About Berks Irish

Who We Are

The Berks County Irish-American Fraternal Association (BCIAFA), commonly known as “Berks Irish,” is a fraternal organization dedicated to promoting and preserving Irish culture, heritage, and community in Berks County, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1993, we have been bringing together people of Irish descent and those who share a love of Irish culture for over three decades.

Our Mission

To expand our Celtic Heritage between Ireland and the United States through Education, Literature, Music and Ancient Traditions, and to ensure our heritage continues to expand through the generations yet to come.

Our History

A Brief History of Berks Irish

The roots of the Berks County Irish-American Fraternal Association stretch back to the Ancient Order of Hibernians, America’s oldest Irish Catholic fraternal organization, which was founded in the coal-mining regions of Pennsylvania and New York City in May 1836. From that founding came the Reading branch of the AOH, and from the Reading AOH sprung St. Brendan’s Home Association — which would eventually grow into the organization known today as Berks Irish.

Within Division 1 of the AOH of Berks County, a difference of opinion began to take shape. Some members wanted to pursue a clubhouse of their own. Others felt that the goals of Friendship, Unity, and Christian Charity were better served without the burden of property ownership. Perhaps most significantly, many felt that widening the membership to include people of all denominations — not just Catholics — would help the club grow. That last point proved to be the defining one.

In the early 2000s, those conversations led to action. In 2002, St. Brendan’s Home Association was formally established as a new Irish club with two distinct differences from the AOH: no religious affiliation requirement, and a commitment to eventually establishing a clubhouse of its own. The new organization held a very successful statewide AOH convention alongside the Reading AOH and LAOH, which provided $10,000 in seed money to get the club off the ground.

The following year, in 2003, the first Berks Celtic Oyster Fest was held — a festival that would become the organization’s flagship annual event and primary fundraiser. Over the years the festival evolved considerably, weathering challenges including a two-year cancellation during 2012 and 2013, and again in 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid pandemic, before being revived and rebranded as Berks Celtic Fest. Today it is one of the premier Celtic cultural festivals in the region.

As the organization grew, St. Brendan’s Home Association changed its name to the Berks County Irish-American Fraternal Association, reflecting its broader community identity. Berks Irish welcomes anyone who shares a love of Irish heritage and culture, regardless of religious background — Full Members must be of Irish descent, while Social Membership is open to all who share a passion for Irish culture and community.

Membership

Berks Irish offers two membership tiers. Full Membership is open to those of Irish descent and includes full voting rights and board eligibility. Social Membership is open to anyone who shares a love of Irish culture and heritage.

We hold four general meetings per year and host numerous events throughout the year including the annual Berks Celtic Fest.