Spring/Summer 2007 Newsletter

President McAleese Visits the Center, May 3rd

The visit from the President of Eire was an event people here in Long Island City will not soon forget. Many crowded in to the Center on May 3rd to get a chance to see and hear President McAleese. Who greeted everyone in the audience like an old friend and did not stop to read from any piece of paper while she spoke. Everyone from our seniors, our donors to our local politicians filled our main hall (some even had to wait outside.)

The President had many warm words for the Irish living abroad. She made it a point to talk about Ireland's continuing connection and commitment to its Diaspora. Even though many might feel like the New Ireland, with all of its financial and technological success in recent years, has changed the President made it clear that now more than ever the country means to give back and support those that might have left in harder times. This includes the extension of 3,000 Euro (over 4,000 dollars) checks which are given to those born in Ireland that reach their 100th year to those who have emigrated. She granted three such checks during her visit to the U.S.!

She also had many uplifting and reassuring words about the progress being made in the North. As a native of Belfast forward moving change there is dear to her and she spoke of her joy in the commitment parties in the North have been making to power-sharing and to moving devolved government forward.

2007 Annual Dinner Dance

A great thank you and congratulations is due to the New York Irish Center's Dinner Dance Committee for their wonderful job this year arranging the Center's event which was held, again, at Antuns and the countless hours of work that went in to putting it together!

We would also like to thank all those that put advertisements in our Dinner Dance Journal. Those of you who were not able to attend the dance will be receiving a copy in the mail from the Center.

We hope to see you all, and many more next year at what will be our 3rd Annual Dinner Dance. However, we hope to see many of you before that at the regular and monthly events held here at the Center. Please feel free to drop in any time for a visit!

Classes at the Center

During the Spring classes at the Center were wonderfully attended. Many students have continued on from last summer! There will, however, be a recess of our Irish Language and our Tin Whistle classes until the Fall. Please make sure to check our Calendar and stay in touch so that you can be right back here on time in September!

Irish language, Irish Dance and Irish music have all taken off thanks to the help of our brilliant resident teachers. For more information about any of those classes you can contact the individual teachers. The Center also has a number of "Teach Yourself" Computer programs available for anyone that comes in.

If you have an idea for a class we do not currently have please feel free to let us know. We are always welcoming new teachers, especially people with talents involving Irish culture and music. We get many requests from people visiting our website for classes to learn to play all of the Irish instruments imaginable. If you think you can help us answer this demand give the Center a call or email us from the site itself. 1-718-482-0909 or www.nyirish.org

Teacher Contact Information:

Irish Language

Maura Mulligan, mauramulligan@aol.com or (201) 869-6717

Irish Dance

Niall O'Leary, nialloleary@ireland.com or (212) 726-1602

Tin Whistle

Brendan Dolan (917) 952-6045

Irish Fiddle

Niall Mulligan (718) 683-7235.

A Thanks to Our Generous Supporters!

The Center is kept running by people, like yourselves, who come out and support our events and activities. We would like to take some space to thank the many people who have already given so generously this year. We are very fortunate to have people and businesses that will not only support us themselves but have helped to spread the word about what we do here for the Community and what we hope to do in the future which is evident in that fact that we not only received donations from those that have helped us all along and by some completely new firms this year. We have posted signs in at the front of the Center to help promote awareness of the many firms that have helped build and continue to donate time and resources to the Center. We want to make sure that the Community knows so that they in turn can help support their businesses! Click here to see a listing of local businesses that have helped make the Center THE place for the Irish community in the New York metro area.

We also have to thank the many people that help run our activities by donating so much of their free time to the events here at the Center. It would be impossible to do everything we need to with out their readiness to give up an afternoon or evening to help us.

Regular Events

Seniors Club Wed. Noon-4:00pm; Mother & Toddler Group Thurs. 9:00am-12:00pm; "25" Card Players Club Last Friday of Every Month 8-10:30pm; Céilí Dance Third Saturday of Every Month 7pm; Lisdoonvarna USA Irish Speed Dating Every other Last Monday 7:00pm; Classes There are at the center in Language, Dance and Music. Click here for details. For a complete listing of upcoming events at the Center, please click here.

Renting Our Space

Our building consists of three floors and a basement. The first floor has been opened up into one large room, approximately 30 ft. by 40ft . with toilet, kitchen and storage facilities and a stage. It is an ideal space for birthday parties, bridal and baby showers, retirement dinners and communion celebrations. You can provide your own catering or we can arrange it with one of the many nearby great Irish restaurants.

People have also found the Center to be a great place for community, union or county association meetings. Its open space and comfortable environment provides a warm welcome to all. The downstairs library has a nice space for small readings or classes. The space downstairs also has a small kitchen as well as restrooms. If you want to give a small lecture or start up a class here at the Center this space is ideal.

We are taking bookings for all kinds of events. Make sure you book early to avoid disappointment.

Call: 718.482.0909, Fax: 718.482.0908, E-mail: mailto:info@newyorkirishcenter.org

Web: http://www.newyorkirishcenter.org/reservespace.htm

Become a Friend of the New York Irish Center!

The Irish Center is run by a dedicated team of volunteers and relies on donations from generous people like you. Click here to make a general donation to support our programs and activities. Thank you!