Pittsburgh Irish Festival 2017: Five Things You Need To Know

PITTSBURGH, PA - It’s no blarney: The Pittsburgh Irish Festival is Pennsylvania’s largest annual celebration of Celtic music, dance, lore and food. Now in its 27th year, the festival returns for its 27th year this weekend to the Riverplex between Sandcastle and the Waterfront.

If you’re one of the 25,000 people expected to attend the event, here are five things you need to know about the festival:

1. Hours

• The festival hours will be 4-11 p.m. on Sept 8, 11 a.m.-11 p.m on Sept. 9 and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 10.

2. Admission prices

• Tickets are $12 for adults in advance to Sept. 7; $15 for adults at the gate; $10 for seniors over 60; $10 for students with identification; $10 for active or retired public safety or military personnel with identification. Children 12 and under are free.

Also, a pass for the entire weekend is $30. A $5 “happy hour” admission is available Sept. 8 from 4-6 p.m. and a $5 admission is available Sept. 8 from 6-8 p.m. with a college identification.

3. The festival has a number new attractions this year. They include:

• Flanagan’s Inflatable Pop-Up Pub: What festival organizers call a “bouncy house” for big kids, the pub is designed to replicate a bar in Ireland.

• Rivertowne Brewing Craft Beer Bar: This year the festival’s craft beer partner is Rivertowne Brewing, which will be serving Maxwell’s Scottish Ale, Jah Mon IPA, and Hala Kahiki.

• Draft Mead and Wine: For the first time, the festival will have draft mead and wine.. KingView Mead is bring their Cherry Robber Cyser and Happy Apple Pie draft meads as well as various wines. You can get these products at the Whiskey Snugs along with various Irish, Scotch, and local whiskeys like Wigle, Jameson, Bushmill’s, Bailey’s, and more.

• Bridge to Europe: Presented by the University of Pittsburgh European Studies Center, this event will feature presentations on Ireland’s economics, history, politics, and more.

• Irish Wedding Display: The Irish Educational Cottage will continue the cultural display tradition by featuring classic Irish wedding traditions that celebrate this aspect of the rich heritage of Ireland.

4. The entertainment offerings are abundant
Featured performers include Donnie Irish, Bastard Bearded Irishmen, River City Brass Band, Screaming Orphans, Gaelic Storm, Jigjam and Makem & Spain.

5. A variety of vendors will be on hand.
They include McCarrick’s, Kells Bay, Craig’s Fine Irish Food, Mairin’s Irish Kitchen, Simon's Concessions and Chocolate Moonshine Co.