Gael Force

To that end, the festival, slated for
Friday, Sept. 5, and Saturday, Sept. 6, in downtown’s Clinton Square,
features an impressive lineup of bands, a Gaelic language Mass,
genealogy lookups and cultural activities from the Onondaga Historical
Association, Erie Canal Museum and Le Moyne College. As announced by
festival executive director and Kitty Hoynes owner David Hoyne, the main-stage musical lineup will include, on Friday: Flying Column, 5 p.m.; Beoga, 6:20 p.m.; The Elders, 8:05 p.m.; and Scythian, 9:45 p.m. Saturday’s music features the Tom Dooley Irish Choraliers, 11:15 a.m.; Ceili Rain with Syracuse native Bob Halligan, 12:45 p.m.; Syracuse Irish Session, 2:05 p.m.; Old Friends, 3:05 p.m.; Enter the Haggis, performing at 4:05 and 9:50 p.m.; The Causeway Giants, 5:35 p.m.; and The Elders, 8:15 p.m.

The festival is honoring retiring Rep. James Walsh (R-Onondaga) with the creation of the James Walsh Scholarship.
This annual $1,000 award will go to a student of Irish descent
attending college in Central New York. Applicants should visit
www.syracuseirishfestival.com to download the application. 

The Syracuse Irish Festival has free
admission. Festival hours are Friday, 4 to 11 p.m., and Saturday, 10
a.m. to 11 p.m. For more information, visit the Web site or call
426-8741.

—Molly Malone