The Irish Cultural Centre of California (ICCC) was formed in 2007 to celebrate and promote Irish culture and heritage for the benefit of our community. The Centre is the result of a strategic planning process conducted by the United Irish Cultural Center, a social club established in 1974 in San Francisco. Located in the social club’s beautiful facility at 2700 45th Avenue in San Francisco, California, the ICCC is the hub of all things Irish in California. The Centre is a
collaborative, unique space where people come together to celebrate
the Irish: past, present, and future.
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Leo T. Walsh Scholarship Program
Since its inception in 1994, this scholarship program has awarded 215 scholarships to eighth graders and high school seniors entering the next level of their education. In 2008, the committee will award five $1,000 scholarships to high school seniors and five $750 scholarships to eighth graders. Applications are due March 8, 2008 and available online here.
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As the ICCC grows, the following programs will be implemented:
Patrick J. Dowling Library
The Patrick J. Dowling Library, currently operated by the UICC, contains more than 3,000 titles on a variety of Irish topics, including: art, history (Ancient and Modern); literature; music; biography; genealogy; travel; religion; and Irish in America. The Library also houses a large collection of books written in the Irish language as well as Irish periodicals. The Library’s collection is non-circulating due to the delicate state and rarity of many of the items in its collection but it is currently open to the general public on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 1:30 – 4:30 p.m. The ICCC looks forward to opening the Library six days a week to the general public and eventually uploading our collection to the Internet to allow worldwide access to its unique collection.
Educational and Cultural Programs
The Centre plans to offer programs that will provide the general public with opportunities to learn more about Irish culture. Sample programs will include:
• Arts, literary and theatrical programs, including, but not limited to book readings, theater productions, art shows, workshops and book clubs. The Centre is working with existing cultural organizations in the San Francisco area to coordinate and promote these events.
• Irish language programs that will offer opportunities for individuals to learn the Irish language. The Centre looks forward to offering materials and programming that are offered in the Irish language.
• Music and dance programs that will provide the general public with the opportunity to learn traditional and contemporary Irish and Celtic music and dance.
• Athletic programs that promote Irish games such as hurling/camogie; handball; rounds and road bowling; and Irish football. Programs may include organizing opportunities for individuals to learn and compete in these supports. The Centre also plans to broadcast Irish games at its facility for viewing by the general public.
• Health and wellness programs that will promote exercise and health education with a specific focus on health issues that affect the Irish/Irish-American community.
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