About The Irish Heritage Center
of Greater Cincinnati
Our Mission
The Irish Heritage Center Charitable Foundation
was founded to promote the culture, traditions and story of the Irish
and Irish Americans in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.
What goes on at the
Irish Center?
Whether you are looking to enjoy a pint of Guinness with friends, traditional Irish music or theater, the IHC offers something for everyone. Topics regularly covered include; customs,dance, education, film, genealogy, history, language, lectures, literature, music, mythology, poetry, social interaction,
song, sport, theater, and the visual arts.
Do I have to be Irish to join?
The IHC is known as a place for all and it welcomes people of all faiths, ethnicities and backgrounds. The only thing you need is a desire to have a great time!
The Centre truly is one of the best homes of Irish culture that I have
seen in my time as Ambassador to
the US. I was delighted that we also had the opportunity to meet with
so many members of the Irish community in Cincinnati.
It is clear that they have such pride, not only in their Irish heritage, but
also in being associated with your
fine Centre.
The efforts that you personally have made in creating a home for the Irish culture and community in Cincinnati are truly admirable. It was wonderful that we also got the chance to meet some of the others that have helped you with this project over the years.
Dan Mulhall
Irish Ambassador to the United States
The Irish Heritage Center of Greater Cincinnati is one of the youngest Irish Centers and certainly one of the most ambitious — I salute that ambition.
Michael D. Higgins
President of the Republic of Ireland
History
Our building, the former McKinley Elementary School, has been home to the Irish Heritage Center of Greater Cincinnati since 2009. It, along with the Columbia-Tusculum neighborhood where it is located, has been on the National Register of historic Places since 1979. The Italianate style building was constructed in 1875, most likely by Civil War veterans.
There was a significant addition in 1917 (theater/gym, kindergarten, principal’s office and additional classrooms.) It was decommissioned as a Cincinnati Public school in 2007.
Seeking a generous, public-spirited use of their retirement savings, Maureen Kennedy and Kent Covey purchased the building in 2009 and founded the Irish Heritage Center of Greater Cincinnati. Thus began an extensive restoration of the 40,000 sq. ft. that is now our home.