Growing up with a name like 'Kelly O'Neil' and having red, curly hair, I had more than a few Irish comments sent my way when I was younger! Now that my last name has changed and the red has faded from my hair, no one refers to my Irish heritage any longer. But those roots are still there and I am excited to take part for the first time in the Pittsburgh Irish Festival. It will be held at the Riverplex (between Sandcastle and Waterfront). 1000 Sandcastle Drive, West Homestead (Pittsburgh), PA 15120
Friday, September 11, 4:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Saturday, September 12, 11:00 am to 11:00 pm
Sunday, September 13, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
The Pittsburgh Irish Festival is a celebration to bring together the Pittsburgh community for three days of Celtic camaraderie. The goal is to contribute to the rich cultural expression of Irish history and tradition that exists in Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh Irish Festival is also the largest Irish festival in the state!
What is there to do at the festival?
Children’s Arts and Crafts for the wee folk: Take home a handmade souvenir, enjoy an Irish story sing-a-long, and dance an Irish jig! There will also be traditional and contemporary entertainment, Irish food and refreshments, Irish marketplace, children’s activities-performances-sing-a-longs, storytelling, Irish dance workshops and performances, ceili dancing, Irish Mass (Sun 10am), Irish conversation, Irish musical instrument demos, Hedge School, Whiskey and Cider Tastings, Blarney Bingo, Sheep, and more. Visit with dogs native to Ireland in the Irish Dog Tent! Meet breeds such as Irish Setter, Irish Wolfhound, Irish Water Spaniel, Irish Terrier, Kerry Beagle, and the Soft-coated Wheaten Terrier.
Are you ready to try some mouth-watering Irish eats? Menus will include Irish sausage, Irish stew, boxty pancakes, corned beef and cabbage, Dublin Coddle, potato soup, fish, colcannon, ham and cabbage and more. The desserts will be plentiful and delicious as well!
Here are a few of the Irish entertainment acts you can enjoy:
Gaelic Storm, Red Hot Chilli Pipers, Screaming Orphans, Makem and Spain, The Willis Clan, We Banjo 3, The High Kings, JigJam, Matt and Shannon Heaton, Rice Brothers, and Dennis Doyle. Local Entertainers: Abbots Cross, Ballet Academy of Pittsburgh, Bell School of Irish Dance, Burke Conroy School of Irish Dance, Corned Beef and Curry, Devilish Merry, Donnie Irish, Cahal Dunne, Mike Gallagher, Terry Griffith, Hooley with Liz Shovlin, Alan Irvine, Macdonald Pipe Band of Pittsburgh, Matthew Craig and The Kerry Tipper Band, NaGaels, Pittsburgh Ceili Club, Pittsburgh Irish Reelers, Pittsburgh Police Emerald Society Pipes and Drums Band, Jack Puskar, Red Hand Paddy, Patrick Regan, The Rivermen, Shovlin Academy of Irish Dance, and The Wild Geese. (Program subject to change)
Have you seen The Willis Clan on America's Got Talent or their recent TLC show? A family of 12 kids who are fantastic musicians! We are excited to see them and they will be performing all 3 days of the festival.
$12.00 - adult advance, $14.00 - at the gate, $30 - weekend pass, $8.00 - Senior (60+), Students with ID, Military Active/Retired and Public Safety Officers with ID,
Kids, 12 and younger, are FREE!!
Tickets can be purchased at the gate or in advance at www.pghirishfest.org.
$5.00 ADMISSION FRIDAY 4:00-6:00PM ages 13 +,
$5.00 ADMISSION FRIDAY 6:00-8:00PM WITH COLLEGE ID.
GIVEAWAY:
We have a giveaway for 2 tickets (keeping in mind that kids under 12 are free). Go here to enter:
This post sponsored by Pittsburgh Irish Festival. All opinions remain my own.