By Paddy McCarthy
This news came to me from Nassau County Feis and Festival Corp about their 54th Annual Feis and Festival, which will be held this Sunday, September 20, 2026 and will honor Joe McDonald. This is also another great event that you should not miss again I hope to be there as it is always a brilliant day out. As I said I hope to attend as it is always a great event that has everything for everybody when you attend. on Sunday, September 20, 2026, starting at 9 am, the Nassau County Ancient Order of Hibernians Feis and Festival Corp. will hold its 54th Annual Feis and Festival. It will be held at Wantagh Park (1 King Rd, Wantagh, Long Island)! “We are honored to have Joe McDonald as this year’s honoree,” they said. “Joe is a tireless worker for the feis and its sister event the LI Irish Fest in Platteduetsch Park on October 18th. Joe McDonald is currently the President of the Nassau County AOH. We would be honored to have you attend this year’s Feis and the ceremony to show your support for the event and our honoree, Joe. There will be top of the line entertainment starting with one of the finest entertainers at this nside of the Atlantic at the afternoon concert with T. McCann Band plus a lot more entertainers for your total enjoyment. Catholic Mass will be celebrated at 11 am and the presentations will follow at noon. please visit our website at www.nassauaohfeis.com.”
I am so happy to bring you these two events that you should support as they are a great help in promoting Irish communities right across the board. Now for another big Irish Festival that will be happening on Saturday, The 17th Annual Hudson Valley Irish Fest which will honor the 25th Anniversary of 9/11 and 250th Anniversary of the United States. Thee civic opening of the fest will feature Consul General of Ireland, Gerald Angley. The 17th Annual Hudson Valley Irish Fest on Saturday, September 19, 2026, will run from 11 am to 7 pm at Peekskill Riverfront Green Park, steps from the Peekskill Metro-North station. The day will open at noon with a Civic Opening ceremony on the main stage, expected to include participation from the Irish Consulate General and several elected legislators. Founded in 2009, Hudson Valley Irish Fest grew out of a community vision for a riverfront festival that could give rise to a lasting cultural organization. Today, with support from Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs Emigrant Support Program, the Westchester County Board of Legislators, and an all-volunteer base of residents and business owners across the City of Peekskill, the Town of Cortlandt, and surrounding towns in Westchester and Putnam Counties, the Festival has grown into one of the region’s signature celebrations of Irish heritage — funding the Hudson Valley Irish Center and Library at Assumption Church in Peekskill.
This year’s Festival carries particular significance, marking both the 25th anniversary of the September 11th attacks and the 250th anniversary of the United States. In the aftermath of 9/11, Peekskill and Cortlandt’s Irish community played a central role in designing and building Peekskill’s WTC 9/11 Memorial, located adjacent to the Festival grounds.
On September 19, Hudson Valley Irish Fest member, All-Ireland accordion champion, and FDNY firefighter — will be dedicated at the the festival. The Festival’s main stage lineup includes Shilelagh Law, Amadans, and Phineas & Lonely Leaves, with additional acts to be announced. Attendees can also expect Irish dancers, bagpipers, a spoken word tent, fine crafts, 18th-century toys and crafts, and a Hibernian Tent hosted by the Fighting 69th, Division 18 Hibernians. Food and beverages will be available throughout the grounds, including a beer garden. The Festival is easily reached via MTA Metro-North’s Hudson Line, with the Peekskill train station immediately adjacent to Riverfront Green; free parking is also available on site. Tickets and additional information are available at www.hvif.org.
I hope to see you all again next week when I am Out&About again…