Crestwood :: Midlothian :: Oak Forest :: Posen
Tent offers history lesson in Irish music
Oak Forest Gaelic Park completes annual Irish Fest
May 29, 2008

By Michael Drakulich, Staff Writer

There were many of the familiar sights of a festival celebrating Irish heritage at Gaelic Park last weekend.

There was a wide menu of food and drink being sampled, especially a few pints of Guinness. There were all sorts of Irish souvenirs and jewelry to buy. And, of course, Irish-themed entertainment was everywhere audiences turned.

But there was a new attraction toward the south end that brought a steady stream of curious onlookers. Once you stepped into the white tent you might be greeted by U2's Bono or Live Aid creator Bob Geldof on a television screen as they talked about Ireland's contribution to pop music.

Throughout the tent were photos of Ireland's most successful musicians. Some crossed over to success in the U.S., such as Van Morrison, The Cranberries, Thin Lizzy, Sinead O'Connor and The Corrs.

Others have been tremendously successful in Ireland but remain on the fringes here, such as The Pogues, The Chieftains, Clannad, Black 47 and The Saw Doctors. Nevertheless, it was meant to illustrate Ireland's worldwide music appeal.

And judging by the people it pulled in, it was a success.

The music archive was a big part of the cultural tent, which was introduced at the fest for the first time this year. The archive was created by Ward Irish Music Archives in Milwaukee.

David O'Carroll, who was in charge of public relations at the cultural tent, said he and organizer John Devitt found the display when they visited Milwaukee's Irish Fest last year.

"We saw it and said we had to have it. We're trying to draw in the younger crowds. That's also why we have a lot of Irish rock bands performing this year."
The video footage had several of Ireland's music icons commenting on what they thought of their Irish contemporaries. Bono recounted how he and Boomtown Rats lead singer Geldof started out about the same time.

Both talked about putting together the single "Do They Know It's Christmas" in 1984 for famine relief in Ethiopia and the subsequent "Live Aid" concerts.
Bill Whelan, who composed the music for the hit stage show "Riverdance," talked about his influences and the the Irish music he loved to listen to, particularly the group Clannad.

Howard Veitch and his wife Debbie Harris made quite a few trips into the tent to check out the archive.

"This whole fest is great. I'm from South Africa and you wouldn't see anything like this in my country. But this is a nice perspective on the Irish contributions to rock music. It allows you insight into the people behind the music. It makes me want to go out and buy a few more discs," Veitch said.

But rock music wasn't all that made up the tent. Other attractions were brought in to illustrate parts of Irish culture that aren't as mainstream.

The tent featured a seanachai (pronounced Shawn-a-key), or Irish storyteller Kate Danaher who regaled audiences with Irish folk stories.

There was a parade of dog breeds that originated in Ireland and are recognized by the American Kennel Club. And there was a display of the hearty Connemara Ponies.

Bernie O'Donnell exhibited the knitting of traditional Irish sweaters, such as those worn by fisherman in Galway.

Perhaps one of the most well-attended attractions was when audiences were taught how to pour a pint of Guinness with the perfect head.

Devitt, who was in charge of the cultural tent this year, said he liked seeing people come in to peruse the posters, photos and other memorabilia.

"We hope this will be a staple of the fest for years to come. And we'll work to try to expand and grow it in the future," Devitt said.

Michael Drakulich can be reached at mdrakulich @ southtownstar.com or (708) 802-8841.