July 1, 2004���� ����������������������� ����������� ����������� P.O.
Box 92
����������������������� ����������������������� ����������� ����������� McSherrystown, PA 17344
����������������������� ����������������������� ����������� ����������� http://www.adamscountyirishfestival.com
����������������������� ����������������������� ����������� ����������� CONTACT:�� Patrick or Eileen Bowling
����������������������� ����������������������� ����������������������� ����������� ����������� (717)
337-5999
����������������������� ����������������������� ����������������������� ����������� ����������� [email protected]
IRISH FESTIVAL OFFERS FULL DAY OF FUN
Fifth
Annual Adams County Irish Festival Benefit Returns to Gettysburg Moose
�Park on Saturday July 17
����������� GETTYSBURG:� The Fifth Annual Adams County Irish Festival
will be held rain or shine on Saturday July 17, 2004 in the shady grove of the
Gettysburg Moose Park.� The gate opens
at 10:00 AM and the festival runs until 8:00 PM.� The park is located at 100 Moose Road which is just off of US
Route 30 in Straban Township about a mile and a half east of the US 15
interchange.� Admission is $8 for adults
and children under 12 are free.��
����������� With a full day of Irish music,
dancers, food, gifts and more, the festival offers wholesome family fun while
primarily benefiting the Children�s Friendship Project for Northern Ireland
(CFPNI).� CFPNI is a peace and
friendship building program that selects and pairs Catholic and Protestant
teens from Northern Ireland to pursue a friendship between themselves, their
families and friends.� The Festival
Organizing Committee is again partnering with Moose Lodge 1526 of Gettysburg to
fund CFPNI-paired teens to spend time with host families in the U.S. where they
can pursue friendship and understanding in a neutral environment where they can
focus on their similarities rather than differences.� A long-term goal of the festival is to fund the eventual
establishment of a national Irish history museum and library in the Gettysburg
area.���
����������� Southcentral Pennsylvania�s only
Irish festival drew a crowd of about two thousand people last year who enjoyed
local, regional and internationally known musicians, Irish step dancers, Irish
food, music workshops, living history exhibits plus art, craft and gift vendors.� This year�s festival boasts an even more
impressive line-up to mark the fifth annual event.� The schedule features two headline acts from Ireland, Danny
Doyle, and Derek Warfield and the Sons of Erin along with the Baltimore Police
Emerald Society Pipes and Drums, and local favorite Irishtown Road among
others.�
����������� In an impressive concert career that
has spanned more than three decades, �Ireland�s Balladeer� Danny Doyle has been
bringing the ballads, history and stories of Ireland to audiences around the
globe.� Raised in Dublin, Doyle�s
musical style was profoundly influenced by the last of the street singers there
who commented on events of the day through witty and often biting ballads, his
relatives� own stories and some of Dublin�s accomplished literary figures who
happened to be neighbors.� As a
folksinger, Doyle has enjoyed tremendous success both in Ireland and the U.S.
with a number of hit records, TV series, a movie soundtrack and every major
Irish music industry award to his credit.����
����������� Born and bred in Dublin, singer,
songwriter and historian Derek Warfield was a founding member and leader of the
legendary Irish folkband, the Wolfe Tones for over 35 years.� He has written and recorded over 60 songs
and ballads.� Through his songs, music
and lectures, Warfield weaves history together with song to remind the Irish at
home and abroad of their debt to patriots of past generations.� Now, Warfield is becoming the bard of the
American Civil War.� Backed by the Sons
of Erin band, his recent work focuses on the Civil War which involved half a
million Irishmen on both sides.�
Warfield�s latest album, The Bonnie Blue Flag, is the third in
his series of Civil War CDs and showcases the musical story of the Confederate
Irish.�
Also appearing are Harrisburg area
bagpiper Rodney Owens plus the ever-popular Irish folkband from the
Gettysburg-Hanover area, Irishtown Road, who returns to the fest after a year�s
respite.� Rounding out the music slate
are the thunderous sounds of the Baltimore Police Emerald Society Pipes and
Drums who are making their first appearance at the festival along with
Barleyjuice, a kilt-clad, high-energy band from the Philadelphia area and Rant
and Roar, a raucous trio based in New Oxford.�
Irish step dancing is also on tap as the Harrisburg-based Lena McGinley
Ceili Dancers make their festival debut.
In addition to music and dance
performances, several other activities are being offered at the festival.� In addition to an afternoon musical
performance, Derek Warfield will provide a presentation on Irish music in the
Civil War in the morning.�
Festival-goers can also participate in interactive music workshops on
uillean pipes (Irish bagpipes), button accordion, penny whistle and bodhran.� Living history exhibits include Civil War
re-enactors from the 69th New York State Volunteers which was part of the Union
Army�s Irish Brigade plus the circa 1920 West Cork Flying Column who portray
the Army of Irish Volunteers from the Anglo-Irish War that established the
Irish Republic.� Sword fighting
demonstrations by the Live Steel Fight Academy will also be featured.
With Gettysburg as an appropriate
backdrop to celebrate the release of Derek Warfield�s new Civil War album, The
Bonnie Blue Flag, a special pre-festival Reception/CD Release Party is also
being held on Friday July 16 at 7:00 PM at the Gettysburg Hotel.� The event is free and open to the public and
provides an opportunity to meet and greet Derek Warfield and the Sons of Erin
plus other festival performers.
�
����������� For more information, visit the
festival�s website (www.adamscountyirishfestival.com).� The Adams County Irish Festival is an
all-volunteer 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
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(NOTE:� A number of color high-resolution photos are
available in electronic format at your request.)
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