What they call their work
What they do
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Irish and Scottish Cultural Performance & Instruction 3 activities
- Deliver educational and arts-based programs for youthProvides structured arts education and enrichment for children aged 2–12, including drama, music, visual arts, dance, and workshops rooted in Irish folklore. Offers Irish dance classes, fiddle lessons, tin whistle workshops, and Jiggy Tots movement programs for young children.
- Present specialized music and cultural training programsOffers traditional Irish music instruction including sean-nós singing courses, fiddle, and tin whistle lessons. Also provides American Red Cross-accredited CPR and First Aid training for adults and children through certified instructors.
- Provide Irish language instructionOffers in-person and online Irish language classes for beginners and advanced beginners, including six-week courses and participation in Pop-Up Gaeltacht events that promote conversational Irish. Programs are offered regularly across seasons.
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Cultural Exchange and Mutual Understanding Programs 1 activity
- Advance transatlantic cultural ties and peace initiativesSupports cultural diplomacy between Ireland and the U.S., contributing to the peace process through programming that strengthens transatlantic connections and promotes shared heritage.
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Community Festival & Event Production 1 activity
- Host cultural events and performancesOrganizes concerts, film screenings, exhibitions, theatre productions, literary events, and cultural festivals for children, adults, and seniors. These include ongoing series such as Movie Mondays, the Crossroads Concert Series featuring global folk musicians, and themed festivals like the Irish Language Film Festival.
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Senior Congregate Centers 1 activity
- Offer senior-focused programming and servicesProvides comprehensive weekly and biweekly programs for retirees, including lunch programs, art and exercise classes, computer training, social events, group outings, tax filing assistance, and health-related trainings. Includes a Wednesday Lunch Program with meals and activities, Saturday Computer Club, and scheduled trips to cultural venues.
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LGBTQ+ Community Events and Celebrations 1 activity
- Support LGBTQ+ community engagement and visibilityHosts LGBTQ+-focused events including quarterly networking gatherings, annual film screenings and panels during Pride month, international OUTing The Past festival discussions, and an annual academic conference for LGBT+ researchers. Programs aim to foster connection, dialogue, and representation.
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Who runs it
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| GEORGE HESLIN | EXECUTIVE DI | 40 | $124K |
- BREDA PRENDERGAST — BOARD MEMBER
- BRIDIE MITCHELL — BOARD MEMBER
- COLM REILLY — TREASURER
- CORINA GALVIN — SECRETARY
- KATHLEEN MATTESSICH — BOARD MEMBER
- KEITH LYNCH — BOARD MEMBER
- MICHAEL BRESLIN — EXECUTIVE BO
- MICHAEL O'SULLIVAN — BOARD MEMBER
- PAUL O'BRIEN — BOARD MEMBER
- PAULINE O'BRIEN — DEPUTY TREAS
- SEAN DOWNS — EXECUTIVE BO
- SEAN MACKIN — CHAIRMAN
- TURLOUGH MCCONNELL — BOARD MEMBER
Who they work with
- AARP Partner — Collaborates to provide free tax filing services for the community.
- American Red Cross Government — Accredits CPR and defibrillator training programs offered by the organization
- Craic Fest LGBTQ+ Partner — Collaborates annually to present films and panel discussions on LGBTQ+ topics.
- Culture Lab LIC Partner — Co-presents the Queens Irish Heritage Festival and hosts events at its outdoor venue.
- Fr. Colm Campbell Partner — Co-founder of the New York Irish Center.
- Gaeltact NYC Partner — Co-presents the Pop-Up Gaeltacht event with New York Irish Center.
- Goldman Sachs Funder — Provides financial support for the Queens Irish Heritage Festival.
- Irish Government – Emigrant Support Programme Government — Provides financial support for the Queens Irish Heritage Festival.
- Irish Repertory Theatre Partner — Hosts group outings for retirees from the center to attend performances.
- McManus Irish Dance Partner — Co-presents the Queens Irish Heritage Festival with New York Irish Center and Culture Lab LIC.
- McManus Irish Dance and Culture Lab Partner — Co-presents the Queens Irish Heritage Festival with the New York Irish Center.
- McManus School of Irish Dance Partner — Provides Irish dance instruction and Jiggy Tots program at the New York Irish Center.
- NY City Council Government — Provides financial support for the Queens Irish Heritage Festival.
- NY State Council on the Arts Government — Provides financial support for the Queens Irish Heritage Festival.
- Paddy Reilly Partner — Co-founder of the New York Irish Center.
- TG4 Partner — Collaborates with New York Irish Center to present the Fís Nua | New Vision Irish Language Film Festival.
- TG4 Partner — Partner organization in producing the Irish Language Film Festival.
- Tara Circle Funder — Provides financial support for the Queens Irish Heritage Festival.
- The Ireland Funds Funder — Provides financial support for the Queens Irish Heritage Festival.
- The Irish Institute of New York Funder — Supports the Crossroads Concert Series
- Tourism Ireland Funder — Provides financial support for the Queens Irish Heritage Festival.
- Trinity Gym Partner — Partners to deliver exercise classes for retirees through its instructor Cayla Fletcher.
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Cross-Cultural Artistic Collaborationmethodology: cross-cultural-collaborationBy fusing Irish musical and artistic traditions with global forms—such as West African and Turkish music—the organization builds intercommunity connections because collaborative art-making creates shared meaning across cultural boundaries.
- Cultural Immersion for Language Revivalmethodology: culture-based_language_learningBy using traditional Irish music, film, and song as immersive tools, the organization advances Irish language learning and cultural engagement because affective, context-rich experiences strengthen linguistic retention and deepen cultural identification.
- Culture-Based Community Integrationmethodology: culture-based_community_integrationBy integrating cultural programming with education and social services, the organization fosters cross-heritage collaboration and community cohesion because shared cultural experiences create inclusive spaces for dialogue and mutual understanding.
- Inclusive Intergenerational Engagementmethodology: intergenerational_integrationBy anchoring programs in the lived experiences of older Irish immigrants and pairing them with youth and retiree-focused activities, the organization strengthens community continuity and connection because intergenerational interaction reinforces cultural transmission and reduces social isolation.