Irish celebration next weekend

The event is entirely under roof.

vindicator staff report

YOUNGSTOWN — The 13th annual Irish Festival and Cultural Celebration, sponsored by the Gathering of the Irish Clans, will be next weekend — Aug. 15-16 — at St. Maron’s Pavilion and Recreation Area, 1555 S. Meridian Road.

Performers will include Cahal Dunne, the Shaffer Brothers, Homeland, County Mayo and the Theresa Burke School of Dance Irish Stepdancers.

Gates open Saturday at 5 p.m. Saturday with music starting at 6 p.m. with the Shaffer Brothers, a local favorite who are returning to the festival after a few years on hiatus.

Homeland will follow the Shaffers. The Springfield quartet fuses modern rock with traditional Celtic music, and have performed at festivals across the globe, including the Dublin Irish Festival.

Irish food will be on the menu, including Irish stew, Limerick Potatoes (a combination of potatoes, cabbage and cheese), banger (Irish sausage) sandwiches, O’Pepperoni Rolls, Celtic cheese and cracker plates and Bailey’s Brownies, and the Shamrock Pub will serve Irish and American beer throughout the weekend.

The gates will open at 10 a.m. Sunday with a traditional outdoor Mass at 11 a.m.

County Mayo will kick off Sunday’s entertainment at 12:15 p.m., with vocalist Colleen McNally-Harris joining the band for a few songs. The Burke Stepdancers, Cahal Dunne, Homeland and the Shaffer Brothers will also perform Sunday.

Sunday’s menu will be expanded to include corned beef sandwiches, hot dogs, scones and rice pudding.

The land of the Little Leprechauns, a children’s play area, will be open Sunday.

Irish cultural items, including clothing and jewelry will be for sale at the festival, which is entirely under roof.

Admission is $7 (children 14 and under, free). Attendees may bring lawn chairs.