2-day festival will celebrate Irish heritage

Traditional music and foods will highlight the annual event.
YOUNGSTOWN -- One of the area's most popular festivals, the Gathering of the Irish Clans, has expanded to a two-day event with the addition of a traditional Irish party.
Sally Murphy Pallante, president of the Gathering, which is now in its eighth year, said the family-friendly cultural celebration will open at 5 p.m. Saturday at St. Maron Pavilion, 1555 S. Meridian Road.
Traditional Irish music, dance, poetry, foods and cultural displays are part of the heritage appreciation weekend.
The Shaffer Brothers band will kick off the Saturday night party, performing from 5:30 to 6:30, to be followed by Wild Geese, which will play until 10:30. Wild Geese, recently named Pittsburgh's best Irish band, will be making its first Youngstown appearance.
The menu will include Limerick Potatoes (a combination of Irish potatoes, beef and cheese), green pepper and sausage sandwiches, Irish brown bread, hot dogs, pepperoni rolls and Bailey's and shamrock brownies.
The next day
The gates will open at 10 a.m. Aug. 22 with a traditional outdoor Mass at 11.
The Shaffer Brothers, Theresa Burke Stepdancers, Ireland's "Happy Man" Cahal Dunne and County Mayo will provide continuous entertainment from noon until 7 p.m.
Sunday's menu will include Irish Stew, corned beef sandwiches, Irish potatoes, hot dogs, chips, scones, soda bread and Emerald Island cookies.
Other highlights will include the Land of the Little Leprechauns for children; The Irish Marketplace, which will be filled with collectibles and gifts; a cultural display; soda bread contests; the Tir no nog; and a pub.
Admission is $5, with children under 12 admitted free. Lawn chairs are welcome but not coolers.
The Gathering is sponsored by the Ancient Order of Hibernians, and LAOH, of Mahoning County; the AOH of Trumbull County; the Irish American Archival Society; Ulster Project; Muintir na H'Eireann; and the Gaelic Society.