Dublin Irish Festival Celebrates Authentic Culture August 1 - 3

Dublin Irish Festival Celebrates Authentic Culture August 1 - 3

Guests Will Celebrate All Things Irish with the Best in Entertainment, Shopping and Culture

DUBLIN, Ohio, July 17 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2008 Dublin Irish Festival is an experience as rich and diverse as the emerald isle itself featuring authentic entertainment, shopping and cultural activities. This year's festival will bring Irish traditions to life with hands-on workshops, special exhibits and more than 140 performances on seven stages featuring entertainers from Europe, Canada and the United States.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080717/CLTH092 )

"We're kicking off the 2008 festival early with the Irish Academy and have scheduled a full line-up of entertainers, cultural activities and more through Sunday evening," said Sandra Puskarcik, director, Dublin Irish Festival. "We're offering more entertainment value than ever before by keeping ticket prices affordable and packing in all of the music, dance, cultural, food and shopping opportunities the Dublin Irish Festival is known for featuring."

2008 Festival highlights include:

Irish Music

From 4 p.m. Friday until closing ceremonies Sunday night, Dublin will resound with every genre of Irish music, performed by some of the world's best-known international Irish bands. This year's top entertainers include Prodigals, Tannahill Weavers, Makem & Spain Brothers, Scythian, Patrick Street, The StepCrew, Brigid's Cross, Vishten, Gaelic Storm, Rathkeltair, and many more. The second annual Bagpipe Showcase will also be held during the festival.

Irish Academy and Dub Crawl

The Festival weekend kicks-off early with the Irish Academy. The academy offers a variety of classes in Irish musical instruments and dance for those interested in learning about Irish culture. Classes are available for beginner through advanced students and take place on July 30 and 31. Festivities then pick-up with the Dub Crawl on July 31 featuring Irish music and specials in the restaurants, shops and pubs from 5 p.m. until midnight.

Beer Tasting

Geoff Randolph, an import and craft beer specialist with Superior Beverage Group, will lead beer tasting sessions for guests to learn more about the brewing process. In addition, Randolph will explain the difference between wheat, stout and pilsner beers using a certified method which includes appearance, aroma, taste, mouth feel and finish of the beer. During the sessions, Randolph will also introduce the newly branded Dublin Irish Festival Stout.

Irish Sports: Hurling, Sheep Herding and More

Whether you're a competitor or a spectator, Irish or otherwise, Celtic sports including hurling, darts, Gaelic football and sheep herding will keep you entertained throughout the Festival weekend. Guests can get in the game or just sit back and enjoy. Gaelic football and hurling tournaments will feature established clubs from cities throughout the United States.

Festival Shopping

A shopper's paradise, the Emerald Arts Isle is an arts fair held on the festival grounds, featuring handcrafted art tiles and necklaces of Celtic design to prints, wall art, stained glass and more. The Marketplace showcases direct import companies featuring family coats of arms, crystal, jewelry, kilts and other apparel.

About the Dublin Irish Festival

The Dublin Irish Festival, set on 27 rolling acres just north of Columbus, Ohio, is one of the nation's premiere Irish festivals and a central Ohio tradition. To date, 2008 Festival sponsors include Killian's Irish Red, Wendy's International, Inc., Time Warner Cable, The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, Bob Evans Farms, Nationwide Children's Hospital, IGS Energy, Mike's Hard Lemonade, and Cardinal Health. For more information, please visit www.DublinIrishFestival.org .

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Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080717/CLTH092
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN17
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Dublin Irish Festival

CONTACT: Mary Jo DiSalvo, +1-614-410-4507, mdisalvo@dublin.oh.us, or
Leslie Woten, +1-614-825-1749, leslie.woten@fahlgren.com, both for Dublin
Irish Festival

Web site: http://www.dublinirishfestival.org/

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