A cultural center for generations

First established during the boom of Irish immigration in the 20th century, Gaelic Park was created despite its surroundings. A decent-sized piece of empty land owned by the New York Transportation Authority, it sat adjacent to a ramp leading subway trains to the depot.The unused earth was covered in clumps of grass and surrounded by scattered trees.

Beginning in the 1920s, the Gaelic Athletics Association used it to create a thriving Irish culture in the Bronx. As soon as boats docked, Irish immigrants headed straight for Gaelic Park, according to Robert Mahan, vice president for facilities management at Manhattan College.

“Gaelic Park became in the 20th century the hub of real Irish sports. Irish football, hurling, sports like that. … It was the perfect spot,” Bronx Borough historian Lloyd Ultan said.

John Kerry O’Donnell, an Irish immigrant, began leasing the park from the New York Transit Authority in 1941 and for decades the field and facilities continued to host Gaelic football and hurling games, surrounded by food vendors, beer, dances, concerts and social activities. Young Irish singles were encouraged to visit Gaelic Park to meet their matches, according to Larry McCarthy, chairman of the New York Gaelic Athletic Association.  

The ’70s brought music to Gaelic Park, where bands drew crowds that filled the field and hillside. In July and August of 1971, locals saw Cat Stevens, Carly Simon, Kate Taylor, Johnathan Edwards, Black Sabbath and the Grateful Dead for just $5 a ticket. The following year brought the Allman Brothers, along with Deep Purple, Fleetwood Mac, Humble Pie, Yes and Blue Oyster Cult. 

“But by the end of the 20th century, the number of local Irish demographics declined dramatically and Manhattan College had its eye on the spot to use as an athletic field for itself. The private owners couldn’t make a profit, so [Gaelic Park] went to Manhattan College and that’s how it is today,” Mr. Ultan said.

In 1991, Manhattan College officially began leasing the park to use as a facility for their athletic teams, while Mr. O’Donnell continued to pay lease on the bar and banquet hall until he was recently evicted for lack of payment. 

Over the years, the park remained wholly unchanged, until the 2,000-seat stadium underwent $3 million in renovations in 2007, which brought improved lighting and artificial turf.

The park now holds Jaspers men’s and women’s soccer, lacrosse and softball games, along with athletic games and events from outside leagues, including college intramurals and the New York Gaelic Athletic Association. 

On June 10, the New York Fire Department won an annual Gaelic football match to benefit cancer, against the New York Police Department, part of a long-standing tradition at the field. But there are fewer Gaelic clubs associated with the New York GAA to play in Gaelic Park on Sundays than there once were.  

“We’re hoping it [the Gaelic Athletic Association] will grow, but the dilemma is comprehensive immigration reform and lack of it. … There would be more people here, if people could get into the United States,” Mr. McCarthy said.

Though numbers participating in Gaelic sports may be dwindling, the park’s green field with crisp stripes will continue to see extensive use.

“It is our home field. It is being used for scheduled games and team practices, and is also used for recreation. The college has many intramural sports like football. Several hundred people take part in those intramurals and recreation. The field gets used from 6 a.m. until 11 p.m.,” Mr. Mahan said.