Irish New York History Tour!

This tour is an annual tradition in our group.

RSVPs begins Saturday, February 15th at 10:00am. Space is set aside for new members, first timers, and those with Irish ancestry who land on the waiting list. Contact me at hankorenstein@gmail.com to request a spot . No repeats please.

This tour is free with a voluntary donation to your guide. Estimated walking distance: 5 miles. Please be fit enough to walk at a decent pace at times. Bring snacks, lunch and water to drink. We'll have a restroom and sit down break at some point - likely at Union Square.

Restrooms near our meeting place: Inside Brookfield Place (near the Memorial) and The Oculus - entrances for both along Vesey Street.

OVERVIEW
By the end of the 19th century, New York City had more Irish people than Dublin! In the wake of St. Patrick’s Day, join us for a meandering tour to visit sites associated with our city’s rich and colorful history of Irish immigrants. Large numbers of Irish came to America and New York in the first part of the 19th century largely due to the potato famine.

We’ll begin our tour at the Irish Hunger Memorial (pictured, courtesy of The Irish Times), and visit some important places including St. Peter’s, the oldest Catholic Church in NYC, St. James Church, which started the Ancient Order of Hibernians fraternal organization 1836, the birthplace of Al Smith, the first Irish Catholic Presidential Candidate (and first elected NY State Governor). We’ll also visit the site of the Five Points neighborhood, Tammany Hall, and the home base of the Fighting 69th Regiment, who earned praise for their bravery during the American Civil War in the 1860s (and beyond).

Along our journey we'll learn about the many Irish New Yorkers, men and women, who made their mark in politics, entertainment, business, literature, and within the Catholic community.

Will be there be time for an optional toast and perhaps a Guinness at the end? Perhaps...at a nearby traditional Irish pub (and grub).

Tour ends in the Madison Square area - East 20's. Neighborhoods we traverse: parts of the Financial District, Civic Center, Chinatown, Nolita, NOHO/Bowery, East Village, Union Square, Gramercy, Kips Bay.

Cheers from Hank
646-596-3005
hankorenstein@gmail.com