Rosaleen Cahill FitzGibbon Papers
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Abstract
Rosaleen Cahill, a native of County Galway who emigrated to New York, worked in the restaurant business, managed the Irish Coffee Bar at the 1964 New York World's Fair, and opened the Irish Pavilion in New York City. This collection contains brochures, photographs, correspondence, memoranda, event programs, newspaper clippings, and other printed material documenting her personal and professional life. In addition to recording Cahill FitzGibbon's life, the collection displays her involvement in and importance to the New York City Irish American community through her business enterprises.
Historical/Biographical Note
Rosaleen Cahill was born in Ahascragh in County Galway, Ireland. She emigrated to New York in 1947 and began working in the restaurant business. Starting in 1953 she worked as the manager and hostess at Jim Downey's Steakhouse on Eighth Avenue in New York City, a restaurant popular with those in the theater business. Cahill also operated the restaurant's Irish Coffee Bar for many years. In 1964, Cahill managed the Irish Coffee Bar at the Irish Pavilion at the New York World's Fair. The Irish Pavilion's popularity attracted such well-known figures as Irish President Eamonn De Valera, actress Lucille Ball, and Irish singer Carmel Quinn.
Cahill married Patrick FitzGibbon in 1966 and continued to work at Downey's until 1968. That same year she and Downey opened the Irish Pavilion at East 57th Street in New York City, fulfilling their mutual dream of creating a center to "bring the authentic feeling and texture of Ireland to New York and to provide a forum for Irish artists to participate, make their contribution, and of course, find a market for their works." The Pavilion opened in June of 1968 with a gala celebration to benefit the Irish American Cultural Institute. Designed by Sean Kenny, the center featured imported foodstuffs, original artwork, books, and handcrafted woolens, glasswear, and tweeds. The shop also hosted live music four nights a week in its 100-seat restaurant and Irish Coffee Bar.
Following Downey's death, Cahill FitzGibbon took on business partner Nuala Devlin. Under their management, the Irish Pavilion remained a landmark in Manhattan for many years, attracting such musicians as The Chieftans and such artists as Beatrice Behan, Noel Sheridan, potter Philip Pearse, and weaver and basketmaker Patsy Duigan. In 1983, Cahill FitzGibbon and Devlin sold the Irish Pavilion to musician Tommy Makem (formerly of the Clancy Brothers), changing the name to Tommy Makem's Irish Pavilion.
Cahill FitzGibbon spent her retirement as an administrator at the Hunter College School of Nursing. She died in 2006.
Arrangement
Files are arranged alphabetically.
Scope and Contents
This collection contains brochures, photographs, correspondence, memoranda, event programs, newspaper clippings, and other printed material documenting the personal and professional life of Rosaleen Cahill FitzGibbon. Materials related to her career include memoranda, correspondence, photographs, and newspaper articles concerning Jim Downey's Steakhouse, the Irish Pavilion at the 1964 New York World's Fair, and the Irish Pavilion on East 57th Street. The materials also document Cahill FitzGibbon's personal life, including a substantial photograph collection from holidays, vacations, private family moments, social events, and other gatherings. Most photographs are undated and have no captions. Paintings and memorabilia in the collection include portraits of FitzGibbon, Mick Moloney, and Gerry Adams; a panoramaic photograph of the Donegal Society's Jubilee Banquet in Philadelphia, 1936; and a certificate of recognition to Patrick FitzGibbon from Pan American Airlines. In addition to recording Cahill FitzGibbon's life, the collection displays her involvement in and importance to the New York City Irish American community through her business enterprises.
Subjects
Donors
Conditions Governing Access
Materials are open without restrictions.
Use Restrictions
Any rights (including copyright and related rights to publicity and privacy) held by Rosaleen Cahill FitzGibbon, the creator of this collection, were transferred to New York University in date. Permission to publish or reproduce materials in this collection must be secured from the Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Archive. Please contact tamiment.wagner@nyu.edu.
Preferred Citation
Identification of item, date; Rosaleen Cahill FitzGibbon Papers; AIA 007; box number; folder number; Archives of Irish America, Tamiment Library/Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives, New York University.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated by Rosaleen Cahill Fitzgibbon in February, 2000. The accession number associated with this collection is 1997.009. Framed paintings and memorabilia found in repository were added to the collection in 2015. The accession number associated with these materials is 2015.042.
Appraisal
Financial records were destroyed and discarded.
About this Guide
Processing Information
There was no original order upon arrival at the archives. Many of the materials were loose and unhoused. In 2001, a small number of folders were partially arranged and described. In 2013 the collection was arranged, described, and rehoused. Because of the lack of any meaningful original order, materials were arranged alphabetically. Materials were rehoused in acid-free boxes and folders. A substantial collection of photographs were housed separately due to their format and size; in these instances physical arrangement does not necessarily match intellectual arrangement. Materials in frames were removed and the frames discarded. All descriptive folder titles and dates have been supplied by an archivist.
