Located just a stone's throw from the Panthéon, the Centre culturel irlandais is at the heart of the Irish cultural life in Paris, housed in the historic Collège des Irlandais. Opened in Paris in 1578, the Collège soon became home to Irish priests and students who fled their country after the Anglican schism.
As part of the Journées du Patrimoine 2025, the Centre culturel irlandais is opening its doors to the curious on Saturday September 20 and Sunday September 21. A great opportunity to discover this unique place in Paris, with its U-shaped architecture and large, shady courtyard surrounded by chestnut trees.
Journées du Patrimoine 2025: the program for Paris institutes and cultural centers
Why not take a cultural trip during the 42nd Journées du Patrimoine? On September 20 and 21, 2025, discover the institutes and cultural centers of Paris and immerse yourself in cultures from all over the world! [Read more]
For the Journées du Patrimoine 2025 in Paris, the capital's historic and artistic monuments and landmarks are opening their doors (often free of charge) to let us in on their secrets. Don't miss this not-to-be-missed event, scheduled for the weekend of September 20 and 21, 2025, on the theme of "Architectural Heritage". [Read more]
Since its purchase by the Irish government in 1997, the former Collège des Irlandais has become the Centre culturel irlandais , promoting Irish culture in all its forms: cinema, visual arts, theater, dance and music.
The Cultural Center houses a media library, a heritage library, a chapel and two exhibition galleries. It's the perfect place to visit during the Heritage Days!
Of all the libraries that populated the many colleges, convents and monasteries on the Montagne Sainte-Geneviève until the end of the 18th century, the CCI's heritage library is one of the few that has survived. Come and discover this unique place!
This unusual 18th-century chapel was completely restored in the early 2000s. It is usually open to visitors from 2pm to 6pm (until 8pm on Wednesdays). Mass is celebrated here every Sunday.
### The CCI is delighted to present the exhibition Un jeune homme s'habille sur une plage à Nice et autres images by Samuel Laurence Cunnane, in collaboration with Kerlin Gallery.
Working with analog photography, Cunnane describes himself as a "documentarist". His images are the result of a process of active observation. The artist captures quiet or easily overlooked moments of everyday life and is drawn to peripheral contexts, whether in Guangzhou, Tehran, the Balkans or his native Kerry. His photographs de-idealize popular sentimentality - the landscape is often interrupted by utilitarian infrastructures. However, a sensitivity to light, framing and texture lends a cinematic quality to his works, and his attachment to manual printing in the darkroom reinforces their intimate resonance.
Opening reception Friday, September 19, 6-9pm.
The CCI is honored to inaugurate a rare exhibition in its Bibliothèque patrimoniale, the fruit of an original collaboration with the Bibliothèque littéraire Jacques Doucet (BLJD). It brings together original editions, letters and portraits of four major Irish figures who left their mark on Parisian artistic and intellectual life: James Joyce, Samuel Beckett, Francis Bacon and Oscar Wilde.
The exhibits, from the BLJD collections, offer an intimate look at these artists. They include a copy of Ulysses dedicated by Joyce to Adrienne Monnier, letters exchanged with André Gide, photographs, as well as letters from Beckett to Emil Cioran and personal correspondence from Francis Bacon and Oscar Wilde.
The Médiathèque du Centre Culturel Irlandais is a resource center open to all. It contains over 8,000 documents in French, English and Irish on contemporary Ireland, its history and culture: books, newspapers and magazines, music CDs, books to read, films and documentaries, CD-ROMs. The multimedia center also offers a Wi-Fi network and six computer workstations, enabling users to consult all audiovisual documents or carry out research on Ireland via the Internet. On-site consultation of books and periodicals is free of charge. It is also possible to borrow documents on subscription.
https://portail.centreculturelirlandais.com/index.php?opac_view=4&lang_sel=fr_FR
A veritable institution in Ireland, Feis Ceoil is the country's largest classical music competition. Founded in 1896 to promote excellence in musical training and performance, each year the festival brings together some 5,000 participants of all ages, in nearly 200 competitions.
The CCI is delighted to be associated with the prestigious festival for the fourth consecutive time, welcoming the talented pianist, harpsichordist and composer Laoise McMullin. She has already received numerous awards and scholarships, including the Mabel Swainson Pianoforte Award at the Feis Ceoil 2025, the Lumcloon Energy Award at the Birr Festival of Music 2025, and the Lucien and Maura Teissier Bursary in 2023. She was also a finalist in the Irish Freemasons Young Musician of the Year competition. As a composer, Laoise has been commissioned by the National Gallery of Ireland and Matheson LLP.
As part of JEP, she will perform six short concerts (approx. 20 mins) on Saturday and Sunday at 3, 4 and 5 pm. Admission free, subject to availability.
Shall we take a look around?
Dates and Opening Time
From September 20, 2025 to September 21, 2025
Location
Center Culturel Irlandais
5 Rue des Irlandais
75005 Paris 5
Prices
Free
Official website
www.centreculturelirlandais.com
Journées du Patrimoine 2025: the program for Paris institutes and cultural centers
Journées du Patrimoine 2025 in Paris (75): full schedule of visits by arrondissement
