Milwaukee Irish Fest will leave eyes of all ages smiling

ALL EYES will be smiling here this month as the world’s largest Irish cultural festival fills Milwaukee’s lakefront festival grounds for the 27th time.

Milwaukee Irish Fest, the largest of the city’s ethnic festivals at Henry W. Maier Festival Park (Summerfest Grounds), promises enjoyment for everyone Aug. 16-19. Whether you’re a music lover, a shopper, a would-be traveler, a fine food and spirits enthusiast, you’ll be at home at Irish Fest.

“This year’s festival will be filled with some of the world’s most talented musicians, artisans, historians, authors and dancers,” said Jane Anderson, Executive Director of Irish Fest. “We will be celebrating County Clare, one of Ireland’s true cultural gems, showcasing women in Irish music and history, and providing local, national and international visitors with a glimpse of all that this storied land has to offer.”

Nicknamed the Banner County, Ireland’s County Clare is famous for its breathtaking landscape and as the home to poets, artists, dancers and musicians for centuries.

Irish Fest’s Cultural Village spotlights the region’s strong historical influence and cultural traditions through exhibits that include Follow the High King’s Footsteps, the story of Brian Boru, the last great high king of Ireland, who hailed from County Clare; Circling the Heritage of County Clare, how emigration has affected the county, and The Eagles Egg, an examination of the Great Irish Famine.

Visitors who love St. Patrick’s Day are in for a treat. New to the cultural area this year, The Saint Patrick Centre and Dr. Tim Campbell present the story of Ireland’s patron saint. Through a series of interactive displays, visitors learn about St. Patrick’s legacy and the impact of Ireland’s missionaries, while experiencing artwork and metalwork produced during this golden age.

A host of new entertainers and seasoned favorites will play Irish Fest’s stages throughout the festival.

New bands this year include The Tossers, a south side Chicago band that mixes a traditional folk music with the fury of punk rock; The Larkin and Moran Brothers, a self-titled Celtic rat pack that plays a hard-driving mix of traditional and original tunes in the vain of The Clancys, Pogues and Saw Doctors; and the Celtic Tenors, three beautifully trained voices who seamlessly meld Celtic, classical and pop styles. 

Returning to the festival to delight audiences will be Celtic rock favorite Gaelic Storm, celebrating its 10th anniversary; Enter the Haggis; Scythian; The Fuschia Band, and Damien Dempsey.

A centerpiece of Irish Fest entertainment will be the Celtic Women in Music Showcase. Gracing the Celtic Roots Stage throughout the festival will be such major female names in Celtic music as Aoife Clancy, daughter of Bobby Clancy of the iconic Clancy Brothers; fiddle virtuoso Liz Carroll; Eddi Reader, a honey-voiced vocalist from Glasgow; Ladies of Longford, an Ohio mother-daughter trio that renders lovely adaptations of traditional folk songs; Liadan, an all-female Irish band that weaves old and new music into a colorful tapestry; and Cathie Ryan, one of the leading voices in contemporary Celtic music.

Highlighting the Celtic-women theme will be a performance by Cherish the Ladies, the first all-female traditional Irish band, known for its pulsating instrumentals, haunting vocals and stirring step dancing. One of the most engaging ensembles in the history of Irish music, the five-member band will play a special 20th Anniversary reunion show Sunday on the Aer Lingus stage, joined by band alums Aiofe Clancy and Cathie Ryan.

Families looking for something new at the festival are encouraged to take a day-trip to Ireland through the Family Passport to Irish Fest. With Pirate Paddy’s help, kids can engage in creative cultural learning while they lead their parents to destinations listed on the passport and collect colorful stamps. To begin their journey, families can pick up the Family Passport on Saturday and Sunday from Noon to 4 p.m. in the Children’s Area. 

This year, Ireland’s famous Belleek Pottery celebrates its 150th anniversary with a shop in the Cultural Village and special limited-edition pieces, including a Milwaukee Irish Fest ornament that’s sure to be a collector’s item.

Guests seeking more hidden treasures will enjoy an authentic Irish shopping trip to the festival’s Grafton Square, Lilliput area and Moore Street marketplaces. Featured artists in the Moore Street Market hail from County Clare and include Gerry Ruarne, who displays handcrafted fused glass jewelry; Susan Minogue, who presents attractive wall plaques and figurines from resin and stonecast, and Tim Moloney with his landscapes and seascapes.

Visitors looking for a spiritual celebration are invited to attend the Liturgy for Peace and Justice with The Most Reverend Sean Brady, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, at 9:30 a.m. Sunday in the Marcus Amphitheater. Milwaukee Archbishop Timothy Dolan will concelebrate with Archbishop Brady, marking the Mass as a special first for Irish Fest.

Irish Fest hours are 5-10 p.m. Aug. 16 (Grand Hooley); 4 p.m.-midnight Aug. 17; noon-midnight Aug. 18 and 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Aug. 19. Admission is $5 on Thursday. On other days, it is $15 for adults, $10 for seniors (60+) and no charge for children 12 and under. For additional information, including scheduling and special admission offers, visit www.irishfest.com or call 414-476-3378.