About The CCIF
Our Mission
The Circle City Irish Festival (CCIF), an all-volunteer 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization, was founded in 2023 to host the inaugural festival. CCIF is comprised of AOH, LOAH, GAA, and Emerald Society. The Irish Language Foundation is also involved. It is our goal to build on the fine work established by previous groups and uphold the traditions all of our groups are dedicated to preserving. We continue the ideas established by Alice Davis, Terry Sweeney, and Mary Coffey. We honor our past, focus on our present, and look to the future. All are welcome to the festival.
The Irish People have handed down a rich culture and history. Their struggles included famine and deprivation of education. Through an annual festival presentation, CCIFL will offer Irish cultural and historical programs to inform its audience and generate support for reducing hunger and illiteracy in Central Indiana.
Kathleen Miller, Chair
chair@circlecityirishfest.org
Kate’s Irish runs deep on both sides of her family, with roots established from Galway to Derry and down through Cork. She has been active in the LAOH and served as historian, and is a past president of the organization. Her love of the heritage, history, and traditions of Ireland were taught by each generation of her family.
She is a retired educator and union president. She is married to Tom Miller an Indianapolis firefighter, mother to 4, grandmother to 9. She couldn’t be more honored to serve as chair for The Circle City Irish Festival.
Patrick Gamache, Vice Chair
vicechair@circlecityirishfest.org
The Irish heritage runs deep in Patrick’s roots and fuels his passion for the Indy Irish Community. As a realtor and the owner of The School of Coaches, Patrick’s love of serving people helps drive passion projects like the Circle City Irish Fest.
Brian Thomas, Vice Chair
vicechair@circlecityirishfest.org
Growing up my family didn’t celebrate St Patrick’s Day. We didn’t go to any Irish festivals. I didn’t think I had any Irish ancestry. After meeting my wife, I started going to the St Patrick’s Day parade and Irish festivals. I fell in love with the music. My favorite band is a local Celtic band, Highland Reign. At an Irish Fest we found the Indy Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA). My son fell in love with Hurling and wanted to play. I played for a year and then became a youth coach. I have been a youth coach for the Indy GAA since 2013. A few years later I took a DNA test and it turns out I’m about 40% Irish. Through the GAA community, we have developed friends all over the US and Canada along with Ireland. Joining the CCIF committee means so much to me. The Irish Fest has always been a time of good music and good friends.
Committee Heads
- Brandi Thomas – Wee Folk Chair – education@circlecityirishfest.org
- John Hegarty – Entertainment Chair – entertainment@circlecityirishfest.org
- Ruth Winters – Food/Merchandise Co-Chair – vendor@circlecityirishfest.org
- Maura Flynn – Food/Merchandise Co-Chair – vendor@circlecityirishfest.org
- Devin Blankenship – Cultural Chair – cultural@circlecityirishfest.org
- Brian Thomas – Venue Chair – venue@circlecityirishfest.org
- Tom McNulty – Sponsorship Chair – sponsorship@circlecityirishfest.org
- Brian Thomas – Operations Chair – operations@circlecityirishfest.org
- Debbie Nichols – Volunteer Chair – volunteer@circlecityirishfest.org