Boston’s Irish Cultural Centre Celebrates 25 Years

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The Irish Cultural Centre of Greater Boston has abundant reasons to be joyful this holiday season, as it celebrates an important milestone.

In 1989, a group of Irish and Irish-Americans came together to discuss a year-round headquarters for Irish culture in greater Boston and New England. 

After a decade of fundraising, scouting for and then purchasing land in the Town of Canton, the group enlisted hundreds of volunteers, who pitched in on weekends and after work to clear the land and build the facility.  On October 17, 1999, the Irish Cultural Centre officially opened its doors.


This 25th anniversary milestone is being celebrated on December 14 at the Centre’s Annual Open House, when members will congregate to reflect upon their remarkable journey.

Since 1999, the Centre has blossomed as a dynamic and vibrant cultural hub for the Irish community, offering year-round programs in education, entertainment and sports, celebrating holidays from St. Patrick’s Day to Christmas, and being a place where everyone, from seniors to children, families and friends, loves to congregate.  

This year the Centre purchased additional land, increasing its total size from 46 to 61 acres, ensuring that future generations can enjoy this superb facility.

Executive Director Jerry McDermott and Board Chair Martina Curtin have assembled an outstanding Board of Directors, sponsors and staff.  The Centre has a pub, a library and several function rooms, plus an authentic thatched Irish cottage on the grounds. The local Gaelic Athletic Association play their home games on the well-manicured playing fields of the Centre.  

Several of the original committee members such as Mike O’Connor and Noel Connolly are still active at ICC.  When the Centre was about to open in 1999, a reporter asked Connolly when the Centre would be fully finished. 

 “At no point should anyone consider the Centre a finished product,” Noel said. “It is not finished, never will be. This is a milestone.”

 Here’s to many more milestones at the Irish Cultural Centre.

www.irishculture.org

(This story by Michael Quinlin appeared originally in Irish America Magazine)

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