Saturday's Schedule

  • 09:00am
  • 09:30am
  • 10:00am
  • 10:30am
  • 11:00am
  • 11:30am
  • 12:00pm
  • 12:30pm
  • 1:00pm
  • 1:30pm
  • 2:00pm
  • 2:30pm
  • 3:00pm
  • 3:30pm
  • 4:00pm
  • 4:30pm
  • 5:00pm
  • 5:30pm
  • 6:00pm
  • 6:30pm
  • 7:00pm
  • 7:30pm
  • 8:00pm
  • 8:30pm
  • 9:00pm
  • 9:30pm
  • 10:00pm
  • 10:30pm
  • 11:00pm
  • Belfast Stage
    • Danny Schwarze

      Danny started down a slippery slope when he first picked up a guitar. Little did he know the influence those six strings would have on his life. While he mainly plays guitar, bass, and bodhran, he's been known to dabble in a variety of other string and percussion instruments. If it can be plucked, strummed, bowed or struck he will eagerly strive to master it. From pubs to clubs, from parks to theaters, Danny plays with numerous groups and individuals, most notably with Twin Cities-based Celtic/Americana band The Northerly Gales and Scottish Ceilidh band The Gunn Slingers, as well as on his own as a solo act. Learn more about Danny Schwarze.

    • Hudson Irish Dance Academy

      Hudson Irish Dance Academy is a premier Irish Dancing School located in Wayzata. They specialize in competitive and performance dance. Their owner and director Corey Hudson was one of the Irish Dance Magazine Global Excellence in Teaching Award Winners in 2022. Learn more about Hudson Irish Dance Academy.

    • O’Shea Irish Dance

      O'Shea Irish Dance (OID) is led by director Cormac O'Sé T.C.R.G. (certified instructor with An Coimisiún Le Rinci Gaelacha), original cast member of Riverdance & native of Dublin, Ireland. Cormac comes from a deep pedigree with the legendary Scoil Rince Uí Shé of Dublin, Ireland, taught by his parents for the last 47 years. Cormac toured for six years with Riverdance, performing over 2000 performances, across four continents to over two million people. He can be seen in the original film, Riverdance, The Show and four other film productions.  Established in 2005, OID provides training for the demanding and technical art form of traditional and competitive Irish Step dance where dancers train as artists, musicians, and athletes. Teaching ages three to adult, OID instructors inform the whole dancer to train a healthy body in strength, flexibility, and fitness as well as a healthy mind in confidence, discipline, and performance.  OID's Minnesota dancers have achieved 9 Regional Solo Championship titles, 2 Regional Ceili Titles, 2 National Championship Titles and 6 top-ten placements in the World Championships bringing the only 2 world globes home to the state.  O’Shea Irish Dance features their dancers in performances throughout the year, and produces two professional, full-length theatrical shows annually at several Twin Cities venues, including Stepping Stone Theater, Chanhassen Dinner Theater, and the Fitzgerald Theater. Learn more about O'Shea Irish Dance.

    • Clare Cunningham

      Hailing from Ireland, Clare is an award winning professional singer/songwriter, performing and recording artist, who uses her platform to bring awareness on all mental health matters while being a spiritual and physical advocate too. Clare feels it’s her duty to give back to her listeners and be real, raw and honest to help de-stigmatize the conversations around addiction, suicide, anxiety, depression and many more problems our world is facing. Learn more about Clare Cunningham.

    • Socks in the Frying Pan

      From unknown band in 2014 on their first US endeavor to one of the most sought-after Irish music groups in the world today, Socks in the Frying Pan’s meteoric rise continues still! Performing in 46 American States, extensive tours of Europe, playing for Presidents and dazzling audiences all around the world, they are back to re-release their 2019 live album ‘Raw & Reel’ after two years off. Learn more about Socks in the Frying Pan.

    • Purgatory Creek

       

      Purgatory Creek plays Irish and American roots music. Dee Brust, David Perry, Ann Viviano, and Adam Stemple bring fiddle, guitars, mandolin, bass, and four-part vocals. 871 miles to Nashville, 3702 miles to Belfast, -52 with the windchill. 

    • The Tim Malloys
      Frenetic and fun, the Tim Malloys are a cornerstone of the Minneapolis-St. Paul Celtic crossover scene, releasing five albums since their 1994 inception. Tim Malloys shows are legendary (or infamous, depending on who you ask) for good craic, lightspeed stage banter, and toasts to make you laugh or cry...or both. Learn more about The Tim Malloys.
    • Paddy Wagon

      Paddy Wagon is a 6-person group that has been entertaining audiences for 25 years in the Twin Cities area. Paddy Wagon always encourages sing alongs, dancing and general shenanigans. They are a family-friendly group that is also great in the Pub tent. Always positive and fun! Learn more about Paddy Wagon.

  • Cork Stage
    • Bundle & Go

      Bundle & Go - the duo of David & Suzanne Rhees -- offer an eclectic mix of dance tunes, listening pieces, and songs exploring the "roots and branches" of Irish music. Their instruments are equally diverse and include flute, whistles, button accordion, fiddle, guitar, mandolin, harmonica, ukulele and feet. Their specialty is exploring the multiethnic origins of Irish and other Celtic music traditions and how these were “creolized” in wonderful ways with the cultures of African, Indigenous and other peoples in North America. Learn more about Bundle & Go.

    • Knocknagow Irish Dancers

      Knocknagow Irish Dancers are based in Minneapolis/St.Paul area of Minnesota. Active in the Twin Cities since 1985, Knocknagow dances traditional Ceili and Set dances. Many of their dancers have background in Irish step dancing and have studied Sean Nos. Both styles are incorporated into their performances and choreographies. Learn more about the Knocknagow Irish Dancers.

    • Green Fire Irish Dancers

      For 21 years the children, teens and adults of Green Fire have found so much joy in sharing their love of the dance with each other and with their audiences. In addition to contemporary step dancing and choreographies they revive forgotten historic dances and perform traditional regional styles such as Sean Nos and North Kerry. Their Broom Dance is a crowd favorite. Learn more about Green Fire Irish Dancers.

    • Irish Ambassador Geraldine Byrne Nason

      We welcome Ambassador Geraldine Byrne Nason, Ireland's 19th ambassador to the United States, to the stage where she will give a brief presentation and then take questions from the audience.

    • Workshop with Jig Jam: The Connections between Bluegrass and Irish Traditional Music

      This workshop is open to anyone and everyone interested.

    • Jane Kennedy: History of Minnesota Children's Program of No. Ireland

      Local historian offers a presentation on the history of the Minnesota Children's Program of No. Ireland in honor of the Program's 50th Anniversary. Her presentation would feature information from children who came from No. Ireland as part of the Program, Minnesota host families, and Program board members. She will have photos to display as well. So many positives have come out of the Program, including children's lives saved by having them in Minnesota during violent summer weeks of the Troubles. Learn more about Jane Kennedy.

    • Lóma mór Irish Dance Club

      The Lóma mór Irish Dance Club was formed in 1999 to promote set, ceili, 2-hand, and sean nós dancing as a lifelong social, cultural, and community-building activity in the Twin Cities area. Learn more about Lóma mór Irish Dance Club.

    • Paddy O'Brien

      Paddy enjoys telling stories about the history of Irish music, as well as playing on button accordion the many different types of tunes (jigs, reels, hornpipes, clan marches, slow airs, harp tunes, etc.) that make up Irish traditional repertoire. His performance highlights the tradition’s wonderful variety of melodies and rhythms. Learn more about Paddy O'Brien.

    • Tom Dahill and Ginny Johnson

      Tom and Ginny bring alive the soul of Ireland. Using Irish button accordion, concertina, fiddle--and other instruments--they play heavy music with a light touch. Performing tunes learned from the old masters, they delight audiences with passionate reels and playful songs not heard anywhere else. Learn more about Tom and Ginny.

       

    • Learn to Ceili Dance with the Live Callers and the Twin Cities Ceili Band

      Paul McCluskey teaches social dance weekly at the Dubliner. He can and will teach anyone to dance!

      Based in the St. Paul & Minneapolis metropolitan area, the Twin Cities Céilí Band (TCCB) have been providing traditional Irish céilí music for all manners of Irish dance: step, set, sean-nós, and céilí for almost 20 years.Live traditional music, played by musicians who are in touch with the Irish music tradition, invites people to tap their feet, clap their hands, and get up and dance. Live music for dancers is a conversation between the dancers the musicians. The Twin Cities Céilí Band strives to be part of that conversation by playing for local céilí dances, set dances, and pretty much for anyone willing to dance.

  • Croke Park
    • Sheep Herding Demonstration
    • Hurling

      The Twin Cities Robert Emmets hurlers will demonstrate the Irish sport of hurling. A fast paced game involving a hurley (stick) and a sliotar (ball). Watch the 2021 national champions display skills such as lifts, hand passes, solos, and ground strikes. All spectators are welcome to practice skills of the sport after the demonstration. 

    • Hurling & Camogie for Kids
    • Soccer game

      Come watch the Clan na Gael Soccer Club show off their skills on the pitch. 

    • Native Dogs of Ireland Showcase

      Dogs and Ireland go hand in hand. The Native Dogs of Ireland have been gathering at the Irish Fair since 1985 to educate and inform about the historical uses of each breed. 

      We are pleased to have our furry friends back at Irish Fair! Stop by Croke Park to say hello and learn about the different breeds.   Please note, not all Breeds are in attendance each or all day but you may catch a variety of the 8 Native Breeds of Ireland. From the several Terriers, including the Irish, (Red or Black & Tan) Soft Coated Wheaten, Kerry Blue and on a rare occasion the Elusive Glen of Imaal, to the Hunting Breeds of the Red/White & Red Setters, and the Irish Water Spaniels and their webbed toes. Lastly we always have a vast array of the Dog of Irish Kings and Nobles, the Gentle Giant, or Irish Wolfhound.

    • Brian Boru Irish Pipe Band

      The Brian Boru Irish Pipe Band was established in 1962 to preserve and advance Celtic piping, drumming, and dancing. They are one of the oldest existing pipe bands in the Upper Midwest. Over the years the Brian Boru Band has become a fixture in parades, celebrations, dances, and of course, the Irish Fair of MN. They play for local, regional, and national events, adding a sense of tradition and spirit of pageantry to every program in which they participate. Learn more about the Brian Boru Irish Pipe Band.

    • Sheep Herding Demonstration
    • Camogie

      The Twin Cities Robert Emmets Camogie players will demonstrate the Irish sport of camogie. A fast paced game involving a hurley (stick) and a sliotar (ball). Watch the 3x national champions, and the 2019 world champions display skills such as lifts, hand passes, solos, and ground strikes. All spectators are welcome to practice skills of the sport after the demonstration.  Pictured is Miss Shamrock 2020/2021 Zophia Raleigh demonstrating for fans at Irish Fair.

       

    • Hurling & Camogie for Kids
    • Rugby

      See the scrums and marvel at the daring physicality of the St. Paul Rugby Club; a club with MN roots dating back to the 1960s. Come watch adults and high schoolers display the unique skills of rugby

    • Li'l Spud Run

      For the kiddies, we have the Li'l Spud run. Kids get to decorate their spud before the race. Participants move from start to finish without touching or dropping their potato. Open to kids aged 2-12, hilarious to watch, and everyone is a winner. No registration needed for the Lil Spud Run.

      Meet at Croke Park at 1:30pm to decorate the spuds before the race begins!

  • Donegal Stage
    • The Court Revelers

      New for 2023! The Court Revelers are an a capella madrigal singing group based in Minneapolis. You can find them at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival in the summer and for hire at other events. They have a repertoire of over 100 madrigal pieces, drinking songs, and sea shanties. Learn more about The Court Revelers.

    • The Careys

      St. Paul-based siblings Joe and Jessica Carey make up the acoustic duo “The Careys” and, over the last several years, have made a name for themselves entertaining audiences throughout the Midwest. Known as much for their shoot-from-the-hip antics and wisecracking wit, Joe and Jess’ blending of their individual vocal styles create shimmering harmonies that only siblings can achieve. Their unique cross-genre of traditional Irish folk combined with American roots-rock and country is sure to have listeners coming back for more. Learn more about The Careys.

    • CynCity Walking Tour: The Good, The Bad, and The Irish

      Meets near Donegal stage; walk lasts ~30 minutes

      Stroll along the Mississippi River with CynCity Tours as costumed guides talk about the Irish legends who helped shape St. Paul.  From godfathers to good guys, the city’s rich history includes Archbishop John Ireland and his work with the Catholic church…police chief John O’Connor interesting plan to deal with the city’s crime problem of the early 1900’s...the impact Saint Paul had on a young F. Scott Fitzgerald…and much more!

    • Lake Effect

      Lake Effect is the trio of Kathleen Green (fiddle), Amy Shaw (flute), and Chris Bashor (guitar), who met at local Irish sessions. Kathleen and Amy are “alumni” of Paddy O’Brien’s O’Rourke’s Feast. This trio offers an eclectic repertoire of traditional and newly-composed music from Ireland and the Irish diaspora, played with skill and verve.

    • The Foxfire Affair

      Daniel and Claire make up the duo, "the foxfire affair." These multi-instrumentalists entertain with a guitar, mandolin, concertina, and other instruments. They'll span several centuries of music playing everything from Irish traditionals to sea shanties, a little American folk to rock, and a touch of original material. Learn more about the foxfire affair.

    • CynCity Walking Tour: The Good, The Bad, and The Irish

      Meets near Donegal stage; walk lasts ~30 minutes

      Stroll along the Mississippi River with CynCity Tours as costumed guides talk about the Irish legends who helped shape St. Paul.  From godfathers to good guys, the city’s rich history includes Archbishop John Ireland and his work with the Catholic church…police chief John O’Connor interesting plan to deal with the city’s crime problem of the early 1900’s...the impact Saint Paul had on a young F. Scott Fitzgerald…and much more!

    • Jim McGowan

      A local favorite on Irish pub stages, Jim plays an engaging mix of tunes that range from heartwarming ballads to foot-stomping, hand-clapping sing-alongs. Prepare to lift a pint while you dance and sing along! Learn more about Jim McGowan.

    • Danny Schwarze

      Danny started down a slippery slope when he first picked up a guitar. Little did he know the influence those six strings would have on his life. While he mainly plays guitar, bass, and bodhran, he's been known to dabble in a variety of other string and percussion instruments. If it can be plucked, strummed, bowed or struck he will eagerly strive to master it. From pubs to clubs, from parks to theaters, Danny plays with numerous groups and individuals, most notably with Twin Cities-based Celtic/Americana band The Northerly Gales and Scottish Ceilidh band The Gunn Slingers, as well as on his own as a solo act. Learn more about Danny Schwarze.

    • Green Fire Irish Dancers

      For 21 years the children, teens and adults of Green Fire have found so much joy in sharing their love of the dance with each other and with their audiences. In addition to contemporary step dancing and choreographies they revive forgotten historic dances and perform traditional regional styles such as Sean Nos and North Kerry. Their Broom Dance is a crowd favorite. Learn more about Green Fire Irish Dancers.

    • Gus the Bardic Troubadour

      Chris Murphy, aka Gus the Bardic Troubadour, is a one-man-band playing a spirited mix of Traditional and Modern Irish Folk songs. He also performs covers of crowd favorites, as well as what he calls Pub Covers; popular songs, but with an Irish twist. Learn more about Gus the Bardic Troubadour.

  • Dublin Stage
    • Sweet Colleens

      The Sweet Colleens are David Bade, Jeremy Greenhouse, Pete Sandvik, Jeff Gram and Scott Keever – accomplished multi–instrumentalists who together fuse their diverse musical backgrounds into a high energy, infectious, and crowd–pleasing mix of “Celtic folk–rock and alt. country/Americana, with Cajun and Caribbean seasonings.”

    • Advanced Youth Ensemble - Center for Irish Music

      Students from the Center for Irish Music performing on a variety of traditional instruments. Learn more about the Center for Irish Music.

    • Danny Diamond and Brian Miller

      New for 2023! Twin Cities-based duo Danny Diamond (fiddle) & Brian Miller (guitar, bouzouki, vocals) brings together two of the top Irish traditional musicians in the US. Their soulful and compelling live performances run the gamut from sensitive waltzes to tearaway reels, punctuated by impeccable arrangements of newly-unearthed traditional songs. Learn more about Danny Diamond and Brian Miller.

    • The Northerly Gales

       

      With soaring melodies and driving rhythms, The Northerly Gales puts their own high-energy spin on Celtic Folk and Americana. Innovating and original in their own ways, while respecting the traditions that have borne this music through the years. They compose, they arrange, and they put on a rocking show. The long and the short of it is that the Gales are always ready to rock. Whether you’re looking to tap your feet, forget your troubles, or just share a pint over some great tunes, look no further than The Northerly Gales. Learn more about The Northerly Gales.

    • Boiled in Lead

      Guitar, bass, fiddle & drums play country music from many countries with power and emotion. Boiled In Lead is the longest-running Celtic punk band in America, and an important part of the foundation of what became Minnesota punk rock. Learn more about Boiled in Lead.

    • JigJam

      When virtuoso Irish playing jumps the pond running naked through the wide open fields of bluegrass/Americana JigJam is born. Bluegrass and American Folk music originated from their homes and now JigJam are here to take it back! Learn more about JigJam.

    • The Collaboration - A celebration of Celtic Rock featuring our headliners and local entertainers

      Various headliners and local entertainers will come together on stage to perform together in this collaborative performance.

    • Wild Colonial Bhoys

      Wild Colonial Bhoys—The Irish-American band from Minnesota. Their sound is a blending of old Irish traditions handed down through the generations, with modern American rock that inspired them to make music from the time they were just wee lads. Celtic Rock that Rocks!  Learn more about the Wild Colonial Bhoys.

  • Galway Stage
    • Sycamore Gap
    • Shamrock School of Irish Step Dance

      Shamrock School of Irish Step Dance is a performance and competitive school based in the southern Twin Cities area. They teach the love and art of Irish Dance to children ages 4 and older. They were the first organized school in the Twin Cities with a certified Irish Dance instructor. The school was started in 1973 by May Buckley Kirmer who hails from Dublin, Ireland and danced at the Theater Royal and Gaiety Theater before moving to the States as a war bride. Learn more about Shamrock School of Irish Step Dance.

    • Rince na Chroi Irish Dancers

      The Rince na Chroi Irish Dancers are a performance-based Irish dance school from St. Paul. Founded in 2003 by owner and director Katie Stephens Spangler, Rince na Chroi averages over 100 public performances throughout the year- and the Irish Fair of Minnesota is always a highlight! Rince na Chroi has over 200 dancers of all ages, and they accept students as young as three, up through adults. Their dancers perform year-round at venues and events all over the Twin Cities and the Midwest. Learn more about Rince na Chroi irish Dancers.

    • Mississippi Valley Crewtets

      New for 2023! The Mississippi Valley Crewtets is a 12-16 strings crew that plays  traditional irish music as well as music from irish artists like The Cranberries, Van Morrison, U2, and Hosier. Learn more about the Mississippi Valley Crewtets.

    • Doolin'

      Hailing from France, Doolin' are an eclectic Celtic ensemble whose mastery of traditional Irish music has earned them an international following. Comprising two different families, Doolin' mix a variety of traditional and contemporary Celtic styles with elements of folk, pop and french chanson. The band consists of brothers  Wilfried (vocals, accordion) and Nicolas Besse (guitar) and their cousin Sébastien Saunié (bass), along with brothers Jacob (whistles) and Josselin Fournel (bodhran), Guilhem Cavaillé (fiddle) and Damien Daigneau (piano).

      After signing with Compass Records, they traveled to the U.S. to record their 2016 self-titled fourth LP in Nashville, incorporating American roots music into their already unique sound. Their new album Circus Boy (march 3rd, 2023) was recorded at legendary Studio Ferber in Paris, ft. the Screaming Orphans and Ashley Davis (backing vocals), Niamh Gallagher and Niall Murphy (fiddle) and Vincent Segal (Sting, Elvis Costello, …) on electric cello. Learn more about Doolin'. 

    • Adrienne O'Shea

      This year's performance would be of the debut album of Adrienne O'Shea, a singer accompanied by Brian Miller (potentially) on guitar and bouzouki and Danny Diamond (potentially) on fiddle. They perform traditional Irish songs collected and arranged by Adrienne and Brian, that center on women in traditional stories, combining tradition with a new young voice.

    • Irish Diplomacy

      Irish Diplomacy brings together musicians from many facets of the Twin Cities music scene who have the desire to play everything IRISH. What started as a small "Sunday afternoon excuse to drink beer" project has now expanded to a large ensemble including a strange and terrifying array of instruments - and people. Not necessarily rule-followers, all of these individuals bring their own ideas and experiences to the Irish tradition. There are touches of blues, jazz, rock and Americana flashing through the mix, but at heart it is Irish in the most diplomatic way. Learn more about Irish Diplomacy.

    • The Sweet Colleens

      The Sweet Colleens are David Bade, Jeremy Greenhouse, Pete Sandvik, Jeff Gram and Scott Keever – accomplished multi–instrumentalists who together fuse their diverse musical backgrounds into a high energy, infectious, and crowd–pleasing mix of “Celtic folk–rock and alt. country/Americana, with Cajun and Caribbean seasonings.” With infectious original songs, warm vocal harmonies, and fiery instrumental arrangements, The Sweet Colleens are winning a loyal local following and fans across the Midwest and beyond. Learn more about The Sweet Colleens.

    • Real Irish Comedy Tour (18+)

      This show is for mature audiences and is NOT family-friendly!

      Comedy comes to Irish Fair! Irish comedians, Katie Boyle, Sean Finnerty and Mick Thomas will be taking the stage on Friday and Saturday nights. Catch these hilarious voices of modern Ireland, accents included.

      From Longford, Ireland, Sean Finnerty decided to move stateside where a series of mature decisions that he failed to make led him to stand-up comedy. Recently he was rewarded for his efforts as he became the first ever Irish comedian to perform on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. Spending his first number of years in comedy based out of Orlando, Sean was selected for Comedy Central’s Up Next competition, made his television debut as co-host of Season 9 of Fireball Run on Amazon Prime. He has also performed at several festivals including Laugh Your Asheville Off, Edinburgh Fringe, and Electric Picnic, along with making it to the semi finals of the nationwide talent search Stand Up NBC. A keen eye for detail Sean has also developed a reputation as a Roaster and is currently the number 1 ranked roast comic in New York City. 

      Born and raised in Wexford, it wasn’t until moving to New York that Mick Thomas's stand-up comedy career was born. A natural performer and insightful writer, in a few short years Mick has blown away one club owner after the next with his honest and genuinely original takes on American society and life as a young and dedicated family man. Mick Thomas entertains audiences regularly all across Long Island and Manhattan, and is swiftly becoming one of the most sought after acts in Clubs and Casinos up and down the East Coast. Mick has performed with the biggest names in comedy including Dom Irrera, Norm Macdonald, Jim Breuer, Carl LaBove, John Pinette, and Greg Giraldo.

      New to the Irish Fair, Katie Boyle is an Irish comedian living in NYC. She performs daily all over NYC and has been seen regularly at New York Comedy Club, Stand Up NY, Eastville many other amazing clubs and shows. She runs a podcast The Shift where she and guests talk about sex and dating from an Irish perspective. She runs a monthly show; Transplants Comedy at QED and Comedy at The Dead Rabbit Irish Comedy. She recorded her debut album and special, 'I'll do it myself' with Pinch records and New York Comedy Club which is out on all streaming services and hit no.1 on iTunes. She has headlined amazing clubs around the country and brought her hour to two sold out shows in Dublin this year. She was featured in NY Funniest showcase for the New York Comedy Festival 2022. She has also been featured in Laughing Skull, Women in Comedy, Kanas City Irish Fest and on Sirius XM. Generally she talks extensively about her journey through American culture, dating, and shame!

      Learn more about the Real Irish Comedy Tour.

       

  • Limerick Stage
    • Seamus Burke

      New for 2023! Seamus Burke is a solo act playing Irish folk music, plus some rock/folk rock tunes from the '50s - '70s. He performs regularly at Finnegan's Brewery in downtown Minneapolis. Learn more about Seamus Burke.

    • Dunquin

      Dunquin plays the instrumental traditional music of Ireland, Scotland, America and Scandinavia, with a few originals by Sherry Ladig. They play lively reels, rollicking jigs and heartmelting airs for all occasions: weddings, festivals, historical sites and all events public and private. Learn more about Dunquin.

    • Mooncoin Ceili Dancers

      The Mooncoin Ceili Dancers perform primarily Irish ceili and set dancing, to honor the traditions of social dances of Ireland. Mooncoin has been performing since 1976, and includes both traditional dances, and choreographed dances, based on ceili and set dance styles, reflecting the continuous evolution of dance. Learn more about Mooncoin Ceili Dancers.

    • Shamrock School of Irish Step Dance

      Shamrock School of Irish Step Dance is a performance and competitive school based in the southern Twin Cities area. They teach the love and art of Irish Dance to children ages 4 and older. They were the first organized school in the Twin Cities with a certified Irish Dance instructor. The school was started in 1973 by May Buckley Kirmer who hails from Dublin, Ireland and danced at the Theater Royal and Gaiety Theater before moving to the States as a war bride. Learn more about Shamrock School of Irish Step Dance.

    • Rince na Gréine Irish Dance

      Rince na Gréine (RINK-ah nah GRAHN-ya) means "Dance of the Sun" in Irish. Rince na Gréine is a studio of 100 Irish dancers in Hopkins. They share the joy of Irish Dance through performance, competition, or recreation – however you want to experience it! Director Lauren Adams-Plehal and Assistant Director Margaret Schmitz are both fully certified through CRN, the National Dance Association of Ireland. Learn more about Rince na Gréine.

    • Out Of The Mist Celtic Theatre: Page to Stage: Creative dramatics for young people

      Ever wonder if there really is a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, if fairies grant wishes, or if your little brother is really a changeling? Come explore the emerald isle's rich storytelling tradition with Out of the Mist Celtic Theatre's Irish Myths and Legends. Join us for a rousing, interactive adventure for the entire family, filled with laughter, singing, and, perhaps, a surprise or two.

      This year's performance is called Page to stage: Creative dramatics for young people. This play is centered around Irish fairy tales, myths, and legends will be the basis for a short production that the youth will plan and present.  Participation will include acting the roles of people, animals, plants, and all manner of things.  Some children will speak short lines or read from a story book.

      Learn more about Out of the Mist Celtic Theatre.

    • Wild Rose Cloggers

      The Wild Rose Cloggers are a fun group of ladies aged 18 to 70-something who love to dance to all kinds of music, but especially Irish! Clogging is a traditional form of American dance, with roots leading back to all countries, including Ireland. They are not only all ages but also of all abilities. They have diverse backgrounds, different strengths and weaknesses, and dance at different levels of difficulty. Some of them love being on stage, and some can’t wait until the show is done. The Wild Rose Cloggers share a love of the dance, the great exercise clogging affords, and the fun they have together. The best news of all is anyone can be a clogger and enjoy this form of dance and performance for a lifetime. Learn more about the WIld Rose Cloggers.

    • Knocknagow Irish Dancers

      Knocknagow Irish Dancers are based in Minneapolis/St.Paul area of Minnesota. Active in the Twin Cities since 1985, Knocknagow dances traditional Ceili and Set dances. Many of their dancers have background in Irish step dancing and have studied Sean Nos. Both styles are incorporated into their performances and choreographies. Learn more about the Knocknagow Irish Dancers.

    • Onórach Mulhern Geraghty School of Irish Dance

      Onórach Mulhern Geraghty School of Irish Dance is one of the only international Irish dance schools in the world. Studio locations in Eden Prairie, Chicago, and Dublin. They teach beginners through world championship levels and enjoy performing in their communities as well! Learn more about Onórach Mulhern Geraghty School of Irish Dance.

    • Mooncoin Céilí  Dancers

      The Mooncoin Ceili Dancers perform primarily Irish ceili and set dancing, to honor the traditions of social dances of Ireland. Mooncoin has been performing since 1976, and includes both traditional dances, and choreographed dances, based on ceili and set dance styles, reflecting the continuous evolution of dance. Learn more about Mooncoin Ceili Dancers.

    • Todd Menton

      Todd Menton is a multi-instrumentalist and the lead singer in Boiled in Lead, a Twin Cities-based punk/folk/world-music band. He has toured extensively with the band, and is also a solo recording artist for New Folk Records. You can expect lively songs with guitar, bodhrán, and harmonica, including rocking versions of pub favorites and traditional songs. Very danceable and engaging, with plenty of humor and audience interaction for all ages. Learn more about Todd Menton.

  • Waterford Stage
    • Irish Instruments Petting Zoo with Center for Irish Music

      Which instrument would your child like to play? Come see talented young musicians and instructors from the Center for Irish Music play traditional Irish instruments like accordion, whistle, flute, harp, bodhrán, fiddle and banjo. After a brief performance demonstrations, they'll open up the floor and invite YOU to try playing some of them!

    • Session with Barry Foy and Friends
    • Keegan Learners Session

      The Keegan's Learners Session is a slower, intermediate group which plays traditional Irish session tunes. It is open to folks wanting to eventually integrate into regular sessions in the Twin Cities.