Year 14: the Craic rolls on …

A Brief History

Founded in 1998 as a nonprofit organization, the Fleadh Foundation annually presents and produces the best of Irish and Celtic connection cinema, music and comedy to New York City and tri-state audiences. The film festival first took place in 1998, established under by Irish word for festival – the Film Fleadh. The festival expanded to include music in 2004 and with Big Bully Creative (Vincent Keane) on board, the festival began life as The Craic. In 2010 the festival expanded  even further to also include comedy.

The Fleadh Foundation, now in its fourteenth year, currently presents four major events a year in NYC: The Craic Festival in March (a 4 day film and music festival including a Kids Fleadh); the Craic Gay & Lesbian Film Festival in June; the Wee Craic (a one night festival of the best of short films with a live music performance – a “little brother” to the Craic Fest); and Craic Comedy (the best of Irish and Irish American comedians here in NYC). Coming up in 2012, we have big plans underway to expanding our Kids Fleadh, with a program which will include short films for kids, step-dancing and traditional music, tied in with a family friendly Irish Breakfast which will promises entertainment for all ages.

Our event admission is always modestly priced, and tickets include a Q&A reception with the artists, as well as an after-party. The festival is held at some of New York’s best loved cinemas, theaters and music venues such as Tribeca Cinema, Mercury Lounge, Bowery Ballroom, The Irish Arts Center and 116 MacDougal (comedy festival).

We have partnerships with key executives in the film and distribution industry, who actively sit on the Board of Directors as well as artistic and cultural collaborators that are both national and international. Honorary Board Members: Liam Neeson, actor; Aidan Quinn, actor; Peter Gallagher, actor; Denis Leary, actor; Michael Moore, director; Jim Sheridan, director; Ed Burns, Actor and Kevin Dillon (Entourage/HBO).

Year round support:

Sponsors and in-kind donors include Time Warner Cable, Culture Ireland, Con Edison, Hampton Inn and the DCA all of whom assist with support and funding. A special thanks to Speaker Christine C. Quinn and Councilman Dominic Recchia.

*The CRAIC Festival is a 21 and over event. Please drink responsibly.

For any question please contact our festival manager Lucy at 646 549 1349