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The East Durham Irish Festival is one of the longest-running Irish festivals in the USA, celebrating its 48th year in 2025! Join us this Memorial Day Weekend, May 24-25, for a weekend of Irish music, dance, and family fun on the Michael J. Quill Irish Cultural & Sports Centre grounds.
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2025 Lineup
Michael English
Born in Castlerdermot, Michael was born into a very musical family as his father played button accordion with a traditional Irish band, his late mother was an Irish dancer, and his two sisters played fiddle and piano.
At the age of nine, English started studying the piano formally at the Hennessy School of Music in Carlow. In 1990, he appeared on The Late Late Toy Show television programme with Gay Byrne at age 11. He continued his musical studies at the Royal Irish Academy of Music in Dublin and launched an Irish country music career. Henry McMahon of The Mainliners Showband offered him one of his own compositions, “The Nearest to Perfect” that became a hit for English in 1999. Signing a contract with Ritz Records, English won Best International Entertainer at the Irish National Entertainers Awards ceremony in both 2004 and 2005. He went on to record a number of albums, and a number of hit singles including Locklins Bar, Friday At The Dance, A Million Memories, Tuam Beat and many more.
Accolades and awards have come his way galore, including “Entertainer Of The Year” & “Male Vocalist Of The Year” along with 2 platinum albums, 6 studio albums and a brand new album due for release early 2025.
In this new show, audience members can expect to hear lots of familiar sing-a-long Irish songs with Michael’s own special touch, along with some ballads and of course many great country favourites from the likes of Charley Pride, Jim Reeves & Hank Locklin. Not forgetting some of his biggest hits and most requested numbers.
I Draw Slow – Redefining Acoustic Roots Music
I Draw Slow has consistently redefined acoustic roots music for over a decade. Formed in Dublin, Ireland, this award-winning five-piece band is led by siblings and songwriters Dave and Louise Holden. They have released four critically acclaimed albums, with their latest, Turn Your Face To The Sun, reaching number one on the Irish charts. Released on Compass Records in Nashville—one of the leading independent labels in the U.S.—the album showcases the band’s unparalleled artistry.
Their music has been widely celebrated, licensed for Film, TV, and advertising, and is frequently recorded and covered by other artists. Notably, one of their songs, Swans, was featured in a major Kerrygold butter commercial.
Creative Collaborations
I Draw Slow is renowned for high-production videos that feature prominent actors and award-winning directors, such as:
- Aidan Gillen (Game of Thrones)
- Hugh O’Conor (award-winning director)
- Ronan Fox (award-winning director)
Captivating Live Performances
Known for their exceptional songwriting, I Draw Slow delivers live performances that captivate audiences worldwide. Their dedicated fans often travel far and wide to experience their unique and engaging shows.
The band has established itself as a significant force in the North American acoustic music scene, having toured the U.S. and Canada over 35 times since 2013 and performing at all the major festivals.
Critical Acclaim
- “I Draw Slow are probably Ireland’s best exponents of the fusion of Celtic and American music.” – Lonesome Highway
- “I Draw Slow have created a sound that is very much their own, carrying you away…A life-affirming dark, yet uplifting, sound.” – Americana UK
- “The album draws you in from the opening track… I keep playing it over and over.” – No Depression (Outstanding Roots Music Releases 2022)
- “Old-time Appalachian roots with an Irish edge; this Dublin five-piece don’t make mistakes.” – The Sunday Times
- “Blending the traditional music of both cultures with a contemporary Americana/Celtic sensibility. What I Draw Slow has created seems like a fully natural evolution.” – Bluegrass Today
- “Spurning clichĂ© and playing with structure, I Draw Slow have created their own identity, their own sound.” – The Irish Times
- “I Draw Slow is one of the most beguiling and singular acts currently on the circuit.” – The Irish Independent
- “No band more successfully bridges the gap between Ireland and Nashville than Americana band I Draw Slow.” – Broadway World
Devri
Devri are a Boston Based Band having 4 Members Born in Ireland….Three Donegal, and One Kerry….playing a range of instruments including Mandolin, Drums, Keyboards, Saxophone, Bass, Flute, Whistles and Guitars. The Band likes to mix the Tunes, Ballads and Rebel Music of Ireland, with Country, Rock and Contemporary Music.
The Band has been playing at Pubs, Clubs, Weddings, Corporate & Political Events in New England for the past 15 years. The Guys are no Strangers to The Catskills, having performed at Gavin’s twice yearly since 2020.
Outside of the Northeast Region, Devri have performed on Numerous Caribbean Cruises, and bring Very Popular Tours home to Ireland every second year. The Band have a close relationship with The Boston Police Gaelic Column of Pipes & Drums, performing at many events and fundraisers with The Column over the years. Devri were also honored to have performed at the 5th, 10th & 15th Anniversary Memorial Concerts for 9-11 as Guests of The NYPD Emerald Society of Pipes & Drum.
Lead Singer Declan Houton has performed the National Anthem at Gillette Stadium and The TD Boston Garden, and in July he will be part of an Irish Music Cruise on The Mediterranean.
Devil’s Brigade
From Scotland to Japan, Italy to Cuba, Spain to Guam to the Middle East, and across North America, this electrifying group is embracing Celtic, rock, world music, and more with daring, skill, and a wee bit o’ cheek.
Why the Devil’s Brigade?
The original Devil’s Brigade, formally known as the First Special Service Force, was a highly decorated Canadian/American commando unit in WWII. Their legendary heroism struck fear into the hearts of Nazis, and their legacy can be traced directly to the Canadian Special Operations Regiment and Green Berets. The American Rogues have long supported veterans, and by becoming the Devil’s Brigade in 2023, we honor those who serve and also reflect our own Canadian/American identity. We are not in league with Satan.
Drawing favorable comparisons to Wolfstone, Afro Celt Sound System, and Trans-Siberian Orchestra, and consistently providing performances from Grade 1 bagpipers and other world-class musicians, this high-energy Canadian/American group has electrified audiences on three continents for years. They have expanded their ever-growing family of fans at music festivals, theaters, military bases, weddings, memorial ceremonies, corporate events, and more.
This has even included shows with world-renowned violinist/composers Lindsey Stirling and Alison Krauss, as well as airplay on TV and radio, and performances at non-Celtic venues such as the World Music Festival in Quebec, where they have both kicked off and closed the six-day event to widespread acclaim (they’ve been asked to play this festival ten years in a row and counting).
In 2018, they appeared at festivals in Scotland, including their appearance as the first international act at the Cowal Highland Gathering, one of the largest Celtic events in the world. In 2019, they headlined in Abu Dhabi and at the Greg Frewin Theatre in Niagara Falls and sold out the Harbourfront Centre Theatre in Toronto with Japanese taiko group, Nagata Shachu.
In 2020, they were invited to return to Scotland to perform at the 150th Crieff Highland Gathering and also continued performing Celtic/Japanese hybrid music under the name “The Dragon & the Rising Sun.”
With shows in Japan, Scotland, Italy, Spain, Guam, Cuba, Greece, and the United Arab Emirates, their hard-won road successes have established them as artists with bona fide international acclaim.
Renowned for their musical skill, quick wit, compelling storytelling, and engaging stage show, The Devil’s Brigade have mastered the art of creating an immediate connection with audiences. They are known for their epic, multi-instrumental sound that crosses the musical landscape to include jigs, reels, hornpipes, ballads, originals, covers, soundtracks, patriotic and military music, Irish foot-stompers, and more.
The Devil’s Brigade are fast becoming a household name with music lovers around the world, loved by young and old of all backgrounds.
The East Durham Irish Festival
The East Durham Irish Festival, held every Memorial Weekend, is in its 48th year! It is one of the longest-running Irish festivals in the country. We celebrate the festival on the Michael J. Quill Irish Cultural & Sports Centre grounds, a non-profit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to maintaining the traditional aspects of our Irish heritage. We present a variety of Irish cultural programs, both historic and contemporary, in fine arts, language, literature, theater, music, dance, folk arts, and sports.
Memorial Day Weekend: May 24-25, 2025
Friday Night 6:00 pm: Kickoff & Toast to the opening of another festival year at our official festival Beer Garden. Free admission. See details below.
Saturday: 10:00 am – 10:00 pm
Sunday: Holy Mass 10:00 am
Sunday: 12:00 noon – 9:00 pm
East Durham Irish Festival Grounds
2267 Route 145
East Durham, NY
What to Expect
The festival is great for all ages, young & old. We will have many events, workshops, and things to do for kids this year in our Kids Tent: Irish crafts, music lessons, face painting, pony rides, and wild animals. Good Irish food & drink can be found at every corner along with the traditional festival treats.
Strollers & wagons are encouraged for little ones. Bring a blanket to sit on the lawn, but chairs and tables are available in all areas of the festival.
Catholic Mass
There will be a Holy Mass on Sunday, May 25th, at 10:00 am on the grounds in the main pavilion, given again this year by Father Fragomeni, a priest of the Diocese of Albany who has taught since 1990 at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. The Mass is free to all.
Beer Garden
This year, we will kick off the festival Friday night at 6:00 pm in our “Beer Garden”! Come join us for that Irish pub feeling as we toast the opening of another festival year. The Beer Garden will be open for music, singing songs, and meeting friends—old & new. All are welcome. Bring your instrument if you have one. Free admission Friday night—just walk in the gate to the Beer Garden. No vendors will be open.
Donegal Cottage
Our authentic Donegal Cottage will have its opening day for the season both Saturday & Sunday, 12:00 – 6:00 pm. Come visit us and step back in time to see how the Irish lived. We’ll burn some turf bricks, have local artisans, open sessions all day in and outside the cottage, and Irish soda bread. Don’t forget to purchase a commemorative brick to be placed in our largest map of Ireland at the cottage too.
Please Note:
- No outside food or drink is allowed. No outside alcohol is permitted.
- Bags may be subject to inspection.
- No dogs are allowed except for service dogs.
- Handicapped parking is available, and the festival is handicapped accessible. The event is held on lawn, paved, and gravel areas, with two large pavilions and several tents for cover.
DOWNLOAD SPONSORSHIP FORM HERE
The Michael J. Quill Irish Cultural and Sports Centre is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization founded in 1987 to serve as a center of Irish culture by preserving and promoting Irish/Irish-American cultural and artistic heritage. The East Durham Irish Festival is one of the longest-running Irish festivals in the USA, celebrating its 47th year in 2024. Every Memorial Day weekend, we feature the best of Irish music, dance, and fun, with over 6,000 attendees.
Get your business in front of thousands of attendees and support our Irish heritage at the same time! Sponsor the East Durham Irish Festival this year and enjoy unique sponsor benefits.
Sponsor Benefits
- Listed with links on our website
- Signage at our events – placement depends on the level of your sponsorship
- Complimentary vendor table or VIP tickets for some employees or customers
- Social Media mentions as a sponsor with a link
- Stage sponsorship includes your name listed in the schedule on the website with the stage you sponsor, as well as signage at the stage for the event.
- For higher-level sponsorships, your logo and link will appear on all* paid advertisements.
*Excludes social and digital ads
| Level | Website listing & Facebook promo | Signage | Stage sponsorship | Vendor booth & 50 festival tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $500 | âś” | âś— | âś— | âś— |
| $1,000 | âś” | 3Ă—5 sign at festival | âś— | âś— |
| $5,000 | âś” | Sign at stage | âś” | âś— |
| $10,000 | Listed as one of Main Sponsors | Sign at festival entrance | âś— | âś” |
Sponsor Now
Click here to Sponsor $500
Click here to Sponsor $1,000
Click here to Sponsor $5,000
Click here to Sponsor $10,000
Upon review of all sponsorship applications, we reserve the right to deny and/or approve applications. If denied, your application and contributions will be returned and/or reimbursed promptly.
Vendors, Performers & Volunteers
Thank you for your interest in becoming a vendor, entertainer, or volunteer at the East Durham Irish Festival this year. Our festival would not be possible without your invaluable contributions!
The Michael J. Quill Irish Culture Centre is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, and the proceeds from our festival are used to support all aspects of our mission: to preserve and promote Irish culture and artistic heritage in both the local community and the northeast region. Our 58-acre property in East Durham hosts various festivals and sports programs throughout the year.
Volunteers must be 18 or older. Please fill out the form below for more information. Thank you again for your support and involvement in keeping the Irish tradition alive!
Looking for confirmed performers?
- Bus & Coach
- Airports
- Train
- Car & Taxi Services
Adirondack Trailways – NYC Port Authority Bus Terminal
800-858-8555 — www.trailwaysny.com
Hunter Motor Coach, Inc – Charter Service – Coxsackie
800-263-4463 or 518-731-6248 — www.huntermotorcoach.com
Northeast Transport Services Inc. (also known as Chariot Limousine Airport & Shuttle Service)
845-876-3000 or 845-758-5050 – www.chariotairporttransportation.com
Premier Express Shuttle – Transportation to LaGuardia & JFK. Pick up at Stewart’s Shop in Catskill, Exit 21 off the NYS Thruway. Reservations required. – 800-772-2171 – www.premierlimo.com
Here are some accommodations nearby, collected for your convenience. Please check with individual locations for availability.
AirBnB also has many listings available https://www.airbnb.com/
- 1 Minute Away
- 15 Minutes or Less
- Within 30 Minutes
Blackthorne Resort
BlackthorneResort.com
518-634-2541
1 Minute Away (3 Night Minimum)
Gavin’s Irish Country Inn
GavinsInn.com
518-634-2582
1 Minute Away
Michael Dee’s Motel
MichaelDeesMotel.com
518-634-7005
1 Minute Away
McGraths Edgewood Falls Motel
McGrathsMotelNY.com
518-634-2236
1 Minute Away
McReillys Motel
McReilly’s on Facebook
518-610-6861
1 Minute Away
Shamrock House
ShamrockHouse.com
518-634-2897
1 Minute Away
Simply Durham Cottages
Simply Durham Cottages on Facebook
518-634-7724
1 Minute Away
Fill out form below to request to be a vendor, volunteer or band!
Past Event Photos
