It’s More Than “A Bit of Craic”: Preserving Irish History and Culture in New York City With the Aisling Community & Cultural Center

Photography by Fiona Fahey

By Fiona Fahey

The distinctive howl of bagpipes is nearly inescapable as commuters move through Midtown Manhattan’s congested avenues on Saint Patrick’s Day. Named in honor of Ireland’s patron saint, the holiday is one of the most recognizably celebrated in New York City each year. The New York City Saint Patrick’s Day Parade in Manhattan is the oldest and largest of its kind and generates an annual crowd of approximately 2 million spectators. Roughly 150,000 participants — including Irish societal coalitions, pipe bands, and dance schools — march along Fifth Avenue in a vibrant display of cultural celebration. The significance of such a widespread observation of Irish culture in New York City oftentimes goes unnoticed, as musical and drinking festivities outshine opportunities for reflection. As the federally recognized Irish American Heritage Month comes to a close, some believe that looking back at the complicated past of Irish culture in New York City may help to secure its future. Lost in the flurry of green-laden torsos and Guinness-lined glasses is the rich history of a people who fought to sail, settle, and survive. 

Located along the northern edge of The Bronx is a small, tight-knit neighborhood known as Woodlawn Heights. This cultural enclave is frequently referred to as “Little Ireland” and houses one of New York City’s most highly concentrated Irish American populations. Situated among the Irish pubs and markets of McLean Avenue is the Aisling Irish Community & Cultural Center — a non-profit organization that works to immerse New Yorkers “in the captivating world of Irish culture.” 

Founded in 1996 with the assistance of Saint Brendan’s Parish in Norwood, the Aisling Center hopes to share the history and culture of Irish immigrants with future generations of New Yorkers.

“Access to cultural experiences fosters cultural appreciation,” they tell us. “We strive to ensure that the joys of Irish culture can be enjoyed by today’s generation and passed down to many more.”

New York City’s relationship with Ireland intensified in the mid-19th century and was marked by both societal struggle and infrastructural growth. As the Great Famine devastated Ireland’s food supply and killed more than 1 million of the island's inhabitants, the Irish began emigrating to America’s eastern seaboard to escape mass starvation and disease. New York City, home to one of the country’s most promising economies, quickly became a popular destination for the Irish. By 1855, 25% of Manhattan’s population was Irish-born. Despite these numbers, New York City’s harsh social climate subjected nearly 850,000 Irish refugees to religious discrimination, back-breaking labor, and cultural marginalization. With growing anti-Catholic sentiments and an increase in political nativism, the Irish found themselves fighting for a dream in a city they barely knew. 

Accessibility to common Irish traditions became increasingly scarce as prejudices against immigrants in New York City grew. To combat the threat of cultural erasure, Irish immigrants would convene in saloons and pubs to sing, dance, and play native instruments such as the fiddle or tin whistle. These meetings offered solace to the homesick, the Aisling Center tells us, and are an inspiration to those working to preserve those same traditions throughout the five boroughs today. 

“For many Irish immigrants, long and tough workdays were commonplace,” the organization says. “Consistently creating accessible opportunities to experience Irish culture is our way of honoring those who tirelessly brought them to the United States.”

Photography by Fiona Fahey

The Aisling Center offers a plethora of programs that aim to engage audiences of old and new in these valued Irish mediums. From weekly Irish stepdancing classes to the formation of their Céilí Band & Ballad Group, the organization demonstrates a strong dedication to Irish tradition. One genre of their classes, though, works to revitalize one of Ireland’s oldest and rarest art forms: the Irish language. 

Irish Gaeilge has earned a mythical reputation due to its complex history and modern revival. Though England’s rule over 19th-century Ireland impacted the country’s cultural atmosphere, nearly half of its population spoke proficient Irish daily, prior to the Great Famine. Irish immigrants, however, began to adopt the English language upon arrival in New York City for economic and social survival. A need for work and societal standing eclipsed a desire for language maintenance. Today, the Aisling Center is one of several Irish American organizations throughout New York City to incorporate the Irish language in their course catalogue. 

“Learning the language unlocks a side of Ireland’s soul that can only be expressed in Gaeilge,” the Aisling Center believes. “Being able to express yourself in Irish is a way of honoring a language that has been spoken for 2,500 years.” 

Remembering the sacrifices of those who left Ireland to find economic opportunity in New York City is integral to the Aisling Center’s mission. The organization created their Young @ Heart Senior Program to support the physical and mental well-being of Irish and Irish American seniors throughout the New York metropolitan area. Through weekly movie nights and active book and crochet clubs, the Aisling Center hopes to facilitate community among a generation that helped bring Irish culture to life across the five boroughs.

“Many of those who helped build the fabric of this community are now treasured participants of our senior programs,” the organization tells us. “Every day, our staff and volunteers have the privilege of learning their incredible stories.”

The Irish are sometimes referred to as a “nation of storytellers.”  The tales of the Irish in New York City span centuries, painting a picture of a people determined to establish an identity in one of the world’s largest melting pots. Organizations like the Aisling Center serve an important purpose: They preserve Irish history and traditions while enhancing the cultural fabric of New York City. As interest in Ireland grows online, reflecting on the oral, physical, and artistic elements of Irish American history can also protect its existence. 

In any event, Ireland's tangible spirit lives on within the walls and mere presence of the Aisling Irish Community & Cultural Center. 

“When you learn about your heritage, you learn about yourself,” the organization concludes. “We hope that people take the time to learn the history behind Irish traditions, from the dance, language, and everything in between.”

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Fiona is a CCNY junior and native New Yorker who is majoring in Communications and Media Studies. Her dream is to work in a busy newsroom in the heart of Manhattan. She spends her spare time filling her ears with Irish music, showing her family members terrible films, and hanging around the five boroughs with her friends.