WEST SPRINGFIELD – The Irish Cultural Center of Western New England (ICC) has hired Westfield resident and former WHYN-AM radio personality Bo Sullivan as the organization’s first executive director.

The new position is the Center’s first full-time position, and was made possible through a recent grant donated by the Irish government’s Emigrant Support Programme, which provides financial support to organizations engaged in “the delivery of front line advisory services and community care to Irish emigrants.”

The $64,000 grant is to be put toward supporting Sullivan in his new role.  

The new director will oversee all aspects of the ICC – such as operations, finance, promotion, development and supporting events geared toward promoting Irish culture. He said his primary responsibilities will be fundraising, capital campaign, expanding the number of patrons, completing the ICC’s $3 million facility on Morgan Road and marketing the organization itself.

“I couldn’t be happier,” said Sullivan. “The people that have gotten this organization up and running are fantastic and dedicated to making sure everything is where it’s supposed to be. I’m just looking to add some fresh faces to the group.”

The ICC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charity that was established in 1999 to foster an appreciation for Irish culture in Western New England. With more than 900 patrons, it is dedicated to preserving Irish culture and connections between Ireland and Western New England, as well as serving as a liaison between the region and the Irish government. The center has an active restaurant and pub, and provides access to Irish-oriented lectures, concerts, art exhibitions, political discussions and more.  

Sullivan said he believes his background in radio and experience in development work for Westfield State University will aid him in his new position.

“I think the radio part – with the marketing and getting my name out there and having people recognizing me – is a big part of this,” he said. “And obviously the foundation work and development work I did with the university has certainly put me in the right direction at running the campaign here at the Irish Center.

The new director is well known for his 20-year stint as a radio host at WHYN, and has most recently worked in advancement and development at Westfield State University. He has experience in fund-raising, development and developing and maintaining community partnerships. He has also worked as a political and business consultant, and was president of the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Westfield from 2004 to 2015.

Sullivan, who is of Irish heritage, said he decided to apply for the position to learn more about his heritage and because he hopes to help further the history of Irish culture in Western New England.

“This is a unique position that the people that started this organization have put their blood sweat and tears into,” he said. “Obviously being Irish and wanting to learn more about the Irish culture and heritage in Western New England was very appealing to me, and getting this position in the beginning stages of the Center is very exciting.”

In a press release, ICC President Sean F. Cahillane said choosing Sullivan for the position was an easy decision to make, considering his background in community work, development and fund-raising, on top of his passion for keeping the Irish culture alive.

Currently, the ICC is home to the Irish House Restaurant and Trinity Pub. Upcoming projects include continued construction for a library, museum, genealogy center and performance center.

“There’s still some capital campaign items that need to be done to the building,” Sullivan explained. “The library and museum on the bottom floor needs to be finished and loaded, then there’s a deck out back out with athletic fields that needs to be done when the season is right and the athletic fields themselves out behind the building will hopefully will be used in the very near future.”

The Center also plans to incorporate a sit-down banquet facility upstairs.

Sullivan began his duties as the new executive director on Jan. 15, and said he hopes to see how far he can expand the Center before they start looking to hire more full-time employees.