hotels and other festival information
The 2004, 10th Annual Colorado Irish Festival will be held on Saturday and Sunday, July 10th and 11th, from 10 am to 9 pm at Clement Park in the Southwest Metro Denver area.
Hotel information will be available in 2004. Hotel accommodations are generally available in the vicinity of West Hampden Avenue and South Pierce St. and offer fee-based airport shuttle service.
The Colorado Irish Festival features the region's largest outdoor Feis (Irish Stepdancing Competition) and four stages or entertainment venues within the Festival grounds.
When was the festival started?
The Colorado Irish Festival began as a music festival associated with the
Sheabeen Irish Pub in Aurora. In 1995, a group of Irish and Irish-American
community leaders joined to create a formal organization and use the Festival
to raise funds for worthy charitable events and organizations.
We arrived in our present location at Clement Park in 2003 and are happy to return to the wonderful shade and amenities this Foothills Recreation District park offers.
Can I bring my dog to the festival?
At the present time, no. We are considering having an Irish show dog exhibition
in 2004 and, if you'd like to be a part of it, please contact us.
Can I wear my kilt?
Well, without it you may embarrass the ladies! Yes, you may wear your kilt,
your renaissance garb, your ethnic costume or whatever else you wish. In fact
we encourage you to get into the spirit of the event. We do ask, however,
that you dress tastefully and not "expose" more than necessary.
Knives and guns
Knives and guns will NOT be permitted inside the festival grounds. This includes
swords and long knives worn as part of the ethnic dress. A small Sgian Dhub
is acceptable. (If you don't know what that is you shouldn't have one!) Knives
and swords may be purchased at certain authorized booths under the strict
conditions posted at the booth.
Can I bring my own food and cooler?
No, but the Irish Festival offers excellent food and beverage vendors throughout
the festival with reasonable prices. Alcoholic beverages are available at
the Festival to those with proper identification evidenced by the special
wrist-band provided at the ticket booth, and no alcoholic beverages may be
brought on the premises.
Is the Colorado Irish Festival handicap accessible?
Yes. There are accessible walkways throughout the Festival and accessible
bathroom facilities, as well. Some stages are on a grass surface away from
walkways. You can ask any volunteer (they wear the special, recognizable t-shirts)and
they will be happy to assist you.
Where can I buy tickets?
You can buy tickets at the admission gates to the Festival on Festival dates.
Tickets are also available through Tickets West outlets at King Soopers.
Do you take credit cards?
Not at the present time. Many of the vendors take various credit cards, but
check with them first to avoid being disappointed. Gate admissions and purchases
of food and drink tickets require cash.
Can I get cash at the festival?
Yes. There will be a well-stocked ATM machine at the 2004 Colorado Irish Festival.
Refer to the Festival Program map for it's location.
Is there close-in parking?
Parking will be vastly improved in 2004. The Colorado Irish Festival will
be the only activity at Clement Park on its weekend, which will open up significant
parking around the Bowles and Pierce St. entrances. In addition, there is
close parking in the Columbine High School parking lots,
both directly adjacent to the South Entrance of the Festival and further south
on the south side of the High School on Pierce St. The latter
location offers much expanded parking.
Can I take photographs?
Photographs may be taken for personal use only. You may certainly take all
the photos you want of the family drinking a Guinness and eating an Irish
Stew on the lawns. You may also take photos of the vendors and other activities
as long as you obtain permission. You may take a limited number of photos
of the musicians as long as you remain away from the stage and do not use
flash. If they ask you to stop, please do so. Most musicians are very accessible
at the Jameson Irish Music Tent.
The making of any kind of audio recording of any of the entertainers is strictly prohibited, and is a violation of the performing rights owned by the musicians and the SCMA.
How do you pronounce Celtic?
When referring to the seven nations, their culture or their music, the word
Celtic is pronounced with a hard "C", like Keltic. Only the sports
teams, including Glasgow's famous Celtic Rangers, are pronounced with the
soft "C", like Seltic.
What are the Celtic Nations?
The seven Celtic nations are at the extreme reaches of the original Roman
Empire. They are the regions of Europe that were left unconquered by the Romans
during the first Century, due mainly to the fierce resistance put up by the
Celts and the relatively inhospitable lands that they occupied. The seven
nations are Ireland; Scotland; Wales; the Isle of Man (a small island between
England and Ireland); Cornwall (a county in the extreme west of England);
Brittany and Galecia (a region of northern Spain).
