OurLIC Video Conversation: Paul Finnegan; Executive Director, The New York Irish Center

Finnegan discusses "The Greatest Generation"

Paul Finnegan, Executive Director, The New York Irish Center   New York Irish Center, Jackson Ave, Long Island City       Full video coverage and follow up Q&A are available in the left column in 2 segments of approximately three to five minutes each. MVI_0836_proj MVI_0837_proj

Long Island City, New York April 26, 2011 - The very first thing you need to know about the New York Irish Center is that it is a wonderful place that serves the Irish community in ALL FIVE BOROUGHS. The very second thing you need to know is that Ireland is a country of "Counties", and the hearts of all Irish folk start with their community in IRELAND. No one understands, explains, or represents this better than Paul Finnegan.  First, he is a truly honorable and proud Irishman who is Executive Director of an organization that was established to be a center for people who are away from their communities in Ireland. Second, he is an articulate spokeman for the Irish Center and for the Long Island City community in which he has a leadership role. The New York Irish Center is located on Jackson Avenue across the street for the 7 Subway stop at Vernon-Jackson. OurLIC has been interested in the Irish Center and Paul Finnegan since attending a wonderful performance called WAKE in November 2010.   From time to time, the Irish Center turns into a small performing arts theatre.  The play, WAKE, was extradinary and an example of what we have come to understand as a more intimate theater experience than we have seen in the past.  It is no less professional, just more closeup and personal...the way it is supposed to be. But, it took a few months to get to know Paul before he opened up one day and said something about "The Greatest Generation".  That seemed to ring as an interesting thought.  After all, there have been so many generations and immigrations that it would be interesting to hear what the Executive Director of an Irish Center would have to say about what he considered "The Greatest Generation" to be. This article contains video recording of an OurLIC interview with Paul Finnegan.   Videos are loaded, and we will also provide Highlights. HIGHLIGHTS The New York Irish Center is primarily a community center which has its basis and origins in the Irish ethnic community of NYC. It serves Metropolitan NYC, above NYC, New Jersey and Long Island. The Irish community is geographically dispersed throughout the region. The Census shows that there are 500,000 people of Irish decent in greater NYC. It is a drop in place to go to if you want to have a way to espress your Irish heritage. The mix of sessions is across theatre, dances, arts, classes, amateur productions, Irish music jams and traditional Irish music. There are lectures about Irish topic...sometimes in the Irish language. There is a book club, and they do readings in the Irish language. Fundamentally, there are cultural and identity pillars in which the Irish community comes together. Irish and Irish Americans come together around the Irish tradition. It is a true "community center". A significant component of the Irish identity is the word WELCOME  (Folcher). Paul discusses the historical waves of immigration from Ireland to the United States and the impact of the Irish on the country. The wave of immigration in the 1980's is the most recent, and Paul calls it "The Greatest Generation". What is different about the generation that came to the US in the 1980's is that they came to the country from a country that had a great educational system, they came to the US thinking globally, and thinking that they were not leaving their country permanently. They would put down roots here, but it didn't mean they couldn't  travel back to Ireland to be with their family and community. The concept of the "American Wake" went away. The Irish immigrants that came to the US in the 1990's were able to network in a much more effficient way. This meant they could get on their feet and not be as vulnerable new immigrants. They also networked back to the old country. The 1980's Irish left, but they could travel back frequently.  The 1990's Irish had the additional benefit of the internet...and the death of distance....making it possible to keep the ties with family and friends in Ireland. Even with this, a significant portion of the members of the Irish Center are from the earlier generation who came in the 1950's and 1960's. Paul discusses the way the building was acquired and renovated. He says that the Irish Center is very interested in creating strong ties with the Long Island City neighborhood. Paul also discusses his personal growth and how he happen to become involved with the New York Irish Center....and how he came from being a public school teacher. There is an important "Programming" component of the New York Irish Center, including an Irish Dance class for children on MOnday nights, and Irish language classes on Tuesday.  Irish music classes and Irish Fiddle classes are also available. Don't miss the conversation about the Irish County affiliations. Watch here for further HIGHLIGHTS....inthe meatime, enjoy the video conversation with Paul Finnegan whether you are an Irishman or not.       REVIEW:  WAKE Played its Final Weekend at the New York Irish Center on Jackson Avenue! Paul Finnegan, Executive Director, The New York Irish Center New York Irish Center, Jackson Ave, Long Island City Paul Finnegan, Executive Director, The New York Irish Center

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