Irish Fest features an area on the south end of the festival grounds dedicated to Irish and Celtic culture. On the schedule page of our website, click "culture" on the filter dropdown to view the cultural programming for this year's festival!
Cultural Pavilion
The Pavilion continues its long tradition of bringing all things Irish and Celtic to the festival through digital and physical displays. New this year, Limerick born artist and photographer Paul Ward is displaying his Imagining Ireland photo exhibit to the festival.
Black and Irish in Dublin is set up to highlight and celebrate the identity of Black and Mixed Race Irish people. The
Department of Foreign Affairs in Ireland and the
Irish Consulate in Chicago will again be providing a pop-up display, curated by their staff. We will again have and exhibit on the 100 Anniversary of the end of the Irish Civil War, which ended in 1923. We will also have a return of the Mythology of Ireland; the Fauna of Ireland; and the story of Colmcille. We will work with Niamh Hamill on an exhibit about St. Brigid. And also new to the festival this year, we will feature the life surrounding and in Ireland's waterways. We will also have an interactive child's aquarium, filled with stuffed whales, dolphins and octopus.
Literary Corner
The Literary Corner is accepting submissions of books for the 2024 festival.
Authors interested in appearing in the Literary Corner should send a copy of any book they wish to sell to CelticMKE, 1532 Wauwatosa Avenue, Wauwatosa, WI 53213. Books should be clearly marked for the Literary Corner. Authors appear in the Literary Corner by invitation only and submittals will receive a response within a few weeks.
Hedge School
History, genealogy, politics, literature, modern culture and more will be discussed in the Hedge School. Enjoy presentations and discussions from Dr. Niamh Hamill, Brendan O'Leary, Brian Ó Conchubhair, The Black and Irish Organization, Terry Clavin, Bishop Thomas Daly & Fr. Michael Mahar, Rónán Ó Dochartaigh, Ron Bowen, Consul General Kevin Byrne, Minister James Browne, Dr. José Lanters, and Tyler Farrell.
Theatre Pavilion
In keeping with the rich Irish association with theatre performance, Irish Fest will again present a range of plays for audience enjoyment. This year, we are pleased to welcome Fishamble: The New Play Company from Dublin, Ireland. Take a look below to learn more about this year's featured plays!
The Wheelchair on My Face by Sonya Kelly
“Part memoir, part theatre and part stand-up comedy” (Irish Independent), this delightful story of how a seven-year-old overcomes stigma was originally produced by Fishamble: A New Play Company in Dublin.
Bedtime Story by Sean O’Casey
O’Casey’s time-honored comedy tells the tale of John Jo, who has spent a night with the seductive Angela. Full of remorse, and dreading the ruin of his reputation, he tries to get rid of her, fearing that his landlady might find out. A play by one of Ireland's great playwrights.
In the Shadow of the Glen by J. M. Synge
Synge captures the bitter humor and biting wit of peasant life in this classic one-act from 1903 set in an isolated Wicklow farmhouse, where long-suffering Nora Burke is tending to the corpse of her ornery husband. But not all is what it seems in a wild twist of this tale. Yeats said that Synge was "the greatest dramatic genius of Ireland.”
A Series of Tiny Plays: Series 1
In an innovative collaboration with Dublin’s Fishamble: The New Play Company, an eclectic collection of tiny plays by contemporary Irish playwrights with themes ranging from humorous to heart-wrenching to thought-provoking.
- Poster Boy by Antonia Hart
- Calling Time by Michael West
- Debris by Evan Lee D’Alton
- Soulmates by Maeve Binchy
- Straight Talk by Keith Farnan
- Somewhere by Mark Cantan
A Series of Tiny Plays: Series 2
- Between Us We Have Everything by Karl O'Neill
- It's a Lovely Day, Bill Withers by Jody O'Neill
- Ode to Life by Richie O'Sullivan
- Unrequited by Michael Cussen
- Where Will We Go? by Dermot Bolger
Gaeltacht
Steeped in tradition, brimming with talent and sweetened with native speakers, the Gaeltacht line-up is sure to hit the spot. The Gaeltacht, or Irish speaking area, will showcase the Irish language and traditional Irish culture. You can learn simple Irish phrases or challenge yourself with some flirty chat-up lines! You can stop in any time and enjoy traditional Irish humor, song, dance and language. The Gaeltacht is where the Irish go to feel at home!
This year's Gaeltacht features Alicia Guinn, Máirín Uí Chéide, Cathal Ó Curráin, Enda Reilly, Ray Mac Mánais, Shane Hennessy, and more!
Genealogy
How Did your Celtic Ancestors Get to the Midwest? Find out at the Genealogy Tent, located on the south end of the grounds in the Cultural Area. This year’s interesting new displays focus on the immigration of your Celtic Ancestors and their travel to midwestern states which includes mapping of these immigration routes. Come meet Professional Genealogists who will make presentations and provide consultations. The tent will also bring back favorite exhibits on DNA, Irish First Names, Irish Surnames, and much more to assist you in your genealogical journey. One-to-one Researchers will also be available to support you in your searches. Don’t miss out visiting this area to complete your Irish Fest experience!
Irish Language Workshop - Ceardlann na Gaeilge
Learn more about Gaelic, the Irish language, and its history at our Irish Language Workshop tent! This year's workshop features Dr. Brian O'Conchubhair, Joe Ó Donaill, Dineen Grow, Rebecca Shields, and Rónán Ó Dochartaigh.