Non profit Irish cultural center reopens in Harbor City

HARBOR CITY, Calif. (KABC) -- The California Irish Arts Cultural Center reopens their doors as a nonprofit after being closed for years in Harbor City.

From traditional folk dancing to mythology, this community space is exposing Los Angeles to the heritage and history of Ireland.

Six years before covid, the cultural center was mainly a winter and summer camp.

"The kids were learning the Irish language, playing sports, learning how to play different Irish instruments, and then we pack it all up and put it away until next summer," said Erin Scott-Haines, founder of California Irish Arts.

This April, Scott-Haine's vision of the cultural center expands as McNulty School of Irish Dance Los Angeles is now a nonprofit Irish cultural center.

"It's really fun that right here in the middle of our district, in Harbor City, we have a facility that's celebrating my culture, the culture that my family comes from, and that's Ireland," said Los Angeles City Councilman Tim Mccosker.

The center even has an art gallery filled with Irish mythology by Bryan Boylan. Boylan's journey from the Emerald Isle is what motivates him to stick to his roots.

"I came from Ireland 30 years ago, and I still love my heritage, but I still love what America did for me," said Boylan.

The center even features Ireland's 3000-year-old national sport, hurling.

"Nowadays, there isn't a lot of traditional folk dancing that's still popular," said Scott-Haines.

"When River dance happened in 1997, I want to say there was a big surge. So Irish dance again, and people started to be more proud of their culture."