PITTSBURGH IRISH FESTIVAL

EVENTS & ACTIVITIES

Events and Activities subject to change

THE IRISH EXTREME (presented by Best Buy)

Get your Irish up while experiencing competitive and non-competitive activities in our newest activity area for young adults! Climb the “Cliffs of Moher” climbing wall and try your hand at our Irish cornhole game (also known as “soft horseshoes.”), Irish Dance Dance Revolution, Madden, Irish Rock Band and Guitar Hero.

PITTSBURGH IRISH FESTIVAL GOES GREEN

The Irish know their green! This year we are focusing on our green with tips and practices that contribute to a more environmentally and ecologically responsible festival! Purchase a Festival Pint Glass at any beverage station and save the environment by using less throw-away plastic cups. Our brochure and program books are printed on recycled paper and are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. Please recycle your program at the exit if you are done with it. Inexpensive souvenir totes are available at the Merchandise Booth. Less plastic that is used for shopping – the more “green” our world.

DISCOVER YOUR IRISH FAMILY TREE

Trace that elusive Irish ancestor by visiting the new 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.

IRISH DOG AREA

Visit with the dogs native to Ireland! Meet all 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.

GAELIC SPORTS

We are pleased to present one of Ireland’s favorite traditional sports –curragh racing. Presented by Pittsburgh Irish Rowing Club, it is an outdoor sport of ancient Celtic origins. The curragh, or rowboat, will be demonstrated in NACA exhibition races on the Mon River. Fast, rough, exciting and not to be missed Saturday and Sunday!

TIR na nOg (CHILDREN'S AREA/IRISH ARTS AND CRAFTS)

For our wee folk! Take home a hand-made souvenir, enjoy an Irish story, sing-a-long and even dance an Irish jig!

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 30 specialty booths. Don’t forget to visit our Festival’s award-winning t-shirt booth!

HEDGE SCHOOL (WATCH IRISH ARTISANS AND HISTORIANS AT WORK)

Learn about Ireland’s geography, history, sports, tourism, music and more as our outreach participants demonstrate their unique skills passed along from generation to generation and display their creative work. You can even make a piece of Irish art to take home at our continuous demonstration and craft area.

MEET PITTSBURGH’S IRISH ORGANIZATIONS

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

BLARNEY BINGO

Bring your daubers and good luck charms as you try your hand at Irish Bingo!

A SONG FOR IRELAND (Special Traveling Exhibit)

This exhibit will explore the history of songs associated with Ireland and Irish America. Most of Irelands early songs evolved from the English ballad tradition. Later Thomas Moore penned many nationalistic songs using Irish Harp melodies. Because of Ireland’s history a whole genre of Rebel songs developed and the Folk song tradition in Ireland was very strong during the 20th century.

In America early songwriters wrote many classic songs associated with the Irish including “Kathleen Mavourneen” and “I’ll Take You Home Again, Kathleen”. Chauncey Olcott wrote classics such as “My Wild Irish Rose” and “Mother Machree”. Meanwhile in Tin Pan Alley Ireland was a major theme and composers wrote literally thousands of songs relating to Ireland and Irish America.

The Irish love to sing! Come and learn about our great song tradition at this exhibit presented by the Ward Irish Music Archives, Milwaukee, WI. Presented through a generous grant by the Irish Fest Foundation, Milwaukee, WI.

http://www.irishfest.com/archives/exhibits/song-for-ireland.php