11th annual gathering celebrates all things Irish

Promoting Irish ancestry and heritage is the major goal of the festival.

By ELISE McKEOWN SKOLNICK

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

YOUNGSTOWN — Irish — and not-so-Irish — eyes were smiling at the 11th Annual Gathering of the Irish Clans.

The event, held Saturday and Sunday at St. Maron’s Pavilion, promotes Irish culture and celebrates Irish music, dance, food and drink, said Robb Kale, president of the Gathering of the Irish Clans.

The people and the camaraderie with others of Irish background are among the reasons Gordon Welsh, of Boardman, attends each year.

“It’s an opportunity to get back to a real basic kind of ethnic feeling that we can all share,” Welsh said.

“And it’s fun to be Irish,” he added.

A crowd of mostly young people enjoyed music Saturday by Celtic rock bands Ceanne and Homeland. The Sunday events were more traditional and included a Catholic Mass, as well as music by County Mayo, Brady’s Leap and others.

Food, a pub and an Irish Marketplace were available. Children were entertained with crafts and games in the Land of the Little Leprechauns.

Though not born into a family with an Irish background, Charlene McKenna, of Canfield, married into one. This year, she attended the festival with her husband, Joe, and 15-year-old daughter, Lauren.

“I like the socializing,” McKenna said. “It’s fun to see everything Irish. It’s always a good time.”

Festival goals

“This festival is very focused on staying small and family-friendly,” Kale said. “We want to create a festival that people are comfortable bringing their children to and everyone can just have a good time.”

It’s not about making money, Kale noted, though there was a $7 admission fee for adults.

“Money is not our goal,” Kale said. “Promoting our heritage and our ancestry is our goal.”

The Gathering of the Irish Clans is composed of various area Irish organizations, Kale said. Monies raised at the festival are used to fund the next year’s event. Any reserves are distributed to the clans’ organizations and then are given to charities they support.

The festival’s “a really great mix of people that come together and just laugh and have a good time and sing and dance,” Kale said.

For more information about the Gathering of the Irish Clans, go to www.irishofyoungstown.com.