Honoring a Half-Century of Heritage: The Irish Center’s 50th Year

Next month, we will celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the opening of the Irish Center, a milestone that highlights the strength and spirit of our community. As I look back through the Center’s archives it’s remarkable to think that the entire center was constructed in just 476 days—from groundbreaking to grand opening. It’s a testament to the dedication and drive of those involved that the building was completed in just 15 months.

Work began on November 11, 1973, and after nearly a year and a half of hard work, the Irish Center officially opened on Saturday, March 8, 1975. San Francisco Mayor Joseph Alioto was there to cut the ribbon, marking the day as a historic one for both the Irish and the broader San Francisco community.

Ground Breaking

At the groundbreaking ceremony in the fall of 1973, the Center’s then-Board President, Liam Spiers, expressed that the building would be “for the people of San Francisco, their children, and future generations of those of Irish heritage.” How fitting that some of our current members either helped build the Center or were young children watching it rise, while their parents, uncles, aunts, and cousins all played a part in bringing this dream to life. I have estimated that some 10,000 volunteer days went into constructing the Center-men, women and children all helped make to a reality. The only surviving member of the Center’s first board of Directors from 1975 – Sean Spiers – has told me “anyone that could drive a nail” helped out to build the Center. Teams of people swarmed the Center on Friday afternoons, all day Saturday and Sundays (after mass!). Sean says “it was a great coming together of the community for a common goal.”

Community Hub

The Irish Center remains a vibrant cornerstone of the community, continuing its long-standing role as a cultural and social hub. Offering a wide variety of programs, from traditional Irish dancing, music, piping, and drumming to newer activities such as line dancing, ballroom dancing, yoga, and kids’ mini soccer, the center has become a gathering place for people of all ages and backgrounds.

Facility at Capacity

In addition to these cultural offerings, numerous local clubs and organizations rely on the center for their regular meetings and events. Over the past six years, the efforts of the Board have reinvigorated interest in Irish heritage, with a diverse range of programming now available in response to the evolving needs of members and the wider community.

One of the center’s most promising developments is the growing participation of young people, ensuring that the traditions of Ireland will continue to thrive for generations to come. With the demand for space and resources on the rise, a new building would help better accommodate the center’s expanding activities and support its mission to be an inclusive gathering place for all things related to Ireland and beyond.

As the center looks to the future, its commitment to fostering cultural connections and community engagement remains as strong as ever.

Spring Celebration Events

As we move into spring, we look forward to a series of celebratory events, including music and theater performances that promise to engage and entertain the community. Please do take some time to come out and enjoy our live shows.

Kennelly Memorial Feis 

We hosted the Kennelly Memorial Feis last month with more than 200 step dancers taking to the stage, some of them for the first time, to ensure the continuation of the tradition for years to come.

Youth Music Classes

Music classes have resumed for the Spring. Thanks to the generous support of those who donated to our 2024 Annual Appeal, we have twenty kids signed up to participate in fiddle, tin whistle, piping and drumming classes.

Amateur Boxing

The UICC is teaming up with Fire in the Ring Boxing to showcase amateur boxing at the Center on Saturday March 8th. 

Spotlight on Education

Our community’s current eighth grade students and high school seniors were kept busy over the holiday period applying to high school and college, as part of the next steps on their educational journeys. Now that all those applications have been completed, it serves as a reminder that the Leo T. Walsh Scholarship program will start accepting applications on February 1 for 2025 awards. The deadline is Monday March 17, with winners to be announced in May.

Summer Camp 2025

Registration is now open for the 2025 Summer Camp taking place between June 9 and June 27. The theme this year is “Irelands got Game” which will see the kids focus on Ireland’s sporting history! Sign up by March 17th for the Early Bird Pricing. We are thankful to the Michael and Catherine Cremin Irish Cultural Fund for generous support of the camp.

Benefit Concert a Success

Well done to Cormac Gannon for orchestrating a fantastic evening of Irish music on January 11th in support of the humanitarian charity MECA, dedicated to the Children of Gaza.

Fundraiser 

The Library and Leo T Walsh Scholarship committees are busy selling raffle tickets as part of their annual fundraising effort.

St. Brigid’s Cloak 

Come and see the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs’ global art project called “Common Threads” which celebrates Lá Fhéile Bhríde | St. Brigid’s Day at the Center on February 8th between 2-4pm. Local artist Lisaruth Elliott will be available to discuss the project.

Congratulations

Mark Gorman, from Co. Laois who is this year’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade Grand Marshal. Jerry Cassidy, Marie Gavney and Sr. Edith Hurley, RSM are  the Honorary Grand Marshals. The annual dinner takes place at the Center on Friday February 28th at 7.00pm

Jubilee Memorial Mass

Mark your calendars for the upcoming 50th Jubilee Mass. The Center wants to honor all our members that have passed.  Please forward the full name of member(s) and the date of passing by February 24 to:  info@irishcentersf.org or call office 415-661-2700 to confirm the member is included in the Annual Deceased Members booklet.

St. Patrick’s Season

It’s hard to believe that the annual St. Patrick’s season is around the corner again. We look forward to a great lineup of Irish music, singing, dancing, and hearty corned beef and cabbage dinner. The parade takes place on Saturday, March 15, Greenfest happens along 45th Ave on Sunday March 26th with St. Patrick’s Day falling on a Monday this year.

Liam Reidy, President

lreidy@irishcentersf.org