The Great Irish fair was once considered one of the greatest celebrations of Irish culture every year. Founded in 1981 it’s original iteration was held underneath the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City. The Fair was a welcomed addition to the New York City event schedule but the increasing attendance and ever decreasing amount of space near the Brooklyn Bridge would force Great Irish fair Chairman Al O’Hagan to look for a new home for The Great Irish Fair.

A new home was found for the third iteration of The Great Irish Fair in an unlikely spot in South Brooklyn. Coney Island would become Coney Ireland as it would host The Great Irish Fair. The Fair would become a mainstay of South Brooklyn and was even credited by the New York Daily News as one of the catalysts that saved and revitalized Coney Island. The Fair’s presence created and helped to cultivate an interest in the area which aided in city governments quest to name several of the areas of Coney Island as landmarks protecting them for years to come.