Activities

*NEW* Bodhrán Blitz

The traditional drum of Ireland, the bodhrán, takes center stage as the Festival’s hottest goat-thumpers come together to demonstrate the full capabilities of this ancient instrument. Hear traditional (and less traditional) rhythms of Ireland in this exciting performance and expect some surprises along the way! The Bodhrán Blitz will occur on Sat., 9/6 at 5 pm.

*NEW* Activities from the Pittsburgh Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers are headed to Ireland this September and will kick off the celebration at the Pittsburgh Irish Festival! On Saturday, 9/6, there will be football activities, prizes & giveaways, and more!

*NEW* Traditional Irish Breakfast

On Sunday, 9/7 from 11 am – 1 pm, start your day the Irish way with a hearty Irish Breakfast! Enjoy traditional favorites like bangers, black and white pudding, eggs, scones, and more! Irish breakfast MUST be ordered in advance at pghirishfest.org/breakfast, limited quantity available. It’s the perfect fuel for a day full of music, dancing, and celebration!

*NEW* Irish Ghanaian Fusion

Explore the liminal spaces between Irish traditional music and West African Ghanaian music. Lively blended compositions drawing from Irish traditional music and West African Ghanaian music that will be performed by renowned musicians from the Ghanaian drum ensemble, Raymond Odai Laryea and Ekome Femo, and Irish musicians, Dylan James and Colin Harte.

*NEW* Celtic Wellness

On Sat. 9/6 and Sunday, 9/7, Festival visitors can now go deeper into their Celtic roots in our new area focused on wellness. Sessions will include The Celtic Body from Pittsburgh native Garrett Coleman, a World Champion Irish Dancer, guiding participants on a meditative journey through breath, rhythm, and movement into deeper connection with self, community, and the natural landscape, Drum Circles hosted by Pittsburgh Women’s Wellness Drum Circle, Wyda Yoga, also known as Hatha Yoga and Yoga of the Celts, a movement theory of the Celtic Druids focused on uniting humans with nature and promoting harmony, health, and contentment through mindfulness, and more! Guests of all ages and abilities are welcome to participate. The full Celtic Wellness schedule is coming soon!

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, Vagabond Small Group Tours of Ireland. *See bottom of this page for terms and conditions!

A Taste of Ireland

Now in partnership with the Irish Design Center, 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, honey with Jameson, soda bread & scone mixes, Butlers candy bars, Irish teas & coffees, and so much more! You can find A Taste of Ireland in our Irish Marketplace!

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.

Stone Lifting Competition

For centuries, the stones on Ireland’s rugged landscape were more than simple geographical features. The ability to lift a particular stone was used in tests of strength, and often as rites of passage at events like weddings and funerals. Stone Circle Strongman returns to this year’s Fest and for a small donation of $10, visitors can try their hand at lifting the famous “McClurg Manhood Stones,” or you can register to compete and enter the “King of the Stones” competition which offers cash prizes and the title of “Strongest Stonelifter” in the amateur division. This year’s competition serves also as a qualifier for entry into the Pro division of “America’s Strongest Stonelifter” happening in Vista, CA on September 20-21, 2025. For more information and to preregister, visit www.stonecirclestrongman.com or Stone Circle Strongman on Instagram.

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. New in 2025, the Celtic Kitchen will also host children’s cooking classes with the intention to get a new generation excited about Celtic cooking!

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! New this year, celebrate  the tradition know as “marionettes a la’ planchette”, or jig puppets, which goes back to the 1600’s and is still popular all over western Europe.

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. Full brand list coming soon.

IRISH MASS – SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 AT 10 A.M.

Join us for our annual Irish Mass on Sunday, September 7 at 10 a.m. at our Celtic Spirit Stage. Other Festival activities will be limited from 9 am – 11 am.

Raffle Terms and Conditions

1. The promoter is: Vagabond Tours whose registered office is at Unit 52, Newtown Business & Enterprise Park, Newtownmountkennedy, Wicklow, Ireland.
2. The prize is as follows:

a. 2 places on a 7 Day Vagabond World Tour of Ireland
b. Winner can choose any scheduled departure date between March and October 2026 subject to availability.
c. Flights and hotels in Dublin are NOT included in the prize. A full list of what’s
included in our tours is available at the following URL: https://vagabondtoursofireland.com/tour/7-day-ireland-tour#_inclusions.

i. All guests must conform to Vagabond’s general guidelines on fitness and age. Fitness guidelines available here:
https://vagabondtoursofireland.com/faqs/how-fit-do-i-need-to-be.
ii. Age guidelines available here: https://vagabondtoursofireland.com/faqs/any-age-restrictions-on-tour

3. Purchase of a raffle ticket is necessary to enter this draw.
4. A maximum of 1,000 tickets will be available for sale for this limited draw. The majority of the tickets will be sold at the Pittsburgh Irish Festival (5-7 September 2025) with the remaining unsold tickets made available online.
5. The closing date for entry is the 19th of September 2025. After this date, no further entries to the draw will be permitted.
6. The winner will be notified during the week of 22nd of September 2025.
7. No responsibility can be accepted for entries not received for whatever reason.
8. All entrants must be over 18 years old to enter the draw.
9. Vagabond Tours shall have the right, at its sole discretion and at any time, to change or modify these terms and conditions without notice in the event of any of the following, but not limited to: a catastrophe, war, civil or military disturbance or any actual or anticipated breach of any applicable law or regulation or any other event outside of the promoter’s control. Any such changes shall be effective immediately upon posting to this webpage.
10. Winners will be chosen at random from all entries received.
11. The promoter’s decision in respect of all matters to do with the draw will be final and no correspondence will be entered into.
12. The winner agrees to the use of his/her name and image in any publicity material. Any personal data relating to the winner or any other entrants will be used solely in accordance with current data protection legislation and will not be disclosed to a third party without the entrant’s prior consent
13. The winner’s name will be available 28 days after closing date by emailing the following address: enquiries@vagabond.ie
14. Entry into the draw will be deemed as acceptance of these terms and conditions.