About the show

Dancing at the Crossroads (2016), the PBS documentary, explored the phenomenon in Irish-American history known as the Irish Catskills. The podcast of the same name picks up where the film left off, exploring the past, present and future of Irish and Irish-American music, dance, and culture.

What fans say about the podcast

Thanks for the history lessons!

"I've learned a great deal about this period in history and the people who were part of it. Please continue making those podcasts about the towns in the Catskills where Irish people enjoyed themselves during the 1940s, 1950s and the 1960s."

Ann Seidita

Brings me back

"The podcasts are informative and emotional for me. The music and dialogue bring me back to my childhood. I look forward to the next one!"

Ann Mullan Flynn, Long Island, NY

It's a time machine

"Like a time travel back to my family summer vacations in East Durham in the '60s and '70s. Fascinating and rich cultural history, well done!"

Kathie Turner

This is what treasure sounds like.

"This is what treasure sounds like. So great to have the voices and music reach us through time. Thank you!"

Monica Egan Ferguson, Connecticut, USA

The music and sounds of my childhood, too.

"This is the music and sounds of my childhood too, albeit heard and absorbed in the small parish halls of North Sligo. Only the names of the musicians change."

Jim Meehan, Co. Sligo, Ireland

Gorgeous

"Loved the latest podcast. You brought the listeners right back to the time and place. Gorgeous."

Hilari Farrington Koehler, Vermont

Helping me keep the traditions (and the history) alive

Important to the Preservation of this Irish American History For years in the mid to late 90s and early 00s, my family would spend the entire month of August in the Catskills renting bungalows at the Rose Motel. Every night was spent out at the Fern Cliff, Gavin’s, Blackthornes, Furlongs, and McGraths going to the Ceilidh, Amateur Nights, Seisiuns, and any and all concerts involving my grandmother’s dear friend Paddy Noonan. Though I didn’t realize it at the time as a young child, these experiences were instrumental to my own formation as a proud Irish American as they allowed me to make my own connections to my heritage. Nowadays, with a trip up to East Durham for Memorial Day’s festival and sparse days during the summer, this Podcast (and its predecessor in the form of a documentary) help me learn more about the days long before I was born when my grandparents (immigrants from Co. Donegal and Clare) would bring their children north for the summer to give them the (Americanized) version of their home and form their own cultural identities at a young age. Keep up the good work, Kevin! This is helping me keep the traditions (and the history) alive.

IrishGirl921

Magical!

"It’s magical. Thank you very much for helping keep our tradition alive."

Ann Dillon, Vero Beach, FL

Start with these episodes

View all episodes

How you can listen to this podcast

You can listen to episodes right here on the website, or if you prefer, in a podcast app. Listening in an app makes it easier to keep track of what you’ve already heard, listen without using your data plan and many other conveniences.

Recommended apps
Start listening to A Prayer for Peter (Episode 1)
26:41
Start listening to A Prayer for Peter (Episode 1)
26:41