'Hope To See You Soon': Bruce Springsteen Sends Message To Ancestral Hometown

FREEHOLD, NJ — The Boss of New Jersey had a special message for residents of his ancestral hometown in Ireland as they hosted Féile Springsteen over the weekend.

Held at The Village Pump in Rathangan, County Kildare, Féile Springsteen is "a cultural tribute to The Boss" that pays homage to the music, stories, spirit and roots that bind two New Jersey and Irish communities together.

Each year, Freehold Borough welcomes guests from Rathangan as part of their 2024 "Twinning Agreement," which aims to connect the two cities through their shared history.

• Read More: ‘Always Close At Heart’: Freehold Borough Welcomes Special Guests From Ireland

In a resolution recognizing the Twinning Agreement, the Borough outlined some of the connections between the two communities, including their shared history of the Springsteen family.

"World-renowned musician Bruce Springsteen was born and raised in Freehold Borough, and his great-great-great-grandfather on his father's side, Christopher Garrity, hailed from Rathangan, County Kildare, Republic of Ireland," the resolution reads.

"His great-great-grandmother, Ann Garrity, left Ireland at the age of 14 and moved to Freehold in 1852, settling the family at 87 Randolph St., which is the same house where Springsteen lived for several years almost a century later."

The resolution goes on to say that Springsteen "is the tie that binds" the Borough of Freehold and Rathangan and County Kildare together.

"This is a lifelong connection," Mayor Kevin Kane said when representatives from Ireland were presented with a key to the city in 2024.

• Read More: Springsteen The 'Tie That Binds' Freehold and Rathangan In Ireland

In a video posted by the Rathangan Freehold Twinning Association on Saturday, Springsteen himself sent a message to Irish residents ahead of the festival, congratulating them on the twinning of their communities and wishing them "a great, great celebration."

"Hey everybody in Rathangan, coming all the way from the USA just to congratulate you on the twinning of our two cities, and the fabulous planting of the two copper beech trees that will cement the soul bond between us all," Springsteen said.

• Read More: Bruce Springsteen's Ancestor To Be Honored With Tree Planting

"I want you to have a great, great celebration," he continued. "Sending all my love, and I hope to see you soon. God bless everybody, have fun."

At the Féile Springsteen festival, attendees not only celebrated their connection to The Boss, but also heard covers of some of his songs by tribute band The Human Touch, as well as enjoyed talks, historical tours, art exhibitions and more.

To learn more, you can visit the Rathangan Freehold Twinning Association Facebook page.

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• Springsteen The 'Tie That Binds' Freehold and Rathangan In Ireland