The Burlington Irish Heritage Festival celebrates and raises awareness of Irish and Irish-American culture in Burlington, Vermont and the surrounding region, with a special focus on the calendar period around St. Patrick’s Day. The BIHF works with local musicians, dancers, writers, historians, artists, and co-sponsors to create a core set of events during the week closest to St. Patrick’s Day.

Schedule of Events:

12:00 pm - 2:00 pm: Burlington Irish Heritage Festival Ceili – With McFadden Academy of Irish Dance

The annual Festival Ceili, co-sponsored with Young Tradition Vermont at Vermont Folklife, is fun for the whole family with Irish step dancing and some fine traditional musicians. Hear fiddles and flutes, Irish pipes and penny whistles; and the bodhrán, an Irish frame drum. This music features the Young Tradition Vermont Fiddleheads Residency with Sarah King. Area musicians are welcome to bring their instruments and join in for a lively seisun, led by Denise Dean. Members of the McFadden Academy of Irish Dance will perform and also lead audience participation in ceili dances.

Free! Donations welcome

4:00 pm - 6:00 pm: The Murphy Beds

Eamon O’Leary and Jefferson Hamer (aka The Murphy Beds) present traditional and original folk songs with close harmonies and deft instrumental arrangements on bouzouki, guitar, and mandolin. In 2021 they released their second album, titled “Easy Way Down”, which The Irish Echo called “an incredible collection of songs delivered with grace and ease.” They have toured extensively throughout Europe and North America, with performances at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., Alaska Folk Festival, Milwaukee Irish Festival, WGBH Boston’s Celtic Sojourn, Doolin Folk Festival (Ireland), and Unamplifire Festival (London)

$25 donation suggested/requested