Our Story
Providing a home for the Irish at heart, building community through culture, identity and friendship.
Located at 10-40 Jackson Avenue in Queens in New York City, and easily accessible from every part of New York City and the tri-state area, we are truly a center for anyone who wishes to connect to New York's Irish community. We are right near the exit of the Mid-Town Tunnel, and only ONE STOP from Grand Central on the #7 subway line. There is also convenient parking close by. So whether you're from Ireland, have Irish ancestors, or are Irish at heart, there's a "céad míle fáilte" (hundred thousand welcomes) here for you!
The Center is the realization of a life-long dream of many in the community who longed for a central gathering place for the Irish community in the New York tri-sate area. It came about when several Irish-born American businessmen bought the building at 1040 Jackson in 2003 and held it until the Irish Center was in a position to purchase it at the original price less a large donation, in 2005. As real estate prices had skyrocketed around the developing Long Island City neighborhood between 2003 and 2005, this tremendous act of generosity stands as a testament to their willingness to contribute to their adopted city and reward everyone, including themselves, with the permanence of the Irish Center. To get it going, Belfast native Father Colm Campbell was lured back from retirement to help launch the project. He proved a lightning rod for goodwill in the community and oversaw extensive renovations on the property to make it "community ready". This work was done free of charge by members of the construction trades with a love of Ireland. Along the way Fr. Colm also got the restaurant trade to do its bit, and a large number of New York Irish restaurants donate the food for our weekly Senior Lunch Club. Now under the leadership of Executive Director Paul Finnegan, the Center is uniquely suited to serve as the cultural and social hub of New York’s Irish community.
The Center provides a range of services to the Irish and non-Irish community in the New York tri-state area, including:
Social Activities: The Center hosts regular and one-off social events and classes, including the Seniors Lunch Club, Irish stories and Legends art classes for children Irish céili dancing, trad sessions, tin whistle classes, Irish dancing classes, fiddle classes, Irish language classes, an Irish Book Club (Club Leabhar Nua Eabhrac), "25" card nights, Irish plays,concerts, a computer club for Seniors, an Irish Movie night and much much more.
Information/Resource Center: We make available information about existing services and resources and direct people to the appropriate agency or place for their needs.
A Social Place: The underlying and overarching goal of all our activities is to bring people together in a cultural environment that resonates with them. The Center provides a range of facilities for formal and informal get-togethers. On the ground floor, we have a large multi-purpose room with a stage and hardwood floor (perfect for dancing!). We also have a function room in our lower level, which we call the "Library", and which also has a hardwood/raised floor for dancing. Also in the lower level, we have an Internet Cafe where young and old alike can surf the web and email friends and family. Each computer includes Parental Control software so the little ones can enjoy a safe web browsing experience.
