Come Hurl a Sliothar, Cheer the NYPD Gaelic Football Club, more at GaelFEST Sat June 1 at CBA

Hurling and Irish Football Matches a Feature at GaelFEST, a New Festival Showcasing Traditional Irish Culture on June 1 at Christian Brothers Academy, Lincroft, NJ

On Saturday, June 1, Claddagh na nGael will present a brand new festival, GaelFEST, celebrating all aspects of traditional Irish culture.  Presented in conjunction with Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann North America, the New York Gaelic Athletic Association, Monmouth University and Christian Brothers Academy, this day long cultural festival will be held on the impressive grounds of Christian Brothers Academy in Lincroft, NJ.

Few things arise Irish passions like the fast-paced, hard-hitting sports of hurling and Gaelic football. Many Americans, even Irish Americans, think of all things green when it comes to Irish culture but how many know the true grace of an athlete as he hurls the sliothar into the net for the winning goal? Or cheering battling footballers as they hand-pass and kick their way up the pitch?

The Gaelic sports of hurling and Gaelic football are authentic Ireland. Fast, rough, and exciting, they’re great port but also a demonstration of true Irish spirit, a celebration of ancient taditions and culture, and the source of intense local pride. 

Come see four hurling clubs from the ri-state area in action when the Hoboken Guards, the Long Island Gaels, the Alentown PA Hibernians and the Philadelphia-based Na Tóraidhe Hurling Club ake to the field beginning at noon. Hurling is similar to lacrosse or hockey, layed on a large pitch with a curved wooden stick or “hurley” and a small all. It’s one of the fastest games afield. Bodies bang, the ball is as hard as  baseball, and the sticks are made of solid ash.

Gaelic football became popular in Ieland as early as the 16th century. The modern game plays like a mix f rugby and soccer. Fifteen-player teams battle across a pitch using a round ball lightly smaller than its soccer counterpart. The ball is carried for short istances, and passing is done with a kick or a “hand pass,” the ball struck wth a hand or fist. The action is fast and furious, and play is rough.
Protective equipment is non-existent. 

Come cheer as the NYPD Gaelic Fotball Club, founded in 1970 and dedicated to supporting a different charity ech year, take on the Barnabas G.F.C., one of the oldest teams in the New York Mnor Board, founded in 1972 and based in Paddy’s Field in Woodlawn in the Bonx. 

In addition, the teams will provide kd-friendly introductory sessions to some of the basic skills of each sport.

“GaelFEST is meant to be a clebration of everything that is truly Irish, from sport that dates back cnturies to traditional music and dance, language, food, art, and literature,” sys Dermot Farley, Executive Chair of Claddagh na nGael. 

The inaugural edition of GaelFEST will begin at 10AM and run all day with
a full schedule of events, arts and crafts, Irish step dancing, Ceili dancing,
Irish language, exhibits and lectures, storytelling, food and much more for all
ages and interests. More information on GaelFEST including festival line-up,
directions and advance ticket purchases can be found at www.gaelfest.com.

Proceeds from GaelFEST support the Caddagh na nGael branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann which is a 501(c)(3) caritable organization dedicated to the preservation and promotion of taditional Irish culture.  In addition, a prtion of the proceeds will benefit Christian Brothers Academy.

About Claddagh na nGael

Claddagh na nGael (Irish Shore) is a branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann
(kol-tus kyol-tori air-in) covering Central New Jersey and the Jersey Shore. Comhaltas eoltóirí Éireann was formed in 1951 and is the largest international body ivolved in the promotion of Irish traditional culture worldwide. Today the
organization has 415 branches with over 40,000 members on 5 continents.  You can visit us at www.ccenorthamerica.org, www.comhaltas.ie or
www.irishshore.org.

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