ICC welcomes two new Board of Directors members
The Irish Cultural Center of Western New England recently named two new members to its board of directors — Brian Q. Corridan and Jeanne Barnes Ahern.
Corridan, well known across the region as the voice of the Holyoke St. Patrick’s Day Parade, is president and COO of Corridan & Co., a Chicopee-based investment firm that handles individual clients, retirement funds, and small institutions. In 2013, he was chosen Holyoke’s parade marshal. “There is quite simply nothing like being an Irish-American,” Corridan said. “I look forward to taking my heritage to the next step on the board of the Irish Cultural Center.”
Ahern is a Congressional aide to U.S. Rep. Richard E-Neal, D-Springfield. Both Neal and Ahern have been strong supporters of the ICC since it was founded in 1999.
“My grandparents came from Ireland. I have a grandmother from Clifden, County Galway, and a grandfather from Donegal,” said Ahern. “My dad instilled a great interest and love for our Irish heritage, and I’m happy to be a part of the Irish Cultural Center board.”
ICC President Sean Cahillane welcomed both Ahern and Corridan to the board, saying their heritage, enthusiasm and love of Irish culture make them positive assets.
“They’re activists in the community, they’re very well respected professionally, and they have strong connections to their Irish heritage,” Cahillane said. “We’re thrilled to have them on board.”
The Irish Cultural Center was established in 1999 to foster an appreciation of Irish culture in Western New England. The mission of the center is to cultivate a connection with Ireland, through the arts, culture, history, language, and heritage. The center offers opportunities to engage in educational, travel, and social events that promote Irish culture.
