Irish Night at the Sea Dogs 2025
2025-06-20 17:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | hadlock field
S O L D O U T !
General Admission Tickets are still available at the Sea Dogs box office.

Friday, June 20 | Game Time: 6:20 PM | Hadlock Field
Join us for a festive evening celebrating Irish culture and community at Irish Night at the Portland Sea Dogs! Enjoy an exciting matchup between the Portland Sea Dogs and the Akron RubberDucks, with a full evening of entertainment and Irish spirit. Celebrate community, heritage, and hometown baseball at Irish Night with the Sea Dogs!

🎟 Tickets:

$20 General Admission

$18 for Maine Irish Heritage Center and Irish American Club members

🎶 Event Highlights:

Jim Brady performing live outside the stadium from 5:00–6:00 PM

A spirited Parade of Flags kicks off the game pre-show

A special performance by Stillson School of Irish Dance

Fireworks Spectacular immediately following the game

⚾ First pitch at 6:20 PM – don’t miss a great night of baseball, music, dancing, and fireworks!

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Want to volunteer to carry a flag in the pre-game Parade of Flags?
👉 Sign up here: https://volunteer.maineirish.com/

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IMPORTANT
Special pricing is available for members of the Irish Network which includes MIHC, IAC, GAA, Stillson School of Irish Dance, and the Portland Rugby Club. When you purchase discounted tickets, you will be asked for your affiliation. Please check your affiliation for each member of your group. If you do not indicate your membership status, you will be prevented from purchasing the discounted tickets. If you have questions or need to verify your membership, please contact the organization that you are affiliated with. We’re looking forward to seeing you at the game!!

Robert Breen Launches "The Light of Civil Day" - A Maine Irish Author Event
2025-06-27 18:30 - 21:00 | Maine Irish Heritage Center, 34 Gray St, Portland, ME, 04102, United States
Join us on Friday, June 27th for an evening of poetry and celebration as Robert Breen launches his new poetry publication The Light of Civil Day!
Our cocktail reception begins at 6:30 – enjoy hors d’oeuvres and beverages, and the beautiful harp music of renowned harpist Julia Lane. At 7:30, Bobby will take the stage, and share his work. This event is free, and open to all! Come join the celebration!
All of Bobby’s books will be available for purchase at the event, and Bobby will be signing! Don’t miss your chance to snag your signed copies, and help us celebrate Bobby’s incredible work!

About the Author:
Philosophy of Poet Robert Breen
Tragic be as it may.
Time does not heal,
it whispers
an epic narrative differently.
Warfare ought
not occur after Troy.

I envision a Wordsworthian viewpoint stretching to feel a spontaneous flood of powerful feelings, recalling that spirit of serenity found in everyday experiences. Unswerving to be inclusive in writing and speaking, a communal language, with a sense of inquisitiveness to find the familiar in catching the heart of episodes, occurrences, in those relationships coexisting between nature and humanity.

Robert (Bobby) Breen was born and raised in Boston, Massachusetts, where he served for decades as a Boston firefighter. His poetry is deeply rooted in Irish-American heritage, working-class life, and the storytelling traditions of New England. A graduate of the University of Massachusetts Boston, Breen honed his craft through Harvard University’s Summer Writing Program and has been published in The Harvard Summer Review. His work has earned numerous awards, including the Joy of the Pen competition and the Margaret F. Tripp Poetry Award. Breen’s writing reflects a lifelong friendship with Nobel Laureate Seamus Heaney, who celebrated Breen’s fireman’s helmet in his poem “Helmet” and considered Breen’s work rich with personal voice and lyrical strength. He lives in Brunswick, Maine, with his wife, Karen, and continues to write about place, memory, and the endurance of ordinary people.

About the Book
In The Light of Civil Day, Robert Breen—Boston firefighter, Irish-American poet, and observer of life’s quiet reckonings—delivers a collection of lyrical reflections on loss, love, endurance, and place. Grounded in the working-class streets of Boston and the coastal landscapes of Maine, these poems bear witness to the fragile moments of life and the deep human need for connection.
With the eye of a first responder and the heart of a storyteller, Breen explores both private grief and public tragedy. His poems, many previously published in respected journals, are informed by a lifetime of service, family heritage, and his friendship with literary legend Seamus Heaney. This collection speaks to readers who find grace in small details, reverence in ordinary moments, and resilience in the face of hardship. To learn more or purchase the book, click here!

Enjoy this example of Robert Breen’s work:
Skating
Your joy,
Our civility,
in harmony,
with sharing
a cooperation
to be amiable.
All in balance on a thin single blade.

We are also launching the newly printed Second Edition of Bobby’s magnificent collection, Shore Digger!
A moving collection of poetry by Boston firefighter Robert Breen, exploring Irish heritage, immigrant stories, and working-class life with lyrical grace and hard-earned wisdom. Inspired by his friendship with poet Seamus Heaney. To purchase Shore Digger, click here!

Can’t get enough? Us either! We are also carrying Bobby’s first chapbook, Undertow: A Tide Pool of Poems!
Robert Breen is the author of Undertow: A Tide Pool of Poems. His poems have been published in Harvard Summer Review, The Café Review, Boston Literary Magazine, and Communion Arts Journal. His correspondence with Seamus Heaney resides at Emory University’s Rose Library. His life journey has taken him from a Boston firefighter to a poet published by Harvard Summer Review and a lifelong friend of legendary Irish poet Seamus Heaney. He now lives in Maine. To purchase Undertow: A Tide Pool of Poems, click here!

Featured Musician:
Julia Lane – Celtic Harp, Song and Story
Julia Lane has had a lifelong passion for Celtic folk music and lore and is a self-taught player of the Celtic folk harp which she began in 1989. Her unique style has won three international competitions. Judge/harpist Kim Robertson praised her “innovative arrangements and energetic performance” and Irish harpist Dennis Doyle declared “she really captured the spirit of the music”. Her versatile solo performances include playing at the Maine state capitol rotunda to calm legislators as well as accompanying poets and fire-eating jugglers. Julia Lane is also an exceptional vocalist, “one of the Maine coast’s foremost voices”, whose voice has been called “lovely, vibrant, and haunting”, and compared favorably with Loreena McKennitt, Triona ni Dhonaill, and Judy Collins. Julia Lane’s performances include both original and traditional music and lyrics inspired by her Celtic heritage. Haunting ballads and spritely dance tunes are interspersed with legend and lore. She plays with her husband, Fred Gosbee as “Castlebay” performing at festivals, folk clubs, schools and arts centers, as well as on radio and television. They maintain a commitment to cultural education and have an ongoing exchange with folklorists and musicians worldwide. Castlebay’s historically informed entertaining presentations delight audiences from Cape Breton to Florida and in Ireland, England and Scotland. The duo has also created full theatrical musical renditions of historic stories which include both traditional and original music. Since 1985,Castlebay has recorded over 27 albums and have composed and recorded award-winning video soundtracks. After years of archival research, they have recently begun publishing a series of books containing transcriptions of traditional Anglo-Celtic songs sung in Maine with historical background information. The first, titled “Bygone Ballads of Maine Songs of Ships & Sailors” has received international attention. The second volume is due to be released in 2026 and will feature numerous Maine traditional songs with Irish sources.
For more information
website www.castlebay.net
phone 207-529-5438
email castlebay@castlebay.net

Summer Storytelling Series: Maine Celtic Celebration
2025-07-19 11:00 - 12:00 | Maine Celtic Celebration Steamboat Stage, 34 Commercial St, Belfast, 04915, United States
Saturday, July 19th
11:00am
Steamboat Stage, Belfast ME
The Maine Irish Heritage Center is bringing the cherished Irish tradition of storytelling to Maine this summer! Join us for the first installment of our new summer series: Maine Irish Summer Storytelling!
In 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. Storytelling is central to Irish culture—as it is to so many cultures around the world. These outdoor events are part of MIHC’s mission to share this tradition across Maine while also supporting local businesses and gathering spaces. Let’s build community together, one story at a time.
We’ll be up at the Maine Celtic Celebration with some incredible featured tellers. Join us at 11am at the Celebration’s Steamboat Stage for storytelling, and then enjoy the rest of the festival! We’ll have a table set up where you can chat with the artists after the show, and perhaps even snag a souvenir or two!
Our Tellers:
Cathy Furness
Although three generations removed from the family farm in County Laois, Cathy felt drawn to Ireland from a very young age. She followed that gravitational pull to Dublin, where she earned a graduate degree in Irish literature and folklore. She also studied traditional music while she was there by attending sessions at O’Donohue’s on Merrion Row nearly every night.
Cathy retired early from her professional life in New York to take a deep dive into storytelling. Since then, she has told stories on two continents to audiences of all ages. She likes to share the layered wisdom of folktales of many cultures, but is especially drawn to the heroes, heroines and stories of her Irish ancestors. Now living in the woods outside Brunswick, Maine, she shares her home with Redmond, Conor and Molly, three very spoiled cats.

Robert Breen
Robert (Bobby) Breen was born and raised in Boston, Massachusetts, where he served for decades as a Boston firefighter. His poetry is deeply rooted in Irish-American heritage, working-class life, and the storytelling traditions of New England. A graduate of the University of Massachusetts Boston, Breen honed his craft through Harvard University’s Summer Writing Program and has been published in The Harvard Summer Review. His work has earned numerous awards, including the Joy of the Pen competition and the Margaret F. Tripp Poetry Award. Breen’s writing reflects a lifelong friendship with Nobel Laureate Seamus Heaney, who celebrated Breen’s fireman’s helmet in his poem “Helmet” and considered Breen’s work rich with personal voice and lyrical strength. He lives in Brunswick, Maine, with his wife, Karen, and continues to write about place, memory, and the endurance of ordinary people.

Julia Lane & Fred Gosbee
Julia Lane, singer, songwriter, and folklorist, has been playing the Celtic harp since 1989. Self-taught, she rapidly became a skilled and exciting player, winning the Senior Professional division at the New Hampshire Scottish Games Harp Competition in 1990 and 1991 and the International Folk Harp Competition at Stonehill College in 1992. Julia has done extensive research in folksong archives throughout New England and is currently transcribing songs from the Flanders Collection at Middleburg College, Vermont. This audio archive has over 3000 songs, 900 collected in Maine.
Fred Gosbee, singer, songwriter, and storyteller, plays classic and 12-string guitar, violin, viola and Irish flute. He learned many traditional songs from his family, who worked as lumbermen in the forests of New Brunswick and Maine. His original songs have been sung and recorded by other artists.Fred has engineered most of Castlebay’s recordings and has also built Julia’s harps and many other instruments.

Summer Storytelling Series: Banded Brewing Co.
2025-07-24 18:30 - 19:30 | Banded Brewing, Building 13-W, 32 Main St, Biddeford, ME, 04005, United States
The Maine Irish Heritage Center is bringing the cherished Irish tradition of storytelling to Maine this summer!
In 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.
We invite you to join us this summer at one of our storytelling events! Bring a story, a poem, a song, or simply come to listen and enjoy an evening among friends—or friends-in-the-making.
Event Details:

Location: Banded Brewing Co., Biddeford Maine
Time: 6:30pm-7:30pm
Host: Cathy Furness
Story Guidelines:

Stories, songs, or poems should be 10 minutes or less
A timekeeper will help us keep things moving
No hate speech – creative freedom is welcome, but kindness and inclusivity are essential

All are welcome – come to share or simply to listen

Storytelling is central to Irish culture—as it is to so many cultures around the world. These outdoor events are part of MIHC’s mission to share this tradition across Maine while also supporting local businesses and gathering spaces. Let’s build community together, one story at a time.

Summer Storytelling Series: Orange Bike Brewing
2025-08-05 18:30 - 19:30 | Orange Bike Brewing, 31 Diamond St Suite D, Portland, 04101, United States
The Maine Irish Heritage Center is bringing the cherished Irish tradition of storytelling to Maine this summer!
In 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.
We invite you to join us this summer at one of our storytelling events! Bring a story, a poem, a song, or simply come to listen and enjoy an evening among friends—or friends-in-the-making.
Event Details:

Location: Orange Bike Brewing, Portland, Maine
Time: 6:30pm-7:30pm
Host: Cathy Furness
Story Guidelines:

Stories, songs, or poems should be 10 minutes or less
A timekeeper will help us keep things moving
No hate speech – creative freedom is welcome, but kindness and inclusivity are essential

All are welcome – come to share or simply to listen

Storytelling is central to Irish culture—as it is to so many cultures around the world. These outdoor events are part of MIHC’s mission to share this tradition across Maine while also supporting local businesses and gathering spaces. Let’s build community together, one story at a time.

Summer Storytelling Series: Belleflower Brewing
2025-08-20 18:30 - 19:30 | Belleflower Brewing, 66 Cove Street, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
The Maine Irish Heritage Center is bringing the cherished Irish tradition of storytelling to Maine this summer!

In 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.
We invite you to join us this summer at one of our storytelling events! Bring a story, a poem, a song, or simply come to listen and enjoy an evening among friends—or friends-in-the-making.

Event Details:

Location: Belleflower Brewing, Portland Maine
Time: 6:30pm-7:30pm
Host: Cathy Furness
Story Guidelines:

Stories, songs, or poems should be 10 minutes or less
A timekeeper will help us keep things moving
No hate speech – creative freedom is welcome, but kindness and inclusivity are essential

All are welcome – come to share or simply to listen

Storytelling is central to Irish culture—as it is to so many cultures around the world. These outdoor events are part of MIHC’s mission to share this tradition across Maine while also supporting local businesses and gathering spaces. Let’s build community together, one story at a time.

Summer Storytelling Series: Mast Landing Brewing Company
2025-08-28 18:30 - 19:30 | Mast Landing, Freeport, 200 LOWER MAIN STREET, Freeport, United States
The Maine Irish Heritage Center is bringing the cherished Irish tradition of storytelling to Maine this summer!
In 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.
We invite you to join us this summer at one of our storytelling events! Bring a story, a poem, a song, or simply come to listen and enjoy an evening among friends—or friends-in-the-making.
Event Details:

Location: Mast Landing Brewing Company, Freeport, Maine
Time: 6:30pm-7:30pm
Host: Cathy Furness
Story Guidelines:

Stories, songs, or poems should be 10 minutes or less
A timekeeper will help us keep things moving
No hate speech – creative freedom is welcome, but kindness and inclusivity are essential

All are welcome – come to share or simply to listen

Storytelling is central to Irish culture—as it is to so many cultures around the world. These outdoor events are part of MIHC’s mission to share this tradition across Maine while also supporting local businesses and gathering spaces. Let’s build community together, one story at a time.

Maine Irish Writes: September
2025-09-04 17:00 - 19:00 | Maine Irish Heritage Center, 34 Gray St, Portland, ME, 04102, United States
We are thrilled to present our inaugural season of Maine Irish Writes, an inclusive monthly Writer’s Group that will meet in the MIHC Library on the first Thursday of each month!
Led 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.
Check out the rest of the series dates HERE!

Lane to the Glen in Concert
2025-09-05 19:30 - 21:00 | Maine Irish Heritage Center, 34 Gray St, Portland, ME, 04102, United States
Friday. September 5th
7:30pm
Doors open at 7:00pm
Join us for an incredible evening of music with Lane to the Glen!
Tickets are $25 for general admission and $35 for priority seating. Don’t wait to get your tickets: the price at the door will be $30 for General Admission and Priority Seating is only available in advance!
About Lane to the Glen
Sligo Traditional Trio comprising Oisín Mac Diarmada (fiddle), Daithí Gormley (accordion), Samantha Harvey (piano, dance)
Oisín and Daithí are steeped in the music and history of the Sligo area, having previously collaborated on ‘Fiddlers of Sligo Tunebook’, a publication which set transcriptions of the fiddle repertoire of key Sligo exponents alongside historic images and context.
Daithí Gormley is widely regarded as one of the finest button accordion players of his generation. His remarkably accomplished debut album Fiddling without a Bow brought an expressive mix of old and new tunes played with an attention to detail, and he is regarded as a conduit to past masters of Irish traditional music.
Oisín Mac Diarmada and Samantha Harvey perform frequently with Téada, a worldwide-touring band founded by Oisín in 2001. Oisín and Samantha previously recorded The Green Branch, a sparkling album of fiddle and piano in 2015, with subsequent teaching and performing engagements in places such as the United States, Italy, France, and Japan.
Learn More about the artists:
https://lanetotheglen.com/
https://lanetotheglen.bandcamp.com/

A Huge thank you to our Sponsor for this event:
Holiday Inn By the Bay!

Maine Irish Reads "The Pull of the Stars" by Emma Donoghue
2025-09-11 19:30 - 21:00 | Maine Irish Heritage Center, 34 Gray St, Portland, ME, 04102, United States
Maine Irish Reads, our monthly book club, meets every second Thursday here at the Center!

From 7:30 – 9 PM in the MIHC Library. Bring a friend. The more, the merrier.
About this month’s book:

In Dublin, 1918, a maternity ward at the height of the Great Flu is a small world of work, risk, death, and unlooked-for love, in “Donoghue’s best novel since Room” (Kirkus Reviews)
In an Ireland doubly ravaged by war and disease, Nurse Julia Power works at an understaffed hospital in the city center, where expectant mothers who have come down with the terrible new Flu are quarantined together. Into Julia’s regimented world step two outsiders — Doctor Kathleen Lynn, a rumoured Rebel on the run from the police , and a young volunteer helper, Bridie Sweeney.
In the darkness and intensity of this tiny ward, over three days, these women change each other’s lives in unexpected ways. They lose patients to this baffling pandemic, but they also shepherd new life into a fearful world. With tireless tenderness and humanity, carers and mothers alike somehow do their impossible work.
In The Pull of the Stars, Emma Donoghue once again finds the light in the darkness in this new classic of hope and survival against all odds.

MIHC Day of Caring 2025
2025-09-13 09:00 - 15:00 | Maine Irish Heritage Center, 34 Gray St, Portland, ME, 04102, United States
Saturday, September 13th
9:00am-3:00pm
We are looking for:
Painters | Carpenters | Cleaners | Gardeners

The Center – originally St. Dominic’s Church – was constructed in the late 1800s, and has long served as one of Portland and Maine’s preeminent cultural centers, meeting spaces, research institutions, libraries, concert halls, wedding venues, and more.
We are hosting this Day of Caring to ensure our beloved space receives the attention it needs and deserves. With many important concerts, fundraisers, and cultural festivals on the horizon, this is the perfect chance to donate your skills, tools, and passion for just a few hours.
If you or your organization are interested in volunteering for this event, please contact us at volunteer@maineirish.com. We want to ensure your skills and expertise are put to the best use possible!

Day of Caring Project Options:
Interior Cleaning:
Sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, and dusting
Exterior Cleaning:
Picking up trash, removing debris, etc
Gardening:
Weeding, pruning, and otherwise tending to flowerbeds
Painting:
Repainting doors, pillars, walls, and trim
Carpentry:
Fixing doors & cabinets, repurposing old scrap wood
Special Projects:
We have a number of larger carpentry & electrical projects for larger, experienced teams.

Irish Maids and Portland's Houses
2025-09-16 18:30 - 20:30 | Maine Irish Heritage Center, 34 Gray St, Portland, ME, 04102, United States
Homes, Histories, and Women’s Networks
Tuesday, September 16th
6:30pm
Join us on Tuesday, September 16th at 6:30pm for a lecture with Thomas C. Hubka, Architectural & Cultural Historian.
Behind Portland’s grand homes and quiet streets lies a largely undocumented chapter of the city’s Irish story—one told in boarding houses, kitchens, and servant stairwells. Irish Maids and Portland’s Houses invites the community to explore the housing and domestic histories of Irish women who came to Portland as domestic workers in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
This talk aims to shine a light on the often-invisible lives of Irish women who arrived in America alone: where they lived, where they worked, and how they supported one another in a new and often difficult world. As single women, they navigated every phase of life—from immigration to labor to community building—without the legal or social protections often afforded to men or married women. Their histories are uniquely tied to the places they lived: domestic service placements, boarding houses, rented rooms, and homes shared with fellow migrants. These networks of chain migration and mutual assistance among women are difficult to trace in official records or family trees, yet they tell a vital and singular story. That is why we are reaching out to the broader Irish community: to help us uncover and preserve this essential chapter through shared family stories, photographs, oral histories, or even just names and addresses that may help us reconstruct this essential part of our heritage.
Whether you have roots in Portland’s Irish neighborhoods or are simply curious about the domestic work that helped build and sustain the city, we invite you to join us in preserving this overlooked legacy.
Professor Hubka will be available after the lecture to discuss further questions. He’ll also be holding interviews at the Center the next day, Wednesday, September 17th from 9am-3pm, to take more detailed information and collect family history stories from the Portland Irish community. Eventually, professor Hubka hopes to visit and document the houses where Irish maids lived and worked in the Portland area! If you have information, stories, or want to learn more about these interviews, please head HERE to learn more and sign up!

About Thomas C. Hubka
Thomas Hubka is a Professor Emeritus from the Department of Architecture, University of Wisconsin−Milwaukee. Through almost forty years of scholarship and teaching he has attempted to link the practice and teaching of architecture to historical and cultural context. He has published widely on topics of popular, vernacular architecture including theoretical works and detailed studies of common buildings such as New England farms, bungalows, ranch houses, and workers’ cottages
His latest books explore America’s most common housing such as workers’ cottages, bungalows, and duplexes: How the Working-Class Home Became Modern, 1900-1940. (University of Minnesota Press, 2021, and Houses without Names: Architecture Nomenclature and the Classification of America’s Common Houses (University of Tennessee Press, 2013).
His two previous books are: Resplendent Synagogue: Architecture and Worship in an 18th Century Polish Community (University Press of New England and Brandeis University Press) for which he received the Vernacular Architecture Forum’s, Henry Glassie Award, 2006; and Big House, Little House, Back House, Barn: The Connected Farm Buildings of New England (University Press of New England) for which he received the Abbott Lowell Cummings Award in 1985.
He is currently living in Portland, Oregon where he has taught courses at the University of Oregon, Portland State University, and Portland Community College and continues to study the housing and neighborhoods of Portland and Oregon.

Thank you to our sponsor for this event: Hyatt Place Portland Downtown-Old Port Square!

Interested in learning more on this subject? There are some fantastic local researches doing great work right here in Portland!
Check out the Portland Bridgit Project to learn more:

The Portland Bridget Project is an independent research initiative led by Michelle O’Donnell Josephson and Hannah Marcel Field. The goal of our work is to find and tell the stories of 19th and early 20th century Irish domestic servants in Portland, Maine. These women are an important part of our local history, but their stories have not been told. You can learn more about us on The Portland Bridget Project Facebook page and on Instagram as @theportlandbridgetproject

Interviews with Thomas Hubka
2025-09-17 09:00 - 15:00 | Maine Irish Heritage Center, 34 Gray St, Portland, ME, 04102, United States
After his lecture at the Center on September 16th, Professor Thomas Hubka will be holding interviews at the Center the next day, Wednesday, September 17th from 9am-3pm, to take more detailed information and collect family history stories from the Portland Irish community. Eventually, professor Hubka hopes to visit and document the houses where Irish maids lived and worked in the Portland area! If you have information, stories, or want to learn more about these interviews, please RSVP for a slot, and email events@maineirish with some details of what you hope to share with Professor Hubka!
Interested in the lecture? Join us on Tuesday, September 16th at 6:30pm to hear more about Irish Maids and Portland Houses! Click HERE for more information!

Thank you to our sponsor for this event: Hyatt Place Portland Downtown-Old Port Square!

Maine Irish Makes: September
2025-09-18 14:00 - 16:00 | Maine Irish Heritage Center, 34 Gray St, Portland, ME, 04102, United States
Calling all makers, artists, and creators! Maine Irish Makes is a monthly gathering for crafters of all kinds—knitters, quilters, beaders, sketchers, weavers, embroiderers, and beyond. Whether you’re just starting a project or putting the finishing touches on one, bring your materials and join us for a cozy, welcoming afternoon of creativity and conversation.
Held at the Maine Irish Heritage Center, this open event is a chance to connect with fellow artists, share skills, and form community across crafting traditions. No instruction is provided—just space, time, and good company.
Join us on the Third Thursday of each month! Free and open to all. Drop in, bring a friend, and get making!

2025 Annual Golf Scramble at Riverside
2025-09-20 | Riverside Golf Course, 1158 Riverside St, Portland, Maine, 04103, United States
Sold Out on the Course – But You Can Still Join Us!
2025 Maine Irish Golf Scramble – September 20 at Riverside Golf Course
Our annual golf scramble is officially sold out—thank you to all the players who will be hitting the links in support of the Maine Irish Heritage Center!
But there are still two great ways to be part of the fun:
Join Us for Dinner & Raffles
Not golfing? No problem! Come for the BBQ dinner, raffles, and prize drawings after the tournament. While some prizes are reserved for players, most raffles are open to everyone—so you’ll have plenty of chances to win. Tickets will be available at the door.
Sponsor a Hole or Event
Sponsorships are still available and are a fantastic way to showcase your company while supporting the Center’s mission. Options include:

Dinner Sponsor – $1,000 Includes logo recognition, on-site signage, social media & email promotion, and more.

Hole Sponsorships – Highlight your business or honor a loved one with your name prominently displayed on the course.

Why It Matters
Your support helps preserve and restore our historic landmark while celebrating and promoting Irish culture in Maine. All proceeds benefit the Maine Irish Heritage Center!
Don’t miss this last opportunity to be part of the 2025 Maine Irish Golf Scramble—join us for dinner or step up as a sponsor today!

Irish Rebel Songs Workshop with Davy Holden
2025-10-10 19:30 - 21:00 | Maine Irish Heritage Center, 34 Gray St, Portland, ME, 04102, United States
Friday, October 10th
7:30pm
Doors open at 7:00pm
Join Irish historian, Davy Holden, as he dives into the history behind some of Ireland’s greatest rebel songs. Rebel songs are pieces of music which are written about the Irish revolutionary period, and every Irish rebel song tells a unique story from Ireland’s struggle for independence, each a testament to the courage and spirit of the Irish people. Whether you’re drawn to history, music, or simply a love for Ireland, this workshop promises to enlighten, entertain, and leave you with a greater understanding of Ireland’s fight for freedom.
General Admission tickets are $20, and Priority Seating are $30 in advance! Don’t wait to get your tickets, prices will go up at the door!
About Davy Holden
Meet Davy Holden, an Irish historian, storyteller and video creator hailing from south Kilkenny, Ireland.

Davy’s journey into the world of Irish history began as a child, from playing Irish music, to listening to old stories from his elders, and being surrounded by various monuments, memorials and megalithic structures a stone’s throw from his home. With a passion for Irish history and video production, he started creating Irish history videos in August 2022. Since then, his social media channels have blown up, amassing over 680,000 followers across all platforms.

Since 2023, Davy has been travelling all over the United States to perform live Irish history workshops and Irish language workshops. He has also given lectures in various universities and schools. In early 2025, he featured on the RTÉ show, ‘Nationwide’, and in early 2026 he will be featuring on the PBS show ‘Ireland With Michael’. Davy’s mission is to make Irish history more accessible, and to make the history come alive through the lens of his camera – keeping the stories of our ancestors alive.

Learn more at https://davyholdenhistory.com/

Featuring music from the incredible Jim Sharkey!

Jim 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”.
Learn more at https://www.jimsharkeymusic.com

Michael C. Connolly launches 'As the Twig is Bent'
2025-10-16 19:00 - 21:00 | Maine Irish Heritage Center, 34 Gray St, Portland, ME, 04102, United States
Michael C. Connolly Launches “As the Twig is Bent”
A Maine Irish Author Event
Thursday, October 16th
7:00pm
Doors open at 6:30pm
Join us for an incredible evening with local Maine author and historian Michael Connolly for the launch of his latest novel/memoir “As the Twig is Bent”!
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About the Book
A boy evolves to a man. What shapes him, nurtures him, supports and challenges him? Over the decades from his deep ancestral roots along the rugged West Coast of Ireland to his own beautiful home port in coastal Maine, the shaping of the boy emerges as he grows and changes. Grandparents he never knew, loving parents he knew every day; family, friends, classmates, mentors and fellow travelers — all provide love, guidance, challenge and support.
Young Coley Folan evolves, gaining insight, purpose, wisdom and humor; all of these he passes on to those he cares about. Share this journey with Coley as he explores and traverses this landscape where the confluence of nature and nurture pave the way for him to an inevitable vocation as a teacher and a scholar.
“Connolly’s characters and experiences are full of vigor and wry humor, while the occasional missteps always seem to resolve themselves with a happy ending — and another life lesson learned. Coley Folan and his family, like so many other immigrants, then and now, understood the power of education and assimilation — and that experience is often the best teacher.”
— Rusty and Sue Atwood, Former Maine Historical Society Trustee, and retired educators in Gorham, Maine
“Rich with humor, heart, and hard-earned wisdom, this is a coming-of-age memoir for anyone who has ever searched for where they truly belong. Connolly’s odyssey is a mirror of a generation longing to find its place in a shifting world.”
— Jean Haney, Entrepreneur and Maine Irish Heritage Center volunteer extraordinaire
“As the ‘new’ Portland, Maine, is quickly replacing the old, Connolly reminds us of the best of what the gritty, yet graceful ‘old’ neighborhoods of the ‘Forest City’ offered for those lucky enough to have called them home.”
— Dr. Mark Hibben, Professor of Political Science at Saint Joseph’s College of Maine
Learn more at https://tower-pub.myshopify.com/
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About the Author
Mike Connolly, 2016 MIHC Claddagh Award recipient, retired in 2020 from St Joseph’s college of Maine after teaching there for 36 years. Since then, he has written 3 novels to go along with his three previous works of history. As the Twig is Bent completes the trilogy of the “Folan Family” through the 20th Century in Portland, Maine. He lives on Munjoy Hill, two streets from the place of his birth.

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Other works
They Change Their Sky: The Irish in Maine
John Ford in Focus
Seated by the Sea
Murky Overhead
Ever the Twain Shall Meet

Community Town Hall
2025-10-19 14:00 - 16:00 | Maine Irish Heritage Center, 34 Gray St, Portland, ME, 04102, United States
Sunday, October 19th
2-4pm
At the MIHC
Join us for an afternoon of conversation and community.

The Maine Irish Heritage Center Board of Directors and staff have been working closely with professional consultants to chart a vision for our future. Much of this work has been shaped already by input from our earlier July survey, and we want to hear from you again–or for the first time–as we move towards the final stages of the new Strategic Plan.

At this Community Town Hall, we’ll gather for tea and snacks and engage in a facilitated conversation about the future of the MIHC. As members of our valued community, your ideas and insights are essential in shaping the next chapter of our work to preserve our historic building, celebrate Irish culture, and serve as a true community center.

During the meeting, you will have an opportunity to review what has been drafted so far and give feedback through a series of activities, facilitated discussions, and breakout groups. Input collected by our outside facilitators Rachel Hodges and Robin O’Brien will be used by the Board to shape the final draft of the strategic plan.

Come share your perspective, learn about the Center’s progress, and be part of our forward momentum.

This event is free and open to all.

Matthew Jude Barker Launches 'Becoming American' and 'The Blue and The Green'
2025-10-29 19:00 - 21:00 | Maine Irish Heritage Center, 34 Gray St, Portland, ME, 04102, United States
A Maine Irish Author Event
Wednesday, October 29th
7:00pm
Join us for an exciting evening with local author and historian Matt Barker!
Limited books will be available at the event, but we are offering pre-orders that may be picked up at the event!
Preorder HERE!
Matt will speak about his new books, Becoming American, Portland, Maine’s Irish and The Making of Immigrant America, 1840-1861, and The Blue and The Green, The Irish of Portland, Maine During The Civil War Era, 1861-1870. This era was tumultuous and altered the Irish community of Portland forever. The Great Hunger, the Great Irish Potato Famine (1845-51); the coming of the railroad and steamships; the Maine Law and Neal Dow’s fanatical battle against alcohol; the rise of the Know-Nothings, a not so secret nativist group who attacked Irish communities everywhere; the “Rum Riot” of 1855; the Panic of 1857; the creation of the Republican party and their battles with the Democrats; the coming of the Civil War; the countless Portland Irishmen who fought in the war; the Fenians; the Great Fire of July 4, 1866; and the completion and dedication of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (1869) are among the myriad events and issues that appear in these books. Matt will also talk about the social history of the Portland Irish in this era, including domestic maids, family life, the workers of the Portland Company and the Sugar House, longshoremen, and social organizations. This era truly was the genesis of the Irish Catholic community of Portland.
About the Author
Matthew Jude Barker is a lifelong resident of Greater Portland. He has been a genealogical and historical researcher since 1981, from the age of eight. Since 1996, he has written Maine history article for multiple publications. Matt was a contributor to, They Change Their Sky, The Irish In Maine (2004) and John Ford In Focus (2008), as well as two other history books. He is the author of The Irish of Portland, Maine, A History of Forest City Hibernians (2014), Becoming American (2025), and The Blue and The Green (2025). He researched and compiled the Maine Irish Heritage Trail for Acroglobal. Matt is a genealogist and the resident historian at the Maine Irish Heritage Center, where has been involved since the late 1990s, when he was a member of the Friends of St. Dominic’s, working to save the historic Irish church which became the MIHC.

About the Books:
Becoming American
The amazingly transformative years before the American Civil War affected the Portland, Maine Irish community immensely. That era included the temperance crusade, the Irish Repeal Society, the Great Hunger (the Great Famine), intense Irish immigration, prohibition and the fanatical battle Neal Dow fought against King Alcohol, the Portland Company, the railroad, the sugar industry, the connection via steamers between the city and Great Britain, the Know-Nothing nativist menace, abolition, the rise of the Republicans and their battles with Democrats, the “Rum Riot,” – all contributing to the assimilation and rise of the Irish in Portland, Maine.

The Blue and The Green
The Blue and the Green: The Irish of Portland, Maine During the Civil War is the compelling second volume in Matthew Jude Barker’s series on the Irish experience in Maine. Following his acclaimed book Becoming American, this installment turns to the 1860s, exploring how Portland’s Irish community navigated one of the most turbulent periods in American history.
As the Civil War erupted, Irish immigrants and their American-born children were faced with a difficult choice-remain on the fringes of society or fight for a country that had not yet fully accepted them. Many enlisted in the Union Army, joining Irish regiments and the famed Irish Brigade, seeking both patriotic purpose and social acceptance. Others contributed from the home front, working in the shipyards, organizing in churches, or sending sons and brothers off to war.
Barker draws from military records, newspaper accounts, letters, and parish archives to tell a vivid, human story. He introduces us to Irish soldiers from Portland who fought at Antietam, Fredericksburg, and Gettysburg, and explores how the trauma and triumph of war shaped the city’s Irish neighborhoods, churches, and civic life. We also see the tensions that arose-between nativists and newcomers, between North and South sympathizers, and even within the Irish community itself.
This is not just a military history-it is a story of identity, belonging, and transformation. Through war, loss, and resilience, Portland’s Irish helped redefine what it meant to be both Irish and American. Their story is one of perseverance and pride, rooted in both “the Blue” of Union loyalty and “the Green” of Irish heritage.
Rich in detail and narrative power, The Blue and the Green fills a crucial gap in Civil War and Irish-American scholarship, making it a must-read for historians, genealogists, and anyone interested in Maine’s multicultural roots.

Annual Celtic Fair 2025
2025-11-08 09:00 - 15:00 | Maine Irish Heritage Center, 34 Gray St, Portland, ME, 04102, United States
Saturday, November 8th
9:00am-3:00pm
We are excited to bring back another year of festive holiday fun at our Annual Celtic Fair! Join us as part of the 14th annual State Street Holiday Stroll.
The Celtic Christmas Fair features a light luncheon menu, hot and cold beverages, baked goods, a raffle table, music, and more. We’ll have featured performances from the incredible Stillson School of Irish Dance! We draw crowds for the beautiful artistry as well as the luncheon and lively entertainment. We hope you can join us for what has become a wonderful holiday tradition.

Vendor Applications are CLOSED! If you are interested in being on our list for next year, please email events@maineirish.com

Maine Irish Song Project with CASTLEBAY
2025-11-15 19:30 - 21:00 | Maine Irish Heritage Center, 34 Gray St, Portland, ME, 04102, United States
Castlebay Presents the Maine Irish Song Project
A CONCERT OF MAINE’S TRADITIONAL IRISH SONGS
Saturday, November 15th
7:30pm
Doors open at 7:00pm
Maine’s premier Celtic folk duo Castlebay will present a concert of Maine’s traditional Irish songs at the Maine Irish Heritage Center. The concert will include ballads and blarney gleaned from Maine’s vibrant Irish tradition accompanied with 12-string guitar, Celtic harp, fiddle and tin whistle.
This performance offers a rare opportunity to experience Maine’s Irish musical heritage in an intimate setting. With over three decades of touring throughout the U.S., Scotland, England, and Ireland, and more than two dozen recordings, Castlebay brings authenticity, scholarship, and artistry to every note!
General Admission is $25, or you can snag front row seats for $35 – and don’t wait! General Admission will go up to $30 at the door, and Priority Seating is only available in advance!
About the Artists

Julia Lane & Fred Gosbee have been exploring and transcribing archives of music collected in Maine in the early 20th century. Collectors ranged throughout the state gathering hundreds of traditional songs many of which are from Ireland brought by the people emigrating and settling here and working on the coast, in the woods, farms and factories. Field recordings and journals document over 1000 songs from which the duo have selected and arranged music for performance. In addition to singing these versions of old Irish music, Castlebay will share the lore and history of this potent musical legacy which embodies stories of romance and rogues, shipwreck and survival as well as a good dose of humor and blarney. The duo has transcribed many of these songs, “mending” them, and publishing a series titled “Bygone Ballads of Maine”. Volume 1, “Songs of Ships and Sailors” was presented by Loomis House Press in 2021 and is available in local bookstores as well as online. Castlebay has recorded two albums of these songs “Bound Away” and “The Maid on the Shore” which are available from their website. A subsequent volume and recording of Maine’s Irish songs is in process.

For over 30 years, Castlebay has toured the eastern US, Scotland, England and Ireland being appreciated at arts centers, folk clubs, festivals, schools and on radio and television. They have released over two dozen recordings and their music has been used on numerous video soundtracks. More information is available at their website www.castlebay.net

Want more? Castlebay is holding a workshop at the Center on Sunday, November 16th from 12-3pm. Click HERE to learn more!

Many thanks to our Sponsor for this Event:
Hyatt Place Portland Downtown-Old Port Square

A Maine Irish Song Project Workshop with Castlebay
2025-11-16 12:00 - 15:00 | Maine Irish Heritage Center, 34 Gray St, Portland, ME, 04102, United States
A Maine Irish Song Project Workshop with Castlebay
Sunday, November 16th
12:00pm-3:00pm
Go deeper into the living tradition of Maine’s Irish songs with an intimate, hands-on workshop led by Castlebay (Julia Lane & Fred Gosbee), Maine’s premier Celtic folk duo. Building on their concert performance, this workshop will guide participants through the fascinating process of uncovering, preserving, and performing songs collected in Maine’s Irish communities during the early 20th century.
This workshop offers a unique opportunity to not only enjoy Maine’s traditional Irish songs but to actively engage with them. Whether you are a musician, singer, historian, or simply curious about Maine’s cultural heritage, you’ll come away with new insights into the stories, humor, and humanity woven into this potent musical legacy.
About the Artists
Julia Lane & Fred Gosbee have been exploring and transcribing archives of music collected in Maine in the early 20th century. Collectors ranged throughout the state gathering hundreds of traditional songs many of which are from Ireland brought by the people emigrating and settling here and working on the coast, in the woods, farms and factories. Field recordings and journals document over 1000 songs from which the duo have selected and arranged music for performance. In addition to singing these versions of old Irish music, Castlebay will share the lore and history of this potent musical legacy which embodies stories of romance and rogues, shipwreck and survival as well as a good dose of humor and blarney. The duo has transcribed many of these songs, “mending” them, and publishing a series titled “Bygone Ballads of Maine”. Volume 1, “Songs of Ships and Sailors” was presented by Loomis House Press in 2021 and is available in local bookstores as well as online. Castlebay has recorded two albums of these songs “Bound Away” and “The Maid on the Shore” which are available from their website. A subsequent volume and recording of Maine’s Irish songs is in process.
For over 30 years, Castlebay has toured the eastern US, Scotland, England and Ireland being appreciated at arts centers, folk clubs, festivals, schools and on radio and television. They have released over two dozen recordings and their music has been used on numerous video soundtracks. More information is available at their website www.castlebay.net

Want more? Castlebay will be LIVE in concert on Saturday, November 15th at 7:30pm. Click HERE to learn more!
Many thanks to our Sponsor for this Event:
Hyatt Place Portland Downtown-Old Port Square

Claddagh Awards 2025
2025-11-20 17:30 - 21:00 | Maine Irish Heritage Center, 34 Gray St, Portland, ME, 04102, United States
Thursday, November 20th, 2025
Reception begins: 5:30pm
Programming begins: 7:00pm
The Maine Irish Heritage Center proudly announces the return of the Claddagh Awards, a cherished tradition honoring the Irish values of friendship, loyalty, and community. Each year, the award is presented to a distinguished individual in Maine whose life of service strengthens our communities and inspires others through their leadership and commitment.
This year, we are honored to present the 2025 Claddagh Award to Congresswoman Chellie Pingree, in recognition of her decades of dedicated public service to Maine. The award will be presented by Ambassador Geraldine Byrne Nason, Ireland’s 19th Ambassador to the United States, who will be making an official visit to Maine.
The evening will also include the presentation of the Halla Cairde Award to Will Woodson and Cait Finley, recognizing their enduring contributions to our community.
General Admission tickets are priced at $100, and there are ticket sponsorships available for $250 and $500! Members of the Maine Irish Heritage Center may purchase tickets at a $50 discounted price with an exclusive code! For ticketing questions or to obtain your member discount code, please reach out to events@maineirish.com!
Evening Program
5:30 – 6:30 PM | Reception in the Great Hall
Enjoy a glass of bubbly and conversation in the Great Hall. Surrounded by gorgeous architecture, stained glass, and the beautiful music of Maine’s premier Celtic Folk duo, Castlebay!
6:00 PM | Bell Ringing
Guests are invited to gather as the bell rings out across Portland in honor of our Claddagh Recipient.
6:00 – 7:00 PM | Food & Bar Open in the Downstairs Function Room
A festive hour of food, drinks, and community. Complete with music from our incredible Halla Cairde inductees, Will Woodson and Cait Finley!
7:00 – 8:00 PM | Awards & Speeches
8:00 – 9:00 PM | Social Hour
An opportunity to reconnect, celebrate, and enjoy community in the spirit of the Claddagh.

2025 Claddagh Award Recipient: Chellie Pingree
Chellie Pingree never anticipated a life in politics. Living on the offshore island of North Haven, Maine, she raised her kids and ran a small business. She served on the school board and as the local tax assessor, a job no one else in town wanted. But in 1991, when she was approached about running for State Senate, she jumped at the chance.
She scored a remarkable upset, defeating a popular Republican, and went on to serve four terms in the Maine Senate. But throughout her political career, from Augusta to Washington and beyond, the lessons she learned on North Haven have always been her guide: Be accountable to your neighbors, and always use your common sense.
Chellie Johnson (she has legally changed her name from “Rochelle”) was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1955, the youngest of four children. Her father, Harry, worked in advertising and her mother, Dorothy, was a nurse. Chellie moved to Maine as a teenager, attended the University of Southern Maine, and graduated from the College of the Atlantic, in Bar Harbor. After college, she moved to North Haven, an island town of 350 people twelve miles off the coast of Rockland, to raise her family and make a living.
In 2008, Chellie was elected to Congress from Maine’s 1st Congressional District—the first woman elected to Congress from that District. She has previously served on the House Rules Committee and Armed Services Committee. She currently sits on the powerful House Appropriations Committee, chairing the Subcommittee on Interior and the Environment, the Subcommittee on Agriculture, and Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs. She also sits on the House Agriculture Committee.
Among other issues important to Mainers, Chellie has been an advocate in Congress for reforming federal policy to better support the diverse range of American agriculture—including sustainable, organic, and locally focused farming—as well as to reduce food waste. Many provisions from comprehensive legislation she introduced to make these reforms were passed in both the 2014 and 2018 Farm Bills. She received a 2017 James Beard Leadership Award for her national leadership in food system reform.
Chellie has also been recognized for her leadership on a number of other issues, including assisting survivors of military sexual trauma, strengthening the creative and arts economy, and helping coastal communities address threats to their future.
Chellie has three grown children—Asa, Cecily, and Hannah, former Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives.
Learn More about Chellie Pingree here: https://pingree.house.gov/

Claddagh Award Presenter: Ambassador Geraldine Byrne Nason, Ireland’s 19th Ambassador to the United States
Ambassador Geraldine Byrne Nason assumed her role as Ireland’s 19th Ambassador to the United States in August 2022. Ambassador Byrne Nason was previously Permanent Representative of Ireland to the United Nations in New York (2017- 22). Previously, she served as Ambassador to France (2014-17), Second Secretary General in the Department of the Taoiseach (Prime Minister) (2011-14), Ambassador and Ireland’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the EU (2005-11)), and Director of the National Forum on Europe (2004-05).
During her career, Ambassador Byrne Nason has served in Brussels, New York, Paris, Vienna and Helsinki. As Second Secretary-General in the Department of the Taoiseach from 2011-2014, she was the highest ranking female public servant in Ireland. During that period, she also was Secretary General of Ireland’s Economic Management Council.
On her arrival in New York, Ambassador Byrne Nason led Ireland’s successful campaign for a seat on the United Nations Security Council, and led the New York Security Council team for the 2021-2022 term. Ambassador Byrne Nason was Chair of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) for 2018 and 2019. She has also co-chaired high-level political negotiations on the hundredth anniversary of the birth of Nelson Mandela and on the ‘Samoa pathway’ for Small Island Developing States.
A native of County Louth, in 2020 Ambassador Byrne Nason was awarded the Freedom of Drogheda, the town’s highest honour and was the third woman to receive the award of its 35 recipients. In 2014, Ambassador Byrne Nason was elected a Member of the Royal Irish Academy, Ireland’s highest academic honour. Ambassador Byrne Nason holds an Honorary Doctorate of Law from Maynooth University as well as Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in Literature from Saint Patrick’s College in Maynooth (NUIM).

2025 Halla Cairde Inductees: Will Woodson and Cait Finley
Will Woodson (flute, uilleann pipes) and Cait Finley (fiddle) play sparky and driving traditional Irish music that’s grounded in the textures and rhythms of the rich Irish-American soundscape of the 1920s and 30s. With roots in the living Irish musical cultures of Boston, New York City, and Philadelphia, and a tremendous admiration for the first generation of recorded Irish musicians, the duo conjures up the sounds of the dance halls, vaudeville theaters, and house sessions central to Irish-American music from the first half of the twentieth century. In 2019, the two recorded their debut album, “The Glory Reel” alongside box player and piano accompanist Chris “Junior” Stevens, which Dan Neely of the Irish Echo called “a fabulous album from three of Irish America’s finest.” During the pandemic years, the two made “The Phonograph Project”, a Patreon-supported series examining 78 recordings of traditional Irish music made in New York City in the 1920s and 30s. More recently, they’ve made musical appearances at the St. Louis Tionól, the Patrick J. Touhey Memorial Weekend in Boston and the Ward Archives “Archiving Irish America” conference in Milwaukee. Cait and Will live in Portland, Maine, and host a regular weekly session at The Continental that starts at 8 pm on Sundays. You can find them online at woodsonfinley.com.

Past Claddagh Award Recipients

2019 – George Campbell, Jr.

2018 – David T. Flanagan

2017 – Senator Susan Collins

2016 – Michael Connolly

2015 – Jim Wellehan

2014 – Sara J. Burns

2013 – Moira Hastings Fuller

2012 – Senator George J. Mitchell

2011 – William J. Ryan

2010 – Cynthia Murray Beliveau

2009 – Gerard P. Conley, Sr.

2008 – Governor Joseph E. Brennan

Learn more about past claddagh winners here: https://maineirish.com/videos/

About Castlebay:
Julia Lane & Fred Gosbee have been exploring and transcribing archives of music collected in Maine in the early 20th century. Collectors ranged throughout the state gathering hundreds of traditional songs, many of which are from Ireland, brought by the people emigrating and settling here and working on the coast, in the woods, farms, and factories. Field recordings and journals document over 1,000 songs, from which the duo have selected and arranged music for performance.
In addition to singing these versions of old Irish music, Castlebay shares the lore and history of this potent musical legacy, which embodies stories of romance and rogues, shipwreck and survival, as well as a good dose of humor and blarney. The duo has transcribed many of these songs, “mending” them, and publishing a series titled Bygone Ballads of Maine. Volume 1, Songs of Ships and Sailors, was presented by Loomis House Press in 2021 and is available in local bookstores as well as online. Castlebay has recorded two albums of these songs, Bound Away and The Maid on the Shore, which are available from their website. A subsequent volume and recording of Maine’s Irish songs is in process.
For over 30 years, Castlebay has toured the eastern US, Scotland, England, and Ireland, being appreciated at arts centers, folk clubs, festivals, schools, and on radio and television. They have released over two dozen recordings, and their music has been used on numerous video soundtracks. More information is available at their website: www.castlebay.net

Thank you to our Sponsors!
Library Sponsors:
Patricia McDonough Dunn
Rose Window Sponsors:
Richard Brown & Family
Coffee By Design

Miss Portland Diner

Stained Glass Sponsors:
Janine Manning
Mary McAleney
Ann O’Hagan
Local #861 of the International Longshoremen Association
Cairde Sponsors:
Mere Point Oyster Co.
Mary Burke
Peter J. Callnan
John Foley
John J. Hennessy
Jenny & Russ Wolff
Interested in becoming a sponsor for this event? Click HERE to learn more!

Solstice Storytelling at the Maine Irish Heritage Center
2025-12-21 14:00 - 15:30 | Maine Irish Heritage Center, 34 Gray St, Portland, ME, 04102, United States
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!
In 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.
We 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.
Event Details:

Location: 34 Gray Street, Portland ME
Time: 2:00pm-3:30pm
Host: Cathy Furness
Story Guidelines:

Stories, songs, or poems should be 10 minutes or less
A timekeeper will help us keep things moving
No hate speech – creative freedom is welcome, but kindness and inclusivity are essential

All are welcome – come to share or simply to listen

Storytelling 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.

New Year's Eve on Irish Time with Bailey's Mistake
2025-12-31 18:00 - 22:00 | Maine Irish Heritage Center, 34 Gray St, Portland, ME, 04102, United States
Wednesday, December 31st
7:00pm
Doors open at 5:30pm
Come 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.
Doors 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!
And come hungry because we will have Noble Barbecue here selling their amazing sandwiches! What better way to ring in the New Year than with great music, amazing food, and some good craic.
We 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.
About the Band: Celtic American roots music from Maine’s Bold Coast

Bailey’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.
Bailey’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.
Troy 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.
Bailey’s Mistake has played gigs all over New England. The band is also recording and releasing one new song, every month, throughout 2025.
The 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.
But 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.
To this day, on most good maps, that little harbor is simply labeled “Bailey’s Mistake.”
Learn more about Bailey’s Mistake: https://www.baileysmistakemusic.com/

About the Opening Act: Jim Sharkey
Jim 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”.
Learn more at https://www.jimsharkeymusic.com

The Food!
We are so excited to have Noble Pizzeria and Barbecue back at the Center! Come with an empty stomach to make sure you don’t miss out on their delicious sandwiches – for sale 5:30-8:30pm!

A little bit about Noble:
We started as a scrappy mobile wood-fired pizza business, slinging pies at events from upstate New York to the coast of Bar Harbor. We quickly grew into a Maine-inspired, full service, wood-fired catering company. Ten years and more than 600 weddings later, the Fire & Co. flame is still burning strong.
From our love of food, traditions, and hospitality, Noble Barbecue was born. Always searching for better ingredients and techniques, the Noble crew has taken numerous Southern BBQ “vacations” and East Coast pizza road trips — hard work, but someone has to do it.
Over the years, we’ve watched Portland, Maine evolve into a culinary highlight of New England. We feel confident that we have the right menu, experience, and people to make a new Portland institution in one of the best neighborhoods around.
Learn more at noblepizzaandbbq.com

Women in Social Services Panel
2026-02-01 13:00 - 14:00 | Maine Irish Heritage Center, 34 Gray St, Portland, ME, 04102, United States
Sunday, February 1st
1:00pm-2:00pm
Join us for an incredible and lively panel discussion on Women in Social Services in honor of Brigid’s Day. We will be joined by a group of phenomenal panelists who will discuss their experiences and the current healthcare climate.
There will be light food and warm beverages available for purchase. All are welcome for this free event!
Our Panelists:
Catherine Cooper, Suicide Prevention Coordinator for VA Maine
Catherine Cooper is a clinical social worker with more than 25 years of human services experience. She currently serves as VA Maine’s Program Manager for the Suicide Prevention Program and has been in this role since August 1, 2022. Previously she was an Emergency Department Social Worker in Massachusetts and has held a variety of leadership positions for agencies serving adults with disabilities, unhoused individuals and children involved in the child welfare system. Catherine also maintains a small, part-time private practice as a therapist. She lives with her spouse and their cat in the 1840’s house of their dreams in Augusta.
Hannah Longley, Clinician and Critical Incident Responder, Dochas Wellness
Hannah Longley, LCSW is a mental health clinician, educator, and advocate with nearly two decades of experience in crisis intervention, trauma-informed care, and statewide systems development. She is the Owner of Dochas Wellness, LLC, providing mental health training, consultation, and specialized support to organizations and communities across Maine. Hannah serves as an Adjunct Instructor at Central Maine Community College, where she teaches public safety, psychology, and sociology courses and contributes to workforce development in crisis response.
Previously, she was Director of Advocacy and Crisis Intervention at NAMI Maine, leading statewide training initiatives, advancing Platinum-level Crisis Intervention Teams, managing state and federal grants, and advocating for mental health policy and crisis system reform. Her earlier work includes leadership roles in crisis services and serving as Psychological Health Coordinator for the Maine Army National Guard. Hannah is nationally recognized for her work in law enforcement–mental health collaboration and has received multiple state and national awards. She holds a BA in Psychology from Wheaton College and an MSW from Boston College
Mary Ann Folley, School social worker, Bonny Eagle Middle School
Mary Ann Folley, LCSW. I graduated with my master’s degree in Social Work concentration Child Welfare, in 2003 from the University of Vermont. While in graduate school, I started with grassroots social work, working as a residential counselor for Northeastern Family Institute NFI. Upon graduation, I went to work for SRS (current day DCF) in Vermont. I remained in that position in Vermont until 2009 when I moved to Maine. I worked for DHHS in Biddeford Maine from 2009 until 2015. After the death of my college friend and colleague Lara Sobel in Vermont, I began to question the safety of my position. Lara was shot and killed in the parking lot of the DCF office I worked at, by an angry parent. That same weekend, a friend and principal at Bonny Eagle Middle School reached out and asked if I would apply for a job at his middle school. Although my heart lay with children in foster care, I took the chance and got the job. This is my 10th year with Bonny Eagle Middle school as their General Education Social Worker. This means any student, whether they have a special education identification or not, can meet with me. We also have 2 other dedicated Special education social workers in our building. I pull from all of my social work experience and schooling in each position I have held. I thoroughly enjoy working with students in some of the most challenging schooling years of their life. If I can be a blip on their radar, that they recall with fondness then I have done my job.
Kiley Wilkens-O’Brien, Public health strategist, death doula, and leader in suicide prevention, postvention, and crisis system reform, Covenstead
Kiley Wilkens-O’Brien is a public health strategist, death doula, and nationally recognized leader in suicide prevention, postvention, and crisis system reform. Her work bridges frontline care and systems change, grounded in a deep commitment to dignity, consent, and meaning-making. She has led the development of Maine’s Suicide Mortality Review initiative, supported the launch of 988 and oversaw creation of novel community-based crisis services, such as the Living Room Crisis Center and Children’s Behavioral Health Urgent Care. She advises state and national partners on ethical, person-centered approaches to distress. Through her community practice, Covenstead, she creates spaces for honest conversations about grief, survival, and the realities of being human.

Multigenerational Writing Workshop with Irish Author Áine Greaney
2026-02-01 14:30 - 16:30 | Maine Irish Heritage Center, 34 Gray St, Portland, ME, 04102, United States
In collaboration with The Telling Room!
Sunday, February 1st
2:30-4:30pm
All are welcome, entry is free!
Join us at the Center for an exciting afternoon of storytelling and reflection with acclaimed Irish author Áine Greaney, in partnership with The Telling Room. This multigenerational writing workshop invites participants to come just as they are—no prior writing experience required!
Rooted in the spirit of Imbolc, this session will explore themes of looking back and looking forward, drawing inspiration from personal memory, family stories, and hopes for the season ahead. The workshop will include guided writing prompts, followed by an optional sharing circle. Áine will also share selections from her own work, alongside participants who wish to read aloud.
Designed for middle schoolers and up, this program is ideal for individuals, families, and friends who want to write together across generations. Expect an encouraging, accessible environment that centers voice, story, and connection. All are welcome, however, and we will have activities for any young friends who may not be ready to engage in the writing but wish to attend!
Details:
📍 At the Maine Irish Heritage Center, 34 Gray Street, Portland Maine
🕝 2:30–4:30 PM
Coffee, tea, hot cocoa, juice, and light snacks will be provided!
This is a special opportunity to take a workshop with Áine Greaney and engage directly with an internationally published Irish writer in an intimate, community-centered setting.
About Áine Greaney:
Áine Greaney grew up on a small farm in County Mayo, Ireland. In the late 1980s, she joined the 200,000 (approximately) young Irish who left their native land to emigrate to the U.S., the U.K. and elsewhere.
Greaney’s fifth published book, “Trespassers and Other Stories” was released in spring 2025 and is now available to order from the publisher and wherever good books are sold. Trespassers is a transatlantic collection of literary stories about characters (mostly women) who feel perpetually displaced or stuck in misfit places.
In America, Greaney’s work has been cited in “Best American Essays,” and her second novel, “Dance Lessons” was named a “great group read” by the Women’s National Book Association. Her essay, “Sanctuary” was nominated for a Pushcart Prize.
In addition to her books (Simon & Schuster, Writers Digest/Penguin Random House, Syracuse UP), her essays, features and stories have appeared in Creative Nonfiction, The Boston Globe Magazine, The New York Times, Books Ireland, KevinMD, Another Chicago Magazine, NPR’s WBUR Radio, Salon, The Mindful Word, IMAGE Magazine, The Irish Times, The Wisdom Daily, Pulse: Voices from the Heart of Medicine, Tendon, Johns Hopkins Center for Medical Humanities and many other publications.
A trained teacher with a master’s degree in English and certified in leading expressive writing workshops, she has designed and led creative and wellness writing events for 20+ years.
Learn more about Aine Greaney: https://www.ainegreaney.com/
About the Telling Room:
The Telling Room was founded in 2004 by three writers—Sara Corbett, Mike Paterniti, and Susan Conley—who imagined that getting in touch with the youth of Portland and their stories could be like putting your ear to a seashell and hearing the whole ocean. They were right!
Enthusiasm and demand for our programs grew exponentially—The Telling Room now works with over 2,500 young writers each year, reaching students and teachers from over 50 schools and serving more than 100 communities across the state of Maine annually.
Our accomplishments have been recognized with awards and major funding from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Maine Alliance for Arts Education’s Imagination Intensive Communities program, Maine Arts Commission, and the Maine Humanities Council among many others.
In November 2015, our Young Writers & Leaders program won a prestigious National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award as one of the top 12 youth arts and humanities programs in the nation. In 2024, we were awarded the Golden Apple Award by the Maine Education Association.
Learn more about the amazing organization and the programs they offer here: https://www.tellingroom.org

Generously Sponsored by Holiday Inn by the Bay!

Maine Irish Author Talk: Betsy Cornwell
2026-02-03 18:30 - 20:30 | Maine Irish Heritage Center, 34 Gray St, Portland, ME, 04102, United States
In conversation with Patrisha McLean
Tuesday, February 3rd, 2026
6:30pm
Doors open at 6:00pm

Join us for another Brigid’s Day program: a Maine Irish Author Talk with Betsy Cornwell! Focusing on her new memoir, “Ring of Salt,” Betsy will be in conversation with Patrisha McLean, founder of Finding our Voices. We will have books for sale (and signing!) at the event from Print: A Bookstore!

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.
Learn more here: https://www.betsycornwell.com/about

About the Book:
“Extraordinarily moving, exquisitely written and socially revolutionary”—The Irish Times
“Ring of Salt is so vast and tender and urgent, it’s almost like reading a novel. I couldn’t put it down. I haven’t cheered for a heroine like Betsy in ages.” —Jen Hatmaker, author of Awake
For readers of Maggie Smith and Stephanie Land, an inspiring and lyrical memoir about a writer and mother who flees an abusive marriage and must learn to reclaim the story of her life through a search for home on Ireland’s wild, western coast.
At twenty-four, Betsy Cornwell runs away to Ireland for a fresh start. Leaving behind a painful past, she chases her dream of becoming a novelist to the misty shores of the Aran Islands. There she meets a handsome and charming horse trainer, and her life takes on the glow of a fairy tale when they elope to Gretna Green.
Five years later, her happy ending has twisted into a nightmare. Betsy is trapped in an abusive marriage, isolated and afraid with a newborn baby. On her son’s first birthday, she must flee home again, this time turning to the women around her—her local survivor support group, a trusted family friend, and an online Smith College alumnae network—for help she’d never known she could ask for.
After a brush with homelessness, she struggles to scrape together a living for herself and her son. On sleepless nights, she scrolls through real estate listings that might as well be castles in the air, and starts to foster an impossible dream: What if she could use her writing to buy a home, one that no one could take away from her and her baby? One that might become a haven, not just for her family, but other single parent artists and writers, too?
When she discovers a historic knitting factory and former cinema on Ireland’s rugged Connemara coastline, left empty and crumbling for years, that precarious dream becomes her lifeline. Over the next two years she works to crowdfund the old knitting factory’s purchase by sharing its story and her own, in candid posts that range from the unexpectedly steep learning curves she encounters with home renovations and internet dating, to her heartbreaking fight to keep custody of her son, with her growing online community. But as the deadline to buy nears, she realizes she will have to reckon with everything she believes about family, survival, and what happily-ever-after truly means for her dream to have any chance of coming true.
Ring of Salt combines a powerful and relatable narrative of survivorship and healing with lush writing about the windswept landscapes and rich mythology of rural Ireland to craft a real-world fairy tale about the ordinary, but no less life-changing, forms of magic we can all access: vulnerability, community, and the power of telling your own story.

About Patrisha McLean:
Patrisha McLean is the Founder+CEO of the grassroots nonprofit Finding Our Voices which is breaking the silence of domestic abuse across Maine.. She is also the host of the Let’s Talk About It podcast that is conversations with survivors of domestic abuse, and an online book club featuring authors talking about the domestic abuse in their books, lives, countries.
Betsy Cornwell is the guest of the online Finding Our Voices Book Club on March 24 at 1 p.m. Info and sign-up is here: https://findingourvoices.net/book-club

About Finding Our Voices:
Finding Our Voices is the grassroots nonprofit breaking the silence of domestic abuse across Maine as well as providing resources and peer-support to women survivors. Its programs include preventive and educational outreach to students; access to donated dental care; financial assistance; and online support groups and Healing Together retreats. For more information visit https://findingourvoices.net

Brian Conway & Brendan Dolan Live in Concert
2026-02-06 19:30 - 21:30 | Maine Irish Heritage Center, 34 Gray St, Portland, ME, 04102, United States
Friday, February 6th
7:30pm
Doors open 7:00pm
Join us for an evening of incredible music from two legendary artists: Brian Conway and Brendan Dolan! Don’t miss your chance to immerse yourself in some traditional Irish tunes. General Admission tickets are $25, or you can snag priority seating for just $35! Don’t wait – General Admission prices go up at the door, and priority seating is only available in advance!
About the Artists:
Brian Conway:
New York born fiddler Brian Conway is a leading exponent of the tastefully ornamented Sligo fiddling style made famous by the late Michael Coleman. The winner of two All- Ireland junior titles in 1973 and 1974 and the All-Ireland senior championship of 1986, Brian’s early studies were with his father Jim of Plumbridge, County Tyrone and with Limerick born fiddler/teacher Martin Mulvihill. However, it was the legendary fiddler and composer Martin Wynne who taught him the real secrets of the County Sligo style. Later, Brian met and befriended the great Andy McGann of New York, a direct student of Michael Coleman, who further shaped his precision and skill on the instrument.
In 1979, Brian recorded a duet album, The Apple In Winter (Green Linnet) with fellow New York fiddler Tony Demarco. He released his debut solo CD, First Through the Gate, on the Smithsonian-Folkways label in July 2002. This CD was voted the Album of the Year by the Irish Echo. Brian is also featured on the CD, My Love is in America, recorded at the Boston College Irish Fiddle Festival, and on the documentary “Shore to Shore” which highlights traditional Irish music in New York. He is considered one of the musical rocks of the New York area.
In 2007, Brian released a CD titled A Tribute to Andy McGann on the prestigious Irish Label Cló Iar-Chonnachta. This CD pairs up Irish Music legends Joe Burke and Felix Dolan along with Brian in a CD which has received glowing accolades since its release in the summer of 2007. Brian followed this CD with a much-anticipated Solo CD titled “Consider the Source” in deference to the rich environment from which Brian learned his music. This CD was released in 2008 on the Cló Iar-Chonnachta Label. This CD features guest appearances by music greats Niamh Parsons, Dan Milner, Billy McComiskey, Joannie Madden, Felix Dolan, and Brendan Dolan. Earle Hitchner of the Irish Echo described this CD as “Easily one of the best releases this year.” Brian followed up that recording with the highly acclaimed Pride of New York, and last year, in 2017, recorded with the group Gailfean, featuring John Whelan, Mairtin DeCogain and Don Penzien.
Brian remains faithful to the rich tradition handed down to him. The distinctness of his tone, the lift of his playing, and the deft ornamentation he brings to the tunes have placed him among the finest Irish fiddlers of any style, Sligo or otherwise. He has performed all over North America from San Francisco to New York and places in between, such as Chicago, Milwaukee and Colorado. His talents have also been enthusiastically received throughout Ireland and the rest of Europe. He is also considered one of the premier instructors of traditional Irish music who has mentored many fine fiddle players, including several who have gone on to win All-Ireland championships.
Learn more at www.brianconway.com
“Certainly one of the finest Irish-American musician fiddlers…”
– Dirty Linen Magazine
Irish Echo’s Top Trad Artist for 2008
Brendan Dolan:
Brendan is the son of legendary pianist, Felix Dolan, and set dancer, Joan Dolan. Brendan learned his music from his parents while growing up in Golden’s Bridge, NY. playing frequently at events with their neighbors, Eugene and Celia Clancy and their children at Irish events around Westchester County. While at college at Brown University, Brendan connected with local musicians in Providence, Rhode Island and became passionate about the music. With New York transplant, Jimmy Devine and his student Tina Lech, Brendan began playing ceilis and occasional sessions with the Providence Ceili Club. After graduation, Brendan starting playing regular ceilis with accordionist Kevin Killeen at St. Mary’s in Woodside where he was encouraged by accordion great, Gerry Lynch.
Throughout the 1990s, Brendan worked in advertising and played ceilis, sessions and concerts on the weekends, most often with accordionist, Patty Furlong and Mayo native fiddler, Fiona Doherty. At the same time, Brendan regularly played for dance competitions along with his father throughout the year.
During this time, Brendan learned the whistle and the flute from his father and from the great flute players, Joanie Madden and Catherine McEvoy. He got to know and play with many of the great New York musicians such as Eamon O’Leary, Patrick Ourceau and Dana Lyn playing sessions at places like Mona’s and The Scratcher.
In the late 90s, Brendan went back to school to study music at SUNY New Paltz and music education at Queens College. After teaching at St. John’s Preparatory School in Astoria and at Franklin Central School in Franklin, NY, Brendan began teaching Irish music at the Mineola Irish Center and the New York Irish Center in Long Island City. He also started teaching and coaching groups in the Pearl River assisting the great musicians and teachers, Rose Flanagan, Margie Mulvihill and Patty Furlong.
After earning a Master’s degree in Irish Studies at NYU, Brendan spent the next three years as the main archivist on the Mick Moloney Irish-American Music and Popular Culture Collection.
He is currently Music Director at Avenues: The World School in Manhattan, while continuing to play and teach Irish music.
Over the years, Brendan has recorded with Patrick Ourceau, Patty Furlong, Kathy Ludlow and Mary Coogan, Billy McComiskey, Brian Conway, Mick Moloney and The Green Fields of America and the Pride of New York, of which he is a member.
Brendan also taught at the Augusta Heritage Center in Elkins West Virginia, and continues to teach at the Irish Arts Week in East Durham, New York.

POSTPONED: The Irish Famine Immigrant Experience on Staten Island
2026-02-20 18:30 - 20:00 | Maine Irish Heritage Center, 34 Gray St, Portland, ME, 04102, United States
This event has been postponed due to inclement weather! Stay tuned for a new date!
The Irish Famine Immigrant Experience on Staten Island:
A Lecture with Loretto Leary
Friday, February 20th
6:30pm
Doors open at 6:00pm
In the wake of the Great Irish Famine, thousands of men, women, and children crossed the Atlantic in search of survival and opportunity. For many, the Port of New York represented the promise of a new beginning. Yet for countless others, it marked the tragic end of their journey.
At the Staten Island Marine Hospital and Quarantine Station—now the site of the Staten Island Ferry Terminal—thousands of famine immigrants perished shortly after arrival. Their suffering and resilience are commemorated in two nearby burial grounds that remain vital to understanding this chapter of Irish and American history.
Join Loretto Leary on Friday, February 20th at the Maine Irish Heritage Center at 6:30 PM for an illuminating exploration of Staten Island’s profound connection to the Irish Famine immigrant story and the enduring legacy of those who never reached the lives they dreamed of.
About the Speaker:
Loretto Horrigan Leary, originally from Portumna, County Galway, has made her home in Connecticut for over three decades. A seasoned educator, she has taught Language Arts at the elementary and middle school levels in Darien, New Canaan, Norwalk, and Stamford.
As a freelance journalist, her writing has appeared in publications such as The Irish Echo, Irish Central, Irish Examiner USA, and Australia’s Irish Scene.
Currently, Loretto serves as Educational and Cultural Director of Ireland’s Great Hunger Museum of Fairfield and is also Co-Chair of the Connecticut–Ireland Trade Commission.
Loretto is pursuing her PhD at Trinity College Dublin, where her research focuses on Irish American Famine memory and the memorial landscapes of New York, with particular attention to Staten Island’s role in this transatlantic story of loss, survival, and remembrance.
