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Where Irish Roots Connect in Chicago

From cultural mixers to business networking and social nights, our events bring together Irish people—and those who simply love Irish culture. Whether you're here for connection, heritage, or good craic, you're in the right place. Drop into our free First Fridays if you’re visiting town—it’s open to everyone!

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22nd Annual Black Tie Ball

Saturday, February 7, 2026
The Drake Hotel (140 E. Walton, Chicago)

There is no night quite like the Ireland Network Ball! The energy. The history. The community. Your ticket delivers a night to remember:

  • Lively traditional Irish musicians and Shannon Rovers bagpipers, bringing the tunes to the cocktail hour

  • A premium 5-course dinner (come hungry!) and Teelings Irish Coffee bar afterwards

  • The IN Spirit Award presented to Vaughan Hospitality Group

  • A can’t-miss raffle with the Grand Prize: 2 tickets to Ireland on Aer Lingus ✈️

  • A high-energy reception with live band and dance floor vibes

  • Laughter as you create memories at the photobooth with your lads

  • After-party with a DJ, non-stop dance floor and late-night snacks (toasties and Taytos!)

  • Then… keep the craic going at the after-after party at Celtic Crossing

Stay the night (or the weekend!) at the beautiful Drake Hotel with our discounted room rate.  BOOK NOW!
 
Event Schedule
6:00 pm: Champagne Reception
8:00pm: Dinner
9:30pm: Live Music And Dancing
12:00am: After Party
 
Relive the fun of 2025 Ball: Video and Photos
 
See the Ball page of our website for additional details.
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Upcoming Events

What to expect at our events

Ireland Network Community of events
First Fridays

These informal gatherings are typically held on the first Friday of each month at Irish-owned or managed establishments around Chicagoland.
Entry is free and includes complimentary drinks and appetizers. All are invited!

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IN Conversations

Quarterly speaker series on topics of relevance and interest to the membership. Speakers have included former Taoiseachs, current U.S. and Irish Senators, corporate, community and industry leaders, authors, artists and many more.

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Signature Events

Annual Ball – Our black-tie gala in February features a champagne reception followed by a three-course meal, open bar, live music and dancing until late into the night, as well as the presentation of the IN Spirit Award and a raffle benefiting our chosen charities.

Annual General Meeting – Our formal meeting of membership in May reviews past activities, provides an outlook for the year ahead, installs our new Executive Committee and Advisory Board, and welcomes feedback directly from members.

Summer Boat Cruise - We celebrate the end of summer each September with a boat trip along the Chicago River and on Lake Michigan; past guests include former Taoiseach Enda Kenny.

Golf Outing – A beautiful 18-hole golf outing held in late summer features prizes, a post-game ceremony, and raffle fundraiser supporting our chosen charity.

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Volunteer Outings

A group representing INC donates their time and energy to a different non-profit organization once a quarter. Please reach out to us at irelandnetworkchicago@gmail.com if you'd like to organize an INC volunteer outing to your charity of choice!

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Partner Events

As a strategic partner (and a perk of membership!), INC often takes tables at our partners' events and provides an opportunities for INC members to attend on behalf of INC. 2022 Partner Events included:

  • Chicago Irish Film Festival
  • Irish American Partnership St. Patrick’s Day Breakfast
  • Irish Fellowship Club St. Patrick’s Day Dinner
  • iBAM Gala Awards Dinner at Irish American Heritage Center
  • Mayo Association Dinner at Gaelic Park
  • Galway Fellowship Club Dinner at Gaelic Park
  • The Ireland Funds Annual Chicago Dinner
  • Padraig Pearse GAA Club 30th Anniversary Dinner
  • Irish Fellowship Club of Chicago Christmas Luncheon

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Past Events

December 5, 2025 |  | First Friday @ Emerald Loop
November 2, 2025 | IN Conversation with Irish Rugby Legend Peter O'Mahony @ The Gage
October 23, 2025 | IN Conversation: Chicago Sports - The Irish Impact @ Fadó Irish Pub
October 3, 2025 | First Friday @ LGs Bar 
Sept 6, 2025 | First Friday at Arriba Rooftop
August 1, 2025| First Friday @ D4
July 11, 2025| First Friday @ Guinness Open Gate Brewery
Jun 19,2035 | Annual Boat Cruise
Jun 6, 2025 | First Friday @ The Embassy
May 31, 2025 | Chicago Hounds Rugby Match & Tailgate
May 2, 2025 | Annual General Meeting/First Friday @ Chief O'Neill's
April 26, 2025 | Volunteer Outing @ Chicago's 40th Annual Parks Earth Day Clean-up
April 25, 2025 | IN Conversation: Writer's Theatre with Bobby Kennedy, Director of Artistic Development of Brian Friel's Translations. 
April 4, 2025 | First Friday @ The Wolfhound
March 14, 2025 | Partner Event: Teeling Live at The Dawson 
March 7, 2025| First Friday @ Galway Arms
February 8, 2025 | Ireland Network Ball @ The Drake
February 7, 2025 | First Friday @ Celtic Crossing
January 3, 2025 | First Friday @ The Kerryman

2024 event archive

December 6, 2024 | First Friday @ Emerald Loop
November 19, 2024 | IN Conversation: The Future of Agritech and Foodtech
November 1, 2024 | First Friday @ LG's Bar
October 4, 2024 | First Friday @ Mrs. Murphy's Irish Bistro
September 17, 2024 | IN Conversation with Irish American Partnership: Featuring  Minister Conor Murphy and Joseph Kennedy III
September 6, 2024 | First Friday @ Corcoran's
August 11, 2024 | VIP Experience for Air & Water Show @ B. Coleman Aviation Hangar
August 2, 2024 | First Friday @ Kaiser Tiger
July 12, 2024 | First Friday @ Chief O'Neill's
June 12, 2024 | Annual Boat Cruise
June 7, 2024 | First Friday @ D4 Irish Pub
June 6, 2024 | IN Conversation: Exploring the African American Irish Diaspora
May 3, 2024 | First Friday @ The Wolfhound
April 14, 2024 | Chicago Hounds Rugby Match
April 5, 2024 | First Friday @ The Embassy
March 18, 2024 | IN Conversation: Doing Business In Chicago @ The Gage
March 16–18, 2024 | Ireland Network Women in Business Forum
March 1, 2024 | First Friday @ Fádo
February 10, 2024 | Ireland Network Ball @ The Drake
February 9, 2024 | First Friday @ Celtic Crossing
January 3, 2024 | First Friday @ The Kerryman

2023 event archive

December 1, 2023 | First Friday @ Emerald Loop
November 3, 2023 | First Friday @ LG's Bar
October 6, 2023 | First Friday @ Galway Arms
September 21, 2023 | Annual Boat Cruise
September 8, 2023 | 4th Annual Golf Outing @ Harborside
September 1, 2023 | First Friday @ Corcoran's
July 7, 2023 | First Friday @ Lizzie McNeill's
June 2, 2023 | First Friday @ Afterbar (The Green at 320)
May 25, 2023 | Annual General Meeting @ Galway Arms
May 5, 2023 | First Friday @ The Wolfhound
April 23, 2023 | Chicago Hounds Rugby Match
April 13, 2023 | Whiskey Tasting @ The Drake Hotel 
April 7, 2023 | First Friday @ Celtic Crossing
April 15, 2023 | IN Conversation | Writer's Theatre Glencoe
March 3, 2023 | First Friday @ The Embassy
February 26, 2023 | Community Outreach - Sarah's Circle Walk
February 18, 2023 | Volunteer Outing @ Greater Chicago Food Depository
February 11, 2023 | Ireland Network Annual Ball | Drake Hotel
February 3, 2023 | First Friday @ The Kerryman
January 26, 2023 | IN Conversation - Irish Sport in Chicago @ The Gage
January 6, 2023 | First Friday @ Fadó

2022 event archive

December 2, 2022 | First Friday @ Emerald Loop
November 4, 2022 | First Friday @ The Gage
October 29, 2022 | Halloween Hooley @ Chief O'Neill's
October 7, 2022 | First Friday @ Galway Arms
October 1, 2022 | Volunteer Outing @ Feed My Starving Children
September 7, 2022 | First Friday @ Corcoran's
September 29 2022 | Annual Boat Cruise 
September 16, 2022 | Annual Golf at Ruffled Feathers Golf Club
August 22, 2022 | Roundtable discussion with Minister Martin Heydon T.D.
August 5, 2022 | First Friday @ Kaiser Tiger
July 24, 2022 | GAA Semi-Finals @Gaelic Park
July 1, 2022 | First Friday @ Chicago Brewhouse
June 2023 | Family Event - Ice Cream Social and reading of Our American Dream with Fiona McEntee at Cone Ice Cream
June 3, 2022 | First Friday @ Celtic Crossing
May 18, 2022 | Annual General Meeting @ Chicago Cut