Celebrate Seacoast Irish Festival 2011

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The Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce and Dover Main Street, the two local organizations who collaborated in 2010 to revive the Seacoast Irish Festival after a five year hiatus, have announced that this year’s edition of the popular outdoor Festival is being rescheduled for Saturday, September 10, 2011. (Continued below)

 

Centrix Bank, which sponsored the event in 2010, will once again serve as Presenting Sponsor in 2011.

“Centrix Bank is proud to be the presenting sponsor of the Seacoast Irish Festival again this year,” said Sean E. Fitzgerald, VP, Commercial Loan Officer.  “This cultural celebration continues to be a major attraction for local residents, visitors, and business people in downtown Dover.”

When asked about the reason for the rescheduling, Chamber Executive Director Molly Hodgson Smith cited several, including a challenging sponsorship landscape, and the recent passing of Dover resident and Festival founder Eugene Byrne, who played an instrumental role not only in reviving the Festival in 2010, but also serving as one of the marquee performers.

Visit the official Festival WEB SITE for updates.

Dover Main Street Board Chair Jeff Spires echoed Hodgson Smith’s sentiments.

“Last year’s Festival was billed as a tribute to Tommy Makem and the Clancy Brothers. With Eugene’s passing in March, we obviously felt it was important to honor him this year, especially given all that he has meant to Dover, and to Irish music all over the world.  Pushing the event out a few months gives us time to honor him the right way.”

“At the end of the day,” commented Hodgson Smith, “we just decided that it would be doing everyone involved a disservice to try to pull the Festival together without all of the pieces in place.  It was a difficult decision, but I am confident that it was the right one, and that the Festival will be better for it later in the year.”

The Festival, which was originally scheduled for Saturday, June 11^th, is still being held in downtown Dover, at the Rotary Arts Pavilion in Henry Law Park, and will run from noon until 9:00 p.m.

The musical lineup for the September 10^th event will include Bradigan, McTeggarts, Sunday’s Well, Kevin Byrne, Patsy Whelan and Schooner Fare, in addition to traditional Irish dancing exhibitions and lively storytelling.  There will also be children’s activities, food and beverages from Kelley’s Row, and a variety of vendors offering Irish and Celtic jewelry, apparel and artwork.

“We are excited about the change to September,” noted Spires. “Eugene always referred to this event as ‘The Biggest little Irish Festival in the World,’ and with more time to plan and to build on last year’s success, we’ll be able to produce an event that would make him even more proud of Dover.”

Further information on the Seacoast Irish Festival will be forthcoming on the Festival Web site.  Currently, the list of major sponsors includes: Centrix Bank, which is serving as Presenting Sponsor for the second consecutive year; Shaheen & Gordon; Burns, Bryant, Cox, Rockefeller & Durkin; and Dennis Munson Plumbing.  The Festival Committee is actively seeking additional sponsorships, and any area businesses interested in being promoted at the event are encouraged to contact the Chamber by calling 742-2218.

Similarly, additional volunteers are needed for a variety of day-of-event activities, and community members interested in volunteering should also call the Chamber of Commerce at 742-2218.

About Dover Main Street

Dover Main Street is a not for profit downtown revitalization organization which operates under the auspices of the National Main Street Center, a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. 

The Dover Main Street mission is to preserve the past, promote the present, and facilitate the future. Dover is celebrating its tenth year as a fully accredited National Main Street Program. 

Volunteers are always welcome and needed to assist in planning and completing projects. To find out more information, to sign up as a volunteer, or to donate to the Dover Main Street Program, contact the office at 740-6435 or by email.

About the Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce

The Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce is a not-for-profit association of businesses, professionals, individuals, and organizations working together to advance the economic well-being of its members and the community. For details on Dover Chamber membership and other programs or for a schedule of activities, please call the Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce at 603-742-2218.