30 Reasons the Dublin Irish Festival is Rolling out the Green Carpet for its 30th Anniversary

Head to Dublin, Ohio, USA Aug. 4-6 for the Largest Three-Day Irish Festival on the Planet

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The Dublin Irish Festival will celebrate its 30th Anniversary August 4, 5 & 6, 2017. Watch and relive some of our favorite moments from #DublinIrishFest. (Video: Business Wire)

DUBLIN, Ohio--()--Click to Tweet: 30 reasons @DublinIrishFest is Rolling out the Green Carpet for its 30th Anniv. 8/4-8/6: http://ow.ly/xI0v30c9Go3 #DublinIrishFest

News Facts:

  • Three decades after the first gathering of a small group of Irish dancers on a tennis court, a three-day festival on 38 acres has become an annual tradition, bringing more than 100,000 guests each year to Dublin, Ohio, USA. The Dublin Irish Festival will celebrate its 30th Anniversary August 4, 5 & 6, 2017.
  • Here are 30 reasons why guests return to the Festival year after year and why you should join the fun:
  1. To experience the largest three-day Irish Festival on the planet
    Mark your calendars for the first weekend in August, and come see why more than 100,000 guests pass through Festival gates each summer.
  2. To watch a showcase of music on seven stages
    Song is at the heart of the Festival, which features a weekend of music set on seven stages. With more than 535 performers, the hardest part will be figuring out who to watch next.
  3. To focus on family-friendly fun
    From crafts and contests for the wee ones to Highland Games activities tailored to aspiring athletes, the Dublin Irish Festival has countless activities for guests of all ages.
  4. To flaunt their Irish Attitude
    Guests will find that the roots of Irish pride stretch far beyond Festival gates. With a range of nearby hotel accommodations, local restaurants, and quaint boutiques, there’s a bit of Ireland everywhere in Dublin.
  5. To dust off their dancing shoes
    The Festival would not be complete without the dazzling displays of Irish dancing that draw enthusiastic crowds every year. Several Festival stages host performances by dance companies and workshops that encourage guests to get on their feet.
  6. To celebrate 100 Years of the National Hockey League
    The Dublin Irish Festival is excited to partner with the Columbus Blue Jackets to present the NHL Centennial Fan Arena at its 30th Anniversary! This once-in-a-lifetime fan experience will make its only Ohio stop at the Festival and feature the most revered trophy in sports, the Stanley Cup.
  7. To shop for one-of-a-kind gifts
    Need the perfect present? Whether you are shopping for someone special or looking to treat yourself, more than 90 vendors at the Marketplace and Emerald Isle offer a one-of-a-kind shopping experience.
  8. To go for gold by going green
    Green isn’t just the color of shamrocks or the lush grass fields of Coffman Park. The Dublin Irish Festival promotes environmental sustainability by recycling and composting. Free bike parking is available, and reusable mugs encourage guests to help the planet.
  9. To cuddle with Celtic canines
    For those looking to meet a new furry friend, the Celtic Canine area is a must-see. Stop by to learn more about the history of Irish dogs from some of the Midwest’s top breeders.
  10. To taste a forkful of traditional Irish food
    From hearty stews to traditional Irish breakfasts, the weekend is a buffet of Celtic cuisine. But if you’d rather choose a hamburger over haggis, there are plenty of traditional American food vendors.
  11. To channel their inner musical maestro
    Whether you’re just beginning to learn the bodhran or hoping to fine-tune your fiddling, participate in a workshop taught by Festival musicians.
  12. To quench their thirst with a taste of Ireland
    Not sure which refreshment to request while at the Festival? Attend one of the whiskey tasting events, led by a trained master of whiskey, which feature a diverse menu of Jameson products.
  13. To learn a bit o’ history
    The Festival’s cultural areas allow guests to step back in time with a variety of exhibitors and four cultural stages. A favorite attraction is Brian Boru’s Ireland, which offers visitors an authentic experience of life as it was in 10th century Ireland.
  14. To trace their roots to the Emerald Isle … or beyond
    Whether you are looking to trace your roots back to Ireland or if you want to delve into local sources, genealogy experts are on hand to help you in your ancestry research.
  15. To race, refresh, and relax
    A fusion of fitness and fun, the IGS Energy/Dublin Irish Festival 5K and Kids Dash kicks off Festival weekend. Stick around to enjoy music, entertainment, and specials at the annual Dub Crawl.
  16. To give back
    More than 1,000 volunteers roll out the green carpet for guests during the Festival. In 2016, volunteers donated more than 10,000 hours of their time to support this annual tradition.
  17. To help out the Dublin community
    Sunday visitors to the Festival give back by donating non-perishable goods and money to those in need. In 2016, the Festival donated 7.9 tons of food, nearly $9,800 to the Dublin Food Pantry, and more than $113,000 to local organizations through its Sharing O’ the Green program.
  18. To be in awe of artistic talent
    The Dublin Irish Festival might not have “arts” in its name, but there are artisans on-site touting their talents. From watching a 26-ton sand sculpture take shape, to learning how to make chainmail or knit a new pattern, the Festival offers guests the opportunity to flex their creative muscles.
  19. To embrace their inner bookworm
    Lovers of literature are in luck at the Irish Authors’ Corner. This cultural area features Irish-American authors who are available to chat about their work. Guests can take home a souvenir by purchasing books on-site.
  20. To take home top honors in Irish contests
    Do you have the reddest hair, most freckles, or greenest eyes? The Dublin Irish Festival hosts several contests. Compete in these fun-filled contests for a chance to take home a festive prize and ultimate bragging rights.
  21. To fawn over fiddles and traditional Irish instruments
    Take a musical journey through the Ward Irish Music Archives. The 2017 travelling exhibit about the saints in Ireland highlights the relationship between music, culture, and history.
  22. To revel in the rhythms of rocking Irish bands
    When the sun goes down, the place to be is the Celtic Rock Stage, located near the Festival’s spacious sports fields. This year’s headliners include Gaelic Storm, Skerryvore and The Prodigals.
  23. To perk up their ears to the sound of a pipe band
    Who needs an alarm clock when you have a band of bagpipes to wake you up? The Sunday morning Bagpipe Showcase features international groups and local ensembles on the Festival’s sports field.
  24. To learn how to cook up Irish favorites at home
    Attend a cooking demonstration by professional chefs and add some Irish flavor to your cookbook. Featured recipes include Irish Stew, Shepherd’s Pie, Soda Bread, and other traditional dishes.
  25. To experience the Festival like a VIP
    If you’re looking for an extra-special way to experience the Festival, purchase a VIP club membership. With three unique settings and packages, there’s an option for everyone.
  26. To rejoice in Sunday services
    Enjoy the tranquility of Coffman Park on an August morning and attend one of the Festival’s Sunday services. Guests who bring a non-perishable food item before 11 a.m. receive free admission.
  27. To get their Gaelic game on
    The Dublin Irish Festival’s Greenfields Sports Area features a variety of athletic demonstrations. Watch as athletes from around the region compete in traditional Highland Games events or take in a bout of boxing, Ireland’s most successful Olympic sport.
  28. To become a permanent part of the Festival
    A commemorative Dedication Walkway will complement a 5-foot ceramic harp, the official emblem of Ireland. Located in Coffman Park, guests may purchase a paver to pay a permanent tribute to the memories and people that have made the Dublin Irish Festival a favorite event for three decades.
  29. To pick up a playbill and settle in for a show
    Visit Dublin, Ohio’s very own version of Ireland’s Abbey Theatre – right on the Festival grounds. This year, Tantrum Theater company will perform Into the West.
  30. To create memories that last a lifetime
    From a meeting place for family and friends to an annual tradition for couples, the Dublin Irish Festival has provided 30 years of memories for its guests. In celebration of the Festival’s anniversary, a social media campaign has been launched, titled #MyFirstDIF. Visit http://dublinirishfestival.org/myfirstdif/ to share your story, photo, or video! And be sure to visit Dublin, Ohio August 4, 5 & 6 to join us for a celebration 30 years in the making!

Quote:

“I’m proud to see how the Dublin Irish Festival has grown from a tennis court to an event that attracts internationally known entertainers and artists, and fills nearly 40 acres in the heart of Dublin, Ohio, USA. As a Festival Founder and 2017 Honorary Chair, I’m looking forward to celebrating the Festival’s 30th Anniversary with more than 100,000 guests the first weekend of August!”

Kitty Munger,
2017 Dublin Irish Festival Honorary Chair

Talk To Us Directly:

  • We can arrange a conversation with our management team – just ask!

About Us:

  • Set on 38 rolling acres in the heart of Coffman Park in Dublin, Ohio USA, The Dublin Irish Festival is consistently referred to as one of the nation’s largest and premier Irish cultural events. More than 100,000 guests are expected to attend the Festival’s 30th Anniversary Aug. 4, 5, & 6, 2017. With seven stages, 65 acts and more than 535 performers, there is truly something for everyone. For more information and to purchase discount tickets in advance, please visit www.dublinirishfestival.org.

Multimedia:

  • Become a fan of the Dublin Irish Festival on Facebook to stay up to date on the latest news and giveaways!
  • Join the conversation by following Dublin Irish Festival on Twitter @DublinIrishFest and by using the official event hashtag: #DublinIrishFest.
  • Follow the Dublin Irish Festival on Instagram at @DublinIrishFest and share your favorite photos of the event by using the official event hashtag: #DublinIrishFest
  • Watch our 2017 Dublin Irish Festival Promo Video and upload your favorite videos on Vimeo.

Contacts

City of Dublin
Mary Jo DiSalvo, 614-410-4507
Event Administrator
or
Sara O’Malley, 614-410-4518
Event Specialist

Release Summary

Set on 38 rolling acres in the heart of Dublin, Ohio, USA, the Dublin Irish Festival will celebrate its 30th Anniversary Aug. 4, 5, & 6, 2017. More than 100,000 guests are expected to attend.

Contacts

City of Dublin
Mary Jo DiSalvo, 614-410-4507
Event Administrator
or
Sara O’Malley, 614-410-4518
Event Specialist