The Hudson Valley Irish Fest is a not for profit charitable organization.

Shilelagh Law HEADLINES The Hudson Valley Irish Fest again in 2010!

New York and Irish music have a long and storied history together, a collision of two cultures that results in bedlam, beauty, and a lot in between. Shilelagh Law embodies all that is New York Irish Music: old songs, new songs, jigs, reels, dancing, weeping, lots of laughter, plenty of drinks, and the inevitable visit to the local diner at 5 a.m.  By interpreting traditional Irish Music through a filter of urban grittiness, Shilelagh Law helps to define the Irish-American experience that is such a big part of New York town.

www.halfthebottle.com

 SEISIUN, is one of the only traditional pub song and ballad bands still pounding the pavement and that didd't sell out to bagpipe rock!  Where others pander to the paki-kilt, green-beer-toting wannabe's, SEISIUN delivers the real deal.  In the tradition of The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem, they keep alive the songs you grew up with.  Weaving traditional tunes with driving songs that paint the picture of Ireland past and present, they are exciting crowds the nation over. 

T H E  R U F F I A N S

The Ruffians are the hottest original Celtic pub band. Period. Rising from the New York Irish scene, they incorporate the heart and soul of Celtic music with the exuberance of American and British punk rock. Their original songs and inventive interpretations of traditional Irish dance music make them one of the most exciting bands out today.

In a downtown Irish pub in New York City, 1998, The Ruffians were formed. Brothers Sean (guitar, vocals, bodhran) and Dan Griffin (bass, b vocals, bones) joined creative forces with Jerome Morris (drums, percussion), and Kevin Meehan (button accordion) to create the kind of energy associated with bands like The Pogues, The Dropkick Murphys, Blur, and Flogging Molly. The Ruffians are accompanied by some of the areas finest traditional players.

In the time The Ruffians have been together they have opened for Black 47 numerous times, The Popes, The Whole Shebang and were asked to play for “The Good Friday Agreement” peace talk. They have played at the Knitting Factory for the Irish film festival, the Craic fest, as well as the 2003 People’s Fleadh and the 2004 Irish Rock Fest with Neck and Icewagon Flu. The Ruffians are currently gigging around the tri-state area, promoting the release of their LP “Live at CBGB’s” and their two EP’s. They are becoming a favorite at Maggie Mae’s in New York, McKinnons in Hartford, CT, and Mick O’Shea’s in Baltimore, MD. If there is good music to be heard and fine whiskey to be drunk, The Ruffians will be there.

www.theruffians.com

Mary Courtney& Morning Star

Mary Courtney hails from a large musical family from Castlegregory, Co. Kerry, Ireland. She is the lead singer, guitarist, and bodhrán (Irish hand-held drum) player with the very popular New York based Irish Traditional band 'Morning Star'. She has several recordings with the band namely,'These Better Days''Gra'and 'Away Ye Go Now'

More Bands to come......!