Free multiday Ireland on Parade includes music, dance
A multigenerational tradition started by the late Martin Fahey in 1967 is back for another year at Chicago Gaelic Park.
Ireland on Parade, an annual exhibition of the music and dance of Ireland, takes place March 10 and March 14 to 16 in Oak Forest.
“It’s a chance to embrace different aspects of Irish culture on different days whether it’s the food, music or dance,” said Michael Bennett, who took over as Chicago Gaelic Park general manager Jan. 16 shortly after Marian Ryan retired.
There is no charge to attend the festivities, which begin March 10 with The Irish Musicians at 6:30 p.m., Trinity Academy of Irish Dance at 7:30 p.m. and Lavin-Cassidy School of Irish Dancing at 8 p.m.
Suzanne Toomey of County Wicklow, Ireland, performs at 7:30 p.m. March 10 in The Carraig Irish Pub, which Bennett said was built in Ireland and brought to the United States bit by bit.
“It’s important to engage the entire community and have everybody participate,” said Bennett about why there is free admission for Ireland on Parade.
According to Bennett, The Irish Musicians at 6:30 p.m. each night of Ireland on Parade could feature traditional instruments such as accordions, a drum called a bodhrán, fiddles and the spoons.
“The Irish ballads and Irish instruments run centuries deep,” said Bennett, who called his job “a great opportunity to reconnect with the Irish American community here in Chicago.”
Food and drink are available for purchase at Ireland on Parade with options including a hot food buffet starting at 5:30 p.m. nightly and pub food in The Carraig from 5 to 9 p.m. each night.
“We’ll have traditional Irish fare like corned beef and cabbage and we will have fried fish, salmon and other Irish dishes,” said Bennett, who is Irish.
Step dancing school performances are an Ireland on Parade staple.
“It’s something that’s very unique to Irish culture, and it certainly speaks to our identity and draws in folks that are Irish and not Irish as well,” said Bennett of Chicago’s Roscoe Village neighborhood about Irish dance.
March 14 includes Onórach Mulhern Geraghty School of Irish Dance at 7 p.m. and Foy School of Traditional Irish Dance at 7:30 p.m. while March 15 includes Weber Irish Dance at 7 p.m., Mullane Godley Irish Dance Academy at 7:30 p.m. and Blackbird Academy of Irish Dance at 8 p.m.
Ireland on Parade wraps March 16 with performances including Eilish Sullivan School of Irish Dance at 7 p.m., Bailey Murray Academy of Irish Dancing at 7:30 p.m. and Cross Keys School of Irish Dance at 8 p.m.
“The Irish diaspora is so broad, and there are so many folks throughout the world that can trace their heritage back to Ireland that it’s important we know and celebrate him,” said Bennett about St. Patrick, one of Ireland’s patron saints.
Other Chicago Gaelic Park celebrations include Mass & Irish Breakfast ($13 for adults; $10 for children) from 9:30 to 11 a.m. March 12 and South Side Irish Sunday ($10 for adults; $5 for ages 12 and younger) starting at 1 p.m. March 12 with four entertainment stages and food and drink for purchase.