A celebration of faith as much as culture, The Great Irish Fair of New York always opens with an outdoor Mass on the fairgrounds, as seen in this 2011 file photo, above. The late Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Sullivan concelebrated the opening Mass with Father Peter Rayder, left, and the late Father Dennis Farrell.

This year’s fair will open with Mass celebrated by Msgr. Martin Geraghty, 2015 Father Mychael Judge Award recipient, on Saturday, Sept. 26 at 10 a.m. on the fairgrounds, rain or shine.