Raffle

Stop by our Festival Raffle Booth for your chance to win Irish gift items, Festival merchandise, tickets to local events, gift cards, and more! We will also be raffling off a private tour of Ireland* thanks to our tourism partner, Little Gem Tours.

*NEW* Enhanced Gaelic Sports Programs & Demos

Hurling, Camogie, and Gaelic Football are traditional Irish sports that hold deep cultural significance and captivate fans with their unique gameplay. Pittsburgh is home to professional and youth teams who have achieved great success both on and off the field with multiple Midwest and National Championship wins! This year, take a deep dive into these sports – learn the rules, meet the players, and try your hand at these incredible Gaelic Sports! Full program schedule is coming soon!

*NEW* 360 Degree Virtual Tours of Ireland

For the first time at the Fest, take a fully immersive virtual reality tour of the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland. Guests will be able to take in the sights and sounds of one of Ireland’s most popular tourist destinations, all from the comfort of the Pittsburgh Irish Festival and free with your Festival admission.

Ancient Celtic Axe Throwing

We are partnering with Ace Axe Throwing to bring you the sport of Ancient Celtic Axe Throwing! Guests 16+ wearing closed-toe shoes will get to try their hand at axe throwing for free with festival admission!

Watch the Game

The Pittsburgh Irish Festival usually means it is time for football season! Watch the Steelers, Pirates, Pitt Panthers, and more on our big screen while you enjoy a Guinness and some Irish Stew in our Ya Jagoff! Sports Lounge!

A Taste of Ireland

Festival visitors will be able to sample and purchase foods and snacks made in Ireland! Take home items like Guinness chocolate, Keogh’s potato chips, Mileeven Honey with Jameson, soda bread & scone mixes, Butlers candy bars, Irish teas & coffees, and so much more! *Plus, vegan, gluten free, and organic items!

Carrie Furnace Mini Tours

The National Historic Landmark Carrie Blast Furnaces #6 & #7, opened in 1907 and taken offline in 1978, are extremely rare examples of pre-World War II iron-making technology. The site is managed by the Rivers of Steel. For a small fee, Rivers of Steel will present mini tours of the site during the Festival. During the tour, you’ll learn about the iron-making process and the men and women who worked there. Many of the workers were of Irish origin or descent and played a large part in the development of the industry and the region.

NEW! Steeltown Acoustic Instruments Experience

The Steeltown Acoustic Instruments Experience (SAIE) is an interactive, educational, and a “play music on the spot” experience for people to show their musical talent and to learn about a variety of instruments and how they connect to Celtic music.

 

Irish Comedy

Get ready to laugh your arse off! See Irish comedy on Friday, 9/8 and Saturday, 9/9. The all Irish comedy presentation will feature Sean Finnerty, the first Irish born artist to appear on The Tonight Show, and Mick Thomas, one of the most sought after acts in Clubs and Casinos up and down the East Coast. *Parental Advisory

 

Five Farms Irish Cream Celtic Kitchen

Presented by Five Farms Irish Cream, watch both professional and amateur bakers and chefs demonstrate cooking and baking some delightful treats! Celtic cooking is hearty, simple, and tasty – enjoy this hands on look of the preparation of old world recipes with new world adaptations. The full demo schedule is coming soon!

Session Tent

Musicians, bring your instrument and get into the Festival for free. Join other musicians and play your favorite Irish songs throughout the weekend!

Irish Authors’ Corner

Learn about Ireland and its lore while meeting visiting authors at this year’s Irish Festival.  Buy a book and get it autographed. Hear the authors’ tales during the weekend at the Hedge School.

Delight in Dance and Music Performances

View continuous entertainment in four performance areas, presented by adult and children’s dance ensembles, all colorfully costumed and skillfully choreographed. In addition, our contemporary and traditional Irish musicians will bring you to your feet as they continue the party as only the Irish can!

Feast on Irish Cuisine & Celtic Beverages

Relish the mouthwatering sights, aromas and tastes coming from our Irish kitchens! From a bite to a hearty meal, we serve Irish sausage, Irish stew, boxty pancakes, corned beef and cabbage, Shepherd’s Pie, fish and chips, colcannon, ham and cabbage, and much more! Our desserts are plentiful and delicious. While you are there, enjoy a wide variety of Celtic beverages at Tara Tea and numerous pubs!

Discover Your Irish Family Tree

Trace that elusive Irish ancestor by visiting the Genealogy Pavilion. Learn how to search locally and online for long-lost family here and on the Auld Sod. Forms and reference books are on-site to guide you as you begin or restart the process of climbing your Family Tree. If you are looking for an ancestor that may have worked at Carrie Furnaces, the volunteers in the Genealogy Pavilion can point you in the right direction!

Irish Dog Area

Visit with the dogs native to Ireland! Meet Irish breeds: Irish Setter, Irish Wolfhounds, Irish Water Spaniel, Irish Terrier, Glen of Imaal, Irish Red and White Setter, Kerry Beagle, Kerry Blue Terrier, and the Soft-coated Wheaten Terrier. Email us at pghirishfestival@gmail.com to include your dog in the festivities. *Breeds and dog lengths of stay are subject to change and may be limited

Cultural Hedge School Stage

One of the most popular areas at the festival is the Hedge school. Based on the infamous Penal Laws, hedge schools developed in Ireland in response to the bans placed on educating Irish natives about their history, traditions, and culture. As a result, lessons were taught in secret in a barn or in the shadow of a hedge. We are proud to offer on-going educational sessions in the areas of history, legends, music, language, dance, sports, and symbols of Ireland.

Leprechaun’s Landing (Children’s Irish Arts, Crafts, & Games)

For our wee folk! Take home a hand-made souvenir, enjoy an Irish story, sing-along, and even dance an Irish jig! Play a round of mini golf on our Royal County Down course, hop around on “Nessie” our Loch Ness Monster and The Irish Castle bounce houses, and try your luck at one of our custom games!

Shop at the Irish Marketplace

A favorite area of the Festival is the Irish Marketplace where unique shopping booths display a panorama of Irish items for sale. Take home a specialized clothing article, piece of art, interesting trinket or souvenir. Guaranteed Irish, we feature over 50 specialty booths. Don’t forget to visit our Festival’s award-winning t-shirt booth!

Meet Pittsburgh’s Irish Organizations

Members will be on hand with lots of information and an invitation to join them!

Cultural Beverage Tastings

For our guests 21+, beverage tasting is included in the price of your Festival admission ticket! Visit our Cultural Beverage Tasting area as we experience the charm, depth and diversity of flavor found in Irish whiskeys, mead, and more. Each booth will feature professionally curated tastings conducted by a whiskey master, Protector of the Peat, or mead maker. You will get to compare and contrast the unique qualities of legendary brands. This area is brought to you by Kingview Mead, Dubliner Irish Whiskey, Sullivan’s, and Five Farms Irish Cream.

IRISH MASS – SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 AT 10 A.M.

Join us for our annual Irish Mass on Sunday, September 10 at 10 a.m. at our Celtic Spirit Stage.

Other Festival Highlights

Storytelling from Alan Irvine, Celtic Harper – Dennis Doyle, traditional step and ceili dance workshops and performances, Irish instrument and cultural area demonstrations, strolling bagpipers, Gaelic sports demonstrations, and Gaelic names with Sean. You’ll never know what’s around each corner at the Pittsburgh Irish Festival!