April 7, 2025

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 19, 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 just over $16,000 in net profit to support our Mission-driven initiatives.

Through generous gifts from nearly 240 Members and Friends of the Museum via their raffle ticket purchases and outright donations to the fundraiser, we enjoyed a strong close to our 2024-2025 Fiscal Year. We are so grateful!

Please be sure to scroll down for all our important April news.

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 the list is complete and names are accurately presented before we produce a board to display at our Interpretive Center to recognize your generous support of our Mission in the months to come.

If you have corrections or would prefer not to be included on the list, or need other assistance, please contact Kathy Papp at KathleenPapp@cox.net or (401) 236-2624.

Thank you for your generosity!

The Fundraising Committee

Chair: Kathleen Papp

Members: Ann Arnold , Deanna Conheeny, Carol Lepley,

Peg Murray, Maeve Sheehan, Mike Slein

The City of Newport and our sister city in Ireland —Kinsale —celebrate the 25-year anniversary of their "twinning" this month.

On behalf of the Newport Twining Association, we're happy to share news of the above two public events to celebrate this historic anniversary with a large and enthusiastic delegation of Kinsale officials and community members who will be in town.

Tickets to the April 11 and April 12 events are limited, and available at Ancient Order of Hibernians Hall, 2 Wellington Ave., Newport.

Contact: Contact Rick O'Neill at (401) 374-5698 or riconeill@cox.net

Our 2025 Annual Meeting and supper, to which all members are warmly invited, is tentatively scheduled for Sunday, June 1 at 4:00 p.m. at Hibernian Hall in Newport. As in the past, you may register for the business meeting only (no fee) or the meeting plus supper (fee will apply)

Please Save the Date. Details and registration instructions will be mailed to all members of record and will be posted on our website's Annual Meeting page. If you have questions in the meantime, please reach write NewportIrishHistory@gmail.com

We are delighted to collaborate with Historic Music of Newport, Dr. Mark A. Stickney, Founder, whose "Mobile Museum" exhibit, "Newport's Irish Musicians," will be on display at our Interpretive Center on Saturday, April 26, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Historic Music of Newport was founded in 2022 to preserve the diverse musical history of Newport, R.I. This special exhibit will celebrate the Irish musicians who lived and performed in Newport in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

For more info., visit: https://www.historicmusicofnewport.org/

The Museum's Interpretive Center on Lower Thames Street will open for the 2025 Season on Friday, May 23. Hours are 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m., Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, through Sunday, October 26.

Please consider joining the ranks of our 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.

Members with a love of local history and interest in hosting visitors from near and far, eager to learn about Newport's rich Irish history and share their stories, are a perfect fit to the position.

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 2024-25 Fiscal Year, so Membership Renewal Season is here. Nearly 70% of our memberships are Annual Membership (vs. Life), and these are due for renewal at this time of the year (unless pre-paid).

As shared in the letter you received in the mail some weeks ago, the annual fee for an Individual membership is now $30, and a Family/Household membership is $40 (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 Renewals" 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

Have questions about 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.

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.