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.

Michael Joseph “Mike” Quill (September 18, 1905 – January 28, 1966)

Quill, founder of the Transport Workers Union of America in 1934, was also its first International President. Born in the village of Kilgarvan, County Kerry, in 1905, Mike Quill was nurtured by the Irish revolt against British occupation. Because of his involvement with the rebellion, he had to leave his country and travel to America where he found work building the IND (Independent) subway in New York City. He held various other jobs until becoming a changemaker on the IRT (Interborough Rapid Transit). Times were tough and the 12-hour, 7 day work week was all-too-common.

The mostly Republican, Irish-born transit workforce reached its threshold just as an ideal leader emerged, Michael J. Quill. Quill’s audacious approach at unionization led to the formation of the desperately needed Transport Workers Union. TWU’s pioneers coined the motto, “United-Invincible,” and firmly believed that an organized, united front was the only way to win fair working conditions for themselves and their members. They also fought for equality in the workplace and spoke out against discrimination based on race, job title and ethnicity.

By 1935, Mike Quill began to agitate openly for the union. He set up his soapbox at lunch hour at the powerhouses or in the shops. It was the famous shop-gate meetings which helped make him a popular figure on the transit property. He also appeared on radio in 1936 to bring the union’s message across to the broadest audience.  TWU’s founders spent the mid-1930s organizing strikes and sit-ins to fight the powerful transit companies until the robber barons realized the union had gained its own power and was there to stay.

Mike Quill, President, and founder of the TWU, stood on top of a soapbox as he held a shop gate meeting
outside of the IRT Powerhouse on 59th St. in NewYork City in 1937.

Reflecting on those years, Mike Quill once recalled, “we were no experts in the field of labor organization, but we had something in common with our fellow workers — we were all poor — we were all overworked — we were all victims of the 84 hour week. In fact, we were all so low down on the economic and social ladder that we had nowhere to go but up.”

In the early 1940s transit workers from New York, Ohio, Nebraska, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania joined the TWU. By the end of the decade, San Francisco and Houston’s transit employees were members, and airline and railroad workers began to join the union by the thousands.

What Mike Quill is probably most remembered for, is his role in the 1966 transit strike in New York City. New York transit had always been a political football, and in 1966 the issue of who was to pay for transit funding loomed largely. An ailing Mike Quill, weakened by a series of heart attacks, would not be daunted by politicians’ pronouncements and editorial page attacks. Called an “irresponsible demagogue” and “lawless hooligan” by the press, he only wanted what was fair for his members, even at the cost of a strike.

TWU had made its economic demands known in July 1965, but negotiations dragged on with no movement by the Transit Authority. At the top of TWU’s list were wage increases to make up for the rise in the cost of living generated by the Vietnam War inflation.

In November 1965, John V. Lindsay was elected mayor. Unlike his predecessor, Robert Wagner, he did not take an active role in the negotiations. The TA pleaded poverty, and without any leadership from the Mayor, they made no offers to the union. In fact, the Mayor-elect decided to go on vacation to the Caribbean.

12/26/1961-New York, NY- Transport Workers Union President Michael J. Quill holds up a poster here Dec. 26 as he announces that a TWU strike vote will be conducted on Dec. 27 to authorize a city-wide bus and subway strike at midnight Sunday, Dec. 31- New Year’s Eve.

As the clock ran down, the union made strike preparations as it had so many times before. Procrastination was nothing new to the transit managers. Only this time, it appeared that the new mayor either did not believe Mike Quill would make good on the strike threat, or he thought he could beat the transit employees down into submission. Whatever the motive, he was wrong.

The new mayor showed up at the last minute on New Year’s Eve, and the Transit Authority finally put a package on the table. It was too little, and it came too late. On the morning of January 1, 1966, TWU members finished their last runs and by 8:02 A M., the last train had rolled into the terminal. No buses or subways would run for 10 days.

On that first day, an injunction was issued to halt the strike. In one of his dozens of press appearances, Mike Quill tore up the injunction in front of the television cameras. During the strike, 64 camera crews from all over the world covered the event and its leader Mike Quill. The four major networks kept their television crews on call for 24 hours a day at the Americana Hotel in case of a late-breaking event.

On the second day of the strike, TWU reduced its economic demands. the TA made no response. In fact, the only response was an arrest order issued by a judge for violation of the injunction. Six TWU leaders and three Amalgamated Transit Union leaders were to be arrested at 11 A.M. on January 4. Mike Quill responded: “The courts may have their finest hours, but they’ll not break us. We will not settle for one penny less than our objectives.”

The next morning, Mike Quill walked into the Americana Hotel ballroom to meet the press, mediators, and TWU negotiators. Clearly, the strike was taking its toll on the TWU leader, but brazenly he announced: “The judge can drop dead in his black robes. I don’t care if I rot in jail. I will not call off the strike.”

Once taken to jail, Mike Quill’s condition worsened, and he was rushed to Bellevue Hospital for treatment. Arrested along with him were International Secretary-Treasurer Matthew Guinan, International Vice President Frank Sheehan, Local 100 President Daniel Gilmartin, Local 100 Secretary-Treasurer Ellis Van Riper, Local 100 Recording Secretary Mark Kavanagh, and ATU officers John Rowland, William Mangus, and Frank Kleess.

TWU’s second line of leaders, headed by Secretary-Treasurer Doug MacMahon, stepped in to lead the strike efforts. Negotiations continued, and on January 10, City Hall witnessed a massive labor demonstration of 15,000 pickets. Joining the TWU strikers were members from other TWU locals and other New York trade unions. The next day brought movement from both assisted by the mediators. At 1:37 A.M. on January 13, Doug MacMahon announced that the union was recommending settlement. Mike Quill listened to the announcement of the agreement from his room in the hospital.

“Do you know what I’m most proud of?” Quill said near the end of his life. “That in TWU we have eliminated racial discrimination in hiring and in promotions and within the union’s ranks. Blacks, Hispanics, Orientals, American Indians and women are holding appointive and elective office.

The package was worth over $60 million and included raises which would increase wages from $3.18 to $4.14 an hour. Included was another paid holiday, increased pension benefits, and other gains. But the cost of the strike could not be measured in dollar amounts. Mike Quill had been transferred to Mt. Sinai Medical Hospital for further care and was finally released three weeks after his jailing. He addressed his last press conference in the Americana hotel ballroom that day. At night he celebrated victory in a speech to thousands of TWU stewards, the troops who helped pull off the successful strike.

The strike over, he was released from police custody. He came marching out with his wife Shirley, a big smile on his face and flashing his shamrock cufflinks.  Death took the founder and builder of the TWU on January 28, 1966, just a few days later after he was released from jail. The TWU EXPRESS reported that month:

Mike Quill “did not hesitate or equivocate. He died as he lived fighting the good fight for TWU and its members.”

Today the TWU is dedicated to bettering the lives of working families. We work to safeguard and improve working conditions and living standards of all workers. We demand respect, dignity, and equality for all. Our members make airplanes fly, railroads run, buses, subways, and bikes move, and casinos succeed! We are nearly 140,000 transportation workers and “We Move America. Over the last 75+ years, we have gained members from almost every state spanning the United States and countries all around the world and have grown to represent the Rail, Air, and Transit divisions we consist of today.