Week 32: The Irish Fair

I’ve been to Ireland twice, but never to the Irish Fair. Week 32’s new experience of the Irish Fair is a really good alternative to Ireland, especially considering price: trip to Ireland – a couple thousand dollars, Irish Fair – FREE (admission that is, the booze and food will cost you).

 The Irish Fair was held August 13-15 on Harriet Island in St. Paul.  My plan was to head to the Fair on Sunday with several people, however all of them cancelled (you know who you are).  I was really debating on whether or not I should venture out on my own, but it was a beautiful day outside, perfect for enjoying some spirits while listening to music – music sung by men with Irish accents   and this is what my resolution is all about, putting myself in new situations, doing what I want to do regardless of others.  So I headed to the Fair.

I arrived around 1:00pm, just in time to see the Hurling Exhibition.  Hurling is a Gaelic team sport played with sticks called hurleys and a ball.  The players use their hurleys to hit a small ball through their opponent’s goalposts, either on top of the crossbar for one point or under the crossbar for three points. The ball can be caught in the hand and carried for up to four steps, struck in the air or struck on the ground with the hurley.  A player who wants to carry the ball for more than three steps has to bounce or balance the ball on the end of the stick. When I was in Ireland, I met some men who were into hurling and they had told me it was a very rough sport.  I was surprised to see women playing on the field with men at the Fair.  No one was injured while I was watching the match, but I could see how a smack with a hurley wouldn’t feel that good.

 After the hurling match, I wondered over to the Pub Tent and bought a Harp, it’s considered the poor man’s beer in Ireland, but I still like it.  I listened to the band playing at the Cara Irish Pubs Stage, the High Kings.  They are band actually from Ireland and they were wonderful; I am a sucker for Irish accents.  After listening for awhile I headed to the Marketplace to look around – way too many people and I have plenty of Irish accessories and bric-a-brac, so I got out of there in a hurry.  I made my way to the Native Dogs of Ireland tent – so cute, see below.

I looked around the cultural tents and headed back to listen to the High Kings.  I decided to use some of my tickets at the Jameson tasting tent.  I could have tried several types of whiskey or the Big Ginger (Jameson and Ginger Ale), but I’m partial to Jameson on the rocks, a habit picked up in Ireland, so I stuck with my old stand-by.  I was listening to the music from inside the Jameson tent when a herd of sheep came walking by with a border collie chasing them – again, so cute.

Before I left I checked out another tent that had Irish dance instruction.  I was too late to join in, so I just watched; it looked like so much fun!  Even though I didn’t get to partake in the Irish dancing fun this time – I can add it to my list of adventures as there is Irish dance instruction every Wednesday night at the Dubliner pub. 

INFORMATION:

 www.irishfair.com

Hurling Match

The High Kings

Native Irish Dog

Another Irish Dog

Jameson Tent and Barkeep

Sheep

Irish Dance Lesson