Greetings,

For over forty years, Minnesota's Irish-American community has dreamed of having a home to preserve and celebrate a fiercely proud Irish heritage, and to honor the rich contributions the Irish have made to America. A home that brings under one roof the many cultural and social Irish organizations and provides the whole community the opportunity to enjoy Irish traditions.

Under the leadership of Maxine Keoghan, an Irish immigrant to St. Paul, Fáilte Minnesota was formed in April 2001. The goal of Fáilte Minnesota is to establish and sustain a facility where present and future generations can participate in activities that preserve, promote and celebrate Irish culture.

Throughout the 90’s many Irish Centers have been built in communities that are similar in size to the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area: Phoenix, East Chicago and Denver to name a few. The commitment and dedication of those who had a vision and a dream built these cultural centers. This same vision and dream is present in the Irish/American community in Minnesota. The Irish in Minnesota are a very active group, including many dance schools, history resources, music groups and Gaelic language classes. Both the University of Minnesota and the University of Saint Thomas offer minors in Irish studies.

Although the Irish have never been the largest ethnic group in the state of Minnesota or Wisconsin, Saint Paul is certainly noted for its Irishness. For example, the Saint Patrick’s Association is in the process of organizing the city of St. Paul’s 38th annual St. Patrick’s Day parade, which is attended by thousands. Today, Saint Paul boasts an Irish Mayor, who follows in a long line of Irish mayors. Minnesota is home to the largest genealogical society in the United States. Irish theater and music thrive in the area. Minnesota also has a large Emerald Society, which is an Irish/American police fraternal group that provides charitable assistance to those in need.

Fáilte Minnesota is committed to leveraging all of the energy and commitment of the Minnesota/Eastern Wisconsin Irish community to move forward and realize our shared goal of an Irish Community and Arts Center.

Mary S. McFarland

President, Fáilte Minnesota