NEWS ADVISORY
FROM: John O’Brien, Jr. 216-647-1144 john@clevelandirish.org
July 24, 25, 26, 2015
Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds, Berea, OH
Ireland is Calling You … to Cleveland. The 33rd Annual Cleveland Irish Cultural Festival takes place at the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds in Berea, Ohio July 24, 25, & 26, 2015.
Live More Life; Be More Irish ~ Over 100 singers, dancers and performers on three indoor and five outdoors stages will fill 117 acres, with entertainers from Ireland, Canada and across the U.S. highlighting the rich and varied Irish heritage.
The festival offers a wide range of music from traditional to Celtic Rock. Headliners include Ronan Tynan, of the Irish Tenors; Carbon Leaf, the first ever Coca-Cola Best Unsigned Band in America winner; Frances Black, renowned singer of the famous Black Family, and The StepCrew, like Riverdance, only faster! Returning favorites include The High Kings, Cherish the Ladies, Celtic Rockers Seven Nations and Marys Lane and Rory Makem.
Marys Lane, Carbon Leaf, Seven Nations and The StepCrew Rock-n-Reel their way from your toes right into your heart; great workout all around, so bring your dancing shoes, your energy, and your friends. Live More Life; Be More Irish, and dance like no one is watching.
Cherish the Ladies are back! The groundbreaking group of immensely talented and fun musicians and singers pack virtuoso performance with humor, heart and happy fans. The New Barleycorn, Patrick O’Sullivan, Brigid’s Cross and James Kilbane will also be performing.
First time appearances include singer Ashley Davis, Runa, and Ennis, and the first solo appearance by Rory Makem, Others on stage include Dennis Doyle, Guaranteed Irish, Dermot Henry, and The Kilroys. Things will happen! as Barleycorn’s Alec DeGabriel always says!
Presenting the very best of Ireland doesn’t stop with the music. The festival showcases championship dancing and pipe bands, and award-winning drama. Authentic Irish food vendors include Claddagh Irish Pubs, Sully’s Irish Pub and Winston’s Import Catering, and plentiful American fare for kids and adults alike is also available.
Things New to the festival this year include Online Admission and ticketing for the Friday and Saturday Whiskey Tastings; craft beers; Online Merchandise sales; a Local Irish band Showcase, featuring Ballinoch, The Roundabouts and Mad Macs; Irish Road Bowling and so much more.
Expanded at the Festival this year is Temple Bar & Museum – Modeled after the world famous entertainment district in Dublin city centre, our Temple Bar & Museum has loads of singing, dancing, sessions, carrying on, lessons, workshops and exhibits. Walk thru our beautiful hand painted Irish village storefronts to Temple Bar, have a pint of our new craft beers, a traditional Guinness, Harp or Smithwicks, or a pop, have a listen or share a song, a story, or a set dance lesson; you’ll find all the tradition of an Irish pub in our Temple Bar & Museum.
We are proud to host the U.S. launch of Connemara Whiskey at the festival! The Irish Beer Garden backs the Temple Bar, with tables for sitting, sharing and enjoying the Art of Conversation.
There are fourteen breeds of dogs native to Ireland, and they will all be at the Fest; the popular Dogs Native to Ireland are back! There are over 50 Irish vendors with everything from Aran knits to delicious Irish chocolate, T-Shirts, Jewelry, music and that special gift, calling you home.
The Tir Na nOg (Land of Our Youth) children’s area features continuous activities and live performances, T-Shirt painting, inflatable’s and much more.
Cleveland Irish Cultural Festival has given over $750,000 to local and national charities. The U.S. has been so generous in welcoming the Irish to this blessed country, and we love paying it forward, in thanks. Festival proceeds benefit The Make-A-Wish Foundation, Holy Family Home and ten other local and national charities. Cleveland Irish Cultural Festival has donated more than three quarters of a million dollars to charities since its inception in 1983.
Festival hours are 5:00 to 11:00 pm Friday; 1 to 11:00 pm Saturday; and 1 to 10:00 pm Sunday. Sunday’s outdoor mass starts at 11:30 am. General admission is $12.00. Children under 10 are free. Weekend passes are available online only, at www.clevelandirish.org, where you can also get additional details, band bios, entertainment schedules, purchase online admission, Whiskey Tastings tickets or Festival Merchandise at Get Your Gear.
www.facebook.com/Cleveland_Irish Instagram: www.instagram.com/clevelandirishfest Twitter: @Ceveland_Irish #CLEIrish #LiveMoreLifeBeMoreIrish
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