Irish Fair of Minnesota Introduces Summer School Session August 11th Presenting a Day to Delve into Irish Culture and Heritage

Irish Fair of Minnesota, in conjunction with the Center for Irish Studies, will introduce a day-long Summer School session to be held at the O'Shaughnessy Educational Center at the University of St. Thomas in Saint Paul on Thursday, August 11th from 10 am to 9:30 pm. Irish Fair Summer School presents a unique opportunity to deepen ones appreciation for Irish culture, music and traditions. Seven distinguished speakers in the fields of theater, music, history, education and literature will share their insights into Irish heritage.

(PRWEB) July 4, 2005 -- Irish Fair of Minnesota, in conjunction with the Center for Irish Studies, will introduce a day-long Summer School session to be held at the O'Shaughnessy Educational Center at the University of St. Thomas in Saint Paul on Thursday, August 11th from 10 am to 9:30 pm. Irish Fair Summer School presents a unique opportunity to deepen ones appreciation for Irish culture, music and traditions. Seven distinguished speakers in the fields of theater, music, history, education and literature will share their insights into Irish heritage.

Speakers include Kate & Jodie Dowling from the Center for Irish Music, Gearóid Ó hAllmhuráin, Jefferson Smurfit Professor of Irish Music from the University of Missouri - St. Louis, Irish musician and entertainer Tommy Makem, who will also be performing at the fair on Friday and Sunday, John Gleeson from the Center for Celtic Studies at the University of Wisconsin -- Milwaukee and Joe Dowling, Artistic Director of the Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis.

The evening session will consist of a viewing of a documentary on renowned Irish play write Sean O'Casey entitled Under a Colored Cap, followed by a presentation by O'Caseys daughter, Shivaun O'Casey, who produced the documentary of his life.

Three different ticketing options are available: $40 for the entire day and evening sessions including lunch and dinner, $20 for the day and evening sessions excluding meals and $10 for the evening presentation by Shivaun O'Casey and viewing of the documentary. To register, please visit the Irish Fair website at http://www.irishfair.com and download the registration form or contact Patrick ODonnell at 651-644-4436 or email patrickodonnell@normandale.edu. The summer school schedule is as follows:

Irish Fair Summer School Schedule:

10-11 am        Kate & Jode Dowling
11-12:30 pm     Gearoid OHallmhurdin
12:30-1:30     Lunch
1:30-3 pm     Tommy Makem
3-4 pm         Patrick ODonnell
4-5 pm         John Gleeson
5-6 pm         Joe Dowling
6-7 pm         Dinner
7-8:30 pm     Under a Colored Cap"
8:30-9:30 pm    Shivaun OCasey

Irish Fair of Minnesota, the largest FREE Irish celebration in the upper Midwest, will be held at Saint Pauls Harriet Island Regional Park Friday through Sunday, August 12-14. Musical headliners this year include Flogging Molly, Young Dubliners, Danu and Tommy Makem. Many other favorite Irish Fair activities will be back including Irish culture and Gaelic language workshops and genealogy booths where patrons can trace their family roots. For more information and a complete entertainment schedule visit www.irishfair.com.

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