The American Friends of West Cork Music (AFWCM) was established in the U.S. in 2019 by long time festivalgoers and supporters of West Cork Music, Armen Vartian and Candice Foss. AFWCM’s mission is to celebrate and support the work of West Cork Music and its goal of building a new home in Bantry – a purpose-built venue for the festivals and year-round centre for education and community life.

AFWCM is committed to raising Stateside awareness of West Cork Music’s festivals and cultivating a growing community of U.S-based festivalgoers and supporters who are enthusiastic about the vision for a new venue in Bantry. To this end, AFWCM hosts events in the U.S. and collaborates with American organisations in realising these goals.

AFWCM is a public charity exempt from federal income tax under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3). Federal ID/EIN # 84-3208885.

AFWCM is governed by an independent Board of Directors, led by President Armen Vartian.

Donations to AFWCM support West Cork Music, registered as a charitable organisation in the Republic of Ireland, and are allocated as follows: firstly and primarily to the development of West Cork Music’s future venue in Bantry, and secondly to its programme or operating expenses.

Donors to AFWCM may deduct contributions under IRC Section 170, to the extent allowed by law. For advice in relation to tax planning, it is recommended  you consult a professional tax adviser to ensure you can maximise your generosity to American Friends of West Cork Music.

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AFWCM Event in Chicago, April 2022

Photography by Dan Schumacher