Milwaukee Irish Fest, August 16 - 19, 2007
The World's Largest Irish Cultural Festival

Genealogy Tent

Milwaukee Irish Fest, renowned as the world's largest Irish culture festival, was established by members of Milwaukee's Irish community to showcase its rich Irish heritage. Under the direction of Ed Ward, Irish Fest premiered in Milwaukee, the city of festivals, in 1981. Irish Fest showcases Irish music, history, dance, drama, sports and culture. The festival features Irish and Irish American talent, and serves as a stage for up-and-coming local performers. Located on Milwaukee's beautiful Lake Michigan shoreline, Irish Fest is held annually during the third weekend of August. During its four-day run, the event annually hosts over 100,000 guests from around the globe.

Teaching at the Crossroads

Music and dance comprise a main element of Irish Fest. Top Irish and Irish American entertainers from around the world, as well as numerous regional groups perform on the festival's 15 stages. In addition, roaming performers dressed in traditional costumes entertain guests as they stroll the grounds.

With the recent surge of interest in Irish dance, stages featuring step dancing have become a popular attraction for festival-goers. Guests can also learn Ceili and Set dancing at workshops held daily. The Dance Pavilion is open during all hours of the festival. Here people can dance to the music of world-famous bands.

Each year, the last day of Irish Fest is celebrated with a Sunday Liturgy for Peace and Justice. Principal celebrants have included Milwaukee's Archbishop, as well as other noted clergymen. Attended by more than 10,000 worshippers, the liturgy collects nonperishable food items to be donated to area food banks.

Cultural exhibits, displays, theater, poetry readings and demonstrations bring alive the spirit of Old Ireland's folklore and charm, while contests, raffles, sporting events and comedy shows add to the levity.

Our Grafton Street and Lilliput Marketplaces offer shoppers every delight from--or about--the Emerald Isle. Visit the extensive marketplaces for everything from musical selections and books to Irish fisherman's sweaters, jewelry, crafts, collectibles and artwork.

To promote traditional Irish culture, many groups and organizations from Ireland assist with the festival's exhibits. Among them are the National Gallery of Ireland, the National Museum of Ireland, Arts Council, local government, businesses, media, and the Irish Tourist Boards including Galway, Sligo and Lisburn, the Shannon Development Corporation, RTE and Aer Lingus.

To help families trace their Irish heritage, genealogical resources and organizations are on-site, including the Wisconsin Irish Genealogical Society. In addition, each year Irish Fest honors one of the Irish family groups.

Ready for the Run/Walk

For those with a competitive nature, Irish Fest offers plenty of contests. Sports such as rugby, hurling, currach racing and Gaelic football are played throughout the festival. Competitions, such as internationally sanctioned tug-of-war, children's red hair and freckle contests, bingo, treasure hunts and a baking contest are also held. Additionally, the "Run/Walk to Irish Fest" is held during the weekend of Irish Fest.

Productions from noted Irish playwrights, as well as rising talent are performed continuously at the festival by groups from around the U.S., Canada and Ireland. Each year, a children's drama is produced for the younger festival guests.