For decades, Irish immigrants came to the Philadelphia region looking for opportunity.  

Now, a Havertown program is making sure they never lose the connections that made the journey worthwhile. 

The Irish Diaspora Center’s weekly Silver to Gold luncheon program is bringing together Irish immigrants and Irish Americans in Havertown, giving seniors a place to share stories, meals, and memories of the lives they left behind, and the lives they built here, according to Matteo Iadonisi from 6abc. 

Among the regulars are John and Mary Josephine Egan, who emigrated separately from Ireland before crossing paths in Philadelphia in the 1960s.  

For them and many others, the weekly gatherings have become more than just a meal. They’ve become a lifeline, introducing them to countless new friends and keeping the threads of community alive well into retirement. 

That sense of connection is exactly what the program was designed to create. Seniors describe the luncheons as a vital social outlet, particularly for widows and widowers who might otherwise find themselves isolated. 

The Irish Diaspora Center’s reach extends well beyond the lunch table.  

Executive Director Una McDaid says the center serves the broader community through citizenship assistance, genealogy resources, youth groups, and social work services. 

The Wednesday luncheons are typically held at the Irish Diaspora Center, with the third Wednesday of each month taking place at the Commodore John Barry Arts and Cultural Center.  

And while the program has deep Irish roots, McDaid is quick to point out that no heritage card is required to walk through the door, joking that “everybody wants to be a bit Irish.” 

Visit 6abc to watch the full report and see why the Irish Diaspora Center’s Silver to Gold luncheons have become such a beloved gathering place for the Philadelphia region’s Irish community. 

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