{"id":32464,"date":"2026-03-03T07:49:00","date_gmt":"2026-03-03T12:49:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=32464"},"modified":"2026-03-04T08:03:47","modified_gmt":"2026-03-04T13:03:47","slug":"craicfest-2026-kick-off-st-pats-festivities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=32464","title":{"rendered":"CraicFest 2026 kick Off St. Pat’s Festivities"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\u201cBallroom Boom\u201d is narrated by Adam Clayton of U2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Preview by Brad Balfour, Arts Editor

The legendary CraicFest kickoffs where the festival begins. Over the years, this series of events combines both Irish film and music. Launch by Terence Mulligan years ago, the fest has been a culrual phenomenon since it began.
This opening night has become a cornerstone of CraicFest with packed venues, unforgettable performances, bringing Irish to life in New York City. Past kickoff shows have featured iconic acts including Rubberbandits and Kneecap, setting the bar for what a CraicFest opening night is all about.

On Wednesday, March 4, we gather once again at Paddy Reilly\u2019s Music Bar to launch CraicFest 2026 with a night that blends contemporary Irish music, world-class dance, and pure craic.

Music Guest: Graham Smith
Perfect for opening the festival, Smith brings contemporary Irish folk and acoustic storytelling to the CraicFest stage. Known for heartfelt songwriting and an unmistakable live presence, his music bridges the traditional and modern Irish sound in an authentic and powerful way.

Irish Dance Performance: Kait Rock
Internationally acclaimed Irish dancer Rock pushes the boundaries of the traditional form. Blending precision, athleticism, and modern expression, her performances bring Irish dance into bold, contemporary spaces while honoring its deep cultural roots. Fresh off the stage of Beyonce\u2019s \u201cCowboy Carter\u201d Tour, Kait returns to CraicFest.

The Kickoff events have historically filled quickly and there may be a Surprise Music Guest TBA. Arrive early to avoid disappointment. This is a free event but space is limited, please RSVP.

Thursday, March 5th
Opening Night Film & Party
\u201cSaipan: A World Cup Feud\u201d \u2013 NYC Premiere
7 pm: Village East by Angelika
CraicFest 2026 officially opens on March 5th with this New York City Premiere of \u201cSaipan: A World Cup Feud.\u201d This opening night screening marks the film\u2019s first presentation to NYC audiences, making it a landmark moment for both the festival and Irish cinema in New York City.\u00a0The film revisits the infamous events surrounding Ireland\u2019s 2002 World Cup campaign, when tensions between team captain Roy Keane and manager Mick McCarthy erupted into one of the most controversial moments in Irish sporting history. Set against the pressure of international competition, the film explores how preparation, professionalism, leadership, and personality collided, creating a moment that split public opinion and became etched into Ireland\u2019s cultural memory. More than a sports story, \u201cSaipan\u201d is a powerful examination of standards, principles, and what it means to represent a nation on the world stage.

The screening will be followed by a Q&A with Directors Glen Leyburn & Lisa Barros D\u2019Sa.

Ticket includes After Party at Solas [E. 9th St. off 2nd Ave.] with complimentary beer, 9pm \u2013 11pm.

Friday, March 6th
Shorts Night
7 pm: Village East by Angelika
The Irish Shorts evening celebrates bold new visions in Irish cinema with a curated program of award-winning short films that span drama, intimacy, humor, and raw human connection. The evening features \u201cMouse,\u201d directed by Rosie Barrett and starring Lynn Raffery, alongside \u201cI Do\u201d\u00a0directed by Joseph Jones,\u00a0In addition, there\u2019s \u201cHomeTime\u201d directed by Jonathan Lambert,\u00a0\u201cMourning Glory\u201d\u00a0directed by John Carlin and written by Shane McNaughton,\u00a0The Wheel\u00a0directed by Jake Quinn and\u00a0Gale Force\u00a0directed by Tara Hegarty. Together, these films showcase a dynamic range of storytelling and cinematic craft from some of Ireland\u2019s most exciting filmmakers.

Ticket includes After Party at Factory 380
380 3rd Ave. Complimentary beer & appetizers from 9-11pm. Local filmmakers to attend.

Saturday, March 7th
Kids Fest
11:30 am: Village East by Angelika
Award winning Best of Short films for kids and families. Animation and Live Action. Previous short films are Oscar Nominated shorts such as Give Up Yer Aul Sins and Granny O\u2019Grimm. This fun short program is designed for kids and families.

Feature: \u201cBP Fallon Rock\u2019N\u2019Roll Wizard Vol. 1.\u201d
1 pm: Village East by Angelika
Directed by Alan Leonard, \u201cBP Fallon Rock\u2019N\u2019Roll Wizard Vol. 1.\u201d traces the remarkable arc of Fallon\u2019s life, from the explosive rise of British rock through to unexpected late-career reinvention. Along the way, Fallon intersects with some of the most iconic names in modern music: The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, T. Rex, Johnny Thunders, and U2; artists who didn\u2019t just define eras, but rewrote the rules. When many would have slowed down, Fallon took a sharp left turn later in life, forging a creative partnership with Jack White and Third Man Records, proving that reinvention has no age limit and that true rock\u2019n\u2019roll spirit never retires.

Feature: \u201cWhere the Road Meets the Sky\u201d
3 pm: Village East by Angelika
\u201cWhere the Road Meets the Sky\u201d is a layered and deeply reflective experimental film funded by the Arts Council of Ireland, examining the intersection of time, language, and memory through the lived experience of Irish Travellers. At the center of the film stands Chrissy Donaghue Ward, grandmother of the film\u2019s writer and director John Connors, a towering figure in Irish Traveller history. An unwavering matriarch, civil rights activist, and the last Shanakee of the open road from the Donaghue, Ward, and Connors clans, Chrissy is the keeper of a culture shaped by movement, oral storytelling, and survival.

Feature: \u201cBallroom Boom\u201d \u2013 U.S. Premier
7 pm: Village East by Angelika
\u201cBallroom Boom\u201d brings CraicFest 2026 to a close with a powerful, music-driven documentary, followed by a closing night party celebrating Irish sound, storytelling, and legacy. U-2\u2019s bassist Adam Clayton explores the extraordinary rise and fall of Ireland\u2019s showband era, when over 700 bands and thousands of musicians performed live in ballrooms across Ireland almost every night of the week during the 1960s. Director Billy McGrath to attend screening.

Ticket includes Screening and After party at Solas
E 9th St. off 2nd Ave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For more i nfo and tickets go to:https:\/\/thecraicfest.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n

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