About

Detroit’s Gaelic League/Irish-American Club is modeled after the Gaelic League formed in 1893 in Ireland.  From its beginning, the Gaelic League has been a “home away from home” for newcomers to Detroit. By its constitution the Gaelic League of Detroit is neither sectarian nor partisan.  Our aim and objectives are to preserve and promote the Irish Culture. As Detroit’s oldest Irish social center, the Gaelic League/Irish-American Club provides a bit of Ireland to its members and guests through many on-going activities.

Bylaws

Constitution and bylaws of the Gaelic League of Detroit / Irish American Club.

Membership

Are Gaelic League and Irish American memberships the same?
Read below for more info.

Community

A pillar of Corktown, the Gaelic League and Irish American Club serves the Irish and Detroit/metro area. Become involved and gain a larger community.

The Gaelic League, founded in 1920, was originally located at Grand River and Rosa Parks.  It’s been at its current location,  2068 Michigan Ave. Detroit, MI 48216 , since the early 1950s.  

The Gaelic League Irish American Club celebrated it’s 100th Anniversary in 2020-22 (extended by the pandemic) with multiple cultural events and a featured exhibit in the Detroit Historical Museum

We are Detroit’s oldest Irish Social Center. We welcome all (Irish and Americans) who maintain our mission to preserve and promote the Irish culture, camaraderie, goodwill and the League’s history within the Detroit and international community.  As a Corktown establishment, we are active in Corktown community affairs and have opened our doors to fundraising or meetings to benefit our Corktown neighbors.

Corktown is where the Irish immigrants first settled in Detroit. It’s only natural for the Gaelic League to be established and remain in the area which means so much to the Irish and their descendants. This is where we belong.

Here’s a guide on various ways to get the coveted Irish passport.

https://www.irishcentral.com/travel/best-of-ireland/how-get-irish-passport

How can I become a member?

Sign up via PayPal using the Online Membership Application or pick up an application when visiting the club house. If you prefer mailing in a check. Please print out and include the membership application.

Frequently Asked Questions

A. An Irish American membership is a social membership and does not have voting rights.

B. A Gaelic League Membership has voting rights. Irish American membership does not require Irish birth or ancestry. Gaelic League membership does require Irish birth or ancestry. One must first be an active and contributing Irish American member for 24 consecutive months to be eligible for Gaelic League membership consideration.

  • To promote the common welfare and culture of the Irish race in Detroit and elsewhere.
  • To promote and maintain a social club and conduct other social activities.
  • To establish a building fund whereby we may own and maintain our own hall and for other purposes.
  • To promote and preserve Irish Language, dance, music, literature, and all Irish Culture for the benefit and entertainment of the members and their friends.
  • To maintain American ideals of liberty and uphold the principles on which America was founded.
  • To stimulate a just pride in Irish ideals and achievements by diffusing among its friends and associates a more intimate knowledge of Irish history and the history of the Irish race in America.
  • To carry on in the work of helping to establish a complete and wholly independent form of government for all of Ireland.
  • To make a commitment to protect and to keep The Gaelic League/Irish American Club of Detroit financially solvent.

1. The membership of this organization shall be open to all persons who are 18 years of age and of good morals. Alcoholic beverages shall be served only to members and/or their guests who are 21 years of age or over.

2. Persons holding membership in the Gaelic League are automatically members of the Irish-American Club.

3. Irish-American Club Membership fees and/or annual dues shall be set by the Board of the Gaelic League.

Q. How do I apply for Irish American Club membership?

A. It is easy to become an Irish American member:

1) Just stop into the Club and ask the bar person on duty for an Irish American Membership application. Complete the application and return it with your $25 annual dues to the bar person.

2) Fill out form & payment online for $28 ($3 service fee added for PayPal transactions)

3) Complete the application and mail it with your $25 membership fee to:

Gaelic League Treasurer
2068 Michigan Avenue
Detroit, MI 48216.

Upon doing so, you have just completed your first step in becoming an active Irish American member. Listen to the Gaelic League Irish radio program on Sunday afternoon – Irish Radio Hour – WNZK 690AM 1-3 pm or read the newsletter for the many activities and events to which you can volunteer your time and talents to help accomplish the Aims and Objectives of the Gaelic League.

We look forward to your active participation as a new Irish American member!5

A. The following is an excerpt from the Constitution and Bylaws of the Gaelic League of Detroit/Irish American Club regarding Gaelic League membership requirements.

Article V – MEMBERSHIP AND DUES

Section 1.

Any person of Irish Birth or descent is eligible to apply for Gaelic League membership provided the applicant is sponsored by a member in good standing. “Good standing” wherever used herein, shall mean dues are current and paid-to-date. Application for membership shall first be presented by the sponsor or designee at a General Gaelic League Membership meeting and be referred to the Membership Committee for its review. The actual introduction of the applicant will take place after the Membership Committee successfully completes the eligibility review. The applicant, in addition to being of Irish birth or descent, must also meet the following requirements:

a. The applicant must have been an active and contributing member in good standing of the Irish American Club for at least 24 consecutive months immediately prior to application for Gaelic League membership and pledge to continue to be active and contributing as a Gaelic League member. “Active and contributing”, wherever used herein, shall mean participation in events, activities, functions etc. conducted at the Gaelic League. Participation, wherever used herein, is the providing of any or all of the following; volunteering their labor, skills, talents, trades, funds, etc. when necessary, to successfully promote and facilitate the above and the AIMS and OBJECTIVES of the Gaelic League of Detroit.

b. The applicant must be twenty-one (21) years of age and appear at the Gaelic League meeting where he/she will be introduced and given the opportunity to express why he/she wishes to be a Gaelic League Member, before being voted on for Gaelic League membership.

Section 2. Application blanks will be supplied by the Organization which will carry a re-print of the “Aims and Objectives” of the Organization. The applicant, in signing the application, is indicating agreement with the “Aims and Objectives”.

2024 Board

2024 Board of Directors

Congratulations to our newly elected 2024 Gaelic League Officers and many thanks to our outgoing officers and board members.
The dedication and many hours of service given towards the well-being of the Gaelic League by these individuals are greatly appreciated.

President
Aline Purcell Daniel
Vice President

Kathleen Finley
Financial Secretary
Sheila Maloney
Treasurer
Bruce Smith
Recording/Corresponding Secretary
Eleanor Carey

Board of Directors

Pat Brown
Kathleen Partyka
Tim Jenny
Katherine Jenny
Alice Maloney
Bill Miller
Eric Cole
Tim Fix
Mike Clyne

Board of Auditors

Kathleen O’Neill 
Kate Miller
Jesse Anaya

Committees

Members interested in participating in any of these Gaelic League/Irish American Club committees should contact the Club at: gaelicleaguedetroit@gmail.com We would welcome your interest and talents.

Oversee scheduling, pricing, procedures and duties of the Bar staff and functions association with the selling of alcohol products.
Chair: Tim Fix

Maintain and review current Constitution and by-laws of the Gaelic League/Irish American Club.  Present any changes to the membership for consideration.
Chair: Theresa Anaya

Serve as Gaelic League representatives at the Corktown Business Association and United Irish Society (UIS) meetings and provide updates at the Club’s monthly membership meetings
Co-chairs: 

Schedule and oversee entertainment events at the Gaelic League. This would include ongoing and future bookings for entertainment.
Chair: Roxanne LaPuma

Promote new and existing funding sources through member solicitations; grant writing and capital campaigns to achieve needed building repairs and major enhancements. Membership includes the Gaelic League finance officers and auditors.
Chair: Janet Anderson

Members of this committee represent the diverse local, Irish organizations whose intent is to preserve and promote the Irish culture though a variety of events and activities

Groups Include:

  • Anne McCallum Set Dancing
  • Ardan Academy of Irish Dance
  • Detroit Irish Music Association
  • Detroit Irish Radio Show
  • Detroit Harps
  • Detroit Wolftones
  • Gaelic League Irish American Club
  • Gaelic League Poetry Night
  • The Irish Cultural Forum
  • The Irish Genealogical Society of Michigan
  • Irish Language Circle
  • House Party: Staying Connected
  • UIS Jim Dewan Memorial Scholarship Program

Chair:  

Oversee functions and activities which involve the serving of food, to include when an outside caterer is using the Gaelic League kitchen and facility
Chair: Katherine Jenny       

General up keep, repairs and condition of the entire building to include Bar, Hall, Kitchen, Bathrooms, Storage areas and parking lots. Assists the Board in evaluating bid proposals for building renovations and capital improvements.
Chair: Bill Miller       

Actively welcome and solicit new members and enhance processes for annual membership renewals. When Gaelic League members are proposed this committee will determine eligibility and contact the Board of findings for scheduling of proposed person to attend meeting to be introduced.
Co-chairs: Aline Purcell=Daniel

Publish a newsletter as well as distribute or mail the newsletter to our members.  Newsletter contains a listing of our activities and articles of pertinence to the Gaelic League.  In addition advertising venues are to be addressed as well.
Chair: Bob Anderson

Solicit and coordinate the gathering of volunteer members from the Gaelic League to assist at special events at the Club and at outside activities that the Club participates in.
Chair: Kathleen Finley

Promote the Gaelic League activities through the Club’s website.

Chair: