrafted bar or enjoying the sun out on our large scenic patio. 

Enjoy a relaxed Sunday afternoon laughing with friends and family, watching sports on our big screen tv, or just savoring a pint or two. 

The Trinity Pub is a gathering place for anyone wanting to experience the welcoming atmosphere of a traditional Irish pub and the Irish community. We are open to the public, making the Trinity Pub the perfect spot for your new Sunday local. 

Enjoy a variety of favorite pub beverages – Guinness, IPAs and imported lagers, plus a Sunday special and Ed Sullivan’s Dingle Bloody Mary. 

On Sundays the Trinity Pub is bar-only for drinks, with no food service. We’ll have chips available, or if you’re looking for a heartier snack, place a delivery order for pizza or wings.

You’ll see some familiar faces behind the bar, as we welcome Sunday Celebrity Bartender Managers Ed Sullivan and Lynn McCarthy, with help from Hungry Hill’s Sean Fitzgerald, former Fire Chief Bill Flaherty and the Rifles Rugby Club’s Conor Driscoll.

If you’re looking for a warm and welcoming place full of Irish hospitality, a Sunday afternoon at the Trinity Pub is just the spot. We hope to see you here.

The Irish Cultural Center has linked up with Irish historian, Sean Murphy, to introduce our community to live, weekly online Irish history courses. Sean presents two monthly topics, divided into four-week modules. On enrollment, participants will receive the Zoom link, a copy of each week’s PowerPoint presentation, and additional background materials. The courses may be taken as recordings if Thursday presents access difficulties for any reason. Participants also have a half hour one-on-one session with Sean to answer any questions on the course content.

The first topic is a general history of Ireland from ancient times to the present day. The course module for March 2025 is The Rise of Sinn Fein and the Irish War of Independence. Takes place on Thursdays, March 13, 20, 27 & April 3 from 7:30–9:00 pm.
• View course information and register >

The second topic is a general history of each of the thirty two counties in Ireland. Featured in November 2024 is The History of County Antrim and Belfast City. Takes place on Thursdays, March 13, 20, 27 & April 3 from 6:00–7:30 pm.
• View course information and register >

To Enroll
The enrollment fee is $100 for each four-week course. Please contact Sean directly for information or to enroll in his course(s) – send an email to [email protected] or register at www.irishhistory.online. March Special! Sean offers a 2 for 1 deal for new students. This offer is only available by contacting Sean directly by email.

About Sean Murphy
Sean Murphy was born in Dublin and came to live on Cape Cod in 2005. He has a passion for his homeland and loves to share his knowledge and interest about his heritage through classes, workshops and conversation. He is a teacher of Irish history, music, and dance.

Join us for a season of St. Patrick’s fun with Irish culture, music, dance, food and drink at the ICC’s Irish House Restaurant and Trinity Pub. Plus, check our events calendar for all our regular live music events and Six Nations Rugby throughout the month.

SATURDAY, MARCH 8
• 3–4:30 PM Pop Up Gaeltacht >
Open to anyone with an interest in the Irish language. Practice your ‘cúpla focail’ just in time for St. Patrick’s Day!

MONDAY, MARCH 17 • St. Patrick’s Day
The Irish House Restaurant and Trinity Pub opens at 1 pm with a full bar and a special St. Patrick’s menu. The kitchen closes at 9 pm. We strongly recommend table reservations – call 413-342-4358. 
• 4–6 PM Cassin Academy of Irish Dance >
• 6–9 PM Ireland Parish Band >

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19
• 6:30–9 PM Trad Irish Music Session >

THURSDAY, MARCH 20
• 5–5:45 PM Philadelphia Aqua String Mummers Band >
• 6–9 PM Rosie Caine Trio >

FRIDAY, MARCH 21
• 4–6 PM Cassin Academy of Irish Dance >
• 6–9 PM Last Night’s Fun >

SATURDAY, MARCH 22
• 5–8 PM Al MacKay Band >

THURSDAY, MARCH 27
• 6–8 PM Paint & Sip: Get your tickets >
Paint an Irish fiddle and shamrocks. Advance tickets required. 

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 Wednesday, March 12 from 5:30–6:30 pm at the ICC. Note the date change to Wednesday.

We are reading A Monk Swimming by Malachy McCourt. 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 >

About the Book
Malachy McCourt left behind a childhood of poverty and painful memories of his father and mother in Limerick, Ireland, when he followed his brother, Frank, to America in 1952.

In A Monk Swimming, McCourt recounts the decade that followed. With not much to his name other than his sharp wit and knack for storytelling, McCourt was unsure what he would do after arriving in New York City. Although McCourt gained success, money, women, and, eventually, children of his own, he still carried memories of the past with him. So, he fled again. He found himself in the Manhattan Detention Complex, otherwise known as the Tombs. McCourt’s journey also took him to Paris, Rome, and even Limerick again, until finally he was forced to grapple with his past.

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
April 10, 2025: The Alternatives by Caoilinn Hughes
May 8, 2025: The Wilderness Way by Anne Madden

The ICC held our annual Feast of St. Brigid Raffle Drawing on February 1, 2025. It was a fun and festive evening as everyone gathered to celebrate being together and hear the winners announced. Billy and Don of The Rising put everyone in a great mood with their fantastic Irish music. 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 to support our non-profit mission, education and travel.

Winners were drawn for the first prize of a trip for two to Ireland or $5,000; the second prize 14k gold St. Brigid’s Cross pendant from Brian de Staic Jewellers; and two $50 gift certificates to the Irish House Restaurant and Trinity Pub. Congratulations to Edward Rahilly of Feeding Hills who won the trip; and to Phoebe Malave of West Springfield who won the pendant.

Thanks to illustrator and Irish arts/history enthusiast Kathleen Joss who guided participants through a session of making a traditional St. Brigid’s Cross.

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, February 13 from 5:30–6:30 pm at the ICC. 

We are reading Last of the Donkey Pilgrims by Kevin O’Hara. 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 >

About the Book
Kevin O’Hara’s journey of self-discovery begins as a mad lark: who in their right mind would try to circle the entire coastline of Ireland on foot―and with a donkey and cart no less?

But Kevin had promised his homesick Irish mother that he would explore the whole of the Old Country and bring back the sights and the stories to their home in Massachusetts. Determined to reach his grandmother’s village by Christmas Eve, Kevin and his stubborn but endearing donkey, Missie, set off on an 1,800-mile trek along the entire jagged coast of a divided Ireland.

Their rollicking adventure takes them over mountains and dales, through smoky cities and sleepy villages, and into the farmhouses and hearts of Ireland’s greatest resource―its people. Along the way, Kevin would meet incredible characters, experience Ireland in all of its glory, and explore not only his Irish past, but find his future self.

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
March 12, 2025: A Monk Swimming by Malachy McCourt (note change to Wednesday)

Guinness Six Nations Rugby is back at the Trinity Pub for 2025! The Springfield Rifles Rugby Club and the ICC continue our tradition of hosting viewing parties for select matches during the tournament on our big screen tv. Come cheer on the Ireland defending champions!

Sponsored by the Springfield Rifles Rugby Club. The Trinity Pub will be open for all matches. The Irish House Restaurant opens at 1 pm for Saturday matches, with limited menu. Coffee and donuts are provided by the Springfield Rifles for early AM matches.

FRIDAY • JANUARY 31
France vs Wales @ 3:15 pm

SATURDAY • FEBRUARY 1
Ireland vs England @ 11:45 am

SATURDAY • FEBRUARY 8
England vs France @ 11:45 am

SATURDAY • FEBRUARY 22
Ireland vs Wales @ 9:15 am
England vs Scotland @ 11:45 am
Replay of Ireland vs Wales to immediately follow

SATURDAY • MARCH 8
Ireland vs France @ 9:15 am
Scotland vs Wales @ 11:45 am
Replay of Ireland vs France to immediately follow

SUPER SATURDAY • MARCH 15
Ireland vs Italy @ 10:15 am
Wales vs England @ 12:45 pm
France vs Scotland @ 4 pm

The Irish Cultural Center of Western New England is sponsoring this exciting raffle, with a first prize of a trip for two on an ICC group tour to Ireland OR $5,000 cash!

Cost is $20 per ticket. Cash, check or credit card accepted. Please call 413-333-4951 or visit the ICC/Trinity Pub to purchase tickets. Tickets must be purchased by 6:30 pm on February 1. Download printable mail-in order form >

The drawing will be held on Saturday, February 1, 2025 at the ICC (St. Brigid’s Day). The Trinity Pub bar will open at 4 pm, with dinner service from 5–9 pm. We will enjoy live music by Billy Eagan starting at 6 pm. If you are planning on joining us for dinner, we encourage you to call 413-342-4358 and make a reservation.

The raffle event begins at 7 pm with welcomes from ICC officials, followed by the ticket drawings.

Those who attend will receive a free ticket for a chance to win one of two $100 gift certificates to the ICC’s Irish House Restaurant. You must be present to win one of these prizes. Cannot be used on the night of the drawing.

First Prize
Winner may choose an all expenses paid trip for two people on a 2025 group tour to Ireland hosted by the ICC OR a $5,000 cash prize. View our Spring Tour. Additional tour destinations and schedules are currently to be determined. Prize is transferable to another party.

Second Prize
A 14 karat gold St. Brigid’s Cross Pendant designed and crafted by renowned Dingle, Ireland jeweler Brian de Staic. Retail value €699.

Lá Fhéile Bríde, or St. Brigid’s Day, is also Imbolc, the Celtic festival celebrating the beginning of spring and the returning of light. The St. Brigid’s Cross was traditionally woven from rushes, and used to keep houses safe from evil when hung above the door.

A St. Brigid’s Cross workshop led by illustrator Kathleen Joss takes place from 5–7 pm. Learn more about this event >