Dear Members
The holiday season is upon us! Special warm wishes to you and yours for a delightful December.
We are pleased to enter into this special month with some interesting and important news. Michael Barnacle, the newest member of your Board of Directors, organized a meeting to raise awareness of a need for a capital campaign to support our United Irish Cultural Center. On Thursday, November 12th our Consul General, Philip Grant and Vice Consult, Kevin Byrne, came to the Center to talk with a group of representatives of various Irish organizations. Consul General Grant announced that the United Irish Cultural Center was in line to receive a grant from the Irish government to provide “scoping/seed” money for the purpose of outlining plans for the future of the Irish Community in the Bay Area. We are, of course, very excited about the possibility of conducting long-range planning for the future of the Bay Area’s Irish community. Another meeting will take place soon. I will keep you informed with updates on this important undertaking. All will be asked at some point for input into future plans and activities.
Meanwhile, December activities are plentiful. We will close the Center for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. Other than that, the Center will be buzzing with activities to celebrate the holidays. New ideas include an early New Year’s Eve Celebration on December 31st at the bar to raise a glass to the New Year in Ireland at 4 pm! Stay for dinner afterward, and, if you are like me, you can get into bed early and enjoy New Year’s Day! (Did I say that?)
Saint Stephen’s Day is another Irish holiday to be enjoyed. Let’s toast the Wren, King of Birds, on December 26th. We are working on an appropriate celebration, hoping to get some help from regular celebrators!
The Board and I are thankful to have you wonderful members as friends, neighbors and colleagues at the Center. I personally invite each and all of you to come out to the Center and enjoy the renewed restaurant (Our Host, Donagh, will welcome you in style.) and enjoy a delicious meal. (I have several favorites.) Don’t forget the “bottomless mimosas” featured during Sunday brunch either. And, if you still need to book a holiday party, call the Center to reserve!
Best Wishes for a Wondrous Christmas and Best-Ever New Year!
Judith Kell, President
UCC Board of Directors