ANNUAL DINNER DANCE - FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3RD, 2008

Our fourth annual dinner dance will take place at the Lake Isle Country Club, New Rochelle, on Friday, October 3rd, 2008.

We are very proud and priviled to honor three very deserving people this year - Joanie Madden, John Cahill and April Drew - all of whom have done so much for the Irish and Irish-American community, as well as for Irish culture and tradition, here in New York and beyond.

Music will be provided by Eileen Fogarty & The Very Best.

Tickets cost $85.00 per person/$850 for a table of ten.

New York Irish Sumo Wrestling Championship 2008

The second annual New York Irish Sumo Wrestling Championshiop 2008 will take place at Rory Dolan's on Sunday, September 14th, starting @ 4:00pm.

$500 cash prize for the overall winner. $500 cash prize for the most entertaining round of the day, split between the two opponents.

Entertainment and food @ $10 per child will include sand art, face painting, hook-a-duck and maybe even a surprise guest of the furry kind!

Barbeque food available between 5pm - 8pm.

Live music is being provided by The Canny Brothers followed by a DJ until 12:00am.

JULY 2008 Events:

CELTIC SUMMER CAMP: Camp 1 - July 7th to 11th from 9:00am to 1:00pm. Camp 2 - July 14th - 18th. For children aged 6-10 years old. Camp activities will include drama, art, music, dance, fun quizzes and other activities.

BLOOD DRIVE: Monday, July 13th from 2:00pm to 7:30pm. PLEASE DONATE and do your part to eliminate the present emergency blood shortage.

PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION: The exhibition will be launched at the Irish Arts Center on Tuesday, July 15th @ 6:00pm. The exhibition contains black & white portrait photographs of Irish born seniors from NY, NJ and PA taken by renowned photographer, John Minihan. An Taoiseach, Brian Cowen, will launch the exhibition.

Annual Sponsored 5k Walk/Fun Run - Sunday, May 18th, 2008:

Our annual sponsored walk in aid of the Aisling Center and the Irish Volunteers for the Homeless took place on Sunday, May 18th.

What a turnout! Almost 80 adults, children and dogs took part in the walk/fun run!

Refreshments were very kindly provided The Rambling House after the event.

A BIG thank you to Declan, Breda & staff @ The Rambling House, to all the participants, sponsors and those who helped out on the day.

We look forward to seeing you all again next year.

Annual Dinner Dance - Saturday, October 6th, 2007:

Our annual dinner dance took place at the Lake Isle Country Club, New Rochelle, on Saturday, October 6th, 2007.

We were very proud and priviled to honor three extremely deserving individuals this year - Ciaran Staunton, Seamus Galvin & Joe Carty - all of whom have done so much for the Irish and Irish-American community here in New York and beyond.

Music was provided by the very popular band "Rumor Has It" with very talented guest singers, dancers and musicians invited up on the night.

The event was a great success and we look forward to seeing you all again next year.

New York Irish Sumo Wrestling Championship 2007

The first ever New York Irish Sumo Wrestling Challenge (of the inflatable kind!) was held in Rory Dolans on Sunday, September 23rd, 2007.

Local businesses nominated two people each to take part in an epic battle to win the title and a cash prize of $1,000. The eventual winner was Mickey Cusack from An Bodhran.

The day was enjoyed by a crowd of over 500 people, with live music, face painting for children, wheel of fortune, a cow milking contest and a barbeque provided by Rory Dolan's.

We would like to thank Rory Dolan and his staff, Joan Henchy, Genny Toland and many more who voluntarily helped out with this fundraiser and made it the great success that it was.

May 2nd, 2007: President of Ireland, Mary McAleese, visits the Aisling Center:

President McAleese visited the Aisling Center to meet with the people of Yonkers and Woodlawn community. She was presented with a beautiful quilt knitted by hand by our senior group. The design and color of the quilt were the county flags of the 32 counties and the Irish flag in the center. She also received a copy of "While Mem'ry Brings Us Back Again". Over 100 people attended.

Substance Abuse Information Worshops:

The Aisling Irish Community Center held two very successful workshops in 2007 to provide information on substance misuse. Three professional counselors gave presentations, offered advice and resource information on alcohol and drug abuse, aimed at both victims and family/friends of those affected by drug or alcohol abuse. Given the success of the workshops, it is planned to hold more in the future.

In the meantime, if you, or someone you care about, need help with a drug or alcohol problem, please contact the center @ 914-237-5121 to make a confidential appointment with one of our counselors, all of whom specialize in substance abuse issues.

November 8th, 2006: Launch of Senior Cultural Project - "While Mem'ry Brings Us Back Again"

The Aisling Irish Community Center launched its senior cultural project at the Irish Consulate on Tuesday, November 28th. The book is a volume of memoirs by Irish emigrants to the U.S. between 1927-1964 compiled by Frances Browner. "While Mem'ry Brings Us Back Again" is based on interviews with the participants recorded over the past year. The book includes photographs, past and present, and priceless memorabilia depicting the emigrant experience in America. It will be available for at the Aisling Center and online through our website at a cost of $20 (plus shipping & handling fees). All proceeds go to the Aisling Center.

August 11th, 2006: New look Aisling Center web site is Launched

The Aisling Irish Community Center web site has been given a much needed face lift. Development has been ongoing over the summer, and finally today the new site was launched. If anyone has any suggestions for the web site, please e-mail the webmaster with your suggestions.