70 Years After Father, Fairfield Man Takes Helm of Irish Club

With nearly 6,000 members and a waiting list to join, the Gaelic American Club is one of the largest Irish cultural membership organizations in the state of Connecticut. Located on Beach Road in Fairfield, the Gaelic American Club is a social club that promotes Irish heritage through a vast array of cultural programs. Their property includes a library, resource center, restaurant, pub, ballroom for programs and events and a spacious outdoor area.

John Brannelly of Fairfield was elected president at the Club’s November 2022 election. He was installed as president earlier this year – 70 years after his father was installed as president in 1953. John grew up in the Gaelic American Club and as an adult is a long time member, even keeping his membership active when he lived in San Diego and Salt Lake City.

John has a history of volunteering for Irish American organizations. He is an organizer of the Greater Bridgeport St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee and was Chairperson 2018-2021 and now its Financial Secretary. He has been a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians since 1994. John was a DJ of the "Irish Hour" on WVOF, Fairfield University's radio station, prior to COVID.

John's grandfather Patrick Brannelly was born in Ballygar, County Galway and immigrated to the USA. John’s father, an attorney, legally incorporated the Club in 1952 and was the first American-born to serve as president in 1953 and again in 1956. John M. Brannelly Sr. died of cardiac arrest when John Jr. was just 12-years old.

Other officers installed include Gerry Forde, Vice President; Tom Egan, Financial Secretary; Tom Langdon, Treasurer; Simon McCarthy, Recording Secretary; Aaron Curtis, Sergeant At Arms; and Kelly Rasmussen, Tony Hogan and Sheila Tesei as Directors.

On St. Patrick's Day, Thursday, March 17, 2023 at 10 AM the Gaelic American Club of Fairfield will hold its annual flag raising ceremony on its campus at 74 Beach Road, Fairfield. Many elected officials, town officials and dignitaries will be in speaking at this event. The event is outdoors and free and open to the public. However, people entering the club have to pay a fee of $10 unless they are a member of the club and are carrying their membership card.

The mission of the Gaelic-American Club is to promote social, civic and cultural activities among the Irish born who have immigrated to the United States and persons of Irish descent.