The premier Irish festival to introduce the new generation of Irish bands and filmmakers to the US public, The Craic Festival is turning 16. The 16th annual Craic festival
kicks off March 1st with the Kids Fleadh at the Irish Arts Center. The festival continues the following weekend with the best of the New Irish Cinema @ Tribeca Cinema. A spotlight on documentaries this year. Opening night is the U.S premier of Danny Boy (starring Gabriel Byrne, Malachy McCourt and Jim Sheridan. Directed by James Maycock) March 7th is a double feature night with two award winning docs The Seige of 1922 (Civil War doc) Directed by Andrew Gallimore. Followed by the U.S premier of 14 Days (Directed by Dermot Lavery). Closing night March 8 is the NY premier of the FDNY Triumph and Tragedy doc directed by local filmmaker Tim Geraghty (from Long Beach NY) Special appearance by the FDNY Emerald Society Pipe & Drums. The films are presented by Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey
The Craic Music series runs March 7-8 has an equally impressive lineup at Mercury Lounge. Headliners kicking off March 7th are Rubber Bandits with opening act The Narrowbacks.
March 8 is a Belfast Rocks the Craic with Duke Special, Rams Pocket Radio and Steafan Hanvey.
For the films, the festival has raised the bar in its sixteenth year with an all documentary lineup which has never been done. Festival Director Terence Mulligancommented “Sweet 16 for the Craic this year with an all documentary film lineup and stellar music lineup we expect all film and music shows to sell out in advance this year. Tullamore Dew and Stella Artois film after parties are always nice too”!
Audiences will be delighted with this year’s picks. Keep an ear open for special guest FDNY Pipe and Drums at the closing night gala March 8th. Also the Kids Fleadh on opening day March 1 (short films, step dancing and an Irish Breakfast to follow) is a great family day at the Irish Arts Center that starts 11am.
The festival is currently locking down other films and bands as we speak. For more info contact
Festival Director Terence Mulligan 917-373-6735