Culture and Sport Come Together for Gaelic Park's Irish Fest

The annual four-day Irish Festival, a celebration of Irish culture with music, sport, theater and more, is dancing into Gaelic Park in Oak Forest this weekend.

Come to the parks tents and faciliteis to see a wide variety of Irish entertainment. Gaelic Storm, Ronan Tynan, Girsa, The Dirt Drifters, The Kildares and the Makem and Spain Brothers will headline the festival. More than 30 other acts also will play inside the park buildings or in huge tents.

More than just entertaintment, the festival also features Irish sports, including Gaelic football and hurling; dancing, such ceili, set and step dancing; theatre with story telling; a petting zoo with Irish dogs and ponites and more. Children will find magicians, puppets, jugglers, clowns and unlimited carnival rides waiting for them.

The festival will run over Memorial Day weekend, May 25-28. Hours vary so check the times listed below.

Admission price is $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and children ages 4-12. Kids 4 and younger are free. Come early during the first hour of each day for reduced price.

Discounted four-day passes are still available but only through Thursday, May 24.

the Irish Cultural and Athletic Center sits on more than 50 acres, located at 6119 W. 147th St. in . For further information, call Gaelic Park at 708-687-9323, visit the web site at www.chicagogaelicpark.org or find the park on Facebook.

Friday, May 25

Festival Hours: 4-11 p.m.

Deal: Half-priace admission from 4-5 p.m.

Saturday, May 26

Festival Hours: 2 to 11 p.m.

Deal: $10 admission from 2-3 p.m.

Sunday, May 27

Mass at 11:30am

Festival Hours: 1-11 p.m.

Deal: $10 admission from 1-2 p.m.

Monday, May 28

Chicago Feis Dancing Competition 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Festival Hours: 1-8 p.m.

Time: $10 admission from 1-2 p.m.

Want more info about Gaelic Park events?