Mór Fest NYC ~ An Irish Festival Experience

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While I don’t have an ounce of Irish blood in me, I love the Irish people and their culture. Some of my very good friends are of Irish descent and I’ve come to know their families and traditions very well. It is also a goal of mine to tour Ireland and hope to do that sometime soon. 

Several years ago, I researched and wrote a long article (two parts) in reference to Ireland and their struggles with England and later, Great Britain. I talked about their independent mindedness while being under the British thumb. I also discussed why half of the population of Ireland in the 19th century either met their demise or left the Emerald Isle for such places like the United States. You can still access and read these articles today by clicking this link. However, what I would like to emphasize here is that the Irish people came to the United States in large numbers and with them, a rich, proud and strong culture. 

Normally, you see and experience the Irish traditions and cultures in a significant way during the month of March, especially around St. Patrick’s Day. During that time, many communities in the United States - ranging from small towns to large cities - host St. Patrick’s Day parades and other celebrations in honor of the Patron Saint of Ireland and the rich Irish culture. You see green beer, green bagels, streets lined with green paint and bodies of water (i.e. Chicago River) dyed in green. Bagpipers, bands, Irish groups (such as the Ancient Order of Hibernians) and community groups all proudly participate in their community parades and festivities. Irish - and other - bars and pubs are packed with people as the Guinness and Harp pour and bands are playing the traditional Irish music. Finally, restaurants and families of all different backgrounds partake in the Irish-American fare of corned beef and cabbage. 

When I typically attend the St. Patrick’s Day festivities in the month of March (there are plenty to go around in my home state of New Jersey), I notice that people are jovial and friendly. Also, let’s take note that St. Patrick’s Day events are typically the first outdoor gatherings after the cold and dark winter months. 

As I was looking around for various festivals or cultural events in the New York Metropolitan Area during the latter weeks in August, I was surprised to find an Irish Festival in midtown Manhattan. Again, you normally see Irish events in the month of March or sometimes, half-way to St. Patrick’s Day events in September. This past weekend, the Irish Bar called Tara Mór on West 30th Street (between 6th and 7th Avenues) decided to host an Irish Festival, called Mór Fest. Out of sheer curiosity, I looked at the schedule of events during the four day festival and loved what I saw. 

From reading their website, it’s clear that the organizers of Mór Fest wanted to offer the over 2.1 million people of Irish descent in the NYC Metro Area something more than just the NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade. According to their website, “Mor Fest shows the real thing: the music being made in Ireland now, the food producers exporting from it, the comedy and storytelling that fills its rooms, and the sport that organises its summers. The festival was built for the Irish community in New York and for anyone curious about what Ireland actually looks like in 2026.” They wanted to bring contemporary Irish culture to the United States, and more specifically, to New York City.

Mór Fest began on Wednesday, August 19 and ran through Sunday, August 23. According to the Tara Mór website, it is the first Irish Festival of its kind in New York City and this is their inaugural year. The festival included many events and activities. Some of these included: Networking among Irish community groups, charities and businesses; panels engaging in discussions; comics; bands; Irish dancers; fitness classes; yoga; dating show; Guinness perfect pour contest (more on this below) and opening/closing ceremonies. 

On the final day of Mór Fest, I ventured into the city. I got to Tara Mór at around noon and they were just starting. As far as admission went, you had various options of purchasing a VIP or a General Admission ticket that gave you access for the entire weekend. The VIP option had certain benefits, such as free drinks. Since I went on the last day, I purchased a daily pass for $20. The reason that I got there at noon was because I wanted to witness their featured Guinness perfect pour contest. Much to my surprise, the bar was generously giving out free Guinness pints for the first hour. 

About 20 minutes after my arrival, I was approached by one of the coordinators of the festival asking if I would participate in the pour contest. I immediately accepted the offer - as did many other people. Participants got another free pint of Guinness, t-shirt and other giveaways. This was my first time ever pouring a Guinness, so I did a little research on that while in line. As I approached the tap, I was met by a man with a clipboard. He verified my name and as I was talking to him, came to learn that he was actually a quality control representative for Guinness. At this event, he had the very important role of being the judge. As I was pouring the beer on a 45 degree angle, I got up to about halfway up the golden harp on the glass until I straightened it and then stopped the tap. I waited for the cream-colored fizz to dissipate to continue on the finale of the pour (the back tap). When I finished, I thought I did very well for a first timer. The judge also acknowledged a pretty good pour (check out the pictures on my reel). Unfortunately, I did not win, but a local NYC bartender from Ireland - Cory - did. I spoke to Cory (you can see that post as well) and he was very excited! Cory is great and am very happy to have had the opportunity to talk to him.

As the afternoon went on, the Guinness continued to pour, Irish bands were playing and Irish dancers came out periodically to perform. Everybody was happy and having a great time and that’s what it’s all about. I was also surprised to see and talk to many people who were from Ireland and either visiting or came to work and live in the United States. These included the two amazing bartenders who did an outstanding job of taking care of their patrons and pouring some of the best Guinness I’ve ever tasted.

In addition to Cory and the bartenders, I had the great opportunity to meet and talk to

some of the attendees. You can view some of my discussions on my various social media sites. As luck or fate would have it, I also met some people from Rumson, NJ, which is the next town over from where I live. We talked about the area and the places we collectively love to go. We also talked about the Rumson St. Patrick’s Day Parade and the fact that I have never gone to it, because there is another parade I typically go to in nearby Asbury Park. Well, I committed to these people that I will attend the Rumson parade in 2027 and am very excited about that.

I departed Mór Fest at around 4:00pm to head back to New Jersey. My takeaway is that this event was fun, exciting, packed with all-things Irish culture and filled with happy and proud emotions emblematic of the Irish people. 

Congratulations to Tara Mór and the organizers of Mór Fest for a successful first Irish Festival in Manhattan and I wish you all the best for many years to come. I also hope to attend again next year and bring friends along with me.

Stay tuned because festival season is not over! Today, I go back to New York and to the Borough of Brooklyn where the ethnic Sicilian festival of Santa Rosalia is being held in the Bensonhurst section of the borough. 

Later this week, I will be attending a festival that is near and dear to my heart and one that I’ve been attending since 2016. This festival is the St. Anthony’s Feast in the North End of Boston. 

Sláinte and Buona Festa!

Anthony On The Ave