Milwaukee ’s Irish Fest is bigger than Gulliver in the res publica of Lilliput . Every yr , more than 120,000 multitude come from all over to observe everything Gaelic for four days in August .
" As the world ’s largest celebration of Gaelic music and culture , fete goers can front forward to experiencing the best in Irish and Celtic music , pleasant-tasting Irish solid food and drinks , and fantastical activity , " explains Patrick Boyle , executive director ofIrish Fest .
The 2016 version , which takes place August 18 - 21 , score the thirty-sixth time that Irish Fest has spread expert craic across southeast Wisconsin . Having an excellent time at the fest is moderately easy , but follow a few of these insider ’s tips to really make the most out of the long weekend .
Courtesy of Milwaukee Irish Fest
Stay for the afterparty
Revelry does n’t terminate when Irish Fest ends . Make the short manner of walking to County Clare afterward , the go - to post - fest repair . With just a little luck , you may find an off-the-cuff jam session by Irish Fest musicians stick at business district hotels . Stories of the recent - Nox music sessions that go down in the lobby and on the cap of the Park East Hotel are the material of caption .
" I had the pleasure of watching Tommy Makem and some of the Clancy Brothers play together one Nox at the Park East , " says Jamie O’Donoghue , a prevention proprietor whose family has been a part of Irish Fest since its origin . " It was one of the coolest things I ’ve ever see . "
Explore Irish beer… beyond your standard pint of Guinness
Not a drop of the iconic Irish stout is pullulate on the Irish Fest grounds , but plenty of other cracking hardy options are : snag a Sprecher Irish stout , Lakefront Snake Chaser stout , or a Water Street Irish Whiskey stalwart instead . There are well over 25 beers and cider ( sorry , no Magners , either ) to choose from , so you wo n’t go athirst .
Experience award-winning Irish dancers
The Trinity Academy of Irish Dance deliver the goods Irish dancing world patronage – no kidding , dozens of them . The amazing mathematical group draws bad gang at Irish Fest , and their positively electric shows are a must - see . But do n’t miss out on other groups that make Milwaukee an unlikely Irish terpsichore human dynamo . social dancer from the the like of Cashel Dennehy , Glencastle , Kinsella , McMenamin , and Beglan deserve support too . You wo n’t be let down .
See the headlining bands, but also dance a jig with the locals
Irish Fest book mass of outside Irish melodic acts , but its prospicient history is build upon great local anaesthetic . Be sure to see import like the ridiculously energetic ( and awesomely key out ) Red Hot Chilli Pipers , and fest regular Gaelic Storm . But do n’t miss out on homegrown natural endowment that let in Reilly , Frogwater , and Leahys Luck . The topical anaesthetic appreciate it .
" To be a part of the effect , with such a lineup , is always exceptional to us , " says Reilly ’s Tinker Tierney . " Reilly has play Irish Fest for something like 15 years now . "
Be sure to hurl
No , not from overindulging . Head just to the north of Irish Fest to insure out hurling – a fast - moving sport that looks like a lacrosse without all the cushioning and fancy pin . Watch exhibition compeer and render your deal at hitting asliotar(a ball ) with ahurley(a with child wooden paddle ) . The Milwaukee Hurling Club is a big one , and they ’ll show you how the biz is play .
Never miss a Sunday
Despite thinning crowds , the atmosphere on Sunday stays merry – and there are some strong reasons to stick around . On Sunday night , the Aer Lingus stage hosts The Scattering , and an amazing aspect plays out when dozens of musicians who have played the Fest get together and give festival goers one last fortune to get together , peach , and dance before another big year hint down .
" I never omit a sprinkling , " says O’Donoghue . " Everyone sings along and it ’s really sinewy . On Sunday , you could begin with the Mass and make it to The Scattering , and have a neat twenty-four hours . "
Take heed , though : solid food vender occasionally run out of the good clobber , but the good news is that the beerneverruns out .
Courtesy of Milwaukee Irish Fest
Go green without spending green
You never have to devote full price to get into Irish Fest . Thursday is free with a contribution of school supplies . Friday is half - price . Saturday is free to runner of the Run / Walk to Irish Fest 5 K , and Sunday is free if you attend morning Mass on the ground . If you ’re not into churchin ’ , you could donate a non - perishable food for thought token by 11 am to get in .
Relax with the hounds
Irish Fest can get a trivial hectic . The Celtic Caninearea provides a suspension from any soft soap and lets you chill with some large cad . Irish Setters are nerveless and all , but it ’s the outsize Irish Wolfhounds that are hypnotize . If you ’ve never spent tone metre with one of these soft giants , make prison term for the dogs .
Get to the food early
line form chop-chop at the Irish Baker for the baked potato top with Irish sweat , and there ’s unremarkably a wait for the cured beef sandwich at O’Donoghue ’s . Irish Fest is best accomplish with a unanimous base . Do n’t miss that opportunity by thinking you may easy get great Irish food whenever you want to ; check that you set out your twenty-four hours at one of these standouts .
Bring the family (or be prepared for folks bringing theirs)
Unlike a few other Milwaukee summer festivals we can intend of , the moron factor at Irish Fest is extremely low , so mass convey kids in strollers without too much trepidation . The crowds are manageable , the knuckleheads are few , and Irish music is soothing – it makes sense , really .
Try running to the Fest
Burn off the pint of beer , Irish lather , and fried stuff before you even pass through the festival gate . The Saturday dawn Arthritis Foundation Run / Walk to Irish Fest 5 K accomplishes the end of boosting your cardio , and it gets you into the Fest for free ( once you ’ve paid your backwash fee ) . The first beer after the scenic campaign along the lakefront is one of the most fresh you ’ll have all twelvemonth .
Give in to your need to travel to the Emerald Isle
It ’s natural to feel a strong desire to travel after being immersed in Irish culture for a weekend . block your inhibitions and plan a trip while you ’re at the Fest : heading to the Travel Ireland area just inside the Main Gate , and you could actually reserve your flight on Aer Lingus , at a price that honor you for spontaneity ( however , parting with this much cash is best done after a pint or three ) . Irishness is not something to fight . Give in with a plane just the ticket to Dublin .
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Courtesy of Milwaukee Irish Fest
Courtesy of Milwaukee Irish Fest
Courtesy of Milwaukee Irish Fest
Courtesy of Milwaukee Irish Fest
Courtesy of Milwaukee Irish Fest
Courtesy of Milwaukee Irish Fest
