Irish to gather for annual festival

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

The Gathering of the Irish Clans, the annual Irish festival at St. Maron Recreation Pavilion, 1555 S. Meridian Road, will be Saturday and Sunday, with Irish entertainment, food, pub and marketplace.

The gates will open at 5 p.m. Saturday to Irish Molly’s Kitchen, the Shamrock Pub and Emerald Marketplace. Entertainment will be by Rose n Thistle, 5:30-6:30 p.m.; Callahan & O’Connor, 6:45-7:45 p.m.; Valley Irish Idol Competition, 7:45- 9 p.m.; and Ceann from 9-10:45 p.m.

On Sunday, the gates will open at 10 a.m. There will be a Mass at 11 a.m., after which Land of the Little Leprechauns (children’s area), Irish Molly’s Kitchen, Shamrock Pub and the Emerald Marketplace will open. Entertainment will be provided by: County Mayo, 12:10-12:30 p.m. and 2:15- 3 p.m.; Ceann, 12:45-1:30 p.m.; Step Dancers, 1:30-2:15 p.m.; Firestarters, 3:15-4:15 p.m.; Cahal Dunne, 4:30-5:45 p.m.; Callahan & O’Connor, 6-6:45 p.m. and Seisun at 6:45 p.m.

Admission is $7 (free for children 14 and under). The festival will take place rain or shine since it is under a roof, and parking is free. Lawn chairs are welcome.

Gathering of the Irish Clans is sponsored by the AOH, LAOH and Juniors of the Mahoning and Trumbull counties, AOH Mercer County, the Mahoning Valley Ulster Project and Muintir na h’Eirann.