An estimated 7.5 percent of Milwaukee County’s population claim Irish as their ancestry, according to 2022 U.S. Census data. That’s not a large number, but the spirit of the Irish seems to flourish here, expressed in a love for Celtic music.
For St. Patrick’s Day, several of the many Irish pubs in the area are hoisting tents featuring local bands and Irish dancing. East Side Inn and pub County Clare are among them. “We see St. Patrick’s Day as a spiritual holiday; we don’t call it St. Paddy’s,” says general manager Sarah Wilson. “We don’t have green beer, and we do our best to have our event in honor of the patron saint of Ireland.”
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
Milwaukee is a top stop on the Celtic tour circuit, which sees artists playing Irish- and Scottish-flavored music at festivals, pubs and concert venues around the country. The bands – local, national and international – satisfy Celtic American appetites on St. Patrick’s Day and beyond.
One circuit favorite is Gaelic Storm, the band seen entertaining steerage passengers at the “real party” in the film Titanic. They’ll bring their modern Celtic music to the Riverside Theater on March 9 with the High Kings, led by Finbarr Clancy of the legendary Clancy Brothers. This is just one of the Celtic music events happening here in March to honor St. Patrick, the Romano-British priest who spread Christianity in fifth-century Ireland.
“Wisconsin is our biggest market in the whole country. And we’ve played there more times than any other state,” says Gaelic Storm’s Patrick Murphy, a native of Cork, Ireland.
Near the start of their career after the Titanic appearance, Gaelic Storm hit the road. “Thanks to Milwaukee and (Irish Fest founder) Ed Ward, who passed away a few years ago (2019), we came out there, to Milwaukee Irish Fest. It was such a success that we came home from that and all quit our jobs and went full time in 1998,” Murphy says. The band returned to Milwaukee Irish Fest in August 2023 to put on a high-energy show for a large crowd.
At the Irish Cultural and Heritage Center, another local venue where Gaelic Storm has played, there are dances with live music on the fourth Saturday of (most) every month. Located in the Grand Avenue Congregational Church on Wisconsin Avenue, the atmosphere infuses the events with authenticity.
“The music is really strong,” says Rory Modlinski, who books ICHC shows and is the brother of Molly Modlinski, who’s the current director of Irish Fest.
“And we’re seeing a resurgence of Irish traditional music in folks who are 20 years younger than I am.”
Do St. Patrick’s Day in Milwaukee
Shamrock Shuffle Bar Crawl
MARCH 2
In this 15th annual event, participants can pick from four areas: Third Street, Water Street, Brady Street and Walker’s Point. The crawl has donated over $103,000 to charity since it began in 2010, organizers say.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade
MARCH 9 AT NOON | DOWNTOWN MILWAUKEE
The Shamrock Club of Wisconsin presents the 56th annual parade, with Irish dance groups pipe and drum corps and more. The parade goes along Wisconsin Avenue, Plankinton and MLK Drive.
Gaelic Storm and the High Kings
MARCH 9 | RIVERSIDE THEATER
Billboard world music chart-toppers Gaelic Storm are joined by The High Kings, fronted by Clancy Brothers descendant Finbarr Clancy and known for their lively sound created by thirteen instruments.
Céilí Dance
MARCH 9 | CELTICMKE CENTER
The center in Tosa has monthly céilí dance gatherings. Local Celtic band Ceol Cairde will power this traditional Irish social dancing.
Reilly
MARCH 14 | OAK CREEK PERFORMING ARTS & EDUCATION CENTER
Four-piece band Reilly does folk rock, Celtic covers and original pieces. Past winners of the Wisconsin Area Music Industry award for folk/Celtic artist of the year. Dinner is included at this Irish celebration.
Danú
MARCH 14 | WILSON CENTER
This traditional, high-energy Irish ensemble is a favorite at the Wilson Center. A mix of old and new music results in festival appearances across Ireland for Danú.
Daimh
MARCH 15 | IRISH CULTURAL AND HERITAGE CENTER
Based in Nova Scotia, Canada, and the Isle of Skye, Scotland, this Gaelic supergroup is made up of masters at rousing Highland music.
Windy Kilts, The Scrubbers, Blackthorn Folly and Frogwater
MARCH 16 & 17 | COUNTY CLARE
Two nights of traditional Irish music, dancers from the Beglan Academy of Irish Dance and Irish food at this inn and pub. There will be a full Irish breakfast Sunday and Irish American classics including corned beef and cabbage roasted in house.
Scythian
MARCH 16 | IRISH CULTURAL AND HERITAGE CENTER
D.C.-based Scythian (SITH-ee-yin) is a frequent headliner at Celtic festivals and a hit at bluegrass/Americana festivals. “Scythian’s enthusiasm is contagious,” says The Washington Post. They do high-energy folk music.
Frogwater
MARCH 16 | OCONOMOWOC ARTS CENTER
The catalog of this Milwaukee duo features Celtic, bluegrass, old-time, blues and original material. Frogwater won the 2023 WAMI award for best folk/Celtic group. Dinner option sales close March 8.
Luck of the Irish Race
MARCH 17 | VETERANS PARK
You can walk or run at these 10K and 5K races along Lake Michigan. Participants are encouraged to dress in Irish gear. You’ll get a long-sleeve shirt to remember the event.
