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 six 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.
 


The 29th Annual IACI Award Ceremony


The Irish American Cultural Institute will be holding their 29th annual Award Ceremony on Sunday, October 1st, at the Spring Lake Manor, Spring Lake, NJ.

 

The Annie Moore Award is named for the first immigrant to be processed at Ellis Island on January 1, 1892. Only 15 at the time, Annie, along with her two younger brothers made the long journey from their home in County Cork, Ireland to begin a new life. The award is bestowed to an Irish American who has demonstrated a commitment of excellence through business, commerce, community, education, or the arts.

 

The 2023 Annie Moore Award will be presented to John Carr. As a charter member of the Friendly Sons of the Shillelagh (FSOS), Jersey Shore Chapter, John has dedicated the past 32 years to serving the club and his community. In addition to holding several positions on the Executive Board of the FSOS, he has acted as the Chairman of the Annual Christmas Toy Drive which benefits dozens of local charities as well as thousands of less fortunate members of the community. He is also instrumental in organizing the annual Children’s Easter Egg Hunt and Christmas Party for the members’ children and grandchildren for 20 years. John’s past honors include Asbury Park Press “Hometown Hero”, Essex County Friends of Brian Boru “Irishman of the Year”, FSOS “Irishman of the Year”, Grand Marshal of the Belmar/Lake Como Saint Patrick's Day Parade and is a recipient of the Giblin Association’s Community Service Award.  He has also served as past chairman and is the current president of The New Jersey Irish Festival held at Monmouth Racetrack, which benefits many local charities.


The Eoin McKiernan Award was established and named for the Founder of the Irish American Cultural Institute.  Dr. Mc Kiernan devoted his life to, and set the standard for, Irish studies. His achievements in and contributions to the world of Irish studies and Irish culture were immeasurable.   The award is given to honor and recognize an individual who exemplifies those ideals.


The 2023 Eoin McKiernan Award will be presented to Kevin Kenny.

Kevin Kenny is Glucksman Professor of History at New York University, where he serves as Director of Glucksman Ireland House. ​He received his undergraduate degree in Modern History from the University of Edinburgh and his PhD in US History from Columbia University. His books include​ Making Sense of the Molly Maguires (Oxford University Press, 1998)​, The American Irish: A History (Longman, 2000), Peaceable Kingdom Lost​: The Paxton Boys and the Destruction of William Penn’s Holy Experiment ​(Oxford University Press, 2009), ​and ​Diaspora: A Very Short Introduction (Oxford University Press 2013). ​In addition, he has edited two collections of historical essays, New Directions in Irish-American History (University of Wisconsin Press, 2003) and Ireland and the British Empire (Oxford University Press, 2004), and he serves as general editor of the Glucksman Irish Diaspora Series (New York University Press). Professor Kenny’s latest book, The Problem of Immigration in a Slaveholding Republic: Policing Mobility in the Nineteenth-Century United States (​​Oxford University Press 20​2​3), explains how the existence, abolition, and legacies of slavery shaped American immigration policy as it moved from the local to the national level in the century after the American Revolution. Professor Kenny currently serves as President of the Immigration and Ethnic History Society and as a Distinguished Lecturer of the Organization of American Historians. Oxford University Press published a 25th anniversary edition of his Making Sense of the Molly Maguires in September 2023.


 

The event benefits the established educational, arts, and cultural programming of the Irish American Cultural Institute. The mission of the IACI is to provide leadership and resources to preserve, interpret, and promote Irish and Irish American cultures.  Recognizing the depth & creative core of the Irish legacy, the IACI serves as an arts & culture resource, an educational resource, and a funding resource. Learn more, purchase tickets and journal ads.

 

Join Us for the IACI Monthly Virtual Presentations


Are you looking for intellectual nourishment or just good storytelling about Ireland past and present? Look no further. We offer an attractive menu of options. 

 

Though its connections with American academics, scholars, and practitioners around the world, the Irish American Cultural Institute is able to draw on the deep knowledge and painstaking training of experts in a broad array of fields related to the rich history and culture of modern and contemporary Ireland. 

 

Already the Institute has successfully launched a series of talks (each lasting 45-60 minutes) on such topics as the Great Famine and Irish emigration over the period 1845-1900; Daniel O'Connell and Irish anti-slavery; Irish traditional music (with performance intermixed); Irish art and politics in the twentieth century; and Ireland and Brexit. 

 

Realtime access and participation in the Q&A portion of these events is free to members of the IACI. If you are an IACI Member you will automatically receive a link to the program. If you are not a member and would like to take advantage of this member benefit Join Now

All presentations are archived and become available soon after each event. Please click here to see archived presentations



The Irish Way Program

The Irish Way is a study abroad program in Ireland offered to high school students.  

During the summer in Ireland, students are introduced to its magical landscape and rich heritage through a variety of workshops, classes, and tours.  Emphasizing culture, education, travel, safety, and fun, our programs ensure a unique and unforgettable journey for every student.  Learn More


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


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.  
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


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