Listen for your chance to win a pair of tickets to the North Texas Irish Festival at Dallas Fair Park!
Music, dancing, food and a weekend of Irish fun: It’s the North Texas Irish Festival, March second through fourth! From beer and whiskey tastings to sheepherding, cooking demos, horses, crafts for kids and more, it’s your own trip to the Emerald Isle — right in Dallas Fair Park. The North Texas Irish Festival is sponsored by Sprint and presented by the Southwest Celtic Music Association.
One of the largest Irish festivals in the U.S., the North Texas Irish Festival celebrates the amazing music, dance, and cultural talent in the beautiful, rich tradition of Irish and other Celtic influences. The event is presented by the Southwest Celtic Music Association, an all-volunteer, non-profit association based in Dallas that fosters the great tradition of Irish culture in North Texas.
Music, dancing, whiskey tastings, blacksmithing demonstrations, horse displays, Celtic storytelling, animal rescue groups, Shepherd’s pie, Irish stew, dozens of activities for kids and child-friendly entertainment, and chef demonstrations will comprise a weekend of fun for fans of all ages.
WHEN: Friday, March 2 – Sunday, March 4, 2018
HOURS: Friday: 6 to 10 p.m.; Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday, 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
LOCATION: Dallas Fair Park (one of several locations) 1300 Robert B Cullum Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75210
PHONE: Public Information: (214) 821-4173
WEBSITE: www.NTIF.org
TICKETS:
- Tickets available online at www.NTIF.org and at DFW-area Tom Thumb stores Feb. 2018
- Friday night free from 6 to 7 p.m.; $10 after
- Saturday and Sunday: At the gate, a one-day ticket is $20 on Saturday and $15 on Sunday, two-day ticket is $25, and weekend pass is $30.
- Discount tickets can be purchased at area Tom Thumb and Albertsons stores in February.
- Children 11 and under FREE when accompanied by adult family members
- Tickets for seniors over 65 or current military members (with valid military ID) receive $5 off.
- Leprechauns (in full ceremonial dress and carrying a pot of gold) are FREE
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Dogs are allowed in on a short leash and a $1 donation is requested, which will be given to animal rescue groups supported by the festival.
National Headlining Performers:
The Elders, the dynamic and critically-acclaimed group whose stage shows are real magic, where their powerful personal and musical chemistry forge a deep sense of community with their audience. During the upbeat numbers, everyone is shouting gleefully, singing along and dancing as the band stirs up their latest moment of wild abandon.
Screaming Orphans, four sisters from County Donegal, Ireland, who once all sang back-up for Sinead O’Connor and who know wow crowds with their Irish pop rock sound.
Mari Black, a violinist and many-time champion fiddler who is at home in a variety of styles, and who has a reputation has one of the most dynamic young artists of her generation. Mari holds a master’s from the Yale School of Music and a doctorate from Columbia University’s Teachers College.
Calan, who are five young musicians giving a fresh and vibrant sound to traditional Welsh music. With a contemporary and lively approach they breathe new life into the old traditions through their sparkling melodies, foot tapping tunes and spirited and energetic performances of Welsh step dancing.
Gailfean, an Irish traditional music group featuring All-Ireland musician winners John Whelan, Brian Conway and Máirtín de Cógáin, and renowned musician Don Penzien, is sure to set a new standard for the well-loved story form that is traditional Irish music.
Ed Miller, hailed as one of the finest singers to come out of the Scottish folksong Revival and as one of Scotland’s best singing exports. Miller is joined by John Taylor, a multi-award-wining Scottish fiddler with a long and successful musical career, and popular musicians Jil Chambless and Scooter Muse, who will create a group that fans say is an unforgettable musical experience.
Crannua brings together the talents of singer Moya Brennan, guitarist John Doyle, musical brothers Cormac and Éamonn De Barra and American singer/songwriter Ashley Davis. This new and exciting group first came together in a collaborative set of special performances at the EXPO World Fair in Italy in 2015 and has grown into a band that has produced an album of contemporary tracks firmly rooted in tradition and yet infused with fresh ideas.
Tommy & Saundra O’Sullivan, a husband-and-wife vocal duo, accompanied by Tommy’s guitar, are of the great hidden treasures of traditional Irish music, and they perform at major festivals the world over.
