Fine food, music, arts and more

Taoiseach Enda Kenny gathered in Dublin with organizers of iFest as plans for this first major Irish Festival were announced this summer. The three-day event boasts that it will present the “Best of Ireland.” Photo courtesy iFest Boston

iFest Boston, a first of its kind original festival of contemporary Ireland, has a jam-packed itinerary for its inaugural event, taking place in Boston at the Seaport World Trade Center on September 26-28.

Presenting the best of Irish culture through the interactive iFest pillars of food & drink, live entertainment, culture and creativity, Irish roots, sporting heritage, and tourism and hospitality, the festival invites attendees to immerse themselves in all things Irish during three weekend sessions. Each five-hour session will feature the following events, designed to balance the Irish spirit of fun with rich cultural experiences.

Mayor Marty Walsh has endorsed iFest and the Boston launch is predicted to attract more than 40,000 visitors of all ages who will experience an insider’s all-access view into the lives and work of some of the most prestigious and honored Irish personalities while celebrating the rich history of the island nation.

“At a very practical economic level, iFest is a great opportunity for Irish and Massachusetts business to further our strong business links, to promote small businesses in the iFest Best of Boston feature, and to showcase the city’s great tourism, food, and hospitality offerings, alongside our unique culture, and dynamic business, and community,” said Walsh.

Entertainment: Enjoy today’s Irish sound with its blending of trends and traditions, during performances on the main iFest Festival Stage and the Commonwealth Hall Stage. Each session will feature performances from the following: Paddy Moloney, founding member of virtuoso folk Irish band The Chieftains and musical ambassador to iFest; Jack L, one of Ireland’s best-loved performers and a six-time Platinum artist known for his inventive “baroque-and-roll”; Top Irish rock band The Rip Tide Movement; the Damien Mullane Trio, led by 27-year-old virtuoso accordionist Damien Mullane; and Seo Linn, an up-and-coming Trad performer whose Gaelic version of Avicii’s hit “Wake Me Up” took YouTube by storm.

The internationally celebrated Irish dance group Riverdance will perform a special showcase of their recent, acclaimed Heartbeat of Home show with Paddy Moloney. Festival-goers will have a chance to join in the fun during special outdoor Ceilí (a social form of folk dance) and Irish dance master classes, all led by members of the Riverdance Irish Dance Troupe.

Food and drink: Celebrate the taste of contemporary Irish cuisine with top Irish and American chefs, exquisite native ingredients, and artisan products. In Commonwealth Hall, a Chef Demonstration Theatre provides an intimate setting where Irish and Bostonian chefs including Darina Allen, Kevin Dundon, Cathal Armstrong, Barbara Lynch, Ana Sortun, Lydia Shire, and Ming Tsai will demonstrate sophisticated interpretations of Ireland’s traditional fare. Festival-goers can also enjoy a taste of an Irish tradition at the Bewley’s Boston Irish Tea Party, an afternoon tea hosted by Bewley’s Tea with fresh-baked pastries from top Boston pastry chef Maura Kilpatrick of Sofra.

The arts, sports: Avid readers will appreciate the iFest literary salon featuring up and coming Irish and American authors, and fashionistas will bask in a showcase of costume design from Emmy- Award winning Joan Bergin and fashion shows from Junk Kouture. Visitors with a burning desire to explore their Irish roots can indulge in master classes from the genealogy expert and author John Grenham of “Who Do You Think You Are?” on the TLC network. A scintillating documentary called “Ireland Through the TV Lens” will also be featured from RTÉ, Ireland’s National Television and Radio Broadcaster. Athletes and sporting aficionados will take great pleasure in a meet and greet with sports stars of the GAA, hitting a sliotar at the hurling simulator and watching iconic matches.

Opening with a trade preview on Friday, September 26, iFest has both a consumer and a business dimension, promoting the Irish food and hospitality sectors in conjunction with the state agencies, and supporting exports, tourism, and direct investment. 
The event will be open to the public on Fri., Sept., 26, from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m; on Saturday, Sept. 27 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and from 6 p.m.to 11 p.m.; and on Sunday, Sept. 28 from noon to 5 p.m.

“iFest is about reframing Ireland through the extraordinary talent of its people and celebrating our unique culture,” says iFest founder and CEO Rachel Kelly. “Ultimately, it is an engaging and entertaining experience of Ireland highlighting elements ranging from music and the arts to our renowned gastro culture and everything in between.”

For more information and updates, see ifestboston.com.