The Center for Traditional Irish-American Music represents one of the newest areas on which the Institute will be focusing. In 2004, CUNY Graduate Center student Margaret Farrell organized a sold-out CUNYIIAS co-sponsored Musical Meeting of Irish Traditional and Klezmer music with Isaac Anderson, Greg Anderson, Matt Darriau, Lisa Gutkin, Patrick Ourceau, John Redmond, and Lorin Sklamberg. This semester Earle Hitchner (Irish Echo "Ceol" Columnist) is coordinating a CUNYIIAS concert entitled "Ireland & NYC: A vibrant musical connection" featuring Cathie Ryan, Greg Anderson, Brian Conway, Brendan Dolan, and Joe Dwyer. Of course we also had Bernadette Fee & Mary Courtney of Morning Star and Jimmy Coen perform at our open house last fall.

Our long term goal is to develop a center in Woodlawn where the tradition of Irish Music in the Bronx can be shared and further extended to young and old. We are currently seeking funding to cover facility expenses. We have an initial benefit planned at Rory Dolan‘s for 4/30/06 with a number of local musicians to participate.

Please contact us if you are interested in our plans for the Center for Traditional Irish-American Music.