The club will be closed for all activities and events until further notice. Please check back for further details.

Greetings. We hope that everyone is well during these continuing unusual times. As you are all aware this is our annual membership renewal time. Your support is essential to the continued success of our wonderful club. Although the current health situation that has affected millions world wide is preventing us from enjoying our beautiful clubhouse facility we want to remind you that the Irish Heritage Society of Milford is alive and well. When you submitted your application for membership you were applying for acceptance to a cultural and social club that is more than just a building. Our Activities and Cultural committees continue to meet virtually and are planning activities for now (virtually) and the future when we are able to gather together as a group in the future. The Book Club is also meeting virtually. Tara Theatre is in the process of putting together a presentation that we can all enjoy from the comfort of home. We encourage you to take advantage of these opportunities to stay connected to your club.

We anxiously look forward to the days we can gather safely to celebrate our Irish heritage in person. We ask that you submit your membership renewal dues at this time to help keep your club moving forward. We thank those of you that have already done so. Stay healthy and safe.

Tim McNamara
President
IHSM

Slainte is working with Literacy Volunteers of Southern Connecticut.
Volunteers are needed to distribute, collect, set up, and maintain shamrocks.

There may be some left.

Click the link below for more information:
Shamrocks on the Green Tickets, Mon, Mar 1, 2021 at 9:00 AM | Eventbrite

In the spring of 2018, IHSM purchased a white oak tree which was planted at Wilcox Park in memory of Steve and Kathy Kraffmiller. The tree was planted in Wilcox Park, not far from the stone pillars at the top of Shipyard Lane at Harborside Drive.
We also purchased an engraved plaque to be dedicated to this wonderful couple and all their work for our Club and the Milford Community at large. Unfortunately, the first tree did not survive the drought of 2018, but we held a dedication ceremony at the clubhouse anyway, as planned, for their family and numerous friends on September 8th, 2018. At that time we announced that a replacement tree would be planted by Steve Johnson, courtesy of the City of Milford.
The replacement tree was planted and is thriving, and the plaque has been finally been installed at the site. Some nice day, take a ride or a walk to take a look! Kathy and Steve will be smiling down on you.

The following proposals are recommended by the By-Laws Committee and the Board of Directors. Posting date: 4/17/2020.
Click on the “BY-LAWS” tab above to see an enlarged copy.
Click on the link below to see the Proposals in their entirety.
Link to Proposals

Tribute & Services as well as Tribute Wall

Interview of John and Marie Lawless

Above is a link to a lovely tale of two Irish immigrants. Marie and John Lawless’s love story began on the Emerald Isle many years ago. It eventually brought them to America where they built a wonderful life together and raised a large, beautiful family. What a well-lived journey!
John will be missed by all, especially for his quick wit and gentle humor.

Interview of Maureen Richetelli

Above is a link to the spirited interview of our dear Maureen Richetelli. Maureen was a Charter Member of the Irish Heritage Society of Milford and a long time supporter of the IHSM. She is missed by so many! Read her interview and enjoy her recollections of the founding of the Milford Irish Club.

The Slainte Board is pleased to announce that a generous donation was received from member Joe Casey in the amount of $1,000, along with a pledge to fund an annual scholarship in that amount. The scholarship currently awarded each year to a graduating senior at Platt Technical High School will be renamed “The Casey Family Scholarship”, beginning in the spring of 2021.

One of Slainte’s main functions is to raise funds for the four annual scholarships, and this year, without the usual fundraisers, such as the golf outing and concerts and entertainment at the clubhouse, a donation such as Joe’s is even more greatly appreciated. The deserving young people who will be awarded the four scholarships in 2021 will have endured a most difficult year, emotionally, and possibly financially, and the support we provide will mean more than ever.

Sincerely,
Maureen Moore,
Slainte Secretary

2020 Scholarship Recipients
Platt Tech: Slainte Milford Scholarship (Two, $500 each)

The recipients of the Irish Heritage Society of Milford Awards are Raymond Feliz-Sanchez from Carpentry and David Barerra from Mechanical Design & Engineer Technology. Raymond will be attending the University of New Haven in the fall, majoring in civil engineering. David will be attending the University of Bridgeport in the fall, majoring in mechanical engineering.​

Jonathan Law: Charlie Bristol Memorial Scholarship
The 2020 recipient is Marly Ackley, who plans to attend Sacred Heart University and study Nursing. Comments from her friends and high school faculty and staff present a picture of an exceptional person, well-rounded student, and a true friend to others.

Foran High School: Lyle James Memorial Scholarship
The 2020 recipient is Andre Xu Jin, who will be enrolled in the University of Connecticut Honors Program majoring in Electrical Engineering. Andre graduated first in his class at Foran with an impressive resume of awards and extra-curricular activities.

The IHSM William McNamara Memorial Scholarship
The 2020 recipient is John (Jack) Chizmazia, son of Glenn Chizmazia and Sheila Danehy, who graduated from Jonathan Law High School. Jack will be enrolled at the University of Connecticut- Stamford with plans to study financial advising.

Specific requirements, as well as the online application, can be found by clicking this link

President Tim McNamara and the Irish Heritage Society of Milford’s Board wish to announce and congratulate the recipients of The Irish Man and Woman of the Year Awards!
They are:
Irish Man – Mark Morse
Irish Woman – Amy Lacey