July 2019

by | Jul 1, 2019 | Message from UICC President

UICC Members,

I hope that you and your families are enjoying the summer. Our President, Anne Cassidy Carew is enjoying some well-earned vacation in Ireland. In her absence, I am pleased to update the membership on UICC activities and upcoming events for July.

Save the Date – Members Meeting, Thursday, July 25th, 7:30 pm, St. Francis Room. The Board will present the results of the Audit which are in the final stages of completion. The Board will also brief members on the state of the Center.

Highlights from June
Boxing returned to the Center on June 1, with the GAA sponsored amateur fight night. A buoyant crowd of over 550 fans filled the St. Patrick’s room which was transformed into our own “Madison Square Garden” professional style boxing ring.

Pioneer champion for woman’s and workers’ rights Kate Kennedy was honored with a memorial event, the “Kate Kennedy Remembrance” on Sunday, June 9 at the Cypress Lawn Cemetery in Colma. Dennis Kelly, San Francisco teacher, union activist, and past president of the United Educators of San Francisco (UESF) was the featured speaker on a lovely Sunday afternoon. The procession was led by the Irish Pipers of SF and the Pearse and Connolly Fife & Drum Band. A reception was held afterward at Molloy’s.

Members Mark and Molly Burke once again organized and promoted two outstanding UICC events. On June 8, guests donned cowboy hats, boots and bandana’s and two stepped the night away on the Emerald room (the old dining room) to the California Cowboy band. On June 15, after an entertaining opening act of Perrish Sings Sinatra, Frank O’Conner returned to the Emerald room with a piano sing-a-long and dancing.

Josephine Brogan (UICC) and Comhaltas organized DeBogman storytelling and comedy act in the Emerald room and bar on June 28th. Anne Cassidy Carew, was back in time to participate in the 8th annual Mad Hatter Tea Party.

On June 18, San Francisco’s Irish Consulate hosted a community consultation evening at the Irish Center with representatives from Bay Area Irish community organizations, including the UICC, to discuss Ireland’s new Diaspora Policy centered on Ireland’s commitment to maintaining and enhancing connections with the global Irish. 30 representatives had a robust discussion and provided valuable inputs on what the priorities should be for the new policy. Cultural engagement is at the heart of this new policy and the Irish government recognizes the importance of using the cultural infrastructure available to them globally and to help develop that infrastructure through wider support of Irish cultural centers worldwide.

  • JULY CALENDAR
    • JULY 13, SATURDAY
      •  Sunset City Zoo presents – The Turnouts/Outer District/Spurts @ 7:00pm
    •  JULY 16, TUESDAY
      • Wine Tasting & Book Event – Patrick J. Dowling Library ~ 6:00pm
        Brave Hearts – A San Francisco Story – The Grit and Dreams of an Irish
        Immigrant Family by Jean Mahoney
    • JULY 18, THURSDAY
      • Comhaltas Set Dancing Class ~ 7:30pm ~ Main Bar area
        For info call Josephine Brogan 415-264-8856
    • JULY 20, SATURDAY
      • The Young Dubliners ~ 7:30pm ~ See Ad
        Opening act – Lucky Fiasco
    •  JULY 25, THURSDAY
      • Comhaltas Set Dancing Class ~ 7:30pm ~ Main Bar area
        For info call Josephine Brogan 415-264-8856
    • SAVE the DATE!
      • AUGUST 4 Summer “Spring” Cleaning 10:00 – 3:00 pm
      • AUGUST 18 GAA Game 5:00 am
      • AUGUST 18 Fogfest 11:00 am

This discussion dovetails into our own internal discussions about the future of our Center and our goals for expanding cultural programs and activities to connect, promote and foster and preserve the legacy and values of Ireland in literature, genealogy, art, music, folklore, language, drama, dancing, and sports. We want to engage younger members, expand cross-cultural partnerships with an eye towards a state -of -the art cultural institution. There is much opportunity for collaboration with the Irish Government. We have the space, a 20,000 square foot building, for all things Irish. Our charter members built a great foundation. It’s time for the next generations to become more involved in preserving and sharing our rich Irish culture and heritage.

In the same vein, please consider giving the gift of membership to your children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, friends. Member benefits include, member only events, special member pricing, reduced room rental rates, to name a few. Membership dues are also tax deductible. We have flexible payment options and a new member discount when applying for membership on our website at http://www.irishcentersf.org/membersip/

We continue to have many opportunities to volunteer. Our staffing is limited and our volunteer roster is stretched thin. We are in immediate need of on call Event Leads to help direct the execution of events taking place at the UICC. Event leads work in tandem with the Event Manager, crew, caterer and vendors to facilitate safe set up, break down and event timeline. If interested, please email the center at https://www.irishcentersf.org/contact/#email

Patricia G. Hayes
Vice-President UICC