Dec 11, 2024, 7:00 PM
Diarmuid Ó Meachair will be performing at the museum on December 11th. Meachair is an accomplish accordion and melodeon player and sean-nós singer from Cúil Aodha, Co. Cork.
Dec 8, 2024, 11:00 AM
Join us for pre-holiday refreshments and music while you shop!
Nov 30, 2024, 10:30 AM
We are having our annual Christmas Market this year at Celtic Hall. We would love to see you there to not only support us, but the small businesses that come out to sell their goods. It's the perfect opportunity to get some early gift shopping done. Bring your family from out of town!
Nov 27, 2024, 11:39 AM
Greetings from Board of Directors, Executive Director and staff of Irish American Heritage Museum
Nov 20, 2024, 7:00 PM
Please join us for Claire Nolan’s Georgia O’Keeffe on November 20 at 7 pm in the Irish American Heritage Museum’s Flanagan Theater. Tickets are $10 for members and $15 for not-yet members, and can be purchased online or at the door.
Nov 15, 2024, 7:00 PM
Due to circumstances beyond his control, we have been advised that Gerry O’Connor cancelled his United States Winter 2024 Tour.
In Gerry’s stead, the Irish American Heritage Museum has booked Ivan Gough (Uilleann Pipes / Irish Flute) and Katie Linnane (Fiddle).
Refunds will be made, if requested. There may be limited seating available for Friday’s show.
Nov 12, 2024, 6:00 PM
Thanks to the Irish Film Institute, Culture Ireland, and the Arts Council, we are hosting an exclusive screening of the movie Verdigris (2024).
Admission is $5.
Oct 23, 2024, 7:00 PM
Come to the museum on October 23rd to hear Dr. Lara Whelan of Siena College give a talk about William Butler Yeats, the occult, and it's impact on his writing.
Oct 15, 2024, 6:00 PM
Come to the IAHM Film Club and watch the horror movie All You Need Is Death ! Admission is $5.
Sep 25, 2024, 11:00 AM
Come and discuss your family tree with resident genealogist Lisa Walsh Dougherty at her first fall session at the Museum.
Appointments available at 11am, 11:30am, 12pm, and 12:30pm. Email her at lisagene@nycap.rr.com to secure your space.
Sep 15, 2024, 2:00 PM
Please join us in the museum courtyard on September 15th 2-5pm for a Sunday afternoon garden party, rain or shine! There will be music and singing, food and drink, raffles, and high Irish spirits.
Sep 5, 2024, 6:00 PM
This lecture on the American Revolution is part of the Dunphy Foundation Series on the Irish in American Military History.
Aug 27, 2024, 6:00 PM
This talk from Gerard Shannon, author of the most recent biography of Lynch, explores the life of this fascinating, influential figure, who remains one of the most commemorated and celebrated figures of his era.
Aug 20, 2024, 6:30 PM
Annual Dutch Apple Cruise fundraising event for the the Albany St. Patrick's Day Parade.
Aug 5, 2024, 11:00 AM
Join us for the 25th Annual Joseph J. Dolan Jr. Mostly Irish Classic at Schuyler Meadows
Jul 30, 2024, 7:00 PM
The English-born but American-trained historian Richard Bell explores the Revolution from the perspective of the Irish and their descendants in America.
Jul 9, 2024, 6:00 PM
Join author Kathy Caton as she discusses the life of Richard "Boss" Croker, whose redemptive qualities makes this so-called “crime boss a more relatable figure.
Jun 17, 2024, 7:00 PM
Join us for Bloomsday, the commemoration and celebration of the life of James Joyce on the day his 1922 novel Ulysses takes place on a Thursday in 1904.
Jun 13, 2024, 7:00 PM
A performative journey which takes you to the Irish bog landscape through scent. Distillation is a response to the recent cessation of the peat harvesting industry in Ireland.
Jun 13, 2024, 5:00 PM
A performative journey which takes you to the Irish bog landscape through scent. Distillation is a response to the recent cessation of the peat harvesting industry in Ireland.
Jun 10, 2024, 5:30 PM
This talk explores the life of a fascinating and influential figure, who remains one of the most commemorated and celebrated figures of his era.
Jun 3, 2024, 5:30 PM
An Irish Passion for Justice tells an enthralling and inspiring New York immigrant story that uncovers how one person, shaped by history and community, can make a difference in the world by holding true to their ideals.
May 22, 2024, 7:00 PM
In this presentation, professional genealogist Lisa Dougherty will share tips and strategies from almost 30 years of experience tracing Irish families.
May 22, 2024, 7:00 PM
Selected readings from James Joyce's "A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man'
May 21, 2024, 6:00 PM
In this discussion with Irish history content creator, Davy Holden, we will chat through the changes and opportunities that online platforms have brought to the life of a historian.
May 19, 2024, 5:00 PM
In 1950s Ireland, a film-loving priest (Martin Sheen) is met with unexpected resistance when he tries to convince parishioners to bring a bit of Hollywood to their village by opening a cinema.
May 16, 2024, 7:00 PM
Kalos, a Celtic roots trio, will perform an eclectic, invigorating mix of instrumentals and songs at the Irish American Heritage Museum!
May 13, 2024, 6:00 PM
Join historians Richard Aldous and Brian Murphy as they discuss the recent controversial legislation passed in the UK, the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill, which aims to end Troubles-related legal proceedings and give conditional immunity to those cooperating with investigations by a new independent commission.
Apr 25, 2024, 7:00 PM
A dramatic reading from John B. Keane's "Letters of a Matchmaker" in the museum theater.
Apr 14, 2024, 5:00 PM
A heroic picture of the Irish Republican Army's inspired strategist and military leader, who fought the British Empire to a standstill and invented the techniques of urban guerrilla warfare that shaped revolutionary struggles all over the world.
Apr 11, 2024, 7:00 PM
Dr. Stack was, until recently, the Executive Director of the Museum here in Albany. She is currently the Executive Director of the American Irish Historical Society in NYC & we are delighted to welcome her back for this lecture!
Mar 25, 2024, 7:00 PM
Join Siena College professor Karen Sonnelitter as she discusses the latest question before Irish voters.
Mar 20, 2024, 7:00 PM
Aiding Ireland investigates the Irish famine as a foundational moment for normalizing international giving. Dr. Shrout takes readers from Ireland to Britain, across the Atlantic to the United States, and across the Mississippi to Indian Territory, uncovering what was to be gained for each group by participating in global famine relief.
Mar 10, 2024, 5:00 PM
Residing in a psychiatric hospital, a woman receives visits from a young psychologist whose interest in her diary triggers flashbacks of her youth, which was filled with romance, obsession and turmoil.
Mar 4, 2024, 7:00 PM
The Druids return to the Irish American Heritage Museum for a concert to celebrate St. Patrick's Day!
Mar 2, 2024, 7:00 PM
The Irish American Heritage Museum presents The Dublin City Ramblers live at Celtic Hall
Feb 20, 2024, 7:00 PM
Elaine Farrell and Leanne McCormick, creators of the celebrated 'Bad Bridget' podcast and authors of "Bad Bridget: Crime, Mayhem and the Lives of Irish Emigrant Women."
Feb 18, 2024, 5:00 PM
A retired sea captain embarks on a new romantic relationship with a widowed housekeeper, leading his daughter to reevaluate their tense relationship.
Feb 7, 2024, 2:00 PM
Come to the Museum to weave your own St. Brigid's Cross with Julia Richards!
Jan 9, 2024, 7:00 PM
Historian Timothy J. Meagher traces the Irish American experience from the first Irishman to step ashore at Roanoke in 1585 to John F. Kennedy’s election as president in 1960.
Dec 19, 2023, 7:00 PM
Join historian Ronald Bayor as he continues our series The Irish and… by examining the often troubled relationship they had with Italian immigrants.
Dec 18, 2023, 6:00 PM
The Man Who Invented Christmas explores how Charles Dickens' writing of 'A Christmas Carol' reshaped our vision of the holiday season.
Dec 15, 2023, 3:00 PM
Join us live on Facebook for a festive cooking demonstration, as we prepare some of Ireland's most popular Christmas desserts!
Dec 14, 2023, 7:30 PM
Kevin Westley presents a timely history of Christmas traditions in Ireland, accompanied by songs!
Dec 11, 2023, 6:00 PM
To coincide with this month’s lecture on the The Irish and.. the Italians, this month’s film club will feature Brooklyn, the 2015 film directed by John Crowley and written by Nick Hornby, based on the 2009 novel of the same name by Colm Tóibín.
Dec 7, 2023, 7:00 PM
This December, the museum offers up the seventh special return of its joyous holiday classic, Dylan Thomas’s iconic A Child’s Christmas in Wales.
Dec 3, 2023, 2:00 PM
The Irish American Heritage Museum is delighted to kick off the Christmas season with "Songs of Erin" presented by vocalist Eileen Egan Mack and pianist Michael Clement.
Dec 2, 2023, 10:30 AM
Join us at Celtic Hall for our annual Christmas Market! Support your community and shop local.
Nov 28, 2023, 5:30 PM
Through letters, medical records and doctors' notes, Dr. Brendan Kelly gives us a glimpse inside the Richmond Lunatic Asylum at Grangegorman in Dublin and the lives of those who lived and worked there, up until it closed its doors in 2013.
Nov 27, 2023, 5:30 PM
Our series The Irish and... continues this month with a look at the multi-layered relationship between the Irish and Native Americans.
Nov 22, 2023, 2:00 PM
Martin Wall, the Washington Correspondent of The Irish Times, spoke with Elizabeth about JFK's legacy sixty years after his assassination.
Nov 21, 2023, 7:00 PM
Join host of the Irish Stew podcast, Martin Nutty, and Dr. Elizabeth Stack as they discuss all things Irish and Irish American!
Nov 20, 2023, 6:00 PM
Pure Grit is both a thrilling tale of extreme bareback horse racing, and an intimate love story. Chronicling three years in the life of a young Native American bareback horse racer, her unwavering determination, and the relationships that sustain her.
Nov 15, 2023, 5:30 PM
This talk will offer an overview of agrarian politics and agrarian social movements in the Irish Revolution and will examine how the processes of rural social conflict that characterized Ireland under the Union manifested in landscape change in one east Clare locality.
Nov 9, 2023, 5:30 PM
Historian Alan J. M. Noonan uses a range of previously overlooked sources, including collections of emigrant letters, hospital logbooks, private detective reports, and internment records, to tell the stories of Irish men and women who emigrated to mining towns to search for opportunity.
Nov 2, 2023, 5:30 PM
Crisis apparitions, communicated across the Atlantic, reflect the anxieties of ‘exiles’ and their friends and families about death far from home, and the ghostly visits bridged gaps in conventional communications.
Nov 1, 2023, 7:00 PM
In this talk, Professor Kenny will discuss some aspects that helped him answer the questions at the heart of his book, Making Sense of the Molly Maguires.
Oct 30, 2023, 6:00 PM
In a North Dublin housing estate Char's mother goes missing. When she returns Char is determined to uncover the truth of her disappearance and unearth the dark secrets of her family.
Oct 29, 2023, 2:00 PM
Author Lisa La Monica will discuss her book, Witches and Warlocks of New York: Legends, Victims, & Sinister Spellcasters.
Oct 26, 2023, 5:30 PM
This lecture will discuss the man behind the vampire, and discuss Stoker's influences in writing Dracula, the importance of his Irish background, and the ways in which the Count himself has been treated in both popular culture and literary criticism.
Oct 21, 2023, 7:00 PM
Do not miss the opportunity to see these virtuosos' blinding technique, sizzling Irish reels and hot jazz improvisation, in our intimate Michael Flannagan Irish Music Heritage Theater.
Oct 11, 2023, 7:00 PM
Gene McTiernan will discuss his historical novel about coal mining in Scranton, PA and the Great Strike of 1902
Oct 10, 2023, 5:30 PM
Continuing our The Irish and... Series, Dr. Regina Donlon will discuss the interactions between the Irish and the Germans.
Oct 4, 2023, 6:00 PM
We are partnering with Irish Film International to screen two Oscar-nominated movies: An Irish Goodbye and The Quiet Girl.
Sep 27, 2023, 7:00 PM
The influx of impoverished Irish immigrants over the first half of the nineteenth century led nativists in New York and Massachusetts to develop policies for prohibiting the landing of destitute foreigners and deporting those already resident in the states back to Europe. This book reveals how the state-level treatment of destitute immigrants set precedents for the assertion by American officers of unrestricted power against undesirable aliens, which characterized later federal control.
Sep 27, 2023, 11:00 AM
Professional Genealogist Lisa Dougherty offers drop-in one to one family history consultations.
Sep 25, 2023, 6:00 PM
This fiery 2022 documentary about Sinead O' Connor and the fearless singer’s rise and fall in the US is a brilliant and timely reminder of her defiant, courageous spirit.
Sep 16, 2023, 7:00 PM
Join us on September 15th & 16th at 7pm or Sunday 17th at 2pm for a moving performance of this charming play about a chance meeting which sparks a long-distance romance between a man and a woman from seemingly opposite worlds.
Sep 12, 2023, 7:00 PM
Historian Tim Fanning, author of Paisanos: The Forgotten Irish Who Changed the Face of Latin America, will discuss the epic story of the forgotten Irish men and women who changed the face of Latin America
Aug 15, 2023, 6:30 PM
The Museum is partnering with the United Irish Societies of the Capital District on our annual fantastic Irish Heritage tour up the Hudson River.
Aug 6, 2023, 7:00 PM
Join Price Chopper and Market 32 at the ever-popular and always free, Music Haven Concert Series in Schenectady, featuring the McKrells and Eileen Ivers.
Aug 3, 2023, 5:00 PM
Please join us and Colonie Seniors Services Center for an evening of Irish celebration at the inaugural “Hudson Shores Hooley.”
Jun 27, 2023, 5:00 PM
Katherine O'Donnell recently published her debut novel, Slant, a ground-breaking Irish American queer love story that journeys from the AIDS crisis of the 1980s to the marriage equality referendum in 2015.
Jun 22, 2023, 7:00 PM
Join Irish folk singer-songwriter Michael Darcy and his band The Atlantic Tramps! Drawing from the well of rich Irish music that he grew up with in County Clare, and inspired by gritty American songwriters like John Prine & Guy Clark, Michael Darcy aimed to create a whirlwind of folk traditions — where greengrass meets bluegrass.
Jun 21, 2023, 7:00 PM
To celebrate the longest night of the year, we have a special two-day music festival! Come to both nights or just one, but celebrate the Midsummer Solstice with some of Ireland's finest musicians!
Jun 16, 2023, 7:00 PM
Celebrate Bloomsday at the museum, the day immortalized in James Joyce's 1922 novel Ulysses!
Jun 15, 2023, 7:00 PM
The Brave Collide - Chloe Agnew and Brian McGrane - will be in concert on June 15th. As a contemporary folk duo, The Brave Collide have received rave reviews and are eager to engage with new audiences.
Jun 11, 2023, 2:00 PM
Join us at the museum for an afternoon of poetry reading! Share your favorite poems written by Irish or Irish American women and enjoy the sunshine in our courtyard.
May 30, 2023, 7:00 PM
Dr. Jack Tchen will explore the evolution of the relationship between the Irish and Chinese in America. He will explain how Chinese, European-Americans in Yellowface, and various caricatures became objects of curiosity in the expansive commercial marketplace. And he will trace how Americans' attitude toward the Chinese changed from fascination to demonization, leading to the passage of the Chinese Exclusion Acts beginning in 1882.
May 29, 2023, 6:00 PM
To commemorate Memorial Day, Film Club will screen an old classic - The Fighting Sullivans.
May 24, 2023, 5:30 PM
Indian Classical Music meets Irish Traditional Music!
May 21, 2023, 7:00 PM
The Humours of Bandon (written & performed by Margaret McAuliffe, directed by Stefanie Preissner) is a coming of age story, full of heart, humour and wisdom, for anyone who had a childhood passion that threatened to overwhelm their life.
May 6, 2023, 10:30 AM
Join us for our annual fundraising run! This year, the Sweater Run will begin and end in our Quackenbush Square and will incorporate Albany's recently opened Skywalk.
May 4, 2023, 7:00 PM
Join us for a candid conversation with the author, Malachy McCourt, who is currently battling Inclusion Body Myositis and cancer, but who has outlived his own hospice care.
Apr 26, 2023, 5:30 PM
Dr. Malgorzata Krasnodebska-D’Aughton and a team at the National Museum of Ireland are conducting scientific and museum tests on a silver gilt chalice currently on display in the Irish American Heritage Museum.
Apr 24, 2023, 6:00 PM
Based on the true story of the Guildford Four, this rousing and tough-minded film details British overzealousness in prosecuting an IRA bombing in the 1970s.
Apr 22, 2023, 3:00 PM
The 8th traces Ireland’s campaign to remove the 8th Amendment – a constitutional ban on abortion. It shows a country’s transformation from a conservative state in thrall to the Catholic church to a more liberal secular society. Director and Producer, Aideen Kane, will join us for an interview following the film.
Apr 20, 2023, 7:00 PM
Karen Sonnelitter, PhD., Associate Professor of History at Siena College, explores the political, economic, and cultural impacts of the relationship between Ireland and England.
Apr 18, 2023, 5:30 PM
Twenty five years after the agreement which brought peace to Northern Ireland, panelists Richard Aldous, PhD., Brian Murphy, PhD., and Rev. David Latimer will examine the intense negotiations leading to the North’s comprehensive political settlement in April 1998 and the critical referendum campaign in the weeks that followed.
Apr 12, 2023, 7:00 PM
Mark Bulik (NY Times) has delved through Irish government archives, newspaper accounts, census data and unpublish material to tell the story of the families involved in the only officially authorized IRA attack on American soil.
Apr 6, 2023, 7:00 PM
Join us for a candid conversation with Irish American author, Malachy McCourt, who is currently battling Inclusion Body Myositis and cancer, but has outlived his own hospice care.
Mar 29, 2023, 7:00 PM
Jane O'Keeffe of Irish Life and Lore is the editor of this social history and photo-illustrated book which includes chapters written by some of Kerry’s foremost historians on Kerry's Big Houses and their families.
Mar 26, 2023, 3:30 PM
This is the fifth film in The Brendan Fahy Bequette Filmmakers Series. Based on the 2018 Cervical Check scandal, the film follows three separate women dealing with cervical cancer as a result of the incorrect diagnoses.
Mar 25, 2023, 7:00 PM
John McDonagh's one-man show "Off the Record" is a comedic glimpse into 40 years behind the wheel of a New York City yellow taxi!
Mar 20, 2023, 6:00 PM
Róise & Frank is a 2022 Irish comedy drama directed and written by Rachael Moriarty & Peter Murphy. It is set in Ring, a town within Gaeltacht na nDéise in Waterford.
Mar 15, 2023, 7:00 PM
Celebrate Irish American Heritage Month with the Irish American Heritage Museum and The Writers Institute as we host an evening with Pulitzer-prize winning poet, Paul Muldoon, as the poet discusses the inspiration of his work, his love of language, and what moves him today.
Mar 11, 2023, 1:00 PM
Join the Irish American Heritage Museum in the 72nd annual Albany St. Patrick’s Day Parade!
Mar 9, 2023, 6:15 PM
After the success of our field trip in October to see The Banshees of Inisherin, we thought we would go again to the movies to see An Cailin Ciuin!
Mar 7, 2023, 6:00 PM
This presentation will outline the central role played by Hugh de Lacy - the first earl of Ulster - in the crusade against the 'Cathar' heretics in Southern France in the early thirteenth century. By exploring the rich primary sources, de Lacy's expulsion from Ulster, his exile in Languedoc and his eventual violent return to Ireland are explored through the lenses of ambition, conspiracy and family.
Mar 6, 2023, 7:00 PM
This 4 piece band from Co. Kildare Ireland are an international award-winning band with a brilliant collection of Irish music, stories and craic!
Mar 4, 2023, 10:30 AM
Unfortunately the City has advised us to cancel the Sweater Run on Saturday, 3/4, due to the forecasted snow storm. We have a postponement date of MAY 6TH - let's hope for better weather then and we will really have some craic in Quackenbush! If you are unable to attend the new date, you can request a refund by March 29th. We appreciate your support as we navigate the impact of this storm and hope that you will join us for a fine, sunny day in May across the beautiful Skyway and back to our Square for an even bigger and better event in a lovely sunny day!
Mar 3, 2023, 9:00 AM
The Maureen Farrell McCarthy Soda Bread and the Peter Desmond Porter Cake Competition is on in March.
Feb 28, 2023, 7:00 PM
Hodges is the George Dorland Langdon Jr. Professor of History at Colgate University and has written extensively about the Irish and African American experience.
Feb 23, 2023, 7:00 PM
Representatives Lenwood (Leni) Sloan and Christian Bolden will be at the museum to discuss their work with the AAIDN.
Feb 22, 2023, 6:00 PM
Teresa Lavina and Nova Productions voice the experiences of Irish institution survivors and focus on the life and upbringing of one survivor in particular, Anne Silke, in this moving and raw documentary, Untold Secrets.
Feb 22, 2023, 11:00 AM
Our resident genealogist will be in the museum today to answer your questions or help your search for your family roots!
Feb 16, 2023, 7:00 PM
Devlin Barret is a reporter for The Washington Post, and the author of October Surprise: How the FBI Tried to Save Itself and Crashed an Election. He has covered federal law enforcement for more than 20 years, and has worked at The Wall Street Journal, The Associated Press, and the New York Post.
Feb 8, 2023, 7:00 PM
Marguerite Penrose was born with congenital scoliosis in St Patrick’s Mother and Baby Home on Dublin’s Navan Road, her new memoir touches on her experiences as a mixed-race girl growing up in Ireland.
Feb 6, 2023, 6:00 PM
Jimmy Rabbitte, an unemployed Dublin boy, decides to put together a soul band inspired by the tradition of 1960’s African-American musicians, but made up entirely of white working class Irish from the Northside of Dublin.
Feb 4, 2023, 7:00 PM
We are celebrating Saint Brigid, the Matron Saint of Ireland, at the museum with the Capital Region’s premiere all-woman Irish Band, Triskele!
Feb 1, 2023, 7:00 PM
Marisa is the host of the KnotWork Storytelling podcast, a show dedicated to sharing the mythology and folklore of Ireland. She will share stories of Brigid and invite you on a journey into your own imagination to meet the goddess, the saint, the embodiment of the divine feminine that transcends traditions and embodies the land and spirit of Ireland.
Jan 30, 2023, 7:00 PM
To celebrate St. Brigid's Day, Dr. Margaret Lynch-Brennan will discuss her popular study of Irish immigrant girls who worked as maids in the United States.
Jan 26, 2023, 7:00 PM
County Limerick-born Malachy Browne is a senior story producer on the Visual Investigations team at The New York Times. He will discuss the nine months his team spent investigating the deaths of dozens of civilians along one street in Bucha, a normally quiet town on the outskirts of Kyiv.
Jan 25, 2023, 11:00 AM
Our resident genealogist will be in the museum today to answer your questions or help your search for your family roots! Please email her at lisagene@nycap.rr.com if you would like to speak with her.
Jan 23, 2023, 7:00 PM
A crew including a writer, two musicians, an artist and a stonemason embark on the Camino by sea, in a traditional boat that they built themselves on an inspiring, and dangerous, 2,500 km modern day Celtic odyssey all the way from Ireland to Northern Spain.
Jan 17, 2023, 6:00 PM
Author Angeline King Kelly will discuss her book Irish Dancing: The Festival Story and how Irish dancing is more of a shared experience between Catholics and Protestants than most people realize.
Jan 16, 2023, 5:30 PM
Brian Dooley is author of Black and Green; the Fight for Civil Rights in Northern Ireland and Black America. He will talk about the connections between the civil rights movements in the US and Northern Ireland, and also about the ongoing struggle by families for accountability for killings and torture 1969-1998.
Jan 11, 2023, 7:00 PM
Join us at the Irish American Heritage Museum for a group reading of the James Joyce classic, "The Dead."
Jan 9, 2023, 6:00 PM
To celebrate Women's Christmas, celebrated in Ireland on the 6th of January, this month's film club will be Agnes Browne, starring and directed by Anjelica Houston.
Dec 14, 2022, 5:00 PM
We are delighted to welcome Irish sculptor, Rowan Gillespie for the seventh and final lecture in our Great Hunger Series commemorating 175 since Black '47. Among his best known series to date is his Famine Trilogy - commemorative sculptures on Custom House Quay in Dublin, Ireland Park in Toronto and Hunter Island, Tasmania.
Dec 12, 2022, 6:00 PM
Accused of a crime they didn't commit, two city kids and a magical horse are about to become the coolest outlaws ever to ride Into The West.
Dec 11, 2022, 2:00 PM
This is the second film of The Brendan Fahy Bequette Filmmakers Series and it will include a screening of the extraordinary documentary, How to Defuse a Bomb: The Project Children Story, a powerful feature film that celebrates the unsullied hard work and dedication of the Project Children Charity and one of its founding members, Denis Mulcahy, a retired and highly decorated NYPD Bomb Squad Officer.
Dec 8, 2022, 7:00 PM
Join us at the Irish American Heritage Museum for our popular annual reading of this Christmas classic!
Dec 6, 2022, 5:30 PM
Dr. Oonagh Walsh will discuss how Famine survivors’ trauma was potentially passed down to their descendants, leading to increased susceptibility to cardiovascular and mental illness. This is the sixth lecture in our Great Hunger series commemorating 175 years since Black ‘47.
Dec 5, 2022, 6:00 PM
Owen O’Shea, from Milltown, Co Kerry, is an author, historian and researcher with a passionate interest in the history of his own county in particular. He has been writing and researching history for many years and his main areas of interest include politics, elections, the War of Independence and the Civil War and related events in Kerry.
Dec 3, 2022, 10:30 AM
Join us at Celtic Hall for our annual Christmas Market! Support your community and shop local.
Dec 1, 2022, 5:30 PM
Catherine V. Bateson’s Irish American Civil War Songs provides the first in-depth exploration of Irish Americans’ use of balladry to portray and comment on virtually every aspect of the war as witnessed by the Irish on the front line and home front.
Nov 29, 2022, 7:00 PM
Acclaimed novelist, Colm Tóibín, will discuss his life as not only a writer and scholar but also an immigrant, and how that contributes to the themes of his work which deal with alienation, loss, suffering and injustice.
Nov 22, 2022, 5:30 PM
Damian Shiels, PhD will discuss the major new research project involving historians, computer scientists and volunteer Citizen Scientists aimed at telling the stories of ordinary United Sailors in the American Civil War.
Nov 21, 2022, 6:00 PM
Join us in the Michael Flanagan Irish Music Heritage Theater in the museum for a special screening of a new documentary seldom seen outside of Ireland, followed by a Q&A with director and writer, Lila Schmitz.
Nov 16, 2022, 7:00 PM
Cian T. McMahon, PhD returns for the fifth lecture in our Great Hunger series commemorating 175 years since Black ‘47, discussing the history of the term "coffin ship" and what impact it had on memories of the Great Hunger.
Nov 15, 2022, 5:30 PM
Michael Collins’s biographers, Anne Dolan and William Murphy, reflect on how his diaries change what we know about him, and challenge us to think differently about his life. The diaries begin with Collins a revolutionary among many; they end in 1922 with Collins as the most powerful figure in Ireland.
Nov 14, 2022, 6:00 PM
Set during the Irish War of Independence in the early 1920s. Damien O'Donovan (Cillian Murphy), an Irish medical student, is about to leave Ireland to complete his training in London, but before doing so witnesses atrocious brutalities carried out by the Black and Tans which leads him to join his brother Teddy (Pádraic Delaney) in the Irish Republican Army. Soon however, the peace treaty is signed, and the brothers are pitted against each other.
Nov 9, 2022, 6:00 PM
Author John Crawley, will discuss the grueling challenges of his US Marine Corps training, how he put his skills to use back in Ireland in service of the Provos, and the notorious IRA figures he encountered along the way, including Martin McGuinness and Whitey Bulger.
Nov 4, 2022, 5:30 PM
Professor Bairbre Ní Fhloinn will discuss Irish traditions, superstitions, and piseogs for Hallowe'en.
Nov 3, 2022, 7:00 PM
Join us for a preview screening of The Banshees of Inisherin at Landmark's Spectrum 8 Theatres in Albany!
Nov 2, 2022, 7:00 PM
From medieval warfare to the twentieth century struggle for Independence, battles have shaped Ireland today. But despite their significance, many of Ireland’s battlefields remain little understood and protected, and some face existential threats. In this lecture, Dr. Damian Shiels will discuss some important issues particularly as they relate to Vinegar hill, site one of Ireland's most infamous battles.
Oct 31, 2022, 6:00 PM
The Butcher Boy is a 1997 Irish black comedy film directed by Neil Jordan. The film was based on Patrick McCabe’s 1992 novel of the same name, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Jordan.
Oct 27, 2022, 7:00 PM
Deeply rooted in the literary tradition of North Kerry, Gabriel Fitzmaurice is a poet, broadcaster, writer, translator, singer and raconteur. He has been called “poetry’s answer to John B Keane” (Books Ireland) and his poems have been described as “comparable to Burns for their insight and lyricism” (The Irish Times ).
Oct 20, 2022, 4:00 PM
Join chef Michael Kiernan as he makes some of Ireland's popular and traditional Hallowe'en food. This program was funded in part by
Humanities New York with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Oct 19, 2022, 7:00 PM
Tyler Anbinder, PhD. dispels the myth of Irish immigrant poverty and shows how they utilized networks to help them survive and ultimately thrive in their unfamiliar new hometown. This is the fourth lecture in our new Great Hunger series to commemorate the 175th Anniversary of Black '47
Oct 18, 2022, 7:00 PM
A musical and visual journey through the life of John McCormack, the celebrated Irish tenor with an illustrious career spanning decades.
Oct 14, 2022, 5:30 PM
In 1711, in County Antrim, eight women were put on trial accused of orchestrating the demonic possession of young Mary Dunbar, and the haunting and supernatural murder of a local clergyman’s wife. Andrew Sneddon, PhD. researches Irish witchcraft, magic and the supernatural in a comparative framework from the medieval to the modern period.
Oct 11, 2022, 6:00 PM
With Hunger, British filmmaker and artist Steve McQueen has turned one of history’s most controversial acts of political defiance into a jarring, unforgettable cinematic experience.
Oct 8, 2022, 3:00 PM
We are absolutely delighted to welcome back singer/songwriter, Briege Murphy, from Forkhill, Co. Armagh in Northern Ireland after her fantastic performance in 2018!
Oct 6, 2022, 7:00 PM
Join us at the Michael Flanagan Irish Music Heritage Theater in the museum for a reading and songs from an original musical by Denis Foley and A. Cara sung by John Rodier. Scores by Sean Obach and Will Welling and a tune by Connolly himself.
Oct 5, 2022, 6:00 PM
This talk is the third in our new Great Hunger series to commemorate the 175th Anniversary of Black '47
Sep 28, 2022, 7:00 PM
Join us for a talk with John Joe McGinley; author of The Irish Wise Guys, which tells the story of America’s most notorious Irish American gangsters.
Sep 27, 2022, 7:00 PM
Dan and Bonnie Miller perform live at the museum, singing songs that describe the journey of the Irish immigrant and their integration with their new lives in America.
Sep 23, 2022, 7:00 PM
Join us for live music and a lecture with harpist Mairéad Loughnane Doherty at the Irish American Heritage Museum
Sep 21, 2022, 7:00 PM
This talk is the second in our new Great Hunger series to commemorate the 175th Anniversary of Black '47.
Sep 16, 2022, 7:00 PM
Fear of Heights: A Very Funny Phobia examines the American experience through the lens of Kevin Flynn's Irish immigrant family; a heart-warming and hilarious biographical tale about life, love, trying to make your way in the world, and how one generation measures success relative to their forebears'.
Sep 12, 2022, 6:00 PM
A celebration of Irish public houses and the people who run them.
Sep 7, 2022, 6:30 PM
This talk will look at the contributions of the Irish in the Mohawk-Hudson Region, including the Devereux brothers, Dominick Lynch, Robert McBride, Thomas Wheeler, and Leonora Barry, as well as the more general Irish experience in upstate New York.
Sep 6, 2022, 7:00 PM
This is the first lecture in our new series to commemorate the 175th anniversary of Black '47 with IAHM Director, Elizabeth Stack, PhD.
Aug 30, 2022, 7:00 PM
Please join Kevin Ferguson, Business Development Manager for Upstate New York for Collette, as they showcase the Irish American Heritage Museum's "Shades of Ireland" tour from September 6-15, 2023.
Aug 23, 2022, 7:00 PM
Our Centenary Series continues with Elizabeth Stack, PhD, with an in-depth look at the events of April to August 1922.
Aug 22, 2022, 6:00 PM
Adapted from the 1990 Brian Friel play, Dancing at Lughnasa won an Irish Film and Television Award for Best Actor in a Female Role by Brid Brennan. It was also nominated for 6 other awards, including the Irish Film and Television Award for Best Feature Film and the Best Actress Award for Meryl Streep.
Aug 1, 2022, 11:00 AM
Annual golf tournament at Schuyler Meadows Club
Jul 22, 2022, 7:00 PM
Live performance at the museum from traditional Sligo-style fiddler, Brian Conway, accompanied by guitarist, Conor Hearn.
Jul 19, 2022, 6:00 PM
Join us for the 1967 film adaptation of James Joyce's famous novel Ulysses. Directed by Joseph Strick, starring Barbara Jefford & Milo O'Shea; this is the first time Joyce's novel was brought to screen and was nominated for an Oscar.
Jul 13, 2022, 7:00 PM
Moloney and Sloan analyze the fractured alliances of post war Black and Irish communities as they challenge each other for land, jobs, and status. They demonstrate the collision of African and Irish cultures as they encounter each other on the American stage through examples from pre and post war minstrelsy, the Jim Crow era, burlesque and vaudeville, turn of century Tin Pan Alley and film and Broadway between the two world wars.
Jul 10, 2022, 5:00 PM
Together as Draíocht, Michael Rooney and June McCormack have recorded three CDs: ‘Draíocht’ and ‘Land’s End’ and their third studio album ‘Tobar an Cheoil’, will be launched July 10th with a live performance at the Irish American Heritage Museum. With over 55 minutes of music, ‘Tobar an Cheoil’ offers a fourteen-track album with a difference, a mixture of traditional tunes and features twelve of Michael’s original compositions.
Jun 29, 2022, 6:00 PM
Dr Ciarán Reilly is a native of Edenderry, county Offaly and for many years has been researching Heeney’s career. An historian of 19th & 20th Century Irish history at Maynooth University, he is the author of a number of books including ‘Strokestown & the Great Irish Famine’ and the ‘The Irish Land Agent’. He is the co-editor of ‘Dublin and the Great Irish Famine’ which will be published later this year. Danny Leavy is a Building Manager in NYC, where he has lived for almost 30 years. He is originally from Rhode in County Offaly.
Jun 22, 2022, 6:00 PM
Emma DeSouza is an Irish writer, political commentator, journalist and campaigner. DeSouza sued the British Home Secretary over her right under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement to be accepted as an Irish citizen for the purposes of European Union family reunion rights with her US husband. The case resulted in substantial changes to domestic UK immigration rules.
Jun 16, 2022, 1:00 PM
Join us in conversation with one of the world's Joycean experts as we celebrate Bloomsday 100 years since the publication of Ulysses.
Jun 15, 2022, 7:00 PM
Neal Thompson is a journalist and the author of six highly acclaimed books, including A Curious Man, Driving with the Devil, and Kickflip Boys, and his latest, The First Kennedys: The Humble Roots of an American Dynasty.
Jun 14, 2022, 7:00 PM
Join us at Celtic Hall with Dr. Peter Moloney as he discuses Brexit, British politics, and the implications of the “Protocol” for Northern Ireland and the Good Friday Agreement.
Jun 13, 2022, 6:00 PM
Join us for IAHM Film Club in our theater located in the museum!
Jun 9, 2022, 4:00 PM
Our Irish Cuisine: Culture, Tradition & Innovation series continues with a demonstration of how to cook traditional seafood chowder. Like many traditional Irish dishes, seafood chowder was once perceived to a poor man’s food. Made with the catch of the day – usually haddock or salmon – and combined with available shellfish, produce, and cream, seafood chowder was a simple, hearty, and delicious staple for Irish fishermen.
Jun 8, 2022, 8:00 AM
Join the Irish American Heritage Museum for a trip to the Barrymore Theatre in New York City on Wednesday, June 8th, to see Paradise Square, a musical written by Larry Kirwan, Craig Lucas and Christina Anderson. Tickets are $125 each, however a bus-only ticket can be purchased for $55 if you would like a ride into the city for the day. Tickets are strictly limited to 40 attendees.
Jun 7, 2022, 6:30 PM
Join Samantha Hall-Saladino in an exploration of the history of Irish settlement in Fulton County through two historical lenses: the life of Sir William Johnson and the 19th century agricultural “Irish Settlement” at Oppenheim.
Jun 4, 2022, 12:00 PM
Join us for refreshments and entertainment at the museum to celebrate the opening of the Brian Mór Ó Baoighill Exhibit
Jun 1, 2022, 6:00 PM
Letters of the Catholic Poor: Poverty in Independent Ireland, 1920–1940 is an innovative study of poverty in Independent Ireland and is the first to place the poor at its core by exploring their own words and letters. Dr. Lindsey Earner-Byrne is the Senior Academic Leadership Initiative Chair in Irish Gender History at University College Cork.
May 31, 2022, 3:00 PM
After the Dance is a deeply personal film, by award-winning documentary maker Daisy Asquith.
May 30, 2022, 12:00 PM
Dr. Eleanor O’Leary will be at the Irish American Museum in June with a project on the parcels sent from America to Ireland in the 20th century. Group and individual interviews can be facilitated between 30 May and 3 June 2022 at the Museum.
May 26, 2022, 7:00 PM
Larry Kirwan is an expatriate Irish writer and musician, most noted as the lead singer for the US rock band, Black 47. He conceived the musical, wrote music for it, and co-wrote the book for Paradise Square.
May 25, 2022, 7:00 PM
Dr. Daniel Soyer is Professor of History at Fordham University. He is co-author or editor of several books, including The Emerging Metropolis.
May 19, 2022, 4:00 PM
Join us as we present pub theater live from the famous John B. Keane's pub in Listowel, Co. Kerry.
May 11, 2022, 4:00 PM
Derrick Pratt is the Museum Educator at the Erie Canal Museum in Syracuse, NY.
May 8, 2022, 4:00 PM
Teatime in Ireland provides a delicious culinary and cultural experience.
Apr 28, 2022, 7:00 PM
Writer Ray McKenna discusses his ancestors and other refugees who fled Monaghan and Tyrone during the Great Hunger, which fundamentally altered both the communities they were leaving and the new ones they embraced in Rhode Island.
Apr 25, 2022, 6:30 PM
After the Dance is a deeply personal film, by award-winning documentary maker Daisy Asquith, who unlocks a family secret that is caused shame and outrage in an insulated village in County Clare.
Apr 20, 2022, 7:00 PM
Our resident genealogist, Lisa Walsh Dougherty, is back with an in-depth look at how different databases can give you a wealth of information.
Apr 19, 2022, 7:00 PM
In an honest and soul-searching memoir, Empty Shoes by the Door, Judi reflects with grace and courage on the fragile and amazing, terrifying and broken, glorious and painful experience of living life after an unfathomable loss.
Apr 12, 2022, 7:00 PM
Dr. Martin Lyden will discuss the implications of the Reformation for Ireland, as various monarchs from Henry VIII to Queen Anne enacted more rigid, anti-Catholic laws, culminating in the Penal Laws.
Apr 7, 2022, 6:30 PM
Rita McCarthy has an MA in local history from the University of Limerick and currently works in adult education as a history and heritage studies tutor. She is an independent historical researcher who uncovered the story of the County Clare Mother and Baby Home which was presented in an exhibition at Clare County Libraries.
Apr 5, 2022, 7:00 PM
Celebrate the Irish language in an engaging, accessible bilingual way, through sourdough bread and home-churned butter with author Manchán Magan.
Mar 24, 2022, 7:00 PM
Michael Fortune is the researcher behind folklore.ie, a living archive centered on the folklore of Ireland and is an ideal entry point into living superstitions, beliefs, and customs from throughout the country.
Mar 23, 2022, 5:30 PM
Celebrate Women’s History Month with us as Dr. Sonja Tiernan discusses her new book, which showcases 33 inspiring speeches by women of Ireland from the nineteenth century to the present day.
Mar 16, 2022, 7:00 PM
Dr. Ciarán Wallace, Deputy Director of Beyond 2022 will reintroduce the Public Record Office of Ireland, a remarkable, and forgotten, institution whose fifty-five year history has become hidden by the smoke from the Four Courts fire, before turning to the fascinating research being conducted by the Beyond 2022 project.
Mar 14, 2022, 7:00 PM
Dr. Gillian Kenny, from the Centre for Gender and Women’s Studies in Trinity College Dublin, will discuss women’s lives in medieval and early modern Ireland and beyond.
Mar 10, 2022, 7:00 PM
Our Centenary Series continues with an examination of events across Ireland after the turmoil of the Dail debates and ratification of the Treaty.
Mar 9, 2022, 3:00 PM
Join Michael and Harold Qualters for some craic and cooking as Michael shows us how to prepare a truly traditional Irish dish - bacon and cabbage!
Mar 5, 2022, 7:00 PM
The Irish American Heritage Museum and Celtic Hall are delighted to bring back Derek Warfield and the Young Wolfe Tones to the Capital Region. Derek Warfield’s 50 years of experience coupled with the talent and energy of The Young Wolfe Tones brings the old tradition of Irish balladry into a new age. The story of Ireland is transmitted in their music and song and illuminated by the outstanding musicianship of three wonderful ambassadors of a new generation of traditional players. Derek Warfield and The Young Wolfe Tones deliver Ireland’s traditional music and folk songs with an energy and skill that shows the quality of contemporaries within that tradition. The patriotic spirit of Irish music carried through the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s by the Wolfe Tones now marches on in the dynamic sound of The Young Wolfe Tones.
Mar 5, 2022, 12:00 PM
It's that time of year again! Join us for the return of our annual Amateur Soda Bread Competition!
Mar 5, 2022, 10:30 AM
Dust off your running shoes because our annual Irish Sweat-er Run is back! After going virtual last year, we can't wait to kick off Irish American Heritage Month with one of our favorite traditions.
Mar 2, 2022, 7:00 PM
Join two of the most important voices in Irish American writing today as they discuss their sense of their Irish American roots, and where we are heading in the future as we celebrate Irish American Heritage Month.
Feb 28, 2022, 6:30 PM
This month, Film Club will celebrate Black History Month with a screening of Glory, the 1989 film about the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment in the Civil War, one of the first African American regiments in the US Army.
Feb 27, 2022, 5:00 PM
We are delighted to announce that Máirtín Ó Muilleoir - former Lord Mayor of Belfast and the owner of the Irish Echo - will be at the Museum on Sunday, February 27. This event is for members only and you will have the chance to meet Mr. Ó Muilleoir, and hear him speak on events in Norther Ireland, the work the Irish Echo is doing for the diaspora, and transatlantic partnerships. He will cover the implications for Northern Ireland and Ireland at this pivotal moment in history, twenty-four years after the Good Friday Agreement and with Brexit and the Protocol becoming increasingly difficult.
Feb 26, 2022, 7:00 PM
Join us for a virtual concert with Triskele, celebrating the both St. Brigid and St. Patrick, the matron and patron saints of Ireland. St. Brigid's Day is held on February 1 and St. Patrick's Day is March 17.
Feb 23, 2022, 7:00 PM
Join Dr. Richard Aldous and Dr. Peter Moloney as they discuss Brexit, British politics, and the implications of the “Protocol” for Northern Ireland and the Good Friday Agreement. A Brexit deal known as the Northern Ireland Protocol allows trucks to deliver goods without having paperwork and goods checked when they cross the border from Northern Ireland into the Republic of Ireland. But since Brexit and when it came into force at the start of 2021, the protocol has disrupted trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland and could be setting the UK up for a major clash with the EU.
Feb 22, 2022, 6:00 PM
Tune in to hear Elizabeth speak about Irish women in labor at the Museum of Newport Irish History about She will discuss the work of Mother Jones, Leonora Barry, Elizabeth Gurley Flynn and other Irish women in this lecture. These women were instrumental national leaders for labor rights for all Americans. The talk will examine the role their background, experiences, and faith played in inspiring these women to advocate so strenuously for better conditions for workers across the country.
Feb 16, 2022, 7:00 PM
The next installment of our Collars, Canals & Conflagration Series sees City of Albany historian Anthony Opalka and former Assembly member Jack McEneny discuss the great Albany Fire of 1848. At the time of The Great Fire, Albany had an all-volunteer firefighting force – many of them Irish American. Our panelists will reveal other potential Irish links as well as the changes that the City enforced to prevent such a disaster from ever happening again.
Feb 10, 2022, 7:00 PM
Please join us in welcoming Dr. Sarah Greenough for a talk on Augustus Saint-Gaudens’s Shaw Memorial to mark Black History Month. The Memorial, which was dedicated in 1897 and stands on Boston Common, honors the soldiers of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Regiment of the Civil War, one of the first African American regiments in the US Army.
Feb 8, 2022, 7:00 PM
This book uncovers the hidden history of an opioid addiction epidemic that plagued veterans in aftermath of the Civil War – America’s first opioid crisis. Employing gender, social, and medical history, Jones investigates the causes and tragic consequences of drug addiction for Civil War veterans and their families, as well as the radical responses by the American medical community and government authorities to the addiction crisis. Jonathan Jones is Assistant Professor with the Department of History at the Virginia Military Institute.
Feb 1, 2022, 6:45 PM
Celebrate Imbolc and St. Brigid's Day with one of Ireland's "national treasurers" - famed story-teller Eddie Lenihan. Eddie will tell us some stories about St. Brigid and other fearless and healing Irish women.
Jan 31, 2022, 6:30 PM
Join us for for the return of Film Club with a screening of Paul Greengrass's film Bloody Sunday, from 2002. Starring James Nesbitt, the film tells the story of the 1972 "Bloody Sunday" shootings in Derry. January 30 marks the 50th anniversary of the event.
Jan 26, 2022, 7:00 PM
MacDara Ó Conaola, a singer and seanchai from the Aran Islands, will perform in conjunction with our Currach exhibition, bringing the history to life through traditional stories and songs.
Jan 24, 2022, 7:00 PM
Journalist and author Julieann Campbell discusses the Bloody Sunday Massacre in honor of the 50th anniversary. She discusses historic memory and trauma and the process of memorializing, as well as issues surrounding trials and political division.
Jan 19, 2022, 7:00 PM
Historian Turtle Bunbury, author of new book The Irish Diaspora: Tales of Emigration, Exile and Imperialism, shares stories of Irish emigrants and their descendants. Through the compelling stories of the great Irish pioneers who left their homeland and in the process profoundly influenced their adoptive countries, Bunbury takes some overlooked events and characters and weaves them into an entertaining, and often surprising, history of the Irish abroad.
Jan 13, 2022, 7:00 PM
Our centenary series continues with an in depth look at the response as the country voted to accept the Anglo-Irish Peace Treaty. On January 16th 1922 "the most significant event in Irish history for hundreds of years" took place at Dublin Castle when the last Viceroy of Ireland handed over the machinery of government to the new provisional government. But the North was still an issue and peace was far from guaranteed.
Dec 24, 2021, 3:00 PM
Executive Director Dr. Elizabeth Stack shares an Irish Christmas Eve story
Dec 21, 2021, 7:00 PM
The Treaty negotiations were concluded, and the plenipotentiaries signed it on December 6th. It was recommended to the Dáil in a series of very tense debates held in late December, but was rejected by de Valera and others, splitting Republican opinion. This talk will look at the public and private Dáil debates, as well as the occasional outbreaks of violence still happening in Northern Ireland.
Dec 15, 2021, 6:00 PM
Join the American Labor Studies Center as they present the Kate Mullany Medal to State Comptroller, Tom DiNapoli; the New York State Nurses Association; and Dr. Elizabeth Stack.
Dec 13, 2021, 7:00 PM
Join us for a family-friendly performance of Christmas stories and songs at the Museum. Bethlehem Traditional School of Dance will also perform.
Dec 11, 2021, 7:00 PM
Join Triskele at Celtic Hall for a Christmas-themed concert on December 11 at 7pm. Sponsored by the Hall and by the Irish American Heritage Museum, the band will be debuting their new Irish Christmas CD at the concert.
Dec 8, 2021, 7:00 PM
Start the holiday season with a reading of the charming story, A Child's Christmas in Wales, by Dylan Thomas.
Dec 4, 2021, 10:00 AM
Our popular Christmas Market is back! There will be over 25 vendors, Irish food, raffles, live performances, and more. Masks are required if you are not vaccinated, and recommended for everyone.
Nov 30, 2021, 7:00 PM
This event will cover immunology, public health, ethics, and more and as the panelists discuss scientific challenges and contributions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our panelists include four professors from Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.
Nov 21, 2021, 12:00 PM
Join us for some "craic agus ceol" (fun and music) in a traditional Irish music seisiún. In this "open" session, anyone who is able to play Irish music is welcome. If you have a song to sing or a poem to recite, you are also welcome to take part! Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann is the primary Irish organization dedicated to the promotion of the music, song, dance and the language of Ireland.
Nov 20, 2021, 12:00 PM
Come by the Museum between 12 and 2 for your vaccine! We will have first, second, and booster shots available for all three vaccine options. We will also have flu shots available. Everyone who comes in for a vaccination received a free gift bag!
Nov 15, 2021, 7:00 PM
Dr. Karen Sonnelitter, Assistant Professor of History at Siena College, will give a lecture about "Irish fever" and the widespread fear of refugees and immigrants as disease carriers during the mass immigration following the Great Hunger. During the Great Hunger in Ireland, the majority of deaths were attributed to epidemic diseases such as typhus fever and dysentery. Dr. Sonnelitter will discuss the relationship between the famine and the wave of epidemic diseases that struck Ireland in this period.
Nov 11, 2021, 7:00 PM
This online discussion will feature several distinguished guests discussing how different communities have dealt with the pandemic and vaccination, including problems such as barriers to access and the spread of misinformation.
Nov 9, 2021, 7:00 PM
Author Deirdre Sinnott, a native of Utica, NY and a lifelong civil rights activist, will speak about her book, The Third Mrs. Galway.
Nov 3, 2021, 7:00 PM
We will look at the events of November 1921. The British delegation increase the pressure on the the Irish delegates as they debate central objectives like the Crown and the Empire.
Oct 28, 2021, 6:00 PM
This talk explores the role of the Irish (or more broadly “Celtic”) servant woman in American gothic texts, both from the early twentieth- century and more recently. In particular, it examines the ways in which nineteenth- and early twentieth-century ghost stories dramatize the association in American culture between Irish Catholicism and pagan ritual, implying that the Irish American servant has valuable knowledge of and access to supernatural realms.
Oct 26, 2021, 7:00 PM
Irish folk group, Toss the Feathers, will take us on a musical journey, singing the old songs which tell stories about canal and railroad workers, soldiers, maids, and other characters. The immigrant experience is encapsulated in these songs, some laments, others Vaudeville hits, which illuminate the various experiences of the Irish in the Capital region.
Oct 25, 2021, 7:00 PM
Brendan Fay is the founder of the Lavender and Green Alliance and St. Patrick’s Day for All. He will discuss his life’s work of advocating for inclusion and acceptance in the Irish American community.
Oct 21, 2021, 7:00 PM
Join us as we learn about the work of Samuel McClure, Thomas Addis Emmet, and Samantha Power, who have all worked to make life better for vulnerable people.
Oct 18, 2021, 7:00 PM
Join us as we discuss some of Ireland’s oldest ghost stories, worst witches, and persistent superstitions to celebrate Samhain! Hear about how immigrants brought their traditions with them and created a new holiday here in America.
Oct 17, 2021, 12:00 PM
Join us for some "craic agus ceol" (fun and music) in a traditional Irish music seisiún. The general session scheme is that someone starts a tune, and those who know it join in. Good session etiquette requires not playing if one does not know the tune and waiting until a tune one knows comes along. In this "open" session, anyone who is able to play Irish music is welcome. If you have a song to sing or a poem to recite, you are also welcome to take part!
Oct 14, 2021, 7:00 PM
Is our genealogy being influenced by mythology? Our resident genealogist will take us through some of the most common myths that get passed down in family stories and which can hamper our research. She will tell us some of the most common misconceptions about our family past and why we should be suspicious about certain family legends!
Oct 10, 2021, 12:00 PM
Come and share your family memories and stories about coming from Ireland to Albany, New York, and the United States. Dr. Jason King, Academic Coordinator at Strokestown Park, will record your interview for the Great Famine Voices online archive. The Great Famine Voices Roadshow is hosted by the National Famine Museum, Strokestown Park and the Irish Heritage Trust. It is funded by the Government of Ireland Emigrant Support Program.
Oct 7, 2021, 7:00 PM
Our Centenary Series continues with an in-depth look at the events of October 1921.
The delegates on both sides have been chosen and meet for the first time. Correspondence between the Dail and the plenipotentiaries reveals the pressure they are under in London, while the delegates themselves do not always see eye to eye.
Oct 5, 2021, 7:00 PM
In the early 1980s, Boston was set ablaze. Two hundred sixty-four buildings were burned intentionally set on fire, resulting in millions of dollars in damages and hundreds of injuries. This is the true story of the deep conspiracy of nine men, determined to wreak havoc on the city and the relentless investigators who uncovered them.
Told from the perspective of the head ATF Special Agent in charge of the investigation, Wayne Miller, "Burn Boston Burn" is a tale of political deceit and internal corruption. The book details the series of crimes that shook the city of Boston and became known as one of the largest arson cases on record in the history of the country.
Sep 28, 2021, 7:00 PM
For all of his faults, which were neither few nor small, Sir Horace Plunkett, the founder of the Irish cooperative movement, left a tangible legacy – a network of co-operative enterprises that today dominate certain sectors of Irish agriculture.
Sep 27, 2021, 7:00 PM
Our Centenary Series continues with an in-depth look at the events of September 1921. The reality of partition is more apparent now and negotiations begin even as violence in the North continues, despite the Truce. Machinations were happening within the Irish government to appoint a team to attend the talks in London as the delegation
Sep 23, 2021, 7:00 PM
On September 11, 2001, the courage and sacrifice of the Fire Department of New York inspired the nation, giving new meaning to the word “hero.” But the heroism of the firefighters was not unique to September 11 — it has been part of the FDNY’s tradition from the very beginning.
Sep 21, 2021, 7:00 PM
Albert Cashier was born Jennie Hodges in County Louth in Ireland. Cashier became famous as one of a number of women soldiers who served as men during the Civil War.
Sep 19, 2021, 12:00 PM
Join us for some "craic agus ceol" (fun and music) in a traditional Irish music seisiún with Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann - the primary Irish organization dedicated to the promotion of the music, song, dance and the language of Ireland.
Sep 16, 2021, 7:00 PM
Chaplain to the New York City Fire Department, Fr. Mychal Judge was killed, becoming the first certified fatality of the September 11, 2001, attacks.
Sep 13, 2021, 7:00 PM
Paul F. Cole, Executive Director of the Kate Mullany House, will discuss the life and times of Kate Mullany, as this young Irish girl rose through the ranks of organized labor.
Sep 11, 2021, 12:00 PM
We will hold a short commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy. It will be a short, formal ceremony with a piper, a wreath-laying, and a minute of silence in our courtyard to honor those lost that day.
Sep 9, 2021, 7:00 PM
Dr. Cian T. McMahon has written a groundbreaking work of transnational history, and offers a vibrant, fresh perspective on an often ignored but vital component of the migration experience: the journey itself.
Between 1845 and 1855, over two million people fled Ireland to escape the Great Famine and begin new lives abroad. The so-called “coffin ships” they embarked on have since become infamous icons of nineteenth-century migration.
Sep 7, 2021, 7:00 PM
Dr. Elizabeth Stack discusses the work of Mother Jones, Leonora Barry and Elizabeth Gurley Flynn in the inaugural lecture of this new series and exhibition, which is generously supported by Humanities New York.
Aug 17, 2021, 6:30 PM
The United Irish Societies of the Capital District and The Irish American Heritage Museum bring you their annual Celtic Cruise on the Dutch Apple!
Jul 28, 2021, 7:00 PM
The fourteenth lecture in our War of Independence Centenary Series continues with an in-depth look at the events of July 1921.
Jul 26, 2021, 7:00 PM
A Wild Idea shares the complete story of the difficult birth of the Adirondack Park Agency (APA).
Jul 14, 2021, 7:00 PM
Michael Burke will tell us how one of the most important post-Civil War sculptors died in obscurity and is buried in an unmarked grave.
Jul 12, 2021, 7:00 PM
Jack Callaghan will discuss James Joyce and the 15 short stories in perhaps his most accessible work, Dubliners.
Jun 24, 2021, 7:00 PM
Continuing the series on the War of Independence with Dr. Elizabeth Stack PhD
Jun 22, 2021, 7:00 PM
Ambassador Mulhall will talk about the four writers and their connections with America
Jun 16, 2021, 7:00 PM
Bloomsday is the annual celebration of James Joyce's Ulysses, a novel set on June 16, 1904, to commemorate his first date with his future wife, Nora Barnacle.
Jun 13, 2021, 2:00 PM
Join us at the Museum, as we hear some of the world’s best loved poems by William Butler Yeats.
Jun 11, 2021, 7:00 PM
For the past four years, the Colorado Irish community, in partnership with the Irish government, has been raising funds to build a memorial that will carry the names of 1339 of those buried in a pauper's plot.
Jun 8, 2021, 5:00 PM
With the presidency of Joe Biden seeing a renewed focus on broader themes within Irish, American and global politics, From Whence I Came is a fascinating and timely collection that offers a fresh perspective on the Kennedy legacy and the politics of Ireland and the United States.
Jun 6, 2021, 1:00 PM
Ireland's oldest literary festival, Listowel Writers' Week celebrates its 50th festival this year. Join us on this special online tour of the streets and square of Lovely Listowel, where the past fuses with the present to create a vibrant literary environment. Meet the people, view the landmarks and relive the historical events that have made our town such a special place.
Jun 2, 2021, 7:00 PM
Writer and historian Patrick J. Mahoney will discuss the life of 19th century Limerick emigrant Eoin Ua Cathail.
May 27, 2021, 7:00 PM
This presentation illuminates the mutual respect between Martin Van Buren and New York's Irish community.
May 26, 2021, 7:00 PM
Dr. Peter Moloney and Dr. Elizabeth Stack will discuss the decade of commemorations in Ireland as the anniversary of the partition of Ireland and the Civil War approach.
May 24, 2021, 7:00 PM
This is the 12th lecture in our Centenary Series and will focus on the events of May 1921.
May 12, 2021, 7:00 PM
Caelainn Hogan is a writer and journalist from Ireland. Her first book Republic of Shame is published by Penguin.
May 8, 2021, 7:00 PM
Singing a variety of songs to celebrate women, the band perform with their usual wit and energy. Tickets cost $10 and the concert will be streamed live online.
May 7, 2021, 7:00 PM
As part of the museum’s celebration of Labor History Month, historian, journalist, and editor, Terry Golway will discuss Irish involvement in labor movements and unions as it relates to the immigrant story.
May 5, 2021, 3:00 PM
Join Harold and Elizabeth in the kitchen for great cooking and plenty of craic as Harold shows us how to make the Irish capital's favorite dish - Dublin coddle!
Apr 28, 2021, 7:00 PM
Written by author and musician Larry Kirwan, Rockaway Blue is a thrilling and poignant story of a family struggling to pull itself together after an unthinkable trauma.
Apr 26, 2021, 7:00 PM
Robert Mulligan will discuss the military aspects of the 1916 Rising, when a small group of Irish nationalists took on the might of the British Empire
Apr 24, 2021, 11:00 AM
To commemorate the 105th anniversary of the 1916 Rising, the Museum will read the 1916 Proclamation.
Apr 21, 2021, 7:00 PM
Jim McGrath's former editor, Howard Healy, and his widow, Darryl McGrath, will talk about Jim’s editorials and essays on Ireland from the 2019 book published by SUNY Press, I’ll Be Home: The Writings of Jim McGrath. Audience members may order the book at a discount after the talk.
Apr 19, 2021, 7:00 PM
Irish American involvement in the Rising was critical - in fact, without John Devoy's influence, the Rising might never have happened. Once the Fenian Brotherhood was established, New York, Boston, and Philadelphia became a hotbed of anti-British activity, and it would continue to be one through to the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922.
Apr 15, 2021, 7:00 PM
Back by popular demand!! Listen to the eclectic elusive Seanachai as he fuses traditional storytelling with his own contemporary tales.
Apr 14, 2021, 7:00 PM
Author Paul Belford will discuss his books, the Swampoodle Trilogy, which follows the fortunes of three generations of the Hennessey and Riley family.
Apr 12, 2021, 7:00 PM
The eleventh lecture in our Centenary Series about the War of Independence. Please email the museum at info@irish-us.org to get the Zoom link, or watch it live on Facebook.
Apr 7, 2021, 7:00 PM
Everything you wanted to know about early Irish history but were afraid to ask!
Apr 5, 2021, 5:00 PM
Looking for some exciting Irish theatre this Easter weekend? @Fishamble's online presentation of #InsidetheGPO by @colinmurphyinfo will be streaming from 1-5 April to celebrate the 105th anniversary of the Rising.
Mar 31, 2021, 7:00 PM
Join us on Zoom to ask our resident genealogist, Lisa Walsh Dougherty, your family tree questions!
Mar 29, 2021, 7:00 PM
Dr. McAuliffe will discuss the female revolutionaries who formed political and personal relationships with other women during Ireland's Revolutionary period.
Mar 24, 2021, 7:00 PM
Dr. Lasch Carroll will discuss the new books published in Ireland during the Pandemic.
Mar 22, 2021, 7:00 PM
Damian Shiels will highlight the lives of soldiers from New York State, examining their motives for joining, as well as their experiences at the front.
Mar 16, 2021, 7:00 PM
Dr. McCarthy will discuss the evolution of women’s activism in the United States during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, emphasizing the particular role of Irish American women in the politics of reform through the interlinked lenses of Irish nationalism, labor, and suffrage.
Mar 14, 2021, 2:00 PM
Aindrias is the Best Radio Comedy Winner Celtic Media Award 2018. Hear tall tales and short stories of a hidden Ireland and of course, the latest & greatest misadventures of Galway’s favorite Bard.
Mar 12, 2021, 7:00 PM
Join Don live from the Museum on our Facebook page for some of your favorite Irish songs as we celebrate Irish American Heritage Month.
Mar 10, 2021, 3:00 PM
Join us live on our Facebook page as chef Harold Qualters and Pat Hale bake their favorite soda bread recipes.
Mar 9, 2021, 7:00 PM
This is the tenth lecture in our Centenary Series about the War of Independence.
Mar 3, 2021, 7:00 PM
Learn about the sheer volume of letters sent from America and understand the impact of the financial support these women provided to their families back home.
Feb 24, 2021, 7:00 PM
The involvement of Governor Martin Glynn in the Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921 involves an international cast of characters and intrigue right out of a James Bond movie.
Feb 22, 2021, 7:00 PM
Founders of "Black and Irish," Femi Bankole and Boni Odoemene, will discuss their work with us to mark Black History Month.
Feb 18, 2021, 7:00 PM
To mark Black History Month, the museum will host an exhibit about Frederick Douglass in Ireland and two online lectures. This lecture is a general overview of the experience of Black people in Ireland - from slaves and servants in the British Empire to today's diverse communities.
Feb 17, 2021, 6:00 PM
Clodagh Finn, Irish author and journalist, will share her personal story and disuss the Commission and Report with us.
Feb 11, 2021, 6:30 PM
Dr. Peter Moloney is back with us to bring us up to date on the Brexit situation.
Feb 8, 2021, 7:00 PM
This is the ninth lecture in our Centenary Series about the War of Independence.
Feb 6, 2021, 7:00 PM
Join the women of Triskele at the Museum as we celebrate Imbolc and St. Brigid. We will mark Ireland's Matron Saint's feast day with Triskele's unique blend of craic agus ceol (fun and music) as their energetic and entertaining performance will help us dust off the
cobwebs and usher in Spring!
Jan 26, 2021, 7:00 PM
We will continue our Centenary series on the War of Independence, and examine the events of January 1921.
Jan 19, 2021, 7:00 PM
To celebrate Nollaig na mBan, join us to hear about how life for women in Ireland changed in the 20th century.
Jan 13, 2021, 7:00 PM
Join Malachy in conversation with Elizabeth as he discusses his career and his experiences as a journalist and immigrant in America, and how technology and social media are changing the nature of modern journalism.
Dec 8, 2020, 7:00 PM
In June 1919, de Valera made his way to America to secure international recognition of the self-declared independent and republican nature of Ireland.
Dec 7, 2020, 7:00 PM
With Margo, consider the civil rights movement in Derry as an extension of the nationalist community's history instead of as a major break from it. Email the museum at info@irish-us.org to get the Zoom link.
Nov 30, 2020, 7:00 PM
We are combining two major topics in this month's talk - the role of the Church in the War of Independence and how the war played out in Northern Ireland in our sixth lecture in this centenary series.
Nov 17, 2020, 7:00 PM
Join the Irish American Heritage Museum for a conversation with investigative journalist and author Patrick Radden Keefe as they discuss his New York Times bestseller, Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland.
Oct 28, 2020, 7:00 PM
In her lecture, Meg Carroll will discuss French's use of the uncanny. What better time to poke around in the bizarre, than Hallowe'en? There will be a chance to join in a discussion of French's fiction during the lecture
Oct 26, 2020, 7:00 PM
Join Elizabeth as she will describe the evolution of Irish horror from folklore traditions, continuing on to the rise of vampire fiction in the nineteenth century, and finishing with more recent stories of fairies, ghosts and haunting
Oct 22, 2020, 7:00 PM
Join historian Margo Shea to explore Derry during the decades before the Troubles and learn how people, without much in the way of financial resources or political power, made their mark and held their own by drawing on the past.
Oct 19, 2020, 7:00 PM
This is the fifth lecture in our Centenary Series about the War of Independence and will examine the role of women in the conflict.
Oct 14, 2020, 7:00 PM
Lecture Four in the First Responders Series, evoking memories of the 19th century Great Hunger refugees, modern refugees fleeing deadly conditions in their country, are experiencing the Covid Pandemic on a different level. Facing health crises as they wait while their paperwork is processed, how can refugees navigate the current health crisis?
Oct 8, 2020, 7:00 PM
How do we discern between genuine religiosity and mental pathology? This talk explores the muddied waters of debate regarding this question in the context 19th and turn of the century America.
Oct 5, 2020, 7:00 PM
The third lecture in a series entitled First Responders: Then and Now, which will investigate the intersection between health crises, immigrants, and personal freedom at various points in US history. This series has been funded in part by Humanities New York, with the support of the National Endownment for the Humanities.
Sep 30, 2020, 7:00 PM
Professor Margaret Lasch Carroll will discuss Glynn's fiery defense of the Irish at this sensitive time in British-American-Irish relations.
Sep 23, 2020, 3:00 PM
You, your family, friends and colleagues are invited to join us for what is sure to be an uplifting, enlightening and inspiring event full of stories, conversation and humour with one of Ireland’s most gifted public speakers. Please email info@hitchingforhope.com to register. Registration is free for all and attendees will have the opportunity to submit questions during this live 1-hour event.
Sep 22, 2020, 7:00 PM
Lecture Four in the War of Independence lecture series will examine the IRA guerilla campaign against the RIC and the later Auxiliary forces. While Flying Columns carried out stealth attacks across the country, Michael Collins ran a successful counter-intelligence operation. Individual martyrs like Kevin Barry and Terence MacSwiney changed the nature of the war too.
Sep 16, 2020, 7:00 PM
The second lecture in our First Responders: Then and Now series, Dr. Karen Sonnelitter will discuss the relationship between the Famine and the wave of epidemic diseases that struck Ireland in this period.
Sep 10, 2020, 7:00 PM
This is the first lecture in a series entitled First Responders: Then and Now, which will investigate the intersection between health crises, immigrants, and personal freedom at various points in US history.
Aug 26, 2020, 7:00 PM
Dr. Elizabeth Stack will deliver lecture three in the War of Independence Series will look at the worst of the atrocities committed by this paramilitary organisation, and the Auxiliaries, as well as Michael Collins's campaign against them.
Aug 11, 2020, 7:00 PM
King James II was shocked to find the gates of the walled city of Derry (also called Londonderry) shut in his face, to the rallying cry of “No Surrender” from the city’s inhabitants.
Jun 30, 2020, 7:00 PM
Join us for a virtual fireside chat with Ireland’s Ambassador to the United States, Daniel Mulhall.
May 8, 2020, 7:00 PM
Helena invites you to her home in a special, interactive Zoom concert. $20 per household.
Mar 25, 2020, 7:00 PM
Lecture Three in the War of Independence Series will look at the worst of the atrocities committed by this paramilitary organisation, and the Auxiliaries, as well as Michael Collins's reaction to them.
Mar 19, 2020, 7:00 PM
Join us at the museum for our own rambling house and an informal music and song session by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (the Irish Musicians' Association).
Mar 17, 2020, 7:00 PM
Join us for the Feast Day of Ireland's Patron Saint as Don Kelly serenades you with beloved ballads and songs. We will celebrate Ireland's rich culture and history with some of the best-known songs - we encourage you to sing along as you celebrate our heritage. $5 members, $7 nonmembers.
Mar 16, 2020, 7:00 PM
Dr. Martin Lyden will discuss the implications of the Reformation for Ireland, as various monarchs from Henry VIII to Queen Anne enacted more rigid, anti-Catholic laws, culminating in the Penal Laws. Priests were driven underground and hunted, as the faithful were hampered from practicing their religion.
Mar 14, 2020, 12:00 PM
Padraig Timoney and Flor O Riain will play all the greatest Irish hits for the day that is in it! Come celebrate your heritage and culture by enjoying live Irish music before going out to the Parade. Only $5, children free.
Mar 13, 2020, 7:00 PM
Join us as ethnochoreologist, Danielle Enblom, takes us through the history of Irish dance. Her presentation is called "Choreographing Ireland: An Examination of the Evolution of Dance Forms in Ireland." Danielle and Steptune will then perform and we will see dance history in action.
Mar 12, 2020, 7:00 PM
Dr. Marc Meyer will give us a whirlwind tour of ten significant events which took place from the fifth through seventeenth centuries that provide a framework for the History of Ireland.
Mar 7, 2020, 10:00 AM
Celebrate St. Patrick's Day and run the 5k or 10k in aid of the Irish American Heritage Museum. New route with bigger and better prizes!
Register online and get ready to have a great day filled with Irish craic!
Stick around after the race for an after party with Irish music and dance at the museum's NEW LOCATION: 25 Quackenbush Square.
REGISTER EARLY! Day of race registration is available for $35 for the 5k and $40 for the 10k.
Mar 7, 2020, 10:00 AM
It's a Great Day (or month) for the Irish! Join us for our popular Irish Soda Bread Competition while we have Irish music and dance by Padraig Timoney and Bethlehem School of Dance.
Mar 5, 2020, 6:00 PM
The perfect show to get you in the spirit for Saint Patrick’s Day! The Dublin City Ramblers have thrilled audiences worldwide with their unique blend of ballads, folk tunes, humor, wit and foot-tapping music. Come see them at the Celtic Hall, New Karner Road. Tickets are $30.
Mar 4, 2020, 7:00 PM
Tim Madigan, founder of the St. John Fisher College Irish Studies Program, will discuss the little-known role that the Reverend Luke Wadding, O.F.M. (1588-1657) played in making St. Patrick's Day a feast day.
Feb 18, 2020, 7:00 PM
This lecture will cover Michael Collins' intelligence campaign against the British, including his use of moles like Eamon (Ned) Broy and David Nelligan; the Squad or Twelve Apostles, the tight-knit group who carried out sanctioned assassinations against British military or counterintelligence.
Feb 12, 2020, 7:00 PM
Bring your partner, friends, or come solo to relax, indulge with a glass of wine - and some chocolate, of course - and experience our Valentine's Day Make & Take. You will make 3 of your very own luscious personal care products infused with the purest essential oils from all over the world. $15 per person. Please call the museum for reservations.
Feb 8, 2020, 7:00 PM
Join us for a reading of John B. Keane's Letters of a Matchmaker. These are the letters of a country matchmaker, Kerryman Dicky Mick Dicky O'Connor as he corresponds with a variety of lonely rural males and females eager to find a mate.
Feb 6, 2020, 7:00 PM
As usual, all are welcome to participate in this free evening of traditional Irish music and song brought to you by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (the Irish Musicians' Association). Bring your party piece or instrument!
Feb 1, 2020, 7:00 PM
Join the women of Triskele at the Museum as we celebrate Imbolc and St. Brigid. We will mark the matron saint of Ireland's feast day with Triskele's unique blend of craic agus ceol (fun and music) as their energetic and entertaining performance will help us dust off the cobwebs and usher in Spring!
As with all Celtic festivals, Imbolc involved a host of unique customs and rituals to welcome the spring, say farewell to the winter, ward against evil and promote health and well being. Music with Triskele is a very fitting way to honor Ireland's Celtic goddess and matron saint.
Tickets cost $12 for members, $15 for non-members.
Jan 27, 2020, 7:00 PM
In America is a 2002 drama directed by Jim Sheridan. The semi-autobiographical screenplay by Sheridan and his daughters, Naomi and Kirsten, focuses on an immigrant Irish family's struggle to start a new life in New York City, as seen through the eyes of the elder daughter. Set in 1982, Johnny and Sarah Sullivan and their daughters Christy and Ariel enter the United States on a tourist visa from Ireland via Canada, where Johnny was working as an actor. The family settles in New York City, in a rundown Hell's Kitchen tenement. Hanging over the family is the death of their five-year-old son Frankie, who died from a brain tumor. The devout Roman Catholic Johnny questions God and has lost any ability to feel true emotions, which has affected his relationship with his family. Christy believes she has been granted three wishes by her dead brother, which she only uses at times of near-dire consequences for the family as they try to survive in New York.
Jan 21, 2020, 7:00 PM
The first in a series of lectures which will discuss aspects of the War of Independence and the subsequent Civil War, Dr. Elizabeth Stack will discuss the 1918 Election and the First Dail, as well as the beginning of the War of Independence.
Jan 16, 2020, 7:00 PM
As usual, all are welcome to participate in this free evening of traditional Irish music and song brought to you by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (the Irish Musicians' Association). Bring your party piece or instrument! Audience participation welcome and encouraged by our friendly group. Hear traditional Irish music, and old songs, stories and poems in a traditional format that still happens in many Irish homes (and bars) today. The motto of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann is "ceol agus gaol" (music and kinship), and while headquartered in Ireland, there are branches of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann all over the world. Light refreshments will be provided.
Dec 1, 2019, 2:00 PM
Come out and ring in the Christmas season with music by Triskele! They will perform both traditional Irish music along with Irish/Gaelic Christmas selections. This is a family friendly show. Members $10, non-members $15. There is limited seating so please call to reserve your seat. 1-518-427-1916
Nov 22, 2019, 7:00 PM
This is the stunning multi award-winning play from Marie Jones. This funny, passionate and heartbreaking show sees the actor Parker Cross flex his considerable acting skills, seamlessly shifting through dozens of characters.
A Night in November tells the story of Kenneth McAllister, a clerk in the local welfare office. Kenneth is a Belfast Protestant who has followed all the rules. He loved who he was supposed to love. He lived where he was expected to live. He fought who he was taught to fight. That is, until one night - a night in November - when he did the most exciting, outrageous, crazy, mad thing he'd ever done. Set against a backdrop of sectarian hatred and violence in Belfast, this is the story of how one man had a change of heart about his life.
Nov 18, 2019, 7:00 PM
The Journey is the gripping account of how two men from opposite sides of the political spectrum came together to change the course of history. In 2006, amidst the ongoing, decades-long conflict in Northern Ireland, representatives from the two warring factions meet for negotiations. In one corner is Ian Paisley (Timothy Spall), the deeply conservative British loyalist; in the other is Martin McGuinness (Colm Meaney), a former Irish Republican Army leader who has devoted his life to the cause of Irish reunification. Opposites in every way, the two men at first seem to have little chance of ever finding common ground. But over the course of an impromptu, detour-filled car ride through the Scottish countryside, each begins to see the other less as an enemy, and more as an individual—a breakthrough that promises to at last bring peace to the troubled region. Driven by two virtuoso central performances, The Journey is a more-relevant-than-ever reminder of how simple humanity can overcome political division. John Hurt costars.
Nov 15, 2019, 6:00 PM
Awards Gala to honor Ken Raymond, and Joe and Kathy Condon in support of the Irish American Heritage Museum. November 15th, 6pm, Wolfert's Roost. Call the museum to reserve your seats or to book a journal advert.
Nov 14, 2019, 7:00 PM
Author, journalist, and historian Terry Golway tackles politics again in his latest book - a meticulous look at two great progressive New York governors who both wanted to be president - but only one would be successful. The two men could not have been more different: Roosevelt, a scion of Protestant wealth and privilege from Hyde Park, New York, and Smith, an Irish-Catholic kid, who grew up in the shadow of the Brooklyn Bridge and matriculated at the Fulton Fish Market University while Roosevelt went to Harvard. Golway says their cooperation and collaboration shows there is hope for a country which is increasingly polarized In our own time.
Nov 13, 2019, 7:00 PM
Dr. Richard Aldous, Eugene Meyer Professor of British History and Literature at Bard College, Dr. Peter Moloney, Skidmore, and Dr. Elizabeth Stack, Irish American Heritage Museum, discuss the implications of the latest twists in the Brexit debate. What are Boris Johnson’s options; the implications for Ireland; and what will happen if there is a general election in the United Kingdom.
Nov 9, 2019, 7:00 PM
Supported by Good Things and Steve Herubin, we are delighted to announce Three Irish Voices in concert at the CDIAA HAll, 375 Ontario Street. The pub will be open and serving food at 6pm and the night will be recorded for a CD. Call the museum on 518 427 1916 to reserve your seats - $15 members, and $18 non-members. This performance by our local talent is not to be missed!
Nov 7, 2019, 7:00 PM
Our popular monthly informal session is back in November. In times past, a rambling house was regularly organized to provide neighbors and friends a venue for entertainment: song, recitations, stories, and jokes. Our monthly Rambling House is held in conjunction with Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann, whose mission states that cultural traditions should be an enriching part of the lives of Irish people everywhere, particularly our young people. All are welcome to attend the Rambling House to play an instrument or sing a song - or just enjoy the "craic agus ceol" (fun and music)!
Nov 5, 2019, 7:00 PM
In a return visit to the Museum, Professor Berman will discuss his teaching on grief as well as his new book, Mad Muse: The Mental Illness Memoir in a Writer's Life and Work. To deal with the loss of his wife in 2004, Jeff decided to share his grief with students in a classroom. The resulting course - which influenced his book, Dying to Teach: A Memoir of Love, Loss, and Learning (State University of New York Press, 2007) examines mourning in books including the Book of Job, Wuthering Heights, and A Farewell to Arms. Students also write about the death of loved ones and even their own deaths. Jeff believes that the grieving process includes joy as well as sorrow and that those feelings must be expressed.
Nov 1, 2019, 7:00 PM
Join us as Amy, Dave, and Dave describe the Irish immigrant experience in Albany and Troy. They will tell the stories of the Erie Canal, the Bridget maid, the Civil War and other elements of life which the Irish memorialized in music and song. There will be some traditional Irish music too to represent the fact that the Irish brought their culture with them. This is a rich and varied presentation of life in the nineteenth century for new arrivals carving out a life for themselves and dealing with all of the issues that immigration raises.
Oct 28, 2019, 7:00 PM
Curley and Magill met in 2017 and since then have done four tours under the banner of their duo. Blending their traditional Irish backgrounds with a myriad of acoustic influences, they co-write original songs and instrumental music that make their show modernly fresh as well as firmly traditional.
Oct 26, 2019, 7:00 PM
Join us at the Museum and we'll tell you a ghost story. Don't be alarmed by the creak of the floorboards, the murmurs in the basement, the shrill ululations of a distant dog.Try not to be perturbed by the flickering candle, the fleeting shadows, the horned, hairy hand that appears at your elbow. Something moved? There's a face in the brickwork? A murderer, long ago, was buried in the cellar? Stay calm. Breathe deeply. Perhaps the veil between our world and the next is thinner than you might care to imagine, especially on All Hallow's Eve!!
Oct 22, 2019, 5:00 PM
Lynda and Martin Lyden will tell the story of Grosse Ile, Canada's Ellis Island. The island is preserved as a place of memory to honor the immigrants who traveled to Canada during the 19th and early 20th centuries, in particular the Irish who died during the Great Hunger in 1847.
Oct 11, 2019, 7:00 PM
The Irish American Heritage Museum, in partnership with the Capital District Irish American Association, is delighted to bring Derek Warfield and the Young Wolfe Tones to the Capital Region. Derek Warfield’s 50 years of experience coupled with the talent and energy of The Young Wolfe Tones brings the old tradition of Irish balladry into a new age. The story of Ireland is transmitted in their music and song and illuminated by the outstanding musicianship of three wonderful ambassadors of a new generation of traditional players. Derek Warfield and The Young Wolfe Tones deliver Ireland’s traditional music and folk songs with an energy and skill that shows the quality of contemporaries within that tradition. The patriotic spirit of Irish music carried through the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s by the Wolfe Tones now marches on in the dynamic sound of The Young Wolfe Tones.
Oct 9, 2019, 7:00 PM
"We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars." On October 16, 1854, Oscar Fingal O'Flahertie Wills Wilde was born in Dublin, Ireland. He would go on to become one of the world's most prolific writers, dabbling in everything from plays and poetry to essays and fiction. A celebrity in his own time, Wilde’s indelible influence remains as strong as ever and keep audiences captivated in perpetuity. Dr. Tom Bulger will discuss some of Wilde's most famous works and the extraordinary life of the man who wrote them.
Oct 3, 2019, 7:00 PM
Our monthly Rambling House is held in conjunction with Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann, whose mission states that cultural traditions should be an enriching part of the lives of Irish people everywhere, particularly our young people.
Sep 30, 2019, 7:00 PM
This landmark documentary tells a unique living history of Ireland - one seen through the eyes of 30 Irish centenarians. The film explores each centenarian's journey, from their birth at the dawn of Irish independence to their life in modern day Ireland. Director Alex Fegan (who also looked at another aspect of Emerald Isle life in his 2013 tale The Irish Pub) has cleverly crafted a kind of chronological narrative out of their musings, covering everything from their first memories (a lot of which seem to involve new shoes) to life in triple figures.
Sep 26, 2019, 7:00 PM
Fought on September 17th, 1862, before the technology of television cameras and recordings allowed an event to be captured for posterity, it was up to those who fought there, seated years later at their kitchen table or library desk, to describe the event in their own words. In this presentation, Robert has joined images of the battle, contemporary and afterwards, with selected quotations from those men, and from one woman. The audience will assume the identity of one of those persons, and read from a slip of paper handed out at the beginning, what their surviving veteran wrote.
Audiences always come away with a very changed perception of the battle, and Civil War battle in general.
Sep 25, 2019, 7:00 PM
The House Children is based on the true stories of five women who grew up in the same institution - Saint Joseph's Industrial School in Ballinasloe, Galway.
Sep 18, 2019, 7:00 PM
Dr. Tom Bulger 's discussion will focus on how Spenser's view of Ireland reflected the Elizabethan England's received views of religion, warfare, political, moral, linguistic, and cultural issues in Ireland in the 16th century.
Sep 10, 2019, 7:00 PM
This discussion will focus on the Irish and Irish American experience on 9/11 - the people involved in the rescue operations, the rebuilding efforts, and the memorials on both sides of the Atlantic.
Sep 8, 2019, 1:00 PM
We invite our members to join us for a day of fun and friendship as we celebrate our members and our Irish culture. A family barbecue will be provided, but feel free to bring your favorite dish to share. We will have music, games, and demonstrations of Gaelic football by the Albany Rebels GAA Club.
Sep 5, 2019, 7:00 PM
In times past, a rambling house was regularly organized to provide neighbors and friends a venue for entertainment: song, recitations, stories, and jokes. Our monthly Rambling House is held in conjunction with Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann, whose mission states that cultural traditions should be an enriching part of the lives of Irish people everywhere, particularly our young people. All are welcome to attend the Rambling House to play an instrument or sing a song - or just enjoy the "craic agus ceol" (fun and music)!
Sep 3, 2019, 7:00 PM
The virtuoso partnership of “the greatest Celtic harper of our age” (LIVE IRELAND) and a premier flatpicking guitarist and has by now brought its unique musical vision to twenty-two countries on five continents.Together they have created one of the most distinctive voices in modern acoustic music. Their six duo and five solo CDs, instructional books and collaborations with many other luminaries of the Celtic, folk, swing jazz and bluegrass worlds express both the depth of their commitment to tradition and an eternally playful, curious and adventurous spirit.
Aug 26, 2019, 7:00 PM
In 1314, the Scots defeated their English oppressors at the Battle of Bannockburn. It was a victory that should have ensured Scottish freedom - but it didn't. Even after Bannockburn, Scotland's king Robert Bruce and his brother Edward remained uneasy about the threat of a renewed English invasion. The best form of defense was attack. They decided to invade Ireland and make Edward high king there. In this way they would unite the Celtic nations and drive the English back to their homeland.
This is a story of two Celtic nations, a shared heritage and a forgotten war that could have changed the course of history.
The drama/documentary was made for RTÉ, BBC Northern Ireland and BBC Scotland under a joint initiative launched in 2012 to fund television programs of interest to viewers in all three territories. We will show this film TWICE on Monday - 3pm and 7pm.
Aug 18, 2019, 8:00 PM
The Irish American Heritage Museum is delighted to announce a special screening of "Find Your Way Home(An Irish Musical)," filmed on Broadway. Local writers Jeff Strange and James Kelly are featured for a 2 night screening of their Musical.
Aug 14, 2019, 7:00 PM
Phil Olivo, member of the Schenectady Photographic Society, will give a presentation of his travels in Ireland, regaling us with his encounters with the locals and the beautiful Irish landscape. Phil took the picture of an Irish cottage, shown below, in Northern Ireland, and some of his photographs will showcase that part of the world.
Aug 10, 2019, 2:00 PM
This exhibit contains thirty images of Irish-Americans in the Capital District as well as various images taken in Ireland and Northern Ireland. It is scheduled to run from Friday, August 2 through Sunday, September 29.
Aug 6, 2019, 6:30 PM
Join us for an evening of craic agus ceol aboard the Dutch Apple, as we sail down the glorious Hudson. This is our annual fundraiser for the St. Patrick's Day Parade. Don Kelly will serenade you with the best of Irish tunes while food and a cash bar are provided on board. Tickets are $35 in advance and $45 on the night. Go to our Facebook page to pay through PayPal, or call the museum to reserve your spot and send a check. Looking forward to seeing you on-board!!
Jul 29, 2019, 2:00 PM
The Siege of Jadotville depicts the 1961 siege of a 150-strong Irish UN battalion under Commander Patrick Quinlan (Jamie Dornan) by 3,000 Congolese troops led by French and Belgian mercenaries working for mining companies.
Jul 24, 2019, 5:00 PM
Members will tour the newly renovated home of the famous immigrant labor leader in our own Collar City.
This modest three-story brick house is the only surviving building associated with Kate Mullany, a young Irish immigrant laundry worker who in 1864 organized and led the all-female "Collar Laundry Union" labor union.
The Collar Laundry Union, unlike so many other unions, remained an organized force in the industries of Troy, New York more than five years after its inception. The origins of Kate Mullany's union date back to the 1820s, when entrepreneurs established the nation's first commercial laundry in Troy to wash, starch, and iron a local invention, the "detachable collar." By the 1860s, Troy supplied most of America's detachable collars and cuffs, employing over 3,700 women launderers, starchers, and ironers. Working 14 hour days for $2 a week, the women launderers labored in oppressive heat. When owners introduced new machinery that increased production, but worsened working conditions, a young woman named Kate Mullany organized a union to demand change. In February of 1864, Mullany and 200 other workers formed the Collar Laundry Union. The well organized union struck and demanded a 25 cent raise, and the laundry owners capitulated a week after the strike began. The Collar Laundry Union remained active in Troy, often assisting other unions, and even attempted to establish an employee cooperative.
Mullany herself gained national recognition in 1868, when National Labor Union President William Sylvis made her the first female appointed to a labor union's national office. One of the American labor movement's earliest women leaders, the home of Kate Mullany exemplifies a strong tradition of women's union activity.
Jul 17, 2019, 7:00 PM
This lecture will be held at the St. Andrew's Society, 150 Washington Avenue, Albany.
The Orange Order is often thought of as a uniquely (Northern) Irish Protestant organization, but in fact, there are Orange Lodges all over the world. One of the most vibrant Lodges outside of Northern Ireland is in neighboring Scotland. At narrowest point, only 12 miles separate the west coast of Scotland from the easternmost point on the island of Ireland. For centuries, Scotland has been closely bound to the province of Ulster – politically, culturally, and religiously. The Orange Order has, in both places, used its cultural celebrations as well as political advocacy to preserve this special relationship. This is meant to be a non-sectarian event that examines the spread of the Orange Order to Scotland and looks at the current strength of this bond as Brexit re-ignites calls for Irish unity and Scottish independence.
Jul 3, 2019, 5:00 PM
A reception with music by Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann to launch the new photography exhibit January in Clare by Neal Warshaw.
Neal Warshaw began making photographs and playing the flute at age 11. He went to Goddard College in Vermont in the early 1970s to study photography and his work was featured in college exhibitions and publications. After college he briefly pursued a career as a professional photographer before returning to school to become a Physician Assistant. He practiced primary care medicine for 38 years and recently retired from that career enabling him to devote more time to his passion for photography and traditional Irish music.
For years, Neal has combined his love of traditional music with photography by photographing the traditional music scene, particularly sessions. This dual perspective gives his work insight into the music and the musicians. In recent years he has photographed the Catskill Irish Arts week, a traditional music wedding, festivals, bands as well as frequent sessions in the Capital region during which he alternates between playing Irish flute and making pictures.
This show is the result of a 3 week visit to County Clare during January 2019. During his stay he sat in on nightly sessions in pubs throughout the county and in the homes of some of the wonderful local musicians. During the limited daylight hours and January weather conditions he photographed the County Clare land and sea with his own unique vision. The photographs will be on display all month.
Jun 26, 2019, 7:00 PM
Join us as Fr. Leo Polselli, CSC, Chaplin at the Father Peyton Center, Easton MA will describe the path to Sainthood and the technical aspects of canonization and the miracles attributed to Fr. Peyton.
Jun 25, 2019, 7:00 PM
We'll be releasing our Limited Edition Irish Red Ale. We've been researching about Irish brewing and found a growing crop of craft breweries. The cost for this event is $25. For that you get a flight that includes the first tasting of the Irish Red, Scottish 80 shilling, Chocolate Oatmeal Stout and a Raspberry Cider. You'll also get a glass from the Museum with their name on it, and a feast of hot appetizers! In addition we'll be talking a little bit about the history of Irish involvement in brewing and distilling in American history, and the Capital Region. Actually we'll talk a lot. Over the years quite a number of Albany breweries were owned by Irishmen!!
Jun 23, 2019, 7:30 PM
A fantastic night of Irish music and talent. Suggested donation $15 for members and $20 for non-members.
Jun 20, 2019, 7:00 PM
Toss the Feathers presents an evening of tunes, songs and stories recalling the work and culture of Irish people in the Capital Region.
Jun 19, 2019, 7:00 PM
Laetitia F. Rhatigan STD (Doctor of Sacred Theology) with a specialization in Mariology, will discuss the special devotion Fr. Peyton had with Mary, the Mother of God and how his mission celebrated women and was first championed by them.
Jun 17, 2019, 7:00 PM
Bloomsday is the annual celebration of James Joyce’s Ulysses, a novel set on June 16, 1904, to commemorate his first date with his future wife, Nora Barnacle.
Jun 12, 2019, 7:00 PM
Join us as the Leonard Family, Dorothy Halloran, Fr. Peyton's secretary, and Sisters Frances Gilchrist, CSJ and Sister Karen Gaube, CSJ, Sisters of St. Joseph who knew him from his early days at the College of St. Rose, share their memories and experiences of Fr. Peyton.
Jun 11, 2019, 7:00 PM
Robert Mulligan, Military Historian, will tell the stories of some Albany soldiers who fought in the Civil War through the letters they sent and received from home. A unique look at war from personal perspectives of those at the front and at home.
Jun 10, 2019, 7:00 PM
Book Launch by Mark McGovern PhD whose new book focuses on the end game policy of collusion in the Mid-Ulster area, when Republicans and their families were targeted by Loyalist paramilitaries acting in concert with British State forces.
Jun 9, 2019, 2:00 PM
The Irish American Museum will host the Grand Opening of an exhibit on the life and work of Father Patrick Peyton, CSC.
Jun 6, 2019, 7:00 PM
Rambling House at the Museum - traditional entertainment and all welcome to participate.
Jun 3, 2019, 11:00 AM
Now in its 33rd year of operation, the Museum seeks to fulfill its mission of public education about Irish culture and the contributions of the Irish people to the United States and the World. The MIC Tournament is one of our main fundraisers and helps us provide annual programs and events. Our 2019 venue will again be the historic Mohawk Golf Club in Schenectady, New York. So please join us for a fine day of good food, good golf and good company
May 31, 2019, 7:00 PM
A conversation with Craig Gravina and Hon Jack McEneny who will elucidate on prohibition, politics, and power.
May 29, 2019, 5:00 PM
The 125th Anniversary of the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians will be celebrated with a reception at the Museum.
May 28, 2019, 7:00 PM
Two Rivers Gaelic League will discuss the complexity of place names in Ireland. Many place names can trace their ancestry to three language families: Gaelic, English and Viking, with many names being "lost in translation!" A fascinating look at meaning and the importance of names in historical geography.
May 13, 2019, 7:00 PM
The self-proclaimed Irish Republican Army invaded Canada not just once, but five times between 1866 and 1871 in what are known collectively as the Fenian Raids. Several of those attacks were launched from upstate New York and included many men from the local area. The book tells the incredible true story of the Irish-American Civil War veterans who undertook one of the most fantastical missions in military history, and it’s the first popular history of the Fenian Raids told from the point of view of the Fenians themselves. The Irish rebels achieved the first Irish military victory over the British since 1745, made the United States a key player in Anglo-Irish affairs, and forged a transatlantic framework that proved pivotal in providing the financial and military support that decades later led to Ireland’s eventual liberation from British rule.
Christopher Klein is the author of three books, including Strong Boy: The Life and Times of John L. Sullivan, America's First Sports Hero. A frequent contributor to History.com, Christopher has also written for The Boston Globe, The New York Times, National Geographic Traveler, Harvard Magazine, Smithsonian.com, and AmericanHeritage.com. He lives in Andover, Massachusetts.
May 9, 2019, 7:00 PM
Connolly scholars, Anne Neville, Michael Barrett and Denis Foley will discuss the varied contributions and influences of and on James Connolly while he lived and worked in Troy, before returning to Ireland, where he was executed for his participation in the 1916 Rising. Using primary sources, including some of his own letters, and with an accompanying exhibit,
the panel will shed light on his inspiring work.
May 7, 2019, 7:00 PM
Directed by award winning filmmaker Brendan J Byrne and produced by Trevor Birney of Fine Point Films, this landmark non-fiction feature film had its world premiere at Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival in Toronto on 3 May 2016.
May 6, 2019, 5:00 PM
From 1987-1997, Máirtín was among a new generation of Sinn Féin councillors (led by former Mayor Alex Maskey) who transformed Belfast City Council through a series of landmark legal challenges which guaranteed equal rights for all representatives. He left politics in 1997 to take over the Andersonstown News, growing it into the Belfast Media Group with colleagues and launching the republican-leaning daily newspaper Daily Ireland in 2005. He returned to City Hall in 2011 and was elected Lord Mayor/ArdMhéara in 2013. He was returned for Sinn Féin in the Stormont Assembly election of May 2016 and again in March 2017 (securing the highest-ever Sinn Féin vote in the constituency) as a representative for South Belfast. Following the 2016 poll, he was appointed to the post of Finance Minister in the North of Ireland Executive and remained in post until the Executive collapsed in January 2017.
Máirtín is a tireless advocate for the new and resurgent Belfast, he founded a series of initiatives designed to showcase the very best of the city including the Aisling Awards and the Belfast International Homecoming which encourages the global Irish diaspora to invest Belfast’s renaissance. Among his awards flowing from his year as Lord Mayor were the Community Relations Council Award for Civic Leadership, the PRIDE Festival Award for Best Political Contribution to the LGBT Community, and the Ancient Order of Hibernians of America JFK Medal, their highest honour.
Máirtín will discuss a changing Belfast and Ireland at this pivotal moment in history, twenty-one years after the Good Friday Agreement and with Brexit looming.
May 2, 2019, 7:00 PM
Join us at the museum for our own rambling house and an informal music and song session by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (the Irish Musicians' Association). This is a monthly event at the museum and very popular. Bring your party piece or instrument!
Apr 30, 2019, 7:00 PM
In this funny and moving documentary, acclaimed film-maker Daisy Asquith tells the very personal story of her mother's conception after a dance in the 1940's on the remote west coast of Ireland.
By exploring the repercussions of this act, Daisy and her mother embark on a fascinating and emotional adventure in social and sexual morality. Her grandmother, compelled to run away to have her baby in secret, handed the child over to 'the nuns'. Daisy's mum was eventually adopted by English Catholics from Stoke-on-Trent. Her grandmother returned to Ireland and told no-one. The father remained a mystery for another 60 years, until Daisy and her mum decided it was time to find out who he was.
Their attempts to find the truth leads Daisy and her mum to connect with a brand new family living an extraordinarily different life. Moving, revealing and surprisingly humorous, this is a remarkable portrait of an Ireland rarely seen on film before.
Apr 27, 2019, 7:00 PM
The Flanagan Brothers were among the most brilliant and colorful Irish performers in America in the 20th century. There was Joe on vocals and button accordion, Mike on tenor banjo, tenor guitar and vocals and Louis on harp guitar. Natives of County Waterford the family emigrated to the USA in 1910. Mike and Joe were virtuoso musicians and made a living playing in the Irish American dance halls that proliferated in New York in the early decades of the century. They became famed for their hard driving exuberant music, honed in the era before the invention of microphones. Occasionally joined by Louis they made over one hundred and sixty 78 rpm recordings of songs, tunes and skits for a variety of record companies and were regulars on radio which was beginning to sweep the country at that time. Their heyday was the 1920's when vaudeville was the most popular form of commercial entertainment in America and the performing style of the Flanagan Brothers was highly influenced by the top professional performers of that era in American vaudeville. Kilashandra will perform some of these songs, as well as others from their own popular sets.
Apr 25, 2019, 7:30 PM
The rise of Sinn Féin in Ireland was dramatically underlined over 100 years ago with the election of Éamon de Valera in the Clare East by-election. One thing Sinn Féin came to rely on during that election and beyond was youthful enthusiasm, vigour and focus, in contrast to an older and tired Irish Parliamentary Party. As with all generational shifts, it caused tension. Later, Lemass's Fianna Fail had to sustain the momentum and convince its members and the electorate it could deliver something new and different and that it had a new project for a new generation: advancing the cause of Irish nationalism well beyond the limited home rule that had been part of the constitutional crusade at Westminster in previous decades. Peter will examine how successive governments in Ireland changed the political landscape, and whether Varadkar is a major departure from his predecessors or not.
Apr 16, 2019, 7:00 PM
Assuming that the April 12th deadline is met, we might be in a slightly more informed place to discuss what the EU and Britain will look like! Join us for a discussion covering all of the hot topics coming out of the UK lately: future UK trade policy, the Irish border question, deal or no deal?, immigration policy and Brexit from a historical perspective.
Eugene Meyer Professor of British History and Literature, Dr. Aldous is the author and editor of eleven books, including most recently Schlesinger: The Imperial Historian. He has written widely on Anglo-American relations (Reagan and Thatcher, Macmillan Eisenhower and the Cold War), Irish history (Tony Ryan; Great Irish Speeches) and British history (The Lion and the Unicorn: Gladstone vs. Disraeli, Tunes of Glory: The Life of Malcolm Sargent). He is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and was for many years Chair of the History Department at University College Dublin.
Apr 11, 2019, 7:00 PM
The 90-minute film, which is narrated by Downton Abbey's Alan Leech, includes footage of the the funeral of Jeremiah O'Donovan Rossa, the aftermath of the Easter Rising, the Treaty negotiations and the shelling of the Four Courts which started the Civil War, and features historical figures such as Michael Collins, Patrick Pearse, Edward Carson, and John Redmond. The Irish Times reports that British Pathé had tired to make a similar film in 1935, but were stopped from doing so by the government under Eamon de Valera. At the time, Pathé had sent the government 43 reels of film, which were then confiscated. The colorized footage is amazing - really letting us see the events as they happened and not in some detached way.
The film, which is scripted by Trinity College Dublin historian Eunan O'Halpin, is the result of a collaboration between the British Pathé archive and Zampano Productions.
Apr 9, 2019, 7:00 PM
Robert Mulligan will take us through an authentic account of the daily lives of the "noble boys in blue." With a replica uniform, bedroll, cap and ball musket and bayonet, as well as the other accoutrements of a typical private of the 43rd New York Volunteers, we will learn how the Civil War soldiers ate, slept, marched, and fought - and how they were drilled, disciplined, and tested in the theater of war.
Apr 8, 2019, 7:00 PM
Join our new book club celebrating women's history. 2017 marked the Centennial of Women's Suffrage in New York State, and in 2020 the nation will celebrate 100 years of the 19th Amendment. The history of the women's suffrage movement in our state and nation spanned seventy years, from the 1848 meeting convened by Elizabeth Cady Stanton in Seneca Falls to the tactics wielded by Alice Paul and includes overlooked stories and actors such as the African-American suffragists. Our book selections - which include history, biography, and fiction - provide a window into this chapter of American social progress and a springboard into ongoing discussions of women's - and by extension, our society's - past, present, and future. The museum will provide the books. If you are interested, email info@irish-us.org and we will send out a poll to determine time and dates which suit people best.
Apr 4, 2019, 7:00 PM
Our popular traditional Rambling House returns to the Museum. All are invited to attend this informal "seisuin" led by Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann. Bring your instrument - or be ready to sing or recite a poem - and join in, or just sit back and enjoy some of the Capital Region's finest traditional musicians in an informal session.
Mar 30, 2019, 10:30 AM
The Shadow of a Gunman premiered at The Abbey Theatre in 1923 to immediate success, selling out tickets for the first time in Abbey history, and establishing Sean O'Casey's career as a playwright at age 43. The first of The Dublin Plays, this two-act work is written in O'Casey's characteristic tragicomic style. It's 1920, and the Irish War of Independence rages on the streets of Dublin as Irish revolutionaries clash with British auxiliary forces. Aspiring poet Donal Davoren tries to avoid the conflict, but when Donal learns of a rumor that he is a gunman on the run, he cannot resist the curiosity it stirs in beautiful young Minnie Powers ... and he cannot escape the attention of his other neighbors. As the rumor grows, the war outside moves closer to home with tragic consequences.
We will leave Albany in the morning and you are free to have lunch in the city before attending the 3pm performance of this play. SEATS ARE LIMITED, so please call the Museum at 518 427 1916 or email us at info@Irish-us.org to reserve your tickets now!
Mar 26, 2019, 7:00 PM
Until recently, few women were given prominence in the long list of Kilmainham Gaol's political prisoners. However, after the 1916 Rising, seventy-seven women were held prisoner in Kilmainham for their part in the rebellion, and at the height of the Civil War in 1923 over three-hundred women, aged between twelve and seventy, were imprisoned there. This film is about those women. There is a surprising and poignant New York connection to - and it's not James Connolly!
Mar 21, 2019, 7:00 PM
Come join us for the true tale of Granuaile, (Grainne Mhaol) Ireland's Pirate Queen as told by storyteller, Marni Gillard.
We'll watch young Grainne O'Malley, age 12, claim her right to go to sea with her chieftain father. We'll follow her into O'Flaherty territory after marrying another clan's chieftain-to-be
who proves himself a poor political ally. When her children are "fostered away" Grainne
reclaims her true calling as sea captain. With men from many clans she stands against England's administrators and generals sent by Elizabeth I to lure Ireland's chieftains into trading lands and treasuries for titles such as Duke, Earl and Viscount. When her son Tibbot is captured and jailed, she dares to sail up the Thames to meet the aging queen, and the two find common ground as caretakers of their people.
Mar 17, 2019, 2:00 PM
Join us at the museum for even more Irish events and culture with Chris Gil to serenade you! Find out the real story of St. Patrick and even meet the man himself. Admire our new exhibit on Celtic Art too! This will be the second weekend of Irish celebrations at the Museum so take the opportunity to celebrate your heritage - and "pass it on!"
Mar 16, 2019, 12:00 PM
The Big Day is here!! REGISTRATION OPEN NOW: ☘️ The Irish American Heritage Museum, in partnership with Downtown Albany, New York and ARE Event Productions, presents the second annual Irish Sweat-er 5K in downtown Albany.
This fun run for all ages takes place along the route of the 69th Annual Albany St. Patrick's Day Parade, just before the parade steps off at 2:00 PM.
Online registration for the 5K is now open at zippyreg.com. Early-bird registration is just $25, with fees increasing to $30 on March 5 and $35 day-of-race.
Come and march with the Museum! Call us to let us know if you will march with us in the Parade. And then end the day back at the Museum with fun activities for all the family, including St. Patrick, entertainment, and food! It's going to be a busy weekend!
Mar 14, 2019, 12:00 PM
Join us for a "State of the Museum" luncheon - a chance to get together and review the year, celebrate friendships, and share our common culture and heritage. Lunch will be served and the bar will be serving. We want to celebrate the month of March with our friends and members and honor two of our biggest supporters, Ed Collins and Harold Qualters. There will also be a raffle with fantastic prizes, including tickets to see Celtic Women at the Palace.
Please call the museum at 518 427 1916 for tickets because we will need to confirm numbers with our chef!
Mar 12, 2019, 6:30 PM
Whether you are satisfied or disappointed with the amount of Irish DNA your genetic test has revealed, you probably have lots of questions. How is the amount determined? Why am I less Irish than my sibling? Can I use these results to find cousins in Ireland? Professional genealogist Lisa Dougherty will answer those questions and more in this presentation designed to set you on the right path toward getting the most from your DNA test.
Mar 12, 2019, 2:00 PM
This is a charming and touching documentary about some of the more traditional pubs in Ireland and the role they play in local community. It focuses on the friendships and "craic" provided in these pubs and the lives of the families who run them - often for generations - in a changing Ireland. $5.
Mar 10, 2019, 3:00 PM
The popular, family-friendly tradition continues with a special treat for this most Irish of months! $5 members, and $10 for non-members.
Mar 9, 2019, 10:00 AM
It's a Great Day (or month) for the Irish! Join us for our popular Irish Soda Bread Competition and Irish cultural presentations by Three Irish Voices, Bethlehem School of Dance, and St. Patrick himself! We will have a craft market with handmade gifts made by local artists, and our gift shop has been replenished with Irish jewelry, quilts, and food. Entrance is $5 and the bakers must be amateur and can enter into both the Traditional recipe category and the Family recipe. Call the museum for a registration form and we will email it to you. Prizes include Galway Crystal, Donegal Porcelain, and Museum swag. This is a great day out for all the family, with music, history, and culture on offer as well as tasty Shepherd's Pie ... and all the bread you can eat!
Mar 7, 2019, 7:00 PM
Our popular traditional Rambling House returns to the Museum. All are invited to attend this informal "seisuin" led by Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann. Bring your instrument - or be ready to sing or recite a poem - and join in, or just sit back and enjoy some of the Capital Region's finest traditional musicians in an informal session.
Feb 28, 2019, 7:00 PM
This captivating and poignant story of their struggles and romance, his exploits as a highly decorated B-17 pilot during World War II, and the tragedy that tears them apart, inspires while tugging at your heart. A screenplay adaptation of the book is in development.
Feb 21, 2019, 7:00 PM
In spring 1845, Douglass published his first book 'Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American slave.' The memoir stirred fresh hostilities. To avoid physical harm or being forcibly returned (by bounty-hungry "slave-catchers") to his bondage in Maryland, it was decided that, until things cooled down, he would leave the United States for a while, for a hastily and incompletely planned lecture tour of the British Isles.
Feb 15, 2019, 7:00 PM
The perfect date-night or Galentine's activity! Or perhaps a good way to meet someone! Join the Museum Ensemble for an evening of poetry, prose, and song celebrating some of the greatest love stories - with maybe one or two about heartbreak - as only the Irish could have described it. St. Valentine is buried in Ireland, so he has probably inspired some of the world's most popular love poems.
Feb 13, 2019, 7:00 PM
This is a charming and touching documentary about some of the more traditional pubs in Ireland and the role they play in local community. It focuses on the friendships and "craic" provided in these pubs and the lives of the families who run them - often for generations - in a changing Ireland.
Feb 12, 2019, 6:30 PM
Once you know where in Ireland your ancestors came from, where do you go from there? Is it necessary to go all the way to Dublin to do research? Join instructor and professional genealogist Lisa Dougherty for a workshop that will acquaint you with Irish records you can use for research, how to access them, and their effective use to find out more about your ancestor's life in Ireland before emigrating to the United States.
Feb 9, 2019, 7:00 PM
Andrew Finn Magill grew up immersed in music, and by age 16, he was a two-time finalist at the All-Ireland Championships and he is equally proficient in several American folk idioms such as old-time and bluegrass. He has toured France with the popular Celtic music & dance revue, Celtic Dances, under the musical direction of Liz Knowles & Kieran O’Hare.
"This is a fully authentic representation of the tradition that could just as easily have come from Co. Clare or Sligo except that it’s all the way from Asheville, North Carolina. This bodes well for the future of Irish music". – Martin Hayes
Feb 7, 2019, 7:00 PM
Join us at the museum for our own rambling house and an informal music and song session by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (the Irish Musicians' Association). This is a monthly event at the museum and very popular. Bring your party piece or instrument! Audience participation welcome and encouraged by our friendly group. Hear traditional Irish music, and old songs, stories and poems in a traditional format that still happens in many Irish homes (and bars) today.
The motto of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann is "ceol agus gaol" (music and kinship). Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, headquartered in Ireland, is the primary Irish organization dedicated to the promotion of the music, song, dance and the language of Ireland. There are branches of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann all over the world.
Light refreshments will be provided.
Feb 5, 2019, 7:00 PM
Join us at Roger Bacon Hall, Room 202 at Siena College where Dr. Peter Moloney will discuss the role of sport in modern Irish, including the cultural importance of the GAA as well as its parochial structure. The popularity of and reaction to other sports was often at odds with GAA culture, as he will outline. The urban/rural differences will also be explored as will gender roles.
Jan 31, 2019, 7:00 PM
Who was Bridget? How did the Irish girl's experience compare with that of German,
Scandinavian and African-American maids and nannies in 19th and early 20th century America? How does it compare with the experience of Japanese, Latina, Chicana, West Indian and Filipino maids and nannies in America? Was Bridget's experience unique? Come to this presentation and find out!
Jan 24, 2019, 7:00 PM
We will walk you through the step-by-step process from grain to bottle of the spirits produced including our whiskey, rum and vodka, including details about some of the techniques and traditions that immigrants brought with them! The event will conclude with a tasting of some of our great New York State products.
Jan 22, 2019, 7:00 PM
Dr. Elizabeth Stack, Assemblymember Patricia Fahy, and Assemblymember Jack McEneny will discuss the 1918 election which catapulted Sinn Fein to prominence, culminating in the party refusing to take their seats in Westminster and instead forming the first Dail Eireann (Irish Parliament.) They will look at the legacy of that first Dail - which coincided with the first shots in the War of Independence - and the Irish affinity for politics, at home and in America. The lecture will complement the new exhibition which the museum is hosting, De Valera in America, 1919-1921, when the first Taoiseach lobbied America for recognition of Irish self-determination.
Jan 18, 2019, 7:00 PM
Remembering your roots is important and if you are of Irish descent, The Writing Irish of New York will make you proud to be Irish. This book reminds us of how many incredible authors have come out of Ireland over 100 years. It also showcases a new group of Irish-American writers helping to continue to grow this unique and creative group. Colin Broderick, the Northern Irish mastermind behind this book, has assembled an incredible bunch of new Irish-American writers to showcase their writing along with his essays about some of the great Irish writers like Oscar Wilde, J.P. Dunleavy, Brendan Behan and Francis Scott Fitzgerald, the Irish American author of The Great Gatsby. Fresh from his book launch at the Irish Arts Center in Manhattan, Colin will speak about his life and his book.
Jan 13, 2019, 3:00 PM
The heartwarming Irish tradition of sharing stories continues with Alden (Joe) Dolittle and Claire Nolan spinning yarns about childhood and growing up Irish. $5 members, $10 non-members, family rates available.
Jan 10, 2019, 7:00 PM
Join us at the museum for our own rambling house and an informal music and song session by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann. This is a monthly event at the museum and very popular. Bring your party piece or instrument! Audience participation welcome and encouraged by our friendly group. Hear traditional Irish music, and old songs, stories and poems in a traditional format that still happens in many Irish homes (and bars) today.
Jan 8, 2019, 6:30 PM
If you are just beginning the search for your Irish ancestors, you are probably already encountering many records that give simply "Ireland" as a place of origin. At this workshop you will discover unique records and learn strategies that will help you find a more specific hometown for your ancestors. Instructor and professional genealogist Lisa Dougherty has more than 20 years experience in finding Irish roots and she will help you move beyond the obvious to the specific.
Dec 16, 2018, 3:00 PM
The heartwarming Irish tradition of sharing stories continues at the museum with Claire Nolan and Alden (Joe) Dolittle, who will regale us with stories of childhood and growing up Irish!
Dec 13, 2018, 7:00 PM
Dr. Sonnelitter will discuss the most provocative and informative primary sources of the Great Hunger. Her book is a documentary history of some of the most important aspects of the administration and experiences of the people at that time. Copies of the book will be available to buy.
Dec 10, 2018, 3:30 PM
A must-see movie - the first ever written about the Great Hunger. In the old Western genre, the story follows a returned Irish solider who discovers the horrors that have befallen his family and who vows vengeance. Amazing cinematography in Connemara, the film also features some dialogue in Gaelic. $5 entrance fee.
Dec 7, 2018, 7:00 PM
Join us to hear seasonal stories from one of Ireland's most beloved writers, John B. Keane from Listowel. Stories to warm your heart and tickle your funny bone, with descriptions of preparations for an old-fashioned Christmas. Read by the Museum Ensemble.
Dec 6, 2018, 7:00 PM
A traditional and casual evening of song and music at the Museum. Everyone is welcome to join in so bring your instrument or party piece!!
Dec 1, 2018, 11:00 AM
Join us for family fun, Irish food, artisan crafts, tastings, and Santa Claus! The perfect opportunity to buy a traditional or handmade gift.
Nov 30, 2018, 6:00 PM
For many years, Hugh Carey served on the Museum’s Board of Advisors, providing guidance and helping facilitate the Museum’s educational programs and events. The Museum’s Board of Trustees annually bestows the Hugh L. Carey Award reflecting the spirit of his own public service. The Award honors individuals who make significant contributions to improving our society, as Hugh Carey did, through community and public service; the arts; cultural endeavors; the health care, teaching, law/justice, science, sports/athletics and other professions. This year we are delighted to honor one of the Capital Region’s most respected community leaders, retired U.S. Congressmember Michael McNulty; Kerry Kennedy, whose newest book Ripples of Hope explores the influence that her father Robert continues to have on the issues at the heart of America's identity; the late Thomas D. McNabb, who was on the Board of the Museum for twenty years, and National President of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. To add to the evening’s excitement, Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan and The Ambassador Consul General of Ireland Ciarán Madden serve as Honorary Co-Chairs.
Nov 29, 2018, 7:00 PM
One of the realities of modern culture is that we do not talk much about death or how to cope with it when it occurs in our lives. The Irish American Heritage Museum will discuss traditional Irish cultural habits, as well as modern literature to offer a round-table conversation on this important topic. Alden (Joe) Dolittle, a regional storyteller, volunteer chaplain at Albany Medical Center, and and Advanced Care Planning facilitator will join Dr. Jeffrey Berman in conversation. Dr. Berman writes and teaches writing about death and loss in literature and life. His book, Death in the Classroom, describes these factors and the course that he designed and taught two years after his wife's death.
Join us for a cultural, philosophical, and healing session.
Nov 27, 2018, 7:30 PM
The fourth lecture in this popular series, Peter will discuss the border in the North. This is sure to be an interesting topic given the ongoing Brexit negotiations.
Nov 17, 2018, 3:00 PM
The screening of this important film - the first one ever made about the Great Hunger - will be prefaced by a short lecture by Dr. Elizabeth Stack. P J Dillon, one of the writers of the film, is from the same hometown as Elizabeth, and so she will fill us in on the inspiration for the film. There will be a Q & A after the movie. There will be food and drink available. $10 admission fee.
Nov 15, 2018, 7:00 PM
Apologies for the late notice, but given the forecast we thought it better that everyone stay home, safe and warm. We will reschedule this presentation.
Who was Bridget? How did the Irish girl's experience compare with that of German,
Scandinavian and African-American maids and nannies in 19th and early 20th century America? How does it compare with the experience of Japanese, Latina, Chicana, West Indian and Filipino maids and nannies in America? Was Bridget's experience unique? Come to this presentation and find out!
Margaret Lynch-Brennan began her career as a classroom teacher. For many years she served as an administrator with the New York State Education Department working on issues related to civil rights, high school reform, and professional development for teachers. Subsequent to earning a Ph.D. in American History from the University at Albany, State University of New York, she published essays in three books and presented at conferences in Australia, Germany, Ireland and the United States. Her book, The Irish Bridget: Irish Immigrant Women in Domestic Service in America, 1840-1930, was first published by Syracuse University Press in 2009, subsequently reprinted in hardcover, and issued as a paperback in 2014. After retiring from the New York State Education Department she taught at Hudson Valley Community College and served a two-year term as a Public Scholar for Humanities New York (The New York Council for the Humanities). She now works as an independent scholar and is a member of the National Coalition of Independent Scholars.
Nov 13, 2018, 7:00 PM
The Museum will host an ensemble of readers and musicians to perform famous writings and popular songs from World War I. Chris McCarthy, Don Kelly, Steven O' Connor, Kathy McCarthy, Debbie Rhatigan, Bill Murray, Bill Dollard, and Meg Carroll will perform a selection of writing by Letts, Kettle, and MacGill and songs by Eric Bogle, George M. Cohan, and Irving Berlin.
Audience participation welcome!
Nov 11, 2018, 10:50 AM
On the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day, the Irish American Heritage Museum will lay a wreath at the World War I Monument in Albany (New Scotland Avenue and Lake Avenue). There will be a short presentation there, with the wreath laying, which will include other Veterans' groups. Everyone is then welcome back to the museum for brunch and a short lecture on the Irish- and German-American response to World War I by Dr. Elizabeth Stack, Executive Director of the IAHM, which will complement a new exhibit on the topic. We will complete our commemoration with a spotlight on two Albany veterans and their wartime experience. Debbie Brennan and Margaret Lasch-Carroll, the grand-daughters of two veterans will present extracts from their grandfather's diaries and letters home. John Joseph Brennan served at the Somme, and his diary records many of his experiences there. Phillip Joseph Gallagher was stationed at Lough Foyle Naval Air Station in Ireland, and his letters home give an intriguing insight into the Irish experience of the war, even as many struggled to gain independence form Britain.
Nov 9, 2018, 7:00 PM
Join us at the museum for an evening of heart warming and unforgettable stories of memories and gratitude. Tea and soda bread will be served.
Nov 8, 2018, 7:30 PM
A world without nightly soap operas, football or a film for enjoyment may seem hard to imagine, but perhaps we are the ones who are lacking the proper home-spun entertainment enjoyed by our Irish ancestors. In days gone by, long nights in Ireland were passed by attending airneán or going "ag bothantiocht", in what was known as a rambling house. These were houses where friends and neighbors congregated for gossip, storytelling and perhaps the odd song and dance, late into the night. These houses served an important function in the days before radio, television and modern transport. We have rambling houses to thank for ensuring much traditional lore, stories and music were passed on from generation to generation. Join us at the museum for our own rambling house and an informal music and song session by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann.
Bring your party piece or instrument! Audience participation welcome.
Oct 27, 2018, 7:00 PM
Steven O' Connor, Sheila O' Shea, Parker Cross, and Elizabeth Stack will share some of the creepiest Hallowe'en stories, from old Irish superstitions to more modern horror writers from America and Ireland! We will discuss fear and why people are drawn to things that scare them. You are welcome to share your encounter with the supernatural too or tell us an Albany story.
Don't worry though - we'll give you something to replenish your spirits before sending you home!
Donations appreciated.
Oct 26, 2018, 7:00 PM
Author and Professor Lucy E. Salyer will discuss and sign her new book, Under the Starry Flag: How a Band of Irish Americans Joined the Fenian Revolt and Sparked a Crisis over Citizenship
The book will be on sale in the Museum.
The riveting story of forty Irish Americans who set off to fight for Irish independence, only to be arrested by Queen Victoria's authorities and accused of treason: a tale of idealism and justice with profound implications for future conceptions of citizenship and immigration.
In 1867 forty Irish American freedom fighters, outfitted with guns and ammunition, sailed to Ireland to join the effort to end British rule. Yet they never got a chance to fight. British authorities arrested them for treason as soon as they landed, sparking an international conflict that dragged the United States and Britain to the brink of war.
Under the Starry Flag recounts this gripping legal saga, a prelude to today's immigration battles. The Fenians, as the freedom fighters were called, claimed American citizenship. British authorities disagreed, insisting that naturalized Irish Americans remained British subjects. Following in the wake of the Civil War, the Fenian crisis dramatized anew the idea of citizenship as an inalienable right, as natural as freedom of speech and religion. The captivating trial of these men illustrated the stakes of extending those rights to arrivals from far-flung lands. The case of the Fenians, Lucy E. Salyer shows, led to landmark treaties and laws acknowledging the right of exit. The U.S. Congress passed the Expatriation Act of 1868, which guarantees the right to renounce one's citizenship, in the same month it granted citizenship to former American slaves.
The small ruckus created by these impassioned Irish Americans provoked a human rights revolution that is not, even now, fully realized. Placing Reconstruction-era debates over citizenship within a global context, Under the Starry Flag raises important questions about citizenship and immigration.
Lucy E. Salyer is Associate Professor of History at the University of New Hampshire and the author of Laws Harsh as Tigers: Chinese Immigrants and the Shaping of Modern Immigration Law, which won the Theodore Saloutos Book Award for the best book on immigration history. A former Constance E. Smith Fellow at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, Salyer has received the Arthur K. Whitcomb Professorship for teaching excellence and fellowships from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the National Science Foundation, and the American Council of Learned Societies.
Oct 21, 2018, 2:00 PM
Hallowe'en is an Irish holiday - based on the ancient Celtic "Samhain," which was the end of the old year. Oiche Shamhna is the Irish for Hallowe'en Night, and this afternoon we will celebrate all the old, traditional games, by Trick or Treating in the museum, bobbing for apples, eating Barmbrack to see what your fortune holds, and carving pumpkins. There will be a range of snacks and activities, including story-telling by Bill Combes. Suitable for all the family. Come in costume for an extra treat!
Oct 13, 2018, 3:00 PM
Briege is a singer-songwriter from Armagh, who writes contemporary folk songs, and sings Irish traditional songs. She tells the story behind the song usually with a good dose of humor thrown in. For many years, she was a member of the local "Ring of Gullion" Comhaltas in my home village of Forkhill, in Co. Armagh.
Her songs have been recorded by people like Niamh Parsons (e.g. songs Cloghinne Winds, Lappin), Frances Black and Aoife Scott (The Hills of South Armagh ), Rig the Jig, Don Stiffe, Anthony John Clarke, The Border Collies, Scold's Bridle, The Once (Canadian National folk award winners), Sue Matthews, Maryland, and many more around the globe.
$10 for members, $15 for non-members. We are proud to be able to bring new musicians from Ireland for our community to hear!
Oct 12, 2018, 7:00 PM
Get ready for Hallowe'en and hear stories about things that go bump in the night!!! Samhain is the old Irish holiday and the origins of Hallowe'en have a decidedly Celtic flavour.
Oct 9, 2018, 7:00 PM
Irish authors have given us our most infamous vampric villains. Though canon says Dracula comes from Transylvania, we will argue that Drac is more Irish than Romanian! Join Maeve McEneny Johnson in a horror-filled examination of nineteenth century Dublin's Gothic writers. How does pagan folklore, Christian identity and Celtic pride, factor into the most famous bloodsuckers? Join us to find out!
Authors Examined: Charles Maturin, Sheridan LeFanu, Bram Stoker and Oscar Wilde.
Maeve McEneny Johnson was raised in an Irish Catholic household, Christened with a pagan name, has more books than clean t-shirts and she's been telling ghost stories since she was six years old. She has been a tour guide for the city of Albany for over 10 years and penned The Original Albany Ghost Tour, the first haunted tour about the city. She boasts a Master's degree in English from the University at Albany and currently works at the Discover Albany Visitor Center as their Education and Heritage Coordinator.
Oct 4, 2018, 7:00 PM
The popular and informative Carroll Lecture Series picks up again this fall at Skidmore College. Peter will discuss the transformation of the Irish economy during the 20th and 21st century.
From an insular and isolated economy after World War II, Ireland was transformed because of the economic policies of T.K. Whitaker and membership in the EEC in 1973. Today, it is a hub for American and other computer and pharmaceutical industries. How did it happen, and what are the consequences it has had on the Irish economy? What will Brexit mean for Ireland as the Gateway to Europe?
Oct 1, 2018, 11:00 AM
Our re-scheduled Golf Tournament. The 19th Annual "Mostly Irish Classic" benefits the Irish American Heritage Museum, Albany, NY, and its educational programs. Now in its 32nd year of preserving & presenting Irish history, culture and influence throughout the Capital Region, the State, and the United States, the Museum's mission of public education tells of the contributions of the Irish in America.
Our 2018 venue is the historic Mohawk Golf Club in Niskayuna, New York. So please join us for a good cause and a fine day of traditional Irish hospitality: good golf, fine food, stories, laughter, friendships and fundraising.
Enjoy an all-inclusive day of great golf: shot-gun start, scramble format, lunch, complimentary selection of golf equipment gifts, free beverages on the course, complimentary "Adjustment Hour" that includes an Irish whiskey tasting, the Mohawk's Great Chef Dinner, fantastic raffle & auction items, & awards & prizes: Winning Foursome, Longest Drive, Closest-to-Pin, Hole-in-One, Putting Contest. For more information, sponsorship support, and registration please call the Irish American Heritage Museum (518) 427-1916 or email info@irish-us.org.
Sep 30, 2018, 8:00 PM
Lord of the Dance: Dangerous Games continues to thrill audiences around the globe with its intoxicating mix of dance and music that fuses the traditional with the contemporary in a classic tale that showcases the exceptional talent of the cast.
Sep 30, 2018, 5:00 PM
Join our Book Club and Knitting Circle. The Museum will host two different activities in the Fall and Winter. We will have a knitting and crochet class, where we will learn how to knit in the Aran Sweater tradition, knitting panels for a fabulous patchwork quilt. If you can "plain and purl" then you will be able to learn how to do these beautiful patterns.
We also intend to host a book club which will start in October. Readers will take turns leading a session on the book of their choice. We will confirm the days we will meet when people sign up. Email the museum at info@irish-us.org to sign up for these fun activities.
Sep 26, 2018, 6:00 PM
Eating together is always a celebration! Join us at the CDIAA Hall on Ontario Street for a Harvest festival/Lughnasa dinner, with stories and other Celtic traditional fun. Dinner and Dessert provided. $15 per person. Email info@irish-us.org or call 518 427 1916 to confirm your seat. Celebrate the Taste and Traditions of Ancient Ireland!
Sep 23, 2018, 8:00 PM
Celtic Thunder live shows are known for dramatic effects via lighting and choreography as well as realistic Irish stage sets with authentic Irish instruments. The performances have dramatic solos, compelling ensembles, and comedic acts.
Sep 23, 2018, 2:30 PM
Please contact John Leonard at 518 573 2213 for tickets. Andy Cooney and the Irish Show Band, the Munro Brother Pipers and the Farrell School of Irish Dance will perform.
Tickets cost $25.00 and the event is on at the CDIAA Hall, 375 Ontario Street, Albany.
Sep 20, 2018, 6:00 PM
Mary P. Corcoran, Professor of Sociology, Maynooth University and Fulbright/EPA Visiting Scholar.
This is the decade of commemoration in Ireland marking the 1916 Rising, the transformative General Election of 1918, the War of Independence 1919-21 and the Civil War 1922-23. The commemorative process has engaged the nation in looking back and looking forward, evaluating both our past and our present. It is timely to reflect on where Ireland has ended up, 100 years after the publication of the Proclamation, almost 70 years since the country became a Republic in 1949, 45 years after we joined the European Union and 10 years after the economic crash. In this talk, Professor Corcoran will provide some sociological reflections on Irish modernity focusing in particular on key transformations that have occurred in everyday life, as well as noting important continuities with the past. The nature of Irish civil society will be explored particularly in the context of the 2015 Marriage Equality Referendum and the 2018 Eight Amendment campaigns.
Sep 15, 2018, 6:47 PM
The Albany Rowing Club will host the Annual Regatta at Jennings Landing starting at 12 noon. Come and watch our own Albany Rowing Club battle it out against the All Ireland Champion team, as well as crews from the Boyne Currach Project, Boston, Philadelphia, Annapolis, Pittsburgh, Milwaukee, and New London. A great day out on the Hudson for all the family.
Sep 14, 2018, 7:00 PM
It's the perfect treat for the family adjusting to "Back to School!" Come hear our performers tell entertaining stories, rooted in the long Irish tradition. $25 family ticket.
Sep 6, 2018, 12:00 PM
"Bread or Blood:" The Great Hunger in an Irish Town. Elizabeth Stack, PhD, will discuss how the famine affected her home town of Listowel. The story is important not because it is exceptional, but because it represents the typical experience of many Irish towns at that time.
$15 for lunch and the lecture. Please contact Paul Collins at pcollin1@nycap.rr.com to confirm you will attend.
Aug 29, 2018, 6:30 PM
Join us for a sunset cruise to round out the summer before "Back to School time!" The United Irish Societies of the Capital District and the Museum invite you to enjoy a leisurely sunset cruise, light snacks, and music provided by Rick Bedrosian. Rick is the leader of two world renowned bands- Hair Of The Dog (Irish) and Hey Jude (Beatlemania). You can expect to hear fun Celtic and Beatles songs, many sing alongs by other artists, original tunes and wonderful stories from his five decade career in the music business. There will be a cash bar on board. Please visit the Dutch Apple website to purchase tickets in advance for $35, or $45 on the day.
Aug 22, 2018, 11:00 AM
Celebrate Irish American Day at the Track, August 22nd (Travers Week) from 11a.m. to 5p.m.
Aug 14, 2018, 7:00 PM
The museum is currently displaying Greg's iconic Saratgoa series through August. Greg will discuss his work at a reception on August 14th at the museum.
Greg Montgomery received his formal art training at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, where he studied painting and lithography, and at the College of St. Rose in Albany, New York where he studied seriography. Recently, Greg has taken watercolor master classes in Europe with the Australian watercolorist David K. Taylor.
His clean colors, dynamic form, and unusual use of white space make his work unparalleled in the field of equestrian, sporting, and poster art. Greg's series of posters for the Travers Stakes race in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. is the longest running series by a single artist for a single event in racing history. Over the years, Greg's bold and striking images of the racing scene have steadily increased in popularity. Today, his posters and prints hang in public and private collections worldwide and in the permanent collection of the Library of Congress.
Jul 23, 2018, 7:00 AM
An all-inclusive day of great golf: shot-gun start, scramble format, lunch, complimentary selection of golf equipment gifts, free beverages on the course, complimentary “Adjustment Hour” that includes an Irish whiskey tasting, the Mohawk’s Great Chef Dinner, great raffle & auction items, & awards & prizes: Winning Foursome, Longest Drive, Closest-to-Pin, Hole-in-One, Putting Contest.
Jul 17, 2018, 1:00 PM
Join us for Irish American Heritage Night at the Joe! Go Valley Cats! Enjoy a pregame concert by popular local Irish band Hair of the Dog! Concert begins once gates open at 5pm.
Jul 12, 2018, 3:00 PM
Bo Smith, Sage College, will discuss the historical origins of the Orange Order July marching season, as well as recent controversies and compromises. This is intended to be a non-sectarian event, that will reflect the recent meeting between the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar with the Orange Order Leadership.
Jun 30, 2018, 7:00 AM
We will exhibit a comic adaptation of a chapter from the 1922 edition of James Joyce's epic novel, Ulysses by Robert Berry. If you've always wanted to read Ulysses, but have been intimidated by its size and density, this is a great way in and is a great new way in its own right to experience literature. Berry is devoted to using "the visual aid of the graphic novel" to "foster understanding of public domain literary masterworks." He's clear to point out that Ulysses Seen isn't meant to replace Ulysses. Rather it's meant to be a visual companion to the original work. It uses the comic narrative to "cut through jungles of unfamiliar references" and to help readers "appreciate the subtlety and artistry" of Joyce's text. Original artwork in the form of bookmarks are available to buy.
Jun 20, 2018, 1:30 PM
Join the Museum for a presentation with the creators of Find Your Way Home. Jeff Strange and Jimmy Kelly will discuss their inspiration for this amazing musical, and their creative process. We will also discuss the historical context of World War I and mass immigration. Find out what it takes to get a musical on Broadway. This gem has been called the "Irish Fiddler on the Roof" and the creativity behind it is inspiring.
Suggested Donation $5.
Jun 16, 2018, 3:00 PM
Have you always been intimidated by Joyce's "Ulysses?" Have no fear, this program will give you a great background and perspective to this literary masterpiece. There will be a number of selected passages read by numerous members of the Capital District that will help make "Ulysses" accessible to all!
If you have ever been interested at all in Ulysses, this is the program to check out!! Our talented cast perform a condensed version of one of the most notable works in literature, and famous Dublin songs will round out the entertainment.
$5 to members $10 non-members
Jun 13, 2018, 2:00 PM
Bloomsday is a celebration that takes place both in Dublin and around the world. It celebrates Thursday 16 June 1904, which is the day depicted in James Joyce's novel Ulysses. The day is named after Leopold Bloom, the central character in Ulysses. The novel follows the life and thoughts of Leopold Bloom and a host of other characters - real and fictional - from 8am on 16 June 1904 through to the early hours of the following morning. The evening begins at the Museum at 6pm and then will continue on a pub crawl in the area, where you'll receive one drink. You'll be regaled by extracts from the famous book and songs about Dublin!
The Society is a charitable organization which raises awareness of Irish culture in New York State. The proceeds that are raised go towards many worthwhile programs state-wide, and with your support, it allows us to contribute to these cultural programs.
Cost is $30.00
Jun 5, 2018, 3:00 PM
A roundtable discussion will be hosted by the Irish American Heritage Museum on "The Life and Legacy of Robert Francis Kennedy" on June 5 to mark the 50th anniversary of his assassination.
While representing New York in the U.S. Senate and having just won California's Democratic presidential primary, Bobby Kennedy was gunned down June 5, 1968 at a Los Angeles campaign event. He died from his injuries the next day.
Jun 2, 2018, 2:00 PM
There can be no question that the main way Irish Americans honor their heritage is through song. On Saturday, June 2, from 6 to 11 p.m. at the Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) Hall, 375 Ontario St., Albany, five well-known musical acts are offering their talents for a Hooley to raise money for the Irish American Heritage Museum. The performers include Kevin McKrell, Kilashandra, Jeff Strange, Jimmy Kelly and Don Kelly. We’re really honored that these fine musicians are performing this benefit for the museum, and that the CDIAA is hosting the event for us. Irish heritage is alive and well in the Capital Region, and we hope everyone turns out to sing along to the songs that remind us of our heritage. Come celebrate our heritage together!
May 16, 2018, 3:00 PM
The Tables Turned: Mass Immigration into Ireland by Peter Moloney at Union College
May 11, 2018, 3:00 PM
A great night of story-telling and music in the Irish tradition. A fun night for all the family!
Apr 13, 2018, 3:00 PM
The Luck of the Irish: The Good, The Bad and the Blarney. Mary Murphy and Nancy Marie Payne will share stories which amuse in the moment and give memories worth having.
Apr 10, 2018, 3:00 PM
The Good Friday Agreement, a framework for peace in Northern Ireland. Panel Discussion with Karen Sonnelitter, PhD, Jack McEneny, and Ed Collins.
Mar 17, 2018, 10:00 AM
Come walk with members and friends of the Irish American Heritage Museum, the Capital District Celtic Cultural Association (CDCCA) and for the first time in the history of the St. Patrick's Day Parade - a Kerry Cow! We will be meeting at 12:45pm at the CDCCA at 430 New Karner Road, rather than at the AOH on Ontario, as in years past, to accommodate our 4-legged friend.
Mar 17, 2018, 8:00 AM
There's still time to register to run in the inaugural Irish Sweat-er Run, just go to albanyrunningexchange.org. (Online registration closes at 10am, Friday, 3/16). Registered runners will receive "pots of gold" string bags with complimentary museum memberships, gift certificates, free beverage coupons and more, while supplies last. Bibs and bags can be picked up at the museum (370 Broadway, Albany) on Friday, 3/16 from 1-4pm. We will also offer "Day Of" registration from 10-11:30am.
Mar 17, 2018, 7:00 AM
The Irish American Heritage Museum will host the 4th Annual Family Festival at Academy Park at Academy Park and in Albany's City Hall on Saturday, March 17th from 11am-4pm. The festival is free and open to the public and will include food, crafts, music and dance performances. We have a full day of great entertainment planned in conjunction with Albany’s St. Patrick’s Day parade, which kicks off on Ontario St. and Central Avenue at 2pm. Some of these events will be held inside City Hall due to weather and ground conditions.
Mar 10, 2018, 5:00 AM
Save the date for this fun-filled day with Irish Soda Bread tasting, Irish Bowling demonstrations, Irish music and more. Register today using the Contest Entry Packet.
Feb 15, 2018, 2:00 PM
First of a six lecture series on Contemporary Ireland by Dr. Peter Molony to be held at Siena College in on February 15th at 7pm in the Lonnstrom Dining Hall (The Norm).
Feb 9, 2018, 2:00 PM
Seanachie Eves are evening events held at the museum on the second Friday of the month at 7pm. Come in to hear some wondeful storytelling and share your own stories.
Dec 8, 2017, 2:00 PM
Start the holiday season at the Irish American Heritage Museum on Friday, December 8 for a reading of the charming story, "A Child's Christmas in Wales," by Dylan Thomas. Enjoy holiday music, seasonal treats, and the nostalgia and humor of Dylan Thomas's memories of the Christmas' of his youth. Share your own holiday stories and sing along with a cast of dramatic readers including special guest reader Anne McCloy from CBS 6 WRGB, we look forward to a lovely evening.
Nov 29, 2017, 6:00 AM
Bring your questions and have Lisa help you find your answers!
Nov 18, 2017, 9:00 AM
John Fitzgerald and Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy left an indelible mark on American history.
Nov 3, 2017, 2:00 PM
On behalf of the Board of Trustees of the Irish American Heritage Museum, we invite you to join us for the Annual Governor Hugh L. Carey Awards Gala, November 3rd, at 6 PM at The Desmond. We are honoring two of Irish America’s most respected and generous community leaders: CSEA President & AFL-CIO/AFSCME International Vice President Danny Donohue and Retired NYS Assemblymember & Albany Historian Jack McEneny. The Museum will also be recognizing Governor Carey’s Tax Commissioner, James Tully
Oct 26, 2017, 2:30 PM
Many of us know the story of the Irish laborers on the Erie Canal, but, as our current exhibit tells, the Irish story does not end there.