Sunday November 3 from 2-5pm in the Carolan Room
A welcoming afternoon designed specifically for parents and young children to meet and discuss their thoughts, opinions and suggestions on how to make the club more enjoyable for all members … young and old. There’ll be children’s activities so they’ll have a good time while parents focus on family discussion.
Saturday December 6th 9-3pm
Saturday December 6th 9-3pm
The Fair features Irish vendors and unique crafters’ so there’s something special for everyone! Come and get your holiday photos taken with Santa by the GAC’s Stone Hearth. Enjoy a special Lunch served by The Lenihan School of Dance (who will certainly do a step or two). Proceeds from lunch benefit The Lenihan Dancers’ Fund.
Vendors please contact Kelli at bkgrady@msn.com if you’d like to
be part of the Celtic Christmas Fair!
Saturday, October 12, 3:00 pm ~ Shannon Heaton
The Art of Irish Music: Trad Tunes and the Stories Behind Them
This is a free event — Register Here
Boston-based Shannon Heaton sings and plays tunes on the Irish flute. For this special presentation, she’ll share some of her favorites and give an insider tour of the music. Learn how Shannon plays and hears traditional music, consider expressive elements in Irish music, and hear about some of the settings and players who have shaped the tradition. Whether you know hundreds of tunes or are new to Irish music, there’s always more to explore in the art of Irish music!
After the hour-long program, Shannon will lead a session. All are very welcome to participate (not just for flute players!)
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
Saturday, October 11, 3:30-5:00 pm | Free Workshops With Cillian Vallely and Alan Murray | Sponsored by the Gerry Herman Memorial Fund — Register Here
Cillian Vallely will lead a workshop for melody players interested in exploring tasteful variations in their tunes. Focus will be on tune learning and maintaining drive while introducing subtle variations that add interest and depth.
Alan Murray will lead a workshop for accompanists seeking to enhance their skills in backing tunes appropriately, with emphasis on tunings, rhythms, and the benefits of anticipating the melody.
A recording device is recommended as tunes will be taught by ear. Notation will be provided at the end of class if needed.
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
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 the Crew has put away the grill for the winter. Cheers to a very sucessful (and tasty) Monday Night Football BBQ Season and we all look forward to the return.
‘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
CÉILÍ – SUNDAY MARCH 15TH IN THE CAROLAN ROOM WITH CEOL AGUS CRAIC FEATURING LIAM SLIVKIN
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 $15 at the Door
Light refreshments will be served
☘ $15 admission ☘
Faith Maciver
President
Joan Greenwood
Vice-President
Griffin Reidy -Sergeant-at-Arms
Tracy James
Directory 3-Years
Pru O'Brien
Recording Secretary
Tom Egan
Financial Secretary
Tony Hogan
Director 1-Year
Tom Langdon
Treasurer
Kelly Rasmussen
Director 2-Years
STAIR NA HÉIREANN | IRISH HISTORY
History of Aran Knitting and Irish Clans | Sunday, October 11 at 2pm
Calling all knitters. Here’s a chance to share your knitting projects. The lecture, presented by Nancy Geary, Executive Director of the New Canaan Museum and Historical Society, will cover the history of Aran knitting and its connection to Irish clans and identity. If you have, or are in the process of knitting, any Aran style projects (or any projects with an Irish/Celtic motif), bring them along and we will put them on display.
Some examples of Aran Stitches:
While most Aran/Celtic patterns are knitted, it would be interesting to have some crochet pieces on display as well.
To help with the placement of the items, let us know prior to October 11 if you would like to display your finished or unfinished projects.
Any questions, please contact us at gaclectures@gmail.com
Tickets for the Lecture:
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 MUSIC SESSION
WITH LORETTA EGAN MURPHY MARCH 6TH 6-8PM
Loretta is a gifted button accordion and concertina player. She is the winner of numerous national awards and has taught Irish music to hundreds of students in New York and Connecticut. Her CD, Beyond the Watery Lane, received critical acclaim in both the United States and Ireland. In their younger years, Loretta and her sister, Monica, played the once-bustling Catskills circuit. Loretta is a GAC member and a key member of the Shamrock Traditional Irish Music Society.
Saturday, October 4th, 2025 from 8:30am – 5pm
Lá Gaeilge ~ Irish Language Day: Includes Irish language classes on all levels, cultural workshops, guest speakers, lunch, seisiun, and door prizes. Come meet new friends and old. Have fun and learn Irish!
$50 for the day (student discount available) Eventbrite registration
Contact : Robin Griskus 203 233 4979 or rdgriskus@aol.com.
The GAC Blood Drive is June 24th 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.
JOIN US – SUNDAY FEBRUARY 15TH AROUND NOON (IRISH TIME) NEW PLAYERS WELCOME
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 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.
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.
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
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
(For more information visit https://www.ighmf.org/)
“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
(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/)