Irish Center going strong

When Father Colm Campbell first came to the United States in 1992 as a Chaplain, he noticed that there was not a community center for Irish immigrants. After a long-held desire to see one created, the New York Irish Center, located in Long Island City was founded about three years ago.
Campbell had gotten to a point when he didn’t think the center would ever happen when talking to another person who said that they really needed to create a place for the Irish community. Many members of the community were supportive of the efforts and began helping. This included those who worked in construction providing their services for free.
“We’ve been going strong ever since,” Campbell said.
The center’s website states, “Through it (the center), every Irish and Irish-American, and every caller, can find help for a full life and fulfill their American dream.” Its vision involves maintaining a sense of community through solidarity, significance and security.
The New York Irish Center provides a wide range of activities and services to people not only from Queens but other boroughs and Long Island. Among the events held at the center are a seniors lunch club, mothers and toddlers group, Irish c/li dancing, tin whistle classes, “25” card nights, plays, and Irish language classes, among others.
Along with their social activities, the center provides information about services and resources available and has a helpline. It also provides personal and family support.
“It’s really a wonderful feeling and there really is important and good work being done,” Campbell said. “It’s probably the most successful thing I’ve ever been involved in and hopefully it will continue long after I’m gone.”
New York Irish Center Executive Director Liz Kenny said that there as always been a large Irish community in the city. She also said that Long Island City is the perfect location, being that it provides easy access from various areas, making it convenient for people to get there.
“You couldn’t ask for a better location,” Kenny said.
Recently, the New York Irish Center began creating an internet caf/ in the basement of the building, which Kenny said was previously just rubble. Once completed, it will give people a place to interact, use computers, watch Irish TV and listen to Irish radio.
Campbell said that another goal of the center is to raise enough funds to get an elevator for the building.
The New York Irish Center is located at 10-40 Jackson Avenue. For more information on the center and its programming, call 718-482-0909 or visit www.nyirishcenter.org.