Our Mission

The Friends of Irish Studies in the West is a Montana 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation formed in 2007 for the expressed purpose of raising funds in support of the University of Montana's Irish Studies Program and fostering awareness of Irish Culture and Heritage in the Pacific Northwest and the Northern Rockies.

The objectives of the corporation are as follows:

1. To promote, encourage and preserve the Irish culture in the state of Montana and the Northern Rockies through Irish language, dance, music, literature, folklore, cultural gatherings, educational opportunities and conferences.  Emphasis will be on the teaching of the Irish language, music and dance as major influences of the Irish culture and heritage.
2. To gather resources to support the Irish Studies Program at the University of Montana.
3. To develop a scholarship program and/or other endowments to advance the study of Irish culture.
4. To increase communications among Irish cultural groups and associations celebrating Irish culture.