It’s Giving Tuesday. And like other nonprofits, the Houlihan family needs your help — and needs it now.
The Houlihans are the South Siders behind Hibernian Media NFP, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to celebrating and preserving Irish and Irish American culture through film, radio, television and live events.
“I am an old hand at soliciting funding for our tiny – and yes ladies I said tiny – public charity dedicated to Irish culture,” said Hibernian Media founder Mike Houlihan.
Houlihan said that back in 2009 he traveled to Ireland with his family and “found my fortune in my Irish heritage.”
He discovered the church where his grandfather had been baptized, dipped his hands into that same baptismal font and was struck by a thunderbolt of Blarney.
“I had an epiphany, as my Irish ancestors descended upon my soul and inspired me to start Hibernian Media NFP,” Houlihan said.
Houlihan became an Irish citizen, began telling stories, writing books, creating films, TV shows, and radio shows, as well as the Annual Irish American Movie Hooley film festival.
After the 11th Annual Irish American Movie Hooley in September, the community asked for more year-round programming — and Hibernian Media listened.
“We launched The Monthly Movie Hooley. We are now in our third month of screenings at two pillars of Chicago’s Irish community: Gaelic Park and The Irish American Heritage Center,” Houlihan said.
Each month a different Irish or Irish American film is being shown, giving the community a place to gather, share stories and keep Irish and Irish America culture vibrant
The next feature is the acclaimed documentary “Older Than Ireland,” (TRAILER HERE) to be screened Friday, Dec. 12 at Gaelic Park and Saturday, Dec. 13 at the Heritage Center. Screenings of many more powerful films are planned.
But to keep this series going — and growing — Hibernian Media needs immediate support.
Your donation makes a direct impact:
- It helps secure film rights and screening materials
- It keeps monthly events affordable and accessible
- It funds new cultural programming throughout the year
- It ensures Irish stories continue to reach our community
And remember — every contribution is fully tax-deductible.
“My sons and my poor wife have helped me with this grand endeavor, and it has not gotten any easier,” Houlihan said. “We had some initial help from a billionaire with Irish blood who took a liking to us, but then he dropped dead. Luck of the Irish.”
To support Hibernian Media, the Houlihans recently created their own Irish American Labor Alliance when Jim Coyne of Local 130, Jim Sweeney of Local 150, and Kevin McLaughlin of Mid-American Carpenters Regional Council joined the Hibernian Media board of directors.
Still, more support will be duly appreciated.
“We are usually right on the verge of financial collapse. Some folks call it being ‘Tapioca,’ which is also the title of a film we made with Ben Vereen and several Second City veterans some years back,” Houlihan said.
Houlihan knows his irreverent style may rub some folks the wrong way,
“But hey. I got to be me,” he said.
So if you believe in supporting Irish storytelling, community, and culture, then your donation today truly matters, Houlihan said. He would love to talk directly to businesses and organizations interested in presenting sponsorships, too.
For more information on the monthly movie series, go to moviehooley.org.
For a laugh, here’s Mike Houlihan’s Giving Tuesday video: vimeo.com/1141557128?fl=pl&fe=sh.
And past Giving Tuesday, you’re all invited to attend the Annual Hibernia Hooligan Ball fundraiser on Sunday, Dec. 14 at Barney Callaghan’s Irish Pub, 10616 Western Ave., Chicago. Tickets are a suggested $50.
To contact the Houlihans and to donate to Hibernian Media, go to www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/donate-to-hibernian-st-patricks-day–2025.
