United Irish Cultural Center

01/17/2025

Taco Truck (and more) THIS Weekend Jan 18-19 for the Winter Feile!

FOOD/DRINK OPTIONS for SAT/SUN:
Whether you are coming the Kennelly Feis, Seisiún Saturday, visiting the Dowling Library, or dropping off some Keepers of the Steps collection items we've got you covered!

>>>Taco truck will be on site Saturday and Sunday 11 am – 4 pm
>>>light breakfast items will be available for purchase in the Emerald Pub downstairs from 9–11:30 am. >>>The Emerald Pub bar will open at 11 am each day.

EVENT DETAILS:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2nd-annual-winter-feile-tickets-1126931896639?aff=oddtdtcreator

01/17/2025

Feis weekend at the UICC marking a 50 year milestone! Congratulations to Patricia Kennelly on the 50th Anniversary of teaching being celebrated January 18-19 at the annual Maureen and John Kennelly Memorial Feis at the UICC. Enjoy some photos and ephemera from the Keepers of the Steps collection about the Kennelly school in honor of their 50th Anniversary.

Kennelly Feis—Dress and Shoe Donation Site
If the New Year has you clearing out closets and purging — Keepers wants your no-longer-needed Irish Dance gear—dresses, shoes, brooches, headdresses, etc. We are even collecting assorted ephemera like crystals, sock glue, discarded competition numbers (hand holders)—bonus for an old printed feis program from the local area! Bring any of these items the weekend of the Kennelly Feis—Jan 18-19. The Dowling Library is a great spot to leave your donation items on Saturday afternoon from 1:30-4:30 pm or email [email protected] to make other arrangements.

EVENT DETAILS: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2nd-annual-winter-feile-tickets-1126931896639?aff=oddtdtcreator

Gift Deed Form: chrome-extensio://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://irishcentersf.org/.../UICC_inkind_giftdeed_form.pdf

01/16/2025

IRISH SHOPPE this weekend at the Kennelly Feis!
>>>Sat 1/18–Sun 1/19
>>>9 am - 6 pm
>>>Shop your favorite treats from Ireland
>>>Featuring a fresh batch of Irish soda bread and brown bread from Fiddler’s Green, Millbrae (while supplies last).
>>>Shop ONLINE and pick up at the Feis: https://irish-center-shoppe.square.site/

There will be other Feis vendors as well.

EVENT DETAILS: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2nd-annual-winter-feile-tickets-1126931896639?aff=oddtdtcreator

01/16/2025

Íte ingen Chinn Fhalad, also known as Íde, Ita, Ida or Ides, was an early Irish nun and patron saint of Killeedy. She was known as the "foster mother of the saints of Erin".

Today is the feast day for Ireland’s other female saint, St. Íte if Killeedy, known as the “foster mother of the saints of Erin”. Her strong faith, steadfast individuality, & loving generosity guided many into the church & even into sainthood themselves. When asked what three things God detested, she is alleged to have responded, “a scowling face, obstinacy in wrongdoing, & too great a confidence in the power of money.” & as for what he loved, “True faith in God & a pure heart, a simple life with a religious spirit, & an open-handed was inspired by charity”. So as you go about your day today, replace your scowl with a smile as you remember this towering woman in Irish history!

01/16/2025

We are kicking off our 50th Anniversary year with a festival. Chase the winter blues away at our 2-Day Winter Féile with live music, a feis, food concessions, Irish Shoppe, a Trad Seisiùn, the Dowling Library, Keepers of the Steps, and more!

NO COST/REGISTER: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2nd-annual-winter-feile-tickets-1126931896639

DETAILS:

IRISH DANCE: The Irish Center comes alive this weekend with the John and Maureen Kennelly Memorial Feis is from 8 am – 6 pm on both Saturday and Sunday upstairs in the St. Patrick’s Room.

SHOP: UICC Irish Shoppe from 9 am - 6 pm both days with all your favorite treats from Ireland featuring a fresh batch of Irish soda bread and brown bread from Fiddler’s Green, Millbrae (while supplies last). There are other Feis vendors as well.

FOOD/DRINK: A taco truck will be on site Saturday and Sunday 11 am – 4 pm, and light breakfast items will be available for purchase in the Emerald Pub downstairs from 9–11:30 am Saturday and Sunday. The Emerald Pub bar will open at 11 am each day.

MUSIC: On Saturday from 4-7 pm in the Emerald Pub we host our weekly Seisiùn Saturday featuring live Irish music—all are welcome to play and spectators are encouraged.

LIBRARY: The Dowling Library will be open Saturday from 1:30—4:30 pm, so stop by and check out this local treasure.

CULTURE: In addition, our Keepers of the Steps have put up some displays about the building to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of teaching for Patricia Kennelly and the Kennelly School of Irish Dance, and they are collecting items, so bring your old ghillies, dance dresses, and Feis gear and leave off in the Library or at the Irish Shoppe upstairs. Be sure to complete a gift deed form to turn in with your donation—available here: https://irishcentersf.org/programs/keepers-of-the-steps/

We look forward to a great weekend!

01/15/2025

His funeral invigorated the nationalist movement in Ireland — read to learn about MacManus and his San Francisco ties.

01/15/2025

Many years ago we started a digital photo album to document our early days! We are now celebrating 50 years and look forward to adding to this album—we are looking for photos and stories! Might you have something to share? Email [email protected]. We are working on some displays for our various 50th Anniversary events!

VIEW ALBUM: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.318754371550788&type=3

01/14/2025

Feis weekend at the UICC marking a 50 year milestone! Congratulations to Patricia Kennelly on the 50th Anniversary of teaching being celebrated January 18-19 at the annual Maureen and John Kennelly Memorial Feis at the UICC.

Enjoy some photos and ephemera from the Keepers of the Steps collection about the Kennelly school in honor of their 50th Anniversary.

Kennelly Feis—Dress and Shoe Donation Site
If the New Year has you clearing out closets and purging — Keepers wants your no-longer-needed Irish Dance gear—dresses, shoes, brooches, headdresses, etc. We are even collecting assorted ephemera like crystals, sock glue, discarded competition numbers (hand holders)—bonus for an old printed feis program from the local area! Bring any of these items the weekend of the Kennelly Feis—Jan 18-19. The Dowling Library is a great spot to leave your donation items on Saturday afternoon from 1:30-4:30 pm or email [email protected] to make other arrangements.

Gift Deed Form
chrome-extensio://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://irishcentersf.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/UICC_inkind_giftdeed_form.pdf

01/13/2025

Thanks to all who came out Saturday to support our Irish musicians and to the event organizers and all the performers for such a great day of music.

01/13/2025

Happy 3rd Anniversary, Keepers!
Our Keepers of the Steps program celebrates their 3rd Anniversary on January 13, 2025, when three years ago on this day they hosted their opening night reception and exhibit opening in the St. Francis Room. In the past three years they have effectively created a movement garnering local, regional, national, and international attention and interest. We can't wait to see what 2025 has in store for them.

01/12/2025

Happening now! Many of our local, Irish musicians and friends are hosting a second annual benefit concert at the Irish Center which began at 3 PM this afternoon and is scheduled to go through 11 o’clock tonight. Come on by and enjoy some great music!  Check out the updated schedule here! ☘️🪈🎶🪕💫🎻🎹🎶☘️

01/11/2025

Our hearts are with the Irish community and networks to our south and all those being impacted by these unimaginable wildfires in Southern California.

🌟 Community Support During the Fires 🌟

To all our friends and community members affected by the recent fires in LA County: Our thoughts are with you during this difficult time. 💚

If you or anyone you know needs support, resources, or would like us to reach out to the wider Irish community in LA County on your behalf for support - no matter how big or small - please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We’re here to help however we can. Email [email protected]

Some very useful resources:

- Consulate General of Ireland Los Angeles has a Very Good website listing various resources and supports:
https://www.ireland.ie/en/usa/losangeles/news-and-events/news-archive/los-angeles-wildfires/

- California Statewide Wildfire Recovery Resources:
https://wildfirerecovery.caloes.ca.gov/

- Los Angeles Fire Dept Alerts: https://lafd.org/alerts

Let’s stay strong and connected, don't hesitate to reach out.

The CIACLA Team & Board of Directors

01/10/2025

Are you signed up for our weekly emails? It is a great way to stay informed! There are so many events and opportunities in our 50th Anniversary Year—we don't want you to miss a thing!

SIGN UP TODAY!
https://irishcentersf.org/about-us/contact/

01/10/2025

THIS SATURDAY—for the wee folk!

Read Aloud with Ms. Nancy in the Dowling Library
Stories About Sheep
Sat. Jan 11, 2025
1:30-2:15 pm

Then stay on from the Benefit Concert starting at 3! See you soon.

01/10/2025

We are only about a week into 2025 and there is a lot going on! See you this weekend for our first big music event of the year—a benefit concert; all are welcome. More here: https://irishcentersf.org/events/list/

01/09/2025

Céad Míle Fáilte! The UICC would like to welcome our new San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie as he begins his term as mayor of our beloved City by the Bay. We have appreciated his interest in and support of our Irish community. He joined our UICC St. Patrick’s Day parade contingent this past year with some members of his staff, and embraced our cultural collaboration with members of the Chinese community in recognizing the efforts of the Chinese and Irish laborers on the construction of the continental railroad and the placing of the storied laurel tie.

Very visible in the vibrant west side of the city over these past several months from Night Markets and street festivals to our September Harvest Festival Block Party, Mayor Lurie met and interacted with several members of our community. On that day he paid his first (but not last) visit to our treasured Patrick J. Dowling Library and delighted in the collection of books and memorabilia–especially the original editions of The Leader newspaper. Librarian Jennifer Drennan was on hand to guide him through the collection and they had some laughs looking at old political advertisements—given the timing of peak campaign season for Mr. Lurie.

We look forward to developing a true partnership and friendship over these next years, particularly as we enter our 50th Anniversary year in 2025 with full city approval for our building plans for the future. We look forward to sharing more about our Irish Heritage and welcoming Mayor Lurie to our events. We extend our heartfelt congratulations on his successful campaign and election and wish him nothing but success in the days and years to come.


City and County of San Francisco - Government

01/08/2025

A special piece of local Irish history now has a home on Mount Tamalpais in Marin County telling the story of the Chinese and Irish railroad workers who built the transcontinental railway. A couple UICC members and prominent members of our local Irish community played integral roles in bringing this project to fruition. Kudos to Pat Goggins and Redmond Lyons and everyone who has worked to keep and share this story.

READ:
https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/laurel-tie-replica-mount-tamalpais-museum-19916826.php?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2KSDF7Qm2dOWMsKhvNG_4wWXtkzYnRFbOGVh8W8hjeAfmR2-Bqoj7N9vs_aem_eESnswo4-y_fs8mCh_eT_A

The replica of the Laurel Tie, which completed the Transcontinental Railroad, is displayed in honor of the Irish and Chinese laborers who built it.

01/07/2025

The UICC would like to thank San Francisco Mayor London Breed as she finishes her term as mayor of our beloved City by the Bay. We have appreciated her support, partnership, and friendship over the years, particularly as we enter our 50th Anniversary year with full city approval for our building plans for the future. We appreciate her commitment to celebrating our Irish Heritage, participating in our events and traditions such as being Grand Marshal in the San Francisco St. Patrick’s Day Parade, and attending many Irish Center events. A year and a half ago, the UICC bestowed upon her an honorary lifetime membership, so we hope to see her at future events.

Taken from her Honorary Lifetime Membership Declaration: “As a cultural institution of long standing with deep connections to the very foundation of the City of San Francisco, we applaud Mayor Breed’s commitment to arts and culture. In addition, her commitment to promote nonprofit sustainability and equity initiatives, and support children, youth, and their families, aligns well with our own mission as we work to build for future generations. We salute Mayor Breed’s efforts as she continues to be a champion of arts and culture for organizations like ours and for the great benefit of the people she serves.”

Go Raibh Maith Agat! Thank you . . . and may the road rise to meet you!


Breed 倫敦．布里德