News

St. Patrick's Parade Food Drive Aims to Help the Area's Hungry
February 28, 2010
In remembrance of one of the most horrific and defining periods in Irish history, the Irish Famine, the Utica St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee will once again be conducting a food drive in conjunction with this year's parade. St. Patrick's Day Parade attendees and marchers are asked to bring non-perishable food items, which will be collected during the parade and turned over to Mother Marianne's West Side Kitchen at the St. Joseph-St. Patrick Parish Center. Last year's food drive raised over $500 and over 600 lbs. of food, and St. Patrick's Day Parade Director Kevin Dowling is confident that this year's total will be even greater. "The Irish Famine, or the Great Hunger, caused the deaths of over one million men, women, and children in Ireland," said Dowling. "This food drive commemorates the needless suffering and great loss of life and reminds us that there is still a need to help feed the hungry, beginning right here in our community." People can drop their food items in receptacles marked by "Remembering the Irish Famine" signs, located near the start of the parade, and spectators may also drop their donations into wheelbarrows traveling along the parade route. Chris Hoke, who, with the assistance of Adorino Construction and the Holland Patent High School Honor Society, is chairing the drive, notes that the food drive will also gladly accept any cash donations that are offered in lieu of food, and volunteers will be available along the route to facilitate those offerings as well. For more information, or to volunteer for the Food Drive in any capacity, please contact Chris Hoke at (315) 827-4291. The March 13th Utica St. Patrick's Day Parade, one of the largest in New York State, starts at 10:00 a.m. at Oneida Square and continues down Genesee St. to Columbia St.; with the Reviewing Stand once again located at the Stanley Theater.
Official Utica St. Patrick's Day Parade Party
February 11, 2010
Following the Utica St. Patrick's Day Parade at 10 am on Saturday March 13th, will be a party featuring Canadian Celtic rockers The Glengarry Bhoys. The party will run from Noon - 6 pm at 12 North Sports Bar. Join the GAIF parade team where the winners of the parade competition divisions will be announced.
Glengarry Bhoys website
Elders, ETH Return to Headline 2010 GAIF
February 1, 2010
Fiery fiddles, blaring bagpipes and dazzling dancers will take center stage when The Great American Irish Festival comes to the Herkimer County Fairgrounds in Frankfort on Friday, July 23, Saturday, July 24 and Sunday, July 25.
The official lineup was revealed for the first time at the Halfway to GAIF Hooley held January 31 at Hart's Hill Inn in Whitesboro
Headlining the traditional stage at this year's festival will be an artist who has been called the Jimi Hendrix of the violin, Eileen Ivers, who was an original member of Cherish the Ladies, one of the highlights of a career that includes a stint with the original Riverdance Company as well as the garnering of nine All-Ireland fiddle championships, a tenth on tenor banjo and over 30 championship medals; Derek Warfield, historian, singer, songwriter, author and founding member and front man of one of the truly legendary bands in the history of Irish music, the Wolfe Tones; and Canadian superstars Leahy, a powerhouse of eight musical brothers and sisters, all of whom are multi-instrumentalists and accomplished step-dancers.
In addition to these luminaries, festival-goers visiting the traditional stage will also enjoy such world-class acts as Andy Cooney, fresh off a sold-out performance at Carnegie Hall; the Capital District's No.1 band, Hair Of The Dog; Belfast's McPeake, and the Keltic Kats from Kilkenny, Ireland.
For those whose tastes are a bit more contemporary, back to headline this year's festival will be high-energy festival favorites, Enter The Haggis and The Elders, leading a lineup that also includes the Glengarry Bhoys, The Prodigals, Texas Celtic rockers The Killdares, Pennsylvania funnymen Ceann, bare-knuckle Irish music from New York City with Shilelagh Law, and legendary Canadian Celtic punk-rockers The Mahones.
Adding to the non-stop entertainment will be a variety of other local and regional performers, including Central New York's most popular Irish performers, The Blarney Rebel Band, Rattlin' Bog, Vince Colgan, Pat Kane, The Stoutmen, Gerry Dixon, and hometown band Rory's Ghost.
Click here for entertainer bios
Frank Kealy Chosen 2010 St. Patrick's Day Parade Grand Marshal
January 31, 2010
PRESS RELEASE

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Kevin Dowling
Parade Director
Assistant Director of the Great American Irish Festival
Email: www.assistant-director@gaif.us
Website: www.gaif.us/parade/

FOR RELEASE: Mon., February 1, 2010

Frank Kealy Chosen St. Patrick's Parade Grand Marshal

When Frank Kealy was informed that he had been chosen Grand Marshal of the 2010 Utica St. Patrick's Day Parade, he didn't immediately begin calling his friends and family. Not right away.
"I thought it might be a hoax, that someone might be playing a joke on me" explained Kealy.
Well, it was no joke. Kealy was chosen from among a list of worthy nominees to serve as Grand Marshal in recognition for a lifetime of devotion to his community and to his Irish heritage.
Frank Kealy has worked for the local Irish community in a number of capacities. He has been a member of the local chapter of the Ancient Order of Hibernians since 1995, serving at one time as secretary, and was the emcee/announcer for the McDonough-Hill School of Irish Dance from 1993-1999.
But his major contribution to local Irish affairs began in 2000, when he was approached to head up the Utica-based chapter of the Irish Political Prisoners Children's Holiday. The IPPCH was a joint Irish-American organization based in Belfast and Philadelphia which raised funds to bring children from embattled Northern Ireland for a month-long vacation in the United States. Over the next seven years the IPPCH raised over $100,000 and brought more than 100 children to the states, helping them escape for a short time from the war-zone that was Northern Ireland at the time. Throughout that time, Kealy played every role possible for the IPPCH, organizing fund-raising events, lining up host families, flying to Ireland to make arrangements, traveling to Boston or Philadelphia to pick up the children and bring them to Utica sometimes even driving the bus and invariably taking in a child or two when the original arrangements fell through for one reason or another. When the IPPCH went out of business in 2007, it was for a very good reason: all the children who were eligible under the program had already participated.
"The IPPCH didn't end because of failure, but because it was such a success," notes Kealy proudly.
In addition to his contributions to the local Irish causes, he has been an active member of the Frankfort Center Fire Department for 45 years, holding every elected and appointed office at one time or another.
A lifelong resident of Central New York, Frank has been married to the former Dawn T. Lee for 51 years. Frank and Dawn have three sons, Daniel, Michael and Patrick, and two daughters, Colleen and Maureen.
Three Chances to Win Two Weekend Passes for 2010
January 19, 2010
Have two minutes to spare? If so, you have three chances to win two weekend passes to the 2010 festival.

Help us improve the festival by taking a moment to fill out this online survey about our 2009 festival: http://survey.gaif.us/2009
Halfway to GAIF Hooley!! Ticket Outlets
January 2, 2010
The Great American Irish Festival committee is hosting a "Halfway to GAIF Hooley" event on Sunday, January 31st, from 2:00 to 6:00 PM, at Harts Hill Inn in Whitesboro. This party - a well-deserved respite from winter weather, Christmas shopping and fruitcakes - will serve several purposes. First and foremost, it is an opportunity for the festival leadership and committee to express their sincere thanks to the many volunteers, sponsors and other festival supporters, but it will be more than that. As it is six months prior to the next festival, it will provide the perfect opportunity to announce the headline performers for 2010. And if those weren't enough reasons to attend, with the GAIF now being in charge of the St. Patrick's Day Parade, the Hooley - being the largest collection of Irishmen in Utica since July's festival and until the March 13th parade - is the perfect venue for the announcement of the selection of the St. Patrick's Day Parade Grand Marshal. There will be a complimentary buffet and beer, wine, soda, and coffee (with a cash bar for other potables), and topping it all off, the party features musical entertainment; with perennial GAIF favorites Hair of the Dog, and opening act, the area's own Blarney Rebel Band. If you volunteered for the Festival in 2009 you get in for $10!! Guests are $25.

Tickets can be obtained online at http://hooley.eventbrite.com/ or you can alternatively reserve your place at events@gaif.us . Tickets are limited, so go online or reserve now!! Tickets can also be purchased at the Celtic Harp, The Brewery Shop, and The Potting Shed in Whitesboro.

If you are a volunteer, you may purchase tickets for both you and your guests: http://gaif-volunteers.eventbrite.com/
Festival mourns loss of founding board member
December 23, 2009
The Great American Irish Festival family is mourning the loss of board member Bonnie Tulloch Ehre, 69. Bonnie was a founding board member of the festival and has overseen the merchandise vendors since the GAIF's inception. After her latest battle with cancer she succumbed to complications at St. Elizabeth's Medical Center just before 3 am on December 20th, 2009. Bonnie passed away peacefully with her family by her side.

Her funeral was held on Wednesday December 23rd at 11:00 AM at St. John the Evangelist Church, where a Funeral Mass was celebrated. Interment was in Mount Olivet Cemetery.

She will be sorely missed by her wonderful family, the Great American Irish Festival, the Mohawk Valley Irish community and by many, many others.
Festival donates to soup kitchen
December 20, 2009
The Great American Irish Festival made a $500 donation to the Mother Marianne West Side Kitchen at the St. Joseph's St. Patrick's Church in West Utica. The soup kitchen, which has become a critical community asset, has served over 40,000 meals since it's inception. The festival donation will provide approximately 500 meals for the needy of the area.

Pictured are Utica Fire Chief Russell Brooks, GAIF President Matt Sullivan, Deacon Gil Nadeau, and Father Richard Dellos.
Festival makes donation to Holly Days
December 15, 2009
Putting on the greatest cultural event in Central NY is not the only accomplishment for the Great American Irish Festival this year. Consistent with their mission from the outset, the festival is once again supporting worthy local charities this holiday season. GAIF President Matt Sullivan is shown presenting a $500 check to Holly Days organizer Debbie Sterling. Holly Days has been in existence with a few different titles over the past 24 years providing toys to area children in need. They coordinate with over 10 local school district nurses to ensure that those most in need benefit during the Christmas season. Congratulations to Holly Days on another great year and to all the festival volunteers that work so hard so that such donations are possible.
"From Dingle to Kerry" Wins GAIF Photo Contest
August 27, 2009
The winning photograph for the 2009 Great American Irish Festival titled "From Dingle to Kerry" was submitted by Martha Malone of Penfield, NY. Martha snapped the photo on a gorgeous, sunny day in August 2008. The picture was taken of Martha's husband, Michael and her daughter, Clare, as the walked toward Dunbeg Fort on the Dingle Peninsula near Slea Head, County Kerry. Do you have a photograph of an Irish or Irish-American location, activity or event? You may submit it and win $100, just as Martha Malone did.
Photographs may be submitted the Great American Irish Festival Photo Contest, P.O. Box 584, Marcy, NY 13403, no later than July 20, 2010. Each photo must be at least 8 inches by 10 inches and no larger than 11 inches by 14 inches and must be mounted or matted. The pictures must show an Irish or Irish-American event, activity or location, and must include a person or people as the subject or a component of the photograph.
A Festival Committee will choose ten photographs as semi-finalists, which will be displayed in the Great American Irish Festival Cultural Building. The overall winning photograph will be chosen by popular vote of the festival attendees during the Great American Irish Festival, with the winning photograph announced at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday afternoon July 25, 2010.
The photographers who have submitted the ten photos chosen as semi-finalists will each receive five weekend tickets for the festival. The winning photographer will receive $100. All photographs submitted for the contest will become the property of the Great American Irish Festival and will be added to the photograph archive at the future Irish-American Cultural Center.
Inaugural GAIF Golf Outing Sept.17th at Stonebridge Golf and Country Club New Hartford
August 11, 2009
Sign up for The Great American Irish Festival Golf Outing! Sponsorship and participant openings are still available but are filling up fast. September 17th will be a fun filled day of Irish camaraderie, golf, cheer and music. Join us for our Brody putting contests with salt potatoes, closest to the Leprechaun and Shamrock driving contest. Prizes will be awarded for the best and worst dressed and greenest Irish foursomes. Kilts are encouraged. Bring your best golf game or leave it at home. The day's festivities will be capped off by an outdoor concert at 7:00 pm by our own local favorite The Blarney Rebel Band and at 8:00 pm, listen to 100 years of tradition with the legendary family band McPeake, from Belfast Northern Ireland, sponsored by First Source Federal Credit Union. Beverages have been sponsored by Saranac. Tickets are available for (Golf, Dinner, and Concert,) (Dinner and Concert), or just the Concert. For more information or to sign up your foursome contact Bob Kane @ bobkane@roadrunner.com or 315 269-4100. We have a limited number of foursomes available and also a limited number of sponsorship opportunities for this event and they are going fast. Celebrate half way to St. Patrick's Day with us!
http://www.mcpeakemusic.com/
http://www.myspace.com/mcpeakemusic
http://Gaif.us
AN OPEN LETTER TO ALL ATTENDING THE 2009 GAIF
July 23, 2009
OK, imagine this: a small group of people (ok, at around 800 folks, not that small a group) get together and donate their time, skills and experience to put on a fun, wholesome family-friendly Irish Festival, getting nothing in return, and this not-so-small group builds this event into one of the top 10 Irish festivals in the world, drawing tens of thousands into the area. Pretty much a no-brainer, right? Everyone's got to be in favor of that. Well, guess what: there is an unnamed element that, for reasons known only to them, would love to see the Great American Irish Festival fail and are actively working to that end. Don't ask us why; it's a mind-set that we are incapable of understanding, nor, frankly, do we want to. We don't think that way, and we have no use for those who do. One would think that an event that costs taxpayers nothing, an event that brings people together in a wholly volunteer effort, an event that does nothing but foster positive results, would have everyone's support, but there are those who can only feel big by cutting others down. That's fine. But the bottom line is this: whether they get their wish is entirely up to you, the festival-goer. If only good things happen at the festival, these small-minded people will have nothing to complain about. It has been said by many of the performers at the Great American Irish Festival that we have the best audiences in the world, and we happen to agree. All we ask is that you come to the festival, have a great time and conduct yourselves the way you always have, as responsible adults who understand that having a good time doesn't entail getting hurt or hurting others. Drink responsibly, respect others, and, if you need to, call a cab. Let's have a great time and show those who want to promote negativity that we're better than that.
-- From The GAIF Board of Directors

SOME HERKIMER COUNTY TAXI COMPANIES
Julianos Taxi Service (315) 866-1150
C NY Taxi (315) 866-4305 4687
Affordable Cab (315) 866-4003 4687
Little Falls Taxi & Limousine (315) 823-0700
(This list is for informational purposes only and is not meant as an endorsement of any of the companies listed. There are also numerous cab companies in nearby Utica that will service the fairgrounds.)
Schedule for Bagpipe Competition Announced
July 22, 2009
Bagpipe Competition:

Draw for the Order of Play will be held at 10 AM at the Competition Desk located inside the Cultural Building.

Grade 5 Competition will begin at Noon.

Oran Mor Pipe Band will compete at 1:25 PM.

Grade 4 Competition will begin at 1:50 PM.

Grade 3 Competition will begin at 2:55 PM.

The Massed Band Performance will begin at 4:30 PM.
Footballers, Men's and Women's Rugby Teams Set to Take the Field
July 21, 2009
While for some people attending the 2009 Great American Irish Festival, athletic activity will consist of hoisting pints of stout, others may prefer their pastimes to be bit more strenuous. Those folks will not be disappointed again this year, as Gaelic sporting events of all kinds will be on display at the GAIF.
The 2009 Great American Irish Festival, scheduled for July 24-26 at the Herkimer County Fairgrounds in Frankfort, will feature its 5th Annual Gaelic Football Tournament as well as a men's rugby competition, and, for the first time, a women's rugby event.
The action - and we do mean action - begins Friday, July 24 with women's rugby from 6-8:30, as the host Utica Hellbender's will compete against the Syracuse Harlots, Saratoga Stallions, and Saranac Lake Lady Mountaineers. This year's Gaelic Football Tournament is scheduled to begin at noon on Saturday, July 25, with two teams advancing to contest for the GAIF Cup in the championship game at approximately 7 p.m. Clubs competing in the tournament include the Montreal Shamrocks, Quebec Patriots, Baltimore Bohemians, Mason Dixon, Syracuse Celtics and Rochester Erin's Isle. On Sunday, the men's rugby teams will take over the pitch as the host Utica Klubs will vie for tournament honors with the Utica Klubs Old Boys, Syracuse Chargers, Saratoga, Saranac Lake Mountaineers, and Binghamton. Gaelic Football has been described as a mixture of soccer and rugby, but it predates both of those games and there are distinct differences. It has been said that rugby is a thug's game played by gentlemen, soccer is a gentleman's game played by thugs and Gaelic football is a thug's game played by thugs. The players may kick, punt, or punch the ball, or they may bounce it while advancing. Throwing or carrying the ball is not allowed. At each end of the field is a goal consisting of two vertical posts and a horizontal crossbar with a net under the crossbar. Kicking or punching the ball over the crossbar counts one point; punching or kicking it into the net counts three points.
Although the game of rugby appears complex, it is governed by only two major rules: (1) players may not pass the ball forward, and (2) players may not touch the ball while it is in play if it was last touched behind them (nearer their own goals) by players on their own teams. A goal scored from a dropkick (when during play a player drops the ball, lets it rebound off the ground, and kicks it over the crossbar and through the uprights) counts 3 points. All athletic events will take place on the village athletic fields adjacent to the festival grounds and admission to all sporting events is included with the festival admission. The athletic events are sponsored by the Herkimer Telegram and associated newspapers.

Herkimer Telegram
No Shortage of Fun For Kids at GAIF Wee Folks Area
July 21, 2009
The Wee Folks Area of the Great American Irish Festival has added some new attractions this year and will continue to have some of the same child entertaining features it has had in the past. The Wee Folks Area will continue to have games with prizes, face painting, Sandy Candy, bounce houses, inflatables, and very affordable refreshments. New to the area this year is the magical performance of Timothy Wenk, The Best Magician in the World. Mr. Wenk will be performing in the Wee Folks Area on Saturday, July 25, 2009. There will be two performances, one at 1:00 p.m. and another at 2:30 p.m. These magic shows are a lot of fun. Mr. Wenk's shows have been broadcast on television and he has performed across the country for groups large and small. Also new to the Wee Folks Area is a Rock Band station where kids can try their skills in the video musical arena! We look forward to seeing your children at the Wee Folks Area of the Great American Irish Festival July 24-26, 2009. The Wee Folks area is proudly sponsored by the New York Central Mutual Insurance Company.
NYCM.com
Legendary Folk Band to Kick off '09 GAIF
July 18, 2009
Some festival lineups start things off slow and gradually build up. In case you haven't noticed by now, The Great American Irish Festival is not most festivals. Kicking things off for the 2009 GAIF will be one of the biggest names in the history of traditional Irish music. With a career that has spanned more than 35 years, with over 30 albums and eight Gold Albums, the Dublin City Ramblers are widely considered to be Ireland's top ballad and folk group. Many of the most iconic traditional Irish tunes were made famous by the Ramblers, including The Ferryman, Carrickfergus and Dublin in the Rare Auld Times, a song written specifically for the band. The Ramblers' performances feature traditional Irish ballads and folk music and, while the repertoire includes some soft, haunting songs, the band is known for delivering lively Irish tunes and creating a party atmosphere, engaging audiences with humorous stories and laughter. For the entire schedule, click on the link on our home page, or, better yet, pick up a schedule card when you arrive.
Deirdre McCarthy's Trip to Ireland in Story, Dance and Song
July 14, 2009
Irish storyteller Deirdre McCarthy will be appearing at the Irish Cultural Center of the Mohawk Valley Cultural Building on Sunday, July 26th, at 1:00 p.m., not only telling the stories of her country, but also teaching her audiences the songs and dances she grew up knowing. Born and raised in Limerick, Ireland, Deirdre McCarthy is a member of the CNY Irish-American Cultural Institute and a former member of of AmeriCorps where, in 2001-2002, she presented a year-long series of Irish Culture presentations in schools throughout Oswego County. She has been sharing her love of her homeland in schools, libraries and festivals all across New York State for the past twelve years. Her program, "An Imaginary Trip To Ireland" is the next best thing to an actual trip to the Emerald Isle. By providing Irish storytelling mixed with traditional Irish music, Irish step-dancing and other delightful elements of her homeland, Deirdre McCarthy delights audiences with the fun, beauty, charm and imagery of Ireland
Registration Closed For Bagpipe Competition
July 2, 2009
When the Great American Irish Festival decided to explore the possibility of running a pipe band competition, it was a decision that was not made lightly. We researched other pipe band competitions, observed what went right and what went wrong at other events and talked with bands about what they liked and didn't like about similar events. We took these observations and comments and went about implementing the positives and eliminating the negatives. We offered prize money higher than most, if not all, competitions in New York State. We took steps to make the bands' visit as comfortable and seamless as possible and provided free three day passes to competing band members at a time when other competitions charged them festival admission. Perhaps most important, appreciating the great spectacle, pageantry and history of the massed band performance, we took the unprecedented action of shutting down our two major stages during the massed band performance to allow for an undisturbed performance and maximum spectator participation, so that, during the massed band performance, the stages would become quiet and the valley would roar with the sound of majestic pipe music. In short, our goal was to make the Great American Irish Festival the most fan-friendly and band-friendly bagpipe competition in the northeast, if not the nation. Well, we succeeded beyond our expectations. Last year's event drew seven bands, a respectable number for a first year event, and the feedback from all the bands and judges was overwhelmingly positive. As a new competition, we anticipated that we would grow gradually over time, adding more bands every year as our reputation grew and word of mouth spread. Evidently we did something right last year and the word spread, as we were blown away by the number of bands registering for this year's competition. The number of registering bands more than doubled, and while this is unquestionably a good thing, and something in which we take justifiable pride, it does carry some drawbacks. Chief among those is the fact that the number of bands already registered has filled the time we've allotted and we made the difficult decision to suspend further band registration for this year. Any pipe bands registering between now and the registration deadline of July 6th will be placed on a waiting list, in the event that a band cancels. Our options are open for next year and we will be exploring the possibility of running two competition circles running concurrently. Whatever our decision for next year, it will be made in the best interest of the pipe bands. We would like to thank the pipe bands for their tremendous support and vote of confidence. See you on competition day.
Something for Everyone at ICCMV Cultural Building
July 2, 2009
Contrary to the opinions of the uninformed, an Irish Festival is not just about consuming copious amounts of adult beverages. More than anything, it's about the celebration of Irish cultures in all its various forms. Nowhere is this more in evidence than at the Irish Cultural Center of the Mohawk Valley Building at the 2009 Great American Irish Festival, where festival attendees can enjoy language workshops, dance instruction, open musical sessions and a number of presentations on a wide variety of subjects during all three days of the festival.
The programs include instruction in the Irish language where attendees will learn phrases to sprinkle into their conversation on their trip to Ireland, Irish food demonstrations (no corned beef and cabbage, thank you) and musical instrument workshops for accomplished and not-so-accomplished players.
Those who enjoy dancing can learn an Irish ceili (social) dance, and, for those who play a traditional Irish instrument - or some not so traditional - Craobh Dugan, the Central New York branch of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann, will host an open session at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 25, where musicians of all skill levels are invited to join the group and play along with familiar songs and perhaps learn a new song or two.
A special treat is in store for those visiting the ICCMV Cultural Building this year. In keeping with this year's theme "Irish-American Soldiers: Heroes of American's Conflicts," Derek Warfield, founder of the legendary Wolfetones, will be giving a presentation on Irish-Americans in the Revolutionary and Civil Wars titled "Ireland's Fight for American Liberty in Music, Song and Literature" at various times during the three-day festival. Other exhibits will include Irish Dog Breeds, a display on the planned Irish Cultural Center of the Mohawk Valley, the GAIF photo contest, and a demonstration of fretwork (decorative woodworking).
A full schedule will be posted at the festival, but the bottom line is, whenever you choose visit the ICCMV Cultural Building, something interesting will be going on.

ICCMV CULTURAL BUILDING PRESENTATIONS AND WORKSHOPS
(Schedule subject to change)

Friday July 24th
5:00 p.m. - Harrington Dance School; Dance Workshop; Irish Food (talk);
6:00 p.m. - Celtic Harper Mary Margaret
6:30 p.m. - Derek Warfield (Lecture)
7:00 p.m. - Chriost an Ri Dance School
8:00 p.m. - Irish Language Workshop

Saturday July 25th
11:00 - Claddagh Ring Dancers; Beginners Tin Whistle Workshop;
12:00 - Irish Language Workshop
1:00 - Advanced Beginners Tin Whistle Workshop
2:30 - Open Session - All Musicians Welcome!
3:00 - Irish Food Demo
4:00 - Johnson Dance School; Irish Language workshop;
6:00 - Butler Sheehan Academy of Dance
6:30 - Derek Warfield (lecture);
Sunday July 26th
12:00 - Bodhran Workshop
1:00 - Irish Food Demo; Deirdre McCarthy Storyteller
2:00 - Bodhran Workshop; Derek Warfield (lecture);
3:30 - Pat Kane Ceili Dance Workshop
Field Set for GAIF Bagpipe Event
June 30, 2009
A total of 16 bands have registered to take part in the 2009 Great American Irish Festival EUSPBA Sanctioned Bagpipe Competition to be held on July 25 - over twice the number of entrants in the inaugural event last year. Included in that number will be a band that can lay claim to the title of best bagpipe band in America. One of only three Grade One bands in the country, Oran Mor has posted recent competition wins over the other two Grade One units, beating the LA Scots at the Queen Mary Festival in California in February and besting The City of Washington Pipe Band at the Bonnie Brae Competition on June 6th. The competition, held on the Saturday of the July 24-26 festival at the Herkimer County Fairgrounds, will feature the following participants, who will all join for an inspiring massed march at the close of the competition:

Grade Five:
Galloway Gaelic Pipe Band, Lake Luzerne, NY; The Berkshire Highlanders of Pittsfield, MA; Albany Police Pipes and Drums, Albany, NY; NYS Corrections Emerald Society Pipe Band, Albany, NY; Scotia-Glenville Pipe Band, Scotia, NY; Syracuse Scottish Pipe Band, Syracuse, NY; Mohawk Valley Frasers, Rome, NY; Fingerlakes Pipe Band, Ithaca, NY

Grade Four:

Caledonian Pipes and Drums, Buffalo, NY; Syracuse Scottish Pipe Band, Syracuse, NY; Schenectady Pipe Band, Schenectady, NY; Mohawk Valley Frasers, Rome, NY; Feadan Or Pipe Band, Rochester, NY

Grade Three:

Mohawk Valley Frasers, Rome, NY; Scotia Glenville Pipe Band, Scotia, NY

Grade One:

Oran Mor Pipe Band, Albany, NY
Grade One Pipe Band to Perform at GAIF
June 4, 2009
The 2009 Great American Irish Festival EUSPBA Sanctioned Bagpipe Competition, already almost doubling in size from its debut year last year, just got a whole lot bigger.
Event organizers are proud to announce that the Oran Mor Pipe Band, one of only three Grade One Pipe Bands in the United States, will be competing for EUSPBA Judge evaluation at the July 25, 2009 Pipe Band Competition. Festival attendees will be in for a once in a lifetime experience, as the band will be giving two world class performances at the main stages on Saturday, and will also take part in the massed bagpipe march following the competition. The Great American Irish Festival, held at the Herkimer County Fairgrounds on July 24-26, is the only Irish Festival in the United States to offer performances from Oran Mor.
The Oran Mor Pipe Band has local roots in that one of the founding members was Pipe Major Jim Clough, who currently leads the hometown favorite Mohawk Valley Frasers. The band is currently under the direction of Pipe Major Andrew Douglas, who also has local roots and was a member of the Mohawk Valley Frasers. Andrew was upgraded from Grade One to Professional at the age of 16. Andrew, a world class piper, was the 1998 winner of the Niclo Brown Chalice Competition and the 1999 winner of the Slow Air and Jig competition in London. Between the years 2002 and 2007, Andrew was a member of the world famous Simon Fraser University Pipe Band, which won a total of three third place finishes and three second place finishes at the World Pipe Band Championships. From 2005-2007 he received two third place finishes and three fourth place finishes in the Silver Medal Piobaireachd Competitions in Oban and Inverness in Scotland. He was the 2004 winner of the MacGreggor Memorial Competition in Oban, Scotland and he recently rocked Rome, NY, receiving a standing ovation during the Celtic Evening Concert .
Formed as a vehicle for talented players from local bands to strive for a higher musical standard, the band registered in Grade III and centered its activities around Utica and Syracuse, New York. As the band's membership and skill level grew, Oran Mor quickly climbed to the top of its grade, being named Season Grade III Champions in 1994 and 1996. Following the band's elevation to Grade II for the 1997 season, the geographic base shifted toward Albany and New York's Capital Region, where Oran Mor has become strongly rooted and boasts a roster of nearly 30 pipers and drummers. After a successful 2007 season, including another high placing at the World Pipe Band Championships, Oran Mor placed fourth in Grade 2 at the 2008 Worlds. The RSPBA has since approved Oran Mor to compete in Grade 1 at the World Pipe Band Championships and other competitions in the United Kingdom in 2009. The band enjoyed success in North America in Grade 1 over the last year, including a first-prize over the LA Scots, an established Grade 1 band, at the Queen Mary Festival in California in February of this year.
The Great American Irish Festival is honored to be presenting this world-famous band at its 2009 festival.

Visit Oran Mor's Official Web Site
Tickets available at ALL Price Choppers July 5th
June 4, 2009
Advance sale tickets for the festival will be available at ALL Price Chopper Supermarket locations starting July 5th. Just ask the cashier at any checkout line and they are printed for you on the spot.

Price Chopper
"Celtic Evening 3" at Rome's Capitol Theater
April 27, 2009
On Saturday, May 9th, the Capitol Theater will host Celtic Evening 3, an encore to the two Celtic Evenings presented in April 2005 and 2007. The show will feature some of central NY's finest musicians and dancers, including vocalists, Irish step dancers, Scottish highland dancers, Irish fiddlers, an uilleann piper, a Celtic mandolin player, an Irish folk group, a highland drum salute, the Comhaltas musicians, and the Mohawk Valley Frasers Pipes and Drums.

World-class piper Andrew Douglas will return and be doubly featured with performances in both acts of what is scheduled to be an hour and a half of top-flight entertainment. Douglas is a former member of the several-time world champion Simon Fraser University Pipe Band in Vancouver and currently Pipe Major of Oran Mor Pipe Band. He contributed a show-stopping performance in 2007 that received standing ovations, and he obliged the audience with an impromptu encore. Douglas grew up in Syracuse and, as a boy, piped with Mohawk Valley Frasers.

As in 2007, the Mohawk Valley Frasers are producing and directing the show. "The Celtic community abounds in talent", said Jim Clough, Pipe Major of the Frasers. "There is a lot from which to choose. We have no problem creating a full evening of entertainment. "

Barbara Tewksbury, a geology professor at Hamilton College and a piper with the Frasers, will again direct the production and host the evening, and Ray Tucker of the Capitol will again coordinate the lighting, staging, and sound.

The first two Celtic Evenings played to full houses and brought rave reviews, which called the shows electrifying and nothing short of spectacular. The 2009 Celtic Evening will have the same fast-paced format. "It will be non-stop entertainment," said Tewksbury . "The best from 2007 will return with fresh material, and the enormous success of our previous evenings has allowed us to recruit a few additional acts of the highest caliber. It helps that an appreciative audience makes the nights so special for the entertainers; the audience's warmth is wonderfully energizing for the performers."

As with the first Celtic Evening, all proceeds will benefit the Capitol Theatre and the Mohawk Valley Frasers Celtic Arts scholarships. Tickets may be purchased in advance at a discount by calling the Capitol Theatre Box Office at 337-6453 or at full price at the door on the night of the performance.

For more information, http://mohawkvalleyfrasers.com/
We regret to inform you of the passing of Mr. James Kellmurray
April 17, 2009
It is with deep regret that we announce the passing of Jim Kellmurray, age 91. He passed away last evening, April 16th, at St. Luke's Hospital in New Hartford.

When the Great American Irish Festival became the presenter of the Utica St. Patrick's Day Parade two years ago, Jim was chosen as our first Grand Marshal. Below is an article about his life that ran when he was chosen as Grand Marshal:

James R. Kellmurray Chosen St. Patrick's Parade Grand Marshal
January 28, 2008

James R. Kellmurray's life journey has taken him all the way around the world. Now it has taken him to one place he never expected: to the title of Parade Grand Marshal. Mr. Kellmurray has been chosen from among a list of worthy nominees to serve as 2008 Utica St. Patrick's Day Parade Grand Marshal by a select committee of past Grand Marshals.

The grandson of immigrants from County Galway, Jim was raised by his parents, James M. Kellmurray and Gertrude Lynch Kellmurray in East Utica, the center of early Irish culture in this area, and attended St. Agnes Parish, St. Agnes Grade School and St. Francis DeSales High School, where he played basketball. Jim was in the first ROTC Class at Niagara University in Buffalo, earning his degree in Economics there. Commissioned in the U.S. Army at Fort Dix, N.J., he was sent to Europe in 1940, attached to the 1st Division US Army, and participated in the invasion of Omaha Beach in 1944. After suffering wounds in combat in Belgium in 1944, Jim recuperated in hospitals in Paris, France and in England and upon his release was assigned to active duty in England.

Following his return to the states in 1946 and discharge from the Army, Jim joined the US Army Reserve and helped form the Military Police Unit in Utica.

Jim found employment with a company called Controlled Manpower. In 1964 he joined the Utica Industrial Corporation and stayed on when it merged with the Oneida County Industrial Development Corp., in which capacity he was instrumental in bringing Metropolitan and Hartford Insurance Companies, and the Federal Reserve Bank to the area. In addition, he taught accounting at MVCC from 1962-1965 and worked for Carstair's and Calverts distilleries for 15 years.

Jim is involved in many Irish organizations, holding the longest membership in the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick and serving as an active member in the Ancient Order Of Hibernians, and is also a member of the New Hartford American Legion Post, Genesis Group, St. Paul's' Parish in Whitesboro and St. Ann's Parish, also in Whitesboro, holding the distinction of being (along with James Kernan Esq.) the oldest alter boy in the Syracuse Dioceses.

Enjoying his well-earned retirement, Mr. Kellmurray spends his time these days treasuring his two daughters, Gail and Sue and granddaughters Kate and Amy.
Glengarry Bhoys Added to 2009 GAIF Lineup
March 30, 2009
When the lineup for the 2009 Great American Irish Festival was announced in January, amidst all the excitement, one minor note of disappointment was heard by some: "What, no Glengarry Bhoys?" Well, not to worry. The Bhoys are back! One of the most popular Celtic bands of all time, the Glengarry Boys will return to the Great American Irish festival again in 2009. "Hard-rocking" and "bagpipes" are not two terms generally heard in the same sentence, but with the Glengarry Bhoys, it's appropriate. The Glengarry Bhoys have established themselves as one of the top draws on the Irish festival and club circuit, including appearances at every Great American Irish Festival since its inception, and, after a brief hiatus, they're touring again and better than ever. The Bhoys have their roots in Glengarry, Ontario and their music draws on the unique blend of the French and Scottish musical heritage indigenous to the area. Their blend of traditional music, fused with the multicultural sounds of modern and contemporary Celtic music, has brought them international acclaim. Fiery guitar and bass, intense percussion and fiddle, teamed with pipes and vocals, make for a memorable performance.
2009 Parade Winners
March 15, 2009
The Great American Irish Festival, in association with the Genesis Group, presenters of the 2009 Utica St. Patrick's Day Parade are pleased to announce the following parade judging winners:

2009 St. Patrick's Day Award Winners

" Bag Pipes
1. Maloney Memorial Pipe Band
2. Syracuse Scottish Marching Band
3. Mohawk Valley Frasers

" Fire Departments
1. Maynard Volunteer
2. Clinton
3. New Hartford

" Floats
1. Goggin Family
2. Men's AOH/St. Patrick
3. Mohawk Ltd.

" Marching Units
1. New York Army National Guard
2. Butler-Sheehan Academy of Irish Dance
3. Johnston School of Irish Dance

" Taverns
1. Shorty's
2. Black Cat
3. Nail Creek

" Vehicles
1. Oneida County Historical Society
2. Safety First Chimney Sweeps
3. Pepsi Bottling Company

" Best Saluting Unit
1. Utica Fire Department
2. New Hartford Legion Post 1376
Grand Marshal Reception Tickets on Sale Now
February 17, 2009
The Utica St. Patrick's Parade Grand Marshal Reception will take place on Tuesday, March 10th from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Stanley Theater. Come watch the historic event-the passing of the shillelagh from 2008 GM Jim Kellmurray, to 2009 GM Jim O'Looney, and listen to our hometown favorites, the Blarney Rebel Band. There will be plenty of food and drink on hand. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased at Accents of Ireland in the New Hartford Shopping Center or at the door.
GAIF Officials Take Part in Chili Challenge
January 30, 2009
Ah, the smells of those fine traditional Irish foods, bangers, Irish stew, shepherd's pie, chili. Wait a minute, chili?

That's right, Great American Irish Festival Hospitality Chair Diane O'Donnell and GAIF Gaelic Mass Chairman Jim Sullivan will be teaming up to vie for the amateur division title at this year's American Red Cross 7th Annual Chili Challenge to be held on February 8, 2009. Sullivan and O'Donnell will be serving up "O'Chili" and promise that their entry will be worth the price of admission.

"Helping out the American Red Cross this way, by serving up some chili, is a pleasure and honor. Diane and I have come up with a prize winning recipe that will assure your votes," said Sullivan, coming dangerously close to guaranteeing a victory. "Be sure to save the date and your appetite because this chili event will be one to remember." His partner will be putting aside her Red Cross Blood Service Coordinator hat for the day to don a chef's cap and represent the Great American Irish Festival in the annual event.

"The Chili Challenge is a fun and delicious fundraising event in the Mohawk Valley," said O'Donnell. "As Hospitality Chair for the Great American Irish Fest, my job is to ensure a fresh and wonderful variety of food for sponsors, band members and committee members during the entire weekend of the festival. If we win the Chili Challenge we'll proudly serve up "O'Chili" in the hospitality venue this summer and add some 'spice' to the Irish Fest." The Chili Challenge will take place at the Herkimer VFW, 131 Mohawk Street, from Noon until 3 p.m. Admission is $10. All proceeds are for local use at The American Red Cross of the Mohawk Valley.
First Source Donates to Parade
January 23, 2009
GAIF Festival Director Matt Sullivan accepts a $1,500 check from Mike Parsons, President/CEO of First Source Federal Credit Union. The donation was made to sponsor the High School Competition in the St. Patrick's Day Parade.
2009 Great American Irish Festival Lineup Has Something for Everyone
January 20, 2009
It's an overworked phrase, but in this case it actually applies: there really is something for everyone at the 2009 Great American Irish Festival, held on Friday, July 24, Saturday, July 25 and Sunday, July 26 at the Herkimer County Fairgrounds in Frankfort.
The traditional stage boasts names that are among the most celebrated in Irish and Celtic music, including the Tannahill Weavers, The Dublin City Ramblers and Derek Warfield and The Young Wolfe Tones.
For those whose tastes are a bit more contemporary, back to headline this year's festival will be high-energy festival favorites, Enter The Haggis, The Elders, Hair of the Dog and Rathkelair as well as the return of The Fenians, Barleyjuice, and Seamus Kennedy. In addition, taking the GAIF stage will be three exciting acts from Canada, Hadrian's Wall, The Shannon Quinn Band and Pogey, as well as a variety of other local and regional performers, including The Blarney Rebel Band, Rattlin' Bog, Pat Kane, Flyin' Column and Vince Colgan. For a full list and band bios, click the entertainers link at left.
Bill Curtis Named GAIF 2008 Volunteer of the Year
January 19, 2009
There are some who would say an Irish Festival wouldn't be the same without its beer. If that's true, then perhaps it could be said that the Great American Irish Festival could not have gotten where it is without Bill Curtis. Curtis, who has worked almost every hour of the festival's five years, was chosen the 2008 GAIF Volunteer of the Year.
Bill worked in the Security Detail in 2004 and for the past four years has volunteered in the beer pouring area. In his five years of volunteering he has become an invaluable member of the beer pouring team, keeping the beer flowing by tapping and moving kegs from the storage areas to the two other pouring areas, and the past two years he secured sponsorship from Clinton Tractor Company for the use of two tractors to make the transfer of kegs safer and easier for all those involved.
"With the quality of all our volunteers, this is probably the toughest decision we have to make every year," said Festival Director Matthew Sullivan. "Bill exemplifies the meaning of volunteer by going above and beyond what is expected of him year after year and does all this with no bravado."
According to Great American Irish Festival Volunteer Chairperson Claudette Johnson, there is still time to sign up to volunteer for the 2009 festival. Those interested in volunteering can sign up on the GAIF website at www.gaif.us. Those who have volunteered in the past are reminded that they still need to sign up via the web page.
2009 Parade Grand Marshal Announcement on January 18th
December 29, 2008
Thank you to all who submitted a nomination for the 2009 St. Patrick's Day Grand Marshal. This year we had in excess of 50 nominations. The 2009 St. Patrick's Day Grand Marshal will be announced on January 18th, 2009 at the Half-Way to the Great American Irish Festival Hooley.
2009 Festival Tickets On Sale
December 3, 2008
2009 Festival tickets are now on sale. They make great gifts! click
Cherish the Ladies Celtic Holiday Special
November 26, 2008
That's right, on Saturday, November 29th, Joanie Madden and her fabulous all-ladies ensemble, Cherish the Ladies, travel to Syracuse to join the Syracuse Symphony for a very special Celtic Holiday Special. With their unique spectacular blend of virtuosi instrumental talents, beautiful vocals, captivating arrangements and stunning step dancing, this powerhouse group combines all the facets of Irish traditional culture and puts it forth in an immensely humorous and entertaining package. For over two decades, the name of a time-honored Irish traditional jig has become equally well known as the name of one of the most engaging ensembles in Irish music. To purchase tickets for the show, which starts at 8 PM at The Crouse-Hinds Concert Theater in Mulroy Civic Center at Oncenter, call the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra ticket hotline at (315) 424-8200 or (800) 724-3810.
Blarney Rebel Band at Piggy Pat's Pickled Pig Pub
November 25, 2008
This Friday, November 28th, Head Hog Pat McCann welcomes house favorites The Blarney Rebel Band for Irish Happy Hour, from 6 - 9 PM. The always irreverent, usually sober, sometimes in tune, and now with 50% more beautiful women members, Blarney Rebel Band recently finished up their second CD, "Buy My Soul," and are likely (if brother Dan learns them or brings his reading glasses) to do a few of the new songs off the 11-song collection. Join Mark, Dan and Al Sisti, Jessica "Jers" Voce, and the newest member, Amanda Straney, in what promises to be the perfect start to the holiday weekend. Piggy Pat's is located in Washington Mills, and their web site is at http://www.piggypats.com.
Application for 2009 St. Patrick's Day Grand Marshal
November 15, 2008

St. Patrick's Day Parade Grand Marshal Application

Name of Nominee________________________________________________

Address________________________________________________________

Telephone_________________ Email:________________________________

Civic Affiliations:

Please state reasons why you believe this nominee should be the 2009 Grand Marshal:

Your name:______________________________________________________

Address:_________________________________________________________

Telephone:________________ Email address:___________________________

Relationship (how do you know this person?)______________________________

Please return application by mail or by email no later than December 15th, 2008 to:

St. Patrick's Day Parade
PO Box 584
Marcy, NY 13403
Or via email at
assistant-director@gaif.us
GAIF Photo Contest Winners Announced
August 12, 2008
The Great American Irish Festival Committee announced the winner of its first annual photo contest. Stanley Sosnowski of Mystic, CT submitted the winning photo which featured his wife, Sheila, viewing the mountainous landscape at the Gap of Dunloe, a popular tourist destination south of Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland.

The winning photo was chosen by the popular vote of this year's Festival goers from more than twenty photos submitted for the contest. To be eligible, each photo was required to have an Irish-American theme and to include a person as the subject or a component of the photograph.

"Based on the strong positive interest shown this year, we expect the photo contest to be a feature for next year's festival," Festival Director Matt Sullivan said.

Photographs may be submitted the Great American Irish Festival Photo Contest, P.O. Box 584, Marcy, NY 13403, no later than July 10, 2009. Each photo must be at least 8 inches by 10 inches and no larger than 10 inches by 14 inches and must be mounted or matted. The pictures must show an Irish or Irish-American event, activity or location, and have a person or people as the subject or a component of the photograph. The Festival Committee will choose ten semi-finalists, with the overall winning photograph to be chosen by popular vote during the Great American Irish Festival on the last weekend in July 2009. Each semi-finalist will receive five weekend tickets for the festival, and the winning photographer will win $100. All photographs submitted for the contest will become the property of the Great American Irish Festival and will become part of the photograph archive at the future Irish-American Cultural Center.
Rain Can't Dampen Spirits at GAIF 2008
August 5, 2008
Well, the Great American Irish Festival managed to do it again. As the festival has every year of its five-year existence, the event shattered attendance records over the July 25-27 weekend. With a 25 percent increase over last year's attendance, the 2008 Great American Irish Festival cemented its reputation as the fastest growing event of its kind in the world and staked a strong claim on being the best Irish festival in the Northeast, if not the country.

Huge crowds took advantage of beautiful weather throughout the first night of the Great American Irish Festival, as Friday's turnout easily broke all records for attendance. Festival Treasurer Linda Voce reported an increase of nearly 80% over Friday night revenue last year, and Richard Elthorp of the Herkimer County Fair Association, who estimated Friday's crowd at 20,000, said it was by far the largest crowd on the grounds at one time in the 50 year history of the fairgrounds.

From the opening sets on Friday until the last notes died out on Sunday the level of world-class entertainment never let up. Saturday started off brilliantly with the inaugural 5k Ranger Run, which drew a field of close to 250, unheard of for a first year run. Despite frequent intervals of rain, including some heavy downpours and lightning strikes that caused short stoppages, the entertainment once again kept the audience screaming throughout the day, highlighted by a pair of sets by the most successful Irish American act in history, Cherish The Ladies, as well as brilliant sets from festival favorites Rathkeltair, the Prodigals and the Glengarry Bhoys. If there is any doubt about how well our crowd weathered the storm(s), check out this YouTube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlNbsM8YW-0 Unfortunately, finally even the Great American Irish Festival had to take a back seat to Mother Nature, as forecasts of 80-mph winds and golf-ball size hail forced the closing of the festival just before the last scheduled sets of the evening. Still, other than the early closing, the storms didn't seem to bother anyone and the Great American Irish Festival volunteers - singled out by many of the performers as the best they had ever seen at any event - once again proved their mettle, as sawdust, squeegees and brooms left little trace of the tremendous storms as Sunday opened. The 10:30 mass again proved to be hugely successful and the previous two days had done nothing to diminish the Sunday crowd's energy, as the Elders and Enter the Haggis once again had the contemporary stage crowd jumping and first-time festival attendees the Barra McNeils brought the traditional stage to a rousing close.
Winners announced for inaugural GAIF Ranger Run 5k
August 4, 2008
David Putney and Michelle Nizzi were the top male and female finishers in the Great American Irish Festival's first ever Ranger Run 5k road race. Over two hundred runners participated in the Inaugural Ranger Run 5K on Saturday, July 26. The run, named in memory of festival director Matt Sullivan's father, Tim, started and finished on the festival grounds and traveled through the village of Frankfort.

Dr. Daniel Murphy got the runners charged up with his bagpipes after very moving renditions of the US and Irish National Anthems by Pat Kane. Utica P.D. and F.D. Chaplain from Our Lady of Lourdes, Fr. Joseph Salerno sent the runners off with a prayer (which may have been the only thing that got some of them through!)

Putney crossed the finish line in 17:30 while hometown runner Nizzi was clocked at 19:40 (barely edging out Great American Irish Festival Treasurer Linda Voce, who finished, well, sometime that same day.)
Mohawk Valley Frasers Take Both Divisions at GAIF Bagpipe Competition
August 4, 2008
The Mohawk Valley Frasers finished first in both the Grade 5 and Grade 4 Divisions at the Great American Irish Festival's first EUSPBA Bagpipe Competition. The hometown Frasers took the Grade 5 competition, followed by the Albany Police Pipe Band in second place and Galloway Gaelic in third. Syracuse Scottish was the runner-up in Grade 4. By all accounts, the inaugural GAIF EUSPBA Competition was a rousing success, as even the driving rain couldn't stop the mass march. One EUSPBA judge said, "The GAIF was one of - if not the most - organized, efficient, and friendly organizations with which I have carried out judging duties," and one pipe major commented, "All your efforts paid off very nicely from the pipe bands' point of view. I heard only positive comments from bands, judges and officials. They were all pleased to be treated so well. Hope this bodes well for future years."
GAIF Raffle Winners
August 3, 2008
50/50 winners were Nicole Brady of Brookfield, NY and Nick Strother of New Milford CT. Winners of the raffle for the "Irish basket" were Bill Deking of Bridgewater NY and Betty Flanders of Northville, NY.
Tremendous turnout for first night of festival!!!
July 26, 2008
The first night of the Great American Irish Festival was a smashing success, and easily broke all records for attendance. Festival Treasurer Linda Voce reports a nearly 80% increase over Friday night revenue last year. "And last year, our Friday night weather was nice just like this year, so this reflects a very fair comparison", reports Voce. The festival continues all weekend.
Cultural Building Schedule Announced
July 20, 2008
Friday July 25th
5:00 p.m.
Celtic Harp
6:00 p.m.
Irish Food Demo
Irish Language Workshop
Miss Mohawk Valley Dance
7:00 p.m.
Chriost an Ri Dance School
8:00 p.m.
"Vikings In Ireland" Presentation

Saturday July 26th
11:00
Tin Whistle Workshop
Celtic Dancers
12:00
Bodhran Workshop
Claddagh Ring Dancers
1:00
Irish Food Demo
Irish Language Workshop
2:00
3:00
Irish Food Demo
4:00
Claddagh Dancers
Bodhran Workshop
Danaher + MacCloud Storytellers
5:00
Syracuse Session
Tin Whistle Workshop
Butler Sheehan Academy of Dance
6:00
Irish Language Workshop

Sunday July 27th
12:00
Danaher + MacCloud Storytellers
1:00
Irish Food Demo
Irish Language Workshop
2:00
Celtic Harp
Deirdre McCarthy Storyteller
3:00
Presentation "Vikings In Ireland"
Johnston School of Irish Dance
4:00
Irish Language Workshop

Pat Kane's Ceili Dance Workshop (Saturday or Sunday - time TBA)
Celtic Harp Mary Margaret Krukonis (Celtic Music as Therapy)
Irish Language Workshop (Friday and Saturday) Thomas Malley
Irish Language Workshop (Sunday) Patricia Dugan
"Viking Influence in Ireland" a presentation by Jim O'Rourke
Solo Step Dance performed by Kieren Sheridan, Miss Mohawk Valley 2008
(20 year-old Student at Fulton Montgomery Community College)

Additional performances:

Danaher and MacCloud perform at the Wee Folks Area at 1:00 p.m. Saturday

Deirdre McCarthy perform at the Wee Folks Area at 1:00 Sunday

Displays:
Irish Dog Breeds
"The Burren" County Clare
GAIF's Irish-American Photo contest
Dan Cook Celtic Design Scroll work on wood
Utica Curling Club curling demonstration display
Herkimer County Historical Society display
Matts Brewing Company's "Irish Red Ale" display
Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann Craobh Dugan Dancers
Meet Your Favorite Artists at the Great American Irish Festival
July 20, 2008
Those attending the Great American Irish Festival this year will have an opportunity to meet their favorite Artists. All weekend long you will be able to purchase your favorite artist's merchandise at the Artist Merchandise Tent, conveniently located between the Traditional and Contemporary Stages. Artists will meet at the Merchandise Tent after most performances to chat with fans and autograph merchandise. So check out the great line up of performances and look for signs at the Great American Irish Festival. Don't miss out on this great chance to have some fun and get your CD signed by your favorite artists.
Saranac Irish Red Ale
July 15, 2008
The Great American Irish Festival has joined forces with the FX Matt Brewing Co. to develop what is sure to become the hottest new brew yet: Saranac Irish Red Ale. On Wednesday July 16th, the beer was unveiled at an invitation-only event in the brewery courtyard. The beer, which has been described as "very drinkable" will be introduced to an estimated 1,000 + crowd in preparation for its fully public launch at the festival.
Storytellers Danaher and MacCloud To Weave Tales in Cultural Building
July 12, 2008
Well-known storytellers Danaher and MacCloud will be delighting Great American Irish Festival audiences with genuine stories of Irish country life, Sligo fiddle tunes, and exceptional vocal harmonies, when they take to the Irish Cultural Building stage on Sat., July 26 and Sunday, July 27. Saturday's performance will begin at 4:00 p.m., while the Sunday show will start at noon.
Carrying on the legacy of Abbey Theater actor and storyteller Eamon Kelly, Kate Danaher and Amy MacCloud help the audience see life the way the Irish do (with a wink and a smile).
Kate Danaher is a Sligo-style fiddler and Irish storyteller, as well as a professional screenwriter and actor whose theater credits include the Delaware Shakespeare Festival, the Delaware Theater Company's Young Playwright's Festival, the Irish Repertory Theater of Philadelphia, the First State Children's Theater, and the Times Square Arts Center. Kate, who studied with the great Sligo fiddler, John Vesey, has been a song and fiddle competitor in All-Ireland Championships. She has a Ph.D. in English Literature, with a specialty in Irish drama, and was Chair and Assistant Professor of English at Rosemont College. She is on the Board of the Delaware Shakespeare Festival
Amy Cloud, a multi-instrumentalist and composer, has performed in country, folk, rock, and dance bands. An alumna of the Boston School of Contemporary Music, she is now Music Director of the Delaware Shakespeare Festival and has both performed and composed music for four productions. Amy is also the lead vocalist in the jazz ensemble, Cloud 9, currently recording its second CD of original music.
Kate and Amy began their musical and theatrical partnership as the founders of the children's entertainment troupe, Fiddlin' and Foolin'. They are currently writing a two-woman show, About the Murphys, which will feature Kate's stories and traditional tunes, as well as Amy's original compositions.
GAIF to March in Fourth of July Parade in Utica
June 23, 2008
The Great American Irish Festival is proud to be a part of Utica's Fourth of July Parade. Come watch the parade and cheer us on!! Volunteers are encouraged to march with us. Contact Kate Barefoot at kfbare@yahoo.com to get staging information.
Ranger Run 5K scheduled for Saturday, July 26th, 10:30am
June 11, 2008
The Great American Irish Festival is pleased to announce the inaugural "Ranger Run" 5K road race which will be held on Saturday, July 26th at 10:30am. This run will start and end at the Herkimer County Fairgrounds in Frankfort. All of those participating in the run will receive festival admission on Saturday and a complimentary beverage. Those registered by July 11th will also receive a race t-shirt.

The run has been named in memory of Tim "the Ranger" Sullivan, father of Festival Director Matthew Sullivan, who passed away unexpectedly while out for a run on September 24th, 2007. Tim was an avid runner, outdoorsman and active committee member for the GAIF since its inception. He spent his life in service to others as a Marine Corps veteran and member of the New York State Police for 27 years. The race is dedicated to his memory and the memory of all of those who have proudly served.
The Great American Irish Festival to Sponsor Pipe Band Competition.
April 4, 2008
Bagpipes have the distinctive honor of being the only musical instrument ever outlawed by a country as an "Instrument of War." The sound of the pipes has emboldened many a brave and gallant lad, while instilling absolute terror in the cold hearts of the foe. Bagpipes have the ability to bring a tear to the eye or stir the blood. Since our inception, bagpipe music has been an integral part of the Great American Irish Festival.

From melodious pipe band performances to the electrifying sounds of Neil Anderson, the sound of pipe music has drifted across the valley. We will now thunder the valley.

This year we will be taking pipe music one step further. One mighty step. The Great American Irish Festival has become a patron member of the Eastern United States Pipe Band Association and will sponsor a Grade 4 and 5 EUSPBA Sanctioned Pipe Band Competition. Invitations are going out to every pipe band in the Northeast and the NYC Metro Area. 80 pipe bands in all. Festival attendees will be able to enjoy the sounds pipe band competitions all day on Saturday, as well as a Massed Band March and Performance on the athletic field at the conclusion of the competition. We are excited about the competition and thrilled to be a patron member of the EUSPBA.

If you are a pipe band member, please check out our competition page. Our prize monies and benefits are nothing less than exceptional. We will do our utmost to ensure that every pipe band member has an absolutely fantastic time. We are the fastest growing festival in the country and we do things right the first time.

If you are pipe band enthusiast or festival patron, please check out our competition page. We will be adding many links of interest, so please check it often.

Please contact me with any questions, suggestions or comments.

Pat O'Hara
pipeband@gaif.us
Passing of the Shillelagh takes place at Stanley Theater
March 12, 2008
James R. Kellmurray officially took the helm as the 2008 St. Patrick's Day Parade Grand Marshal, as he received the ceremonial shillelagh from 2007 Grand Marshal William Barry Sr. at a ceremony held on March 10 at the Staney Theater. Mr. Kelmurray has a long history of involvement in the community and Irish interests. Between 300 and 400 of his closest friends were on hand to witness the "Passing of the Shillelagh" at the newly remodeled Stanley Theater.
The 2008 parade steps off March 15th at 10 a.m. on Genesee St. when Mr. Kelmurray will lead the third largest St. Patrick's Day Parade in New York State.

City of Utica parade info
Glengarry Bhoys Join 2008 Festival Lineup
February 27, 2008
To paraphrase Thin Lizzy, "the Bhoys are back in town." The Glengarry Bhoys, who recently announced that they would no longer be performing due to health reasons, will be coming out of their short-lived retirement for a limited number of shows this year, and one of those special shows will be at the 2008 Great American Irish Festival. In October of last year, the Glengarry Bhoys, one of the most popular bands on the Irish festival circuit, announced that due to health issues concerning co-founder and leader, Graham Wright, the group had decided to disband, canceling all dates, including the Great American Irish Festival. Then, in early February, GAIF director Matthew Sullivan received a message that changed everything.
"I got a call from the agent for the Glengarry Bhoys, telling me that Graham's condition had improved to the point where they were planning on doing a limited number of performances this year, and that the Great American Irish Festival was number one on their list," said Sullivan. "The Glengarry Bhoys have been part of every Great American Irish Festival from its inception, and if they tell me they want in, they're in"
The Glengarry Bhoys have their roots in Glengarry, Ontario and their music draws on the unique blend of the French and Scottish musical heritage indigenous to the area. Their blend of traditional music, fused with the multicultural sounds of modern and contemporary Celtic music, has brought them international acclaim.
The addition of the Glengarry Bhoys to a lineup that already includes such world-class acts as Cherish The Ladies, Eileen Ivers, The Prodigals, Enter the Haggis, The Elders, Hair of the Dog, the Barra McNeils, Rathkeltair and Greenwich Meantime cements the Great American Irish Festival's position as one of the preeminent Irish events in the nation.
GAIF Director Honored by Irish Echo
February 18, 2008
Great American Irish Festival Director Matthew Sullivan has been chosen from a list of hundreds of applicants to be honored as one of the "40 Under 40" top Irish-Americans by the largest Irish/American newspaper in the country, the Irish Echo. As a recipient of the Irish Echo's 40 Under 40, Matt will appear with all the honorees at a reception presented by the Consul General of Ireland on Wednesday, February 27th from 5 to 7 pm at the Manhattan Club in New York City. Under his leadership, the Great American Irish Festival has, in just five years, become one of the Top 10 Festivals in the country, according to the U.S. Irish Festival Promoters Group. The 2007 GAIF was attended by 40,000 people and had 600 volunteers, and both numbers are expected to increase for this year's festival, scheduled for July 25-27 at the Herkimer County Fairgrounds in Frankfort. "Under Matt's leadership and vision we have become not only the fastest growing Irish event in the country, but have established a grass roots Irish culture, arts, and music community in Central New York," said GAIF Assistant Director Kevin Dowling. "We, too, acknowledge and thank him for his tireless efforts and look forward to building on the past five years." The Echo award is just the latest in a line of honors for the GAIF founder. Sullivan was the recipient of the Utica Observer Dispatch's Accent on Excellence Award in 2007 and the Great American Irish Festival received the Herkimer County Chamber of Commerce Best Promotional Event of Year Award in 2006.
James R. Kellmurray Chosen St. Patrick's Parade Grand Marshal
January 28, 2008

James R. Kellmurray's life journey has taken him all the way around the world. Now it has taken him to one place he never expected to the title of Parade Grand Marshal. Mr. Kellmurray has been chosen from among a list of worthy nominees to serve as 2008 Utica St. Patrick's Day Parade Grand Marshal by a select committee of past Grand Marshals.

The grandson of immigrants from County Galway, Jim was raised by his parents, James M. Kellmurray and Gertrude Lynch Kellmurray in East Utica, the center of early Irish culture in this area, and attended St. Agnes Parish, St. Agnes Grade School and St. Francis DeSales High School, where he played basketball. Jim was in the first ROTC Class at Niagara University in Buffalo, earning his degree in Economics there. Commissioned in the U.S. Army at Fort Dix, N.J., he was sent to Europe in 1940, attached to the 1st Division US Army, and participated in the invasion of Omaha Beach in 1944. After suffering wounds in combat in Belgium in 1944, Jim recuperated in hospitals in Paris, France and in England and upon his release was assigned to active duty in England.

Following his return to the states in 1946 and discharge from the Army, Jim joined the US Army Reserve and helped form the Military Police Unit in Utica.

Jim found employment with a company called Controlled Manpower. In 1964 he joined the Utica Industrial Corporation and stayed on when it merged with the Oneida County Industrial Development Corp., in which capacity he was instrumental in bringing Metropolitan and Hartford Insurance Companies, and the Federal Reserve Bank to the area. In addition, he taught accounting at MVCC from 1962-1965 and worked for Carstair's and Calverts distilleries for 15 years.

Jim is involved in many Irish organizations, holding the longest membership in the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick and serving as an active member in the Ancient Order Of Hibernians, and is also a member of the New Hartford American Legion Post, Genesis Group, St. Paul's' Parish in Whitesboro and St. Ann's Parish, also in Whitesboro, holding the distinction of being (along with James Kernan Esq.) the oldest alter boy in the Syracuse Dioceses.

Enjoying his well-earned retirement, Mr. Kellmurray spends his time these days treasuring his two daughters, Gail and Sue and granddaughters Kate and Amy.
Name the parade mascot contest
January 18, 2008
The GAIF is holding a "Name the mascot" contest for the new St. Patrick's Day Parade mascot. The winner will receive (4) four weekend passes to the 2008 festival, some festival merchandise and get a place in the St. Patrick's Day Parade on March 15th. Deadline for submissions is March 8th. Click on the parade page link to get more information.
Half-Way to GAIF Hooley Tickets - SOLD OUT
January 16, 2008
Tickets to the January 27 Half-Way to GAIF Hooley are now available to the general public. The 2nd annual event will be held at Harts Hill Inn in Whitesboro from 3-7 and will feature GAIF favorites the Prodigals, together with opening act the Blarney Rebel band. The event is put on as an opportunity for organizers to express our sincere thanks for the hard work and support provided by the festival volunteers, but this year it will serve two additional functions: the announcement of the 2008 festival entertainment lineup, and the announcement of the Utica St. Patrick's Day Parade Grand Marshall. A complimentary buffet and beer will be provided, and a cash bar will be available for other beverages. Tickets for the Half-Way to GAIF Hooley are on sale at Accents of Ireland at the New Hartford Shopping Center for only $20 until January 21st.
Elders Rock Rome's Capitol Theater
January 15, 2008
As expected, The Elders, who cemented their status as the hottest band on the Irish music circuit with an explosive performance at the Great American Irish Festival last summer, thrilled a packed house at the Capitol Theatre in Rome on January 12, 2008. Singer Ian Byrne noted as they took the stage that, after their welcome at the festival last summer, playing in Central New York again 'felt like coming home' and the Kansas City-based sextet made it a homecoming to remember. Brought on stage by emcee James Masucci (Rome's Public Safety Commissioner, who assured the band they had free reign in Rome that night!) the Elders had the sold-out crowd literally dancing in the aisles (as well as on the stage), not an easy feat at an alcohol-free venue! While it's difficult to pick out a highlight from a show that had no lows, the performances with the band accompanied by the wind ensemble and choir from the YMCA Center for the Creative Arts brought the audience to its feet with a well-deserved standing ovation. Also performing with the band (as well as on their own) were dancers from the Butler-Sheehan Academy of Irish Dance. Proceeds from this concert will go towards Rome Weed & Seed's 'Prudy Ellinger Scholarship Fund' that was established in memory of one of Weed & Seed's founding members. The scholarship fund is designed to benefit a local youth who wishes to further his or her education. For those who were there, it was show they'll never forget. For those of you who missed the show, gosh, who knows when you'll ever get a chance to see this band in upstate New York again? (wink, wink)
Land sale approved! Irish Cultural Center may be located at former St. Patrick's Church lot
December 9, 2007
On Wednesday December 5th, 2007, history was made once again for the Irish in the Mohawk Valley. After a bit of reluctance and some opposition by a few councilmen, the sale by the Utica Urban Renewal Agency to the GAIF of the former St. Patrick's Church property on Columbia St. at Varick St. was approved with a unanimous vote. A large crowd of over 70 people turned out in support of the effort, and clearly made the point that there is large community support for this project. The GAIF will be working out the details of the sale as soon as possible and will hopefully be moving forward in the near future. The GAIF board of directors wishes to thank everyone who supported the vote on Wednesday evening.
UPDATE: Nominations closed - Grand Marshal to be announced January 27th
November 28, 2007
For the first time in the storied history of Utica's St. Patrick's Day Parade, the public will have a hand in choosing the parade's Grand Marshal. This year the Grand Marshal for the March 15th Saint Patrick's Day Parade in Utica will be chosen from a list of nominations submitted by the general public. Nominations are currently being sought for individuals to be considered for 2008 Grand Marshall. After careful consideration, the Grand Marshall will be selected from the list of nominees by a committee of past Grand Marshals. The nominee, male or female, need not be of Irish descent, but should be someone recognized by the community for their commitment and contributions to the Irish in the Central New York area. The letter of nomination should detail reasons why the nominee would be the proper choice for Grand Marshal. A brief background of the person and qualifications should be included. The deadline for nominations is December 31, 2007. The Grand Marshal will be announced to the public on January 27th at the Great American Irish Festival's Halfway to Festival Hooley, to be held at Hart's Hill Inn in Whitesboro. This year will mark the first year the Great American Irish Festival will serve as organizer and presenter of the Utica St. Patrick's Day Parade, the third largest in New York State. The Parade Grand Marshall will also serve as honorary chairperson of the 2008 Great American Irish Festival. Nominations should be sent to:
St. Patrick's Day Parade
C/O Charles Thomas
PO Box 165
Marcy, NY 13403
Glengarry Bhoys disband
October 28, 2007
October 28th -
Written by Matt Sullivan

It is with regret that I pass along the following message received from Glengary Bhoys band agent Tim Drake:
Matt,

It saddens me to have to bring the following news. Co-founder and leader of The Glengarry Bhoys, Graham Wright, has been struggling with serious medical problems for some time now. His condition has worsened, which has worn him down to the point where he can no longer tour. On advice of his physicians, he is retiring from the band, with plans to rest and focus on his health. The Glengarry Bhoys would obviously find it impossible to continue without Graham's creative and management leadership, therefore, the group has decided to disband, effective immediately. I am sure you will all join with The Roots Agency in extending to Graham, as well as all the members of the Glengarry Bhoys, your warmest wishes and prayers for healing.

I'm afraid we have to cancel all their dates including the Great American Irish Festival.

Tim

I sent him the following reply:

Tim -

While I knew that Graham was undergoing some testing, I am shocked to hear that the results will end their run. As you know, Graham and the band have become friends of ours and not having them at our festival will create a
huge void for us and our festgoers. We hope that his prognosis is good and wish all of the band members the best. There is no question that the Glengarry Bhoys made an enormous contribution to the rapid growth and success of our event. We will miss them as much as anyone.

Please pass this along to the band. Our door always remains open for all of them.

Matt
Sr. Maureen Denn Named Agen/Durr Spirit of Irish Award Recipient
September 25, 2007
Sr. Maureen Denn, Chaplain for Faxton-St. Luke's Healthcare, was awarded the "James Agen/Raymond Durr Spirit of Irish Award" at the 2007 Great American Irish Festival. This third annual award was presented to Sr. Denn for her many years of devotion to caring for those in our community and for her Irish spirit.

Sr. Denn recently celebrated her 50th Jubilee as a Sister of St. Joseph. She has provided spiritual and emotional support to the patients and families of Faxton-St. Luke's Healthcare for 24 years. She comes from a large Irish family and is always proud to display her love for her Irish heritage. Her Irish smile gives comfort to all those she meets. Congratulations to Sr. Maureen Denn—recipient of the 2007 Agen/Durr Spirit of Irish Award.
A Volunteer Army 500 strong!
July 25, 2007
The Great American Irish Festival didn’t become the fastest growing Irish festival in the world by accident. It takes hard work, dedication and committed sponsors. But more than anything else, it takes volunteers. This year, over 500 volunteers have stepped up to help the GAIF continue its unprecedented growth. Volunteers are asked to work six hours, or less than 1/3 of the festival, and in return they get free admission, a volunteer shirt not available anywhere else and entry into events thrown just for volunteers, such as this year's volunteer party which will follow the festival. But more than anything else, volunteers get the satisfaction that comes from knowing that they are an integral part of something worthwhile. The Great American Irish Festival would like to extend its sincere appreciation to all its dedicated volunteers and an invitation to everyone to join us next year. You won't regret it. An entire list of volunteers can be found at http://www.gaif.us/vlist.php. Check it out. See how many of your friends are volunteering and make it a point to join in the fun next year.
GAIF To Hold Irish Mass
July 19, 2007
The Great American Irish Festival starts what it hopes to become a new tradition this year, when the festival kicks off its final day with a Gaelic Mass at 10:30 on Sunday, July 29. Celebrating the Mass, which will be held right on the festival site at the Herkimer Couty Fairgrounds, will be the Chaplain of the New York State Ancient Order of Hibernians, Fr. Henry Reid. Part of the Mass will be in the beautiful Gaeliclanguage, and the legendary Paddy Noonan will be providing the music. There is no charge to attend the Mass, which will be held right on the fairgrounds; in fact, not only is there no charge, Mass attendees will receive free admission to the Great American Irish Festival on Sunday. All denominations are invited to be guests at the Mass.
Pennsylvania State Fiddle Champ To Give Free Workshop
July 17, 2007
An old saying explains that "A violin sings and a fiddle dances." Tara Sansom, fiddle player with the group "Fieldstone" and five-time Pennsylvania State Fiddle Champion, will host a fiddle workshop in the Smurfit-Stone Cultural Building at the Great American Irish Festival on Saturday, July 28th at 4:30 pm. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to learn from a world-class fiddler. Bring your instrument and join Tara to learn Irish fiddle techniques.
Meet Your Favorite Artists at the Great American Irish Festival
July 17, 2007
Those attending the Great American Irish Festival this year will have an opportunity to meet their favorite Artists. All weekend long you will be able to purchase your favorite artist's merchandise at the Artist Merchandise Tent, conveniently located between the Traditional and Contemporary Stages. Artists will meet at the Merchandise Tent after most performances to chat with fans and autograph merchandise. So check out the great line up of performances and look for signs at the Great American Irish Festival. Don't miss out on this great chance to have some fun and get your CD signed by your favorite artists.
Smurfit-Stone Irish Cultural Center offers something for everyone
July 14, 2007
The Smurfit-Stone Irish Cultural Center will offer something for anyone attending the 2007 Great American Irish Festival who may be interested in any aspect of Irish culture, including language workshops, dance instruction, open sessions and a number of presentations on a wide variety of subjects during both festival days.
The workshops include instruction in the Irish language where attendees will learn phrases to sprinkle into their conversation on their trip to Ireland. Find out the meaning of your name, or get help pronouncing the place from which your great grandfather emigrated. Those who enjoy dancing can learn an Irish ceili (social) dance. Instruction will be given each day for several of the more popular dances.
For those who play a traditional Irish instrument – or some not so traditional – the Syracuse Session Group will host an open session on Saturday. Interested musicians of all skill levels are invited to join the group and play along with familiar songs and perhaps learn a new song or two.
The Cultural Center is also hosting several music demonstration workshops on various instruments featuring top festival performers.
Fixed exhibits will include, among others, Great American Irish Festival Commemorates the Famine Year 1847; Rome Genealogy Club; Utica Curling Club; Dog Breeds of Ireland; Willow Basket Weaving with Jean Gage; and Celtic harpist Mary Margaret Krudonis.
A full schedule will be posted at the festival, but the bottom line is, whenever you choose visit the Smurfit-Stone Irish Cultural Center, something interesting will be going on.
Smurfit-Stone Cultural Building Schedule
July 13, 2007
CULTURAL BUILDING PRESENTATIONS AND WORKSHOPS
(Schedule subject to change)
Friday
6:00 pm Irish Language Workshop
7:00 pm Storyteller Linda Sturtevant
8:00 pm Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann Ceili Dance Workshop
9:00 pm Storyteller Linda Sturtevant
Saturday
11:30 am Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann Ceili Dance Workshop
12:30 pm Storyteller Bairbre McCarthy
1:30 pm Irish Cooking Demonstration
1:30 pm Irish Language Workshop
2:00 pm Syracuse Music Session (bring your instrument and join us)
3:00 pm Irish Language Workshop
3:30 pm Storyteller Bairbre McCarthy
4:30 pm Irish Cooking Demonstration
5:00 pm Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann Ceili Dance Workshop
6:00 pm Storyteller Bairbre McCarthy
7:00 pm Irish Cooking Demonstration
7:30 pm Irish Language Workshop
9:00 pm Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann Ceili Dance Workshop

Sunday
12:30 pm Irish Language Workshop
1:00 pm Storyteller Dierdra McCarthy
2:00 pm Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann Ceili Dance Workshop
Athletic Events Take Center Stage at 2007 GAIF
July 12, 2007
UTICA – While for some people attending the 2007 Great American Irish Festival, athletic activity will consist of hoisting pints of stout, others may prefer their pastimes to be bit more strenuous. Those folks will not be disappointed again this year, as Gaelic sporting events of all kinds will be on display at the GAIF.
The 2007 Great American Irish Festival, scheduled for July 27- 29 at the Herkimer County Fairgrounds in Frankfort, will feature its 3rd Annual Gaelic Football Tournament as well as, for the first time, a rugby tournament.
This year's Gaelic Football Tournament is scheduled to begin at noon on Saturday, July 28, with two teams advancing to contest for the GAIF Cup in the championship game at approximately 7 p.m. Since it is the middle of the Gaelic Football season, many clubs may not sign up until the last minute, but as of this point in time clubs expected to compete in the 7-man format football tournament include the Buffalo Fenians, Montreal Shamrocks and the "A" team and the "B" teams from the NYC/Dublin G.A.A. At least two additional teams are expected to be joining the lineup. As an added bonus, two women's teams from Toronto's Tir na nOg club will be presenting an all-woman, slug-fest exhibition.
Rugby will be taking over the football pitch on Sunday with the 1st GAIF Rugby Tournament and exhibition.
While both rugby and Gaelic football are unquestionably full-contact sports in every sense of the word, they actually (contrary to popular opinion) do have some rules, and knowledgeable announcers will be on hand explaining the action for interested viewers.
Admission to all sporting events is included with the festival admission.
Great American Irish Festival Goes to the Dogs
July 12, 2007
When you think of Ireland, you may think of green and leprechauns and shamrocks, but dogs may not be the first thing to come to mind. Yet Ireland holds the ancestry of five dog breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club. Once again, all five breeds – Irish Wolfhound, Irish Water Spaniel, Irish Setter, Kerry Blue Terrier and Irish Terrier – will be on display on the Herkimer County Fairgrounds at the 2007 Great American Irish Festival on July 27-29, 2007. The Celtic canines will be featured in the Smurfit-Stone Irish Cultural Center and will be paraded through the festival grounds
The tallest of all canine breeds with a breed standard of close to three feet at the shoulder, the majestic Irish Wolfhound was a favorite of the ancient Irish kings and queens and is frequently mentioned in poems and stories. At one time only kings, poets and noblemen were allowed to own the breed, which was frequently given as gifts.
Another very old breed, the Water Spaniel is a descendant of Portuguese water dogs and spaniel root stock that came over to Ireland via the Iberian peninsula when natives of that region made raids to Ireland. Its lineage dates back as far as the 7th century. At one time, they were the most popular of spaniels, although they have since been overtaken by the Labrador Retriever and Golden Labradors.
The Irish Setter's immediately recognizable solid, deep red color is a fairly new variation of the breed, which started off as a red and white dog up until the 19th century. They are a descendant of old Irish spaniel breeds mixed with the Gordon, English, Water and Springer Spaniel as well as the pointer. The Irish Setter is treasured worldwide by sportsmen who enjoy strenuous hunting and who have the stamina to follow its relentless pace.
Black at birth, the adult Kerry Blue's fur ends up a dark blue. For 150 years, the breed was predominately found in the mountains of Lake Killarney in County Kerry, used to hunt small game and birds and to herd sheep and cattle. The Kerry Blue is extremely intelligent and tractable. For a terrier they are large, 33-40 lbs, and require very strict grooming standards for the show ring.
There is some debate over their exact history of the Irish Terrier, but it is thought to be derived from the Scottish Terrier, possibly Black and Tin Terrier, and the Irish Wolfhound. Originally used to hunt woodchuck, rats and badgers among the hedgerows, they became a familiar site at the "potato pit", guarding the onetime Irish staple diet against a marauding family pig. The dense, wiry coat is yellow to a red or wheaten color with the usual white patch on the chest, The Irish Terrier normally weighs in about 18 lbs.
Free Ticket Winners Announced
July 10, 2007
On July 2nd, a drawing was held for free weekend passes to the festival. The lucky winners were: Leonard Bragg (Stittville); Karen Savage (Rome); John Palaimo (Marcy); Lance Denny (Brownville); Bill Kelly (Whitesboro); Michael Scanlon (Herkimer); Kathleen Tripaspi (Clark Mills); Kyle McElroy (Vernon); Stacy Michaud (Mohawk); Jeanne Butler (Scotia). Congratulations to all, and we'll see you at the Festival!
The time to volunteer is - NOW!!!
June 24, 2007
June 24th, 2007

With just a month to go until the opening of the fastest growing Irish event in the country, anyone interested in volunteering should act quickly. We're making a list and checking it twice (OK - maybe more) and the volunteer slots are filling up rapidly. However, since quality people are always the backbone of any effort like this, we're not taking any chances. Our festival volunteers are asked to work 1/3 - 1/2 of the festival hours so that they can also enjoy themselves with family and friends. We expect to have about 500 volunteers for our expanding event this year. They receive free admission for the entire event and a cool staff shirt, in addition to being invited to excellent events at other times of the year. (Like for example the Half-way to GAIF Hooley with the Glengarry Bhoys) So, if you want to be a part of the hottest event to hit Central NY in recent memory, the time to act is NOW! Just go to the volunteer tab on the main page and fill in the form. You'll be glad you did.
Utica Monday Night
June 21, 2007
The festival committee was out in force on Monday June 18th at Chancellor Park in Utica to support the Utica Monday Night "Irish Night." The crowd enjoyed performances by members of Comhaltas who performed traditional Irish music and dance. Bonnie Ehre and her staff from Accents of Ireland were on hand with a plethora of Irish merchandise and the festival set up a booth with merchandise, information and tickets.

For more information on Utica Monday Night activities throughout the summer, consult the Utica Observer-Dispatch via the link below.

Photo by John Carl
UticaO-D.com
GAIF Does Its Part for Armed Forces
May 29, 2007
The Great American Irish Festival is taking the opportunity to give a little something back to those who are willing to give their all. All active service personnel from any branch of the United States armed forces, together with immediate families, will receive free admission to the 4th Annual Great American Irish Festival. The festival will be held on Friday, July 27, Saturday, July 28 and Sunday, July 29 at the Herkimer County Fairgrounds in Frankfort.
"All any active service personnel needs to do is show his or her military ID at the gate and they're in," said Festival Director Matthew Sullivan. "In view of what they do for us, it seems like little enough to do for them." In addition to free admission for the military, the GAIF will also host a booth for the Wounded Warrior Project, an organization whose mission is to raise public awareness and enlist the public's aid for the needs of severely injured service men and women. Finally, the Oneida County Sons of the American Legion will be selling Mercer's Wine Ice Cream at the Great American Irish Festival as a fundraiser for the next trip to Washington D.C. for the Oneida Co. WW II vets.
"We are proud of our men and women in the military," said Sullivan. "In fact, some of our committee members have immediate family in active service right now. We wanted to do what little we can to show our appreciation."
Of special interest to military personnel will be the appearance of high-energy festival favorites Rathkeltair, featuring the number one piper in the world, Neil Anderson, who only recently returned from his tour of duty is Iraq, where he spent a year training Iraqi police.

Visit the Wounded Warrior Project web site
Festival recognized by Herkimer Co. Chamber of Commerce as "Promotional Event of the Year."
April 26, 2007
The Herkimer County Chamber of Commerce has chosen the Great American Irish Festival as one of its 3 businesses for 2007 to be honored. At the Annual Luncheon of the chamber on April 26th at the Little Falls Best Western, with 220 business and community leaders in attendance, the festival was recognized as the"Promotional Event of the Year." For more information on the Herkimer chamber and the award, see the link below.

Herkimer County Chamber of Commerce/ newsletter
Bronson Benefit Scheduled for May 31 at Herkimer VFW
April 26, 2007
Every time the Great American Irish Festival has asked for something from Don Bronson, he's come through. Now we get a chance to repay the favor.
Looking to have a good time, and do some good in the process? Consider heading to the Herkimer VFW on Thursday May 31, 2007 from 4 to 9 p.m for a fundraiser to benefit the Renee Bronson Double Lung Transplant Fund.
In 2005 Renee Cassella Bronson from Herkimer was afflicted with a connective tissue disease, which resulted in severe damage to her lungs. Due to the progression of this devastating illness, Renee now requires the life-saving miracle of a double lung transplant.
The family is well-known among Irish circles in the area. Renee's husband Don has been a stalwart volunteer for the Great American Irish Festival for a number of years and has pretty much single-handedly kept Herkimer County stocked with festival flyers and brochures. In appreciation, the GAIF has donated festival tickets and merchandise for the May 31 event.
The May 31 benefit, which will be emceed by local legend Hank Brown, will feature entertainment by Anthony LaBarbera, the Honey Bush Brothers Band, The NEXT Band and Steve Rigo. There will also be food, a bake sale, door prizes and raffles, including a 32-inch flat screen TV and a tiffany lamp worth $600. Admission is $10.00, with all proceeds going to Renee and her family.
If you can't make it to the benefit, donations can be made directly to the transplant fund. Make checks payable to: New Lungs For Life and send to The Renee Bronson Double Lung Transplant Fund PO Boxes 124, Herkimer, NY 13350.
While you're at it, consider become an organ donor yourself. Information on becoming a donor will be available at the May 31 benefit.
GAIF participates in MV Chamber Showcase
April 20, 2007
April 19, 2007

The GAIF was well represented at the Mohawk Valley Chamber of Commerce Business Showcase held at the Utica Memorial Auditorium. Over 100 businesses displayed their products and services at the event. A "Business After Hours" was held in conjunction with the event at the end of the show.

Pictured at the booth are Kate Barefoot, John Carl, and Asst. Festival Director Kevin Dowling. Photo courtesy of Sharon Zohne.

MV Chamber website
Utica St. Patrick's Day Parade a huge success!
March 11, 2007
March 10, 2007

Tens of thousands of people turned out to watch the 2007 Utica St. Patrick's Day parade on Genesee St. While the weather was a bit overcast with temperatures near 30, the masses turned out in what may the largest crowd to ever view the parade, which is either the 2nd or 3rd largest in NYS, depending on who you believe.

The Great American Irish Festival was proud to participate among the over 120 parade entries and managed to take a 3rd place in its division.

As has been previously reported, the festival will be the parade organizer starting in 2008 and beyond. The festival commends the Cable Cares Club for many fine years at the helm of the parade and for having such a successful final effort. The festival has big shoes to fill and has already begun preparations for 2008.

Photo courtesy of festival photographer John Carl.
Partners Trust Bank becomes major sponsor
March 4, 2007
We are pleased to announce that Partners Trust Bank has become a major sponsor of the Great American Irish Festival. For the first time in 2007, festivalgoers will be entertained at the "Partners Trust Traditional Main Stage." As one of two main stages at the festival, it will host such legendary acts as Paddy Noonan and Eileen Ivers, as well as being the venue for the first ever Gaelic Mass on Sunday morning.

It is quite appropriate for Partners Trust to get involved in an event with an Irish theme. For those who might not be aware of the bank's history, you should know that Partners Trust was formerly named the Savings Bank of Utica, well known for its prominent "gold dome." Savings Bank of Utica founder John Devereux, an Irish immigrant from County Wexford, was founder, organizer and grand marshal of Utica’s first St. Patrick’s Day Parade. In fact, he remained the grand marshal of the event from 1824 through 1848.

The festival is extremely grateful for the newly established relationship with an institution that has such a rich Irish history and is known for its quality service and community involvement.

Partners Trust website
MVCC students create artwork for fest - WINNERS SELECTED
February 22, 2007
February 22, 2007
UPDATE
A committee meeting was held last evening at which three posters were selected by the GAIF committee for the festivals in '07, '08, and '09. The winners will be announced at the Stanley Theatre on March 6th during the "Passing of the Shillelagh" event.

ORIGINAL STORY
It worked so well the first time, we had to try it again. Since it was nearly 4 years ago, some may not remember that when we launched the GAIF, we went to the MVCC Art Department to seek submissions for our official logo. Prof. Robert Clarke of the Professional Practice in Graphic Design program assigned his student to create an "Identity Mark" for the festival. After an excruciating selection process among many fine entries, the GAIF committee selected the logo we use today which was designed by Adrienne Sangastiano (hey - her mother is Irish!).

We were so impressed with that process, that we went back again to seek submissions for a "Theme Graphic" project. Once again, Prof. Clarke has tasked his students to come through for the festival, and although in the very early stages, the works are impressive already. Having witnessed the tremendous success that many other events have enjoyed with introducing new thematic artwork each year, Festival Director Matt Sullivan called on the talented MVCC students one more time, "We were so impressed with the talents of these students that we had to see if they'd be willing to help us again." said Sullivan.

There are currently 23 students working on at least one submission each for judging which will take place at the end of February. "We hope to select a number of works that could be used as posters, t-shirts, banners, and in a number of other ways over the next few years." said Sullivan.

MVCC website
TICKET PRICES ANNOUNCED - PRICES ACTUALLY REDUCED!
February 22, 2007
The festival committee has deliberated about ticket prices for the 2007 festival, with consideration given to a number of factors, including the addition of a 3rd day. With an eye toward continuing our trend as the fastest growing Irish event in the country, there is good news to report.

Despite the addition of an extra day, advanced sale weekend passes will remain on sale for a limited time for just $20 each. That is the same price as last year.

Individual day passes have actually been REDUCED in price and are as follows:

ADVANCE PURCHASE:
Fri. - $8
Sat. - $10
Sun. - $8

AT THE GATE:
Fri. - $10
Sat. - $12
Sun. - $10

As always - children under 13 are FREE.

Purchasing your advance sale weekend passes now will save $12 over walking up and waiting in line at the gate. Hit the Click N Print logo on the main page for ticket purchases.

Individual day advance sale tickets will be available soon on our site and at ticket outlets TBA. Check back here for updates.
Eileen Ivers, Enter The Haggis Top Three-day Lineup
January 30, 2007
As the saying goes, you can’t have too much of a good thing. At least that’s what organizers of the Great American Irish Festival are hoping, as they have added a third day for this summer’s edition of the wildly successful festival.
The 2007 Great American Irish Festival will be held on Friday, July 27, Saturday, July 28 and Sunday, July 29 at the Herkimer County Fairgrounds in Frankfort. The unprecedented and meteoric growth of the Great American Irish Festival made the decision to add a third day an easy one. “People asked for it and we listened,�? said Festival Director Matthew Sullivan. “With three days of entertainment, there is sure to be something for everyone. Where else can you get three days of world class entertainment at these prices?�?
Festival-goers have an opportunity to make it an even bigger bargain, as a limited number of advance–sale tickets are available now for $20 for the entire three-day festival, and once those tickets are gone, that price won’t come around again. “This is a great value, and the lowest price that will be offered for the 4th annual fest,�? noted Assistant Festival Director Kevin Dowling. “You don’t want to pass it up.�?
The festival committee has chosen as its theme for this year’s festival the Great Hunger – the famine of 1847 – to commemorate the 160th anniversary of the worst year of the potato blight that decimated much of the Irish population. Displays will be on hand depicting the elements of this tragedy.
Also, new this year will be the addition of a Gaelic Mass to be held at 10:30 on Sunday morning. Those attending the mass will receive free admission to Sunday’s activities. But even with the culture and the history, for many of the festival attendees, the focus is on the music, and once again they will not be disappointed.

Headlining this year’s festival will be an artist who has been called the Jimi Hendrix of the violin, Eileen Ivers, who can boast of a resume that includes stints with the original Riverdance Company, Cherish the Ladies, and her own award-winning solo career.
In addition to fiddle virtuoso Ivers and her all-star band Immigrant Soul, festival-goers will also enjoy such world-class acts as The Prodigals, the most successful act ever to emerge from the thriving East Coast Irish rock scene; Enter the Haggis, recently featured on A&E Network’s Emmy-nominated Breakfast With The Arts series; Hair of the Dog, who has been called America’s top Irish folk act; and The Glengarry Bhoys, who have established themselves as one of the top draws on the Irish music circuit with their fiery guitar and bass, intense percussion and fiddle, all teamed with the power of bagpipes.
Returning to the festival this year will be the one of the most renowned Irish show bands of all time, the legendary Paddy Noonan Band, along with the high-stepping electrifying show of Canada’s first family of Celtic music, Searson.
Making their Great American Irish Festival debuts will be the Midwest’s top Irish band, The Elders; the music and comedy of Seamus Kennedy; and the fusion of Celtic music and jazz of the award-winning Millish. Also on the bill will be Greenwich Meantime, Fieldstone, West O’Clare, The Blarney Rebel Band, Vince Colgan, Cliudan and John Gilligan.
Proceeds from the annual festival will be used to help establish an Irish Cultural Center in the Mohawk Valley.
The festival will also feature pipers, Irish dance and music demonstrations and workshops, a Gaelic Football tournament sponsored by CMI, Irish history and culture seminars in the Smurfit-Stone Cultural Building, and a variety of other local and regional performers. There will also be events for children such as storytellers, rides, clowns, and games. Also new this year will be the CW (Television Network) Teen Zone.
In addition to the non-stop music, merchandise vendors from across the U.S. and Ireland, carefully selected from a list of applicants, will be selling Irish and Celtic merchandise, and a variety of food booths will be providing a taste of the Emerald Isle for festival-goers. Campsites are also available.
And, there is more to come. “As impressive as this list of performers is, we still expect to add one or two more huge acts,�? predicted Sullivan.
Half-Way to GAIF Hooley featuring The Glengarry Bhoys
January 23, 2007
The festival committee is pleased to report that in lieu of a Christmas party, a new and more exciting event was held. On Sunday January 28th, 2007 the 1st Half-Way to GAIF Hooley was held featuring perennial festival favorite The Glengarry Bhoys. This event was an opportunity to again express our sincere thanks to our many volunteers, sponsors and other festival supporters, but it was more than that. As it is exactly six months prior to the fastest growing Irish event in the U.S.,it was also provide the perfect opportunity to announce the headline perfomers for 2007. Performing at the event also were Cliudan and the Butler School of Irish Dance. Our thanks go out once again to festival sponsors Tri-Valley Beverage, Casa Imports and SYSCO for supporting this event.

The Glengarry Bhoys are pictured from their performance at the Hooley courtesy of photographer Joe Patterson.
Glengarry Bhoys website
Discounted Weekend Passes still on sale for only $20!!
January 22, 2007
For a limited time, the Great American Irish Festival will continue to offer discounted three day passes to the July 27-29 Festival for just $20. Festival Director, Matt Sullivan says, “ Our booking department is promising the best line up yet. With three days of entertainment, there is sure to be something for everyone! Where else can you get three days of world class entertainment for only $20? This is a great value, and the lowest price that will be offered for the 4th annual fest - don't pass it up!�? Children under 13 are FREE.
Ordering could not be easier. Just click on the Click N Print link on the main page of this site. You can purchase your tickets and print them right out at home.
Promotion at Utica College Hockey Game
January 21, 2007
On Friday night January 19th, the GAIF participated in a promotion at the Utica College vs. Elmira College men's hockey game at the Utica Memorial Auditorium. Ten different U.C. players signed program books and the holders of these autographed books received a pair of weekend passes to the festival. Congratulations to the winners:

Mark and Don Liable
Chris Reese
Robert Plourde Jr.
Michele Monnat
Lynda Taffi
Carter Rorick and Cody Kilmartin
Rick Kokosenski
Sue Swavely
Carolyn Baum
Lauren Partyka

Utica College Athletics
First Source FCU becomes festival sponsor
December 29, 2006
We are pleased to announce that First Source Federal Credit Union will be the Great American Irish Festival Hospitality sponsor for 2007. Our thanks go out to CEO Mike Parsons and his team for their support.

About First Source FCU:
Founded in 1938 as the Utica Teachers Federal Credit Union, in the midst of the Depression, teachers found it difficult to secure credit. They also had special needs, such as the deferment of loan payments during the summer months when school was not in session. Eleven teachers applied for and received the Government's approval to form a Credit Union.

In 1992, to better reflect the broader membership of the organization, their name was changed to First Source Federal Credit Union. Today First Source serves nearly 30,000 members from various Groups in our community. In March of 2007 First Source was granted a charter that allows anyone who lives, works, worships, or attends school in Oneida and Herkimer Counties to become a member.

First Source FCU
Festival presence at the Utica Memorial Auditorium
December 3, 2006
Thanks to another generous sign-making donation by festival sponsor Jill Rae Signs of Herkimer, the festival is now front and center for all events this season at the Utica Memorial Auditorium. We're happy to support the activities at the Aud which include Utica College and Mohawk Valley Community College Hockey, as well as numerous other events over the next few months. To have your dasher board or any other sign made - contact Jill Rae at (315)866-3789. For more information on what's happening at the Aud, go to their website at the link below.
Utica Memorial Auditorium website
GAIF unveils new trailer at RCIL Parade
November 26, 2006
The Great American Irish Festival crew was happy to participate in the inaugural parade down Genesee St. in Utica to kick off the RCIL's Wonderland of Lights season. RCIL stands for Resource Center for Independent Living and their Wonderland of Lights display is held leading up to Christmas each year to raise funds for their programs. For a nominal fee, vehicles can proceed through the Masonic Home campus and view the impressive holiday light display.

The GAIF crew handed out information on the festival announcing that our holiday special tickets are now on sale, as well as candy to the children.

Photo courtesy of Charley Thomas (Riverside Diner).
Wonderland of Lights website
You asked for it - you got it! The 2007 Great American Irish Festival will be 3 big days!
September 15, 2006
You spoke and the board of directors has responded. Our festival hours next year will be:
Friday: 5 pm - 11 pm
Saturday: 12 noon - 11 pm
Sunday: 12 noon - 5 pm

For the first time, the GAIF will have a Gaelic Mass on the Traditional Stage which will take place at 10:30 am Sunday morning. Those attending mass will receive FREE festival admission on Sunday.
Just in case you thought we were "embellishing" about Saturday's storm...
August 2, 2006
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BINGHAMTON NY
607 PM EDT TUE AUG 01 2006

...SMALL TORNADO CONFIRMED IN ONEIDA COUNTY NY...

ON SATURDAY JULY 29...A WEAK TORNADO TOUCHED DOWN ABOUT 4 MILES NORTH OF UTICA AT 330 PM. THE TORNADO SNAPPED OR UPROOTED SEVERAL TREES IN A FIELD NEAR MORRIS ROAD IN MARCY TOWNSHIP. ESTIMATED WIND SPEEDS WITH THIS F-0 TORNADO WERE ABOUT 60 MPH.

THE DAMAGE PATTERN ASSOCIATED WITH THIS TORNADO INDICATED A ROTATIONAL WIND PATTERN... AS THE MAJORITY OF TREES FELL WITH A NORTHWESTERLY WIND... HOWEVER A FEW OF THE TREES FELL WITH A WESTERLY OR SOUTHEASTERLY WIND. A NEARBY WITNESS DESCRIBED STRONG... SWIRLING WINDS... WITH RAIN FALLING INTO HER HOUSE THROUGH HER WINDOW ON ONE SIDE OF HER HOUSE DURING THE ONSET OF THE STORM... AND THROUGH A WINDOW ON THE OTHER SIDE OF HER HOUSE TOWARD THE END OF THE STORM. THE WIDTH OF THE TORNADO IS ESTIMATED AT 50 YARDS... AND THE LENGTH IS ESTIMATED AT 200 YARDS.

This was the storm that continued a mere few miles eastward and hit us. It is also rumored to have produced another small tornado in Yorkville, another suburb of Utica. It hampered our attendance and caused a bit of misery, but it could have been worse.
The storm that couldn't keep us down
August 1, 2006
The initial weather forecast for Saturday called for partly cloudy skies with temperatures in the eighties. Not bad weather for any festival. However, Mother Nature would soon throw us a serious curve ball. The report from the Natural Weather Service turned ominous later in the day. The report was bad and it would soon get much worse. There was an angry storm brewing over the Great Lakes and headed our way. Our army of volunteers sprang into action and vendors were advised to secure their tents and "batten down the hatches." Tents were checked and rechecked. We were ready for the storm. As the storm ravaged Utica, staff checked the weather radar image, which confirmed that we would soon take a direct hit. Radio headsets crackled with the voice of Matt Sullivan advising, "Guys it's getting worse. They are now calling for 50 mile an hour winds and life threatening lightning. We've got to make the call." The stages were rapidly shut down and the crowds were advised to seek shelter in one of our many buildings. It seemed that many people did not want to venture into the rain from the comfort of our big tent. When the forecast changed to "tornado warnings", they didn't have a choice. Frankfort Emergency Services directed the people to leave the big tent and to seek shelter in our buildings. Mother Nature displayed some great fireworks and a power pole took a direct hit. Despite the raging storm, the vendor building continued with acoustic music and Andy Cooney led the crowds in singing "You are my sunshine" and other standards at the Traditional Stage. People were smiling, singing and having fun, albeit a little wet while doing so. The storm passed quickly and people assisted the staff with righting overturned tables, setting up chairs and even pouring a few pints. The beer stations were immediately reopened and the musical stages were soon up and running. Many people left after the storm passed, only to return with dry clothes later in the day. The behavior and positive attitudes of the band members, patrons and staff were nothing less than exceptional. Enter the Haggis and Black 47 rocked the tent and ended a great day. Mother Nature gave us her best shot but couldn't stop the festival. After all, it's an Irish Festival.
Final preparations underway
July 23, 2006
The GAIF committee has moved into final preparation mode for the festival. Work is underway at the Herkimer County Fairgrounds to welcome the expected large crowds to the "fastest growing Irish event in the country." Early long-range weather forecasts look favorable and the festival volunteers are collectively crossing their fingers for it to remain that way. No fear, however, since we launched this event three years ago during a tornado watch as the first act took the stage. (An extremely rare occurrence for those of you unfamiliar with Central NY weather) But a large turnout enjoyed the inaugural event nonetheless, since we ensure that all acts and vendors are under cover. For updates on our local weather, go to the website of festival sponsor WKTV News Channel 2 at the link below.

The photo shows festival committee member (and electrician) Dave Irons installing solar lights on our new sign at the fairgrounds along Rte 5S in Frankfort. The sign was donated by festival sponsor Jill Rae Signs of Herkimer.
WKTV Weather website
Makem Brothers Added to '06 GAIF Lineup
July 12, 2006
Sometimes things don't work out as planned.
Sometimes they work out better.
Faced with the defection of the Irish Descendants from its 2006 lineup, the Great American Irish Festival simply went out and replaced them with one of the most famous names in Irish Music, as the Makem Brothers have been added to perform at the July 28-29 festival.
Officials from the festival have been under the impression for months that the lineup was complete, having agreed to terms with close to 40 different acts, including such international stars as Natalie MacMaster, Solas, The Prodigals, Enter the Haggis, Hair of the Dog, The Glengarry Bhoys, The Fenians, the Young Dubliners and Old Blind Dogs. However, at the last minute, one of the headline acts, the Irish Descendants, backed out of the festival, citing scheduling problems.
What could have been a major blow instead turned into a major coup when it was learned that the Makem Brothers had an unexpected opening that weekend and would be available for the festival. A few emails later, the deal was done, and the biggest and best festival lineup in the Northeast got even bigger and better.
The Makem Brothers – Shane, Conor and Rory – are the sons of the legendary Tommy Makem and are joined on stage by fellow siblings Mickey and Liam Spain to form an act that one reviewer has called "the definitive Irish folk singers of their generation."
The Makem Brothers will be performing on the Harp Traditional Stage at 6:15 p.m. on Saturday, July 29.
Times Set for Open Sessions
July 11, 2006
Attention all musicians and would-be musicians: The times have been set for the open sessions offered for the first time at the 2006 Great American Irish Festival. The sessions, where musicians of all skill levels are invited to join and play traditional jigs and reels of Ireland, will be held at 12:30 p.m. and at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 29 in the Smurfit-Stone Irish Cultural Building. Festival goers are invited to bring whatever instruments they play and join in with members from the well-established Syracuse Session. Songs likely to be played may include reels like Maid Behind the Bar, Cooley's Reel, St. Anne's Reel, Drowsy Maggie, and Merry Blacksmith, hornpipes such as The Boys of Blue Hill, The Harvest Home, and The Rights of Man, and jigs like Blarney Pilgrim, Connaught Man's Rambles, Kesh Jig, and Lark in the Morning. The sessions will be geared to beginners as well as advanced musicians
'06 GAIF To Feature Open Sessions
May 25, 2006
Have you always wanted to play at the Great American Irish Festival? Well, here’s your chance. No, you won't be taking the stage with Solas, but you can share a playing area with some of Central New York's most respected musicians. The 2006 Great American Irish festival will present, for the first time, an open session, where musicians of all skill levels are invited to join and play traditional jigs and reels of Ireland. Festivalgoers are invited to bring whatever instruments they play (although drum kits and electric guitars will probably not be welcomed with open arms) and join in with members from the well-established Syracuse session, which meets on (at least) a weekly basis at venues throughout Syracuse. The sessions will be geared to beginners as well as advanced musicians. All that is required is a basic knowledge of some of the tunes traditionally played at sessions. Times will be posted as the schedules are finalized.
Black 47, Fenians Join 2006 Great American Irish Fest Lineup
March 14, 2006
UTICA, NY – The acts already announced for the 2006 Great American Irish Festival -Natalie MacMaster, Solas, The Prodigals, Enter the Haggis, Hair of the Dog, The Glengarry Bhoys, Cathie Ryan, Andy Cooney - would be enough for most festivals.
In case anyone hasn't noticed by now, however, the GAIF is not like most festivals.
Not content with that stellar cast, the Great American Irish Festival has added another full festival's worth of world-class entertainment to the previously publicized list for its July 28-29 event.
"This lineup is as good as any festival anywhere and cements the Great American Irish Festival’s position as one of the pre-eminent Irish festivals in the Northeast, if not the nation," promised Festival Director Matthew Sullivan.
Returning to the GAIF stage this July will be the most exciting and provocative band in Celtic rock history, the fiery and irreverent Black 47. Also taking the GAIF contemporary stage will be the electrifying Fenians from California, and the hard-rocking Young Dubliners, as well as award-winning Capital-area favorites, the McKrells, Greenwich Meantime, featuring former members of the Glengarry Bhoys, and one of the hottest acts on the festival circuit, the McCabes.
Joining Solas on the traditional stage will be Scotland's Old Blind Dogs, who have received the "Band of the Year" Award at the Scots Trad Music Awards in the Queen's Hall, Edinburgh, and the Juno and East Coast Music Award-winning Irish Descendants, as well as popular Connecticut Irish balladeers the Kerry Boys.
As if this wasn't enough, the festival also boasts the best Irish acts from throughout New York State, from western New York favorites Gerry Dixon and Seanache to the Southern Tier's Pat Kane and West o’Clare and Elmira’s Donal O'Shaugnessy, as well as the area's favorite Celtic performers, The Blarney Rebel Band, Cliudan, John Gilligan, Rattlin' Bog and the legendary Vince Colgan.
Erin Mulady Hamlin headed to the winter Olympics - Festival Supports Her Efforts
February 6, 2006
Erin Hamlin of Remsen, NY is headed to the upcoming winter Olympics in Torino, Italy as a member of the USA Women's Luge Team. The festival board of directors recently voted (unanimously) to make a financial contribution to her cause in the amount of $1,000. Pictured from left to right are: Matt Sullivan - Festival Director, Eileen Hamlin (mother), Ron Hamlin (father), and Kevin Dowling - Asst. Festival Director making the donation at a fundraiser held on Saturday January 28th at 7 pm at Van's Tavern in Barneveld. For more information on Erin, her training, efforts to benefit her, USA Luge, and more - click on the link below. Please join us in supporting this tremendous local Irish-American who is working hard to pursue her Olympic dream. She is scheduled to compete on February 13th and 14th. Please check television listings to find coverage of USA Luge which will be provided locally by festival sponsor NBC - WKTV News Channel 2 in Utica. The NBC website indicates that it will be televised at 4 pm each day (13th and 14th).
CNYNorthCountry.com
Natalie MacMaster, Solas to Headline 2006 Festival
January 17, 2006
Fiery fiddle and flashing footwork will be on display as Canadian Celtic superstar Natalie MacMaster comes to Central New York as one of the headliners at the 2006 Great American Irish Festival. Also making their first GAIF appearance will be Solas, acclaimed by many as the most exciting Irish traditional group in the world.
In just two short years the festival has developed into what one performer last year called one of the top three Irish festivals in the country. The growth from local event to an international experience is evident with this year's line-up, which features performers from 10 counties of Ireland, Scotland, Canada and from all corners of the United States.
In addition to fiddle virtuoso (and new mother) MacMaster and Solas, festival-goers will also enjoy such world-class acts as The Prodigals, Enter the Haggis, Hair of the Dog, The Glengarry Bhoys, Cathie Ryan and Andy Cooney.
Proceeds from the annual festival will be used to help establish an Irish Cultural Center in the Mohawk Valley. Filling three stages with continuous music throughout the festival, the lineup is a virtual who's who in Celtic music and truly features something for everyone.
Natalie MacMaster is a Grammy nominee and multiple Juno-award winner, while the much-lauded Solas has electrified crowds everywhere they've performed. Andy Cooney, former vocalist with the renowned Paddy Noonan Band, has been called "Irish America's Favorite Son" by the New York Times, and Cathie Ryan, the original lead vocalist for Cherish the Ladies, has been hailed as one of the leading voices in Celtic Music by the Los Angeles Times and was named Irish Female Vocalist of the Decade by the Irish American News.
On the contemporary stage, The Prodigals have received the #1 ranking by readers of the largest circulation Irish-American newspaper, the Irish Echo, beating out acts such as U2 and Van Morrison. Enter the Haggis was recently featured on A&E Network's Emmy-nominated Breakfast With The Arts series, and the Glengarry Bhoys have established themselves as one of the top draws on the Irish music circuit with their fiery guitar and bass, intense percussion and fiddle, all teamed with the power of bagpipes.
The festival will also feature pipers, Irish dance and music demonstrations and workshops, Irish history and culture seminars and events for children such as storytellers, rides and clowns.
In addition to the non-stop music, merchandise vendors from across the U.S. and Ireland, carefully selected from a list of applicants, will be selling Irish and Celtic merchandise and food booths will be providing a taste of the Emerald Isle for festival-goers. Campsites are also available.
And, Festival Director Matt Sullivan promises, there is more to come.
"As impressive as this list of performers is, we're still going to be adding more, including, we hope, one huge act," predicted Sullivan. Keep visiting the website regularly for further announcements and updates.
Festival makes donation to Operation Sunshine
January 11, 2006
The Great American Irish Festival was able once again to make a donation to Operation Sunshine just before Christmas. Operation Sunshine is a charity administered by the Observer Dispatch which benefits children in need in the Mohawk Valley area. Through the generosity of multitudes of area businesses and individuals, they were able to reach their fundraising goal of $75,000 this year.

Pictured from left to right are: Matt Sullivan - Festival Director, Donna Donovan - Observer-Dispatch Publisher, Kevin Dowling - Asst. Festival Director
Visit The New GAIF Message Board
December 3, 2005
Did you have such a good time at the Great American Irish Festival you feel like you just have to tell someone about it? Well, now you can. The Great American Irish Festival announces the unveiling of its brand new message board. A simple registration process will make you a registered member of the message board community, able to rave or rant (within reason!) The overwhelming success of the first two years of the Great American Irish Festival was due in no small part to the suggestions and contributions from you, the festival-goer, and the new message board ensures that your suggestions will be heard. Want to request a band? Put it on the message board. Did you see some merchandise you're looking to track down? Look for it on the message board. Feel the need to give a pat on the back for a job well done? Do it on the message board. Got a complaint? Keep it to yourself. No, wait, I mean, put it on the message board. While abusive or offensive message will not be allowed, constructive criticism is essential to the continued growth and success of the Great American Irish Festival. The Great American Irish Festival message board is a great place to reconnect with old friends and make new ones. Make it a daily stop.
GAIF Favorites Enter The Haggis to Appear on A&E
November 6, 2005
Just a quick note: Great American Irish Festival favorites Enter the Haggis will be featured on Arts and Entertainment Network's highly acclaimed "Breakfast With The Arts" program on Sunday, December 11. Twice-nominated for a daytime EMMY Award (Outstanding Special Class Series), A&E Television Network's Breakfast With The Arts covers the full range of current trends in music, film, theatre and the fine arts. The 2-hour program, featuring interviews with prominent performers, writers, directors, artists and musicians, celebrates the creative spirit in all areas of the arts. Enter The Haggis has been signed as one of the headliners for the 2006 Great American Irish Festival, following up on their triumphant initial appearance at the last summer's festival and their highly successful GAIF fundraiser held at the Devereux in Utica in November. Breakfast With The Arts airs from 8-10 every Sunday morning. Check your local listings for the A&E channel in your viewing area.
2006 Great American Irish Festival Dates Announced
October 23, 2005
The Great American Irish Festival Committee is hard at work organizing the 2006 festival. The third annual event will be held on Friday, July 28th and Saturday, July 29th 2006. Keep checking our website for further details.
Just Added - New Photos of the 2005 Event courtesy Nancy L. Ford!
October 18, 2005
Take a look through our newly added pages of photography!
1st Annual Agen/Durr Irish Spirit Award
August 1, 2005
Just prior to our 1st Great American Irish Festival, a fine Irish gentlemen named James Agen of Barneveld passed away after a lengthy illness. On his hospital room wall was a festival poster. He would have loved nothing more than to have made it to our 1st event and laugh with his friends. At that 1st festival, however, was a good friend of his, the eloquent and jovial Irishman Raymond Durr, Esq. of Boonville, who worked tirelessly in support of the festival in any way he could. Unfortunately, Ray passed unexpectedly a few months later. As a tribute to these outstanding Irish friends, two festival committee members, Joe White and Nick Durr, established the Agen/Durr Irish Spirit Award in their honor. It will be awarded annually at our festival in recognition of an individual who has demonstrated some of the qualities of these men. The 1st recipient of this award is Bill Corrigan of Kayuta Lake. Bill is a successful businessman and family man who takes every opportunity to bring smiles to the faces of others. In fact, he can routinely be found dressed as a Leprechaun at area functions dispensing "Irish happiness."
Volunteers Needed!
April 4, 2005
We are now signing up volunteers for the 2005 festival. Our new website link is up and anyone interested in being a volunteer at this year's event is encouraged to go to the Volunteer page and submit their information. Also, anyone who submitted information prior to April 1st through the website is asked to PLEASE RE-SUBMIT! We have been told by several people that the old link didn't work properly. As our festival is rapidly expanding, we'll be looking for even more people than last year. Our volunteers get free admission and a "Staff" shirt, and are asked to work less than half of the event hours, so they can enjoy the festival with family and friends.
Quadsimia becomes major sponsor!
March 15, 2005
We are pleased to announce that Quadsimia Internet Presence Professionals of New York Mills has become a major sponsor of the festival. They are in the process of re-designing our website and will be hosting the site at their facility. According to GAIF Director Matt Sullivan, "Quadsimia made us a tremendous sponsor offer and they have been great to work with so far. We are working dilligently to get our site completely built and the entire committee would like to thank Sue and Everett Miller of The Plaide Palette of Celtic Art for volunteering to get our site on the map and listed so widely in its inaugural year. We are attempting to make this website as interesting and user-friendly as possible and welcome comments and suggestions to that effect."
Visit Quadsimia's site