from John Wilson, National Director…
The Iowa State Board Meeting and Election was held August 2, 2019 in Waterloo, Iowa in conjunction with the Iowa Irish Fest. Elected to the Iowa State Board were, State President Rob McCullough (Dubuque Div. #2), State Vice President Terry McGrane (5 Sullivan Brothers Div.), State Recording Secretary Jerry McGrane (Dubuque Div. #1), State Treasurer Mike Martin (Dubuque Div. #1) and State Chaplain is Rev. Dennis Quint (Dubuque Div. #1).
The Cedar Valley Irish Cultural Association, founder of the Iowa Irish Fest, is an organization intended to foster and develop Irish fellowship and outreach into the community with Irish cultural events and programs. The Irish Fest which started in 2006 is an open-air event held on the first weekend of August in Waterloo, Iowa. The Fest provides nearly 50,000 annual attendees the opportunity to participate in a premier cultural event that broadens their global perspective and introduces them to experiences and lifestyles far beyond the Midwest, while acknowledging and celebrating the history of the Irish community. The Association President and Hibernian, Jim Walsh, said, “The Irish in Iowa have done such a fine job of melding into their communities that we felt it was time to draw them back out a bit and show them off to their neighbors and as many visitors as we could. “ Jim Walsh is the owner of Jameson Irish Pub in Waterloo and is a fine Hibernian who has put his heart and soul into the Irish Fest.
There was a strong Irish Catholic presence at the Irish Fest in Waterloo. From the opening Parade led by the Hibernians, to the opening blessing by the State Chaplain Father Quint, to the wonderful outdoor Mass on Sunday morning.
