Festival Announced: Lúnasa at the Irish Cultural Center

Lunasa FestivalThe Irish Cultural Center of Western New England, along with Black Rose Academy of Irish Dance and Cassin Academy of Irish Dance, is excited to announce a new Irish cultural festival hosted on the grounds of the ICC at 429 Morgan Road in West Springfield on Saturday, August 25.

Lúnasa at the ICC will take place from 12:00 – 7:00 pm, and will be a day of Irish dance, music, and culture. This family friendly event will have something for everyone. Irish dance exhibitions by the Cassin Academy of Irish Dance and Black Rose Academy of Irish Dance will be featured throughout the day. Visitors will be able to take part in dance instruction, learn about the Irish language, visit vendors of Irish crafts and products, and participate in workshops featuring Irish arts and culture. Bakers can enter an Irish soda bread competition. A more detailed program of the day’s events will be forthcoming.

SearsonIn the evening, the Celtic roots group Searson will headline the festival. Known for their original music from Canada’s Ottawa Valley, mixed with traditional Celtic, East Coast, and Scottish, Searson is acclaimed for “Giving Canada’s old time sounds a renewal into modern roots…seamlessly blending spirited fiddling, energetic dancing and gorgeous harmonies.” Learn more.

The festival will take place rain or shine in the outdoor pavilion area on the ICC grounds. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 6–12, and free for children 5 and under. Purchase advance tickets online.

Register for the Irish soda bread competition.

Businesses and individuals interested in providing sponsorship for the festival are encouraged to download a sponsorship form for details, or call the ICC at 413-333-4951.

Smoking is not permitted on the festival grounds. Dogs are not allowed, except service animals

The Irish word “Lúnasa” (loon-uh-suh) is traditionally used to describe an ancient Irish festival to celebrate the beginning of the harvest season and end of the summer months.

The Irish Cultural Center of Western New England is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization that emphasizes cultural and educational programming. The ICC focuses on providing access to Irish-oriented lectures, concerts, exhibitions of art, artifacts and memorabilia, political discussions, international relations, GAA sports, Irish language classes, summer youth camps, student international exchange and genealogical research. The ICC also serves as a bridge between the Irish government and the Western New England region.

Cassin Academy of Irish Dance and Black Rose Academy of Irish Dance are both run by fully certified TCRGs through An Coimisiun Le Rinci Gaelacha in Dublin, Ireland. Both schools aim to pass on the tradition of Irish dance to the next generation of dancers.

PRESENTING SPONSOR: Sarat Ford Lincoln
GREEN SPONSORS: Healys Irish Program / Bates Fullam Insurance / Lisa Oleksak-Sullivan, Coldwell Banker / Atty. Kick Sullivan / Jerome’s Party Plus / Kathleen Doe Creative Design