Irish Center Offers Abeel Street Site to Kingston

A New Chapter for the Irish Cultural Center of the Hudson Valley

The Irish Cultural Center of the Hudson Valley (ICCHV) has taken a significant step in its ongoing journey to establish a permanent home in Kingston, New York. The organization recently decided to donate the property at 32 Abeel St., which had originally been planned as the site for its cultural center, to the city. This move came after the center shifted its focus to a new location at 290 East Strand Street.

The Shift in Plans

The Abeel Street property, located above the Company Hill Path, was initially envisioned as the future home of the ICCHV. However, this plan was abandoned when the organization purchased the 5,000-square-foot B. Millens and Son Building at 290 East Strand in July 2025. The project at the Millens site was later approved by the city’s Planning Board in December 2025.

The decision to abandon the Abeel Street site was driven by several factors, including delays and rising construction costs. Bill Kearney, president of the ICCHV, explained that the organization needed to focus its resources on the new location, which already has the potential to serve as a vibrant community space.

Community Support and Public Good

Mayor Steve Noble, a long-time advocate for the Irish Cultural Center, supported the proposal to transfer the land to the city for public use. In a letter to Common Council President Andrea Shaut, Noble emphasized the importance of returning the property to the city for beneficial public uses.

Noble highlighted the improvements made by the ICCHV to the historic stone wall along Company Hill Path and the path itself. He also noted the installation of water and sewer lines and new sidewalks along Abeel Street. These upgrades were made during pre-development activities on the site.

However, the relationship between the ICCHV and its neighbors was not always smooth. The excavation work for the cultural center project caused damage to the Company Hill Path in 2018. The city issued violation notices to the developers due to complaints from residents, including an incident where a neighbor’s son nearly fell into the construction site.

Challenges and Progress

Despite these challenges, the ICCHV continued to work on the project. A stabilizing wall was eventually built to protect the path from erosion. Freeman coverage in March 2022 noted that work on the wall was progressing, and it was the only open building permit at the site at the time.

In September 2023, city officials required updated building permits for the project, which was still planned for Abeel Street. Kearney stated that plans were moving forward, with site work expected to commence later that year. He also mentioned that the foundation would be poured in the Spring of 2024, supported by state grants and private fundraising.

A New Home and Future Plans

Kearney explained that the shift away from the Abeel Street site was necessary due to external delays and escalating costs. The purchase of the 290 East Strand Street building allowed the center to focus on its new home, which has already welcomed guests for a special event following the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

The ICCHV was formed through the efforts of members of the Ulster Ancient Order of Hibernians. Throughout its history, the center has received strong support from elected officials, including Noble, state Sen. Michelle Hinchey, and U.S. Pat Ryan.

Looking Ahead

Lawmakers plan to discuss the proposal further during a special Finance and Audit Committee meeting scheduled before the regular Caucus meeting on Monday, June 1. Kearney expressed hope that the 290 East Strand St. site will soon be open for programming and events.

The ICCHV remains grateful for the city’s partnership and continues to work with the Mayor, Common Council, and City agencies to finalize the transaction. The organization also appreciates the ongoing support of municipal partners and the Kingston community as it makes improvements to its permanent home.