Iowa Irish Fest

06/01/2026

This amazing band, Screaming Orphans, will be at this year's Iowa Irish Fest all 3 days, July 31 - Aug. 2. Their brand of Celtic Pop and Traditional music is something you don't want to miss.💚

06/01/2026

Very cool event for our friends in the Iowa City / Cedar Rapids area. From our good friends at the Champagne Academy of Irish Dance
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BMbDJR8jG/

TASTE OF IRELAND CAMP July 20-23 9-1pm
🇮🇪 “Taste of Ireland” 🎶 Summer Camp with the Champagne Academy of Irish Dance! July 20-23rd:This exciting 4-day camp is designed for ages 5–13 and runs Monday–Thursday from 9:00am–1:00pm. Campers will explore the magic of Ireland through Irish dance, music, sports, crafts, games, snacks, and tons of fun activities each day. Whether your child is brand new to Irish dance or already loves to jig, this camp is the perfect way to stay active, make friends, and experience Irish culture in a fun and welcoming environment!

What to bring daily:
• Socks or dance shoes
• Sneakers for outdoor sports/activities
• Bag lunch
• Water bottle
• Sunscreen
• Comfortable activewear clothes

Pack your passport for fun and come explore Ireland with us!

Sign up now: champagneirishdance.com/join-us

05/31/2026

Yesterday The Iowa Gallivant was in the Cedar Valley promoting national Egg month. This will be Jay Jay' 10th anniversary with the fest this year.

Check out his page to see what he and Chad attempted to eat - a 16 egg omelet. They were nice enough to bring some of the left overs to our Director Agnes while she was at work.

Fun fact eggs help with bone growth.

05/31/2026

Join the 2026 Shamrock N Run 5K August 1st at 9am in Downtown Waterloo. Online registration is open now! Enjoy a fun-filled race and weekend!

05/30/2026

For our 20th Anniversary, we reach back into our past to bring back some of our favorite bands. First appearing here at the very beginning, from our sister city of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, we welcome back Wylde Nept.

Wylde Nept started when a few of the guys found each other during a camping trip at a Celtic music festival and have been playing ever since. Their music, primarily inspired by traditional folk, is lively, fun and sure get your face smiling and foot tapping. “I find the spirit of the songs and then link music to feelings,” says Westan James, Wylde Nept’s lead singer.

Listening to Wylde Nept, you can have a tear in the eye during one song and then swing a beer wildly around while singing with a crowd during the next.

We have played in festivals throughout Iowa including the Iowa Irish Fest, the Lawler Irish Fest, and the Des Moines Porchfest, and have played in live venues such as Jameson's in Waterloo, the Dubliner Pub in Omaha, Lefty's Live Music in Des Moines, and many other stops along the way!

🎟 For tickets to this summer's fest, go to our website at www.IowaIrishFest.com.

The band plays many traditional songs like, “Whiskey in the Jar,” “The Scotsman” and many more. They also have many original songs like “Bewitchin’ Brenda” and “The Gallows.”
They have been called a folk band, rock band, and have even opened for Fog Hat once upon a time. But they don’t just perform the music, or try to re-create the songs how they may have originally been presented. Instead they capture the feeling behind the songs and do an incredible job at putting it to music and sucking in the audience.

“Come see us. If you don’t like folk music, you might change your mind,” says George.

I can tell you for sure this isn’t like folk music you have heard before and being at a show brings it even further to life. Be ready to have fun, always keep your drink full at the ready, and when you hear the word “Sligo”, tip a glass with the rest of the crowd.

05/29/2026

If you missed last nights streaming radio show about everything for this year's Iowa Irish Fest, you can listen here.

Highlights from this year's bands along with important information ...

05/29/2026

Direct from Off-Broadway and London’s West End, the internationally acclaimed A Taste of Ireland Company returns with its flagship production — ‘A Taste of Ireland — The Irish Music
& Dance Sensation’ — touring the USA in 2026. Laugh, cry, and jig into the night with a production that is Celtic, for this generation.
Performed by former World Irish dance champions, and featuring dancers from Lord of the Dance, Riverdance, and the recent West End cast of Éireann, ‘A Taste of Ireland’ brings the spirit and energy of modern Ireland to life with a pint of Irish wit. Watch world-class performers blend melodic folk mash-ups, live jaw-dropping acapella tap battles, and heartfelt storytelling in a live celebration of Irish music and dance.

Coming to Five Flags Center downtown Dubuque, IA on Saturday, June 13th 2026.

Get you tickets today! Here https://tinyurl.com/4r8u799j

Tag your Irish lad or lassie that you want to bring with you. 💚🍀

05/29/2026

Need fun plans for Saturday? Once you're through the gate, you will get a Happy's Wine & Spirits sampling glass. After that you're in for a three-hour unlimited Anniversary party with beer, wine, and spirits galore for you to enjoy. See the event link below for ticket information.

Craft beer, wine, & spirits festival with live music and outstanding food.

05/29/2026

to 2017. Can you spot yourself in this video recap?

Another great Iowa Irish Fest is in the books! Check out some of the highlights from the 11th Annual Iowa Irish Fest. We look forward to seeing you next year...

05/28/2026

2026 marks Lori McConville’s eighth year with Iowa Irish Fest as part of the Partnership Team. Lori first got involved because of her love and passion for the Fest and her commitment to keeping it alive and supported through strong community partnerships and sponsors. With so many connections to businesses and organizations throughout the community, joining the committee felt like a perfect fit.

Lori’s favorite part of the Fest is the committee itself. She says the team feels like a family that supports one another. She also loves the music, especially performances from Screaming Orphans and Gaelic Storm, just to name a few.

What keeps Lori coming back each year? The people — and how much fun it is! There is still time to connect with Lori about being a partner for this year's fest!

Thank you, Lori, for all you do!