Hudson Fest goes online for Christmas

The Hudson Valley Irish Fest is presenting a virtual concert Sunday, December 20

By Irish Echo Staff

The Hudson Valley Irish Fest, a popular Irish music and cultural gathering normally held at summer's end on the banks of the Hudson River, will hold a special Christmas Virtual Concert premiering on Sunday, December 20, at 7 p.m. EST and running throughout the holidays. It can be viewed on Youtube and facebook at "Hudson Valley Irish Fest & Center” or at www.hudsonvalleyirishfest.com. The event is free and donations can be made on the website.

The Home for Christmas Concert is offered as a thank you to the artists, craftspeople, volunteers and communities that have supported the Hudson Valley Irish Fest, Center and Library, based in Westchester County, New York, in the City of Peekskill since 2009, said a release.

The presentation will feature recording artists on location in County Dublin, Ennistymon in County Clare, Tallahassee Florida, Riverdale, NY, and the scenic Lower Hudson Valley.

Artists include Mundy, Aoife Scott, Mary Courtney, Donie Carroll and Tara O’Grady together with vignettes from community members and past events of the Fest and Center.

In a normal year the community-based, not for profit cultural group celebrates the rich Irish-American heritage in the Hudson Valley year-round, culminating with a day of Irish culture at the Peekskill Riverfront.

Dan Dennehy, the organizations's founding chair, stated: “Back in September we had to cancel the Fest due to Covid. The Home For Christmas Concert brings our talented artists from Ireland and America into homes safely."

Cathal McGreal, Fest chairman stated: "We plan to resume year-round events, including the 2021 Fest, as soon as its safe to do so. This has been a fun expertise for us all and brought us closer with a little Irish Christmas Spirit."

The 12th Annual Hudson Valley Irish Fest’s riverside celebration is now planned for Saturday, September 25, 2021. The Fest and Center depend on community support, particularly from the men, women, and families of Peekskill Division 18 Westchester County Hibernians. The Consulate General of Ireland in New York assists the group with an annual grant from the Emigrant Support Program of the Department of Foreign Affairs.

The Fest's website: www.hudsonvalleyirishfest.com and Facebook page, offer details and directions to the Fest, as well as many pictures of past events. For more information about the Hudson Valley Irish Fest, Center, and Library, contact Cathal McGreal, 2019 Hudson Valley Irish Fest Chairman, at (914) 804-0088 or cathalmcgreal@mac.com.