"I want you to have a great celebration" - Bruce Springsteen sends video message to Rathangan, Co. Kildare
Bruce Springsteen sends special video message to Rathangan, Co. Kildare for Féile Springsteen
The people of Rathangan were treated to a special greeting from none other than Bruce Springsteen this morning, Saturday, August 22.
At the first ever Féile Springsteen, those attending an event in the local library were played the message before historian, Mario Corrigan gave a presentation on the origins of The Boss’s roots in the County Kildare town.
Springsteen said; “ I want you all to have a great great celebration. Sending all my love and I hope to see you soon. God bless everybody, have fun.”
Féile Springsteen is hosted by the Rathangan Freehold Twinning Association. The town formally twinned with Freehold, Monmouth County, New Jersey, in 2025. There are a number of events planned for throughout the day.
It features historical tours, art exhibitions, film screenings, competitions and other activities celebrating the legendary musician and his links to Rathangan.
This mornings talks, which were booked out, explored the Irish side of Bruce Springsteen's family history and told the story of how Springsteen’s great-great grandmother Ann Garrity (14) left Rathangan with her younger sisters aboard the SS Arctic to join her family in Freehold, New Jersey.
Another festival highlight will be a guided walking tour, "Ann Garrity's Rathangan", led by noted historian Larry Fullam, at 4pm.
Participants will be transported back to Rathangan in 1853, visiting places familiar to Ann, including the church where she was baptised, the Rath and the Grand Canal, where her father worked.
Ma's Kitchen is hosting an all-day art exhibition featuring works from the An Scríobhláil Collective and the Freehold Art Group, while a Springsteen-themed film will be screened at the RYARC Centre at 2pm.
Lastly, the headline event will be an outdoor concert by The Human Touch, Ireland's first dedicated live tribute band to Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, at The Village Pump at 8pm. The band will be supported by Rathangan's own Hot Cross Dunnes.
Admission to this special concert is €15. Limited tickets available for tonight's concert.