The Colorado Irish Festival

July 13-15

The Colorado Irish Festival will be commemorating its 24th Anniversary July 13-15 at Clement Park in Littleton.  The eclectic gathering is known for its outrageous display of kilts and bagpipes, Gaelic sports Irish step dancing, and the best Irish rock and classic music this side of the Emerald Isle.

The Elders, founded in 1998 by six individuals with a passion for music rooted in Americana and Celtic folk rock, will perform all three days at the Fest. After 20 years, the popular band is making their final tour in 2018 and perhaps, their last performances in Colorado at the Colorado Irish Festival.

The Creaming Orphans will perform July 14 & 15. The Screaming Orphans are four sisters with the good fortune to have been raised in the magic of Bundoran, in County Donegal, Ireland.  Their early home life reflected the great tradition of music to be found in Irish homes, especially in the Gaeltacht or Irish-speaking areas. From a young age, they were singing and playing traditional Irish music. Entering their teenage years, though, they knew it was time to form their own band, one with a more contemporary sound.  While never forgetting their roots in traditional Irish music, the Screaming Orphans draw on a diverse set of influences ranging from Simon and Garfunkel to The Bangles and The McNulty Family, with a strong focus on melody-driven songs with pop and rock strains.

The Go Set is new to the festival.  With founding members having been brought up on everything from traditional Celtic and folk music, to early seventies punk rock, The Go Set embarked on a unique musical journey.  Combining the folk elements of the bagpipes, accordion, and mandolin, with distorted punk guitars and a rock n roll ethos, The Go Set has created a sound and direction all its own. They will play Saturday and Sunday.

Performing Friday through Sunday, Cassie and Maggie MacDonald are a dynamic duo who have emerged onto the Celtic music scene as the ones to watch. Born in Halifax, with strong roots in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, the girls have been wowing audiences across the world with their unique blend of original and traditional Celtic music

Jigjam will also perform all three days days and bring their “Celtgrass” – a combination of Celtic and Americana music. This great combination of sounds is infectious, mixing tradition with originality with great vocal harmonies, guitar, banjo, mandolin and double bass.