The Guinness Experience
Saturday at 6pm and Sunday at 3pm
Luckily for you, Michael Reardon (your Guinness guide) is one of the best Guinness Brewery Ambassadors around! Michael will guide you through a curated selection of Guinness beers while sharing stories and fielding questions about the Brewery’s remarkable 266 year history. It’s a perfect opportunity to raise a pint and toast to the legacy of this iconic stout!
Guests will learn about Guinness’ rich history and significant impact on Ireland and the world while sampling six different Guinness Family beers. All guests will also go home with a souvenir Guinness pint. Please note, this event is 21+ and each session is approximately 1 hour. The experience will take place in the Emerald West Room (Main Building).
Mike is a native New Englander, born and raised just north of Boston. Following a successful hospitality and performing arts career, Mike spent the last decade as a beer educator and quality specialist – including the past six years as a Guinness Brewery Ambassador. In this role, he lives and breathes all things beer and shares his deeply rooted love for Guinness and authentic Irish pubs.
Saturday at 5pm
The Tullamore Dew Experience
Tullamore Dew is named from the town where we make it. We started distilling in Tullamore in 1829 and we’re still going strong. In our corner in the heart of Ireland, we don’t have a fancy resort, but we do have a world-class distillery where we make the world’s original triple-distilled, triple-cask-finished, triple-blended Irish whiskey. Our award-winning whiskey tastes so smooth and delicious, it has become the number two brand in the world.
The Tullamore Dew Experience – Saturday at 5pm
Guests will learn about the history of Tullamore Dew, enjoy samples of 3 Tullamore Dew products, provide samples (Tullamore Dew, Tullamore Dew Honey, and Tullamore Dew XO Carribean Rum Cask Finish, and Tullamore Dew 12 Year Old Special Reserve), and have the opportunity to ask questions about the history of the brand and product. Must be 21+.
Cultúr & Céilí Tent
Everything in the cultural tent is open to participants of all ages and experiences.
Sean-nós Singing with Gaeilago Irish School
Friday at 4pm
Gaeilago Irish Language School hosts a traditional Irish singing circle. Guests will learn a song in Irish!
Irish Language Songs with Dennis Doyle
Friday at 5:15pm
Join Dennis in learning Irish language songs!
Dennis Doyle Harp Performance
Friday at 6:15pm
A performance from Dennis Doyle, an acclaimed Celtic harpist, singer, and storyteller.
Music from Liam Durkin
Friday at 7:45pm
Liam Durkin’s repertoire encompasses a wide variety of genres, including Country, Rock, Blues, Folk, and Irish ballads.
Social Dance Lesson
Saturday at 3:15pm and 7:15pm
Learn social dancing with Brendan Houlihan & Friends.
Irish Set Dance Lessons with Kate Weatherly
Saturday at 4pm
Join us to learn the basics of Irish Set dancing! This is not the high-jumping, straight-arm Irish dance of your kids — This is a social, partner, beginner-friendly dance for all ages! No experience or partner necessary. Leather-soled shoes are recommended, but not required.
Céilí Mor Social Dance Party with Jack Kinsella and Declan McShane
Saturday at 5pm
Dance the night away to the wonderful music of Jack Kinsella and Declan McShane! Set dances will be called by Kate Cooley as needed.
Irish Country Dance with Gerry Haughey
Saturday at 8pm
Dance to live music from someone who’s never missed an Irish Fest!
Celtic Knotwork Workshop with Michael Carroll
Sunday at 1pm & 4:30pm
For over a millennium, the exquisite intricacies of Celtic art have enchanted the world. Celtic artist Michael Carroll continues in the tradition of the 8th century monks, creating brand-new yet classically ancient designs.
Patron Saints of Ireland with Dennis Doyle
Sunday at 2:15pm
Join historian and harpist Dennis Doyle for a cultural feature: “St. Patrick, Brigid, Colmcille: Walking in the Path of the Saints of Celtic Christianity Songs and Stories”.
Irish and the American Revolution
Sunday at 3:15pm
Join Derek Warfield for a discussion on the Irish impact in America’s history.
Dennis Doyle Harp Performance
Sunday at 5:45pm
Celtic Harp Performance from Dennis Doyle featuring Irish, Scottish, Manx and Breton pieces.
Irish Village
All are welcome at the Irish Village!
Music from Katie Sullivan
Friday at 5:30pm
Roving musician Katie Sullivan begins her set at the Irish Village and spends time entertaining folks around the fest grounds.
Dennis Doyle Harp Performance
Saturday at 3pm
Celtic Harp Performance featuring the Life and Music of Turlough O’Carolan.
St. Brigid Cross Making
Saturday at 4:15pm & Sunday at 1:30pm
Visit our Irish Village to learn how to make a St. Brigid Cross with The Friends of St. Brigid at Old St. Pat’s. This cross symbolizes faith, health, and protection. Many Irish people hang them above their doorways for protection and representation of Irish heritage.
Irish Language Songs with Dennis Doyle
Saturday at 6:30pm
Join Dennis in learning Irish language songs!
Sean-nós Singing with Gaeilago Irish School
Sunday at 3:30pm
Gaeilago Irish Language School hosts a traditional Irish singing circle. Guests will learn a song in Irish!
Music from Declan McShane
Sunday at 4:45pm
Declan McShane is a Chicago-based country and traditional musician. Visit the Irish Village for tunes from Declan!
Shops + Food
Take home a piece of Ireland! Visit our vendors to shop all of your Irish favorites.
- Authentic Irish Tours
- Blue Frogs Company
- Celtic Girl Travels Photography
- Cork Travel
- ERG Remodeling Group
- The Celtic Patriot
- Fireball Design Airbrush Tattoos
- Galway Bakers
- Irish Apparel
- Irish Collection
- Irish Hometown
- Murray’s Irish Outfitters
- Pieces of Jayde
- Quicksilver – Irish Museum Replica Shoppe
- Renewal by Andersen
- Saor Perfume
- Scottish Attire
- Teampaill Designs
- A Touch of Ireland
- Visit Cork
- Wild N Happy Travel
Food
Irish Fest Mass
Sunday, August 23rd at 11:30am
Each year we hold Mass on the Sunday of Irish Fest weekend. We are glad to invite you all to Sunday Mass on the Patio Stage at 11:30 am on August 23rd. Father Mick Madigan will celebrate Mass with us.
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