At the Dublin Irish Festival, the Irish say, “Céad Míle Fáilte!” or “A Hundred Thousand Welcomes!”
By purchasing a home in Dublin, Ohio, you will have quick access to the second largest Irish festival in the world! Even if you don’t know the difference between Gaelic and garlic, you will have blast learning about Irish culture.
When visitors arrive in a city called Dublin, they expect a friendly welcome and perhaps a pint or two. Here, they get so much more.
Dublin, Ohio, is home to one of the world’s biggest Irish festivals each year, attracting more than 100,000 visitors. Visitors enjoy music, drinks, food, sports, shopping, but most of all, Irish culture. Over the course of three days, visitors celebrate their Irish culture and learn “Irish is an attitude!”
Dublin Irish Festival
Kick the party off with the Dublin Irish Festival 5K!
You can walk or run but definitely wear your green. Run through Historic Dublin and be enchanted by the old world charm of quaint shops and restaurants especially the Dublin Village Tavern, “the Irish watering hole.” With the race starting line just in front of the RE/MAX 24/7 office on 106 S. High St., why not stop in and say hello before taking off? Runners can relax and enjoy the Dub Crawl, but you can still enjoy the music and a pint if you’re not into fitness.
Even if you’re not into Irish fare, there’s plenty to eat!
Arrive at the festival with your appetite – there’s something for everyone. Get your hot corned beef sandwiches from the Giant Concessions, or you can enjoy some Irish potato pancakes from Hey Hey Bar & Grill. The Irish Baker offers traditional baked goods such as scones and soda bread.
Columbus’s authentic German restaurant Schmidt’s serves up Bahama Mamas and their signature jumbo cream puffs. J. Liu Restaurant & Bar, a Dublin original, offers Asian and American fare such as spring rolls, lettuce wraps, and fries. Don’t miss Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, made exclusively from Ohio milk. USA Today called it “Deadly delicious!”
Wash down the chow with a beer or whiskey, such as Killian’s Irish Red or Guinness Stout. The authentic Irish Bushmill’s Whiskey Snug offers Black Bush, and the 10 Year Malt is not to be missed! Cheers!
Fun for Families, Kids and Dogs
Which dogs have enough attitude to be dubbed Celtic— the Irish wolfhound, the Irish setter, or maybe the Kerry blue terrier!
The Celtic Canines are an annual favorite where guests can meet breeds native to Ireland and watch training demonstrations. If you’re into frilly fun, escape with the Irish fairies for a magical Fairy Tea Party with the Fairy Godmother. The little lasses will love it!
There’s much more for the kids, too. Check out the Wee Folk Area with magicians and storytellers. Learn about Irish heroes and heroines, and enjoy Irish music and games. Award-winning Irish dancers provide a dance lesson, and contestants can vie for awards for the reddest hair, most freckles, and greenest eyes!
Irish Culture & Heritage
How Irish are you, really? Professional genealogists share their comprehensive knowledge of all things Irish. This can be a great start for discovering your family history and kick starting an interesting, new hobby.
The festival is not only fun, but educational!
Learn about culture through storytellers sharing Irish mythology. Poets take stage and share Irish poems, and in the Cultural Workshop guests can make chainmail and knit.
One of the newest additions to the festival is the Authors’ Corner where Irish authors share their works and guests can purchase books from the Book Loft, one of the country’s biggest, independent bookstores.
Not a bookworm? No problem!
Gaelic Sports are a huge part of the culture of the festival. Gaelic football, or Caid, is a traditional Irish game, and participants can watch with a pint.
Want to watch a man in a kilt prove his physical prowess? Visit the Amateur Highland Games and watch men toss stones and cabers. You will be amazed, and you’ll know more about Irish clans.
The Biggest Attraction each Year is the Music
Musicians who represent every facet of Irish music come from all over the world. Folk music, Celtic rock, and bagpipes resound through the seven stages of entertainment. One of the most popular acts is Gaelic Storm, a dazzling Celtic rock group which has a #1 Billboard World Album.
If you can’t make it to the Festival, why not Live Stream the music from the comfort of your home?
Sunday Services – The Spiritual Side of the Irish
Wrap the weekend up with one of 7 Sunday religious services ranging from a Druid service to traditional Irish Mass.
If spirituality is not your thing, check out the breakfast. Choose from a traditional Irish breakfast or some American fare from Katie’s Pancakes.
With so much to do, see, and eat, this is one of the best Irish festivals in the world. Not only is the Dublin Irish Festival a great time, it’s an excellent opportunity to learn about an important part of the ancestral history Central Ohio.
The Dublin Irish Festival has so much to offer, and it’s clear why a buyer would want to live just steps away!
Tip your drink up and enjoy!
Sláinte!