Irish American Cultural Institute

Providing leadership and resources to preserve, interpret, and promote Irish and Irish American Cultures

Welcome


Founded in 1962, the Irish American Cultural Institute (IACI) is the leading Irish American cultural organization. The IACI is a federally recognized 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit national organization devoted to promoting an intelligent appreciation of Ireland and the role and contributions of the Irish in America. The IACI is strictly apolitical and nonsectarian, and is the only Irish American organization that has as its patron, The President of Ireland.

Over the past five decades, the IACI has carved an honored place for the Irish dimension in American life. No comparable body has such an impressive track record of achievement and sustained programming. 

IACI Announces New Virtual Programs


Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we have been challenged to find new ways to continue our mission of promoting Irish culture. While we can't physically gather together for our popular "Perceptions Series", we will have the opportunity to reach even more people with our virtual Zoom presentations. The first will be:

Christmas in Ireland
Time: Dec 12, 2020 07:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

The presenter is Irish-born Sean Murphy, who offers online courses on a number of Irish subjects (more about that later). This presentation will be followed by a Q&A session.

The history part of the presentation will examine many of the factors that led to the emergence of the annual celebration of Christ's birth. This includes an examination of the continuity in traditions between the pre-Christian world and the Christian world in both the Roman and Celtic traditions. Murphy examines the history behind the central characters of Christmas - Santa Claus, St. Nicholas, and Father Christmas. He gives an outline of the way that Christmas is celebrated in Ireland and includes some video clips of carol singers and a few renditions of some old Irish favorites.
The presentation is intended to be lighthearted while presenting information and explanations that many people may not be aware of but which should be of great interest." 

Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 811 3613 7028
Passcode: 854435

Shop at Amazon.com and Support the IACI!


AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support the IACI every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, you'll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to the IACI. Shop Now
Eire-Ireland

The Irish American Cultural Institute is the proud publisher of the journal Éire- Ireland, which since its first appearance in 1966 has been the premier journal devoted to Irish Studies in North America. The journal is published twice a year, with Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter issues. It is interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary in scope, though articles on modern Irish history and modern Irish literature dominate the wide-ranging fare. The journal also features articles dealing with the literature and history of Irish America. One issue each year is devoted to a special theme or subject, with the 2019 special issue slated to examine “Irish Music” and the 2020 special issue scheduled to explore “Ireland and the Environment.” The journal is available in print and electronic versions.  Learn More

Join A Chapter

 

Were you once a member of a local chapter of the IACI? Perhaps you are new to our Institute and would like to meet with others in your area who are interested in Irish American Culture?

If you would like to help form a new chapter in your area, or if you were involved in one in the past and would be interested in reforming, please contact us.

Duchas

 

This informative e-newsletter offers members insights into Irish culture, history, and the latest happenings at the IACI. Besides providing updates on IACI programming, this publication offers feature articles, educational information, book reviews, and a wealth of other information.  It's Irish American culture, delivered straight to your e-mail inbox!  Click here to sign up!
 
We invite IACI members to share their stories, events, pictures, book/movie reviews, recipes, etc.    To submit material, click here.  

A Message From Our Patron


"I am delighted to be Patron of the Irish American Cultural Institute, an organisation that does such valuable work in strengthening and maintaining the important links that exist between Ireland and America.  Here in Ireland we are very proud of our wider global family, and feel a special connection with the United States who have welcomed so many generations of Irish emigrants into their communities.  We are deeply appreciative of all that the Irish American community contributes to our country, of the pride you still feel for your Irish heritage and culture and of your dedication to maintaining and showcasing that culture to other communities across the globe." 

MICHAEL D. HIGGINS, President of Ireland