CelticMKE Milwaukee Irish Fest Irish Fest Scrapbook School of Music Summer School Ward Irish Music Archives
Irish Fest features an area on the south end of the grounds dedicated to Irish and Celtic history, language, art, sports, and culture. On the schedule page of our website, click "culture" on the filter dropdown to view the cultural programming for this year's festival. Learn more, below, about what and who will be featured in each area.
The Cultural Pavilion will feature displays on Irish dance in Iowa and Milwaukee. Iowa Irish Fest has a display on dance in Iowa and an introductory video clip from Michael Londra, the host of the Ireland with Michael TV show. There will also be a display exploring the history of Irish dance in Milwaukee. The Shamrock Club started the Shamrock Club dancers in 1966, introducing the state to a dance form rich in history. Today, there are now eight Irish dance schools in the Greater Milwaukee area.
Milwaukee-area middle school students are the artists of a series of Murals on Ireland. The four-foot by eight-foot canvases allow younger students to create paintings and scenes of Ireland. The project is spearheaded by the Milwaukee Public Schools but also features the work of other school districts.
Mary Harris “Mother” Jones returns to the festival in the form of Dave Radtke, one of the founders of the Chicago-based Mother Jones Foundation.
Want to find out how the ancient Irish cured headaches? Celtic Cures was introduced in 2024 and returns this year. Irish Science Fiction also returns, showing off the rich history of the genre and the contributions from the Emerald Isle. Also returning are the Irish Mexicans, a joint display developed by Mexican Fiesta and Milwaukee Irish Fest.
A display from County Mayo, Ireland, will also be a part of the cultural mix.
IBAM (Irish Books, Arts, and Music) Chicago and the Irish American Hall of Fame will also have a presence at the Cultural Pavilion.
Outside of the pavilion, the festival will again feature the Sacred Trees of Ireland.
Steeped in tradition, brimming with talent, and sweetened with native speakers, the Gaeltacht lineup 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 will feature
To view this year's schedule, go to the schedule page and click "Gaeltacht Stage" on the filter dropdown menu.
How Did Your Celtic Ancestors Get to the Midwest? This journey continues to be explored at the Genealogy Tent, located on the south end of the grounds in the Cultural Area. The exploration of this topic focuses on the immigration of our Celtic ancestors and their travel to midwestern states, including mapping of these immigration routes.
Come meet professional genealogist Dave Miller, who will be available to provide individual consultations for several hours each day. Also, there is a display to help you to begin to find the story of your family’s journey. Sign up for an individual consultation in person at the genealogy tent.
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. This year we also added additional one-to-one researchers who will be available to support you in your searches.
Don’t miss out on visiting this area to complete your Irish Fest experience!
To view this year's schedule, go to the schedule page and click "Genealogy Area" on the filter dropdown menu.
The Hedge School offers a unique space for thought-provoking discussions and engaging presentations that delve into Irish history, politics, literature, contemporary issues, and cultural identity. Audiences can hear from scholars, professors, writers, historians, and cultural experts as they explore historical and modern topics.
The name “Hedge School” is rooted in Irish history—during the 18th and early 19th centuries, when British laws restricted Catholic education in Ireland, clandestine schools were set up outdoors or in hidden locations, often near hedgerows, to secretly educate Irish children. These secret gatherings became powerful symbols of resistance, resilience, and the importance of learning.
In that same spirit, the Hedge School at Irish Fest honors the Irish commitment to storytelling and cultural preservation, providing festivalgoers with a deeper understanding of Ireland beyond the music and dance.
We have new and returning professors and cultural experts this year!
This year's Hedge School will feature
To view this year's schedule, go to the schedule page and click "Hedge School" on the filter dropdown menu. You can view presentation topics on the schedule page.
The Irish Language Workshop Tent at Irish Fest invites festivalgoers to explore the beauty and history of the Irish language—Gaeilge—through simple phrases, greetings, and cultural expressions. As one of the oldest living languages in Europe, Irish Gaelic has been spoken for over 2,000 years and remains a vital part of Ireland’s heritage and identity.
This year's Irish Language Workshop Tent will feature
To view this year's schedule, go to the schedule page and click "Irish Language Workshop Tent" on the filter dropdown menu.
The Literary Corner at Irish Fest is a haven for book lovers and curious minds alike, celebrating the depth and diversity of Irish and Celtic storytelling. This area features a lineup of acclaimed and emerging authors, offering festivalgoers the chance to meet the writers behind the words, hear about their creative journeys, and get books personally signed.
In addition to author appearances, the space includes a curated bookshop stocked with a wide range of titles—from historical fiction and contemporary memoirs to children's tales and cultural studies—all rooted in Irish and Celtic themes.
Whether you're looking to discover a new favorite read or dive deeper into Irish literature, the Literary Corner offers a thoughtful and enriching experience for all ages.
We're excited to welcome authors to the Literary Corner who will be making their first festival appearances!
This year's Literary Corner will feature
Click here to learn more about this year's authors and the works they will have on display.
The Theatre Pavilion at Irish Fest brings the storied tradition of Irish drama to life, showcasing a lineup of performances that range from classic one-act plays to contemporary works.
This year's Theatre Pavilion will feature
Plays
To view this year's schedule, go to the schedule page and click "Theatre Pavilion" on the filter dropdown menu.
Currach Races Watch currach races along the lagoon from the Irish Currach Club of Milwaukee. Saturday: 12 p.m. - Catch the regatta, which will feature fun relay races. Sunday: 2 p.m. Police vs Fire race; 3 p.m. Military races
Stop by the Meehan Boat House, located on the south end of the grounds, right along the lagoon, to learn more about the history of currach boats. Then, on Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m., join in on the Knitting Circle. Learn to knit a common Irish pattern. All ages and skill levels are welcome. Supplies and instructions will be provided.
Hurling Stop by the hurling demonstration area to learn about one of Ireland's ancient, native Gaelic games from the Milwaukee Hurling Club.
Gaelic Football Join the members of the Miltown Gaels as they demonstrate the ins and outs of Gaelic football. Activities will include live demonstrations of the sport, interactive drills, and prizes.
Tucked into a cozy nook along the lagoon walk path at Irish Fest, the Lakefront Sessions Bar offers a charming retreat for festivalgoers. Here, you can settle in with a pint and take in the warm, communal atmosphere as musicians from session groups across pubs throughout the greater Milwaukee and Southeastern Wisconsin region play traditional Irish music tunes and even invite you to join in during the open sessions.
It’s a relaxed, informal, and friendly space—where the steady hum of conversation blends with reels and jigs, and every drink feels a bit more lively in celebration of heritage and togetherness.
To view this year's schedule, go to the schedule page and click "Irish Music Sessions" on the filter dropdown menu.
If you are participating in any of this year's sessions and need to bring your instrument to the festival, please contact us at info@irishfest.com, and we'll relay additional information to you about entry.
The traditional Irish music sessions take place at the Lakefront Sessions Pub along the lagoon.
Milwaukee Irish Fest is cashless.
Irish Fest is a cashless festival. We accept debit/credit cards. Cash will still be accepted for raffle tickets, rentals, package checks, and select vendors (e.g., marketplace, food booths). Use our Cash to Card stations—located at box offices and inside each entrance—to load cash onto a prepaid card for use throughout the festival.
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