The Journey of the Fest
The Twin Cities Irish Fest wasn’t just built on a weekend — it was built on decades of dedication, a love for heritage, and a commitment to authenticity. Here is how we became the celebration we are today.
1980: The Roots of the Fair
Frustrated by what they saw as the "perversion of Irish culture and celebration of drunkenness that had come to characterize St. Patrick’s Day in St. Paul," a group of Irish Americans—including members of the Ancient Order of Hibernians—founded an annual Irish celebration held in the late summer. Their mission was simple: to reclaim the culture and create a space where the true spirit of Ireland could be shared by all.
"A group of Irish Americans... started an annual Irish celebration... to reclaim the culture." — Irish in Minnesota, by Ann Regan
1998: Growing the Tradition
As the community’s love for the event grew, so did the crowd. The celebration moved to the University of St. Thomas - St. Paul Campus, marking a chapter of significant growth and deeper partnership with local cultural and educational institutions.
2001: Our Miniature Emerald Isle
The festival eventually outgrew its university space, leading to a historic move to Harriet Island. Surrounded by the Mississippi River with the St. Paul skyline in view, the Island became the permanent heart of the festival. For one weekend every August, this stretch of land is transformed into our own miniature Emerald Isle, allowing for larger stages, more vendors, and tens of thousands of guests to gather in a place that truly feels like home.
2020-2021: Resilience and Return
Like the rest of the world, we faced the unprecedented challenge of COVID-19. In 2020, for the safety of our community, the organization took its first year off in four decades. However, the Irish spirit is nothing if not resilient. In 2021, we triumphantly returned to the Island, proving that the heartbeat of the Fest was stronger than ever.
2026: An Annual Holiday
After 45 years as the Irish Fair of Minnesota, we officially rebranded the celebration as Twin Cities Irish Fest. This change was designed to help new generations of festival-goers more easily recognize where the celebration takes place. More importantly, it ushers us into a new era where the Fest is recognized for what it has truly become for so many families: an essential annual holiday — a fixed point on the calendar for reunion, joy, and the modern Irish experience.