Irish center re-elects officers

Irish Cultural Centre of Canton, MA promoting Irish arts, sporting and cultural events since 1989, elects new officers.

Canton, MA -- Michael O'Connor, principal of M. OConnor Contracting, Inc. and a resident of West Roxbury, has been re-elected to a second term as president of the The Irish Cultural Centre (ICC) following an election held December 20th at their campus in Canton Commerce Park.

Along with several other local residents, O'Connor was an instrumental driving force behind the organization selecting a 46-acre site in Canton as its home in 1995. With an all-volunteer force, he helped develop and build the site into a thriving cultural facility that today features an activity building, landscaped walking trails and playing fields for Gaelic sports as well as Canton Youth Soccer League fixtures. Together with Brendan Morrisroe, a Canton resident and architect behind the Centre's design, the vision for future development and expansion remains as clear as ever.

"I'm delighted to serve again as president of this great organization," said O'Connor. "Thank you to all who worked so hard this past year - as they have always done. We have, however, so much still to do. It (completion of the campus) can be done...we need everyone's help".

In the next five years, the ICC aims to raise $15 million to fund the second-phase construction of the sites main buildings, which will house a performing arts center, museum and exhibit wing, library and genealogy center, and a restaurant.

The Centre is delighted to welcome Theresa (Terry) Cannon as a new director. A Systems Support Specialist at Verizon, Ms. Cannon has long been committed to the organization having served on the membership committee, acted as database coordinator, and been active in several benefits that have been organized at the Centre. She hopes to help promote relations within the Irish-American community in the area and continue to work with the membership committee.

The following were re-elected to the Board: Eddie Barron, Noel Connolly, Stephen O'Brien, and Michael Curley. In addition to Michael O'Connor unanimously being reappointed as president, Michael Walsh will serve as vice-president, Joan Doyle as secretary, Joseph Moriarty as treasurer, and Noel Connolly as parliamentarian.

About the Centre
Founded in 1989, the Irish Cultural Centre (ICC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization promoting Irish culture, music, arts, and sporting events in New England. Its facility in Canton serves as the focal point of activities and all are welcome to join in some of the many events happening all throughout the year. With over 3,600 members, it is one of the largest Irish organizations on the East Coast. New members are most welcome. For more information, visit www.irishculture.org, email office@irishculture.org or call (781) 821-8291. The Irish Cultural Centre, 200 New Boston Drive, PO Box 246, Canton, MA 02021.