Daily News

Irish Cultural Center Announces New Name, Location

WEST SPRINGFIELD — The Irish Cultural Center (ICC) announced its new location at 429 Morgan Road in West Springfield, the former home of the Elks Lodge. The center has signed a 20-year lease with the city of West Springfield and will soon move to its new location.

ICC President Sean Cahillane said the Irish cultural organization is thrilled to have a new home with room to hold lectures and concerts, sports events, meetings, as well as an ICC museum and library. Since it began in 1999, the ICC has been based out of Elms College in Chicopee, hosting events there and at various other locations, and recently struggling for space as the college continues its own expansion.

“The West Springfield property is the perfect space for us. We have been looking for some time for a suitable property that we can call home, and that can meet all of our needs,” Cahillane said. “This is clearly it. We’re happy to be working with the city of West Springfield on our new location.”

The lease on the property, which includes a two-story building and 27 acres with parking lots and ballfields, is the culmination of an extensive search of dozens of alternative sites examined over the course of the last 12 months.

“This location will allow the ICC to offer a collaborative, unique space where people can come together to celebrate and promote the Irish culture and heritage,” said Rose Baker, an ICC board member who lives in West Springfield. “The city provides an extremely supportive community that embraces the development of long-term relationships.”

The ICC’s name is also changing to the Irish Cultural Center of Western New England, to reflect the broadened scope of its mission and membership. The new facility and name change are the culmination of two years of strategic planning.

The center will soon launch a capital campaign to raise funds for the refurbishment of the building. During this process, the ICC will move forward, expanding event offerings, community outreach, and member benefits, thus fulfilling the promise of keeping the Irish arts alive.

The Irish Cultural Center was established in 1999 to foster an appreciation of Irish culture in Western New England. The mission of the ICC 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.