Investing In Our Community

In 2007 the Kansas City Irish Fest awarded its first Irish Fest Grants to deserving applicants- individuals and organizations - from around our area for a variety of pursuits in Irish arts and culture. Who got the inaugural awards? Not me. I'll tell you that. My request for a grant to fund my research project "Kansas City's Irish Pubs: Which One Will Throw Me Out First?" didn't make the cut.*

But these people did, and we congratulate them all and wish them well in the efforts they're pursuing:

• Turlach Boylan: Purchase of Library materials/Sheet Music - Ongoing
• Mike Dugger: Creation of pottery with Celtic knotwork decoration - During '08
• Ancient Order of Hibernians: Children of Peace project - Summer '08
• Harp & Shamrock: Benefit to raise money for hearing aids for needy children - 11/8 or 11/15
• Harriman-Jewell performing Arts Series: Performance of Sir James Galway - 5/9/08
• Irish Museum & Cultural Center: Purchase of library resource for genealogy library - Ongoing
• Irish Museum & Cultural Center: Youth cultural experience with Irish Music - Ongoing
• Johnson County Community College: Disadvantaged grade school kids outing to The Chieftains concert - 2/15/08
• Kansas City Feis: Annual Dance Competition - 8/30/08
• Missouri Valley FolkLife Society: School Assemblies - 3/28 & 3/31
• Unicorn Theatre: Production of The Faith Healer - 4/23 to 5/18
  

*In case you were wondering, the staff, directors and officers of Irish Fest are not eligible to receive grants. Now they tell me.