The Story Behind the UICC Logo
Some stories live quietly in plain sight.
For more than fifty years, the United Irish Cultural Center logo has welcomed generations through our doors—printed on programs, flyers, signage, and correspondence. But few know how this enduring symbol came to be.
In the early days of the UICC, as the founders worked to bring the dream of an Irish cultural home in San Francisco to life, they were faced with an unexpected request from the bank: they needed a logo—and quickly. They had just two days to respond and no design prepared.
That’s when founding member of the UICC, Dan Hickey, stepped forward.
Dan, the late husband of Maureen Hickey and who hailed from Cordal, County Kerry, owned Minute Men Press, the print shop that handled much of the Center’s early printing. Seeing the urgency of the moment, Dan volunteered to design the logo—and he delivered, creating the emblem that endures to this day.
The logo thoughtfully reflects Irish heritage and learning. The four quadrants represent the four provinces of Ireland, a visual reminder that the UICC was founded as a home for all Irish traditions. At the center sits a harp, long a symbol of Ireland, topped by an image of a book—a detail many of us may have overlooked.
That book represents the Book of Kells, symbolizing Ireland’s rich legacy of art, scholarship, language, and storytelling—values that have guided the UICC since its founding.
More than a design, the UICC logo is a testament to the generosity, creativity, and “pitch in and make it happen” spirit of our founding community. It reminds us that what we inherit today was built through care, collaboration, and quiet acts of dedication.
We are grateful to Maureen Hickey for helping ensure this story—and Dan’s contribution—are remembered and shared.
Every element of the United Irish Cultural Center logo was intentionally designed to reflect the mission that continues to guide us today.
The four quadrants representing the provinces of Ireland—Connacht, Leinster, Munster, and Ulster—symbolize our commitment to celebrating the collective culture of Ireland. Together, they affirm that the UICC is a welcoming home for all Irish traditions, regional identities, and shared histories, honoring Ireland as a whole while embracing its diversity.
At the heart of the logo stands the harp, one of Ireland’s oldest national symbols. The harp reflects our role as a cultural center that celebrates and promotes Irish heritage through music, language, dance, and the arts—living traditions that continue to connect generations across time and place.
Dan Hickey, Rounding Member of the UICC
Creator of UICC Logo
Resting above the harp is an image inspired by the Book of Kells, representing Ireland’s deep legacy of learning, artistry, and storytelling. This element speaks directly to our mission to foster cultural awareness through education, and to preserve knowledge that has long been passed down through both written and oral tradition.
Together, these elements form a unified whole—much like the UICC itself. The logo reflects not only Ireland’s national heritage, but also our responsibility to honor and chronicle the contributions of Irish people in the San Francisco Bay Area, whose dedication, creativity, and community spirit have shaped the Center from its founding to today.
More than a visual mark, the UICC logo is a reminder of our purpose: to celebrate where we come from, to share it widely through education, arts, and social connection, and to preserve our legacy for future generations.
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