The Indy Irish Fest will be celebrating its 20th year in 2015. The festival was originally the vision of a small group of people who wanted to showcase the heritage, music and culture of the Irish people and the contributions of that culture to our city and state. They have served the community in the fields of religion, education, medicine, law, the arts, politics and commerce.

The initiation of festival and accompanying activities created opportunities to share Irish heritage through music, dance, cultural activities, and family fun! The festival itself has grown from a single afternoon event with attendance of fewer than 400 to a four-day weekend celebration that draws over 30,000 attendees from the entire region and beyond. 

It has been established as one of the most well attended and cherished cultural events in the city of Indianapolis. These accomplishments are all the results of a dedicated group of volunteers who spend countless hours working to honor their roots and showcase their culture.

Now in our 20th year, Indy Irish Fest establishes the Green Tie Gaela. The new event is a celebration of the fest as it has survived and thrived for 20 years, but also a way to educate friends of the festival about our long-standing goal for the city: the establishment of a brick and mortar Irish Cultural Heritage Center. This would stand as a lasting tribute to the long history of the Irish and their continuing contributions in Indiana.

Our vision would include a location that can accommodate Irish dance, language, music, history instruction, and gathering space for Irish organizations in addition to a museum and performance spaces. Outdoor space that could include Irish sports and even the festival itself would be ideal.

You are invited! Help us celebrate what has been accomplished in 20 years and be there for the kick off of a much larger endeavor. This will be a chance to green yourself up in a fancy way and party with those who were green long before it was cool.