This year’s Festival will present Irish culture and history, from pre-history through the present day.

In the Clós (or courtyard) of the Irish Cultural Center, there'll be demonstrations on making an Irish Bodhran (Drum) presented by Len Rheaume, on making Brack (a traditional Irish Halloween bread) as well as a demonstration on traditional Irish lacemaking.

C.R.O.F.T. will enact the daily life of the ancient Celts. C.R.O.F.T. is an organization of individuals interested in researching and re-enacting the lifestyles & trades of the Celtic people from 400BC to 1746 AD. And you’ll be able to research your Irish roots and learn the source of your Irish name.

In an around the cottage, you'll find Patricia’s Tea Shop where you can sample good Irish tea and scones, as you listen to traditional Irish Harpist, Chris Boydston. At 11:30, Sean Lee will give an informative presentation on The Book of Kells, sharing images from the replica in the Kells room. Purchase a Heritage Brick a to place your family name on the Map of Ireland in the Clós.

Many of the cultural offerings of this year’s Festival will be found in An Halla Mor, The Great Hall in the Irish Cultural Center. Browse the beautiful Irish Crystal exhibited by Mary Munelly, owner of the award-winning Celtic Crystal in County Galway, Ireland. Listen to a traditional Irish Seisiun, and stories of Irish Legend and Samhain read by Lynn Mascarelli.

In the back of the hall, under the beautiful mural of an Irish Countryside, Bushmills Irish Whiskey Tastings will be held at 12:15, 2:15 and 4:15. Attend a tasting and discover the differences between the Bushmills Blended and Single Malt Irish Whiskies; Featuring Bushmills Original and Black Bushmills Irish whiskey. Bushmills 10 year old single malt, which is 2009’s Irish whiskey of the year, and Bushmills 16 year old, three wood finishes create an amazing single malt Irish whiskey.

Tales of Halloween in Ireland will be told around the hearth of the Great Hall at the Irish Cultural Center. Stories are adapted and told by Lynne Williams Mascarelli.

Stories of the banshee, the pooka, the changelings, and other dark spirits of the evening, and will include the telling of the exploits of the cultural heroes like Cuchallain, Finn McCool, and Brian Boru. This will unfold between sets by the musicians, the whiskey tasting, and other presentations throughout the day.

• 12:00 - Mary Munelly of Ireland’s Celtic Crystal
• Bushmills Irish Whiskey Tastings
in the Great Hall at 12:15, 2:15 and 4:15
Attend a tasting and discover the differences between the Bushmills Blended and Single Malt Irish Whiskies; Featuring Bushmills Original and Black Bushmills Irish whiskey. Bushmills 10 year old single malt, which is 2009’s Irish whiskey of the year, and Bushmills 16 year old, three wood finishes create an amazing single malt Irish whiskey.

In and around the Cottage

• Pat’s Tea Shoppe (tea and scones)
• 11:30am - The Book of Kells presented by Sean Lee.
• Celtic Harpist
• Heritage Brick Sales

In the Clós (Courtyard)

• Making an Irish Bodhran (Drum)
presented by Len Rheaume
• Demonstrations on making Brack
(a traditional Irish Halloween bread)
• History and Genealogy