Library	admin	2019-05-02T13:16:49-05:00
Library Fall Hours:
Closed In August
Tuesday 10am to 2pm
The Library at the Irish American Heritage Center opened its doors to the public in January 2006. The interior of the Library is a tribute to Irish craftsmen and artists who labored for many years to bring this beautiful space to the Irish American community. The stunning literary border painted by Edward Cox and researched by Margaret Reid highlights the contributions of the Irish to the world of literature.
The Children's/Lecture room boasts a mural by Edward Cox and framed pictures of story characters with Gaelic descriptions.
The Library has a collection of approximately 25,000 books, 3000 LPs, 1000 audiocassettes, 500 CDs, sheet music, and extensive pamphlet collection in addition to specific strengths in the areas of history and literature.
The Children's collection concentrates on Irish tales, folklore and general fiction in English and the Irish language.
Special Collections:
Irish Newspaper Archives is proud to sponsor the Center's Library and offer open access to the world's largest and oldest database of Irish newspapers.
Visit the IAHC Library and search, retrieve and explore newspapers dating from 1738 to current day. The archives offers access to more than 8 million pages of Irish periodical content contained in more than 64 regional, daily and out-of-print titles.
Delve into the archives to read events all across Ireland, search for historical content and keep up-to-date with the full-color digital newspaper archive. Interested in genealogy? Trace your Irish heritage and lost relations through the largest database of Irish births, deaths and marriages in the world. Go back in time to revisit some of Ireland's most harrowing and greatest historical moments with editorial print from the time of the Great Famine, the Easter Rising, Irish Civil War and the birth of the Republic.
Access to www.irishnewsarchives.com is available by visiting the IAHC Library. Access is unlimited during Library hours and there is no charge to use the archives.
Thanks to the generosity of many donors in the Irish community the Library and the Archives house collections in specific areas:
Dennis Watson Musical Collection of CDs and Sheet Music from 1850 to 1950
Eileen McNulty Poetry Collection from Kennys in Galway
Emmett Larkin Collection on the Church of Ireland
Liam MacGabham Celtic Language Collection that includes books and audiovisual materials.
The facsimile of the Book of Kells is now housed in the Museum.
On-going programs:
Irish language classes by Na Gaeil Language School:
Saturday mornings: 11 am-1:30 pm
Wednesday evenings: 7 pm-9:30 pm, starting in September 2018
For more information, contact info@nagaeil.org or click here: https://irish-american.org/event/na-gaeil-irish-language-classes/
Irish American Heritage Center Great Irish Books Club
September 2018-May 2019
On the SECOND Sunday of the month on most months, we come together to discuss great Irish and Irish-American writers. We charge no fees, give no tests and don't require perfect attendance. Choose the writers and books you want to discuss and come when you can.
September 9 Saints for All Occasions Courtney Sullivan
October 14 Cre na Cille Martin O'Cadhain
The Midnight Court Brian Merriman
November 11 The Ninth Hour Alice McDermott
December 9 Mrs. Osmond John Banville
January 13 Manhattan Beach Jennifer Egan
February 10 House of Names Colm Toibin
March 10 Straying Molly McLoskey
April 14 Montpelier Parade Karl Geary
May 11 at 2PM Midwinter Break Bernard MacLaverty
Genealogy Sessions:
Genealogy Sessions are the last Sunday of the month from 1-4 pm or by appointment, call the Center at 773-282-7035. Can't make a session? Call the Library to make an appointment.
The Buy a Box initiative needs your support to preserve our Irish heritage and is a way to honor family and friends, as we will place their names on the box exterior. These acid-free boxes prevent further damage from the environment and other books on the shelves.
Ask our Librarians about preserving our valuable and fragile rare books against further damage. Your generous contribution is greatly appreciated. Boxes are $20 each.
To contribute, click below.
Have an idea? Email us at library@irishahc.org.