April 7, 2024

Dear Members,

In our last e-news, we shared the names of the three lucky winners of our "Luck of the Irish" raffle drawing of March 20, who are now enjoying their $6,000 in cash prizes.

Today, we are delighted to share the the financial results. Thanks to the support of so many, the fundraiser generated $17,500 in net profit (after raffle prizes and other expenses) to support our core, Mission-driven initiatives.

Through generous gifts from nearly 260 Members and Friends of the Museum via their raffle ticket purchases and outright donations to the fundraiser, we enjoyed a strong close to our 2023-2024 Fiscal Year. We are so grateful!

IMPORTANT: If you made a gift to this fundraiser of any size/type, please click the "Supporters" button below and look for your name. We want to ensure all names are accurately presented before we produce a board based on this artwork. The board will be displayed at our Interpretive Center to recognize your generous support of our Mission in the months to come.

If you have corrections to share or would prefer not to be included on the list, or need other assistance, please contact us at NewportIrishHistory@gmail.com or phone (401) 841-5493.

Thank you for your generosity!

The Fundraising Committee

 Chair: Kathleen Papp

Members: Ann Arnold , Deanna Conheeny, Carol Lepley, Peg Murray Maeve Sheehan, Mike Slein

Note: While your raffle ticket purchases are a much-appreciated gift to the Museum, raffle tickets, along with other games of chance in support of non-profits, are not considered charitable donations by the IRS so are not tax-deductible. 

All "Luck of the Irish" supporters who made a separate donation to the fundraiser—in addition to purchasing raffle tickets or instead of —will receive a thank-you letter in the mail shortly for tax purposes.

Our 2024 Annual Meeting and supper, to which all members are warmly invited, will be held on Sunday, June 2 at 4:00 p.m. at Hibernian Hall in Newport. As in the past, you may register for the business meeting only or the meeting plus supper.

Please Save the Date. Details and registration instructions will be mailed to all members of record shortly and will be posted on our website's Annual Meeting page. If you have questions in the meantime, please reach out to Annual Meeting Event committee chair, Mike Slein at Farmags@cox.net

Our new tour of the historic Saint Mary's Cemetery, originally scheduled for March 23 but cancelled due to poor weather, has been rescheduled for Saturday, May 11 at 1:00 p.m.

The outdoor tour of approximately 45 minutes will be given by local researcher and guide, Steve Marino, weather permitting.

Explore the final resting place of well over 1,000 Newporters of the mid-1800s through the early 1900s, including countless immigrants from Ireland and first-generation Irish Americans. This cemetery was established to serve R.I.'s first Catholic parish (est. 1828), which, in 1848-1852 constructed a new church in which to house its growing congregation, fueled by immigration from Ireland. That church, dedicated in 1852 to "The Holy Name of Mary, Our Lady of the Isle," stands today at the corner of Spring Street and Memorial Boulevard West. The St. Mary's Cemetery was in operation soon after the church was completed.

Meet at the gate on Kingston Ave. near the intersection with Warner Street, shown in the above photo.

To reserve, please click the below button to reach the Historic Cemetery Tours page on our website. There, you will find links to reserve for the May 11 tour, along with links and information pertaining to the Barney Street Cemetery, the precursor to the St. Mary's Cemetery.

  Questions/Assistance with Reservations?

Contact Ann at (401) 841-5493 or tpm1@earthlink.net

The Museum's Interpretive Center on Lower Thames Street will open for the 2024 Season on Friday, May 23. Hours are 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m., Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, through Sunday, October 27.

Please consider joining the ranks of our wonderful volunteer docents.

If you have just a few hours to spare each month, please consider donating your time and talent to be an ambassador at the Museum. Shifts are short and enjoyable, and training will be provided.

All you need is a love of local history and an interest in hosting visitors from near and far, eager to learn about Newport's rich Irish history and share their stories with you.

If you'd like to learn more, please contact Interpretive Center Manager, Steve Marino. He'd love to chat with you!

You can reach Steve by emailing enzoteach@aol.com or calling (860) 995-7367. Thank you for your interest!

March 31 marked the end of the Museum's 2023-24 Fiscal Year and kicked off Membership Renewal Season. Nearly 70% of our memberships are Annual Membership (vs. Life), and these are due for renewal at this time of the year. The annual fee for an Individual membership remains $20, and a Family/Household membership $30 (applies to all those living at the same address).

Please help us defray printing and postage expense by taking a moment to RENEW NOW online, by clicking the "Membership Renewal" button at the bottom of this e-newsletter.

If you prefer to pay by check, please send your check payable to "MNIH" with "Membership" in the Memo line to:

Museum of Newport Irish History

Attn: Membership

PO Box 1378

Newport, RI, 02840

NOTE: If you are not sure of your membership status, please contact Ann at tpm1@earthlink.net or (401) 841-5493, before making a payment, and she'll get right back to you.

Please do not send payments or other correspondence to our seasonal Thames Street Interpretive Center address.

News you May Have Missed 

CLICK the newspaper graphic for

past Members' E-newsletters.

Established 1996

a 501c3 non-profit organization

Mailing Address:

PO Box 1378, Newport, RI 02840

Interpretive Center:

648 Lower Thames Street, Newport RI 02840

Email: NewportIrishHistory@gmail.com

Click Here for Museum Board of Directors Contact Info. and list of deceased board members, fondly remembered.

The MISSION of the Museum of Newport Irish History is to tell the story of the Irish immigrants and their descendants in Newport County and the surrounding area from the colonial era to the present. It also seeks to preserve artifacts and mementos relating to their experiences and facilitate

research on Irish history and heritage.