Savannah Irish Festival 2008

The 16th annual Savannah Irish Festival will take place February 16-17, 2008 at the Savannah Civic Center at Montgomery and Oglethorpe Streets in downtown Savannah. The festival begins Friday night with a Ceili in the Civic Center Ballroom from 6:30pm - 9:00pm. Those who attend the Ceili will be taught how to Irish folk dance in large groups. On Saturday the festival will run from 10:30am until 8:00pm. On Sunday the festival will begin at 12pm and run until 7:00pm.There will be four stages of continuous entertainment. Attendees can also browse the vendor booths and sample food prepared by Savannah’s many Irish Organizations. The day will be filled with music and plenty of Irish Dancing. Featuring four continuous stages, vendors from Ireland and America, a free arts and crafts area for kids as well as a separate Children's Stage, the festival offers entertainment for the whole family and people of all ages. Our Cultural Stage offers a Songwriters' Set, hosted by Harry O'Donoghue on both days with special guests Brendan Nolan, Pat and Rosie Maloney, and Jack Hardy. The Main Stage features performances by The St. Vincent's Academy Chorale, two schools of Irish Dancers, The Pride of Ireland, and the Irish Dancers of Savannah, Roger Drawdy and the Firestarters, the premier southern celtic band Henri's Notions, and a phenomenal finale with Rathkeltair. The Kevin Barry's Pub Stage welcomes you with an intimate room for close-up listening to all performers. Food will be served by vendors from the Irish Societies of Savannah.

Festival Pricing Info:
They are a $5 donation for the Friday night Ceili in the Civic Center's upstairs ballroom. A one day ticket costs $10 and a two day ticket is $20, plus service charges for both from the Civic Center Box Office. You can purchase them the day of the event, call 912-651-6556 or 800-351-7469, or get online to the following website to purchase them online.

SATURDAY

MAIN STAGE
10:30-11:30 Opening Ceremony/St. Vincent's Chorale
11:45-12:30 Jack Hardy and his band
12:45 - 1:30 Pride of Ireland Dancers
1:45 - 2:30 Pat & Rosie Maloney
2:45 - 3:30 Irish Dancers of Savannah
3:45 - 4:30 Brendan Nolan
4:45 - 5 :30 Henri's Notions
5:45 - 6:15 Roger Drawdy & the Firestarters
6:30 - Rathkeltair

PUB STAGE
11:45-12:30 The Savannah Ceili Band
12:45 - 1:30 Brendan Nolan
1:45 - 2:30 Henri's Notions
2:45 - 3:30 Rathkeltair
3:45 - 4:30 Roger Drawdy & the Firestarters
4:45 - 5 :30 Harry O'Donoghue

CHILDREN’S STAGE
11:45 - 12:30 Irish Dancers of Savannah
12:45 - 1:30 Gary Maurer's Magic Show
1:45 - 2:30 The Savannah Ceili Band Instrument Demonstration
2:45 - 3:30 Pride of Ireland Dancers
3:45 - 4:30 Gary Maurer's Magic Show

CULTURAL STAGE
12:45 - 1:30 Discussion on the Murals of Bogside Artists of Derry
1:45 - 2:30 Rus Bradburd will discuss his book Paddy on the Hardwood
2:45 - 4:30 Singer/Songwriter Workshop with Harry O’Donoghue, Jack Hardy, and Pat& Rosie Maloney
4:45 - 5 :30 The Ancient Sport of Irish Road Bowling

SUNDAY

MAIN STAGE
12:00 -12:45 Irish Dancers of Savannah
1:00 - 1:45 Henri's Notions
2:00 -2:45 Brendan Nolan
3:00 - 3:45 Pride of Ireland Dancers
4:00 - 4:45 Roger Drawdy & the Firestarters
5:00 - Rathkeltair

PUB STAGE
12:00 -12:45 Jack Hardy and his band
1:00 - 1:45 The Savannah Ceili Band
2:00 -2:45 Roger Drawdy & the Firestarters
3:00 - 3:45 Henri's Notions
4:00 - 4:45 Brendan Nolan

CHILDREN’S STAGE
12:00 - 12:45 Pride of Ireland Dancers
1:00 - 1:45 Gary Maurer's Magic Show
2:00 - 2:45 The Savannah Ceili Band Instrument Demonstration
3:00 - 3:45 Irish Dancers of Savannah
4:00 - 4:45 Gary Maurer's Magic Show

CULTURAL STAGE
12:00 - 12:45 Discussion on the Murals of Bogside Artists of Derry
1:00 - 1:45 Rus Bradburd will discuss his book Paddy on the Hardwood
2:00 - 3:45 Singer/Songwriter Workshop with Harry O’Donoghue, Jack Hardy, and Pat& Rosie Maloney
4:00 - 4 :45 The Ancient Sport of Irish Road Bowling

Harry O'Donoghue

Singer and songwriter Harry O'Donoghue has been voted Best Acoustic Folk Artist three years in a row by Connect Savannah readers. Harry also hosts the wildly popular radio show, The Green Island, broadcast weekly statewide on Georgia Public Radio. Harry has opened for several notable performers including Mary Black and Cathie Ryan and has performed with the Savannah Symphony. Harry also hosts annual music tours of Ireland where he visits his family in his beloved native city Drogheda. Harry will be performing on the Murphy's Law Main Stage as well as hosting a Songwriter's Set on the Buttimer Family Cultural Stage with guests.

Rathkeltair

Highly acclaimed as both a traditional and rock band, Rathkeltair delivers like few bands anywhere. Catch them both days on the Main Stage finale..

Roger Drawdy and the Firestarters

Roger Drawdy continues to be on the cutting edge of new performers with fresh original material. The band is excited about their upcoming fall/2007 cd, which they claim is their best ever.

Henri's Notions

Henri's Notions debut at the Festival representing the artistic gifts Irish and Scottish immigrants brought to the South: a reverence for their roots, four-star quality musicianship, excellent vocals and engaging stage performance. We are delighted to welcome this outstanding group from Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

Brendan Nolan

Brendan Nolan returns with his exceptional musical skills and vocals as a special guest at the Songwriters' Set on the Cultural Stage and as a solo performer on the Pub Stage. Also look for him at Kevin Barry’s Pub the weekend of the festival.

Jack Hardy

Singer/songwriter Jack Hardy lived on the Dingle peninsula for two years but is better known as one of the great American folk songwriters of the late 20th century. We welcome Jack and his band on all stages but especially on the Cultural Stage on the Songwriters Set.

Pat and Rosie Maloney

Pat and Rosie Maloney return with their extraordinary performances of Pat's songs. Make sure to catch the Songwriters' Set on the Cultural Stage as it promises to be the best ever.