Panel Discussion - “Project Children”

Date: Wednesday, August 5, 2026

Time: 5:30 p.m.

Cost: FREE!

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: https://bit.ly/4peW4M2 

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

The Irish Cultural Center of the Mohawk Valley will host a Panel Discussion on the life-changing program, “Project Children,” on Wednesday August 5 at 5:30 PM. 

How it all began…

It was 1975, brothers Patrick and Denis Mulcahy, emigres from County Cork and members of the New York Police Department, grew tired of seeing the sectarian violence in Northern Ireland reported on the nightly news and decided to take action. They reasoned that if Protestant and Catholic children could spend time together in an environment that was not toxic with war, they would be less likely as adults to hurl bombs at each other, and Project Children was born. That first summer, they brought six children, three Protestant and three Catholic, to spend the summer in New York State. 

Over the next 40 years, Project Children would go on to impact the lives of over 23,000 Catholic and Protestant children, showing them that a non-violent life was possible and how tolerance, understanding and communication can lead to life-long friendships. 

…and where it is today

Though the summer children’s program ended in 2015, the Project Children internship program, started in 1995, continues. Each summer several college-age young adults spend several weeks in the United States as interns in their future professions as well as volunteering within their host communities. This year our area is lucky to have four such interns.

Meet the Panel

At this event, the interns, their host families, and employers will speak on their various experiences with Project Children programs and how Project Children has impacted their lives. The program will be hosted by Pat Costello, who has spent many years as an Upstate NY coordinator for this wonderful program.

Make Plans to Attend This Special Event!

The program is free to attend; however, to ensure we have adequate seating please register at https://bit.ly/4peW4M2 or leave a message at (315) 733-4228, Ext 6. The event is being held at the H.A.R.P. Museum, located on the second floor of the Irish Cultural Center of the Mohawk Valley, 623 Columbia St, Utica. All are welcome to attend and the museum is wheelchair accessible. ☘️

See all of our upcoming cultural events!