Irish American Museum

05/29/2026

I Am America: Order the special, drink the near beer, and don’t eat the shamrocks.

The May edition is live, and we’re moving past the green-dyed myths to uncover the real history of the Irish-American experience. This month, we’re looking at the two pillars of immigrant life: the table and the pub.

From the private kitchens where our ancestors adapted traditional recipes to the realities of American markets, to the pub floorboards that served as our neighborhood’s secret headquarters—we’re digging into the grit of a culture that refused to be flattened by commercialization. We’re exploring how the foodways we brought with us were transformed by new ingredients and how our gathering spaces became the engines of survival for a community navigating a new world.

Pull up a chair to the Irish table and read the full story: https://www.irishamericanmuseum.org/big-pivot-posts/i-am-america-order-the-special-drink-the-near-beer-and-dont-eat-the-shamrocks

05/25/2026

We wish our community a day of meaningful reflection this Memorial Day. As we gather with family and friends, we also pause to turn our thoughts toward the brave men and women whose sacrifice made this peace possible.

At the Irish American Museum, we hold a profound reverence for all those who have stood in the ranks of the fallen. For centuries, Irish Americans have woven their own courage into the broader American narrative. From the earliest days of the Revolution to the front lines of every conflict that has followed, they fought not as a separate entity, but as part of the heartbeat of this nation—bound to their comrades and to the ideal of a country that offered them a new beginning.

Today, we honor that unity. We acknowledge the collective resolve of every American who gave everything to protect this nation. We do not just remember their service; we remember their humanity, their sacrifice, and the enduring debt we owe them.

To those who made the ultimate sacrifice: Your country remembers. Your legacy lives on.

05/24/2026

Come see us today at SOWEBO Fest! 🎨🎶

A little off-and-on spitting rain won't stop a Baltimore tradition—and it definitely won't stop the Irish! SOWEBO Fest is strictly rain or shine, so grab your umbrella (or your sun hat, depending on the minute) and come on down.
Our tent is up! You can find us set up right in front of Hollins Hall, just across the street to the north of Zella's.

Alongside our summer preview, we have a special display on the history of Hollins Hall and Market set up today. Come learn a little neighborhood history while you celebrate South Baltimore arts and community! ☔✨

📍 Find us right across from Zella's Pizzeria / in front of Hollins Hall!

🕒 Today (Sunday) 12pm-8pm

💻 Visit us online: www.irishamericanmuseum.org

05/23/2026

⏳ ONLY ONE WEEK AWAY! ⏳

The Maryland House and Garden Pilgrimage is continuing its incredible 2026 tour season, and next up is Mount Clare & Southwest Baltimore on Saturday, May 30, 2026!

We are proud to share that the Irish American Museum is a featured stop on this wonderful single-day tour, which highlights a side of the city deeply shaped by iron production, manufacturing, the railroad, immigration, citizenship, and civil rights. That rich history is on full display across all the participating sites!

🏛️ Sites Included on the Tour:
Irish American Museum

Mount Clare Museum

Brown Memorial Park Avenue Presbyterian Church

Lillie Carroll Jackson Civil Rights Museum

P.S. 103 Thurgood Marshall Amenity Center & BONUS SITES: Juanita Jackson and Clarence Mitchell, Jr. House & Mitchell Family Law Offices (exterior ONLY)

Westminster Hall and Burying Ground & Old St. Paul's Cemetery

Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum

Enoch Pratt House at the Maryland Center for History & Culture

🐴 Tour with a Purpose!
Every ticket purchased helps preserve local history! Tour proceeds directly support Mount Clare Museum’s stable restoration. Located in Carroll Park and built by the city of Baltimore in 1910 to house the police department's horses, this unit was one of the oldest continuously operated mounted police divisions in the United States.

Renovations will include upgraded ADA bathrooms, a catering kitchen, and building electrical and environmental systems so the building can be used for public programs and as a rental facility!

🎟️ Grab Your Tickets Today!
Come spend the day exploring the neighborhood, walking where history happened, and supporting local historic preservation.

👉 Scan the QR code on the second page of the flyer or visit the MHGP website to get your tickets!

05/21/2026

📚 Heritage Pages: Cast Your Vote for June! 🗳️

This June, our theme is "The Civic Heart: Community and Service." We are diving deep into the history of how Irish-Americans actually ran the streets—exploring everything from the backroom deals of old-school political machines to the gritty, dangerous front lines of early law enforcement.

We have three incredible historical paths we can take this month. Click the link below to head straight to the official poll and cast your ballot!

THE NOMINEES:
📖 (1) The Last Hurrah by Edwin O'Connor (Fiction - 392 pages)
Smoke-filled rooms, neighborhood bosses, and old-school street politics. This classic, witty novel follows a charismatic mayor running his final, bittersweet campaign inside a legendary Irish political machine.

📖 (2) The Irish Way by James R. Barrett (Non-Fiction - 384 pages)
A fast-paced look at the streets. This social history shows how working-class Irish immigrants became the literal backbone of city life—taking over the police forces, fire departments, and early labor unions.

📖 (3) The Girls Who Fought Crime by Mari K. Eder (Non-Fiction Biography - 224 pages)
The true story of Mae Foley, a trailblazing Irish-American detective in early 1900s New York. She broke into a deeply male-dominated world, took on gangsters and bootleggers, and trained an elite squad of thousands of women to fight crime.

👉 Vote Here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1372583861027394/1372583871027393/?active_tab=discussion

The winner will be announced in the June newsletter. Let us know what we're reading next!

05/15/2026

THINK YOU KNOW THE IRISH PUB? THINK AGAIN. 🍀✨

Tomorrow morning, we’re opening the doors at Lemmon Street for a journey that’s been centuries in the making. This isn’t a lecture—it’s an immersive, high-energy dive into the real grit and flavor of the Irish-American experience.

We’re putting your senses and your wits to the test. Can you handle the heat of a 19th-century kitchen? Can you tell the difference between a safe run and a "poison" batch at the distiller's workbench? Can you find the rhythm of the neighborhood when the pressure is on?

If you can find the secret Gaelic passcode and navigate the journey, the Hidden 916 Sanctuary is yours. We’re cooling off inside with a communal spread of pure Irish-American comfort—bangers and creamy champ, hearty shepherd’s pie, and the traditions that built a legacy. 🍽️❄️

THE DETAILS:
📅 WHEN: Tomorrow! Saturday, May 16th
⏰ TIMES: Timed tours depart every 20-30 mins starting at 11:30 AM
📍 WHERE: The Irish American Museum (920 Lemmon St.)
🎟️ TICKETS: $20 General / $15 Members

Space is limited—grab your tickets and see if you have the grit to finish the journey!

GET TICKETS HERE:

Brews, Bites, & Whiskey Tales

05/09/2026

One week from today, the doors at 920 Lemmon Street unlock for an afternoon dedicated to the Irish Table and the culture of the Public House. 🥘☘️

Uncorking History is a guided journey through the traditions that traveled across the Atlantic and took root in our neighborhoods. We’re moving through the house to explore how food and pub culture served as the social glue for the community—from the quiet resilience of the family hearth to the sanctuary of the local pub.

On this tour, you’ll experience the history firsthand:

The Hearth: Step into the kitchen to see how the "Irish Table" was the center of survival and connection for an immigrant family.

The Trade: Discover the skills behind the counter. You’ll test your own senses with the "Blind Sniff" and see the "Gunpowder Proof"—the practical, raw methods used to ensure quality and hospitality in a world before modern regulations.

The Backyard: The tour leads to a shared table in our backyard sanctuary for a spread of traditional Irish fare—featuring savory dishes, classic sides, and refreshments.

We are exactly 7 days away. Entries are timed to keep the groups small and the conversation grounded. We’d love to have you at the table.

🎟️ Secure your tickets and select your entry time here: https://givebutter.com/uncorking-history-r82v6d

05/01/2026

Beannachtaí na Bealtaine ort! (Beltane Blessings to you!) 🔥🌸

Happy Bealtaine! We wish everyone a vibrant and joyful celebration of the "bright fire" and the official beginning of summer.

At the Irish American Museum, we cherish the traditions that crossed the ocean and continue to bloom today.

What is Bealtaine?

Falling midway between the spring equinox and the summer solstice, Bealtaine marks the official beginning of summer in the ancient Gaelic calendar. Historically, it was one of the four great seasonal festivals, alongside Samhain, Imbolc, and Lughnasadh.

Traditions & Symbolism

The ancient rites of the holiday are still honored in our celebrations today:

🔥 The Fires: The name itself is often translated as "bright fire." Historically, massive bonfires were lit on hills to honor the sun and protect the people.

🌸 The May Bush: Families would decorate a thorn bush (usually Hawthorn) with ribbons, shells, and bright flowers to welcome the season’s growth.

🛡️ Protection: It was a time of transition when the "veil" between worlds was thin, and people sought blessings for a safe and prosperous season.

Today, we celebrate the endurance of Irish culture and the blooming of the year ahead. Whether you’re lighting a candle, planting in your garden, or simply enjoying the May sunshine, we hope your day is filled with light.

04/30/2026

🍻 POUR A GLASS AND OPEN A CHAPTER. ☘️

We’ve officially set the table for May! To kick off our "Irish Table" theme, the Heritage Pages Book Club will be diving into our next selection:

👉 Last Call: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition by Daniel Okrent.

This isn't just a history book—it's a fast-paced narrative filled with the colorful characters and secret stories that defined an era. From the "liquor-soaked" streets of the 19th century to the rise of the "poor man's clubs," Okrent explores how a determined minority influenced the nation's relationship with alcohol and shaped American society.

We’re moving on from April's rebellion and heading straight into the stories told around the dinner table and over the bar rail. ☘️

💻 HOW TO JOIN US:
Our May meeting will be held virtually. To receive the meeting link, please register via our website.

📅 Date: May 24th
🕠 Time: 5:30 P.M.
📍 Register here: irishamericanmuseum.org/visit/virtual-events

Pick up your copy today—we’ll see you at the meeting! 📖🗳️

04/30/2026

BEALTAINE IS HERE! Your May Guide to Mid-Atlantic Irish Culture! 🎻🍻✨

The living heartbeat of Irish culture is echoing from Baltimore to Philly this May! From the high-energy stages of the Philadelphia Fleadh to the rhythmic precision of a Silver Spring céilí, the region is bursting with opportunities to experience our heritage in motion.

We’re inviting you to step out and immerse yourself in the music, dance, and community spirit that keep our traditions vibrant and enduring. Whether you’re diving into moonshine history at the museum or hitting the floor for a high-octane performance in Alexandria, this is your month to connect!

🔥 DON'T MISS THESE HIGHLIGHTS:

At the Museum (918-920 Lemmon St):

May 2 | From Still to Speedway: Discover how mountain stills fueled the birth of NASCAR.

May 16 | Uncorking History: An interactive journey through pub culture and whiskey tales.

May 24 | Heritage Pages Book Club: We’re discussing Last Call via Zoom at 5:30 PM.

In the Region:

May 6 | Donna Long & Joanna Clare: Master-level Trad at the Creative Alliance.
🔗 https://baltimoreirishmusicschool.org/events/donna-long-an-die

May 9 | Philadelphia Fleadh: 13 years of music, dance, and community!
🔗 phillyfleadh.com

May 17 | GWCC Monthly Céilí: Shake the floor at The Lyceum.
🔗 gwcc-online.org

May 29-30 | Annapolis Irish Festival: Gaelic Storm, Scythian, and more.
🔗 annapolisirishfestival.com

Check the full calendar in "May 2026 Calendar for all session times and weekly classes!

04/26/2026

📚 MAY BOOK CLUB VOTE: The Irish Table 🇮🇪
It’s time to pick our next read! This May, we are gathering around "The Irish Table" to explore the culinary history, stories, and heritage of the Emerald Isle.

Which of these three titles should we dive into next? Follow the link below to our Event Page to cast your official vote!

👉 Vote here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1372583861027394/1372583887694058/?active_tab=discussion

(1) The Irish Heritage Cookbook by Margaret M. Johnson
A journey through traditional and contemporary Irish recipes, exploring culinary history.

(2) Last Call: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition by Daniel Okrent
A comprehensive look at the era that changed drinking habits and public life.

(3) The Mighty Franks: A Memoir by Michael Franks
A family memoir exploring heritage, identity, and unique family dynamics.