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.

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Events in the area.