The American Irish Historical Society sits at a crossroads this week. It is also in the crosshairs.
After the better part of two years functioning more or less as intended - this after several years of upheaval and closure - the Society, headquartered in a Gilded Age town house on Upper Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, was thrown into disarray last week when the job of Executive Director Dr. Elizabeth Stack was eliminated.
This effective firing prompted the immediate resignation of three board members, Terry Golway, Danny Leavy and Christine Quinn, former New York City Council Speaker.
The news that the AIHS has been rocked once more by internal discord broke on Tuesday night, March 18.
It is understood that Stack had been subjected to a performance review that was highly critical, but the content of which was not accepted as valid by some board members.
The sidelining of Stack - a Kerry native who before being the AIHS Executive director served with the same title as head of the Irish American Heritage Museum in Albany - came just hours after she was honored by New York State Attorney General Letitia James.
Stack did not immediately release any statement, but the resigning three board members did just that as they simultaneously announced that they were quitting the society's governing board.
A statement released on behalf of the board members who resigned states in part: "Three members of the board of the beleaguered American Irish Historical Society resigned in protest on Tuesday, March 18, after the full board voted to eliminate the position of fulltime executive director.
"The current executive director, Dr. Elizabeth Stack, was honored for her contributions to Irish-American life by state Attorney General Letitia James just hours before the board voted to eliminate her position.
"Dr. Stack is the only employee of the Society."
The three said in their statement that the board’s decision was "a catastrophic setback for an organization that is struggling to put past discord and scandals behind it."
The statement continued: “Dr. Stack has done a remarkable job reviving an organization that was dormant for years. Just yesterday, on St. Patrick’s Day, many people told us that they have enjoyed the programming that Elizabeth has put together over the last year. Now, however, all of the programs she has organized in the coming months are likely to be cancelled because of the board’s unfair and short-sighted decision.”
Terry Golway, who served as interim executive director for several months before Dr. Stack’s arrival, said the board’s majority had committed institutional suicide.
“You can expect to see darkened windows at the Society’s headquarters on most nights in the coming months,” Golway said.
“Just when the Society seemed to be headed in the right direction, the board’s majority has decided to scale back in the name of economy.”
Dany Leavy, who has written and spoken on several Irish American historical topics, noted that with reduced emigration from Ireland, Dr. Stack’s efforts to tell the story of Irish America in new and refreshing ways was important.
“But now,” he said, “it appears that the board’s majority wants to restrict access to the stories the Society can tell. It’s back to the bad old days when the Society was elitist.”
According to the statement, the position of executive director will now become part-time.
“There is no way the Society can fulfill its mission with a part-time person,” the three former board members said.
“But we question whether the board’s majority, especially the board chairman, are interested in that mission.”
The statement noted that a fourth board member, Charles John O’Byrne, resigned several months ago after expressing dissatisfaction with the board’s direction.
It said that two other board members resigned several weeks after their appointment in late 2023.
"Of the original nine members appointed to the revived Society board in 2023, only four are left," the statement concluded.
After the story was reported by the Echo online, the AIHS Board issued a "Statement and Response."
The board, in the statement, said that it "remains dedicated to ensuring the organization’s long-term financial stability, growth, and sustainability."
The statement continued: "As part of this ongoing effort, and following a comprehensive review, the Board has made the difficult but necessary decision to transition the Executive Director role to a part-time position while implementing additional cost-saving measures.
"These strategic steps reflect our responsibility to safeguard the Society’s future and uphold its mission.
"We recognize the financial challenges inherited from previous leadership and remain fully committed to prudent financial management to prevent similar difficulties in the future.
"Under the leadership of Dr. Elizabeth Stack since February 2024, the Society has experienced an impressive increase in cultural and event programming, bringing renewed energy and engagement to our community. We extend our sincere gratitude to Elizabeth for her dedication and contributions and wish her the very best in her future endeavors.
"Ensuring continuity in our programming, events, and community engagement remains a top priority for the Board. We are steadfast in our commitment to preserving and advancing the Society’s mission, fostering its continued growth, and celebrating Irish heritage and culture for generations to come."
At press time the only two publicly released statements are the two reported above. But the Echo understands that words are flying fast and furiously in the Irish American community in New York City and beyond.
It is also believed, though yet to be confirmed, that a grant amounting to $1.5 million from New York State that was bound for the AIHS might now be on hold as a result of the latest turmoil surrounding the Society.
