Irish Heritage Festival

2012 Irish Festival expands to 8 days - March 11-18

Dates and details for the 2012 Irish Festival will be announced

Boyne City’s Irish Heritage Festival was  expanded from one night to an Irish Heritage Week with a full range of themed events from March 11 through March 18, 2012. This was the fourth year of the celebration of BoyneCity’s Irish foundations, which began when Irish immigrants John and Harriet Miller settled here in 1856.

In addition to a dinner on March 18, the festival included a four-night Irish Film Festival, two Celtic music sessions, a lecture on Irish history, an Irish dance workshop and a genealogy workshop to provide help tracing family lineage back to the “Olde Country.” Many local businesses will be offering some special Irish items, and decorating their establishments in suitable Irish décor.

The Boyne City Main Street Program produces the event under the leadership of event chairman Linn Williams. The expansion of the festival was made possible by a grant from the Charlevoix County Community Foundation.

The 2011 festival highlight was the Irish Heritage Dinner, from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 18 at the Boyne City Eagles Hall. It was a traditional six-course Irish feast with Celtic music and song, Irish step dancers, a sing-a-long of favorite Irish songs, guest musicians, and, perhaps, a leprechaun. Admission was $15 for adults, $8 for children ages 6 to 12 and free for children under 6. Tickets are available at the Boyne Chamber, Eagles Hall, Local Flavor, and Country Now & Then/Up the Lazy River.

> For further information about the festival call the Boyne City Main Street Program at 231-582-9009 or the Boyne Area Chamber of Commerce at 231-582-6222.

2012 SCHEDULE

All events are free unless otherwise noted.

Sunday, March 11

• Irish Music Session featuring John Richey at Freshwater Studio, 217 S. Lake St., 1-3 p.m. Other musicians are welcome to join in.

Monday, March 12

• Irish Film Fest – To be announced - at the Boyne District Library Community Room, 201 E. Main St.,7-9 p.m.

Tuesday, March 13

• Irish History Lecture - Presented by Dr. George Colburn, PhD in British History. Held at the Boyne District Library Community Room, 201 E. Main St., 6:30 p.m., followed by...
• Irish Film Fest – Film to be announced, at the Boyne District Library Community Room, 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, March 15

• Business After Hours – Boyne Area Chamber networking event hosted by Lynda's Real Estate, 27 S. Lake St.; complimentary admission, hors d'oeuvres and refreshments, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Friday, March 18

• Two-Day Irish Celebration at Café Santé begins today, featuring Irish folksingers Sean and Patrick Ryan from 5:30 to 9 p.m. House-cured corned beef Irish dinner and all-you-can-eat mussels & frites all day. Located at 1 Water Street, details at www.cafesante-bc.com.

• Three-Day Irish Celebration continues at Café Santé, 1 Water Street, featuring House-cured corned beef Irish dinners. Irish folksingers Sean and Patrick Ryan play from 8 to 11 p.m.

Saturday, March 19

• Irish Heritage Dinner featuring a six-course traditional Irish feast, Irish step dancers, Celtic music and song featuring John Richey and Gaeyle Gerrie-Boss, Group sing-a-long, guest musicians and perhaps a leprechaun. Tickets are $15 for adults, $8 for children ages 6 to 12 - available at the Boyne Chamber, Eagles Hall, Local Flavor, and Country Now & Then/Up the Lazy River. Held at the Eagles Community Room, 101 River St., 5-8 p.m.

• Dance Workshops - Irish step dancing and Ceilidh dancing for all ages at the Early Education building cafeteria, corner of Park and Main Streets, 10 a.m. –Noon
• Genealogy Workshop - Trace your family lineage in the “Olde Country” with genealogists from the Charlevoix County Genealogy Society and a guest genealogist. Held at the Boyne District Library Community Room, 201 E. Main St., 1-3 p.m.
• Three-Day Irish Celebration concludes at Café Santé, 1 Water Street, featuring House-cured corned beef Irish dinners. Irish folksingers Sean and Patrick Ryan play from 8 to 11 p.m.

Sunday, March 20

• Celtic Music Session featuring John Richey and Gaeyle Gerrie-Boss at the Boyne District Library Community Room, 201 E. Main St., 1-3 p.m. Other musicians are welcome to join in.