Irish American Museum

08/28/2026

Join us this weekend for the Harford County Celtic Festival!

Stop by the Irish American Museum tent to browse our upcoming fall events and try your hand at 1860s working-class jobs with our interactive packing and rug beating stations.

You can also catch our Museum Director at the lace station, demonstrating the intricate work of crochet!

Festival Hours:
Friday: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Saturday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
For more details, visit the Harford County Celtic Charities Website. We'd love to see you there! ☘️🧺🧶✨

08/15/2026

Join us next Saturday, August 22, for a special presentation with Cassie Kilroy-Thompson exploring the rich history of Texas, Maryland (now part of Cockeysville)—a quarry town settled by Irish immigrants where her family lived! ☘️

Drawing on her dedicated community history project, Cassie will discuss the local labor history and the lasting impact of the families who worked the stone.

📅 Date: Saturday, August 22 @ 11:30am

📍 Location: Irish American Museum

🎟️ Reserve Your Tickets: https://givebutter.com/irish-labor-in-texas-maryland-nghaqk

Don't miss this deep dive into local heritage—space is limited, so secure your spot today!

08/13/2026

Sneak Peek Alert! 🎧

Want a preview of the history we'll be exploring on this Saturday's Echoes of Rails and Threads Walking Tour?

Our museum director, Sammie Samuels, recently joined Bill Barry on the MD Labor 250 Podcast to discuss the stories, struggles, and neighborhood history of local Irish immigrant workers—giving a taste of what we’ll be covering on the walk!

🎧 Listen to the podcast preview:

https://www.md250laborhistory.org/podcast/ep18-irish-immigrant-workers-with-sammie-samuels

Come walk the neighborhood with us this Saturday and experience these stories brought to life in person.

🎟️ Get your tour tickets here:

https://givebutter.com/echoes-of-the-rails-threads-frdouz

A Baltimore Labor History Walking Tour

08/10/2026

Fall in love with the language of Éire this September! 🇮🇪🍂

We are thrilled to announce the return of our Fall 2026 Irish Language Classes, presented in partnership with Irish Language Learners!

Whether you are a complete beginner (New Beginner 0-1) or looking to continue your journey, we have a section for you. Join our supportive community of learners and dive into the beauty of Gaeilge.

🗓️ Program Details:

12-Week Classes (Mon–Wed): See schedule for specific times.

10-Week Specialized Sessions (Thursdays): Two Beginner 0-1 options available.

💻 All classes are held live via Zoom.

📝 Registration is Open Now!
You can register at the link below or simply scan the QR code on the graphic.

🔗 Register Here: https://www.irishamericanmuseum.org/visit/virtual-events

Please Note: An active annual membership to Irish Language Learners ($40) is required to participate and can be purchased directly through the Irish Language Learners website.

Sláinte! 🍻

08/09/2026

Big changes are underway at the museum! Our beloved pub exhibit is closing its current space to expand into a brand-new building—with hopes of reopening by the end of the year 🍻. As one chapter moves, another begins: we are officially transforming the old footprint into our brand-new museum library 📚!

This massive transition wouldn't be possible without wonderful community support. A huge thank you to the team at Racicot Removal Services for expertly handling the heavy lifting of our bar and stove, and to our dedicated volunteers for painting the new space, moving items, and rolling up their sleeves to catalog our books ❤️.

Stay tuned for more updates as we grow and build our next chapter!

08/08/2026

History wasn’t built on blueprints; it’s built by calloused hands, heavy iron, and the people who fought tooth and nail on the shop floor.

One week from today—August 15th at 11:30 AM—we’re hitting the historic pavement around Hollins Market for Echoes of the Rails & Threads.

This isn't your average dry history stroll. We’re digging into the real, raw industrial roots right here around Hollins Market: the sweat, the skill, the trade shops, and the worker movements that shaped our local landscape. You're going to stand right where it happened and see the neighborhood through the eyes of the people who built it from the ground up.

Can't make it to the sidewalk? No problem. Tune in live from wherever you are.

When: August 15th at 11:30 AM

How: Truly hybrid—join us live in person or catch the stream virtually.

Tickets: $10

Don't just read about the past—grab a ticket, meet us on the route (or online), and see the hidden stories etched into the Hollins Market streets. Scan the QR code or visit our website to grab your spot before next Saturday.

08/01/2026

The votes are officially in, and our August Heritage Pages Book Club winner is locked in! 👑📚

Under our theme "Working Hands, Resilient Spirit," we are pulling back the curtain on a massive, often-overlooked piece of labor history. This month, we're diving into The Irish Bridget by Margaret Lynch-Brennan to uncover the true stories, grit, and enduring legacy of Irish women in America.

Far beyond private households, these women formed the backbone of institutional labor, shaping public hospitals, grand hotels, and industries across the nation. What were their lives really like? How did they navigate a new world while fueling the American economy? We’re tackling all of it, and we want you at the table with us.

Grab your copy, start reading, and get ready for a fantastic discussion!

🗓️ When: Sunday, August 23rd at 5:30 PM

👉 Register now to secure your spot: https://givebutter.com/e2k1bi ☘️📖

07/31/2026

Working roots, weekend rhythms, and a whole lot of heart! 🪓💃✨

From unravelling traditional crochet lace and exploring the industrial history of Hollins Market to festival weekends and set dancing, our August calendar is packed with connection and community.

Grab a look at what’s coming up this month, and join us as we celebrate the stories, skills, and soundtrack of our shared heritage! ☘️📚🍻

07/29/2026

They didn’t just fight for America. They helped build its backbone. 🇺🇸☘️

While history often focuses on the main events, the Irish footprint in the American Revolution was profound—with some estimates showing they made up nearly half of Washington's Continental Army.

Our July's "I Am America" edition, "Red, White, and Rebel Green," explores this essential, yet often overlooked, story. We’re looking at the widespread impact of Irish courage and commitment on the fight for independence.

Just how "green" were the Red, White, and Blue? Find out in our July chronicle at https://www.irishamericanmuseum.org/big-pivot-posts/i-am-america-red-white-and-rebel-green.

07/24/2026

🕵️‍♂️ Tomorrow! Can you crack the code and decode liberty?

Step into the shadows of the American Revolution tomorrow, Saturday, July 25th, for "Decoding Liberty: Shadows, Ciphers, and Secrets" at the Irish American Museum!

Drop in anytime between 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. to take on our self-guided 20 to 30-minute spy challenge. Grab your Agent Ledger and navigate four interactive stations where you'll use authentic 18th-century techniques to crack ciphers, decode clues, and uncover a local Maryland espionage conspiracy!

Designed for history enthusiasts and families alike.

Event Details:
Date: Tomorrow, Saturday, July 25th
Time: Drop in anytime between 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Location: Irish American Museum
Admission: $10 general entry | $5 for children ages 4–12

Secure your spot or grab your tickets at the door—see you in the shadows!

Get tickets: https://givebutter.com/decoding-liberty-ufog7q