Following the 2025 successes of the Albany, NY-based Irish American Heritage Museum’s Regional Irish Cultural Ambassador program, IAHM’s Board of Trustees has announced that Aoibhinn Williams (Rockaway Park, NY) is the first of several IAHM cultural and heritage scholarship winners for 2026.
Aoibhinn is representing IAHM at Leahy Music Camp at Lakefield College School in Lakefield, Ontario, Canada.
Leahy Music Camp is Canada’s preeminent Celtic-based cultural immersion experience, inspiring students of all ages and abilities through classes in fiddle, piano, step-dancing, singing, guitar, bass, drums, mandolin, accordion, music technology, songwriting, composing, and more.
Stated an IAHM release: "Aoibhinn is a brilliant addition to the IAHM community, as the Museum’s newest Regional Irish Cultural Ambassador. With her combined artistic talents and passion for Irish heritage, Aoibhinn has already firmly established herself in Irish cultural communities in both the United States and Ireland.
"Still a student, Aoibhinn has taken lessons over the past few years from legends such as Mary Bergin (whistle); Michael Rooney, Eileen Gannon, and Irish Nevins (harp); Brendan Dolan (piano); Joey Abarta and Ivan Goff (uilleann pipes); Caitlin NicGabhann (Concertina); and Alan Murray (guitar).
"Aoibhinn is also an advocate for traditional Irish music, song, dance, and language in the eastern US, serving as Youth Officer for the Killoran-Clancy-Whelan branch of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann. Aoibhinn was recently elected as Youth Officer for the Mid- Atlantic region (Florida to Rockland County NY) of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann.
"Aoibhinn epitomizes the spirit of IAHM’s Regional Irish Cultural Ambassadors, who in geographically diverse settings share their own Irish cultural talents; exchange styles, art, and tunes with other Irish artists; immerse themselves in the “trad” culture and life of another region; and, who ultimately return home to share those experiences with their own communities."
Said Aoibhinn: "“I am proud to be an IAHM Regional Irish Cultural Ambassador and new IAHM Member; I am grateful to IAHM for this opportunity. I have attended Catskills Irish Arts Week, Scoil Eigse, the Mid-Atlantic Fleadh, and the All-Ireland Fleadh, and know well the brilliant impact of learning through sharing our rich regional Irish American perspectives and tunes.
"Through this IAHM opportunity, I will continue to grow in a global traditional Irish community that I see myself being part of throughout my life. I so look forward to being an IAHM Ambassador, and to meeting the instructors, attendees, organizers and at Leahy Music Camp. I especially look forward to enjoying sessions, attending classes and concerts, and participating in all of the the culture-based events the Leahy family has to offer.”
IAHM’s Executive Director Michael C. Clarke added: “It became apparent the first time I spoke with Aoibhinn how she embodies the very spirit that drives IAHM’s Regional Irish Cultural Ambassador program. We remain grateful for IAHM’s supporters who follow this exchange program closely - those who recognize the generational, heritage-value of participating, sharing and fostering our Irish culture throughout North America and the world.”
Added Denise Murphy-McGraw, Chairperson of IAHM’s Board of Trustees. “With the generous donations IAHM has received in support of our Regional Irish Cultural Ambassador program, the Irish American Heritage Museum will continue to further its mission to foster dialogue and cultural exchange, build connections, provide support to the Irish diaspora, and bring Irish and Irish American heritage communities even closer together.”
