United Irish Cultural Center

02/15/2025

Watch this space for details on the Music lineup for St. Patrick’s Day weekend… But here’s a sneak peek of something coming for Sunday, March 16 at the Green Fest Block Party!

02/15/2025

Happy 31 days ‘til St. Patrick’s Day! ☘️💗☘️

02/14/2025

One of the preeminent Celtic bands on the world circuit, Téada, led by fiddler Oisín Mac Diarmada, has performed extensively world-wide as headliners at many major festivals earning a reputation as one of the best - if not the best - Irish Trad bands playing today! We are very fortunate to have them perform for us here on the West Coast—at the UICC on March 5!

'There's a rich sense of continuity in the sets and of boundless energy bereft of egotism in the playing.' Siobhán Long, The Irish Times (4-star Review)

'At the cutting edge of the next generation of Irish musicians … with a fierce familiarity with the old ways.' Irish Music Magazine

TICKETS: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/teada-in-concert-tickets-1134900661429?aff=oddtdtcreator

More on the Téada website: http://teada.comireland

02/14/2025

02/14/2025

💟 Lá fhéile Vailintín sona duit! Happy Valentine's Day! 💟

📥 We are collecting stories . . .have you seen our UICC Wedding Album?
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=IrishCenterSF&set=a.954711436761941

📧 Have a story to share? We would love to hear from you.
Email: [email protected]

We are planning some special displays for our 50th Anniversary events this year and would love to include these special memories. As we plan for our future, it is memories like these that keep us connected and remind us of our purpose! Send your memories to [email protected].

02/14/2025

💗💗 What’s better than roses for Valentine’s Day?💗💗

Tickets to UICC concerts and events! You’ll never regret giving or receiving the gift of an experience!

VISIT:
https://irishcentersf.org/events/

02/13/2025

Former UICC Board Member Maria Shea-Futia and her husband Robert Futia are very excited to be a part of UICC history! They cherish their memories of celebrating their marriage with us. “We were married at St. Gabriel's Church on September 10, 2016, with our wedding reception following at the UICC. This year marks our 9-year anniversary, and we have two beautiful children now, making it even more special to reflect on that wonderful day. We just wanted to ex-press our gratitude for the beautiful venue and memories made with our family and friends. Thank you for helping make that day so memorable!”

Dancers are Erin Diner Kayser, Colleen Diner O’Leary, and Alanna Deely Sellman.

We would love to hear your story! We are planning some special displays for our 50th Anniversary events this year and would love to include these special memories. As we plan for our future, it is memories like these that keep us connected and remind us of our purpose! Send your memories to [email protected].

02/13/2025

Patty Dunn Currie shares some fond memories of the UICC:
“I grew up in the Sunset and attended St. Gabriel’s (‘92) and SHC (‘96). My childhood was spent at the Irish Center dancing in feiseanna for Ann Healy, attending birthdays, anniversaries, competing in the Rose of Tralee, and of course attending many celebrations of life. The Irish Center played a huge part of my childhood as well as my husband’s. Although he grew up in Novato, his parents were born and raised in SF and also have ties to the Irish Center. Naturally when we became engaged in 2002, we booked the ball room for our reception right away. We didn’t want any other space to celebrate our marriage. We were married at St. Gabriel’s by Father Ryan and then headed down to the Irish center. We walked into our reception, following a local piper who is still active in the Irish Center community. We had a huge reception where both sides of the families ended up knowing each-other because of our deep-rooted Sunset ties. It was basically a high-school reunion for our aunts and uncles—everyone either attended St. Celia’s, St. Gabriel’s, SI, or Riordan! My own father actually taught at Riordan in the 60s—Brother Dunn at the time—and many who attended our wedding were his former students and a few were even my husband’s uncles!

We were married July 12, 2003. We now live in Chico, CA where we have two boys- Liam (17) and Ronan (14). Every time we come back to the Sunset we always stop in for a drink and reminisce about our reception! We are forever grateful for our time at the Irish Center and the important role it played in our lives.”

Thanks to Patty for sharing her sweet story—illustrating well the common theme that all roads cross through the Irish Center. Wonderful connections. We would love to hear your story! We are planning some special displays for our 50th Anniversary events this year and would love to include these special memories. As we plan for our future, it is memories like these that keep us connected and remind us of our purpose! Send your memories to [email protected].

02/13/2025

Coming to the UICC to kick off the St. Patrick’s Day weekend on March 14! Get your tickets today! 

02/13/2025

🙋‍♂️ 1 Man
🎭 2 Shows
🎟 Get your tickets to both Michael Collins and I Can't Believe It's Not Ireland now!

TICKETS:
Michael Collins: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1143419411239?aff=oddtdtcreator
I Can't Believe it's Not Ireland: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/paddy-cullivans-i-cant-believe-its-not-ireland-tickets-1109693496119?aff=oddtdtcreator

Culture Ireland Paddy Cullivan

02/12/2025

It’s going to be a great night! ✨☘️✨

02/12/2025

Have you been to the Di**le Pub?! Well, a little bit of Di**le is coming to the UICC stage on March 12. David Geaney and the Irish Lads have a great show in store. Don’t miss it. Tickets still available.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/david-geaney-and-the-irish-lads-tickets-1217088377099

Our World Champion Dancer, David Geaney is heading out to the US this March for a month of shows! Help spread the word with all your friends in the area! ☘️

If you have ever enjoyed his show here in The Di**le Pub, you will be blown away by this one! 😍🇮🇪

Tickets at www.davidgeaney.ie/tourdates/

02/12/2025

Connecting cultures! In honor of the Lunar New Year and this weekend’s parade in Chinatown, our Keepers of the Steps program shares some amazing correlations in snake motifs found in Chinese and Celtic artwork— in particular, the Celtic designs found on many Irish dance costumes over the years. Enjoy— and then we’ll see you at the next big parade on March 15! ☘️

Exploring Chinese and Celtic Snake Motifs for the Lunar New Year!
Snake motifs in Chinese and Celtic traditions are plentiful, and San Francisco is blessed to have vibrant communities of both Chinese and Irish who love sharing their respective heritage and culture. The “Keepers of the Steps Program”, an Irish dance history program at the United Irish Cultural Center of San Francisco is delighted to share some detailed images of dragon motifs found on various Irish Dance costumes, representative of their collection, (from a cross section of eras) as the Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations get underway—ushering in the Year of the Snake.

Lunar New Year is the beginning of the new year based on the lunar calendar or lunisolar calendar. The lunar calendars follow the lunar phase while lunisolar calendars follow both the lunar phase and the time of the solar year.

In Chinese culture, the snake is seen as a creature of deep wisdom, mystery, and transformation and a symbol of intelligence and fortune. The Celtic snake has long been a symbol of rebirth, transformation, and healing. Additionally, in some Celtic tales, snakes were considered to be the custodians of knowledge, holding secrets of the earth and the spiritual realm. So many fascinating correlations!

Long known as an inspiration for many of the motifs and design compositions that adorn dec-ades of Irish Dance costumes, the Book of Kells is a 9th century illuminated masterpiece that is housed in the Old Library at Trinity College Dublin. A rich and fascinating manuscript chock full of symbolism, this masterpiece continues to inspire artists to this day. First and foremost a depiction of the four Gospels, the manuscript cleverly uses symbolism to tell the story of Christianity through decorative illustrations. Many of these images are of animals, including snakes, peacocks, lions, hares, and mice. These figures are used to communicate a deeper meaning to the reader about the Christian faith. There are also images of serpents and dragons and other mythical creatures—often intertwined drawing the viewer in for a closer look. Since snakes shed their skin to renew themselves, they are a fitting symbol for Christ's resurrection and are widely used across the Book of Kells.

According to Chinese culture, the snake carries the meanings of malevolence, cattiness, mystery, as well as acumen and divination. In most cases, this animal is considered evil and the elongated legless body always scares people. However, in ancient Chinese traditions, the snake once presented a venerated image, and it is one of the earliest totems of Chinese nations. Chinese mother goddess Nüwa who said to have created humanity has the body of a snake and the head of a human. The Chinese dragon also has a snake body. Today, in some places in China, people still believe that a snake found in their courtyard can bring good luck (like certain Irish symbols!).

As Irish Dance historians, we appreciate this description as these attributes resonate with our exploration of Irish dance and what it means to be a champion dancer—acumen, elongated body (dancer posture!), and intelligence—as well as the transformative journey of a dancer’s career.

It is said that people who are born in the Year of the Snake are considered rational, calm, thoughtful, and loyal to loved ones. How many Irish dancers (past, present, or future) were born in the Years of the Snake —2013, 2001, 1989, 1977, 1965, 1953, 1941, or 1929?



Consulate General of Ireland San Francisco Irish Dancing Magazine

02/12/2025

Join. Support. Celebrate.

This March, as we celebrate 50 years of the United Irish Cultural Center (UICC), we invite you to be part of our vibrant community. As we mark this milestone, we celebrate 50 years of culture, community, and commitment—and at the heart of that is our members. Join us!

Your membership allows us to continue offering diverse cultural programs, including low- and no-cost opportunities that keep Irish arts and heritage accessible to all.

Lock in a Low Rate!
Membership rates may increase later this year. Join now to secure the current rate and enjoy long-term savings.

Referral Bonus for Members!
Already a member? Bring in a new member (or refer a renewal) and receive a pair of Rock the Gates tickets as a thank you! Make sure your contact references your name when signing up to be entered.

The Future starts now—be a part of it!
Be Part of the Next 50 Years of Irish Culture!

SIGN UP NOW
https://irishcentersf.org/get-involved/membership/

02/12/2025

The Black Brothers with Eamonn Flynn
Friday, March 7, 2025
7:00 Doors Open
7:30 Show | UICC
TICKETS: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1143397997189
or www.irishcentersf.org

Shay and Michael Black are singing siblings from Ireland's foremost family of song, The Black Family, which also includes their sisters Mary and Frances, and brother, Martin. Hailed in the Irish Echo as “one of the most impressive groups of Irish singers to be found anywhere; exquisite, exhilarating, and nothing short of thrilling” they raise their sibling rivalry to revelry.

02/12/2025

The weekly UICC Connect is out now and packed with info.

Read it here:
https://conta.cc/4hUnFNO

02/11/2025

📣📣📣 INTRODUCING 📣📣📣 a new partnership in summer camp offerings at the UICC—STEM-oriented Tec Rec by the renowned YouthSF program. Choose from two (or both!) weeks in July!

LEARN MORE and REGISTER!
https://irishcentersf.org/youth/youthsf-tec-rec/

02/11/2025

The Irish Pipers Youth Drumming Corps hard at work on a Monday night with instructors Kathleen Maeve Smith and Maggie Harvey as part of the UICC Youth Music program.