Milwaukee Irish Arts 
(Cumann Ealaín Éireannach Milwaukee) 

is a group dedicated to the initiation, presentation and promotion of Irish and Irish American arts in the Midwest with emphasis on theatre, film and the visual arts.  We have offered an ongoing program of cultural events since 1983 when we first introduced theatre performance as part of Milwaukee Irish Fest.

Over the past 17 years Milwaukee Irish Arts has brought to the local stage over one hundred works from the canon of Irish and Irish American drama.  Our production of The Wake at Milwaukee’s Performing Arts Center brought Steve Allen to town for what he termed a “masterful creation” of his play.  We imported the Abbey Theatre’s Ray Yeates to direct Philadelphia, Here I Come, which provided an early opportunity for young actor Barry McEvoy, who has gone on to star on Broadway with Jason Robards and Blyth Danner. Last year we brought the National Youth Orchestra of Ireland to the Pabst Theatre for a spectacular concert that the local press called “the cultural bargain of the year.”  Our presentation of Belfast actress Maggie Cronin’s A Most Notorious Woman played to full houses and rave reviews.

The annual Irish Film Fleadh in February provides a venue for the interaction of local and Irish cinema enthusiasts and allows us to experience the full creative force of Irish film today.   Recently we sponsored concerts by such diverse Irish talents as folk singer Tom Sweeney and operatic soprano Catherine Hegarty. The revival of the Pub Theatre craze by our own Dave O’Meara adds to the legend. 

 We thank you, the Milwaukee Irish Community and Milwaukee Irish Arts patrons, for helping us to continue to act as a springboard for new writers and performers.   

Go néirí an t-ádh linn!

John Gleeson
Artistic Director