Lush with greenery and rolling hills, Greene County’s Durham is often referred to as the “Irish Alps”—a nod to the tourists who used to frequent the town. Similar to the Borscht Belt, this region of the Catskills became a summer hotspot in the 1950s, particularly for those of Irish heritage.
Long before the tourism boom, the area that would become Durham was settled by Europeans around 1755. At the time, the land was full of hemlock trees, whose bark was harvested to aid in the leather tanning industries in nearby Tannersville and Gloversville. In the 1800s, sawmills (to process the stripped lumber) began popping up along the Catskill Creek that runs through Durham, spurring the industrialization and growth of the town.
Across its sprawling area, Durham is subdivided into several hamlets; two of the most notable are Oak Hill and East Durham, where many businesses are located. Others include Durham hamlet, West Durham, and Cornwallville, which are settled pockets in the otherwise remote area.
Family Life
Children living in Durham attend the Cairo-Durham Central School District. In the 2023-2024 year, the district had an enrollment of 1,027 K-12 students across one elementary, one middle, and one high school.
Durham comes alive during the summer with family-friendly festivals and activities. The annual Catskills Irish Arts Week at East Durham’s Michael J. Quill Irish Cultural & Sports Centre brings concerts, workshops, and more for all ages from July 14 to 19. Passes for traditional Irish song and dance classes can be purchased online.
Durham’s verdant setting is the perfect backdrop for summer festivals and activities, such as the Catskills Irish Arts Week.
This month will also see the return of the annual Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival to Walsh Farm in Oak Hill. From July 16 to 20, enjoy outdoor performances from dozens of folk groups; camp out on the grounds and make a mini vacation of it.
On the Town
There is no central Main Street in this town; instead, Durham’s businesses are scattered throughout its many hamlets. Along the Catskill Creek in Oak Hill, you’ll find IU Tripp & Co. Antiques and Collectibles, Wild Flower florist, home goods store Pidgin, and The Yellow Deli café.
East Durham is home to restaurants such as Five Furlongs Tavern; Angel’s Diner; Nellie’s Irish fare (grab a loaf of brown bread or some Irish soda bread); and The Shamrock House, where the menu is filled with classics like corned beef sandwiches and chicken pot pie. Along Route 145, you’ll also find shops like Guaranteed Irish, The Market Place antiques, and Boom and Bloom Records.
The Blackthorne Resort in East Durham hosts an array of events throughout the year, including upcoming Fourth of July festivities, the annual Catskill Mountain Redneck Festival on July 26 (with a barbecue competition and tractor show), and the Rat’s Nest Run-In car show on August 14.
Get out There
Beat the heat with a visit to Zoom Flume Water Park in East Durham, or nearby Brandow Memorial Park with a public access point to wade in the Catskill Creek. The park also has a baseball field, tennis and basketball courts, a playground, and a pavilion for events.
Durham’s location in the northern Catskills also affords residents easy access to some of the region’s best ski mountains come winter; Windham and Hunter are just a short drive. While the town is not quite the vacation hotspot that it was in the early to mid-1900s, with many Irish resorts and hotels closing by the 1980s, its rural charm and beauty remain unchanged.
Neighborhood Stats
Area: 49.3 sq. mi.
Population: 2,627
Average home price: $416,795
To find a real estate agent in Durham or any Hudson Valley town check out near-me.hvmag.com/realtors.
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