Cultural
The Dublin Irish Festival was named a top Cultural Festival in the Nation by USA Today 10Best Awards. The Festival continues to draw guests from across the globe to experience the best of Irish heritage.
Experiences
2nd Cavalry Brigade
Learn about the daily life of Civil War soldiers, many of whom were Irish immigrants. Original instruments, reproduction equipment and weaponry will be on display.
The Book Loft
The Book Loft of German Village will sell books, have information on Irish authors and host book signings.
Brian Boru’s Ireland
Be transported back into Irish history when you visit this 10th-century village.
Celtic Cooking
Learn to cook popular Irish recipes with the Celtic Caterer, Chef Eric McBride.
Friday
6:30 p.m. | Sticky Toffee pudding w/ a Scotch-Butterscotch frosting and a Candied Bacon topping.
Saturday
1 p.m. | Baked Potato & Wild Mushroom Rusala
2:30 p.m. | Cream of Saffron & Garlic Soup
4:30 p.m. | Ultimate Irish Stew
6 p.m. | Apple Oatmeal Crumble Pie
Sunday
Noon | Bacon, Potatoes & Figs
1:30 p.m. | Irish Shrimp Tarragon
3:30 p.m. | Scottish Cranachan
Irish Unity Forum
Hear international experts from Ireland’s Future and the Ancient Order of Hibernians discuss the political issues surrounding Irish reunification. These events take place on Saturday at 3 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m. at the Abbey Theater inside the Dublin Community Recreation Center. Preview speakers below.
Music Exhibits
Visit artists who make instruments including cajons, whistles and fiddles.
Sessions Tent
Join in on the fun as members of the Columbus Comhaltas lead “Jam Sessions.”
Wake House Experience
Experience the customs and practices of a traditional Irish wake in the 1890s.
Ward Irish Music Archives
View the 2026 traveling exhibit: “Postcards from the 1916 Irish Rebellion.”
Wishing Tree and Passage of Time
Make your wish for the future at the Wishing Tree and visit the exhibit to learn more about the way ancient people of Ireland celebrated the Passage of Time.
Genealogy
Find information about your ancestors with the help of professional genealogists.
Irish Unity Forum Speakers
Jeff Hogan | Moderator
Jeff Hogan is a veteran journalist at 10TV. He anchors the 5, 6 and 11 p.m. news with Yolanda Harris and Stacia Naquin. Jeff is an Edward R. Murrow Award winner and has also won multiple Emmy and Associated Press awards for news, sports and informational programs.
Rev. Karen Sethuraman | Panelist
Reverend Karen Sethuraman is the first female Baptist Minister in Ireland, and has served as Chaplain to two Belfast Lord Mayors. She has been involved in peace and reconciliation work for over twenty years, both within and outside the church walls. Karen is pursuing a PhD, and is a member of the Management Board of Ireland’s Future, which promotes the shared responsibility of delivering constitutional change within the framework of the Good Friday Agreement.
Judge Michael Mentel | Panelist
Judge Michael C. Mentel is an appellate court judge sitting on the Ohio Court of Appeals for the Tenth District. He has participated in round table discussions on the British Legacy Bill at the National Committee on American Foreign Policy and participated in panel discussions on Irish Unity. He has presented and moderated discussions on both contemporary and historical political and justice issues in Northern Ireland. Judge Mentel is an author and a columnist with iIrish newsmagazine and is a contributor to publications at the state and national level.
Sean Pender | Panelist
Sean is currently the National President of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, just elected to his second term. For decades, he has worked for a just peace in the North of Ireland and for truth and justice for all people in Ireland. He has advocated for the people of the North in his meetings with Senators, Congressmen, the White House, our US State Department, the Irish Ambassador, the Irish government, and members of the British and Stormont governments. He has been involved directly with families who lost loved ones murdered in acts of collusion. He has lent support to justice campaigns for those killed at Bloody Sunday, Ballymurphy, Loughinisland, Clonoe, Springhill/Westrock and South Belfast.
Pender is a frequent visitor to Ireland, and has led dozens of tours to the North, visiting and working with the Holy Cross School, St. Patrick Centre, Relatives for Justice, and the Pat Finucane Center. In his past role as National Freedom for Ireland Chairman, he ran the yearly Christmas Appeal fundraising drive, consistently raising awareness and educating the membership on the status of the peace process in the North. He has demonstrated a long-time commitment to a true, just and lasting peace in the North of Ireland. A strong supporter of fully implementing the Good Friday Agreement, he has pledged to make supporting a unity referendum in Ireland a top priority for his organization.
Andrée Murphy | Panelist
Andrée Murphy hails from Dublin but has lived in Belfast since 1994. She is the Deputy Director of Relatives for Justice, a national victim support NGO which provides advocacy and therapeutic support for the bereaved and injured of the conflict. Holding a Masters Degree in international human rights law, Andrée's particular expertise and research on women affected by conflict trauma has seen her provide evidence to the United Nations in Geneva and to Congressional hearings in the US. Andrée sits on the Board of Ireland’s Future and is a columnist for Belfast Media Group and is a regular contributor to broadcast media, providing political analysis and commentary.
Festival Map
Use the Dublin Irish Festival map to find stages, food and beverage locations, cultural exhibits, shopping, family activities, restrooms, parking and more. Plan your visit and make the most of your Festival experience.
Festival Hours
- Friday, July 31: 4 p.m. – Midnight
- Saturday, Aug. 1: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
- Sunday, Aug. 2: 9:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Sunday admission is free until 11 a.m., with limited experiences available during that time. Guests are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to support the Dublin Food Pantry.
