Irish Delegation to Visit Springfield Museums on Sept. 11

SPRINGFIELD — Springfield Museums will host a press conference with tourism industry leaders at the Donald D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts on Thursday, Sept. 11 at 11:30 a.m., highlighting the growing cultural partnership between Western Mass. and Ireland’s County Kerry.

Scheduled to speak are Kerry Mayor Michael Foley; Lorcán Ó Cinnéide, manager of the Blasket Island Heritage Centre; Explore Western Mass President Mary Kay Wydra; and Springfield Museums President Kay Simpson.

Also in attendance will be Angela Baily, deputy mayor of Tralee; Tommy Griffin, deputy chairperson for Castleisland Corca Dhuibhne/Dingle Peninsula; Angela McAllen, Kerry County Council deputy chief executive, director of Finance, and manager of the Castleisland Corca Dhuibhne/Dingle Peninsula Municipal District; and Niamh O’Sullivan, Kerry County council director of Economic & Community Development and manager of Tralee Municipal District.

Following the press conference, the group will take in traditional Irish music performed by fiddler Jeanne Freeman, director of the Connecticut Academy of Irish Music. She will be joined by two-time All-Ireland champion Patrick Hutchinson on uilleann pipes, Claudine Langille on mandolin, and Dan Ringrose on vocals and guitar, as they present traditional instrumental music and songs from Ireland, including songs about the Irish experience of emigration. The performance is presented as part of Springfield Museums’ weekly lecture series, Museums a la Carte, which recently kicked off its 46th season.

In September 2024, Springfield Museums and the Office of Public Works of Ireland announced a partnership exploring the development of exhibitions, educational resources, and community events that enrich and promote the deep and enduring ties between Western Mass. and County Kerry.