Attractions and Exhibits 

The Irish American Heritage Festival is the marquee weekend for the Irish American Heritage Center.  During the festival you will find numerous attractions and exhibits that are a sampling of what goes on throughout the year at the Center.

Come and enjoy the weekend's festivities!

Hours:

Friday, July 10:  6pm - 12am
Saturday, July 11: 12pm-12am

Sunday, July 12:  12pm - 11pm

 

Children’s Area

For a small daily fee children have full run of a moonwalk, face painters, picnic games and other attractions kids love.

Sham-ROCK Stars! - a singing contest for kids under 18. 

Due to the overwhelming popularity and the amazing talents discovered, we will once again be hosting the Sham-ROCK Stars! contest for budding young singers. 

 

Like the popular TV show, children will get a chance to sing an Irish song for a panel of judges and the final contestants will get an opportunity to perform on Sunday.  The winner is announced on the Main Stage Sunday evening.  The top performer will receive some very generous prizes!

Call the Irish American Heritage Center at (773) 282-7035 for registration information or register online. 

 

Mashed Potato Eating Contest

Held on Friday night of the festival, this hilarious contest pits champion eaters and any takers in a delicious bout of gorging themselves for a slew of prizes.

 

 

The Hooley Hook-up: Calling All Singles!
Kick off Irish Fest with an old fashioned hooley on Friday night. Featuring music and dancing, this is a new twist on an old theme. The Hooley features traditonal Irish Matchmakers to help you find that perfect Irish lad or lass. If the matchmakers can't help you, there'll be drink specials and other activities to help you find your perfect match.

 

 

Library, Art Gallery, and Museum

The IAHC boasts a Library along with an Art Gallery and Museum. All three are open during the festival featuring special exhibits, displays, book signings and other special attractions.

 

 

Arts and Crafts

Several local craftsmen and artisans will be demonstrating their craft and selling their wares.

 

 

Irish Import Stores
Visit dozens of import vendors selling everything from 

tee shirts to music to jewelry, all of Irish and Celtic origins.

Irish Dancing
Several of the top local dance schools will be performing over the weekend.

 

Food and Drink
There will be plenty of food and drink as local vendors will provide a nice array of Irish and American cuisine and refreshments.

 

 

Cultural Programs

The Tradition Continues

 

Through a variety of presentations, performances and exhibits featuring art, music, theatre, literature, poetry and language, our festival provides numerous opportunities to explore your Irish heritage.

 

Please reference daily schedule for specific times and locations of exhibits and performances.

 

Irish Language Lessons: Workshops will teach basic Irish greetings and conversation through poetry and song.

 

Catherine O’Connell and Friends: Chicago’s Irish diva, Catherine O’Connell performs with guests, on both Saturday and Sunday.

 

Irish Sing-along: Join in the fun as the Irish Heritage Singers lead a sing-along, with audience participation.

 

Introduction to the Book of Kells: This audio visual presentation showcases the illuminated manuscript transcribed by Irish monks around the year 800. The book is a masterwork of Western calligraphy and is regarded as Ireland’s finest national treasure.

 

Masterpieces from the National Gallery of Ireland:  Take a visual tour and overview to the collection of Irish paintings housed in the National Gallery of Ireland. 

 

Irish Castles Presentation:  The great stone castles of Ireland were symbols of wealth and political power and have been permanent fixtures in the Irish landscape since the early 12^th century.  Discover Ireland’s beauty, rich history and architecture in this slide presentation on Irish castles.

 

The Irish Poetry of James Clarence Mangan:  A presentation on poet Mangan, who has been called the “Irish Poe” because of similarities in their lives and poetic styles.

 

Art Gallery: The art gallery features an exhibit entitled iPhone: Imagine Your Perfect Application, where artists produce the perfect iPhone application.

 

Museum: The museum will showcase special exhibits, including photographs from the IAHC archives, old postcards, and antique whiskey jars.

 

The Library: Special exhibits include genealogy sessions, lectures by authors, used book sale, featuring more than 1000 books on display.

 

One-act plays will be performed by Shapeshifters Theatre, Seanachai Children’s Theatre, Gaelic Park Players and Milwaukee Irish Arts.

 

Hooliganism: Get jiggy with writer and actor Mike Houlihan as he entertains, cracking jokes, telling tall tales, chewing the fat, shooting the breeze, cutting the cheese, some whistling, a little bit of off-key Danny Boy, while rhapsodizing about his recent trip to Ireland.

 

The Irish Mike: Laugh out loud with standup comedian Alex Joyce.

 

Award Winning Irish Film Shorts: Film buffs can take a break from the fest and see award-winning film shorts, direct from Ireland.

 

The Tea Room: Sneak away from the festivities to enjoy a nice cup of tea, with live piano and harp music in the background to serenade you.