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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Maine Irish Heritage Center | Genealogy Services Portland, ME
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251106T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251106T140000
DTSTAMP:20260601T195758
CREATED:20240912T071407Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240912T071407Z
UID:10000539-1762423200-1762437600@maineirish.glacialsites.com
SUMMARY:Open Hours!
DESCRIPTION:The Maine Irish Heritage Center is open to the public every Thursday from 10am-2pm! Stop in to take a tour of the building\, do some research on our genealogy station\, or peruse our library collection! \nFor more information\, contact maineirish@maineirish.com!
URL:https://maineirish.glacialsites.com/event/open-hours-2-3/2025-11-06/
LOCATION:Maine Irish Heritage Center\, 34 Gray St\, Portland\, ME\, 04102\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://maineirish.glacialsites.com/wp-content/uploads/Open-Hours-Every-Thursday-from-10-to-2-1.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Maine Irish Heritage Center":MAILTO:maineirish@maineirish.com
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251106T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251106T190000
DTSTAMP:20260601T195758
CREATED:20250806T214339Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250806T214339Z
UID:10000592-1762448400-1762455600@maineirish.glacialsites.com
SUMMARY:Maine Irish Writes: November
DESCRIPTION:We are thrilled to present our inaugural season of Maine Irish Writes\, an inclusive monthly Writer’s Group that will meet in the MIHC Library on the first Thursday of each month! \nLed by the incredible poet and author Robert Breen\, this welcoming writers group is open to all—whether you’re just starting out or deep into a manuscript. Bring your works in progress\, share your voice\, and receive supportive\, thoughtful feedback in a relaxed and inspiring setting. Together\, we’ll explore storytelling\, poetry\, memory\, and the written word in all its forms. Come to listen\, come to write\, come to connect. \nCheck out the rest of the series dates HERE!
URL:https://maineirish.glacialsites.com/event/maine-irish-writes-november-25/
LOCATION:Maine Irish Heritage Center\, 34 Gray St\, Portland\, ME\, 04102\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://maineirish.glacialsites.com/wp-content/uploads/Maine-Irish-Writes-banner-NOV-1.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Maine Irish Heritage Center":MAILTO:maineirish@maineirish.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251108T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251108T150000
DTSTAMP:20260601T195758
CREATED:20250725T194037Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250725T194037Z
UID:10000587-1762592400-1762614000@maineirish.glacialsites.com
SUMMARY:Annual Celtic Fair 2025
DESCRIPTION:Saturday\, November 8th\n9:00am-3:00pm\nWe are excited to bring back another year of festive holiday fun at our Annual Celtic Fair! Join us as part of the 14th annual State Street Holiday Stroll. \nThe Celtic Christmas Fair features a light luncheon menu\, hot and cold beverages\, baked goods\, a raffle table\, music\, and more. We’ll have featured performances from the incredible Stillson School of Irish Dance! We draw crowds for the beautiful artistry as well as the luncheon and lively entertainment. We hope you can join us for what has become a wonderful holiday tradition. \n  \n  \nVendor Applications are CLOSED! If you are interested in being on our list for next year\, please email events@maineirish.com
URL:https://maineirish.glacialsites.com/event/annual-celtic-fair-2025/
LOCATION:Maine Irish Heritage Center\, 34 Gray St\, Portland\, ME\, 04102\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://maineirish.glacialsites.com/wp-content/uploads/Celtic-Fair-Banner-1-1.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Maine Irish Heritage Center":MAILTO:maineirish@maineirish.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251113T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251113T140000
DTSTAMP:20260601T195758
CREATED:20240912T071407Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240912T071407Z
UID:10000540-1763028000-1763042400@maineirish.glacialsites.com
SUMMARY:Open Hours!
DESCRIPTION:The Maine Irish Heritage Center is open to the public every Thursday from 10am-2pm! Stop in to take a tour of the building\, do some research on our genealogy station\, or peruse our library collection! \nFor more information\, contact maineirish@maineirish.com!
URL:https://maineirish.glacialsites.com/event/open-hours-2-3/2025-11-13/
LOCATION:Maine Irish Heritage Center\, 34 Gray St\, Portland\, ME\, 04102\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://maineirish.glacialsites.com/wp-content/uploads/Open-Hours-Every-Thursday-from-10-to-2-1.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Maine Irish Heritage Center":MAILTO:maineirish@maineirish.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251113T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251113T160000
DTSTAMP:20260601T195758
CREATED:20250807T213541Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250807T213541Z
UID:10000602-1763042400-1763049600@maineirish.glacialsites.com
SUMMARY:Maine Irish Makes: November
DESCRIPTION:Calling all makers\, artists\, and creators! Maine Irish Makes is a monthly gathering for crafters of all kinds—knitters\, quilters\, beaders\, sketchers\, weavers\, embroiderers\, and beyond. Whether you’re just starting a project or putting the finishing touches on one\, bring your materials and join us for a cozy\, welcoming afternoon of creativity and conversation. \nHeld at the Maine Irish Heritage Center\, this open event is a chance to connect with fellow artists\, share skills\, and form community across crafting traditions. No instruction is provided—just space\, time\, and good company. \nJoin us on the Third Thursday of each month! Free and open to all. Drop in\, bring a friend\, and get making! \nPlease note the date change for this month’s meeting to accommodate our event schedule!
URL:https://maineirish.glacialsites.com/event/maine-irish-makes-november-25/
LOCATION:Maine Irish Heritage Center\, 34 Gray St\, Portland\, ME\, 04102\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://maineirish.glacialsites.com/wp-content/uploads/Maine-Irish-makes-banner-NOV-1-1.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Maine Irish Heritage Center":MAILTO:maineirish@maineirish.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251113T193000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251113T210000
DTSTAMP:20260601T195758
CREATED:20250708T213000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250708T213000Z
UID:10000577-1763062200-1763067600@maineirish.glacialsites.com
SUMMARY:Maine Irish Reads "The Sea" by John Banville
DESCRIPTION:Maine Irish Reads\, our monthly book club\, meets every second Thursday here at the Center!\n\n\n\nFrom 7:30 – 9 PM in the MIHC Library. Bring a friend. The more\, the merrier. \nAbout this month’s book:\n\n\nBOOKER PRIZE WINNER • NATIONAL BESTSELLER • An “extraordinary meditation on mortality\, grief\, death\, childhood and memory” (USA Today) about a middle-aged Irishman who has gone back to the seaside to grieve the loss of his wife. \n\nIn this luminous novel\, John Banville introduces us to Max Morden\, a middle-aged Irishman who has gone back to the seaside town where he spent his summer holidays as a child to cope with the recent loss of his wife. It is also a return to the place where he met the Graces\, the well-heeled family with whom he experienced the strange suddenness of both love and death for the first time. \nWhat Max comes to understand about the past\, and about its indelible effects on him\, is at the center of this elegiac\, gorgeously written novel—among the finest we have had from this masterful writer.
URL:https://maineirish.glacialsites.com/event/maine-irish-reads-november-2025/
LOCATION:Maine Irish Heritage Center\, 34 Gray St\, Portland\, ME\, 04102\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://maineirish.glacialsites.com/wp-content/uploads/Maine-Irish-Reads-Nov-25-banner-1.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Maine Irish Heritage Center":MAILTO:maineirish@maineirish.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251115T193000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251115T210000
DTSTAMP:20260601T195758
CREATED:20250912T202135Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260318T183730Z
UID:10000609-1763235000-1763240400@maineirish.glacialsites.com
SUMMARY:Maine Irish Song Project with CASTLEBAY
DESCRIPTION:Castlebay Presents the Maine Irish Song Project\nA CONCERT OF MAINE’S TRADITIONAL IRISH SONGS\nSaturday\, November 15th\n7:30pm\nDoors open at 7:00pm\nMaine’s premier Celtic folk duo Castlebay will present a concert of Maine’s traditional Irish songs at the Maine Irish Heritage Center. The concert will include ballads and blarney gleaned from Maine’s vibrant Irish tradition accompanied with 12-string guitar\, Celtic harp\, fiddle and tin whistle. \nThis performance offers a rare opportunity to experience Maine’s Irish musical heritage in an intimate setting. With over three decades of touring throughout the U.S.\, Scotland\, England\, and Ireland\, and more than two dozen recordings\, Castlebay brings authenticity\, scholarship\, and artistry to every note! \nGeneral Admission is $25\, or you can snag front row seats for $35 – and don’t wait! General Admission will go up to $30 at the door\, and Priority Seating is only available in advance! \nAbout the Artists\n \nJulia Lane & Fred Gosbee have been exploring and transcribing archives of music collected in Maine in the early 20th century. Collectors ranged throughout the state gathering hundreds of traditional songs many of which are from Ireland brought by the people emigrating and settling here and working on the coast\, in the woods\, farms and factories. Field recordings and journals document over 1000 songs from which the duo have selected and arranged music for performance. In addition to singing these versions of old Irish music\, Castlebay will share the lore and history of this potent musical legacy which embodies stories of romance and rogues\, shipwreck and survival as well as a good dose of humor and blarney. The duo has transcribed many of these songs\, “mending” them\, and publishing a series titled “Bygone Ballads of Maine”. Volume 1\, “Songs of Ships and Sailors” was presented by Loomis House Press in 2021 and is available in local bookstores as well as online. Castlebay has recorded two albums of these songs “Bound Away” and “The Maid on the Shore” which are available from their website. A subsequent volume and recording of Maine’s Irish songs is in process. \n \nFor over 30 years\, Castlebay has toured the eastern US\, Scotland\, England and Ireland being appreciated at arts centers\, folk clubs\, festivals\, schools and on radio and television. They have released over two dozen recordings and their music has been used on numerous video soundtracks. More information is available at their website www.castlebay.net \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \nWant more? Castlebay is holding a workshop at the Center on Sunday\, November 16th from 12-3pm. Click HERE to learn more!\n  \nMany thanks to our Sponsor for this Event:\nHyatt Place Portland Downtown-Old Port Square
URL:https://maineirish.glacialsites.com/event/maine-irish-song-project-with-castlebay/
LOCATION:Maine Irish Heritage Center\, 34 Gray St\, Portland\, ME\, 04102\, United States
CATEGORIES:Performance,Tickteted Performance
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://maineirish.glacialsites.com/wp-content/uploads/Maine-Irish-Song-Project-Concert-1.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Maine Irish Heritage Center":MAILTO:maineirish@maineirish.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251116T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251116T150000
DTSTAMP:20260601T195758
CREATED:20250912T202630Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260318T183733Z
UID:10000610-1763294400-1763305200@maineirish.glacialsites.com
SUMMARY:A Maine Irish Song Project Workshop with Castlebay
DESCRIPTION:A Maine Irish Song Project Workshop with Castlebay\nSunday\, November 16th\n12:00pm-3:00pm\nGo deeper into the living tradition of Maine’s Irish songs with an intimate\, hands-on workshop led by Castlebay (Julia Lane & Fred Gosbee)\, Maine’s premier Celtic folk duo. Building on their concert performance\, this workshop will guide participants through the fascinating process of uncovering\, preserving\, and performing songs collected in Maine’s Irish communities during the early 20th century. \nThis workshop offers a unique opportunity to not only enjoy Maine’s traditional Irish songs but to actively engage with them. Whether you are a musician\, singer\, historian\, or simply curious about Maine’s cultural heritage\, you’ll come away with new insights into the stories\, humor\, and humanity woven into this potent musical legacy. \nAbout the Artists\nJulia Lane & Fred Gosbee have been exploring and transcribing archives of music collected in Maine in the early 20th century. Collectors ranged throughout the state gathering hundreds of traditional songs many of which are from Ireland brought by the people emigrating and settling here and working on the coast\, in the woods\, farms and factories. Field recordings and journals document over 1000 songs from which the duo have selected and arranged music for performance. In addition to singing these versions of old Irish music\, Castlebay will share the lore and history of this potent musical legacy which embodies stories of romance and rogues\, shipwreck and survival as well as a good dose of humor and blarney. The duo has transcribed many of these songs\, “mending” them\, and publishing a series titled “Bygone Ballads of Maine”. Volume 1\, “Songs of Ships and Sailors” was presented by Loomis House Press in 2021 and is available in local bookstores as well as online. Castlebay has recorded two albums of these songs “Bound Away” and “The Maid on the Shore” which are available from their website. A subsequent volume and recording of Maine’s Irish songs is in process. \nFor over 30 years\, Castlebay has toured the eastern US\, Scotland\, England and Ireland being appreciated at arts centers\, folk clubs\, festivals\, schools and on radio and television. They have released over two dozen recordings and their music has been used on numerous video soundtracks. More information is available at their website www.castlebay.net \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \nWant more? Castlebay will be LIVE in concert on Saturday\, November 15th at 7:30pm. Click HERE to learn more!\nMany thanks to our Sponsor for this Event:\nHyatt Place Portland Downtown-Old Port Square
URL:https://maineirish.glacialsites.com/event/a-maine-irish-song-project-workshop-with-castlebay/
LOCATION:Maine Irish Heritage Center\, 34 Gray St\, Portland\, ME\, 04102\, United States
CATEGORIES:Community,Performance
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://maineirish.glacialsites.com/wp-content/uploads/Maine-Irish-Song-Project-Workshop-1.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Maine Irish Heritage Center":MAILTO:maineirish@maineirish.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251120T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251120T140000
DTSTAMP:20260601T195758
CREATED:20240912T071407Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240912T071407Z
UID:10000541-1763632800-1763647200@maineirish.glacialsites.com
SUMMARY:Open Hours!
DESCRIPTION:The Maine Irish Heritage Center is open to the public every Thursday from 10am-2pm! Stop in to take a tour of the building\, do some research on our genealogy station\, or peruse our library collection! \nFor more information\, contact maineirish@maineirish.com!
URL:https://maineirish.glacialsites.com/event/open-hours-2-3/2025-11-20/
LOCATION:Maine Irish Heritage Center\, 34 Gray St\, Portland\, ME\, 04102\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://maineirish.glacialsites.com/wp-content/uploads/Open-Hours-Every-Thursday-from-10-to-2-1.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Maine Irish Heritage Center":MAILTO:maineirish@maineirish.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251120T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251120T210000
DTSTAMP:20260601T195758
CREATED:20250822T194115Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260318T183723Z
UID:10000603-1763659800-1763672400@maineirish.glacialsites.com
SUMMARY:Claddagh Awards 2025
DESCRIPTION:Thursday\, November 20th\, 2025 \nReception begins: 5:30pm \nProgramming begins: 7:00pm \nThe Maine Irish Heritage Center proudly announces the return of the Claddagh Awards\, a cherished tradition honoring the Irish values of friendship\, loyalty\, and community. Each year\, the award is presented to a distinguished individual in Maine whose life of service strengthens our communities and inspires others through their leadership and commitment.  \nThis year\, we are honored to present the 2025 Claddagh Award to Congresswoman Chellie Pingree\, in recognition of her decades of dedicated public service to Maine. The award will be presented by Ambassador Geraldine Byrne Nason\, Ireland’s 19th Ambassador to the United States\, who will be making an official visit to Maine.  \nThe evening will also include the presentation of the Halla Cairde Award to Will Woodson and Cait Finley\, recognizing their enduring contributions to our community.  \nGeneral Admission tickets are priced at $100\, and there are ticket sponsorships available for $250 and $500! Members of the Maine Irish Heritage Center may purchase tickets at a $50 discounted price with an exclusive code! For ticketing questions or to obtain your member discount code\, please reach out to events@maineirish.com! \nEvening Program \n5:30 – 6:30 PM | Reception in the Great Hall\nEnjoy a glass of bubbly and conversation in the Great Hall. Surrounded by gorgeous architecture\, stained glass\, and the beautiful music of Maine’s premier Celtic Folk duo\, Castlebay!  \n6:00 PM | Bell Ringing\nGuests are invited to gather as the bell rings out across Portland in honor of our Claddagh Recipient. \n6:00 – 7:00 PM | Food & Bar Open in the Downstairs Function Room\nA festive hour of food\, drinks\, and community. Complete with music from our incredible Halla Cairde inductees\, Will Woodson and Cait Finley!  \n7:00 – 8:00 PM | Awards & Speeches  \n8:00 – 9:00 PM | Social Hour\nAn opportunity to reconnect\, celebrate\, and enjoy community in the spirit of the Claddagh.  \n\n2025 Claddagh Award Recipient: Chellie Pingree \nChellie Pingree never anticipated a life in politics. Living on the offshore island of North Haven\, Maine\, she raised her kids and ran a small business. She served on the school board and as the local tax assessor\, a job no one else in town wanted. But in 1991\, when she was approached about running for State Senate\, she jumped at the chance.  \nShe scored a remarkable upset\, defeating a popular Republican\, and went on to serve four terms in the Maine Senate. But throughout her political career\, from Augusta to Washington and beyond\, the lessons she learned on North Haven have always been her guide: Be accountable to your neighbors\, and always use your common sense.  \nChellie Johnson (she has legally changed her name from “Rochelle”) was born in Minneapolis\, Minnesota\, in 1955\, the youngest of four children. Her father\, Harry\, worked in advertising and her mother\, Dorothy\, was a nurse. Chellie moved to Maine as a teenager\, attended the University of Southern Maine\, and graduated from the College of the Atlantic\, in Bar Harbor. After college\, she moved to North Haven\, an island town of 350 people twelve miles off the coast of Rockland\, to raise her family and make a living.  \nIn 2008\, Chellie was elected to Congress from Maine’s 1st Congressional District—the first woman elected to Congress from that District. She has previously served on the House Rules Committee and Armed Services Committee. She currently sits on the powerful House Appropriations Committee\, chairing the Subcommittee on Interior and the Environment\, the Subcommittee on Agriculture\, and Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs. She also sits on the House Agriculture Committee.    \nAmong other issues important to Mainers\, Chellie has been an advocate in Congress for reforming federal policy to better support the diverse range of American agriculture—including sustainable\, organic\, and locally focused farming—as well as to reduce food waste. Many provisions from comprehensive legislation she introduced to make these reforms were passed in both the 2014 and 2018 Farm Bills. She received a 2017 James Beard Leadership Award for her national leadership in food system reform.  \nChellie has also been recognized for her leadership on a number of other issues\, including assisting survivors of military sexual trauma\, strengthening the creative and arts economy\, and helping coastal communities address threats to their future.  \nChellie has three grown children—Asa\, Cecily\, and Hannah\, former Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives.  \nLearn More about Chellie Pingree here: https://pingree.house.gov/  \n  \nCladdagh Award Presenter: Ambassador Geraldine Byrne Nason\, Ireland’s 19th Ambassador to the United States \nAmbassador Geraldine Byrne Nason assumed her role as Ireland’s 19th Ambassador to the United States in August 2022. Ambassador Byrne Nason was previously Permanent Representative of Ireland to the United Nations in New York (2017- 22). Previously\, she served as Ambassador to France (2014-17)\, Second Secretary General in the Department of the Taoiseach (Prime Minister) (2011-14)\, Ambassador and Ireland’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the EU (2005-11))\, and Director of the National Forum on Europe (2004-05).  \nDuring her career\, Ambassador Byrne Nason has served in Brussels\, New York\, Paris\, Vienna and Helsinki. As Second Secretary-General in the Department of the Taoiseach from 2011-2014\, she was the highest ranking female public servant in Ireland. During that period\, she also was Secretary General of Ireland’s Economic Management Council.  \nOn her arrival in New York\, Ambassador Byrne Nason led Ireland’s successful campaign for a seat on the United Nations Security Council\, and led the New York Security Council team for the 2021-2022 term. Ambassador Byrne Nason was Chair of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) for 2018 and 2019. She has also co-chaired high-level political negotiations on the hundredth anniversary of the birth of Nelson Mandela and on the ‘Samoa pathway’ for Small Island Developing States.  \nA native of County Louth\, in 2020 Ambassador Byrne Nason was awarded the Freedom of Drogheda\, the town’s highest honour and was the third woman to receive the award of its 35 recipients. In 2014\, Ambassador Byrne Nason was elected a Member of the Royal Irish Academy\, Ireland’s highest academic honour. Ambassador Byrne Nason holds an Honorary Doctorate of Law from Maynooth University as well as Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in Literature from Saint Patrick’s College in Maynooth (NUIM).  \n  \n2025 Halla Cairde Inductees: Will Woodson and Cait Finley  \nWill Woodson (flute\, uilleann pipes) and Cait Finley (fiddle) play sparky and driving traditional Irish music that’s grounded in the textures and rhythms of the rich Irish-American soundscape of the 1920s and 30s. With roots in the living Irish musical cultures of Boston\, New York City\, and Philadelphia\, and a tremendous admiration for the first generation of recorded Irish musicians\, the duo conjures up the sounds of the dance halls\, vaudeville theaters\, and house sessions central to Irish-American music from the first half of the twentieth century. In 2019\, the two recorded their debut album\, “The Glory Reel” alongside box player and piano accompanist Chris “Junior” Stevens\, which Dan Neely of the Irish Echo called “a fabulous album from three of Irish America’s finest.” During the pandemic years\, the two made “The Phonograph Project”\, a Patreon-supported series examining 78 recordings of traditional Irish music made in New York City in the 1920s and 30s. More recently\, they’ve made musical appearances at the St. Louis Tionól\, the Patrick J. Touhey Memorial Weekend in Boston and the Ward Archives “Archiving Irish America” conference in Milwaukee. Cait and Will live in Portland\, Maine\, and host a regular weekly session at The Continental that starts at 8 pm on Sundays. You can find them online at woodsonfinley.com.  \n  \nPast Claddagh Award Recipients \n\n2019 – George Campbell\, Jr. \n\n\n2018 – David T. Flanagan \n\n\n2017 – Senator Susan Collins \n\n\n2016 – Michael Connolly \n\n\n2015 – Jim Wellehan \n\n\n2014 – Sara J. Burns \n\n\n2013 – Moira Hastings Fuller \n\n\n2012 – Senator George J. Mitchell \n\n\n2011 – William J. Ryan \n\n\n2010 – Cynthia Murray Beliveau \n\n\n2009 – Gerard P. Conley\, Sr. \n\n\n2008 – Governor Joseph E. Brennan \n\nLearn more about past claddagh winners here: https://maineirish.com/videos/  \n  \n\nAbout Castlebay: \nJulia Lane & Fred Gosbee have been exploring and transcribing archives of music collected in Maine in the early 20th century. Collectors ranged throughout the state gathering hundreds of traditional songs\, many of which are from Ireland\, brought by the people emigrating and settling here and working on the coast\, in the woods\, farms\, and factories. Field recordings and journals document over 1\,000 songs\, from which the duo have selected and arranged music for performance.  \nIn addition to singing these versions of old Irish music\, Castlebay shares the lore and history of this potent musical legacy\, which embodies stories of romance and rogues\, shipwreck and survival\, as well as a good dose of humor and blarney. The duo has transcribed many of these songs\, “mending” them\, and publishing a series titled Bygone Ballads of Maine. Volume 1\, Songs of Ships and Sailors\, was presented by Loomis House Press in 2021 and is available in local bookstores as well as online. Castlebay has recorded two albums of these songs\, Bound Away and The Maid on the Shore\, which are available from their website. A subsequent volume and recording of Maine’s Irish songs is in process.  \nFor over 30 years\, Castlebay has toured the eastern US\, Scotland\, England\, and Ireland\, being appreciated at arts centers\, folk clubs\, festivals\, schools\, and on radio and television. They have released over two dozen recordings\, and their music has been used on numerous video soundtracks. More information is available at their website: www.castlebay.net  \n  \nThank you to our Sponsors!\nLibrary Sponsors: \nPatricia McDonough Dunn\nRose Window Sponsors:\nRichard Brown & Family\nCoffee By Design\n \nMiss Portland Diner\n \nStained Glass Sponsors:\nJanine Manning\nMary McAleney\nAnn O’Hagan\nLocal #861 of the International Longshoremen Association\nCairde Sponsors:\nMere Point Oyster Co.\nMary Burke\nPeter J. Callnan\nJohn Foley\nJohn J. Hennessy\nJenny & Russ Wolff\nInterested in becoming a sponsor for this event? Click HERE to learn more! \n 
URL:https://maineirish.glacialsites.com/event/claddagh-awards-2025/
LOCATION:Maine Irish Heritage Center\, 34 Gray St\, Portland\, ME\, 04102\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://maineirish.glacialsites.com/wp-content/uploads/Claddagh-SAVE-THE-DATE-Presentation-1.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Maine Irish Heritage Center":MAILTO:maineirish@maineirish.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251127T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251127T140000
DTSTAMP:20260601T195758
CREATED:20240912T071407Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240912T071407Z
UID:10000542-1764237600-1764252000@maineirish.glacialsites.com
SUMMARY:Open Hours!
DESCRIPTION:The Maine Irish Heritage Center is open to the public every Thursday from 10am-2pm! Stop in to take a tour of the building\, do some research on our genealogy station\, or peruse our library collection! \nFor more information\, contact maineirish@maineirish.com!
URL:https://maineirish.glacialsites.com/event/open-hours-2-3/2025-11-27/
LOCATION:Maine Irish Heritage Center\, 34 Gray St\, Portland\, ME\, 04102\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://maineirish.glacialsites.com/wp-content/uploads/Open-Hours-Every-Thursday-from-10-to-2-1.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Maine Irish Heritage Center":MAILTO:maineirish@maineirish.com
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR