There’s so much to look forward to at the 23rd South Buffalo Irish Festival, including world-class live Irish music across three stages, bagpipe bands, Irish dancers, a kids’ zone with games, a rock climbing wall, and local vendors. This family friendly festival is the perfect way to enjoy a day at a splendid Olmsted Park, while experiencing boatloads of Irish culture.
The 2024 festival, presented by South Buffalo Irish Roots, will take place on Saturday, August 24, from 12pm to 10pm at Cazenovia Park.
“We are so excited for the return of the South Buffalo Irish Festival and Culture Circle,” said South Buffalo Roots President, Kathleen Sullivan, “We are especially proud to have expanded our celebration of Irish heritage to two days of inclusive family-friendly events, with all money raised at our South Buffalo Roots events going straight back into the local community.”
Headliners for this year’s festival include:
American six-piece Celtic punk band from Chicago, The Tossers
Canadian Celtic punk band, The Peelers, who are celebrating their 25th anniversary in 2024
1916, the modern Irish punk psychobilly band from Upstate New York
On the Lash, a four-piece Irish trad band hailing from Kalamazoo, MI
Crikwater (Buffalo)
AJ & The Woods (Buffalo)
Yellow Jack (Buffalo)
McCarthyizm (Buffalo)
Per usual, the festival will kick off the night before, with the Culture Circle on Friday, August 23, 2024 from 6:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m. at the Buffalo Irish Center (245 Abbott Road).
Starting at 6:00 p.m. in the Emerald Room, Rince na Tiarna Adult Dance Instructor Katie Cunningham leads an Irish dance workshop open to all ages and levels of experience, leading up to the ceili (a traditional Irish social group dance) hosted by Ellen Scahill and featuring a live ceili band with festival musicians.
The evening includes a special performance by the Rince na Tiarna Adult Irish Dancers, South Buffalo Irish-themed trivia hosted by TE Caulfield, and concludes with a traditional Irish music session.
Participation in the Culture Circle, hosted by SBIF mainstage performers and members of South Buffalo Roots, is free.
Schedule:
6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. – Emerald Room Irish Dance Workshop for Beginners – Get your feet warmed up with an Irish Dance Class for Beginners with Katie Cunningham and the Rince na Tiarna Adult Irish Dancers, no experience required and all ages welcome
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. – Emerald Room Ceili – Ellen Scahill calls the Culture Circle Ceili, featuring a live ceili band led by button accordion player John Ryan with musicians from the SBIF including Randy Clepper, John Sherman, Mark Warford, Natalie Bennett, Gregor Harvey, Charlie Coughlin, and Leah Rankin
7:00 p.m. – Bar/Claddagh Room – Trivia – When you know, you know! Take a break from the dancing with a special South Buffalo Irish edition of Trivia at the bar, hosted by TE Caulfield
9:00 p.m. – Emerald Room- Traditional Irish music session Bring your instruments for late night tunes
The full music lineup and further details can be found at www.southbuffaloirishfestival.org.
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