Category: Special Events

Executive Committee Nominations

Nominations are now being excepted for GAC’s Executive Committee.

Here’s your opportunity to get involved and really understand what goes into making our club special. Please contact anyone on the nominating committee if you have an interest in running for office. All positions are open for election: president, VP, treasurer, financial secretary, recording secretary, sergeant at arms & director.

Descriptions for Executive Committee:

For your convenience descriptions for all Executive Committee positions can be found below. These were copied from the GAC bylaws Section 5  (pages 5,6,&7) 

For a Printable Copy

Anyone interested please contact a member of the Nominating Committee

Jude Fitzgerald – jfitzgerald740@aol.com
Teri Brown – teribrown@optimum.net
Patrick Bosse – pandcbosse@optonline.net
Christine Pacelli – christine.a.pacelli@gmail.com
Sabrina Bernardi – Stiberi77@gmail.com

 

Shamrock Traditional Irish Music Society Concerts

Saturday, April 12, 2025, 7:30 pm | Nathan Gourley and Diarmuid Ó Meachair 
(back by popular demand!)
There will be conversational Irish at 6:30 pm (advance ticket purchase required) Buy Tickets

Nathan Gourley is a guitar and fiddle player from Madison, Wisconsin, where he began playing music at the age of five. While in the Midwest he collaborated with renowned musicians, including Paddy O’Brien and Dáithí Sproule, and developed a distinctive style rooted in a deep appreciation for the tradition. Now based in Boston, Nathan is a sought-after performer and teacher.

Diarmuid Ó Meachair is an accordion player from Cúil Aodha, Co. Cork. He is also an accomplished melodeon player, sean-nós singer, and native Irish speaker. He was awarded the prestigious TG4 Young Musician of the Year award in 2022. Diarmuid is part of the teaching staff at the Department of Music in University College Cork. He is the new Professor of Irish Music in College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, Massachusetts.

For more info on this – show https://www.shamrockirishmusic.org/concerts

 

 

Dancing with the GAC Stars

ANNOUNCING THE GAC STARS

Charlie Adcock | Sarah Baldwin | Kaitlin Cullen

Terri Fitzpatrick | Kelly Karazulas

Sara Kelly | Cosbie Marable

Will take the dance floor on Saturday September 28th!
for more information contact social@gacemail.org

Seán Keane Concert

Special Performance Thursday September 19th @7:30

Seán Keane from County Galway is described as the greatest musical find of the 90’s. Traditional Irish, folk and even country and blues songs all lend themselves to his unique style and unforgettable voice.

Get your tickets for Seán Keane’s Concert on Eventbrite
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sean-keane-live-in-concert-tickets-920347011687
Or contact Noreen Forde 203-273-0483 Ticks are $40 in advance

 

The Thrill of the Grill

The the Crew is back on September 9th from 5:30-8pm to kick of Monday Night Football and will keep the grill fired up as long as the weather permits!

There will be a charge for the burgers, dogs and what ever else comes off the grill.

Participants are asked to bring an appetizer, side dish or dessert to share, it’s a great way to meet your fellow members!

Clan na Gael’s Fall Production

‘The Seafarer’ by Connor McPherson
Directed by Erin Williams and Produced by Peg O’Leary

November 21, 22 and 23 at 8 pm,
November 24 at 2:30

Tickets are $20 and can be purchased by calling 203-377-1070 or emailing playresvcng@gmail.com

The Seafarer is a chilling play about the sea, Ireland, and the power of myth. It’s Christmas Eve, and Sharky has returned to Dublin to look after his irascible, aging brother who’s recently gone blind. Old drinking buddies, Ivan and Nicky are holed up at the house too, hoping to play some cards. But with the arrival of a stranger from the distant past, the stakes are raised even higher. Sharky may be playing for his very soul.

The cast includes: Patrick Baldwin, Steven Bennett, Jim Foley, Eamon Speer and Byrne White.

Please be advised this play contains strong language

 

Halloween Céili

CÉILÍ – SUNDAY OCTOBER 27 @4PM IN THE CAROLAN ROOM.

Whether you come and kick up your heels or just tap to feet to the music it’s a great way to spend your Sunday afternoon!

Admission is $20 at the Door
Light refreshments will be served

For information contact Donna Lapolt at donna@lapolt.net ☘ $20 admission ☘

Irish History | Stair Na Héireann

STAIR NA HÉIREANN | IRISH HISTORY
OCT 12TH 2PM IN THE CAROLAN ROOM

We will be welcoming Christopher Kervick who will be discussing his 20 years of research and his resulting book entitled: “The Windsor Locks Canal: Yankee Enterprise & Irish Muscle” Mr. Kervick tells the story of the Windsor Locks Canal in great detail and he humanizes the Irish Canal laborers involved.

Christopher Kervick is an instructor of local history at Mitchell College in New London, Connecticut. He was First Selectman of his hometown of Windsor Locks, Connecticut for three terms. He was also a Connecticut Judge of Probate. He has practiced law for over 36 years. He is a graduate of Fordham University, Catholic University, Columbus School of Law.

As a child he lived just three hundred yards west of the Windsor Locks Canal (originally known as the Enfield Falls Canal). Fourteen years ago, the State of Connecticut hired him to conduct a title search of the entire canal. This project encouraged him to research more about the canal and the four hundred Irish immigrants who built it.

 

GO RAIBH MILE MAITH AGAT

The Fréamh Éireann Genealogy Group would like to thank Féile and the Irish Language Group for their continued sponsorship of our Irish History Lectures.

First Friday Trad Musican

Damien Connolly Leads This month’s First Friday Trad Music Session June 6th from 6-8pm

Originally from Co. Clare, Ireland, and now living in the U.S., Damien began learning the button accordion when he was 11 years old, taught by his father, Martin. He competed in the Fleadhanna (Irish music competitions) throughout his teenage years, taking first place both locally and regionally. At age 16, he took up the fiddle under the tutelage of his step-mother, Maureen Glynn of Brooklyn, New York. In 1997, Damien took first place in both the Under-18 All Ireland accordion and melodeon competition held in Ballina, Co. Mayo. The following year, he recorded three melodeon tracks on his father’s CD titled Back to Brooklyn. In 2000, Damien recorded his first accordion and melodeon CD, Tippin Away, accompanied by guitarist Pete Mancuso of NY. This CD was generously praised by renowned accordion players Joe Burke, Joe Derrane, and Bobby Gardiner. In 2008, Damien released The Irish Accordion Tutor, Vol I, Intermediate—Advanced, which has received recognition for being the finest Irish button accordion tutorial on the market today.

 

 

 

GAC Blood Drive

The GAC Blood Drive is June 25th from 9am – 2pm

Come roll up you sleeves and give a pint!
Did you know one Blood Donation could save up to three lives?!

Anyone wanting to donate should contact the Red Cross first at www.redcrossblood.org.

 

25 Card Game

JOIN US – SUNDAY APRIL 27 AROUND NOON (IRISH TIME).

 

How 25 is played:

The game of 25 can be played with any number of players, preferably from 5 to 10, not to exceed 10 players. The object of the game is to see who gets 25 first. Each trick is considered 5 points. To begin the game, any player can deal out the cards. The first player to receive an ace is the player who actually gets the first deal. Each player receives five cards. When the dealer is finished dealing the cards, he turns up the next card. This card is called the head trump. Then each player looks at his hand to see how many trump cards he has. The more trump cards a player has, the better his chances are of reaching 25.

The leadoff man to start the game is to the player’s left. If he leads off with a trump, then all players have to play a trump if they have one. Otherwise, they can play any card. If a player has trump, and does not play it, he is guilty of reneging A simple thought to remember is, “the more of the red, and the less of the black.” Another thought is to watch who is getting close to 25. This is called keeping the game “IN.” It is okay to play a trump card anytime a player wishes. The Ace of Hearts is always a trump regardless of what is played. The 5 card is the best card when trumps are up, followed by the Jack of Trumps, followed by the Ace of Hearts.

A complete description of the game would take several pages. The game of 25 is best explained by sitting down and playing an actual game with people who have been playing the game for years. In short, hopefully in some way, this has helped to bring the basics of the game to you.

The late Tom McInerney, a long-standing member of the club, donated this article.

Ryan Mahoney Joins Team at Ireland’s Great Hunger Museum of Fairfield, Inc.

Ryan Mahoney will assist with planning and exhibition of IGHM collection from Quinnipiac University.

Ireland’s Great Hunger Museum of Fairfield, Inc., established by members of the Gaelic-American Club in Fairfield, CT, is excited to announce that longtime museum professional Ryan Mahoney will be joining the association as an advisor.

Mahoney most recently served as the Executive Director of Ireland’s Great Hunger Museum at Quinnipiac University from 2017-2021 where he provided general management and oversight of all administrative operations of the museum, while managing all aspects of the collection’s care and maintenance. From 2013-2017, Mahoney was the Executive Director of the Irish American Heritage Museum in Albany, NY and he currently works at Springfield Museums in Springfield, Mass., where he helps develop gallery and exhibition themes and supervises installation of exhibition areas.

Mahoney has a dual bachelor’s degree in history and political science from St. John Fisher College and a master’s degree in public history from the University at Albany. He brings over 15 years of professional experience in the museum field to the team at Ireland’s Great Hunger Museum of Fairfield, Inc. Mahoney also has served as a national board member of the Irish American Cultural Institute, as well as a board member of the United Irish Societies of the Capital District, Inc. In 2016, Mahoney was named an Irish “Top 40 Under 40” by the Irish Echo.

“To say I am excited to have the opportunity to continue to work with this collection and help in the development of its new home would be an understatement,” said Mahoney. “This collection is powerful. Not only does it tell the story of Ireland in the 19th-century, but it also draws parallels to many contemporary issues that we see worldwide. The artwork here inspires conversations and provokes questions. It makes a topic like the Great Hunger more accessible to visitors of all ages.”

Mahoney added: “The Gaelic-American Club should be commended for the work that they have done to keep this collection together and home here in Connecticut. Ireland’s Great Hunger Museum of Fairfield, Inc. is assembling an impressive team of professionals to make sure this project is done correctly. This joint effort will secure the future Ireland’s Great Hunger Museum collection and ensure that it will thrive for generations to come.” (For more information visit https://www.ighmf.org/)

About the Gaelic-American Club of Fairfield

The Gaelic-American Club was founded in 1948 in Bridgeport by a group of Irish immigrants for the purpose of maintaining and celebrating Irish culture. By promoting social, civic, and cultural activities, the GAC continues long held Irish traditions and educates future generations. Ireland’s Great Hunger Museum of Fairfield, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) and operates as an association of the Gaelic-American Club.

Community Support for Museum’s Move to Fairfield

St. Patrick’s GAA Club, Fairfield CT

IRELAND’S GREAT HUNGER MUSEUM TREASURES SAVED
Saving Art Treasures Critically Important to the Irish Community

Fairfield, Connecticut. March 3, 2022 – St. Patrick’s GAA Club welcomes the transfer of the collection from Ireland’s Great Hunger Museum to the Gaelic American Club in Fairfield, Connecticut.

“This is terrific opportunity to preserve the unique artistic remembrances of the Great Hunger so that our community never forgets this tragedy,” said Jimmy Feeney, Chairman of St. Patrick’s GAA Club. He further added, “We are so grateful that the leadership of Quinnipiac University and the Gaelic American Club could work together and find a solution that maintains the public’s access to this important historical collection.”
In addition to preserving and promoting Gaelic games in Fairfield County, St. Patrick’s GAA Club supports Irish cultural programs and initiatives including traditional Irish language, music, dance, and literature.

Fairfield University’s response to Gaelic American Club saving and preserving Irish artifacts from Great Hunger Museum

The Irish Hunger Museum is not only among the most important Irish cultural institutions in the region and nation, but it’s collection is a crucial example of the role of art in rendering the human dimensions of loss, trauma, and the unspeakable. The museum represents and commemorates loss, injustice, and dehumanization. To see the museum survive, to have such a respected institution as the Gaelic American Club involved in its’ stewardship, and to have it located in such a well travelled area as downtown Fairfield is a blessing to us all.

Nels Pearson, PhD
Director, The Humanities Institute

Ancient Order of Hibernians JKF Division 1 Bridgeport, CT

It truly is great news to hear that Quinnipiac University is going to gift the entire collection of Art and artifacts of the Ireland’s Great Hunger Museum to the Fairfield Gaelic American Club. As an Irish American I am proud of our heritage. As President of the Ancient Order of Hibernians JKF division 1, Bridgeport, CT my chest swells with pride that such an important collection will be in Fairfield. “Fair play to ye” and well done.

If there is anything our organization can do to assist in transfer and set up of the collection do not hesitate to reach out to me. I know our membership will be overjoyed and “over the moon”, happy to hear the news when it is public knowledge.

Mark T. Ryan DMD
President
AOH JFK Division 1
Bridgeport CT

View Letter

(For more information visit https://www.ighmf.org/)

St Patrick’s Day Photo Gallery

“Cead mile failte, 100,000 welcomes. Ireland and the Irish are famous for that sentiment, for the sincerity of their welcome and I want you to feel that uniquely Irish sentiment here today. I want you to feel like you’ve been welcomed home.

This past year, Ireland has felt much further away than any time is our life time and we appreciate even more our heritage, our culture and our home. We appreciate even more what’s it like to have a club like this, where we can feel that welcome, where we can meet a friend, enjoy their company, truly like a home away from home.

We pray that in this coming year, we can reflect NOT on what we’ve lost this past year, but what we’ve gained. An appreciation of what is truly precious in this life, the connection to those we love, and a deeper appreciation of what home and family really means.

We, as a community have learned that we must never take for granted what it means to have a home like this to come to. We must always remember the work the previous generations of Irish men and women have invested, and we must endeavor to continue their work so that our children can feel the same connection to our heritage that brought you all here today.

So today I wish you, with all my heart, Cead mile failte. Welcome home, and a very Happy St Patrick’s Day.”

Gerry Forde
GAC Executive Committee President

Fantastic Start to Fundraising Efforts for Ireland’s Great Hunger Museum of Fairfield, INC

(Left to right) John Foley President of Ireland’s Great Hunger Museum of Fairfield, Inc. Amy O’Shea Vice President of Ireland’s Great Hunger Museum of Fairfield, Inc. Connecticut State Senator Tony Hwang Dr. Christine Kinealy PhD founding director of Ireland’s Great Hunger Institute Gerry Forde President of the Gaelic-American Club.

The Ancient Order of Hibernians hosted breakfast at the Gaelic-American Club on Sunday March 6th and a total of $10,000 was donated to the Ireland’s Great Hunger Museum of Fairfield, Inc.

Dr. Kinealy was the guest speaker for the event and was introduced by Amy O’Shea. The following was Amy’s speech.

“Good morning everyone. My name is Amy O’Shea and I’m delighted to be the very first speaker from Ireland’s Great Hunger Museum of Fairfield.

The journey you join us on today started when a few Gaelic-American board members joined the fight to reopen a shuttered museum in Hamden and it continued months later when we hosted an event there in the pouring rain in October.

What followed was months of quiet negotiations and representation of the Irish-American community in Connecticut.

Months of late night phone calls, text messages, emails and meetings in Hamden and Fairfield which lead us to this momentous decision by Quinnipiac on Friday.

The decision to transfer this great collection to the Gaelic American Club right here in Fairfield.

We are so very grateful that Quinnipiac is entrusting us with this incredibly important and prestigious collection and we fully understand and are prepared for the enormity of the responsibility we have undertaken.

The announcement has already been met with such an unbelievable outpouring of support from the Irish American community and we thank you for joining this small group at the beginning of our journey.

Over the coming months we will build something new and beautiful and we will show the world that Irish-America is as strong as ever. We will build on the story that Dr. John Lahey started and we will tell the story of our ancestors and how we got here.

Today I have the great honor to introduce someone who knows this great collection like no other and one of the world’s foremost authorities on the Great Hunger. It is truly my great pleasure to introduce Dr. Christine Kinealy.”

A total of $10,000 was donated to the Ireland’s Great Hunger Museum of Fairfield, Inc. at the event.  Many thanks to Ted Lovely family , the AOH for matching their donation and those who donated anonymously.

(For more information visit https://www.ighmf.org/)

Family Fun Night

Friday JUNE 27th from 6-9pm with a $7 kids only buffet

Family Fun Night

Family Fun Night is an opportunity for our young families to come down to the club and have some fun and a meal together.  Family Fun Night takes place the last Friday of the month from 6-9pm. (except for February)   Joe and his staff will provide a ‘kid-friendly’ delicious $7 buffet.

Just a reminder,  The buffet is strictly for the kids, parents are asked to order from regular GAC menu  – so kids please remember there’s no sharing with the parents!

PLEASE watch your children. Kids are NOT to leave the room without a parent. Toys are NOT to be brought into the Carolan Room from the Reidy (children’s) Room. NO toys or running on the dance floor. Please pick up food spills and help clear your table.

 

Any questions call Bette Leary at 203-767-0117.

Lets also keep in mind the GUIDELINES for use of the children’s room

Welcome to the GAC’s Children’s Room  dedicated in memory of Richard & Vivian Reidy

#1   Room Monitor is NOT a BABYSITTER!  Room Monitor is responsible for the contents of the room and safety of the children while in the room.  Parents are responsible for their children and guests behavior, whereabouts and use of items in this room.  Parents will be notified if any misbehavior or disrespect for the room or others is shown. The parent’s membership may be in jeopardy if behavior is not corrected or use of room is abused.  

#2 No Food or Drinks are allowed in this room by children.  If an adult chooses to bring in a beverage while watching their children, please make sure it is not left in the room.  The monitor is not there to clean up after adults.

#3 If you’d get in trouble at home for doing something, you’ll get in trouble here.  This room is a privilege for all children to enjoy and feel at home within the club, but just like any privilege it can be revoked.  

Just like on the pitch:

1st =  Warning – Parent is notified and child’s name is put in the book.

2nd = Yellow Card – Access to the room is suspended for a period of time.

3rd = Red Card –  Parent is required to go before the Executive Committee to explain, suspension or loss of family membership is possible.

Don’t be THAT kid or don’t be THAT parent that feels above the rules!  

#4 Common Sense Parenting is expected.  Intended for children 13 years and younger.  Parents may use discretion as to what age they feel their children are able to be in the room without parent supervision however, under 5 years of age supervision is required.
“Is leathan doras an teachín bhig”

“Wide is the door of the little cottage”  – Irish proverb

For more information, please email Bette Leary (203)767-0117

GAA Games from Ireland

GAA at the gac

 

Gaelic Football

Gaelic Football can be described as a mixture of soccer and rugby, although it predates both of those games. It is a field game which has developed as a distinct game similar to the progression of Australian Rules. Indeed it is thought that Australian Rules evolved from Gaelic Football through the many thousands who were either deported or immigrated to Australia from the middle of the nineteenth century. Gaelic Football is normally played on a pitch (playing field) approximately 137m long (150 yards) and 82m wide (90 yards).

The goalposts are the same shape as on a rugby pitch, with the crossbar lower than a rugby one and slightly higher than a soccer one. The ball used in Gaelic Football is round, slightly smaller than a soccer ball. It can be carried in the hand for a distance of four steps and can be kicked or “hand-passed”, a striking motion with the hand or fist (similar to serving in volleyball). After every four steps the ball must be either bounced or “solo-ed”, an action of dropping the ball onto the foot and kicking it back into the hand. You may not bounce the ball twice in a row. To score, you put the ball over the crossbar by foot or hand / fist for one point or under the crossbar and into the net by foot or hand / fist in certain circumstances for a goal, the latter being the equivalent of three points. Each team consists of fifteen players, lining out as follows: One goalkeeper, three full-backs, three half-backs, two midfielders, three half-forwards and three full-forwards.

Goalkeepers may not be physically challenged while inside their own small parallelogram, but players may harass them into playing a bad pass, or block an attempted pass. Teams are allowed a maximum of five substitutes in a game. Players may switch positions on the field of play as much as they wish but this is usually on the instructions of team officials. Officials for a game comprise of a referee, two linesmen (to indicate when the ball leaves the field of play at the side and to mark ’45” free kicks and 4 umpires (to signal scores, assist the referee in controlling the games, and to assist linesmen in positioning ’45’ frees). A goal is signaled by raising a green flag, placed to the left of the goal. A point is signaled by raising a white flag, placed to the right of goal. A ’45’/’65’ is signaled by the umpire raising his/her outside arm. A ‘square ball’, when a player scores having arrived in the ‘square’ prior to receiving the ball, is signaled by pointing at the small parallelogram.

Hurling

Hurling is a game similar to hockey, in that it is played with a small ball and a curved wooden stick. It is Europe’s oldest field game. When the Celts came to Ireland, as the last ice age was receding, they brought with them a unique culture, their own language, music, script and unique pastimes. One of these pastimes was a game now called hurling. It features in Irish folklore to illustrate the deeds of heroic mystical figures and it is chronicled as a distinct Irish pastime for at least 2,000 years.

The stick, or “hurley” (called camán in Irish) is curved outwards at the end, to provide the striking surface. The ball or “sliothar” is similar in size to a hockey ball but has raised ridges. Hurling is played on a pitch approximately 137m long and 82m wide. The goalposts are the same shape as on a rugby pitch, with the crossbar lower than a rugby one and slightly higher than a soccer one.

You may strike the ball on the ground, or in the air. Unlike hockey, you may pick up the ball with your hurley and carry it for not more than four steps in the hand. After those steps you may bounce the ball on the hurley and back to the hand, but you are forbidden to catch the ball more than twice. To get around this, one of the skills is running with the ball balanced on the hurley To score, you put the ball over the crossbar with the hurley or under the crossbar and into the net by the hurley for a goal, the latter being the equivalent of three points. Each team consists of fifteen players, lining out as follows: 1 goalkeeper, three full-backs, three half-backs, two midfielders, three half-forwards and three full-forwards.

Irish Language ~ Foghlaim Gaeilge

The club generally has multiple Irish Language classes at various levels during the school year. If you have some Irish Language knowledge already, you may be able to join one of them. New classes for absolute Irish Language beginners only start every two to three years. We’re happy to take your name and notify you when such classes start. We also have a full day of Irish Language/Culture on the first Saturday of October every year, which when there is enough demand, we will create introductory sessions for those new to the Irish Language. You will also find these items advertised in the club’s newsletter. For more information or to register your interest email the following two individuals and one of them will get back to you within a few days Robin Griskus (RDGriskus@AOL.com and Des Nolan (DesNolan@Optimum.Net).

UPCOMING EVENTS

LA GAEILGE DAY OF IRISH LANGUAGE AND CULTURE (The date for La Gaeilge 2025 will be announced when information becomes available)

Shamrock Traditional Irish Music Society (STIMS)

Shamrock Traditional Irish Music Society (STIMS), a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and promotion of traditional Irish music and culture.

STIMS’s all-volunteer performance group The Shamrogues  play traditional Irish reels, jigs, hornpipes, and airs on a variety of traditional and modern instruments and song,  The meet on  Wednesday  for Trad Music Seisiún (7-9pm) and they welcome new musicians join in, if you don’t play, come listen and tap your feet to this amazing group of musicians.

In addition STIMS host’s the First Friday Trad Musicians and  The Traditional Irish Music Concert Series.