'Infectious Spirit' Of Irish Culture To Shine At Gaelic Park Fest

OAK FOREST, IL — The Irish culture will be the center of attention at Gaelic Park this weekend, with days of Celtic music and dancing set for this weekend.

Irish Fest 2023, set for Aug. 25–27 at the venue, 6119 W. 147th St. in Oak Forest, will feature "the enchanting tunes of Celtic music" as performed by Irish bands, dance schools, and artists "who will bring the true essence of Irish culture to the forefront," the venue wrote on its website.

Performers will take to three stages throughout the weekend. Admission is $15 for a one-day ticket (includes any one day of the event); $27 for a two-day pass (includes any two-days), and $36 for admission to all three days. Tickets can be purchased online in advance, and at the door. Single-day tickets increase to $20 at the door.

The event offers a children’s tent with kid friendly entertainment and activities. Admission is free for children under 12.Visitors aged 17 and under must be accompanied by a parent or supervising adult at all times; unsupervised youth under the age of 17 will not be admitted without supervising adult age 21 or older (proof of age will be required). The supervising adult can accompany as many as three youths.

The fest takes place Friday, Aug. 25 from 4 to 11 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 26 and Sunday, Aug. 27 from 3 to 11 p.m.

Optional upgrades include The Guinness Experience, where guests will learn from certified Cicerone and Guinness Legacy and Believer Ambassador Jimmy Callahan about Guinness’ rich history and significant impact on Ireland and the world, while sampling five different Guinness Family beers. All guests will also go home with a personalized souvenir Guinness pint. This feature is on Saturday, and access is an additional $20.

Another additional feature is the Five Farms Irish Cream Experience. Five Farms is described as a super-premium Irish cream made with Dairy cream from five family-owned farms in Country Cork, Ireland. It is the highest-scoring Irish cream in history and is the exclusive Irish cream of the Chicago Gaelic Park Irish Festival, Gaelic Park wrote on its website. For $20, join brand representative Shawn Scott to dive into the story behind the product and learn what sets it apart from the rest. The event takes place Sunday at 6:30 p.m. in The Carraig Pub.

ENTERTAINMENT SCHEDULE

FRIDAY

CELTIC STAGE

• 5 p.m.: Clayton Shay
• 7 p.m.: Lisa Canny
• 9 p.m.: Boxing Banjo

PATIO STAGE

• 4 p.m.: Gerry Haughey
• 5:15 p.m.: Gaelic Brew
• 7:15 p.m.: Liam Durkin
• 9: 15 p.m.: Larkin and Moran Brothers

CROSSROADS STAGE

• 4 p.m.: Liam Durkin
• 5:15 p.m.: Lisa Canny
• 6:30 p.m.: Cross Keys Irish Dance
• 7:15 p.m.: Sullivan Irish Dance
• 8:30 p.m.: Clayton Shay
• 9:45 p.m.: Gaelic Brew

SATURDAY

CELTIC STAGE

• 3 p.m.: Lisa Canny
• 5 p.m.: The Fitzgeralds
• 7 p.m.: Dancing Queen: An Abba Salute
• 9 p.m.: 4Cast

PATIO STAGE

• 3 p.m.: Blackbird Irish Dance
• 3:45 p.m.: The Chancers
• 5:45 p.m.: The Dirty Wellies
• 7:45 p.m.: Wild Colonial Bhoys
• 9:30 p.m.: Gaelic Brew

CROSSROADS STAGE

• 3:15 p.m.: The Dirty Wellies
• 4:30 p.m.: Wild Colonial Bhoys
• 5:45 p.m.: Lisa Canny
• 7 p.m.: Gaelic Brew
• 8:15 p.m.: The Fitzgeralds

SUNDAY

CELTIC STAGE

• 3 p.m.: The Fitzgeralds
• 5 p.m.: Boxing Banjo
• 7:15 p.m.: JigJam
• 9:30 p.m.: Wild Colonial Bhoys

PATIO STAGE

• 3 p.m.: Lavin-Cassidy Irish Dance
• 4 p.m.: The Chancers
• 6 p.m.: Clayton Shay
• 8:15 p.m.: Myles McVeigh and the Hoyle Brothers

CROSSROADS STAGE

• 3 p.m.: Clayton Shay
• 4:15 p.m.: Mullane/Godley Irish Dance
• 5:15 p.m.: JigJam
• 6:30 p.m.: Myles McVeigh and the Hoyle Brothers
• 7:45 p.m.: Wild Colonial Bhoys
• 9 p.m.: Boxing Banjo