Craobh Dugan-O’Looney Presents
“The Irish and the Erie” 

Date: Wednesday, October 22, 2025

Time: 7:00 p.m.

Cost: FREE, but attendees are asked to register online (below)

Location: "The Gallery" at the H.A.R.P. Museum located on the second floor of the Irish Cultural Center of the Mohawk Valley at 623 Columbia St., Utica

Register: http://bit.ly/3Ikm8Er 

Contact: Chris Hoke at (315) 733-4228 Ext. 6 or irishccmv@gmail.com

Join us in the H.A.R.P. Museum at the Irish Cultural Center of the Mohawk Valley on Wednesday, October 22 at 7 PM, as we celebrate the 200th Anniversary of the opening of the Erie Canal, whose path went through Utica, a mule’s shoe throw away from the Irish Cultural Center.

“Little Short of Madness”

An engineering marvel of its day, the Erie Canal was opened on October 26, 1825. President Jefferson had called the idea “short of madness,” but that did not deter Governor Dewitt Clinton from going ahead with the project that accelerated the westward expansion of the United States; ultimately giving rise to New York’s prominent moniker of “The Empire State.”

Bring your singing voice along to join in the fun! 

Musicians from Craobh Dugan-O’Looney will relate in story and song how the Irish contributed to its construction from its early beginnings on July 4, 1817 in Rome, NY. You will hear about life on the canal and how the Irish overcame the early prejudices held against them to rise in prominence in many walks of American life.

Accessibility

The program will be held upstairs in the H.A.R.P. Museum and is free to attend, but donations are gratefully accepted. All those interested in attending are asked to register at http://bit.ly/3Ikm8Er or leave a message at (315) 733-4228, Ext 6. The H.A.R.P. Museum is located on the second floor of the Irish Cultural Center of the Mohawk Valley, 623 Columbia St, Utica. All are welcome to attend this program and the museum is wheelchair accessible. ☘️

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