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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Maine Irish Heritage Center
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261210T193000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261210T210000
DTSTAMP:20260731T184129Z
CREATED:20260731T184129Z
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UID:10001135-1796931000-1796936400@maineirish.com
SUMMARY:Maine Irish Reads "Bad Bridget: Crime\, Mayhem and the Lives of Irish Emigrant Women" by Elaine Farrell & Leanne McCormick
DESCRIPTION:The untold stories of generations of Irish women who saw their American dream become a nightmare – and the trouble they got into as a result \nIreland in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries was not a good place to be a woman. Among the wave of emigrants from Ireland to North America were many\, many young women who travelled on their own\, hoping for a better life. Some lived lives of quiet industry and piety. Others quickly found themselves in trouble – bad trouble\, and on an astonishing scale. ‘ \nElaine Farrell and Leanne McCormick\, creators of the celebrated ‘Bad Bridget’ podcast\, have unearthed a world in which Irish women actually outnumbered Irish men in prison\, in which you could get locked up for ‘stubbornness’\, and in which a serial killer called Lizzie Halliday was described by the New York Times as ‘the worst woman on earth’. They reveal the social forces that bred this mayhem and dysfunction\, through stories that are brilliantly strange\, sometimes funny\, and often moving. \nFrom sex workers and thieves to kidnappers and killers\, these Bridgets are young women who have gone from the frying pan of their impoverished homeland to the fire of vast North American cities. \nSee more Maine Irish Reads Events Here
URL:https://maineirish.com/event/maine-irish-reads-bad-bridget-crime-mayhem-and-the-lives-of-irish-emigrant-women-by-elaine-farrell-leanne-mccormick/
LOCATION:Maine Irish Heritage Center\, 34 Gray St\, Portland\, ME\, 04102\, United States
CATEGORIES:Maine Irish Reads
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ORGANIZER;CN="Maine Irish Heritage Center":MAILTO:maineirish@maineirish.com
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261216T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261216T193000
DTSTAMP:20261021T190636Z
CREATED:20261021T190636Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261021T190636Z
UID:10001168-1797444000-1797449400@maineirish.com
SUMMARY:Beginner / Intermediate Irish Session
DESCRIPTION:Beginner / Intermediate Irish Session at the Maine Irish Heritage Center (MIHC)\nIrish Sessions are social music gatherings\, where musicians play for themselves more so than any audience that might be present. Join us to play Irish Traditional tunes with others and expand your list of tunes over time. We’ll meet in the MIHC Library from 6 – 7:30 pm every Wednesday. All instruments and experience levels are welcome. When you start a tune\, we’ll play at your tempo. There will be some time to socialize or confer before someone starts the next set of tunes. \nThese sessions are free to attend\, and a suggested donation of $5 per session will be gratefully accepted. All funds raised through donations will go straight back into MIHC programming! We ask that you RSVP before each session you expect to attend\, even if at the last minute.
URL:https://maineirish.com/event/beginner-intermediate-irish-session-19/
LOCATION:Maine Irish Heritage Center\, 34 Gray St\, Portland\, ME\, 04102\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://maineirish.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Weekly-Trad-Session-banner-1.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Maine Irish Heritage Center":MAILTO:maineirish@maineirish.com
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261217T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261217T210000
DTSTAMP:20261030T165737Z
CREATED:20261022T002157Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261030T165737Z
UID:10001175-1797534000-1797541200@maineirish.com
SUMMARY:Ireland With Michael: A Celtic Christmas
DESCRIPTION:Thursday\, December 17th\n7:00pm\nDoors Open 6:30pm\n\n\nJoin Michael Londra\, host of the popular PBS series Ireland with Michael\, for a magical evening of Irish music and Christmas celebration! \n\n\n\n\nIreland with Michael – A Celtic Christmas brings the warmth\, music\, and spirit of Ireland to the Irish Cultural Centre of Greater Boston for one special holiday performance. Gather your friends and family for a festive evening of music\, memories\, and a little Irish Christmas magic! \nDon’t wait to buy your tickets – Priority Seating is only available in advance\, and general admission prices go up at the door! \n\nAbout Michael Londra and Ireland with Michael\nMichael Londra is an Emmy-nominated Irish singer\, producer and television host originally from Wexford\, Ireland. Internationally recognized for his musical career and his passion for Irish culture\, Londra is the creator and host of Ireland with Michael\, the popular Public Television travel and culture series that brings the beauty\, history\, music and people of Ireland to American audiences. \nNow in its sixth season\, the series airs on Public Television stations across 49 states and is available to stream on PBS Passport. A seventh season is scheduled to premiere in January 2027. \nLondra has dedicated much of his career to celebrating and promoting Ireland’s remarkable artistic and cultural heritage\, introducing American audiences to Irish musicians\, performers\, craftspeople\, destinations and traditions. \nWebsite: www.michaellondra.com
URL:https://maineirish.com/event/ireland-with-michael-a-celtic-christmas/
LOCATION:Maine Irish Heritage Center\, 34 Gray St\, Portland\, ME\, 04102\, United States
CATEGORIES:Tickteted Performance
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://maineirish.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/2.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Maine Irish Heritage Center":MAILTO:maineirish@maineirish.com
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261220T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261220T153000
DTSTAMP:20261029T160225Z
CREATED:20261029T160225Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261029T160225Z
UID:10001177-1797775200-1797780600@maineirish.com
SUMMARY:Solstice Storytelling at the Maine Irish Heritage Center
DESCRIPTION:The Maine Irish Heritage Center is bringing the cherished Irish tradition of storytelling to Maine this winter! We will have warm drinks\, and the light in the Great Hall on the Solstice is incredible – watch the Stained Glass come to life as we share stories with each other! \nIn days gone by neighbors would gather at night in the local ceili house\, the home of a storyteller. They came for conversation\, and to hear stories of their community\, its history\, old tales handed down by the ancestors\, some music. These gatherings helped build community and preserve the culture and values of the Irish people. \nWe invite you to join us this Solstice in the Great Hall! Bring a story\, a poem\, a song\, or simply come to listen and enjoy an evening among friends—or friends-in-the-making. \nEvent Details:\n\nLocation: 34 Gray Street\, Portland ME\nTime: 2:00pm-3:30pm\nHost: Cathy Furness\nStory Guidelines:\n\nStories\, songs\, or poems should be 10 minutes or less\nA timekeeper will help us keep things moving\nNo hate speech – creative freedom is welcome\, but kindness and inclusivity are essential\n\n\nAll are welcome – come to share or simply to listen\n\nStorytelling is central to Irish culture—as it is to so many cultures around the world. This gathering of storytellers is part of MIHC’s mission to share this tradition across Maine. Let’s build community together\, one story at a time.
URL:https://maineirish.com/event/solstice-storytelling-at-the-maine-irish-heritage-center-26/
LOCATION:Maine Irish Heritage Center\, 34 Gray St\, Portland\, ME\, 04102\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://maineirish.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/SOLSTICE-Storytelling-banner-26.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Maine Irish Heritage Center":MAILTO:maineirish@maineirish.com
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261228T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261228T210000
DTSTAMP:20261014T201846Z
CREATED:20261007T203241Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261014T201846Z
UID:10001156-1798484400-1798491600@maineirish.com
SUMMARY:Casco Song & Ballad Circle
DESCRIPTION:Casco Song & Ballad Circle at the Maine Irish Heritage Center\nThe Casco Song & Ballad Circle will meet at the Maine Irish Heritage Center Library on the 4th Monday of every month from 7-9 PM to share traditional songs. Some participants sing ballads: stark\, spellbinding story-songs handed down orally as homespun entertainment. But traditional songs of any kind\, from any tradition\, in any language\, are welcome!  \nBring a couple of your favorite old songs\, ballads\, shanties\, seasonal songs\, pub songs\, or what have you—memorized or not—and share them with our friendly circle. Unaccompanied voices are the norm\, but you’re welcome to accompany your own song on an instrument if you choose. Or\, just come to listen and immerse yourself in the world of these tales and their tunes! If a song has a chorus to join in on\, we’ll learn it together by ear\, but solo songs are great\, too. This is a participatory event where everyone is welcome regardless of ability\, expertise\, or confidence. \nThese sessions are free to attend\, and a suggested donation of $5 per session will be gratefully accepted. All funds raised through donations will go straight back into MIHC programming! We ask that you RSVP before each session you expect to attend\, even if at the last minute.
URL:https://maineirish.com/event/casco-song-ballad-circle-3/
LOCATION:Maine Irish Heritage Center\, 34 Gray St\, Portland\, ME\, 04102\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://maineirish.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Casco-Song-and-Ballad-Circle-Banner.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Maine Irish Heritage Center":MAILTO:maineirish@maineirish.com
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261231T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261231T220000
DTSTAMP:20261022T163133Z
CREATED:20261022T161137Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261022T163133Z
UID:10001176-1798740000-1798754400@maineirish.com
SUMMARY:New Year's Eve on Irish Time with Bailey's Mistake
DESCRIPTION:Thursday\, December 31st\n7:00pm\nDoors open at 5:30pm\nCome ring in the New Year at the Maine Irish Heritage Center with Bailey’s Mistake\, a Celtic-inspired\, four-piece folk band from right here in Maine. Known for their pulsing sound driven by bass\, drums\, and guitar\, and lifted by hearty vocal harmonies\, thrilling bagpipes\, and whistle tunes\, Bailey’s Mistake creates an irresistible energy that fills the room. \nDoors open at 5:30; Happy Hour at 6 PM – with opening act Jim Sharkey! The main show starts at 6:50 with a 10-minute countdown to the New Year’s celebration in Dublin at 7 PM. Advance general admission tickets are $35; $45 day of the show. There will be a cash bar with plenty of bubbly available for your New Year’s toast! Grab your friends\, fill a table\, and prepare to rock in the new year! \nWe also have table packages available. These packages include tickets\, light snacks\, a bubbly toast\, and celebratory New Year’s swag! Tables are only available in advance! See below for pricing. \nAbout the Band: Celtic American roots music from Maine’s Bold Coast\n \nBailey’s Mistake is a not-quite-traditional\, Celtic-inspired\, four-piece folk band from Maine. The group mixes traditional music from Ireland\, Scotland and Newfoundland with brand new songs about contemporary life in New England. Bailey’s Mistake’s pulsing sound is driven by bass\, drums and guitar and topped off with hearty vocal harmonies and thrilling bagpipe and whistle tunes. \nBailey’s Mistake is made up of four seasoned musicians who all went to the same rural high school in Maine — aptly named Bonny Eagle. Collectively\, they have about 110 years of touring musical experience. \nTroy R. Bennett plays guitar\, sings soulful lead and writes most of the band’s original songs. Travis Cote learned to play the bagpipes at 10 and thrills audiences with his rhythmic\, majestic sound. Dean Clegg is the band’s inventive percussionist and oversees all technical aspects of every show. Rob Babson plays bass\, sings delicate harmonies and is the band’s musical leader. \nBailey’s Mistake has played gigs all over New England. The band is also recording and releasing one new song\, every month\, throughout 2025. \nThe band takes its name from a legend told for generations along the Maine coast. Back in the 19th century\, there was a certain ship captain named Bailey. He was trying to guide his vessel safely around West Quoddy Head Lighthouse and into Lubec Harbor. Unfortunately\, it was a foggy night and he missed. Instead of safe harbor\, Bailey ran aground in a shallow\, rocky inlet just south of the lighthouse. \nBut rather than face the wrath of the ship’s furious owners in Boston\, Bailey and his crew unloaded the lumber they had on board\, built houses in the cove and settled down with several local ladies. \nTo this day\, on most good maps\, that little harbor is simply labeled “Bailey’s Mistake.” \nLearn more about Bailey’s Mistake: https://www.baileysmistakemusic.com/ \n\n			\n				\n			\n			\n				\n			\n			\n				\n			\n		\n\n  \nAbout the Opening Act: Jim Sharkey\nJim grew up in County Roscommon\, Ireland. His songs reflect the Irish tradition as well as singer-songwriter music he grew up listening to. Regarding his original compositions Sean Smith\, BostonIrish Contributor\, November 2024 writes “there’s such an innate gentleness to his music\, a care and concern expressed about our humanity\, on a large and small scale\, and that tenderness is once again abundant on his fourth album\, “Our Old Village”.   \nLearn more at https://www.jimsharkeymusic.com \n  \n  \n  \n  \n 
URL:https://maineirish.com/event/new-years-eve-on-irish-time-with-baileys-mistake-2026/
LOCATION:Maine Irish Heritage Center\, 34 Gray St\, Portland\, ME\, 04102\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://maineirish.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Baileys-Mistake-nye-banner-CORRECT-1.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Maine Irish Heritage Center":MAILTO:maineirish@maineirish.com
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20270107T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20270107T190000
DTSTAMP:20260724T202952Z
CREATED:20260724T202339Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260724T202952Z
UID:10001127-1799341200-1799348400@maineirish.com
SUMMARY:Maine Irish Writes: January
DESCRIPTION:We are thrilled to present our second season of Maine Irish Writes\, an inclusive monthly writers’ group that will meet in the MIHC Library on the first Thursday of each month! \nLed by the incredible poet and author Robert Breen\, this welcoming writers group is open to all—whether you’re just starting out or deep into a manuscript. Bring your works in progress\, share your voice\, and receive supportive\, thoughtful feedback in a relaxed and inspiring setting. Together\, we’ll explore storytelling\, poetry\, memory\, and the written word in all its forms. Come to listen\, come to write\, come to connect. \nA few notes on the format of these Writers’ Group meetings: \nFor all interested writers \n\nDetermine your goal\, the primary target for your project— fiction\, poetry\, nonfiction\, memoir or autobiography.\nFor beginners this will be a discovery time\, your goal should be to have fun with this phase.\nTake time and have patience with yourself!\nWe ask that all members actively bring work to participate in each session\nThose that have work ready will be heard— with a 10-minute reading time and critique so to allow all to be heard.\nHave your written piece of literature with 3 copies allowing the group to follow and partake in the evaluation of the work.\n\nWriter’s Technique Method Used\nThe Layer Cake Method is a classic technique used to deliver constructive criticism without causing defensiveness. And keep the writer motivated while highlighting areas that need improvement. \n\n(Positive): Start with genuine praise. Highlight a specific strength\, like a strong voice\, sharp dialogue\, or an engaging hook.\n(Constructive): Insert the critique or area for improvement. Focus on actionable issues like pacing lags\, confusing plot points\, or passive verbs. Poetry example- the use of metaphors\, and forms.\n(Upbeat): End with encouragement and forward momentum. Reiterate your belief in the story or poem express excitement to read the next draft.\n\nCheck out the rest of the series dates HERE!
URL:https://maineirish.com/event/maine-irish-writes-january-27/
LOCATION:Maine Irish Heritage Center\, 34 Gray St\, Portland\, ME\, 04102\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://maineirish.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Maine-Irish-Writes-jan-27.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Maine Irish Heritage Center":MAILTO:maineirish@maineirish.com
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