IAHS Irish Book Club – 2026 Monthly Themes and Selections
Meets the 2nd Tuesday of the month
2026
Jan 13th: Historical Fiction
Ireland by Frank Delaney
Feb 10th: Author Spotlight
Read December's Grab Bag Book
Mar 10th: Irish Heritage / Women’s Voices
The Coast Road by Alan Murrin
Apr 14th: Humor / Heartwarming
History of the Rain by Niall Williams
May 12th: Nonfiction and Biography
There Will Be Fire: Margaret Thatcher, the IRA, and Two Minutes That Changed History by Rory Carroll
Jun 9th: Love, Romance and Family
Damage by Josephine Hart
Jul 14th: Popular Fiction
Night Boat to Tangier by Kevin Barry
Aug 11th: Mystery / Thriller
A Star Called Henry by Roddy Doyle
Sep 8th: “Wild Geese” – The Irish Diaspora
The Famine Orphans by Patricia Falvey
Oct 13th: Rogue Month (Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Horror, Dystopian, Gothic, Experimental, Travel, Sports)
There's No Place Like Hereby Cecelia Ahern
Nov 10th: Classic Irish Literature and Contemporary Award Winners
The Seaby John Banville
Dec 8th: Holiday Season
1) Irish Stories for Christmas by John B. Keane
2) O Now! by Niall Williams
The Hartford Unit of Irish Northern Aid meets the 3rd Friday of every month in the Upstairs Hall of the Irish American Home.
Since 1970, the Irish Northern Aid Committee has been at the forefront in support of the struggle for freedom, justice, and self-determination for all the people of Ireland.
For more information, contact Colin O'Neill at ColinONeill1960@gmail.com.
Meets on the 3rd Tuesday of the month
Come see what the buzz over Irish Poets Society is about.
It meets at 4:15 - 6:15pm
They will NOT be meeting in July or August or September
Live traditional Irish music continues at the Irish American Home Society, from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Come join the singers and musicians at this open seisiun. Listen or play along with the lively jigs and reels…sing a song if you are so inclined… or simply relax and enjoy the music of Ireland. This is an opportunity to learn Irish music.
For more information, contact Liz Raymond (860) 614-9431.
Classes are held on Wednesday evenings (except the fourth Wednesday of the month).
This is a cultural function of the Irish American Home Society. There is a charge of $2 per class, which is used to pay bands for the two ceilis held each year. The only requirements are hard-soled shoes and a little stamina. Classes begin at 7 pm.
Please see our Connecticut Irish Set Dancers Facebook page or contact Liz Raymond at (860) 614-9431 for more information.
From 12 - 1 pm on the 1st Saturday of the month, a slow (learning) seisiun will be held with Greg prior to the normal seisiun at 1.
Live traditional Irish music continues at the Irish American Home Society, from 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. Come join the singers and musicians at this open seisiun. Listen or play along with the lively jigs and reels…sing a song if you are so inclined… or simply relax and enjoy the music of Ireland. This is an opportunity to learn Irish music.
The AOH Hartford Division 2 meets the first Thursday of the month at IAHS.
The AOH is an Irish Catholic organization that promotes and encourages participation in our religion, charity and Irish culture, following the motto, “In Friendship, Unity and Christian Charity”. We are always looking for new Brothers and invite any IAHS member that might be interested to join us for a meeting. AOH has guest speakers at our monthly meetings on topics ranging from Irish sports, history, politics to the arts. Any IAHS member that would like to hear any of our guest speakers is welcome with advance notice.
We collect food one Sunday a month and will continue to let the membership know when the drives are and who the beneficiaries are.
AOH is very grateful to the members of the IAHS that have made our monthly food drives a success.
For more information, please contact Division President Mike Enright at mikeenr@gmail.com or visit the group’s website at www.hartfordaoh.com
Pub Trivia nights are back! —because knowing random facts is finally worth something. (Spoiler: it’s still mostly just bragging rights.)
Join us for trivia with Vince the Prince from 99.1plr on the 3rd Thursday of each month September-December. Cash prizes!
The cost is $5 at the door per person. No pre-registration, sign up at the door.
Come enjoy the music from One Part Harmony!
To enter the contest: register online and pay a $20 entry fee.
To taste: pay cash at the door!
The PPT’S were born out of an after school happy hour. The goal is to play songs you love to sing.
The Irish American Home Society presents
The Annual Lights of Love &
Tree Lighting ceremony
Friday, November 27th @ 6:00 p.m.
Please join us for the IAHS Christmas Tree lighting ceremony in honor and remembrance of our loved ones in the upstairs hall. All payments must be by check or cash. There is no online registration.
The deadline is November 21st and is fast approaching to get names included in our Lights of Love ceremony.
To assure that the name of your loved one will be included in the “Scroll of Honor” please fill out this form below and drop it off in the box by the front door with cash or a check or mail a check with the form (link below) sent to the Club no later than Saturday 11/21st..
Click on the link below to download the form:
If mailing a check, please make it payable to IAHS and mail to:
IAHS (Lights of Love) 132 Commerce Street Glastonbury, CT 06033-2369
Glastonbury, CT 06033-2369
New Leaf is Kira Jewett (fiddle), Jim Bunting (rhythm, vocals and mandolin), and Julian Lamberston (fiddle). From New England, New Leaf is known for traditional tunes with tight, driving rhythm, and for their thoughtful mix of songs from Ireland's rich repertoire. The Boston Irish Reporter praised New Leaf's arrangements, stating their sets were created " ... with an ear to building tension and anticipation." Although many of New Leaf's tunes are from the generation-spanning Irish styles such as the Sligo and Clare traditions, their tunes have also been described as being "suggestive of longtime Northeast urban hot spots for Irish American traditional music, namely Boston, New York City and Philadelphia." Come join us for jigs, reels and heartwarming songs!
Join us Saturday, November 28th for a Friendsgiving Happy Hour in the downstairs pub from 3 - 5:30.
We will have tastings from Surfside and Lost Realm Brewery!
So, grab your family and friends, bring an appetizer or dessert to share and we will see you there. No registration required!
For questions, please text Christine Gherard, 860-808-7354.
We are full! Looking forward to a successful market! Make sure you mark your calendars to shop!!!
We are seeking local artisans for our Holiday Market. Pre-registration is required.
$30 per table (BYO table 8X8 space), each vendor must also donate one item for a teacup auction.
Get into the holiday spirit at the Irish American Home’s Christmas Craft Market on Sunday, November 29, from 11:00 AM–4:00 PM!
Come shop a variety of unique artisan gifts, handmade items, festive treats, and holiday décor while getting a head start on your Christmas shopping. Admission is FREE, so bring your friends and family and enjoy a festive day at the club.
The event will also feature live music, a cash bar, and delicious food by The Tenth Hole which will be open to the public.
Sunday, November 29 ⏰ 11:00 AM–4:00 PM Irish American Home 132 Commerce Street, Glastonbury, CT
Free admission • Shopping • Food • Live Music • Holiday Cheer!
Come shop, grab a bite, enjoy some music, and find the perfect gifts while celebrating the holiday season with us!
Come enjoy the music from Gerry Feeney!
Steve Cleary- plays all acoustic
The Second Chance Acoustic (aka, TSC Acoustic) performs traditional Irish music and pub tunes (as well as a mix of acoustic rock, blues, pop, country, etc.). We perform at various venues throughout Connecticut.
TSC Acoustic is a family band. Our instrumentation includes acoustic guitar, ukulele, flute, bass, cajon, and auxiliary percussion instruments. Irish lead vocalist, Don Kane, joins us for our Irish music shows.
Irish Music Set List - TSC Acoustic
Please join us for our Member Christmas dinner on Sunday 12/6. Dinner will be served at 1pm.
Reservations/Payments can be made online (note it adds the person submitting by default - only add additional people), or if you prefer, Members can call Membership Secretary Peggy Radcliffe at 860-729-9209 to make a reservation.
The deadline for submitting a reservation will be Wednesday 12/2.
Cost is $15 for Members / $20 for Non-Member guest
We are requesting that each person bring a non-perishable food item.
For your musical entertainment, Member Gerry Feeney will be playing from 4 - 7p.m.
Come enjoy the music from Gerry Feeney following the Member Christmas Dinner!
Please join us for a good, old-fashioned Christmas Cookie Swap in the downstairs pub!
Bring 100 of your favorite home-made Christmas cookies and leave with 100 assortment of cookies made by the participating members to enjoy throughout the holiday season!
Bring your own containers and please avoid making Chocolate Chip! Add your cookie type to a memo on the Sign-up Genius so we are sure to get lots of variety.
Hope to see you there!
Link to Sign Up Genius
Driving Route 9 is an original alternative folk band from Connecticut. We combine celtic influences with solid rhythms and beautiful harmonies to give a unique show that you'll want to share.
The musical experience of Driving Route 9 loosely fits the description of modern Folk/Celtic pop, taking their listeners to a place you simply can’t find anywhere else. Featuring the song writing duo of Becca Gripp of Wilmington, DE and Barry O’Doherty of Donegal County, Ireland, with band members Jim David on drums, Paul Emmerling on bass and Geoff Cox, armed with his whistle, this originals band from Southeast Connecticut is creating an experience unlike any other. With an upbeat vibe and a Celtic twist, DR9’s high energy shows bring catchy melodies, beautifully blended harmonies, and a tight musical delivery. “Matter of Time”, DR9’s debut album, was released in June 2021 on all digital media platforms and vinyl copies are available for sale on bandcamp.com. The album features professional Irish musicians and was recorded and engineered in Connecticut, Vermont, and Dublin.
The Jolly Beggars bring the rich tradition of Celtic folk music and storytelling to modern day audiences. Based out of Connecticut, their traditional songs and musical arrangements have exposed many to the joys of Celtic music. They tell traditional stories from Irish folklore and intersperse their musical arrangements with traditional reels and jigs. Characterized by their tight harmonies and use of guitars, mandolin, tin whistles, octave mandolin, mandola, tenor banjo, double bass, bodhran, spoons, and more, The Jolly Beggars have quickly built a solid following and continue to spread their music around the east coast.
The band performs music that is largely Celtic in origin (Irish and Scottish), with some pieces coming from an extension of that music in other cultures.
Join Emily’s Eats for a festive, hands-on Charcuterie Class just in time for the holidays! For $65 per person, enjoy professional instruction, all materials, and a specially selected wine (or beer) paired with cheese. Sunday, December 20th, from 3–4 PM at the Irish American Home Society. Registration required!
