• Culture That Endures

    In 1997, St. Dominic's Church was purchased by the City of Portland and gifted to the Irish American Club and Friends of St. Dominic’s.

    This paved the way for the creation of the Maine Irish Heritage Center. The Center has a thriving genealogy program, an impressive library, and a museum and archives, all devoted to Portland and Maine's Irish-American past. We open our doors to community groups and programs of all kinds and welcome you to stop by and check out our facility!

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  • Your Wedding at the
    Maine Irish Heritage Center

    Our stately, majestic building is a perfect venue for your unforgettable wedding day. The upper level (former sanctuary) has spectacular 60 foot cathedral ceilings, elegant wooden pews, a long traditional aisle, beautiful stained glass windows and historic bell will enthrall you and enchant your guests, creating a wedding celebration you will cherish forever!

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In this video, Susan Kimball looks back at Maine's Irish history. Please click to view the video.

Upcoming Events at the Maine Irish Heritage Center

  1. 2nd Annual Karen Lemke Memorial Lecture Series: “The Story of the Abyssinian Meeting House”

    February 1 @ 2:00 pm

  2. Ireland 101: The Irish Language

    February 4 @ 7:00 pm

  3. Irish Soda Bread Contest

    February 28 @ 1:00 pm

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Local History

Wedding Celebrations

Our resident historian and genealogist, Matthew Jude Barker, presents “The Irish of Portland, Maine: A History of the Forest City Hibernians,” an overview of the Irish-American experience....

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Wedding Celebrations

Wedding Celebrations

Our stately, majestic building is a perfect venue for your unforgettable wedding day. The upper level’s spectacular 60 foot cathedral ceilings, wooden pews, traditional aisle, beautiful stained glass windows...

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Everything Irish

Everything Irish

MIHC is home to the Irish American Club, its founding partner, A Company of Girls, and the Claddagh Mohr Pipe Band. The Center is affiliated with many Irish social and cultural groups...

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News & Events

Upcoming Events

There is always something going on at the Maine Irish Heritage Center including our Duchas lecture series and our annual Claddagh awards ceremony. Learn more about recent news and upcoming events...

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We are command central for everything Irish in Portland Maine and the surrounding communities.    Learn more...

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Contact Us

Maine Irish Heritage Center
Corner of Gray and State Street
PO Box 7588
Portland, ME 04112-7588
(207) 780-0118
irishhc@maine.rr.com
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Become a Member

Protect, preserve and restore the historic landmark that was formerly St. Dominic’s Church, a hub of the early Irish Community in Maine.
Click here to join.