Editor:

Restrictions on cultural and arts institutional activities during the pandemic severely curtailed the gathering of people for concerts, shows, exhibitions, and eliminated all types of indoor programming like music classes, drama, theatre and dance instruction. 

At the United Irish Cultural Center, we experienced all this firsthand as we were forced to close down to shelter in place on March 12, 2020. However, during that time we have worked tirelessly as a voluntary board to re-ignite our Irish dance, music, drama, and art programs while at the same time abiding by local public health mandates. We also have developed an ambitious rebuild of our current facility. Check the plans out online at www.irishcenter2025.org

With the pandemic, hopefully, in the rear-view mirror we can look forward with optimism about getting back to the way things used to be. This month will be one of our busiest over the past two years as we host Irish artist Annie Holland on Thursday, March 10 for a photographic exhibition entitled “Children of the Free State.” On Friday, March 11 Grammy award-winning fiddle player, Eileen Ivers, kicks off the parade weekend with a concert at 7 p.m. On March 12, as the official headquarters of the St. Patrick’s Day post-parade celebrations we will offer our famous Corned Beef and Cabbage dinner, Irish music, and Irish step dancing all day. Sunday, March 13 will see us team up with Java Beach Cafe, The United Irish Societies, and Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Ceoltóirí Éireann to celebrate the Annual 45th Avenue Green Fest Block Party. On Thursday, March 17, we open for dinner, dancing and music at 11 a.m. 

As a 501c3 nonprofit organization that was established in 1975 at the corner of 45th and Wawona, I invite your readers to stop by our Irish community center during March to experience an Irish welcome and check out all our Irish cultural programming we have to offer the community in this south-west part of the city. 

Happy St. Patrick’s Day to all the Sunset Beacon readers!

Liam Reidy

President

United Irish Cultural Center