Dear Friends,

In 1949 American writer E.B. White wrote, “I sometimes think that the only event that hits New Yorkers on the head is the annual St Patrick’s Day parade, which is fairly penetrating–the Irish are a hard race to tune out, there are 500,000 of them in residence, and they have the police force right in the family.”

Since then the Irish have flourished in New York through business, sport, industry and culture. Our theatrical reputation is build on our genuine commitment to producing new work. Origin’s board of directors and advisory board felt the time was ripe for 1st Irish 2008, New York’s first ever Irish theatre festival.

Theatre companies are born through dreams but festivals only happen through energy and by people saying YES ! I would like to dedicate 1st Irish 2008 to all those who said YES, in particular Lianne Ritchie and James Pritchard.

Finally it is for you the public to say YES to buying a ticket ! Let’s demonstrate to E.B. White that New York is ready for an Irish cultural event that in years to come will match St. Patrick’s Day.