Irish Cultural Society Offers Chance To Reconnect with Heritage, Traditions

By Shawn Zeller '97

Special to the Gazette

Walking around Harvard Square on St. Patrick's Day, it would be easy to get the impression that Irish culture is all about going to a bar and guzzling down a few pints of beer. Almost every bar broadcasts its desire to host local Irish-Americans and wanna-bes on their special day.

But for the Harvard Irish Cultural Society (ICS), a group of Harvard undergraduates, Irish culture has much more to offer.

With the help of funding from the Harvard Foundation for Intercultural and Race Relations, as well as the Harvard-Radcliffe Undergraduate Council, the ICS seeks to provide a place for Irish-American students to celebrate their heritage, promote interest in Irish culture throughout the student body, sponsor events helping the settlement of Irish immigrants, and promote the cause of peace in Northern Ireland.

At no event, though, is beer served.

A Traditional Ceilí

Since its founding, the ICS has held five traditional Irish ceilís. According to Sarah Handeyside '97, president of the organization, a ceilí is an Irish celebration featuring traditional Irish music, dance, and food. This Saturday, April 13, from 9 p.m. to midnight in the Winthrop House Junior Common Room, the club will hold its sixth such ceilí and second this year.

For each ceilí (pronounced 'kay-lee'), the ICS hires the band Oompf!, a group of four musicians specializing in Irish music.

Handeyside has nothing but praise for the band and its leader, Jerry Bell. "Jerry is a riot," she said. "He teaches everyone how to do Irish step dancing and gets everyone involved. He encourages people to stay for a dance and they usually end up staying the whole time."

Unlike most ballroom dancing, which occurs in pairs, Irish dance is more group-oriented. In addition to the dance instruction and music provided by Bell and Oompf!, the ICS provides Irish food, including scones and soda bread, purchased at a Dorchester bakery.

The Irish Cultural Society

For Handeyside, the ceilí serves as a fun means by which the Harvard community of non-Irish background can learn about Irish culture.

"A lot of people are puzzled by the ceilí. They have never heard of a ceilí before," Handeyside related. "But this is a way we've been trying to share Irish culture as well as provide a place for people of Irish descent to celebrate the culture of their ancestors."

Although the organization itself is small, Handeyside says that she has an electronic mailing list of 25 and regularly sees up to 80 people at any given ceilí. Handeyside herself is an Irish-American whose maternal great-grandfather marks her connection with Ireland. According to Handeyside, all of the students in the club now are Irish-Americans, although they are making an effort to reach out to Irish students on campus.

The group has three other dedicated officers. Patrick Arneson '97 is the vice president, Stephani Ayers '97 is the treasurer, and Eileen Harrity '99 is the secretary. And Carmen O'Shea '97 is still very much involved as president emeritus.

In addition to social events like ceilís, the organization is very much involved with Irish groups in Boston and Cambridge. This year, members of the ICS have volunteered at the Irish Immigration Center in Boston helping to support recent Irish immigrants. Likewise, the ICS participated in this year's St. Patrick's Day Parade in Cambridge, having helped to build a float and make costumes for the Irish Immigration Center.

In addition, the ICS has assumed a prominent role on campus. This past November, in cooperation with the Harvard Foundation for Intercultural and Race Relations, the ICS brought Paul Hill, an Irish human rights activist, to speak on campus. Currently, the group is working to bring in William Flynn, a New York businessman involved in negotiations in Northern Ireland. Finally, the group is a regular participant at Cultural Rhythms, often performing Irish dances and serving Irish food.

Handeyside encourages anyone and everyone to make an appearance at the ceilí this Saturday. It is free of charge and open to all. In addition, the group is always interested in new members. Anyone interested in being on the group's mailing list can call 493-7021. She also can be reached by electronic mail at handeys@fas.harvard.edu.