The Irish World Academy @ Milwaukee Irish Fest Student Awards offers two traditional musicians registered at the Irish World Academy the opportunity to travel to take part in Milwaukee Irish Fest and the Milwaukee Irish Fest Summer School. Ciaran O’Connell and Simon Crehan are the 2024 recipients. Milwaukee Irish band áthas lights the dance floor on fire with a combination of traditional and newly composed Irish dance tunes. Fierce fiddle, driving bodhrán, and funky guitar riffs come together to lift listeners' feet, drinks, and spirits. The band found each other and their voice as an ensemble while playing in Irish sessions around Milwaukee throughout 2005. Spending their time between tunes laughing and joking inspired them to make music together and their name, which is the Irish word for joy and happiness.