Get Your Eyes Smiling

The 32nd annual North Texas Irish Festival has always tried to be inclusive and inviting to everyone in North Texas, but this year they are opening their festival to a massive but untapped demographic: dogs. This year’s festival theme is “Erin Go Bark!” in which visitors’ dogs can join in...

By Danny Gallagher

February 27, 2014

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The 32nd annual North Texas Irish Festival has always tried to be inclusive and inviting to everyone in North Texas, but this year they are opening their festival to a massive but untapped demographic: dogs. This year’s festival theme is “Erin Go Bark!” in which visitors’ dogs can join in the fun with their human counterparts as they explore the role of “Celtic canines” in Irish culture at this year’s festival from Friday through Sunday at Fair Park. The annual festival will also feature live performances by Celtic musicians such as Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy, the Nuala Kennedy Trio and We Banjo 3, Celtic dance demonstrations by the Emerald School of Irish Dance, the McTeggart Irish Dancers and the Maguire Academy of Irish Dance and many other cultural exhibits and demonstrations. Admission is free on Friday from 6 to 7 p.m. and $10 per person after; one-day tickets are $20 for Saturday and $15 for Sunday, $25 for a two-day pass and $30 for a full weekend pass. Fair Park is located at 1121 1st Ave. in Dallas.
Fri., Feb. 28, 6-11 p.m.; Sat., March 1, 10:30 a.m.-11:30 p.m.; Sun., March 2, 11:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m., 2014

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Danny Gallagher has been a regular contributor to the Dallas Observer since 2014. He has also written features, essays and stories for MTV, the Chicago Tribune, Maxim, Cracked, Mental_Floss, The Week, CNET and The Onion AV Club.

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