East Durham Irish Festival
May 24, 2025 @ 8:00 am – May 25, 2025 @ 5:00 pm
2025 Lineup
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), and
- 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 has garnered praise from industry experts and publications, including:
- “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 cliché 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
Sponsorships
The Michael J. Quill Irish Cultural and Sports Centre is a 501c3 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 USA Irish festivals, in its 47th year in 2024. We feature the best of Irish music, dance, & fun every Memorial Day weekend 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.
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 being a sponsor with a link
- A stage sponsorship will include 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 would be on all* paid advertisements
*Excludes social and digital ads
| Level | Website listing & Facebook promo | Signage | Stage sponsorship | Vendor booth & 50 festival tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $500 | ✔ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| $1,000 | ✔ | 3×5 sign at festival | ✗ | ✗ |
| $5,000 | ✔ | sign at stage | ✔ | ✗ |
| $10,000 | listed as one of Main Sponsors | sign at festival entrance | ✗ | ✔ |
Sponsor Now
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.
Participate
Vendors, Performers & Volunteers
Thank you for your interest in wanting to be a vendor, entertainer or volunteer at the East Durham Irish Festival this year. Our festival would not be possible without you! The Michael J Quill Irish Culture Centre is a 501c3 non-profit organization and the proceeds from our festival are used to support all aspects of our mission statement; to preserve and promote Irish culture and artistic heritage in both the local community and in 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 that helps keep the Irish tradition alive!
Looking for confirmed performers?
Festival Information
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 501c3 organization dedicated to maintaining the traditional aspects of our Irish. We present to the public 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 7:00 pm Kickoff & Toast to the opening of another festival year at our official festival Beer Garden. Free admission. See details below.
Saturday 10am-10pm
Sunday Holy Mass 10:00 am
Sunday 12 noon-9pm
East Durham Irish Festival Grounds
2267 Route 145
East Durham, NY
Transportation Where to Stay Purchase Tickets
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 7:00 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 of past & 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 no outside food or drink. No outside alcohol allowed. Bags may be subject to inspection.
No dogs allowed except service dogs.
Handicapped parking is available and we are handicapped accessible. The festival is held outside on lawn, paved and gravel areas and undercover of 2 large pavilions and several tents.
Transportation Options
- 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
Accommodations
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
