Pittsburgh Irish Festival

The Pittsburgh Irish Festival, the city’s annual three-day paean to its rich Irish heritage, kicks off Sept. 5 at the Riverplex Amphitheatre near the waterfront in West Homestead.

Pittsburgh Irish Festival The 18th annual celebration will introduce visitors to Irish culture through live music, championship dancing, authentic cuisine and an extensive marketplace. Gaelic Storm, the Glengarry Bhoys and Red Hand Paddy are among the widely known bands headlining this year’s festival. The event, also known as Pittsburgh’s “Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day” celebration, will feature continuous entertainment and cultural displays on four stages as well as a traditional Gaelic mass on Sunday.

Learn to dance a jig, order lunch in Gaelic or play the Irish drum, check out a unique display of Irish dog breeds along with lots of live music and tip your derby to those who have shared their rich traditions and continue to be a vital part of the community. There’s plenty of entertainment on tap for children and families, too, including authentic Irish storytellers and demonstrations on weaving, lace-making and playing the harp and whistle.

The celebration, founded in 1991 by Pittsburgh Irish Festival Inc., draws some 25,000 visitors each year. The non-profit group now offers year-round educational and cultural programs as part of its mission to raise awareness and educate the public about Irish culture and its significance to the Pennsylvania community from both a contemporary and historical perspective.
The festival runs from 4 p.m. to midnight Friday; 11 a.m. to midnight Saturday, and; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $8 in advance; $10 at the gate; $8 for seniors and students; $5 for active or retired military with proper ID, and; $3 for children between the ages of 3 and 12. Those younger than 3 are admitted free. Friday also features $1 admission between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. and half-price admission for college students with proper ID between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Visit www.pghirishfest.org for more information and the complete schedule of events.