Where in the ADK? Irishtown
A piece of Irish heritage in the Adirondacks.
St. Mary’s Church in Minerva
This week's "Where in the ADK?" comes from the Town of Minerva, or Irishtown, to be exact. Located in the southwestern corner of Essex County in the Adirondack Park (roughly 90 miles north of Albany), Minerva was founded in the early 1800s.
It only seems appropriate that during the week before St. Patrick's Day, we feature a little piece of Irish heritage in the ADK.
The origins of Irishtown in the Adirondacks.
In 1823, a group of Irish families — the O'Neils, Donnellys, the Dougherty family, and Kellys — purchased the northeastern part of the Minerva, and so the area became known as Irishtown.
In 1848, Irishtown residents erected St. Mary's Church surrounded by a cemetery. The faithful followed when a larger Catholic church was built in nearby Olmsteadville, yet St. Mary's still survives. Every May, parishioners hold a Memorial Mass and an occasional baptism or wedding.
In 1847, the Town Board authorized $14 to build a school in Irishtown made from logs. The school year lasted for four months back then, perhaps in anticipation of inclement winter weather or to accommodate the farming schedule.
In 1860, a school was built to replace the log school. It was situated just east of St. Mary's Church and its cemetery. The school has been built and rebuilt numerous times and still stands today.
For more information on Irishtown, visit the Town of Minerva website.
Visit places near Irishtown and Minerva.
Find St. Mary’s Church in Irishtown, near Minerva, NY.
Show your love for the Adirondacks with our apparel and gifts.
Events in the area.
Opera meets the Adirondacks when Seagle Festival brings its Opera Shot to Summit & Spice at NewVida Preserve in Jay.
Bird lovers flock to North Creek this June for For the Birds at Tannery Pond Center.
Obsession brings supernatural horror and psychological suspense to Schroon Lake
Bagpipes, Highland dancers, musket demonstrations, clan heritage, and Lake Champlain views come together at Scots Day.
Broadway favorites, operatic highlights, and lakeside Adirondack charm come together at The Lodge at Schroon Lake
Opera and craft beer may not sound like an obvious pairing, but that's exactly what makes Opera Shots so much fun.
Seagle Festival brings Broadway favorites and operatic highlights to one of the region's most beloved music venues
Riverfest returns to Stony Creek with river tubing, railbiking, live music, food trucks, craft vendors, family activities, and more.
Broadway hits and operatic favorites on Lake Champlain.
William Shatner returns to Ticonderoga for an immersive Star Trek experience inside the iconic USS Enterprise set.
The Friends of the Town of Chester Library Summer Book Sale returns with an estimated 7,500 books, most just 50¢–$1.
