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SUMMARY:Maine Irish Writes: October
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-october-26/
LOCATION:Maine Irish Heritage Center\, 34 Gray St\, Portland\, ME\, 04102\, United States
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ORGANIZER;CN="Maine Irish Heritage Center":MAILTO:maineirish@maineirish.com
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261007T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261007T193000
DTSTAMP:20260415T204324Z
CREATED:20260415T161927Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260415T204324Z
UID:10001106-1791396000-1791401400@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\, starting June 24. 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-9/
LOCATION:Maine Irish Heritage Center\, 34 Gray St\, Portland\, ME\, 04102\, United States
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ORGANIZER;CN="Maine Irish Heritage Center":MAILTO:maineirish@maineirish.com
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261008T193000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261008T210000
DTSTAMP:20260731T184236Z
CREATED:20260731T183704Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260731T184236Z
UID:10001133-1791487800-1791493200@maineirish.com
SUMMARY:Maine Irish Reads "The Searcher" by Tana French
DESCRIPTION:A New York Times Bestseller\nA New York Times and NPR Best Book of the Year \n“This hushed suspense tale about thwarted dreams of escape may be her best one yet…its own kind of masterpiece.” –Maureen Corrigan\, The Washington Post \nA “taut\, chiseled and propulsive” (Vogue) novel from the author of the forthcoming novel The Hunter and the bestselling mystery writer who “is in a class by herself.” (The New York Times) \nCal Hooper thought a fixer-upper in a bucolic Irish village would be the perfect escape. After twenty-five years in the Chicago police force and a bruising divorce\, he just wants to build a new life in a pretty spot with a good pub where nothing much happens. But when a local kid whose brother has gone missing arm-twists him into investigating\, Cal uncovers layers of darkness beneath his picturesque retreat\, and starts to realize that even small towns shelter dangerous secrets. \n“One of the greatest crime novelists writing today” (Vox) weaves a masterful\, atmospheric tale of suspense\, asking what we sacrifice in our search for truth and justice\, and what we risk if we don’t. \nSee more Maine Irish Reads Events Here
URL:https://maineirish.com/event/maine-irish-reads-the-searcher-by-tana-french/
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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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261013T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261013T140000
DTSTAMP:20260916T154454Z
CREATED:20260916T154454Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260916T154454Z
UID:10001151-1791882000-1791900000@maineirish.com
SUMMARY:Office Hours with Coco McCracken
DESCRIPTION:We are so excited to have the incredible author Coco McCracken on the Maine Irish Team as our Writer in Residence! \nCoco’s next office hours will take place on Tuesday\, October 13th\, from 9am -2pm. Please feel welcome to reserve a 45 minute appointment below and Coco can chat about writing in any way that might be helpful to you!* \n  \nMeet Coco:\nMaine Irish Heritage Center’s 2026-2027 Writer in Residence\nCoco McCracken is a photographer\, public speaker\, and writer based in Portland\, Maine. She is on the board of directors at the Maine Writers and Publishers Alliance and an Ashley Bryan Fellow. She is active in many communities from art to photography and non-profits. She’s especially dedicated to raising the voices of BIPOC Mainers and providing transparent access to resources that help creatives. \nCoco is the granddaughter of Kathleen Elizabeth Joan McNeilly\, who was born and raised in Bangor\, Northern Ireland. Her “Nanny\,” never knew her mother\, something that always confused Coco. What started out as a mystery became a detective hunt almost 10 years ago\, when Coco started to visit Ireland and piece together her broken family tree. \nJust after becoming a mother herself\, Coco went back to Ireland twice in order to sleuth around cemeteries\, churches\, and her grandmother’s old neighborhood. She sat in pubs and chatted with locals\, until finally she found her great-grandmother. \nToday\, she’s still working on her family tree\, while writing a book of essays on her process\, her complicated mixed-Chinese/Irish/Canadian identity\, and her bourgeoning passion with her matriarch’s homeland. \nNot only is Coco eager to discover more about her connection to Ireland\, she is passionate about connecting Mainers with the MIHC. Through cross-pollenating the communities she has access to\, with the folks at Maine Irish\, she believes a bountiful relationship could benefit both parties. \nCoco is also the creative director at paletmaine.com and hopes to document her time as a writer in residence with her camera when possible. \nPhoto credit: @Meredith Brockington \n  \n*Please note Coco is not able to edit anything at length but is happy to give feedback on short pitches and pieces.
URL:https://maineirish.com/event/october-office-hours-with-coco-mccracken/
LOCATION:Maine Irish Heritage Center\, 34 Gray St\, Portland\, ME\, 04102\, United States
CATEGORIES:Community
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ORGANIZER;CN="Maine Irish Heritage Center":MAILTO:maineirish@maineirish.com
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261014T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261014T193000
DTSTAMP:20260806T183843Z
CREATED:20260806T183843Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260806T183843Z
UID:10001145-1792000800-1792006200@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\, starting June 24. 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-10/
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:20261015T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261015T200000
DTSTAMP:20260916T160613Z
CREATED:20251126T184543Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260916T160613Z
UID:10000771-1792089000-1792094400@maineirish.com
SUMMARY:The Irish Famine Immigrant Experience on Staten Island
DESCRIPTION:The Irish Famine Immigrant Experience on Staten Island:\nA Lecture with Loretto Leary\nThursday\, October 15th\n6:30pm\nDoors open at 6:00pm\nIn 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. \nAt 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. \nJoin Loretto Leary on Thursday\, October 13th 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. \nAbout the Speaker:\nLoretto 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. \nAs a freelance journalist\, her writing has appeared in publications such as The Irish Echo\, Irish Central\, Irish Examiner USA\, and Australia’s Irish Scene. \nCurrently\, Loretto serves as the Co-Chair of the Connecticut–Ireland Trade Commission. \nLoretto 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.
URL:https://maineirish.com/event/the-irish-famine-immigrant-experience-on-staten-island/
LOCATION:Maine Irish Heritage Center\, 34 Gray St\, Portland\, ME\, 04102\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://maineirish.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Irish-Famine-Lecture-banner-.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Maine Irish Heritage Center":MAILTO:maineirish@maineirish.com
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261025T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261025T160000
DTSTAMP:20260915T184916Z
CREATED:20260903T161249Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260915T184916Z
UID:10001149-1792936800-1792944000@maineirish.com
SUMMARY:Ishna's “Slí Amach": from There to Here
DESCRIPTION:A joyous exploration of the music & stories of Ireland\nSunday\, October 25th\n2:00pm\nDoors open 1:30pm\nAbout Ishna:\nIshna is a Boston-based contemporary Irish folk band\, exploring the traditional repertoire of Ireland within the context of a global setting. It is fronted by husband-wife duo Ciaran Nagle and Tara Novak\, and has been together as this lineup of 6 musicians for more than a decade. Over that time\, the group has evolved\, honing in specifically on the acoustic traditional music of Ireland\, while finding ways to allow each band member to bring their unique musical vocabulary to the overall sound. \nTheir show\, “From There to Here”\, features the music from their debut album\, “Slí Amach: Way Out”.  The album was recorded over a week in 2025\, in a barn in Peterborough NH. It was recorded\, mixed\, and mastered by Oscar-and-Grammy-winning Robert L. Smith at Defy Recordings\, and the artwork was designed by the legendary Steve Averill (creator of all the logos and artwork for U2). \nIshna is fronted by Irish Tenor Ciarán Nagle and fiddler/vocalist Tara Novak (both of Riverdance and the Three Irish Tenors). The husband-and-wife duo bring their humor and dynamic energy to the stage\, and are accompanied by their stellar band of traditional musicians: Dan Meyers: uilleann pipes/whistles; Bjorn Wennas – guitar; David McGrory – piano/accordion/banjo; Brian O’Neill – bodhrán/percussion. \nIshna’s performance is energetic and uplifting\, infusing new rhythms and harmonies into their traditional repertoire. \nFor Ishna\, music is about finding common connections. They invite the audience into the fold of their community and to experience the beloved music of Ireland in a new way. \n  \nFor more information\, go to: https://www.ishnamusic.com \nOr follow Ishna on all social media at: @ishnamusic \n \nCheck Ishna out on YouTube: \nIshna YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ishnamusic
URL:https://maineirish.com/event/ishnas-sli-amach/
LOCATION:Maine Irish Heritage Center\, 34 Gray St\, Portland\, ME\, 04102\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://maineirish.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Ishna-Banner-1.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Maine Irish Heritage Center":MAILTO:maineirish@maineirish.com
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261029T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261029T210000
DTSTAMP:20260827T195841Z
CREATED:20260827T194151Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260827T195841Z
UID:10001147-1793300400-1793307600@maineirish.com
SUMMARY:Forest Isaac Jones’ GOOD TROUBLE
DESCRIPTION:Forest Isaac Jones’ ‘Good Trouble’\nA Maine Irish Author Event\nThursday\, October 29th\, 7:00pm\nDoors open 6:30pm\nJoin us on Thursday\, October 29th for an evening of conversation with author Forest Issac Jones as he discusses his book\, ‘Good Trouble.’ \nJones will be joined in conversation by author Margo Shea\, a history professor at Salem State University. \nBooks will be available for sale and signing at the event! \nAbout the Author:\nForest Issac Jones is an award-winning author of non-fiction and essays\, specializing in the study of Irish History\, the US Civil Rights Movement and Northern Ireland. His latest essay\, ‘The Civil Rights Connection Between the USA and Northern Ireland’ was awarded honorable mention in the category of nonfiction essay by Writer’s Digest in their 93rd annual writing competition in 2024. \nOver the years\, Jones has won awards from Writer’s Digest in 2022 and 2023. His award winning essay about African Americans at D-Day was published in 2024 by WWII History Magazine. \nIn addition to writing\, Jones is a frequent speaker who has given talks about everything from African Americans at D-Day and The Troubles in Northern Ireland. \nHis first nonfiction book\, ‘Good Trouble: The Selma\, Alabama and Derry\, Northern Ireland Connection 1963-1972’ was released by Anthem Press on April 1\, 2025. \nHe has presented ‘Good Trouble’ at the MLK Library in Washington\, DC\, the Columbus Book Festival\, the Frederick Douglass Celebration Week in Boston at the Irish Embassy\, and the Fall for the Book festival at George Mason University. \nIn 2026\, he presented ‘Good Trouble’ at the Jack Hadley Black History Museum in Thomasville\, Georgia\, the Virginia Festival of the Book in Charlottesville\, Virginia\, and the Belfast Book Festival. ‘Good Trouble’ is being used at Macalester College\, Buffalo State University\, Saint Mary’s University\, and Sacred Heart University. \nForest is a member of the James River Writers\, American Conference for Irish Studies\, African American Irish Diaspora Network\, and the Historical Writers Association. \nDr. Jones holds a doctorate degree from Virginia Tech in education and a master’s degree from Hollins University in history (focusing on Northern Ireland history and South Africa history). He currently is an adjunct professor for James Madison University. He currently lives in Salem\, Virginia. \nAbout the Book:\n“Good Trouble” shows the strong connection between the Black Civil Rights Movement in the United States and the Catholic Civil Rights Movement in Northern Ireland – specifically the influence of the 1965 Selma to Montgomery march on the 1969 Belfast to Derry march through oral history\, based on numerous interviews of events leading up to both marches and afterwards. This is close to the author’s heart as both of his parents marched to integrate lunch counters and movie theatres in Salisbury\, North Carolina\, in 1963 as college students. His mother was at the 1963 March to Washington where Martin Luther King gave his ‘I Have a Dream’ speech. \nAward winning author Julieann Campbell (On Bloody Sunday) wrote the introduction for Good Trouble\, looking back at her times growing up in Derry\, in the heart of the Catholic Civil Rights Movement. Forest travelled to Dublin\, Belfast\, and Derry to conduct interviews for the book. In all\, he did fifteen interviews with people who were involved in the movement in Northern Ireland (including Billy McVeigh – featured in the BAFTA winning documentary\, Once Upon A Time In Northern Ireland) and in the United States (including Richard Smiley and Dr. Sheyann Webb-Christburg – both were at Bloody Sunday in Alabama and on the Selma to Montgomery march among others). Jones was also able to talk with civil rights leader Eamonn McCann. \n  \n  \nPraise for “Good Trouble”:\n“Jones has written a book that is worthy of its subject”- The Daily Express UK \n“His book reads like a historical thriller at times. A must read.” – The Sun UK \n“Good Trouble is very much\, a historical tale of the good\, the bad and the ugly\, and ultimately\, the good again.”- The Belfast Telegraph \n“This is a wide-ranging story about connections between the civil rights movement in Alabama and Northern Ireland”- The Irish Times \n“The new history may well be the definitive account of the connection between the civil rights and liberation movement mounted by Black Americans in the 1960s and its sister campaign in the North.” -The Derry Journal \n“Good Trouble is a fascinating read that connects America’s civil rights movement with Northern Ireland’s movement to end discrimination against Catholics in the 1960s.”- Kristen Green\, NY Times Best Selling Author of ‘Something Must Be Done About Prince Edward County’ \n“Jones creates an insightful and compelling examination of a terrible period in our shared histories.” – Brian McGilloway\, Sunday Times and NY Times Best Selling Author \n  \nAbout Margo Shea:\n Margo Shea is Professor of History at Salem State University\, in Salem\, Massachusetts\, where she teaches public history\, Irish history and world history\, oversees a graduate public history certificate program and supervises internships for History majors. She is the author of Derry City: Memory and Political Struggle in Northern Ireland and many articles and chapters in anthologies on heritage\, memory and collaborative practice.
URL:https://maineirish.com/event/forest-isaac-jones-good-trouble/
LOCATION:Maine Irish Heritage Center\, 34 Gray St\, Portland\, ME\, 04102\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://maineirish.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Good-Trouble-banner-1.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Maine Irish Heritage Center":MAILTO:maineirish@maineirish.com
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