By Paddy McCarthy
I got this notice from the Irish Family History Forum that should interest you and your love ones as I know it does interest me as I have great interest in what they can tell us about our family history. Researching The New York City Irish with Genealogist Kerri Tannenbaum In-Person & Zoom will be open to the public om Saturday, January 20.
Looking for your Irish ancestors in New York City? This presentation reviews the records available in the five boroughs to research your ancestors, with special emphasis on censuses, city directories, newspapers, and some lesser-known resources. Join them for the in-person meeting at the Bethpage Public Library (47 Powell Ave in Bethpage) at 10 am.
Check the IFHF website at www.ifhf.org for updates and directions or to pre-register for the Zoom.
The Irish Family History Forum is a not-for-profit Irish genealogy society. They promote the study of Irish genealogy, history, culture, and assist members in researching their Irish ancestors. For more information email info@ifhf.org.
Applications are now open for the Aisling Irish Community Center’s 2024 Mulcahy Scholarship Program. The scholarship offers American high schools students, aged 16 and over, an opportunity to travel to Galway, Ireland to participate in a two week Irish cultural program offered by the Celtic Irish American Academy from July 14 – July 27, 2024 (leaving the US on July 13). The Mulcahy Scholarship was launched in 2018 by the Aisling Irish Community Center in Yonkers, New York, in tribute to Denis Mulcahy and his family’s commitment to Project Children, a charity that for forty years, worked untiringly to change the lives of children across Northern Ireland. Forty years later, America is replicating the reverse, and the scholarship aims to provide American high school students the opportunity to travel to Ireland and experience Irish culture in a fun and diverse way.
Scholarship recipients will participate in educational summer courses, immersing them in Irish culture, heritage, arts, and sport. The long-term goal of the Mulcahy Scholarship is to develop the necessary funding that will facilitate the growth of this unique program, enabling numerous American high school students to attend these cultural summer courses in Northern and Southern Ireland. It is integral to the Mulcahy Scholarship that we preserve and promote a strong and progressive connection between Ireland and America.
In 2018, the very first Mulcahy Scholarship Award was proudly presented to Conor James. The Aisling Irish Center partnered with Brian Fahy of the Celtic Irish American Academy (CIAA) summer program and Conor attended their summer school based in Galway City. There, Conor participated in the CIAA summer program, forged many friendships, and even learned some “cúpla focal”, all while encompassing the core objective of the scholarship.
Applicants must be over the age of 16 and either an American high school junior or senior at the time of application, and who best meet the requirements set forth by the Scholarship Committee. Students must be willing to travel to Ireland during the summer months and partake in the Irish cultural programs, in which they are enrolled. Recipients are eligible to be awarded a scholarship once only. Unsuccessful applicants are welcome to re-apply the following year, if they continue to meet the eligibility requirements listed above. Applicants ust be available to participate in the cultural programs at the CIAA in Ireland from Sunday July 14th – Saturday July 27th, 2024 (flying out from the US on Saturday July 13th, 2024). A valid passport for international travel and proof of Covid vaccination is also required.
The 2024 Mulcahy Scholarship is currently open, and all applications must be received no later than 5 pm on Friday, January 19, 2024. Students must submit their completed application form and all requested documents via e-mail to: Mulcahy Scholarship Board of Directors/o Ms. Linda Croston at mulcahyscholarship@aislingcenter.org.
Scholarship recipients will be chosen by the Mulcahy Scholarship Committee, who will review, and score all submitted applications. Applicants that progress to the interview stage, will be required to participate in an in-person interview before the Scholarship Committee on the evening of February 1, 2024. If applicants are unable to attend the interview, then they will not progress to interview phase.
Scholarship recipients will be notified no later than Friday, February 23, 2024. Scholarship award amounts are at the discretion of the Scholarship Committee and will be paid directly to the educational institution in the student’s name.
In 2023, the Mulcahy Scholarship Award was proudly presented to these outstanding individuals: Ryan Crothers, Maeve McLaughlin, Sarah Kate Ryan, Niamh Coleman, Kristie Nolan, Grace Lanning, Sinead Dobey, Saoirse O’Sullivan, Patrick McCormack and Colleen Kelleher.
I’ll see you all next week when I’m Out&About again.