President of Ireland plans visit

New talent & attractions at 25th Irish Fest

AN APPEARANCE by President of Ireland Mary McAleese is among the many special events marking the 25th anniversary of Milwaukee Irish Fest, Aug.18-21, at Henry Maier Festival Park (Summerfest grounds) on Lake Michigan.

“We are delighted to extend to President McAleese the same wonderful Irish hospitality that attracts more than 130,000 visitors to Milwaukee Irish Fest every year. Her visit is a testament to Milwaukee Irish Fest’s value as a partner in preserving Irish pride, culture, language and heritage for the generations,” says Jane Anderson, Irish Fest executive director.

Milwaukee Irish Fest is the world’s largest celebration of Irish music and culture, showcasing more than 200 entertainers annually at the 4-day, 17-stage event.  Other attractions highlight Irish art, history, culture, genealogy, children’s activities and sports.

With free admission for children under 12, Irish Fest may be one of Milwaukee’s best deals of the summer for families. Wee ones can build castles from Legos, fashion Celtic Crosses from foam, weave fairy wreaths, play miniature golf at “Lilli-Putt,” cast lines in the Pot-O’Gold fishing game and hop along stepping stones in the Fairy Ring Musical game.

This year the festival offers a special emphasis on folk theater and street performance.  The Armagh Rhymers, Northern Ireland’s best-known folk theater ensemble, bring music, song, dance, puppetry, storytelling and mime to the Children’s Area. Bui Bolg, a street theater company featuring whimsical giant puppets, delights families in parades and throughout the grounds.

Milwaukee Irish Fest’s reputation in the Irish music industry brings scouts, record labels and festival organizers to the Fest to see the next big thing. “We pride ourselves on being on the cutting edge of emerging Irish talent,” says Ed Ward, Irish Fest president.

Irish Fest has operated a thriving Rock Stage for 16 years and welcomes back Seven Nations and Black 47. Appearing at Irish Fest for the first time are Hothouse Flowers, the Bridies and Young Dubliners. Hothouse Flowers incorporates folk, gospel and traditional music into their “rock and soul” sound. The Young Dubliners, known for whirling “jig pits” at their shows, combine vocals, guitar, bass, mandolin, harmonica, violin and drums for a rocking jam band sound.

Fans of traditional Irish music welcome the Fest return of Danú, blending accordion, fiddle, guitar, uilleann pipes, whistles, bouzouki and bodhran. Other Fest favorites are Gaelic Storm, whose high-energy music landed them a role as the steerage band in “Titanic,” and Leahy, a Celtic-pop group that combines Celtic traditions with Canadian folk and French-Canadian step dancing.

Also appearing are some of the most popular Irish folk acts in music history, including Barley Bree, the Black Brothers, Liam Clancy, Evans & Doherty, Tommy Makem, Schooner Fare, Paddy Reilly, and Green Fields of America with Jean Butler.

This year’s line-up celebrates women artists with decades-long international followings–Carmel Quinn, the only artist in history to perform at Carnegie Hall for 25 consecutive years; Cherish the Ladies, the first commercially successful all-women traditional Irish band, and fiddle legend Liz Carroll. 

Irish Fest’s new Celtic Roots Stage showcases the influence of Irish culture on American popular music. “Many people will be surprised to learn how significantly Irish and Irish American entertainers have shaped American popular music,” says Ward.

EXHIBITS TRACE CULTURE AND HISTORY

For history buffs, the Ward Irish Music Archives’ exhibit will examine Irish American legends in popular culture from the 1800s through the 1980s.

Also look for Irish Fest displays describing the:

• Development of Irish circuses,
• History of the Paddy stereotype,
• Irish genius Harry Ferguson,
• Careers of famous Irish scientists,
• History of the Gaelic Athletic Association,
• Genesis of St. Patrick’s Day Parades, and
• Traditions of Irish wakes.

Festgoers shop for Irish instruments and learn the traditions, protocol and music of Irish “sessions” in the Waltons Celtic Groove School, learn to Irish dance in the Lakefront Dance Pavilion and enjoy lectures at the Hedge School in the Cultural Area. Ireland’s most popular native dog breeds populate the Celtic Canine Area. 

In the marketplaces, shoppers browse CDs, Waterford, Belleek, musical instruments, jewelry, baskets, knits, arts and crafts. 

A special exhibit by Waterford Crystal in the Cultural Village features demonstrations by a crystal cutter and sale of a special collector’s edition piece marking Irish Fest’s 25th anniversary. At the travel booths, festgoers can actually plan and book their visits to Ireland online this year.

On Sunday, Irish Fest's traditional Liturgy for Peace and Justice starts at 9:30 a.m., with nonperishable food items collected and donated to the Hunger Task Force.

Fest hours are 5 p.m. -10 p.m. Thursday, 4 p.m.-midnight Friday: noon-midnight Saturday, and 11 a.m.- 10 p.m. Sunday. 

There is free admission Thursday with a donation of school supplies, courtesy of Potawatomi Bingo Casino. Admission also is free on Friday from 4-5 p.m. On Sunday, admission is free before the 9:30 a.m. Liturgy with a food donation.

Regular admission Thursday is $5. During the rest of the weekend, admission is $12 adults; $8 seniors 60-plus; and free for children 12 and under.

For more information, visit www.irishfest.com or phone 414-476-3378.