Founder Of Manhattan Irish Fest Dies

MANHATTAN, IL -- Mike McHugh, the founder of the popular Manhattan Irish Fest that takes place over the first weekend of March, has died. He was 67.

McHugh died suddenly on Saturday night, according to a Facebook post from the Manhattan Irish Fest page.

"Mike was the heart and soul of the Irish Fest and Manhattan in general," according to the tribute.

Several tributes have been made on McHugh's obituary on the Fosythe-Gould Funeral Home website. Visitation will be held from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home in Manhattan with a procession to St. Joseph Catholic Church, 235 West North Cemetery in Manhattan beginning at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday.

Photo courtesy of Forsythe-Gould Funeral Home