The Irish Cultural Center in Phoenix held a reception Monday as Michael Collins, Irish ambassador to the United States, paid his second visit to mark the construction progress of the center’s medieval-style library.
“This is very exciting because now it’s almost a reality,” Collins said.
Phoenix City Council reports said the 15,000-square-foot, castle-like addition to the Irish Cultural Center, located on Central Avenue near Portland Street, will feature more than 6,000 books and serve as a place where those of Irish descent can research their genealogy.
With a particular focus on supporting Irish businesses and economic development, Collins said he visited Phoenix in December 2008 to lay the foundation stone of the library and returned Monday to commemorate its achievements by touring the construction site.
“The Irish community here in Phoenix did an incredible job,” Collins said.
In addition to research purposes, the Irish Cultural Center’s new $3.5 million three-story library will include a music academy, Irish-oriented classes and workshops and a gift shop.
To help pave the way for the new building, nearly 200 stones will be sold for $500 each to those interested in supporting the library, according to the center’s website.
Construction of the library, the only one of its kind in the Western U.S., has the expected completion date of March 17, 2012, in honor of St. Patrick’s Day.
“With its expected finish approaching, it’s great to see the library is reaching maturity,” Collins said.
Jim Daugherty, president of the Irish Cultural Learning Foundation, said the library is being funded by private donations and will be donated to the City of Phoenix when completed.
Catherine Duggan, Irish Cultural Center member and Phoenix resident of 34 years, said she has visited Ireland four times in honor of exploring her heritage.
“The social gathering of the songs, the dances, the poetry and the language are all that keep minds alive,” Duggan said.
Duggan, who volunteers for Irish Cultural Center events, said she envisions using the library upon its completion.
“It’s a big thing for the Irish to have a connection here in Phoenix. It’s so meaningful that we’re maintaining the heritage and the spirit of old traditions,” Duggan said.
“Like many of the Irish designs that are all interconnected, we as a community are now interconnected.”
Contact the reporter at caitlin.hale@asu.edu
