America's Largest Free Irish Fair this Weekend in Minnesota – Featuring Entertainment and Celtic Cultural Events

Touting itself as the largest free Irish Fair in the States, this weekend the Irish fair of Minnesota takes off with a wide array of entertainment and educational activities. This year’s line-up of entertainment includes the Wild Colonial Bhoys, Finbar Fury, Tim Malloys, Sweet Colleens, Dubliner Katie MccMahon, Cherish the Ladies and Socks in the frying Plan from County Clare. 

Also appearing are the Screaming Orphans form County Donegal: " The Screaming Orphans are the four Diver sisters from Bundoran, Co. Donegal, Ireland. They have carved a great reputation of being a captivating and entertaining live band in Europe and America combining their own original pop/rock music with the Céilí tradition style of music that was inherited from their family roots. From an early age, the Diver sisters performed with their mother Kathleen Fitzgerald (a well-known céilí singer in Ireland) and when they hit their teenage years, they formed their own pop/rock band, the Screaming Orphans, which led to a signing by Warner Music UK. As the Screaming Orphans, the band first came to prominence when Sinéad O’Connor asked them to tour with her as her back up vocalists and opening act. The band has gone on to tour and play extensively across America and Europe. Their musical reputation has led to collaborations on recordings with Baaba Maal, Afro Celt Sound System, Peter Gabriel and Joni Mitchell. While the sisters can never forget their roots, the Screaming Orphans rich repertoire of their original pop/rock songs with catchy melodies has absorbed many influences over the years. Their wide and varied sound has been compared to such artists as ABBA, the Cranberries and The Chieftains. The band is also renowned for their trademark spine-tingling four part harmony."

The Young Dubliners are; Bob Boulding (guitar and vocals), Dave Ingraham (drums and percussion), Chas Waltz (violin, keyboard, harp, mandolin and vocals), Keith Roberts (vocals and acoustic guitar), and Brendan Holmes (bass and vocals).  Their music displays a wide variety of influences, including traditional Irish/ Celtic music and American rock. In recent years, the Young Dubliners have twice appeared on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live!, had songs featured in TV shows (Sons of Anarchy, Human Target) and toured extensively as a headliner and as the opening act for a diverse list of artists such as Collective Soul, Jethro Tull, Johnny Lang and many more.  They have recently released an entire album of new material, which they have been heavily promoting on the road.   

Also featured at this major Celtic Festival is the presence of the “The Irish Music and Dance Association (IMDA) Music Workshop”. Their tent is the perfect place to take in some beautiful music. The tent features 45-minute performances and educational sessions from Irish musicians. In the past, the IMDA has sponsored enlightening and engaging workshops on interesting instruments. Past sessions have highlighted the hammered dulcimer, Irish guitar, Irish harp, button accordion, Irish fiddle and other traditional Gaelic instruments.

There will be a Speakers' Tent, named in honor of Eoin McKiernan, the founder of the Irish American Cultural Institute, the Speakers' Tent caters to curious visitors who wish to learn more about Irish culture and heritage. Throughout the fair, 45-minute sessions are presented on Irish history, culture, arts and sports.

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund and by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts

For more details see the links listed below: 

  • Irish Fair of Minnesota

    • When: August 7 - 9, 2015
    • Where: Harriet Island (across the river from St Paul)
    • Website: www.irishfair.com

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