b'Inanunprecedentedpartnershipbetween The new facility will have the capability to project Irish arts and culture far beyond New York City. It will be equipped withtheNewYorkCityGovernment,theIrishrecordingtechnologythatwillallowforthecapturingand distribution of amazing arts experiencesstunning live musicalGovernment, the American Ireland Fund and events,liveconversationswithleadingfiguresinthearts, politics, business and media, stimulating education programsprivate donors more than $34 million has been through emerging online media channels. Wont it be great whencommitted to this groundbreaking project. Live from Irish Arts Centercan occupy a place on your DVR or iPadalongside Live from Lincoln Center? IrishArtsCenterViceChairPaulineTurleyrecently The new building is being designed by the chief state architect expressed her motivation for the project. Currently, a stroll Ciaran OConnor from the Office of Public Works. Speaking on downParkAvenueoffersglimpsesofculturalmonuments his approach, Mr. OConnorstated:Ourvisionisto developadesignthatrisesabovepureutility,beyondbasic construction, to com-bine all that is practical andnecessary, both functionallyandeconomically,witha buildingthatisculturallymeaningful,humaneandbeautiful. RecentlyinNewYork,Honorary Chairman GabrielByrnesharedhisvisionforthe project. We had an idea ofThe legendary Paul Brady enjoys himself on stage during Irish Arts Centers Niall OLeary leads a workshop at the eleventh annual Irish Arts Center a building that would reflect rst Masters in CollaborationSeries NYC Dance Festival, which attracts more than 5,000 participants each yearwhat it means to be Irishanarchitecturalstatementaboutwhoweareasagroupofrepresenting the diversity of New York City, and we can take people. He continued: I always think about the people who came inspirationfromwitnessingtheaccomplishmentsofAsia before us, the ones who came over and didnt have the luxury of Society,ScandinaviaHouse,AllianceFrancaise,andthe returning as often as they wanted, who had to make a life for Cervantes Institute on behalf of their respective communities. themselves away from their families and away from their fields, In 2016, we will finally take our place among the citys leading away from their communities.They created the world that wecultural institutions, while helping restore Irelands reputationinherited; and, through this new building, we are handing onas we ensure a dynamic image of Ireland and Irish America forourgifttotheoneswhocomeafterus,ourchildren,ourthe 21st century. And as Gabriel Byrne put it: if we dont tell ourgrandchildren.Sowearethebridgebetweenthosetwostory, who will.generations, and it must fill us with real pride to know that our ThenewIrishArtsCenterisaboutmuchmorethana great-great grandchildren will be able to be in a place that wont development on Manhattans West Side. It is about building abe just a center for culturebut will also be a meeting place where Center of new and great ideas - and a meeting place where Irish people can come together to share our common humor, and everyone can come together to celebrate, enjoy our great cultureour unique perspective on the world and sense of humor, and build wonderful relationships. Gabriel Byrne has been working alongside his friend Liam There has never been a more compelling time to join theNeeson in order to bring the project to life. As Mr. Neeson said in community and take pride in knowing you are helping to builda recent interview, I am truly excited and inspired by the vision, something extraordinary for future generations.the strategy, the integrity, and the sheer hard work that has gone This project has passed the point of inevitability. All that into making this new building a reality. When I think about our remains to be determined is just how fully we will reach our new Irish Arts Center, I feel an incredible sense of pride andpotential.Welookforwardtosharingthisexcitingjourney satisfaction that, finallywe will have a place in New York that with American Ireland Fund supporters in the months and yearsrepresents the incredible stature Ireland holds in world culture, to come. and also in global business, philanthropy, governmentin allwalks of life.Aidan Connolly, Executive Director, Irish Arts Center connect 2013 | 28'