Need insider info on Dublin, OH IrishFest
June 15, 2009 8:55 PM Subscribe
I am looking for insider info about the Dublin, Ohio, Irish Fair.
Wanted to ask actual MeFites.
Travel advice? Good places to eat? Great local bands? Things to bring? (Other than a few gallons of sunblock for my own Celtic-pale hide.)
Thanks, hivemind!
Banannafish is right. Everyone from the neighboring suburbs (Worthington, Hilliard, Westerville, etc...) pours into Coffman Park for an excuse to drink and stuff their faces with Irish-themed fair food and pretend it's St. Patrick's Day again. It's as much about Irish culture as the Columbus Arts Festival is about art.
posted by HopperFan at 9:41 PM on June 15, 2009
posted by HopperFan at 9:41 PM on June 15, 2009
Only been once, this previous summer, so I can't claim tons of experience, but I do at least speak from most-recent fair experience.
Parking won't cost you anything, but you'll end up all sorts of far away. Be ready for a whole lot of walking. That's probably the only non-expensive thing about the fair - food and drinks cost a whooole lot.
Drinks are purchased on a token system, so you get IDed and buy tokens at a separate booth. There are very few drink tents, so they tend to be really crowded. Travesty - there's no Guinness. Apparently they got into a deal and so the closest you can get is Killian's. Sigh.
As banannafish said, the food is very carnival - there are a few booths that make a token nod toward Irish-y food, but it's not very good. Expect fried, expensive, and fairly small portions.
The real highlight is the music. See Gaelic Storm, for sure. "Brother" is another fabulous group that was there last year - hope they're coming back. The Prodigals are also very, very good.
Overall, it's a pretty big fair, so it's pretty commercial, but there's color to be seen if you head toward the fringes. Crafting tents are very good, but don't expect much out of food/drinks. And, of course, the music is hands down the best.
posted by Rallon at 9:48 PM on June 15, 2009
Parking won't cost you anything, but you'll end up all sorts of far away. Be ready for a whole lot of walking. That's probably the only non-expensive thing about the fair - food and drinks cost a whooole lot.
Drinks are purchased on a token system, so you get IDed and buy tokens at a separate booth. There are very few drink tents, so they tend to be really crowded. Travesty - there's no Guinness. Apparently they got into a deal and so the closest you can get is Killian's. Sigh.
As banannafish said, the food is very carnival - there are a few booths that make a token nod toward Irish-y food, but it's not very good. Expect fried, expensive, and fairly small portions.
The real highlight is the music. See Gaelic Storm, for sure. "Brother" is another fabulous group that was there last year - hope they're coming back. The Prodigals are also very, very good.
Overall, it's a pretty big fair, so it's pretty commercial, but there's color to be seen if you head toward the fringes. Crafting tents are very good, but don't expect much out of food/drinks. And, of course, the music is hands down the best.
posted by Rallon at 9:48 PM on June 15, 2009
As a local I have to agree. It's just a big drinking party. There are authentic bands that come to play and some good step dancing showes, but it's more about hanging out with friends. If you have some buddies who want to hang out and drink, or people who want to sit and watch the showes it can be a good time.
posted by Stirdog at 9:50 PM on June 15, 2009
posted by Stirdog at 9:50 PM on June 15, 2009
I've been for the past two years and I've enjoyed myself each time. My husband usually signs up for the whiskey tasting seminar (which comes with lots of whiskey) and I always have a good time petting the fine specimens of Irish dog breeds. We even signed up to join the world's largest Irish jig.
The food is not horrendously expensive, but it's priced like carnival food and only a few stands have anything to do with Irish cuisine.
Still, there is definitely stuff worth trying. If you don't live in Columbus you absolutely must stop at the Jeni's Ice Cream stand. They use really fresh ingredients and make the craziest, but most delicious ice cream. I never imagined that cardamom or salty caramel ice cream existed, but they do and they are fabulous. Also, there is a booth that sells the most amazing fried pickles.
I bring a bandana every year to cover my scalp because the sun is really intense.
Oh, and if you're looking for a nice place to eat outside of the festival check out Marcella's.
posted by Alison at 5:22 AM on June 16, 2009 [1 favorite]
The food is not horrendously expensive, but it's priced like carnival food and only a few stands have anything to do with Irish cuisine.
Still, there is definitely stuff worth trying. If you don't live in Columbus you absolutely must stop at the Jeni's Ice Cream stand. They use really fresh ingredients and make the craziest, but most delicious ice cream. I never imagined that cardamom or salty caramel ice cream existed, but they do and they are fabulous. Also, there is a booth that sells the most amazing fried pickles.
I bring a bandana every year to cover my scalp because the sun is really intense.
Oh, and if you're looking for a nice place to eat outside of the festival check out Marcella's.
posted by Alison at 5:22 AM on June 16, 2009 [1 favorite]
Seconding Jeni's ice cream if you're not from Columbus. Don't get confused and get ice cream from the Graeter's booth instead - it doesn't even begin to compare. I've never actually been to the festival myself, but I might try to go this year. A friend of mine who works just down the hall works at the festival every year, so if you have specific questions send me some mail and I can get any info you need from her.
posted by thejanna at 5:54 AM on June 16, 2009
posted by thejanna at 5:54 AM on June 16, 2009
You MUST try Jeni's. Salty Caramel, Thai Chili, any of the sorbets...so, so good. The other off-festival place I'd recommend is North Star Cafe. It may be a welcomed oasis of air conditioning and calm (and great non-fair food) at some point during your visit.
posted by BlooPen at 6:01 AM on June 16, 2009
posted by BlooPen at 6:01 AM on June 16, 2009
Response by poster: Update- thanks for all your answers- looks like I'm not going this year, as my traveling companions aren't up for overheated tent environs for their concertgoing pleasure.
Fie. Will file Jeni's away for future reference. Sounds yummy!
And if the Peatbog Faeries play next year, I'm going to get myself there, even if I have to walk.
posted by SaharaRose at 11:05 PM on June 19, 2009
Fie. Will file Jeni's away for future reference. Sounds yummy!
And if the Peatbog Faeries play next year, I'm going to get myself there, even if I have to walk.
posted by SaharaRose at 11:05 PM on June 19, 2009
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by banannafish at 9:11 PM on June 15, 2009