Tynan heads up an impressive lineup for Irish Fest at Gaelic Park
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A full roster of Irish music nobility will be on stage over Memorial Day weekend at Gaelic Park’s Irish Fest in Oak Forest. A Chicago area tradition for all ages, the Fest brings the best of contemporary and traditional Irish headliners to six lively stages.
With non-stop music, free on-site parking and early online ticket discounts, Irish Fest at Gaelic Park has become one of the country’s premier musical events with some of the best and brightest talent appearing on stage this year.
Among these are an eclectic collection of groups and singers, some of whom are longtime performers at Irish Fest while others are fairly new to the scene. Highlighting the lineup are:
Ronan Tynan
Irish Fest is again proud to present Ronan Tynan from County Kilkenny. Well known as one of the famous Irish Tenors, his album “Ronan” debuted No. 2 on Billboard’s Classical Crossover Chart. Ronan is truly a modern day “Renaissance Man” who has persevered through numerous challenges throughout his well-documented life.
After touring with the Irish Tenors, his solo career brought international fame and recognition.
Ronan performed before an international TV audience of more than 35 million at President Reagan’s funeral. He is famous for his performances of “God Bless America” at Yankee Stadium and he performed at New York’s 10th anniversary memorial services of the 9/11 tragedy. Take advantage of this rare opportunity to see the gifted Ronan Tynan, Sunday, May 27, only, at Irish Fest.
Girsa
Gaelic for “young girls,” Girsa made their debut at Irish Fest last year. These talented young women owned the crowds with traditional selections and their unique high spirited energy.
The members have all known each other since they were very young, growing up participating in Irish music and dance in the community of Pearl River, New York. Most of the band comes from musical families where they learned traditional Irish music from such greats as Martin Mulvihill, Maureen Glynn Connelly and Pete Kelly. Some of their parents and their lifelong friends carry on this great tradition by teaching music in the community. The young ladies enjoy playing together so much that they’ll bring tons of musical fun to Irish Fest again this year!
The tradition continues — Sunday, May 27, and Monday, May 28, only. The Makem and
Spain Brothers are an internationally known band that keeps the music alive and defines where Irish folk music is going.
A host of various instruments and five male vocals using precise three-part harmonies blend perfectly for what can only be described as a wall of sound. Their talent and enthusiasm draw in fans who have never experienced the joy of folk music. This band of brothers has played before millions of people in the U.S., Caribbean and Ireland. Along the way they were highlighted in national PBS specials and on popular Irish talk shows.
The Makem Brothers, from north of Dublin in County Louth, continue an Irish musical dynasty begun by their grandmother, Sarah Makem, and their famous father, Tommy Makem.
The Spain Brothers also learned Irish songs at their father’s knee. When the Makems met the Spains, the brothers realized the powerful synergy of their combined talents. There are bands traveling down uncharted roads trying their best to keep the music alive, but there is only one Makem and Spain Brothers.
More special appearances at Irish Fest
Irish Fest is also proud to present Blackstairs Rebel (County Wexford), Chicago Reel, Gerry Carney (County Mayo), Paddy Homan & Friends (County Cork), Red Rebel County, Eddie Gallagher (County Donegal), Kathleen Keane & Friends, Larkin & Moran Brothers, Tommy Goodwin & Sharon (County Kerry), Crossroads Ceili Band, The Máirtín de Cógáin Project (Co. Cork), Sean & Charlie, Bernie Glim & Country Roads, The Lounge Puppetts, The Irish Musicians, Gerard Haughey & Sean O’Donnell, Mulligan Stew, Murphy Roche Irish Music Club, The Irish Music School of Chicago, Shannon Rovers Pipe Band, Pipes & Drums of The Emerald Society, and many more.
Chicago Gaelic Park is located just outside the Chicago city limits in Oak Forest. A full day pass to six musical stages, full carnival with unlimited rides, free on-site parking and all the fun anyone can handle is only $15. Early online discounts can save up to 60 percent. Adults over 65 years and kids under 12 are only $12. Youngsters 3 years and under are free. Online discount tickets, a complete Irish Fest performance schedule and directions are available at www.chicagogaelicpark.org.
Provided by Gaelic Park
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