It's known as the Emerald Isle of the Catskills and while its star as a summer resort for the New York Irish may have faded in recent decades, the Irish American community of East Durham continues to pursue ambitious goals — literally.
For the call has gone out in the Irish Alps for players to field for a new Gaelic football club in East Durham.
And with the town's Michael J. Quill Irish Centre already boasting one of the best Gaelic pitches in the state, Irish community dynamo Christine O'Dell says a local team could quickly kick on.
Born in Illinois to a mum who hailed from the Catskills, Christine moved back to the area and threw herself into the work of the Irish community as a board member at the expansive Michael J. Quill Irish Cultural Centre.
Donal Gallagher, a founding member of the Centre, led the installation of the town's regulation Gaelic football pitch. A Killybegs native, Donal was a pillar of the Donegal New York GAA club as member, coach and manager for over 40 years bringing them to six SFC titles. He passed away in 2022.
"At his memorial in 2023, we had the NY GAA Donegal and Galway teams here in East Durham to play on his field but it poured a flood from the heavens and we were forced to re-schedule," says Christine. "However, that rematch is scheduled for later this summer." FIELD OF DREAMS: The Gaelic Pitch in East Durham
Now the Centre is pushing to raise funds to enhance the sports facility and build dressing rooms but its priority is to start a club which will officially be part of the global GAA family.
"We are putting the word out to local retired Gaelic players and referees to coach our local youth in Gaelic football and hurling," says Christine. That appeal struck a chord in particular with many of the Irish who flooded into the town for the 47th annual Irish Festival over Memorial Day weekend.
"I am pleased to say that there has been strong interest so far," adds Christine.
Any Gaelic sports fans wishing to help the East Durham Irish score a success with their latest undertaking can contact Christine by email.
