Ministerial Lunch • Jan 10
Join the Irish American Bar Association and the Irish Network Bay Area as they host Minister for Data Protection, Pat Breen T.D. for lunch. Minister Breen will discuss how Ireland plans to implement the EU’s new privacy law, the GDPR, and the potential impacts for Silicon Valley companies. This intimate event will enable attendees to discuss this and other topics of interest (Brexit anyone?) with Minister Breen.
Pat Breen was first elected to the Dail in 2002. In June 2011, then Taoiseach Enda Kenny appointed Pat as the Chairman of the Oireachtas Foreign Affairs & Trade Committee. Prior to this Pat served in various portfolios for Fine Gael and has served on a number of Dail Committees, including the prestigious Dail’s European Affairs Committee.
He was appointed to lead the Fine Gael Delegation on the Council of Europe and served as Deputy Leader of the Irish Delegation. Minister Breen was a member of several key Council Committees. His responsibilities included monitoring the obligations and commitments of member states, developing economic affairs and overseeing relations with non-member countries.
California licensed attorneys will be eligible to receive one hour of participatory MCLE credit for this event.
Special thank you to William Fry for sponsoring the Ministerial Lunch. tickets
Irish Language Immersion Weekend • September 23-25
The 19th Irish Language Immersion Weekend, Deireadh Seachtaine Gaeltachta, takes place in San Francisco on September 22–24, 2016.
Four levels, intensive tutorials that focus on spoken language and increasing fluency taught by top caliber native Irish speaking teachers.
Special Saturday workshops take place during the last class period of the day, providing a relaxing, entertaining and different way to enjoy learning Irish. Meals and snacks provided, and sessions take place each evening with Irish music, songs, poetry, stories – and some dancing.
Class Levels
Level 1⁄ Leibhéal 1 (no Irish, or a smidgin), for absolute beginners, and those who may have made a start already, but are still learning beginner basics.
Level 2⁄ Leibhéal 2 (lag), for intermediate learners, who’ve studied Irish enough to know the basics reasonably well, can participate in a very simple communications, and want to increase their skills.
Level 3⁄ Leibhéal 3 (sásúil), for higher intermediate students who may understand or read a good bit of Irish, yet lack practice with hearing or speaking Irish, and seek confidence to make the leap into more conversation.
Level 4⁄ Leibhéal 4 (maith) do dhaoine ar mhaith leo snas a chur ar a gcuid Gaeilge. Déanfar staidéar ar fhoclóir nua-aimseartha, saibhreas na teanga, litríocht, filíocht, béaloideas agus an saol chomh-aimseartha.
Beidh Ray Mac Mánais againn mar múinteoir arís!
Classes take place at the United Irish Cultural Center (UICC) in San Francisco. Email Seán Séamus Larkin for more
AIF Women’s Luncheon • Four Seasons, SF, Nov 29
(event has passed) This year marks the 10th Anniversary of the American Ireland Fund’s Women’s Luncheon. Guest speaker is New York Times best-selling author and journalist, Lee Woodruff.
As co-author of the New York Times best-selling In an Instant, Lee Woodruff garnered critical acclaim for the compelling and humorous chronicle of her family’s journey to recovery following her husband Bob’s roadside bomb injury in Iraq. Appearing on national television and as keynote speakers since the February 2007 publication of their book, the couple has helped put a face on the serious issue of traumatic brain injury among returning Iraq war veterans, as well as the millions of Americans who live with this often invisible, but life-changing affliction. They have founded the Bob Woodruff Foundation to assist injured service members and their families heal from the wounds of war.
Woodruff is a contributing reporter for “CBS This Morning” and a contributing editor for Working Mother magazine. Woodruff runs a media training/speaker presentation business for clients who want to polish their performance. Her best-selling book Perfectly Imperfect – A Life in Progress, was followed by her first novel “Those We Love Most,” which became a New York Times Best-Seller and won the Washington Irving Book Award for fiction.
May/June Events
Anniversary Mass for Berkeley Students • June 15
The Irish Immigration Pastoral Center, the Consulate General of Ireland and St. Columba’s Church host a First Anniversary Mass for Olivia Burke, Eoghan Culligan, Ashley Donohoe, Lorcán Miller, Niccolai Schuster and Eimear Walsh who lost their lives in Berkeley on June 16, 2015.
The First Anniversary Mass will be celebrated on this Wednesday, June 15, at 7.00 p.m. in St. Columba’s Church (6401 San Pablo Avenue, Oakland), remembering those who died and also to pray for the continued recovery of those injured – Aoife Beary, Clodagh Cogley, Sean Fahey, Conor Flynn, Jack Halpin, Niall Murray and Hannah Waters. Mass will be followed by a Community Reception in the Parish Hall.
To assist with planning for the reception, please RSVP to [email protected]
INBA Beer Brewing & Education • June 2
Back by popular demand, the INBA Beer Brewing event returns on June 2. Curious about the beer brewing process? Want to start your own home brew hobby but don’t know where to start? Looking for a lighthearted evening of networking? Come join the INBA for an interactive night of homebrewing education. We will have master home brewer Andre Sanchez from San Francisco Brewcraft on hand to go over everything you need to know to start your own micro brewery from your living room closet. INBA’s own Nick Ginger will also be on hand defending his title win from last year’s event with his latest brew made from an award winning San Francisco recipe! tickets
Irish Americans for Hillary Party • May 26
January Events
Donegal Fiddle Workshop • January 23
Caoimhin Mac Aoidh – Gryphon Strings Music Shop, 211 Lambert Avenue, Palo Alto, California. Sat, Jan 23rd 11:30am – 3:30pm (includes a negotiated lunch break), $40
In this workshop, you will learn both a number of rare old house dance tunes from Donegal as well as re-examining one of your existing tunes from a Donegal style perspective. Participants should be able to reasonably pick up a tune by ear when taught in a phrase by phrase manner. A simple, new approach to understanding the grammar of traditional Irish tunes will be taught which will aid in learning tunes faster in future. For further info or questions, contact Caoimhin at: [email protected]
Caoimhin Mac Aoidh is a well known fiddler in the Donegal style. He has learned from and played with John Doherty, Francie Dearg O Beirn, Tommy Peoples, Danny Meehan, Danny O’Donnell, the Campbells, Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh, Paul O’Shaughnessy, Dermot McLaughlin and many others in that tradition. He has performed, taught and broadcast extensively throughout Europe and the eastern United States. He has published a number of seminal works on Donegal fiddle playing and is a regular contributor to Fiddler Magazine. In addition to having a great command of the repertoire and technique he is particularly noted for his teaching skills and unique approach to tune assimilation. His new duet CD with Peter Campbell (fiddle) is eagerly awaited in 2016. Caoimhin is the founder of World Fiddle Day.
While the workshop is directed at fiddlers, it is also relevant to mandolin players.
Buy tickets online via Gryphon Strings, orr RSVP to Gryphon Strings: (650) 493-2131
Traveller’s Rest:
December Events
Family Christmas Party at the UICC • December 20
The SF Youth GAA, Irish Immigration Pastoral Center and United Irish Cultural Center host a third annual Community Christmas Party at the UICC on December 20. A fun and festive afternoon with a selection of children’s activities for all ages. Kids can enjoy decorating a Christmas cookie or making ornaments, and there will be a Christmas sing-along to get everyone in the mood for the holidays. Santa Claus will arrive from the North Pole at 1.15pm (sharp) to meet the children. Families can bring baked Christmas goods to share and an unwrapped gift for a Toy Drive. All toys brought to the event will be donated to the San Francisco Fire Fighters Toy Program. see calendar for more details
The Great Dickens Christmas Fair • Cow Palace, SF
The Great Dickens Christmas Fair is a one-of-a-kind holiday adventure into Victorian London – an elaborate party with hundreds of costumed players performing and interacting with patrons in over 120,000 square feet of theatrically-lit music halls, pubs, dance floors, and Christmas shops. It’s a twilight evening in Charles Dickens’ London Town – a city of winding lanes filled with colorful characters from both literature and history. Enticing aromas of roasted chestnuts and hearty foods fill the air. Cries of street vendors hawking their wares ring out above the bustling crowd. Dozens of lamplit shops are filled to overflowing with Christmas gifts. The Dickens Christmas Fair is a treasured Bay Area tradition since 1970 and a splendid way to celebrate the holidays.
Cow Palace Exhibition Halls, 2600 Geneva Avenue, San Francisco – information
St. Joseph’s GAA Golf Fundraiser • December 12
Please help support St. Joseph’s GAA at Palo Alto Golf Club. All welcome and BBQ to follow. $100 per player, $50 for BBQ only. email for further information
Celtic Voices is a community choir based in San Francisco, established to promote music of Irish heritage. The repertoire has also expanded to cover a broad variety of songs. There are several choirs within this group: adult, youth, chamber and boys, and they are part of the Irish Immigration & Pastoral Center outreach program. The choir has performed for both President McAleese and President Higgins, as well as for the Giants and Warriors. The Celtic Voices annual concert takes place at Sacred Heart on December 11th. See calendar listing for more details.
Los Gatos Christmas Hooley • December 12
Round up your friends this Christmas season for a Christmas Hooley in downtown Los Gatos. Dinner, drinks and craic at the beautiful Toll House Hotel in downtown Los Gatos. Cocktail Attire. Drinks Reception at 6:00pm, Dinner at 7:00pm, Music & Dancing 9:00-11:00pm, Adjourn to bar ’till 1:00pm. Tables seat 8-10 people. Contact Aine O’Donovan by email for more information, or purchase tickets here.
November Events
Cork Ladies Camogie Team captain Ashling Thompson and Maedbh Cahalane from the All-Ireland winning team 2015 will be special guests at the annual Rebel Corks’ dinner December 5th at the United Irish Cultural Center. Music at the event will be by Kevin Roche. Dinner $70 per person. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Valerie McGrew by email or at 415 672-0375 or Jimmy Daly 415 515-4989. Tickets must be purchased in advance, and will not be available at the door. see calendar listing
Annual Irish Thanksgiving • November 19
Join the United Irish Cultural Center and the INBA for the 2nd Annual Irish Thanksgiving hosted on the 19th, one week before the official Thanksgiving holiday. The event will feature a traditional Thanksgiving meal, topped off with the best Irish food and drink in the Bay Area. Two members of the Irish community will also be recognized for their contributions over the past year.
Community Remembrance Mass • November 5
A mass in memory of friends and relatives of the San Francisco Irish Community, and the six students who tragically lost their lives in the Berkeley in June. Fr. Brendan will read the names of those to be remembered during Mass and all present may light a candle in their memory. Mass will be followed by tea, coffee and snacks in the Parish Hall. If you wish to have someone remembered at this Mass, email Joan or Claire or call 415.752.6006. 7.00 p.m. St. Philip’s Church 725 Diamond Street (& 24th Street)
American Ireland Fund Women’s Luncheon • November 9
Dee Ahearn, CEO of Barretstown – a camp in Ireland founded by Hollywood actor Paul Newman in 1994, and dedicated to rebuilding the lives of children affected by serious illness – is guest speaker at the annual luncheon to be held on Monday, November 9, 2015. Reception at Four Seasons Hotel, San Francisco at 11.30, followed by lunch at noon. For more information and ticket purchase, click here
October Events
Active Retirement Club Event with President Higgins • October 25
The Irish Immigration Pastoral Center’s Active Retirement Club welcomes President Higgins and his wife Sabina, on the occasion of their first official visit to the West Coast.
President Higgins will be joined by the Ambassador of Ireland to the United States, Anne Anderson and Consul General, Philip Grant at 9:00 a.m. at the United Irish Cultural Center for mass, celebrated by Fr. Brendan McBride, followed by brunch.
Tickets – $20. Advance Payment Required. RSVP to Joan or Claire at 415.752.6006. Email: [email protected]
September Events
Irish Network Bay Area Brewfest • September 3
Curious about the beer brewing process? Want to start your own home brew hobby but don’t know where to start? Looking for a lighthearted evening of networking? Come join the INBA for an interactive night of homebrewing education. We will have master home brewer Andre Sanchez from San Francisco Brewcraft on hand to go over everything you need to know to start your own micro brewery from your living room closet. San Francisco Homebrewers Guild will be joining us to answer your questions on joining San Francisco’s home brew community. INBA’s own Nick Ginger will also be on hand sharing his latest brew made from an award winning San Francisco recipe! see calendar
Upwardly Global Fundraiser • September 17
Upwardly Global Bay Area Leadership Council is hosting an evening of whiskey tasting with 2 GINGERS and whiskey specialist, Andrew Sweeney, benefiting the organization’s mission to eliminate employment barriers for skilled immigrants.
Tickets start at $55 to $250. A ticket will gain you entry to the party, a tasting flight of some of the finest and most unique whiskeys in the world, and delicious appetizers. Leadership tickets offer more perks including a pre-event private whiskey education session. A cash bar will also be available for beer, wine, and a specialty cocktail. see calendar September 17 for more information
August Events
Immigration Clinic • Saturdays, August 8 – 29
The Immigration Clinic is provided by the Irish Immigration Pastoral Center (IIPC) as part of the Immigration Services Program. They offer this service thanks to the time contributed by Immigration Attorney Jim Byrne and other regular volunteers. The Immigration Clinic provides a 20 – 30 minute private appointment with Immigration Attorney Jim Byrne to get the advice or counsel needed regarding immigration situations.
A small contribution for the service provided is requested, and the contribution assists with the costs of providing the range of free IIPC services. more
Foundations of Mind Conference • August 13-15
Foundations of Mind II : A Dialogue of World Views, co-sponsored by the Cognitive Science Society of Ireland.
This year’s conference examines the rapidly-changing 21st century intellectual, social, and religious landscape in these categories: the science-religion dialogue; the foundations of physics, biology, and consciousness studies. See calendar for details
July Events
US-Ireland Alliance Reception July 17
Pictured at the US-Ireland Alliance reception on July 17th were Mitchell Scholars Travis Green, Katherine Boyle and Adam Tart. The George Mitchell Scholarship Program is a US-Ireland Alliance initiative, named to honor former US Senator George Mitchell’s pivotal contribution to the Northern Ireland peace process. The program is designed to introduce and connect generations of future American leaders to the island of Ireland, while recognizing and fostering intellectual achievement, leadership, and a commitment to community and public service.
Up to twelve Mitchell Scholars between the ages of 18 and 30 are chosen annually for one academic year of postgraduate study in any discipline offered by institutions of higher learning in Ireland and Northern Ireland. The program provides tuition, accommodation, a stipend for living expenses and travel.Applicants are judged on three criteria: scholarship, leadership, and a sustained commitment to community and public service.
June Events
Irish American Democratic Club JFK Luncheon June 14
The Annual JFK Award Luncheon this year honors John Moylan. John is a member of the board of directors of the Golden Gate Bridge Authority. He served on the San Francisco Human Rights Commission, and has been a Labor Leader serving the union cause for over 6o years. John is and an Honoree of The John F. Henning Institute. Contact Eileen Kivlehan at [email protected] or Mary O’Riordan [email protected] for more information.
Fundraiser Fireside Chat June 17
Jack Kavanagh, a pharmacy student at Trinity College in Dublin, a windsurfing fanatic, a fluent Irish speaker, and a bit of a talker, traveled to Portugal for a holiday with friends before the second year of college. The first day Jack ran down to the sea and dived into an oncoming wave, and his life changed. He broke his neck.
Meet Jack in person on June 17th at a reception at Swig Bar, Geary St., San Francisco. He will be in San Francisco part of his California visit to raise funds for his upcoming documentary of his travels, and his inspiring story of overcoming obstacles and breaking boundaries. more
May Events
ICCC Scholarship Program Finalists Announced May 13
Since 1994, the ICCC Leo Walsh Scholarship Program has awarded more than 300 scholarships to eighth graders and high school seniors entering the next level of their education. Through the hard work of volunteers, especially its founder Leo Walsh, the program has grown immensely over the years. The 2015 Scholarship Awards took place May 13 at the United Irish Cultural Center.
Spring European Networking Evening – May 6
In celebration of Europe Day, The British American Business Council Northern California, French American Chamber of Commerce San Francisco and German American Business Association in cooperation with many European Chambers of Commerce invite you to join a European Networking Evening. Mingle with entrepreneurs, VCs and a range of professionals involved in cross-border business in a relaxed and European atmosphere. more
Irish Network Women in Leadership Series
(event has passed) Join the Irish Network Bay Area for the inaugural Women in Leadership Series at Google San Francisco on Friday, April 24. This event will feature Wicklow native and NUIG graduate Anne-Marie Farrell, Head of Behavioral Economics Research, Global SMB Marketing at Google in conversation with Máire P. Walsh, INBA Board Member and Digital Strategy Director at Subdirect. Anne-Marie will share her journey, research and marketing insights, and tips for career success. The talk will be followed by networking and happy hour.
Anne-Marie Farrell Bio
Anne-Marie is a is a behavioral researcher and data-driven marketer. Anne-Marie wears two hats in Google Marketing, leading the Irrational Lab team and Onboarding for new advertisers. Irrational Lab is transforming Google’s product and marketing strategy by applying the principles of behavioral economics to combine the art and science of marketing. Anne-Marie works with marketers and product managers from teams across Google including SMB Marketing, Ads, Billing & Google[x]. Anne-Marie previously lead customer marketing for Google’s SMB global agency program. She joined the finance team in Google Dublin after starting her career as a management consultant in Accenture. A graduate of Electronic and Computer Engineer, Anne-Marie has seen irrational from code to copy.
Máire P. Walsh Bio
Máire is the Digital Strategy Director at Subdirect, a company that collaborates with the world’s leading publishers to build, engage, and monetize their audiences globally. Máire has worked with over 100 leading magazine, content properties, and apps building and monetizing audiences and is passionate about content distribution, audience engagement, and new publishing platforms. In addition, Máire is a Lead Digital Media Instructor for kdmcBerkeley at the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism.
To find out more visit Irish Network Bay Area. Join today to enjoy access to unique networking events and workshops.
Hibernian Newman Club Luncheon – March
The Hibernian Newman Club of San Francisco is a non-profit organization of business and professional people of Irish descent whose residence or place of business is located within the Archdiocese of San Francisco. Established in 1964, the Hibernian Newman Club has supported the Newman Centers at San Francisco State University and U. C. San Francisco through donations and annual luncheons on Saint Patrick’s Day and at Christmas. This year, the Hibernian Newman Club celebrated its 51st year, and honored Jim Byrne as the 2015 “Hibernian of the Year.” Special Keynote Speaker Father Paul Fitzgerald President of the University of San Francisco was in attendance.