The GAC offers 2 $3000 scholarships or 3 $2000 scholarships to area high school seniors. You or a family member must be a member of the GAC.
Scholarship applications are now online.

Please have your application along with 5 copies (6 copies in all) at the GAC mailbox by Friday, May 3rd at 5pm. Later applications will not be accepted. The scholarship will be presented at the June Membership Meeting.

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION

Scholarship Information 2025 Sponsored by FÉILE Inc.

2025 Joe Moran Memorial Scholarship Application

FÉILE is pleased to offer up to three scholarships of $2000 each to high school seniors who will attend college in fall 2025.

2025 Patrick J. Dyer – 1916 Easter Rising Memorial Scholarship Application

In partnership with the family of Patrick J. Dyer. One scholarship of $1916 will be awarded to a high school senior who will attend college in fall 2025.

Information, applications, and details for both scholarships are available at FEILEINC.ORG.

Deadline for submission is April 1, 2025 Questions – Email feileinc89@gmail.com

 

Free Workshop Sunday, March 23, 2025 1:00pm to 2:30pm

Deferred or Waitlisted is not denied. Come write persuasive letters!

Award-winning, certified educator Elaine McLaughlin Halliday
Cornell University BS; Fordham Grad School of Education MS; 25+ years fostering students’ bests.

• This Free Writer’s Workshop is open to GAC-member HS Seniors
• Enrollment limited to 30 Gaelic American Club-member HS students.
• Pre-register with Gaelic American Club educator by emailing ehalliday@yahoo.com
• Provide parent’s & student’s names; email addresses; name of HS attending
• Bring personal laptop or a notebook – we’ll be researching & writing letters!
• Read & identify favorite elements of successful letters of continued interest.

During our informative, entertaining, and productive workshop, we will:

1. Examine successful letters of initially deferred/waitlisted students that worked!
2. Discuss elements that show admissions your sincere interest & unique alignment with their college’s offerings, goals, mission, & community
3. Research & draft letters and confer with Elaine 1:1 to revise your drafts
4. Review mechanics (punctuation, grammar, etc.) & style mistakes not to make!

Candy will be provided! Enrollment for free workshop limited to

30 pre-registered Class of ‘25 GAC members

The annual dinner, presented by the Saint Patrick’s Scholarship Fund Committee since 1965, provides a $6,000. scholarship for each of four years to a full-time university student regardless of race, creed, color, religion or natural origin. The next dinner will take place on Monday, March 10, 2025 at Stratford’s Four Seasons Restaurant at 6:pm (cocktails & socializing) followed by dinner & entertainment at 7:pm. $150. pp/ formal attire suggested.

For Tickets and Scholarship Information
contact Dave Howe, (203) 767-6519 or davehowe173@gmail.com. Limited seating. All are welcome. Contributions are graciously accepted

THE ANCIENT ORDER OF HIBERNIANS’ 75TH ANNUAL MASS
in Honor of Saint Patrick & Communion Breakfast Sunday, March 2, 2025

Mass will be celebrated at the Cathedral of Saint Augustine at 10:am by
His Excellency, The Most Reverend Frank Caggiano, Bishop of Bridgeport with breakfast immediately following at the Gaelic American Club.
Limited seating available.
Tickets will be available on January 1 for more information contact
Dave Howe  davehowe173@gmail.com .

2025 ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE GRAND MARSHAL’S GALA
Join us for the Grand Marshal’s Gala on Saturday, January 18th, 2025, 6-11pm as we honor Mark T. Ryan, D.M.D. This elegant evening will feature dinner, an open bar, and dancing to live music by the McLean Avenue Band.
The event will be held at Vazzano’s Four Seasons, 337 Kenyon Street, Stratford, CT. Tickets are $150 each. Sponsorship opportunities are available to support this special celebration. Contact tkeane@optimum.net

The GAC Executive Committee Election Results

 

2025 Executive Committee President – Tom Harding   

I have previously served on the GAC Executive Committee as Treasurer and Financial Secretary. As Treasurer, I was a member of the financial team that improved the accounting and budgeting process that enabled the club to be more financially stable. As Financial Secretary, I was a member of the committee that navigated the club through COVID. We were able to keep the kitchen open and retain and compensate all employees. I installed credit card processing right before the pandemic shutdown. This allowed the club to accept pandemic friendly contactless payments. Since leaving the Executive Committee at the end of 2020, I have served as a member of the budget committee responsible for the club’s annual budget. I enjoy volunteering at the club when needed and look forward to serving and cleaning up at the senior lunch every month.

Before retiring to become a high school Track and Field coach. I was the Chief Operating Officer of a $1 billion foundation focused on improving global health. Prior to that, I was a senior financial executive with over 25 years of experience working for major corporations.

Currently an avid runner, I participated in the US Olympic Trials for the marathon and ran professionally in a prior life.

Pat Carolan -2025 Executive Committee Vice President

Over the past 30 years I have served on the Executive Committee a number of times and look forward to returning. My goals are a debt free Club, resumption of a deferred maintenance program begun 8 years ago to address some of the maintenance issues mentioned at the October meeting, greater participation of the membership in the activities and committees of the Club ( besides dining) and continued support for the successful sports programs connected with the GAC.

The following  Executive Committee positions have bee filled uncontested. The following individuals will serve on The 2025 Executive Committee:

Financial Secretary – Bill Lenahan

I am honored to be nominated for the GAC Financial Secretary Executive Committee position.
If selected, my desire is to successfully serve our club as Tom Egan has done so successfully in prior years. I look forward to assisting and reporting to the Executive Committee and our membership regarding the oversight and management of our club’s finances.

At the GAC: Currently, 2025 Budget Committee Chairperson. An Irish Great Hunger Museum-Fairfield member. A team member volunteer for Monday Night Football and Tuesday BBQ’s. In previous years, a volunteer at the Senior Lunch.

In the Community: Fairfield Senior Advocates -State Director (past 5 years) advocating to both the CT General Assembly and Fairfield local government on senior issues. In that role, I’m actively involved with the Fairfield Senior Center. Recently, elected to the Advisory Council of Southwest CT Agency on Aging (SWCAA) for a two year term.

Business Experience: Initial career a financial analyst; thereafter, held senior management positions with major international companies and serving the final 14 corporate years as president of an international company. Post corporate; managing director/owner of two international start-up LLC’s. [Retired]

Education: MBA Finance; BS Marketing/Economics both from St. John’s University, NY.

Family Background: Maternal grandfather, Patrick Burke, emigrated to NYC from Clonmel, Tipperary in the 1900’s. I was born and raised on Long Island, NY
I reside in Fairfield with my wife, Susan; we are both GAC members for 9 years.
My son, Sean (Prep grad) is a GAC member. My daughter, Kathryn (Laurelton grad) resides in the Boston area, and when in Fairfield visits the GAC as a guest.

Treasurer – Philip Joseph  Dwyer

Member of the GAC since 1991. He recently chaired the Business Directory sub-committee during John Brannelley’s term as President of the GAC. He is an active member of the GAC Genealogy Club. Phil is the retired President/CEO of the Central Connecticut Coast YMCA with 12 branches and a $29M operating budget. He has served on the Fairfield Board of Education from 2011 – 2019, and elected as Chair of the BOE for six of the 8 years of service. Phil has been active at First Church Congregational.

Recording Secretary – Pru O’Brien

Sergeant at Arms – Sheila Tesei

Director 3 Years – Catherine Austin

Catherine grew up in Bridgeport, CT and resides in Cheshire, CT with her husband Tom (nickname Neil). She has 2 grown sons and daughters-in-law and 3 grandchildren. Catherine attended the Academy of Our Lady of Mercy Lauralton Hall, Fairfield University and Quinnipiac University School of Law.
Catherine has been an attorney for over 40 years. She is retired from the State of Connecticut, Division of Criminal Justice. She worked as a Prosecutor for 33 years. The last 7 years of her career was as a supervisor. She supervised 14 attorneys, an investigative staff and clerical staff.

The focus of her work was the crimes of sexual assault and domestic violence. While with the Division of Criminal Justice, she was a member of the Diversity Committee as well as ESI (Early Screening Intervention) program. Her work in that area was featured in the book “To Prosecute” edited by Emily LaGratta in 2020.

She is a member of the Saint Bridget of Sweden Parish in Cheshire, CT. She serves as a Eucharistic Minister in the parish. She taught CCD for 16 years to 8 th graders. Catherine’s family has always been a part of the G.A.C. community. Her father and brother were past presidents. In 1982, Catherine was City Clerk of the City of Bridgeport, CT. She was asked by then Mayor Leonard Paoletta to start a Saint Patrick’s Day parade in Bridgeport. She formed and chaired a Committee who then staged the first Saint Patrick’s Day Parade in the City of Bridgeport. She chaired the event for 3 years. She subsequently was honored as Grand Marshal of the parade together with her twin sister Maura O’Malley. Christopher, her son was selected as Mr. Shamrock for the parade in 2007.

Catherine currently serves on the By-Laws Committee of the Gaelic American Club.

Director 2 Years – Tracy James

Tracy James has been a member of the GAC for over 25 years. She’s been involved with the Clan na Gael Players and multiple club events throughout the years. She is thrilled and looking forward to being involved in the Gaelic American
Club once again. A little about Tracy: She is an accomplished actress, director, musician, playwright and screenwriter with over 35 years of experience and still working in the business.

She has a BA in Theater, has studied in New York
throughout the years, and is currently taking classes on screenwriting &
production at NYU. She teaches at Choate Rosemary Hall for the Theater Arts
Institute program during the Summer and acting for ballet dancers at the
Connecticut Classic Ballet summer program and Woodbury Ballet Company. She
can be seen in episodes of the Netflix Marvel series, Daredevil, Iron Fist and Luke
Cage and a host of other Television shows. Her last play Forty Shades of Green
Tour Premiered in Ireland and was a huge success at the 2019 Fringe Festival in
Edinburgh, Scotland. She has released multiple CDs and her music can be heard
on Spotify. For more information visit www.tracyjamesmultiartist.com and follow
her on Instagram at trayjay8.

 

Director 1 Year – Bill Reda

Sunday November 10th from 4-7pm. Join in the revelry and fun of this fine tradition celebrating All-Ireland Hurling Champs Clare, All-Ireland Football Champs Armagh and St. Patrick’s Hurling & Football Club. Music by Camac and plenty of food & craic for all so come early to get your seats.

Mícheál Hallissey 646-866-3357.

 

Trad for Trócaire  Sunday November 10^th 2-4pm

Fairfield Prep’s Irish Club will host its annual Irish music-and-entertainment fundraiser for Trócaire.  Trócaire, which means compassion in Gaelic, is Ireland’s largest international charitable-aid organization.  The event, which will include Irish music from ‘Ceol Agus Craic’, dance and poetry readings, will take place at Fairfield’s Gaelic American Club from 2PM to 4PM .  This Event is free and open to the public, but contributions will be gladly accepted in support of Trócaire’s efforts to alleviate poverty in some of the most distressed regions in the world.  Join us for some great craic and a great cause!

 

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 7th 9-3pm

Featuring Irish vendors and unique crafters’
Photos taken with Santa by the GAC Stone Hearth
Special Lunch Menu served by The Lenihan School of Dance
(who will certainly do a step or two)
Proceeds from lunch to benefit The Lenihan Dancers’ Fund.
There’s something special for everyone!

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

 

The Murphy Beds with Liz Hanley march 8th @ 7:30pm

The Murphy Beds and fiddler/vocalist extraordinaire Liz Hanley have been performing together since 2013, when Eamon and Jefferson accompanied Liz on her 2013 release The Ecstasy of St. Cecilia. More recently, they performed in-studio as the backing ensemble for her latest release, Paint This Life. Eamon and Jefferson have been performing together for over 15 years, crafting their own blend of traditional and original folk duets for bouzouki, guitar, and mandolin. Whenever these three come together on stage, expect an exquisite delivery of traditional songs and fiddle tunes from Ireland and America, with three-part harmony vocals not often heard in the genre.
For more info on this – show https://www.shamrockirishmusic.org/concerts

 

The Irish-American super group The Pride of New York comprises some of the best-known players on this side of the Atlantic. Collectively they have won four All-Ireland championship awards, recorded multiple solo albums, and logged countless miles touring across the United States and abroad. “If you like your music straight up traditional and you think of sections of Brooklyn and the Bronx as westernmost Irish counties, then you will truly enjoy Pride of New York.” — hearthmusic.com

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 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!