The Hibernians of the Danbury area had a dream. They wanted a cultural center so they could display and promote the culture of their ancestral home – Ireland. They wanted a place where they could meet to share their stories, sing their songs, learn the Irish language and history, and dance to the music of the fiddle and the drum. They knew that they would need to raise a great sum of money to fulfill their dream.

In 1995 Jerry Curran said, “Let’s have a festival” in his energetic voice and with Sharon Higgins obtained the backing of the membership. Mayor Gene Eriquez offered a baseball field in Rogers Park and the GDIF was born. In 1999 the festival was moved to the beautiful grounds of the Ives Center at WCSU.

In 2007 the dream was getting closer to reality. A building was bought with the help of the funds from the festivals. Lake Avenue remains the home of the Greater Danbury Irish Cultural Center/Foundation. 

All those interested in all things Irish and those with a desire to become members of the Greater Danbury Irish Cultural Foundation (GDICF) are welcomed.

Thank you to all who have attended and supported the festivals over the years.