Patrick J. Dowling Library

During this period of change at the Center, the volunteers at the Library and the Center’s History/Heritage Committee remain committed to the library’s mission of promoting Irish history and culture. Working in partnership with the UICC Cultural Committee and community organizations like Comhaltas and Irish Marvels, we envision fulfilling this mission by continuing to sponsor historical and cultural events, programs and exhibits with a long term goal of creating a Heritage Center with the library as its core.

Subject to change, our hours of operation remain the same: 1:30pm to 4:30 pm, Thursday, Friday & Saturday and by appointment. Starting on the first Thursday in December, Valerie, one of the library volunteers, will be starting a program of recording the stories of the Center so in 50 years members can hear the stories about the early days of the Center directly from the people who visited over the years or even helped build the Center. Please drop by the library if you would like to help preserve the history of the Center and tell us your story.

The History Committee is currently working on a very entertaining project about the role of the Irish in San Francisco during the Gold Rush Days. Pati Traktman has put together a great collection of stories and pictures. The project will include a new exhibit at the Center in January, a reception and a display at the SF History Days in March.

Also check out our website for more information about Comhaltas’ weekly Irish Language classes on Saturday and their Ceilis. On the second Saturday of the month, the Irish Marvels meet after the Language classes for historical seminars on a wide range of topics from pirates in Ireland to ancient monoliths to the Irish in San Francisco.

(Dates and times are subject to change.)