Our Mission

Preserving Irish Culture for Future Generations: The center strives to honor and promote Irish culture through music, dance, language, and traditions, enriching the cultural fabric of the United States. Festivals, museums, and community events help to educate and unite people from all backgrounds.

About Michael J. Quill Irish Cultural & Sports Centre

History & Grounds

The Michael J. Quill Irish Cultural and Sports Centre stands as a beacon of Irish heritage and pride—a place where history, tradition, and community come together. Established in 1987 by dedicated community leaders, this non-profit organization is driven by a heartfelt mission: to preserve and share the rich tapestry of Irish culture and artistry. Located on a stunning 58-acre site in East Durham, NY, the Centre welcomes thousands of visitors annually to experience the vibrant legacy of Irish-Americans in the Northeast.

This extraordinary space is much more than a cultural venue; it’s a gathering place that pulses with life, especially during our cherished events. Each year, we host the East Durham Memorial Day Weekend Irish Festival, drawing nearly 20,000 people from across the East Coast to celebrate Irish music, dance, and spirit. Other cornerstone events include the beloved Catskills Irish Arts Week, Traditional Irish Music Festival, East Durham Feis, and The Celtic Festival. These festivals and more create a community of shared heritage and joy, welcoming both Irish-Americans and people of all backgrounds to experience Irish culture.

Our grounds are a testament to the dedication poured into this Centre. Over nine years and an $800,000 investment have transformed this property into a beautifully structured site, complete with a main entrance road, well-maintained fields, expansive parking, and facilities to support large gatherings. There’s an 80’ x 144’ pavilion that serves as a focal point during events, a cozy cultural information office, the Peter J. O’Neill Library, and the John E. Lawe Memorial honoring a former President of the Transport Workers Union (TWU). We are especially proud of our regulation-size Irish football field and community little league field, which support both Irish and local sports traditions.

Our grounds also hold meaningful symbols of Irish history and resilience. We are honored to house the Irish-American Heritage Museum, the only one of its kind in the nation, offering exhibits that connect visitors to the story of Irish contributions to America. A meticulously reconstructed Donegal Irish Cottage, brought over stone by stone from Ireland, sits on our property as a slice of authentic Irish life. Outside this cottage lies a remarkable man-made map of Ireland, featuring each county and its flag—a striking visual tribute to the island we celebrate.

In recognition of those who were lost, the Centre features a 9/11 memorial with a solemn replica of the Twin Towers. And as a powerful reminder of Ireland’s past religious suppression, we have a Mass Rock on our grounds, where Mass is held periodically in honor of those who once had to practice their faith in secrecy.

Located on Route 145, our office, fondly known as “Tir Na Nog,” opens its doors from April to October, inviting visitors to explore, learn, and connect with Irish culture. We welcome you to come and experience this living homage to Irish heritage, where every inch of land, every building, and every event tells a story of the Irish-American spirit and its enduring legacy.

Authentic Donegal Irish Cottage

The Michael J. Quill Irish Cultural & Sports Centre proudly commemorated the historic Donegal Irish Cottage in 2004—a cherished relic of Ireland’s rural past brought to life in East Durham, NY. This cottage, originally built over 200 years ago in the quaint townland of Carrickatapopit, meaning “the rock of the priest,” lies eight miles from Ardara in County Donegal, a picturesque Irish town of around 725 people. For generations, it was home to the Shovlin family, preserving the essence of traditional Irish life.

Years later, Gerry Laverty, a celebrated Irish designer from Dunkineeley, County Donegal, purchased the cottage for his wife and four children. In the early 2000s, the Michael J. Quill Irish Cultural & Sports Centre arranged to have the cottage meticulously disassembled, piece by piece, to cross the Atlantic Ocean. The journey began with the chimney and central wall, followed by the remainder of the structure and many of its original, handmade furnishings. Once it arrived in New York Harbor, it was carefully transported to East Durham and lovingly reassembled to stand as a testament to Irish heritage on American soil.

The cottage’s classic thatched roof and stone walls are typical of Irish rural homes and a timeless emblem of Irish culture. The renowned Irish-American painter Edmund O’Sullivan captured the cottage’s beauty in a painting of its original Donegal hill setting. Reproductions of this beautiful artwork are available for purchase through the Centre, offering a treasured keepsake of Irish tradition.

At our festivals, we often burn Irish turf (peat) around the cottage, demonstrating an age-old tradition of using dried peat from the bog for warmth and cooking in the damp Irish climate. For those wishing to bring a touch of Ireland home, authentic ‘Bord na Mona’ turf from Ireland is also available for sale.

Throughout the year, this beloved Donegal Cottage hosts demonstrations, music lessons, educational talks, and cultural events, allowing visitors to truly immerse themselves in the sights, sounds, and traditions of Ireland. With each event, the cottage stands as a living tribute to the resilience and spirit of Irish culture, providing an unforgettable experience that bridges past and present.

Thank you for your continued support of this extraordinary piece of Irish heritage!

The Mass Rock (Carraig an Aifrinn) at Michael J. Quill Irish Cultural and Sports Center

Tucked away in a peaceful and secluded area on the grounds of the Cultural Centre, our Mass Rock stands as a powerful symbol of Irish resilience and faith. Specially quarried from Kinston, NY, this beautiful rock serves as a solemn reminder of the Penal Times in Ireland, a period when Roman Catholics were forced to practice their faith in secret due to the threat of Cromwell’s army and the oppressive Penal Laws of 1695. Under these laws, bishops were banished, and priests were required to register to preach under the 1704 Registration Act. Those who defied these mandates risked capture by “priest hunters,” who were also tasked with arresting Presbyterian preachers under the Act of 1709.

This Mass Rock connects us to a profound history of religious persecution in Irish culture. Similar stones, known as Mass stones, can also be found in Scotland, where Presbyterians held Conventicles—informal gatherings that, though not religious ceremonies, were similarly outlawed. In Ireland, it was common to remove a stone from a ruined church, relocate it to a secluded area, and carve a simple cross on top, creating a hidden place for worship. Since such services were illegal, they were never publicly scheduled; word was spread quietly among parishioners. By the late 17th century, worship moved to small thatched Mass houses, and some Mass Rocks began to be used for traditional “patterns” (pilgrimage rituals). The Archaeological Survey of Ireland and the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage hold partial data on these sacred sites.

In later years, open-air Masses became limited to rural areas and specific occasions. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, as indoor gatherings faced restrictions, Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) Ireland revitalized the tradition by celebrating Masses at select Mass Rocks.

Our Mass Rock in East Durham now serves as an enduring emblem for the local Division of The Ancient Order of Hibernians. Each year, a special Mass is celebrated at this hallowed stone, paying tribute to those who courageously kept their faith alive during difficult times. This annual celebration honors a heritage rooted in strength, faith, and the enduring spirit of the Irish people.

Peter McKiernan “Mr. Catskills” Arts Week Scholarship and Permanent Memorial

Peter McKiernan, fondly known as “Mr. Catskills,” left an irreplaceable void in our hearts when he passed away on September 29, 2020, after a brave 16-month battle with cancer. Peter was a passionate advocate for keeping Irish culture and tradition alive in East Durham, and his loss has deeply saddened us all. To know him was to love him, and it’s hard to imagine life in East Durham without his joyful presence. In his honor, we are establishing an Arts Week Scholarship and a permanent memorial on the Cultural Centre grounds, keeping his spirit alive for generations to come.

Embodiment of Irish Culture

Peter’s love for Irish culture began in the Catskills during his youth, as he spent summers here with his parents, June and Hugh, and his older brother Michael, visiting from Brooklyn. By age 19, Peter knew his life’s calling: to sing, play guitar, and dance, especially in East Durham, a place that had captured his heart and soul. Over the years, Peter performed at every resort and pub in East Durham, spending his final two decades in residence at The Blackthorne. Through more than fifty years of performing, he embodied the hospitality and warmth that the Irish are celebrated for, always greeting everyone with a huge smile and making them feel at home in the Catskills.

Peter’s kindness and generosity were legendary. Known for his wit and one-liners, he delighted in getting fellow musicians and audience members on stage, especially children, to share in the music and dance. Many young people had their first stage experiences thanks to Peter’s encouragement. He was especially fond of our Irish Arts Week, held each July, when visitors from near and far come to immerse themselves in Irish culture from dawn until late into the night. As Peter would say about Arts Week and all things East Durham, “How great is this?!” We believe he would be truly honored by the memorial and scholarship established in his name, allowing children and adults alike to experience the joy of Arts Week, in the town he loved so dearly.

Peter’s generosity knew no bounds. Anyone who knew him could tell you that he was always the first to offer his talents for free at fundraisers, and he often played at events for friends without ever accepting payment. He sang and played at baptisms, communions, confirmations, graduations, birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, and, though it saddened him, many funerals—often humorously lamenting the early hours of church services as “going against musician’s hours.” For Peter, friends were family, and he treated them as such. Alongside his beloved parents and brother Michael, who have all passed, and his cherished niece Kelly Ann and grandniece Kennedy, he held his friends close to his heart, delighting in watching them grow, marry, and start families of their own. Often, he joked about playing for a second generation and dreamed of performing for a third, though sadly that dream went unrealized.

Now it’s our turn to give back to the man who never said no to anyone in need, a man who always went the extra mile to make things happen. Please help us honor Peter “Mr. Catskills” McKiernan by contributing to the MJQ Irish Centre, where his legacy will continue to inspire all who gather here.

Rest in peace, Mr. Catskills. You have earned your wings, and we are all so blessed to have had you in our lives. There will never be another like you.

Donal Gallagher N.Y. GAA Memorial Park

Donal Gallagher, born in 1944 in Killybegs, County Donegal, Ireland, was a man of deep roots, strong values, and an enduring legacy. The fourth of eleven children born to Nora “Cissy” and Mick “Peter” Gallagher, Donal grew up working alongside his father as a farmer and weaver, grounded in the hard-working life of rural Ireland. At 18, Donal embarked on a journey that would take him to New York, where he settled in Brooklyn with family. After nearly 15 years with Citicorp, he earned an accounting degree from Pace University and went on to establish his own financial consulting business—a testament to his drive and entrepreneurial spirit.

In New York, Donal became a cherished figure in the Donegal GAA community, where he was celebrated as one of the club’s greatest legends. Over more than 40 years, he served as both coach and manager, dedicating over 30 of those years to mentoring players and helping countless people from Donegal and across Ireland find work, housing, and wise counsel during difficult times. Those who knew Donal remember his unwavering kindness, his caring nature, and his ability to inspire and support others selflessly.

Each summer, Donal returned to East Durham to sell hand-knit items crafted by his cousin. This small venture would evolve into “Guaranteed Irish,” a thriving shop that has become a beloved staple for more than 40 years. Its selection has grown to include authentic Irish knitwear, jewelry, non-perishable foods, condiments, Irish-themed gifts, music, and memorabilia—keeping a little piece of Ireland alive in East Durham.

In the mid-1980s, Donal played a pivotal role in developing what would later be formally named the Michael J. Quill Irish Cultural & Sports Centre, in honor of the Kerryman who founded the Transport Workers Union of America. For nearly 40 years, Donal dedicated himself to the growth and sustainability of the Centre, contributing in numerous ways to its infrastructure and the vibrancy of the East Durham Irish Festival. His efforts led to the construction of a regulation-size Gaelic football pitch (the only one in America that matches the size of Croke Park in Dublin), the creation of the world’s largest map of Ireland, the acquisition of an authentic Donegal thatched cottage, the establishment of an Irish Mass Rock, and the dedication of a 9/11 Memorial—all enriching the Centre’s grounds and solidifying its role as a cultural beacon.

Donal was a true champion of Irish heritage and one of East Durham’s strongest voices for the Irish community. He lived in East Durham with his beloved wife, Kitty Kelly, until his passing at home on December 10, 2022, after a long illness. His legacy lives on through the countless lives he touched and the lasting contributions he made to the Irish Cultural Centre.