IAHM Regional Irish Cultural Ambassador Scholarship Program

THE IRISH AMERICAN HERITAGE MUSEUM ANNOUNCES TRADITIONAL IRISH MUSIC SCHOLARSHIP

IAHM to Recruit Regional Irish Cultural Ambassadors To Partake in Rich, Regionally Diverse Irish Heritage Experiences

ALBANY, N.Y. – The Irish American Heritage Museum’s Board of Directors announced today the creation of the first of several cultural scholarships, under which recipients will become IAHM Regional Irish Cultural Ambassadors. These ambassadors will be given the opportunity to share their Irish knowledge and artistic talents in areas of the United States that have their own rich, unique Irish cultural scenes.

Scholarship recipients will:

  • Share their own Irish cultural talents;
  • Exchange styles, art, knowledge, and tunes with other Irish artists;
  • Immerse themselves in the “trad culture and life” of another region; and,
  • Return home to share those experiences with their own communities.

IAHM’s Regional Irish Cultural Ambassador Scholarship Program will provide geographically diverse opportunities for participation in artistic and educational programming. Each ambassador will explore the broad regional impact of Irish culture in America through music and arts education. These scholarships have been generously funded by an anonymous benefactor of the Irish American Heritage Museum.

The first Regional Irish Cultural Ambassador Scholarship will be offered to an alumnus of O’Flaherty’s Irish Music Retreat / Traditional Irish Music Education Society in Texas (“TIMES”), which has grown over the decades into a powerful traditional Irish cultural and educational organization focused on sustaining our rich heritage. With full tuition reimbursement and a stipend for travel and lodging, the IAHM Regional Irish Cultural Ambassador will attend the pre-eminent Catskills Irish Arts Week (CIAW) in New York State, from July 13–19, 2025.

“Our world—especially that of the Irish cultural community—has become remarkably small in this age of social media and AI,” said Liam McNabb, Chair of IAHM’s Board of Directors. “With this generous donation and the designation of IAHM’s Regional Irish Cultural Ambassadors, the Irish American Heritage Museum will further its mission to foster dialogue and cultural exchange, build connections, and bring the Irish and Irish American communities even closer together.”

IAHM Executive Director Michael C. Clarke added: “The Irish American Heritage Museum is thrilled to announce the launch of this program. The fact that the first IAHM Ambassador will come from the vibrant Irish community in Texas and experience New York’s Catskills Irish Arts Week will foster an amazing, organic, and lasting cultural exchange between these two important regions of the United States.”

Ken Fleming, Executive Director of TIMES, said: “IAHM’s encouragement of regional exchange in education, culture, and the arts is a fantastic opportunity for the Irish in both Texas and the Northeast. We are grateful that IAHM has selected TIMES for this inaugural scholarship. It’s exciting to imagine how the IAHM Ambassador from the O’Flaherty’s/TIMES family will learn and grow from the Northeast U.S. Irish traditions—and then return home to share that experience.”

Terry Patterson, President of the Board of Directors of the Michael J. Quill Irish and Cultural Sports Centre (MJQ), added: “CIAW - and MJQ as its sponsor - is honored that the Irish American Heritage Museum has chosen CIAW as the host site for the first IAHM Ambassador experience. We are confident that the selected Ambassador will return from CIAW energized and inspired, having expanded their set list and played alongside some of the world’s most talented trad masters and instructors.”

ABOUT IAHM’S REGIONAL IRISH CULTURAL AMBASSADOR SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

The May 2025 IAHM Regional Irish Cultural Ambassador Scholarship Program is designed to immerse recipients (“Ambassadors”) in Irish arts, heritage, and culture across diverse regions of the United States. Through learning opportunities, collaboration, and creative heritage-based educational exchange, Ambassadors will return to their home communities with fresh experiences and perspectives to share.

Eligibility Requirements:

Applicants must

  • Be 18 years of age or older.
  • Have attended O’Flaherty’s Irish Music Retreat as a student within the past ten years.
  • Not have previously attended the Catskills Irish Arts Week.
  • Submit a 100-word statement on why they believe they are a suitable candidate.
  • Commit to full participation in CIAW classes and activities.
  • Notify IAHM immediately if they are unable to attend CIAW for any reason.

 

Scholarship Includes:

  • Reimbursement for one (1) full-time tuition to Catskills Irish Arts Week, July 13–19, 2025 ($500 value).
  • $500 stipend for travel and lodging.
  • Associate Membership to the Irish American Heritage Museum for the Ambassador and their family ($100 value).
  • Transportation to/from and a guided tour of the Irish American Heritage Museum (value: priceless).

 

Alumni of O’Flaherty’s Irish Music Retreat interested in applying for the July 13–19, 2025 CIAW scholarship must complete the online application here. Applications will be accepted until June 20, 2025.

For more information: