Activities
Indoors
Cultural Exhibit
Come join us in our Irish Cultural Center located in Wyatt Hall and explore not only Ireland’s past but your Louisville Irish-American connection. Topics such as the 95th anniversary of the Irish Civil War, the 30th anniversary of the death of Bobby Sands and the Irish Hunger Strikes, Louisville’s own “Bloody Monday” as well as the 150th anniversary of our own Civil War and the role the famed 69th Irish Brigade played will all be discussed. Check for scheduled times. As always there will be plenty of thought provoking displays including our timeline running from Newgrange to Famine to the Good Friday accord with plenty in between and ample opportunities to ask our historians questions.
Saturday
11:30 95th Anniversary of 1916
12:30 30th Anniversary of Bobby Sands & the Irish Hunger Strikes
2:30 Louisville’s Bloody Monday
3:30 150th Anniversary of the U.S. Civil War and the Irish Brigade
4:30 95th Anniversary of 1916
5:30 30th Anniversary of Bobby Sands & the Irish Hunger StrikesSunday
1:00 30th Anniversary of Bobby Sands & the Irish Hunger Strikes
2:00 95th Anniversary of 1916
3:00 Louisville’s Bloody Monday
4:00 150th Anniversary of the U.S. Civil War and the Irish Brigade
5:00 Louisville’s Bloody Monday
Robert Tincher's programs
Before you leave this area, check the schedule. You don't want to miss one of Robert Tincher's programs on the history of Irish music. Choose from "Paddy's Green Shamrock Shore" as Robert uses Irish emigration ballads to follow our ancestors' paths to North America and Australia. Then there is "Beyond the Pale," which focuses on supernatural ballads along with related mythology and folk beliefs. Or perhaps you prefer "Adult Ballads and Popular Culture," an introduction to the monumental 19th century ballad collection of Harvard scholar Francis J. Child. Many of us have been singing these songs since our childhood. But how many of us know the stories behind the songs?
Outdoors
Society for Creative Anachronism
Not all the activities and exhibits are indoors. Wander out to the Quadrangle for more fun and entertainment. Ever feel like you should have lived in another era?Then the Society for Creative Anachronism is for you. Watch these young men become Irish warriors wielding historically accurate weaponry. Let your imagination take hold and you may feel you're at the Battle of Clontarf with Brian Boru.
Children's Area
Sponsored by Fifth Third
The Children's Area for the 2011 Louisville Irish Fest will feature a variety of activities for leprechauns of all ages. This year we are pleased to announce the arrival of Bonkers T. Clown, who will wow you with his skillful balloon twisting. When you are not being bestowed a crown our other balloon figure, "Irish step" your way over to the craft section. Here you can create a Celtic shield of your very own. You also have the opportunity to have your face painted by some talented local artists. Games and other activities will keep you occupied throughout the festival.
Sunday Mass
Join us Sunday at 6:00 pm for Mass held in Bellarmine's chapel. Our Lady of the Woods is one of Bellarmine's hidden gems - a lovely little church in a lovely setting. A shuttle transport will be provided for those not up to a little hill-climbing.