30th Great Irish Fair draws Coney Island crowds

The bagpipers played as an estimated 20,000 spectators gatheredin their finest greens on September 16, 17 and 18 for the 30thannual Great Irish Fair held at MCU Park in Coney Island.

The festival was originally started in 1982 by the BrooklynChapter of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. In 2007, Irish AmericanBuilding Society Charities took it over when it was in danger ofbeing discontinued.

In 2006 there was no fair, explained Martin Cottingham,co-chair of the Great Irish Fair. In 2007, a small group offriends and I decided to bring it back. I just thought it wasimportant to our community to continue these traditions – the IrishCatholic traditions in Brooklyn.

And with 100 percent of all net proceeds from the fair goingtowards supporting Brooklyn Diocesan Catholic Elementary Schools,it’s a tradition serving a practical purpose.