East Durham, New York

Known as "The Emerald Isle of the Catskills”, East Durham is located approximately 20 miles from the NYS Thruway Exit 21 (Catskill). Travel time from the Metro NYC area is 2 hours; from Albany, NY and the Capital District 1 hour. East Durham is located along NYS Route 145, a former farm road which connected the main routes leading from the Catskill Hudson River landings to the Albany markets and the interior mountain top and farming communities. Today 145 connects the New York State Thruway (I-87) to Interstate 88.

East Durham is a hamlet within the Town of Durham (population 3,500 which quadruples during the summer season), located in Western Greene County. Drawn to the Familiarity of one's own ethnicity, visitors to East Durham found comfort that eluded them in the neighborhoods of New York City. It has been the summer center for Irish arts for over 6 decades, with the presence each year of many traditional masters of Irish music and dance.

After World War II, when a fresh flood of Irish Immigrants were entering New York City and bus transportation had become more affordable, increasing numbers of Irish vacationers flocked to the Catskills and, in particular, East Durham. East Durham was not unusual in this regard, as individual ethnic groups were attracted to specific resort towns based on the presence of their kinsmen. Homes and bungalow colonies were built along route 145 and the surrounding roads. Several resorts with Irish proprietors such as Sullivan, Connally, Mooney and O'Shea sprung up in response to the demand. East Durham has a reputation as a summer haven for Irish-Americans.

The Catskill mountains already attract a significant amount of tourists each year by promoting its scenic beauty, There is a connection between the culture and history of East Durham and the picturesque qualities of the landscape that are very attractive.