Dublin Irish Festival facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dublin Irish Festival |
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Dublin Irish Festival - 2006
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| Dates | First weekend in August |
| Location(s) | Dublin, Ohio |
| Years active | 1988–2019, 2021– |
| Website | http://www.dublinirishfestival.org |
The Dublin Irish Festival is a super fun yearly event in Dublin, Ohio. It's a huge celebration of Irish music and culture! Every year, on the first weekend of August, over 100,000 people visit Coffman Park to enjoy eight different stages filled with entertainment.
You can find all sorts of exciting things to do, like listening to amazing Celtic music, learning about your family's history (called genealogy), trying delicious food, watching incredible Irish dance performances, and exploring cultural exhibits. There are also games, sports, cool arts and crafts, and special activities just for kids! If you want to learn even more, the Dublin Irish Festival Academy offers classes taught by performers, where you can dive deeper into Irish music and traditions.
This festival is put on by the City of Dublin and is known as the biggest 3-day Irish Festival anywhere in the world! Plus, the Columbus Feis, a famous Irish dance competition, happens at the same time.
How the Festival Began
The Dublin Irish Festival started small in 1988. Back then, it was just a few dancers and a band called the Irish Brigade, held on a tennis court!
Growing Bigger and Better
In 1992, the City of Dublin became the main supporter of the festival, helping it grow. By 1993, more than 10,000 people were attending! For its 10th birthday in 1997, something amazing happened: attendees set a Guinness World Record for the Largest Irish Jig!
By 2002, for the festival's 15th anniversary, attendance reached 70,000. That year, the band Flogging Molly also played their first concert at the festival. In 2009, the festival welcomed over 100,000 visitors for the very first time! The Richens-Timm Academy of Irish Dance is a special group that has performed every single year since 1988, and they are a big favorite with the crowd.
In 2020, the festival had to take a break because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but it came back in 2021!
Fun Things to Do
The Dublin Irish Festival is packed with activities for everyone!
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Wee Folk Area (For Kids!)
The Wee Folk area is a super fun spot just for kids, and most activities are free! You can enjoy magicians, listen to exciting storytellers, and even learn some Irish dance steps. There are also special vendors just for this area. Kids can make a candy straw or get their faces painted. You can even join fun Irish contests for the reddest hair, greenest eyes, or most freckles! Don't forget the Pot O'Gold Playland, which has inflatable rides, traditional Gaelic games, and a cool climbing wall.
Festival Runs and Walks
Every year, the festival hosts a 5K run where participants wear green. Since 2012, there's also been a special kids' run, so younger visitors can join the fun too!
Discovering Irish Culture
You can step back in time and learn about Irish history and traditions. Discover how to play ancient Irish musical instruments or watch demonstrations of old ways of life. It's a great way to learn about Ireland's rich past.
Meeting Celtic Canines
The festival has a special area where you can meet many different dog breeds that originally came from Ireland. It's a great chance to see some beautiful and unique dogs!
Sunday Celebrations
On Sunday, the festival starts with a delicious traditional Irish breakfast and an American breakfast. There are also different Sunday services you can attend, including a Catholic Mass in Irish Gaelic, a Catholic Mass in English, and other services.
Learning in Academy Classes
Before the festival officially begins, you can sign up for special classes! These classes focus on Irish music and culture, giving you a chance to learn directly from experts.
Celtic Sports Challenges
The festival hosts exciting sporting events like cornhole and a darts tournament. You can also watch the amazing Highland Heavyweight Games! These games are a tribute to ancient traditions where clans would show off their strength and agility. You'll see athletes compete in events like the caber toss (throwing a large log), stone put (throwing a heavy stone), and hammer toss. There's also a cool bagpipes showcase to enjoy.
Gathering of Redheads
If you have red hair, you can be part of the Midwest's Largest Gathering of Redheads! Everyone with red hair gets together for a big group photograph.
Amazing Sand Sculptures
Since 2003, the festival has featured huge sand sculptures. These incredible artworks show off different parts of Irish life and themes.
Festival Awards
The Dublin Irish Festival has won many awards over the years! In 2006, it received an EXPY award. In 2007, it was given the Silver Grand Pinnacle Award by the International Festivals and Events Association, which recognizes top events around the world. It was also chosen by the American Bus Association as one of the top 100 events in 2009. These awards show how much people love and appreciate the Dublin Irish Festival!
Images for kids
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A Roman Catholic Mass being celebrated at the 2015 Dublin Irish Festival.
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