MUSKEGON, MI – Those looking for a good time and some even better music and food this weekend need look no further as the Michigan Irish Music Festival is back for three days of Irish entertainment.
The festival, which runs Sept. 14-17, had its Pub Preview kick-off on Thursday, where returning bands and folk singers like Seamus Kennedy took the stage at Heritage Landing in downtown Muskegon.
“Our mission is to produce a world-class music festival that promotes Irish culture and heritage, enhancing the community as a destination through entertainment, tourism, education, and philanthropy,” according to the festival website.
Related: Lineup for 2023 Michigan Irish Music Festival announced for popular Muskegon event
There will be various entertainment and fun activities, including a “Celtic canines” dog show, Irish dancing lessons, Irish food, crafting lessons, a gift and apparel market, and a children’s zone for the wee ones.
See the festival map here.
Some new additions feature “uillean piping,” the national bagpipe of Ireland, and the classic highlight, Feis (pronounced “fesh”), a judged Irish dance competition taking place offsite. The two highest-level dancers in each category will perform at Heritage Landing on Saturday evening.
Keep scrolling for highlights of the entertainment schedule for the remaining festival days, Sept. 15-17.
Friday, Sept. 15
Cork Stage
5:30 p.m. – Slide
9:30 p.m. – Socks in the Frying Pan
Kerry Stage
5:30 p.m. – Tallymoore
9:15 p.m. -The Tossers
Pub Stage
6:45 p.m. – Seamus Kennedy
10 p.m. – Malinda
Grafton Stage
10 p.m. – Brother Crowe
Festival Grounds
7 p.m. – Muskegon Regional Police Pipe and Drums Parade
Saturday, Sept. 16
Cork Stage
7:15 p.m. – Slide
9:30 p.m. – Eileen Ivers
Kerry Stage
11:30 p.m. – Mona Shores Fiddlers
1:30 p.m. – One for the Foxes
9:15 p.m. – Socks in the Frying Pan
Pub Stage
6:15 p.m. – Seamus Kennedy
8 p.m. – Malinda
10 p.m. – Tallymoore
Grafton Stage
11:30 p.m. – Michigan Irish Hall of Fame
2:45 p.m. – Seamus Kennedy Kid’s Show
4:15 p.m. – Irish Dance and Clogging with Steph’s Steps
7:15 p.m. – Parade of Dance Champions
8:30 p.m. – Moxie Strings
10 p.m. – Barley Saints
Blarney Stage
12:15 p.m. – Slide Around Ireland with Mick Broderick
2 p.m. – The Mystery of the Book of Kells with Mike Johnson
4:30 p.m. – Baker College Culinary Institute of Michigan’s Traditional Irish Food, cocktails and desserts demonstration
Hedge School
1 p.m. – StoryTime by Hackley Public Library Children’s Librarians
2 p.m. – Liz Gould “The Cinderlad”
3:15 p.m. – Pop-Up Consulate Visit with representatives from the Consul General’s Chicago Office
5:30 p.m. – Craft Cocktail Class. This is a ticketed event.
Festival Grounds
2 & 5 p.m. – Muskegon Regional Police Pipe and Drums Parade
Sunday, Sept. 17
Cork Stage
11 a.m. – Catholic Mass
4:45 p.m. – Slide
Kerry Stage
11 a.m. – Chelsea House Orchestra
2:30 p.m. – Colm & Laura Keegan
4:30 p.m. – Doolin
Pub Stage
1:30 p.m. – Kennedy’s Kitchen
3:30 p.m. – Blackthorn
5:15 p.m. – Seamus Kennedy
Grafton Stage
11:15 a.m. – “WB Yeats: The Waters to the Wild” with Enda Reilly
12:30 p.m. – Ardan Academy of Dance
1:45 p.m. – “Song of Ulster, The Nine to the North” with Ian Gould
4:15 p.m. – Crossbow
Blarney Stage
12:15 p.m. – “Buster Keaton: Muskegon’s Silent Film Star” with Ron Pesch
2:15 p.m. – “Tales of the Fun and Foolishness” with Cathy Jo Smith
4:00 p.m. – “Traditional Sean-nós singing” with John Kennedy
Hedge School
11:30 a.m. – “Learn to play Tin Penny Whistle” with Colin Farrell
12:45 p.m. – “Research and Create your Personal Coat of Arms” with Liz Gould
2 p.m. – “Enda Reilly: The Rocky Road to Dublin, the mysteries of Ireland’s rocks”
3:15 p.m. – “Learn to play the Bodhran” with Lisa Groot
4:15 p.m. – The Irish Language with Colm Keegan
Near Duff’s Tavern
Noon to 3:00 p.m. – Celtic Canines
To view the full schedule, click here. Tickets for the festival are on sale at michiganirish.org, starting at $10 for an individual day pass and $50 for a four-day pass. Children 12 and under get in free but do require a ticket.
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