Southern Illinois Irish Festival celebrates Celtic culture in Carbondale
CARBONDALE, Ill. (KFVS) - A popular event honoring Irish culture and heritage returned to the Heartland.
The Southern Illinois Irish Festival took place on Saturday and Sunday, April 26-27.
This year, the two-day event took place at its new location in Evergreen Park in Carbondale.
There were live performances, demonstrations, food, including traditional food provided by a local restaurant, vendors, games, and more.
The family-friendly festival was free to attend. There was also a free concert on Friday, April 25, at the Varsity Center for the Arts.
On the Lash performed live with their original take on traditional Irish music.
Doors and bar opened at 6 p.m. and music began at 7 p.m. Donations were accepted for the Southern Illinois Irish Festival.
Board president Thomas Grant said there was plenty to look forward to.
“We work all year, very hard, we have a good group of people that are very dedicated to putting this together so that the community can have something different and fun to come to, and invite people from all over the region to come in,” Grant said.
The event has outgrown its former location of Turley Park. This year, Grant said he hoped attendance would reach 1,200 to 1,500.
Grant said activities are inspired by more than just Irish traditions.
“It’s Irish Celtic, so the Celtic peoples cover almost all of Europe, all the way into Germanic tribes in Poland,” Grant said.
There were a variety of things to do, including children’s activities, cricket demonstrations and Scottish highland games.
“If you’ve never seen men in kilts throw telephone poles, you need to see that,” Grant said.
New this year, Grant said, organizers added something known as a snug.
“Back in the days, ladies weren’t allowed into the pubs, and so they would build a little room and the ladies could go in there out of sight and enjoy a pint,” Grant said. “That became later kind of a quiet area where the local musicians would gather and play music with each other.”
Grant invited anyone to take part.
“If you have a musical instrument that you play, even spoons, a kazoo, wax paper on your comb, a guitar, whatever, you can come and try and make music with some friends,” Grant said.
Next year will mark 25 years for the Southern Illinois Irish Festival. Grant said at future events, he hopes to bring international performers to the area.
If you’re interested in attending the Southern Illinois Irish Festival next year, mark your 2026 calendar for the last weekend of April.
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