Several Irish festivals will be taking place in the Northeast and Midwest over the next few weeks. These include the 31st Annual East Durham Irish Festival in New York’s Catskill Mountains, May 24-25; the 22nd Annual Gaelic Park Irish Fest outside Chicago, May 23-26; and both the Fairfield County Irish Festival in Trumbull, Connecticut and the 15th Annual Riverfront Irish Festival in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, June 13-15.
The Catskill Mountains of New York’s Greene County will be alive with sounds from the Emerald Isle – performed by musicians from the U.S., Canada and Ireland – over Memorial Day Weekend, Saturday and Sunday, May 24 and 25. That’s when the East Durham Irish Festival returns to the festival grounds at the Michael J. Quill Irish Cultural & Sports Centre (2119 Route 145 in East Durham). Featured artists will include Celtic Cross, the Andy Cooney Band, Enter The Haggis, Glengarry Bhoys, Greenwich Meantime, Jameson’s Revenge, Culley McGrane & The Exiles, Kevin and Katie McKrell, Shannon McNally, The Prodigals, Screaming Orphans, Shilelagh Law, The Jimmy Sturr Band and the Capital District’s own The Hard Road Ceili Band and St. James Gate. There also will be a separate music tent for children, rides and games, basic and Irish step dancing lessons, Irish sports (including Gaelic football, hurling and soccer matches, demonstrations and kids clinics), a food court and crafts vendors on site. Daily admission is $13 if you arrive before 2 p.m. and $16 afterwards, while children under 12 will be admitted free with an adult. For more information, visit www.east-durham.org.
Musical performances on five stages during the 22nd Annual Gaelic Park Irish Fest in Oak Park, Illinois, May 23-26, will range from the traditional (Liz Carroll & John Doyle) to the contemporary ( Black 47 and Seven Nations). Also slated to perform are The Bridies, Four Provinces, Hair of the Dog, The Larkin and Moran Brothers, Leahy’s Luck, Willie Lynch Band, Makem & Spain Brothers, Michael McDermott, Scythian, Tartan Terrors, and many more. The rain or shine festival at Chicago Gaelic Park (66119 West 147th Street) also will feature an Irish cultural tent, live Irish theater and storytelling, Irish –bred Conemara ponies, a dogs of Ireland exhibition and parade, sports exhibition matches, an Irish tea room, and an array of children’s activities. $15 general admission, $12 for seniors and children 12 and under (including unlimited carnival rides). For more information, visit www.chicagogaelicpark.org/Irish_Fest.
Some 50,000 people are expected to converge on Falls River Square in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio for the 15th Annual Riverfront Irish Festival presented by the St. Brendan Division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians over Father’s Day weekend, June 13-15. Musical acts during this free festival will include Brigid’s Cross, Case of Culler, Fergie & The Big Dogs, Pat Flynn & The Green Blossom Special, The New Barleycorn, Rathkeltair, The Sandcarvers, The Shaffer Brothers, and That Irish Band. For more information, visit www.riverfrontirishfest.com.
Those living on the East Coast might consider heading to Indian Ledge Park in Trumbull, Connecticut (north of Bridgeport), June 13-15, for the Fairfield County Irish Festival. This annual event features three days of music, dance, pipe bands, music workshops, cultural exhibits, sporting events (including Gaelic football, hurling and soccer matches, demonstrations and clinics), and an array of children’s activities. The festival’s impressive musical lineup includes The Barra MacNeils (six siblings from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia who perform both Irish standards and originals), Kevin Burke (the noted Sligo-style fiddler, accompanied by cinematic composer Col Scott), The Elders (Kansas City’s rollicking’ good Celtic folk-rockers), local artists The Highland Rovers Band and Liz MicNichol with her acoustic band, and more. Daily admission for adults is $12, while three-day passes are available for $20. Students ages 16-21 are $10/day, while children under 16 will be admitted free with an adult. For schedule and other information, visit www.irishfestival.org.
