Mar 15, 2024 - Holidays

Portland Irish Festival goes bigger than ever

Joseph Gallivan

Revelers in a tent in Portland at the Kells Portland Irish Festival — Revelers at the Portland Irish Festival. Photo: Courtesy of Kells Irish Pub

Over three decades, Gerard McAleese has grown Kells Irish Pub's St. Patrick's Day celebration into a three-day festival across three venues with multiple forms of entertainment.

Why it matters: What used to consist of the Yeates Irish dancers, Gaelic folk music, and a U2 cover band, has grown into an official piece of the regeneration of downtown Portland.

The big picture: This year's festival, which starts Friday, features the Holy Family Boxing Club, representing Ireland.

What to expect: The Portland Irish Festival now includes an Irish musical instrument petting zoo, Irish cuisine (McAleese lists a lot of pasties) and currach boat demonstrations.

Check out: Sami Rouissi, a Frenchman who toured Europe with an Irish group for eight years, and Pauric O Meara, a one-man boy band from Dublin.

Acts shuttle between Tom McCall Waterfront Park, Kells Irish Pub on SW 2nd Avenue, and Kells Brewery on NW 21st Avenue, which is run by McAleese's son Garrett.
And yes, there is still a U2 tribute band, TribU2.

Sunday's charity race, the Shamrock Run, is now also part of the festival.

Runners don't have to pay the $30 cover charge if they show their medal.

But back to the boxing.

There are seven bouts, starting Friday at 7pm, and the fighting is sanctioned by Golden Gloves, meaning the fighters have to be matched by win record and weight.

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Portland Irish Festival goes bigger than ever

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