Entertainment

Artists

Here's an alphabetical listing of some of this year's Milwaukee Irish Fest performers. Please check back often as we sign more acts.Simply click on the letter of the performer's first name to locate it in the list. Then, click on the performer's name to view show dates and times.

You can also search for performers by keywords. Search for instruments (fiddle, vocals, guitar, etc.), county (Ireland, Scotland, regional, local, etc.) and genre (Irish traditional, celtic rock, singer-songwriter, folk & ballad, dance, and contemporary world music).

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3 Pints Gone

Milwaukee's 3 Pints Gone performs traditional Celtic folk songs with a distinctive harmony-rich sound.

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Academy of Irish Music

Academy of Irish Music

Chicago's Academy of Irish Music is a school focused on youth education with a staff of accomplished musicians teaching a variety of instruments.

Andreas Transo

Andreas Transo is a storyteller, writer and musician based out of the Ocooch Mountains of the Driftless Region, also known as Southwestern Wisconsin.

Athas

Joy and gladness is what athas means in the Irish language, and this Irish traditional band lives up to its billing.

Atlantic Wave

Formed in Milwaukee in 2004, Atlantic Wave plays music of Celtic nations that touch the Atlantic Ocean and beyond.

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Barra MacNeils

Cape Breton Island’s The Barra MacNeils are celebrating over 25 years years in the music industry as a touring and recording act in 2013...

Barry Dodd

Born in Dublin, Ireland, Barry Dodd is a local favorite. Dodd will tug at your heart with a ballad and then lift your spirits with an old-fashioned sing-along.

Blackthorn

Blackthorn is a talented folk ensemble from southeast Michigan. Through song and story the band brings to life the beauty and legend of the Emerald Isle.

Blarney

Blarney's roots run deep through Irish Fest. Formed in 1975 in Milwaukee, Ed Ward and the first generation of his band were the catalyst for the initial Irish Fest.

Buddy MacDonald

Buddy MacDonald

Buddy MacDonald has been a singer/songwriter and entertainer for over thirty years and hails from the North Shore of Cape Breton...

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Carlos Nunez

For more information on Carlos Nunez, please see his website...

Cashel Dennehy Irish Dancers

Cashel Dennehy Irish Dancers

Milwaukee's Cashel Dennehy School of Irish Dance has been entertaining Irish Fest with their traditional, yet innovative, dancing since 1983.

Cassie and Maggie MacDonald

Cassie and Maggie MacDonald

Born in Halifax, with strong roots in Nova Scotia, Cassie and Maggie MacDonald have been wowing audiences across Canada...

Ceol Cairde

Ceol Cairde has its roots in the 1988 Milwaukee Irish Fest Summer School. Band members enjoy sharing the energy and spirit of traditional Irish music at weddings, festivals, parties, and ceili and set dances.

Chicago Reel

Chicago Reel brings some of Chicago's finest musicians together for a refreshing take on traditional Irish music.

Creel

For more information on Creel, please see their website...

Cuil A' Lin

Cuil A' Lin

Cutthroat Shamrock

Cutthroat Shamrock

Rowdy and rambunctious, Knoxville’s Cutthroat Shamrock melds the traditions of Ireland, the rhythms of Appalachia and the bite of punk into their music...

D

Dave Gunning

Dave Gunning is folk singer-songwriter from Pictou County, Nova Scotia. Over the span of his career, Gunning has released nine albums...

Derek Byrne and Paddygrass

Milwaukee’s Derek Byrne & Paddygrass performs Celtic bluegrass with a set list that ranges from Irish ballads to old country, with some surprises thrown in for spice.

Dublin 5

Dublin 5 is a high energy Irish Rock band based out of Annapolis Maryland. Dublin 5 was formed in 2006...

Dublin O'Shea

Dublin O'Shea is a Milwaukee group formed in 2002 dedicated to preserving Celtic folk music. Specializing primarily in pub songs from Ireland, Scotland and the Nautical Tradition, they offer a well rounded look at the Celtic experience.

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Ed Miller

For more information on Ed Miller, please see his website...

Elders

The Elders formed in Kansas City in 1998 and have been providing raucous, foot stomping Celtic rock ever since.

Evans and Doherty

Evans and Doherty

Kevin Evans and Brian Doherty have been an integral part of the Canadian East Coast music scene for over twenty years...

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Finbar MacCarthy

Finbar MacCarthy

MacCarthy is an authentic Irish balladeer with a focus on pub songs and humor. From the fireside of his home in Dublin, Ireland, MacCarthy describes his musical talent as being a jack of all instruments, master of none.

Frogwater

Milwaukee's own Frogwater brings a mix of Celtic, American, old-time, bluegrass, Cajun and blues music for their high energy show.

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Gaelic Storm

From their start as a bar band in Santa Monica, California, to international performances, Gaelic Storm has been one of the most popular acts at Irish Fest in recent years.

Glencastle Irish Dancers

Glencastle Irish Dancers

Glencastle Irish Dance School opened its doors in Milwaukee in 2000. The school offers a choice of participation in Irish dance for both children and adults, from international dance competitions to simply learning a few steps and performing at a local event.

Goitse

Goitse (pronounced gwi-cha and meaning "come here") is a five piece trad band consisting of music students from the University of Limerick.

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Ian Gould

An immigrant from Belfast, Northern Ireland, Ian has played in bands throughout Ireland, the United Kingdom and Europe.

Irish Fest Choir

Irish Fest Choir

Founded in 1988 to promote Irish music and culture, the Choir consists of young adults, ages 14, 20, performing traditional Irish music.

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Jeff Ward

The Jeff Ward makes its 7th consecutive appearance at Irish Fest, and for good reason. The band's music represents traditional and contemporary songs of Ireland and America.

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Kennedy's Kitchen

Kennedy's Kitchen

From our home in South Bend Indiana, Kennedy's Kitchen has been making Irish music together since 1998.

Kinsella Academy of Irish Dance

Kinsella Academy of Irish Dance

Since forming in 2004, Kinsella Academy of Irish Dance has established itself as a premier dance school. Kinsella Academy of Irish Dance has competed locally, nationally and internationally, medaling in all.

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Leahy's Luck

A Milwaukee tradition in Irish folk music, Leahy's Luck has performed its brand of traditional and popular Irish songs throughout the Midwest for 13 years.

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Makem and Spain Brothers

Makem and Spain Brothers

After years as a powerhouse Irish vocal group, the Makem brothers joined forces with the Spain brothers in 2003 to form a quintet as strong and unique as anything in Irish music today.

Manran

Bringing their own unique blend of Gaelic and English, traditional and contemporary to audiences, Scotland’s Mànran have impressed crowds and critics alike. Mànran began 2010...

McMenamin Irish Dance Academy

McMenamin Irish Dance Academy

McMenamin Irish Dance Academy is part of the explosive Irish dance scene in Milwaukee.

Modern Grass

The Modern Grass was born in early 2011 in Halifax, NS and has since released 5 albums and toured relentlessly...

Myserk

Myserk is a new ensemble from Milwaukee comprised of four innovative instrumentalists steeped in traditional music.

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Nashville Ceili Band

Nashville Ceili Band

The Nashville Ceili Band was drawn together to share their passion for traditional music in 2000 and soon became a favorite on the Southeastern dance circuit.

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Old Man Luedecke

Old Man Luedecke

Old Man Luedecke is the recording name of Juno Award-winning Canadian singer-songwriter and banjo player, Chris Luedecke...

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Red Hot Chilli Pipers

Red Hot Chilli Pipers

Fusing traditional pipe tunes and contemporary rock anthems, the Chilli Pipers have won fans the world over due to their unique sound and energetic and enthusiastic live shows.

Reilly

Formed in early 2000, the Milwaukee-based Reilly is a high energy Celtic rock group featuring accordion, banjo and mandolin fused with hard driving rhythms.

Reilly Trio

Milwaukee's Tinker Boys is an acoustic trio blending traditional Irish, American country, bluegrass and folk music, providing an upbeat and energetic show.

Rince Nia Academy of Irish Dance

Rince Nia Academy of Irish Dance

The newest school in the hot bed of Irish dance that Milwaukee has become, Rince Nia Academy of Irish Dance was founded by world medalists and former Riverdance performers Sean Beglan, T.C.R.G., and Jillian Belgan.

Rira

Rira has been on the Irish music scene in Milwaukee for many years and has played for countless ceilis as well as many other types of events.

Ronan Tynan

Ronan Tynan was born in Dublin and was a member of the famed Irish Tenors until he left to pursue his solo career in May 2004. Ronan is an extraordinary singer...

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Screaming Orphans

Screaming Orphans

From County Donegal, Ireland, the Diver sisters formed Screaming Orphans as a result of their self-described musical obsessions.

Shinigans

This Irish-American folk band was formed on St. Patrick's Day in 2005 at Marquette University's Annex bar in Milwaukee, Wis.

The Sprag Session

Sprag Session

Sprag Session is five superb musicians from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. Lingering somewhere amidst the rich, soulful roots of traditional Cape Breton music...

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Tallymoore

A group of talented young gents from around the Midwest; the lads of Tallymoore are an Acapella group who's repertoire ranges from traditional sea shanties to modern Irish pub songs.

The Curtis Crossroads Band

A Milwaukee favorite, The Curtis Crossroads Bands is a trio playing traditional Irish jigs, reels and vocal tunes.

Theiss & O'Connor

Theiss & O'Connor

Bill and Lin O'Connor and Larry Theiss formed their band in 1967 and have been performing folk, original and Irish music to Milwaukee's delight ever since.

Tis

A lively group of 4 musicians who draw from experience in folk, classical and rock to make music that is always entertaining, if not always strictly traditional.

Tom O'Carroll

Dublin born folklorist, folk singer and instrumentalist Tom O’Carroll brings a wealth of stories, humor, wit and history to his shows...

Tom O'Sullivan

Tom O'Sullivan is an Irish Fest regular, and has entertained throughout the Midwest as a soloist.

Tom Paxton

Tom Paxton is an American folk singer-songwriter who has been writing, performing and recording music for fifty years. Tom’s place in folk music is secured not just by hit records and awards...

Tom Sweeney

Tom Sweeney, from Omagh, Northern Ireland, envelops the very essence of Irish culture into his performances.

Trinity Academy of Irish Dance

Trinity Academy of Irish Dance

Trinity Academy of Irish Dance is one of the most widely-recognized Irish dance programs in the world. For over 25 years, Trinity has been guided by a unique philosophy of instruction and empowerment within a fun environment.

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We Banjo 3

Award winning Irish banjo band We Banjo 3 are direct from Galway, Ireland. The multi-instrumentalist, multi-All Ireland Champion band members Enda Scahill, and brothers Martin Howley and David Howley are internationally renowned for their incredible technical virtuoisty and musical innovation.

Whiskey of the Damned

Whiskey of the Damned

Whiskey of the Damned is a five piece Celtic influenced rock band based in Milwaukee. The band is dedicated to playing high energy, raucous concerts fueled by a mixture of American and Irish rock music.

Willis Clan

Living in middle Tennessee, The Willis Clan merges their Irish roots with other music and dance genres to create a unique blend of the old and new...

Wise Maids

Named for a famous Irish reel, The Wise Maids have been playing together in other Irish groups for many years and joined forces due to their love of traditional Irish music.

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