Maine Irish Heritage Center

06/19/2026

Coming soon! Join us on Wednesday, July 1st for Summer Storytelling Series: Flight Deck in Brunswick, Maine! Will we see you there??

06/18/2026

We unfortunately have to postpone Plight of the Bumble Bee: Film Screening with Live Soundtrack. Stay tuned for future dates!

06/17/2026

Join us on Thursday, June 25th for Irene M. Drago's Irish Timber: A Maine Irish Author Event!

Join us for an incredible evening of literature and history with Maine Author Irene Murtagh Drago as she discusses her latest novel Irish Timber.

Books will be available for sale and signing at the event.

About the Book:
Inspired by true events, Irish Timber is a standalone novel and a follow-up to Lavinia Wren and the Sailmakers. In the summer of 1931, Susie Rowley travels to Ireland with her cousin, a friend, and the undoubtable Eliza Willey Walker. Eliza convinces the band of Yankee scholars to investigate the wreck of her grandfather’s ship, the Alfred D. Snow. When Susie falls for Hugh Larkin, a medical student from County Wexford, their quest takes a detour. Later, she returns to Dublin and takes a job at the national library working for Dr. Richard Hayes. The librarian is soon drafted by Irish Military Intelligence, and Susie, a gifted linguist, is asked to join him to catch a German spy. As war engulfs their world, Yankee and Irish families alike demonstrate the power of love and the enduring value of Irish timber.

About the Author:
Irene M. Drago is the award-winning author of three historical novels, Daughters of Long Reach, The Maine Point, and Lavinia Wren and the Sailmakers. She also speaks three languages. During the Cold War, she honed her Russian skills by working for the D.O.D. Later, she taught Spanish at the high school and college level. Irene Murtagh Drago learned how to tell sea stories from her father, a chief petty officer who served on U.S. Navy ships from 1940 to 1980. Her paternal grandparents were born in Ireland and her maternal grandparents were the children of Irish immigrants. Their voices bring a lilt to Irish Timber.

06/16/2026

Plight of the Bumble Bee: Film Screening with Live Soundtrack is coming up FAST! Join us this Saturday at 3pm at the Maine Irish Heritage Center. Don't wait! Get your tickets now for this truly one-of-a-kind experience! We will be screening Brenda Castle’s outstanding short film, “Plight of the Bumblebee,” complete with a LIVE musical soundtrack performed by three phenomenal musicians, including Brenda herself!

And check out the trailer here:

Enjoy a sneak peek into some of the scenes in Plight of the Bumble Bee

06/15/2026

Happy !

Summer Storytelling is BACK! Join us today at 6:30pm at Belleflower Brewing in Portland for Summer Storytelling Series: Belleflower Brewing!

Bring a story, a poem, a song, or simply come to listen and enjoy an evening among friends—or friends-in-the-making.

But wait, “Does my story/poem/song have to be Irish?” Absolutely not! These events are celebrations of the oral tradition of every culture, and we would love to hear anything you want to tell!

06/13/2026

TONIGHT!!!! Ulysses for Beginners 2.0: a Bloomsday Celebration at the Maine Irish Heritage Center!

Bloomsday returns! In a Portland tradition that dates back to 2004, the MIHC and AIRE Theater proudly presents Ulysses for Beginners (Version 2.0) This entertaining performance piece, written by AIRE Artistic Director Tony, uses lots of humor to explain the story line of James Joyce’s masterpiece Ulysses. Compressing the entire 818 pages of the novel into one packed hour. Come celebrate with the rest of the world that Dublin day, June 1904 that the book Ulysses takes place.

This is a guide through the intricacies of what some consider the greatest novel ever written — with a touch a wit and a bit of irreverence. "This piece is designed for those that have never read the book and have absolutely no intention of doing so.” Saturday, June 13, at 7 p.m. At the Maine Irish Heritage Center at 34 Gray Street, Portland, ME This event is free with a suggested donation of $10!

We’ll also have a cash bar with exciting Joyce-themed menu options!

06/12/2026

Join us this Monday, June 15th for Summer Storytelling Series: Belleflower Brewing!

Bring a story, a poem, a song, or simply come to listen and enjoy an evening among friends—or friends-in-the-making.

But wait, “Does my story/poem/song have to be Irish?” Absolutely not! These events are celebrations of the oral tradition of every culture, and we would love to hear anything you want to tell!

06/12/2026

TOMORROW!!!! Ulysses for Beginners 2.0: a Bloomsday Celebration at the Maine Irish Heritage Center!

Bloomsday returns! In a Portland tradition that dates back to 2004, the MIHC and AIRE Theater proudly presents Ulysses for Beginners (Version 2.0) This entertaining performance piece, written by AIRE Artistic Director Tony, uses lots of humor to explain the story line of James Joyce’s masterpiece Ulysses. Compressing the entire 818 pages of the novel into one packed hour. Come celebrate with the rest of the world that Dublin day, June 1904 that the book Ulysses takes place.

This is a guide through the intricacies of what some consider the greatest novel ever written — with a touch a wit and a bit of irreverence. "This piece is designed for those that have never read the book and have absolutely no intention of doing so.” Saturday, June 13, at 7 p.m. At the Maine Irish Heritage Center at 34 Gray Street, Portland, ME This event is free with a suggested donation of $10!

We’ll also have a cash bar with exciting Joyce-themed menu options!

SATURDAY, JUNE 13, 7:00pm

06/09/2026

We still have a few tickets left for Onoir: Live in Concert! Presales end at 4pm, and any tickets we have left will go up in price at the door. Don't miss your chance to catch this unbelievable group of musicians live in concert tonight!!

Get your tickets now! https://maineirish.com/event/onoir-live-in-concert/