Cultural Pavilion

The Pavilion continues its long tradition of bringing all things Irish and Celtic to the festival through digital and physical displays. New Jersey based and award winning artist Patrick Gallagher will be returning with a new display, featuring various aspects and area of Irish and Celtic culture and art. 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. 

Returning 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.

The Sacred Trees of Ireland will return for  display. The trees were the source of the Ogham alphabet, the Runic style of writing dating back over two thousand years.

The Irish were pioneers in the field of science fiction and fantasy. Bram Stoker was among the many early writers in this genre. We will have a display on the many writers from Ireland who contributed to the field. The accompanying display will be an interactive children's playhouse.  

Also new for 2024 is a display on the cures of Ireland, utilizing plants and displays from Irish Science Fiction.

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 speakers are Ray Mac Mánais, Caitlín Ní Chualáin, Enda Reilly, Joe Ó Dónaill, Jackie Riley, Joey Abarta, Colm Phelan & Tadhg Ó Meachair, and Mary MacNamara & Sorcha Costello. On the schedule page, click the filter button and check the Gaeltacht box to see the Gaeltacht schedule.

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!

This year's Genealogy Area will feature professional genealogist Stephanie O'Connell. She will be available for individual consultation during the dates and hours below. You can make your appointment in person inside the Genealogy tent.

Appointments Available:

Friday, August 16th
4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, August 17th
2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Sunday, August 18th
1p.m. to 4 p.m.

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, Stephanie O'Connell, Paula Stokes, Julianne Stanz, Audrey Whitty, Enda Reilly, Brian Ó Conchubhair, Timothy McMahon, Fr. Jim Pribeck, Consulate General of Ireland Kevin Byrne, Jennifer Moore, and Ambassaor Geraldine Byrne Nason.

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, Rónán Ó Dochartaigh, Cathal Ó Dochartaigh, and Paul Ferris. 

Literary Corner

The Literary Corner of 2024 presents an excellent mix of histories, memoirs, mysteries and other genres for your reading pleasure.

- Shawn Wilson
    Duplicity and Relentless
Shawn introduces her iconic detective, Brick Kavanagh, whose exploits will engage all mystery lovers.

- Tracy Helixson
    Fields of Promise
An Irish immigration story about the importance of protecting one’s land that was not available to the Irish in their home country.

- Malcolm McDowell Woods
    What the Tide Leaves Behind
A first novel by a well-known Irish author, Woods has captured the essence of the novel form in this delightful story that makes Donegal an integral part of his writing.

- John Sexton
    Adventures of an Irishman in America
John returns to the Literary Corner with the second installment of his Irish and American exploits that he first introduced here a few years ago. The Big Yank was a big success here and readers will be anxious to read the next chapter.

- Gabrielle Woeltje
    Solitary Faries Life or Death
    Irish Fairies Fearsome or Friendly
    Out the Gap
    O’Meachair
Originally from County Tipperary, Ireland, Gabrielle writes books that are a mix of what some may call fanciful (but they could be very wrong, just a bit of a warning) a memoir, and a history that blends family and country in intriguing currents. She also has several children’s books written in the Irish language.

- Jack Bodkin
    Briarhill to Brooklyn
Currently a resident of West Virginia, Jack has written a faithful history of the immigration story of his family that is somewhat atypical of many experiences of other Irish immigrants.

- Donna Rewolinski
    Ireland
Husband and wife team, the Novices, will satisfy the curiosity of mystery lovers in this first novel as they follow myriad clues to solve the case before them.

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 Kabosh Theatre Company from Belfast, Northern Ireland. Take a look below to learn more about this year's featured plays. Plays are presented by Milwaukee Irish Arts. 

Casey at the Bat
This is the most memorable piece of baseball writing ever produced. Hear this classic poem followed by cleverly devised sequel. It is more Irish than you might imagine.

Green and Blue
Irish Fest is thrilled to welcome Kabosh Theatre from Belfast, Northern Ireland, currently on tour in the U.S. with this play that has been performed internationally to great acclaim.
"Profound and politically charged two-hander about police officers patrolling the Irish border during the Troubles." Tim Bano, The Stage.
"The terror and brutality of the Troubles, but humor, empathy and understanding too." Dierdre Falvey, The Irish Times.

After each performance, Kabosh will host discussions about the play and the current situation in Northern Ireland.

That's My Story
Eamonn O'Neill, Milwaukee Irish Arts' resident shanachie (story teller), recounts the experience of immigration to America in the early 1900s.

Wild Sky
This new play by Deirdre Kinahan tells the heartwarming story of two young people caught up in the events around the 1916 Easter Rising in Ireland. The tale is told with language that is deeply poetic, searingly personal, and at times nothing less than sublime.

The Workhouse Ward
Two aging men, ailing in the sick ward of the Workhouse (Ireland's version of the poorhouse), are intent on outdoing each other with hilarious insults that range from life in Ireland to mythical creatures in this comedy by Lady Gregory, one of Ireland's most famous theatrical figures from the early 1900s.