The IACI participates in a myriad of Events, Parties, Festivals and Volunteerism
throughout the year. Here is a list of CURRENT and Past items.
Attention: CURRENT and/or FUTURE items are in [[Brackets]].
On Sunday, 2nd February, 2020 we had Imbolc, (pronounced Im as in him,
bol as in Molly and c would be ck sound as in pick) -- which is a Gaelic traditional
Festival marking the coming of Spring, and the coming into Milk of the Ewes, because
as I understand this is why Imbolc is associated with sheep. (It is also the feast
day of Saint Brigid.) It is the half time between the Winter Solstice and the
Vernal Equinox, that is, the time between the shortest day of the year and the time
when daylight and darkness are equal. This celebration has been practiced for
thousands of years. At this time the sheep were ready to have babies, and
winter would soon end. Now, St. Brigid was the Saint that protected homes
from fire. Some people put a red candle in their windows the night before Imbolc.
So, light your candle and maybe put on your wool sweater and know that winter
won't be much longer!
This event (Imbolc) was held at Pascale's Bistro in Drumlin's Country Club,
800 Nottingham Road, Syracuse from 12 Noon - 4 p.m.
The menu consisted of Chicken piccata, Au Gratin Potatoes,
Penne pasta w/ vodka Sauce, Broccoli + cauliflower
w/ garlic butter, salad, cheesecake, coffee/tea. Cost was
30 $ for Adults -- Kids -- 10 $ for the Dinner, and the meal
was superb. Entertainment was provided by a 3-piece
Irish Musical Group -- Wind & Wire, and they were
outstanding. The attendees were lead in Song -
(names of) Parting Glass, Red is the Rose,
and Loch Lomond. We were treated, too, to a
poignant poem about Alzheimers by
Basil Dillon-Malone. (As always for this event,
R.S.V.P. by calling (315)-299-8225, 2 weeks prior.)
No Imbolc Festivities for 2021 and 22
because of Covid / Flu.
In March, we participate in one of the HUGEST events
of the year, the St. Patrick's Day Parade in downtown
Syracuse; always on a Saturday and always well-attended -
no matter how cold. 2020's Parade will be hosted by
Sean Kirst and John Francis McCarthy, the Grand
Marshals. The theme is -- A Picture is Worth
1000 Words; honoring Story-Tellers. Parade 2020
and 2021 canceled due to Covid. Parade was held
on 12 March, 2022 Saturday at 12 noon in downtown.
Theme was Irish Dancers. I.A.C.I had a staunch crew of folks
holding it down for the Celtic cause in CNY. It was 21 degrees
when we marched, wind
whipping and snow.
A PERFECT day for
a parade!
Then comes Irish Dance Feis, (pronounced Fesh as in
mesh), which is a traditional arts and cultural festival, with
heavy emphasis on Irish dance. This year to be held
at the NYS Fairgrounds, in the Horticulture Bldg.,
Saturday 25th April, 2020 from
9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. There is ample
parking behind the building. Feis in 2020
and 2021 canceled due to Covid. [[ In 2022, Feis
will be Saturday April 23, 2022, again at the Horticultural
Bldg., at the Fairgrounds at the same time as in
the past - 9 a. to 2 or so.]]
We held our Annual Picnic on Tuesday June 18th, 2019
which was a Tuesday from 4 - p.m. to 8 - p.m. at Erie
Canal Park, which is in Dewitt. We served
burgers, barkers, chips, salad, drinks and
dessert, with entertainment such as
Irish story telling, and music.
ALWAYS a grand time!
Picnic in 2020 canceled because of Covid.
On June 22, 2021, we had our
picnic at Cedar Bay Pavilion with almost 20 people in
attendance from 4 to 8 p.m. Lots of delicious food and
great fellowship ensued!
In early September, forever on a Fri and Sat, there was
the HUGE annual Irish Festival held in Clinton Square in
Syracuse, NY. In year, 2019, it was Fri 6 Sep - noon to
11 p. and Sat the 7th - 11 to 11 p. We offered tin whistle
lessons, beginning Irish lessons, Irish
designs for Children to color, and free Irish
name tags for all ages. Also, we had books,
jewelry pieces, paintings/postcards, knitted items
and music CDs for sale. There were
several Irish bands there, too; traditional + modern,
and folks selling Irish and other type Foods. No Irish
Fest in 2020 cuz of Covid. This year Irish Fest,
for IACI in 2021, was held 5-6:30 Friday
and Noon til 6ish on Saturday September 11. Even
though Covid has ruined so much we managed to
have steady sales in books and jewelry, and
handed out a slew of name tags. Ann was
there at the ready with Brigid cross lessons
and penny whistle tutorials. Thanx to
all our volunteers. It was an
enjoyable two days!
In October, held at Jazz Central, 441 East Washington
Street in Syracuse on 13, 20 and 27th October, 2019 at
2 p.m. was our much loved Film Series, showing
three Irish films with popcorn and lively commentary
afterward. In 2019, Oct 13th - was The Rising of the
Moon, 1957, directed by John Ford w/ Tyrone Power
and Cyril Cusack. On 20 October, we viewed Shake
Hands with the Devil, a 1959 film starring James
Cagney, who plays an academic that turns into a
die-hard opponent of the 1922 Treaty. Finally, on
the 27th of October there was a
showing of the movie The Journey,
a recent 2016 film, depicting
Unionist Fire-brand Ian Paisley and
Sinn Fein Leader Martin McGuiness, who
find themselves in a long car ride together,
and the unexpected twists
that follow! Tickets were $10.00;
very reasonable -
purchased at the Door.
Btw, Street parking available.
Also, end of October, there is
Samhain, NOT pronounced Sam Hain;
(it is Sow as in now and wen as in then).
The American Halloween is patterned
after Samhain, btw. Samhain
was the division of the year between the
lighter half (summer) and the darker half (winter).
At this time, the division between this world and the
otherworld was at its thinnest,
allowing spirits and fairies to pass through/cross over.
It was their intention to take folks back to their world.
To confuse the fairies, people dressed up as animals or
monsters. Our current day Halloween has its' roots in Ireland's
traditions of thousands of years ago. Treats were often
left to appease these restless spirits. Turnips were carved
to frighten spirits away, in case treats didn't work.
In this country, the tradition continues
with the carving of pumpkins. Whether you celebrate
Samhain or Halloween, we hope you have a safe and
happy one!! Samhain was at Coleman's Irish Pub in
Syracuse, Sunday 28 Oct 2018 from 2 - 4 p.m.
There was a $ 10 cover charge at the Door - (Costumes
Optional) - which included a snack-plate, non-alcoholic
drinks, and entertainment. There were no organized
Samhain Festivities in 2019. No Samhain in 2020 due
to Covid. In 2021, the Halloween / Samhain festivities
were held on Saturday October 30th, at May Memorial
Church, 3800 E. Genesee St., in Syracuse at 1:30 p.m.
Finger-foods and non-alcoholic drinks were served.
Many wore creative costumes. All enjoyed the
fine Irish music and the mischief and mayhem of the day!
The public joined w/ members of the CNY-IACI
Saturday, November 17th, 2018 from 2:30 to 4 p.m. for
an informative discussion of the role of Douglas Hyde
in shaping modern Ireland, and particularly the controversies facing
Hyde and the Gaelic League in the pivotal early years of the 20th Century.
It was in Community Room # 1 of the Community Library
of Dewitt and Jamesville, 5110 Jamesville Rd.,
Jamesville, NY. To reiterate, members and public
were welcome, with many in attendance.
A good time was had by all.
[[Throughout the year, we hold Casual Language Classes on a regular basis,
taught by a native-speaker. These will be held at Onondaga Library,
starting in 2020 every Thursday at 9 a.m.]]
[[AND Formal Classes start at Oasis
beginning Monday the 24th of February at
9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. This is Irish I Class.
On this same date in 2020, starting at 12:15 is
Irish Class II.]]
[[Also, once a month, on Saturdays, in 2020, folks
gather to practice speaking the Irish language
together that they've learned. E-mail for addresses,
directions, etc; -- thetrumps1000@gmail.com.]]
[[Lucht Ceoil, music makers in Irish, (pronounced
Look-t Kyol -- o as in mole) is a monthly,
casual meeting, in 2020 of members interested
in playing and singing Irish music. There are
flutes, penny whistles, mountain dulcimer and
bodhran. Lucht Ceoil has done two musical
programs for Betts Library Summer Music
Series and two programs for the Centers at St.
Camillus. Bring your music instruments and join us
for some musical fun. Call (315)-299-8225 for
further Information. No pressure to be
professional.]]
[[On a regular basis, too, IACI does Volunteer work at the Samaritan Center,
215 N. State St., Syracuse on (day varies month-to-month) for two hours, from
3 - 5 p.m. serving meals to deserving folks in the community. Frequently, we
serve between 250 and 500 Meals, when our group volunteers. The Center serves
over 9000 meals per month. You may ask, what does feeding the Homeless have
to do with being in an Irish Group? I believe we
have a genetic memory of the Great Famine in
our ancestral homeland, making us conscious of
other's struggles and this motivates us to give
back. We work to empower our city. Come volunteer
with us if you like. Contact Ann by the 5th of each
month to find out the volunteer day
and date -- (315)-299-8225.]]
[[Our Board Meetings are the 2nd Tuesday of every month at the
Hazard Library from 12:00 to 2 (ish) p.
ALL are welcome.]]
(There are other things we've done which may be a one-time
happening, not listed here.)
In conclusion, we are a VERY active organization and would
love for YOU to join us! For info on becoming a member and/or
participation in any of the aforementioned activities -- please e-mail
us at the following:
REMEMBER, you need not be Irish to join our group,
you need only to have a love and appreciation
of Irish culture! (Note: Mobile Users, scroll WAY down to
view final pic/paragraph.)
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