Pittsburgh Pennsylvania

The Pittsburgh Irish Festival was September 5th, 6th and 7th, and ClanDonnell was there! 36 bands, 4 stages, 3 days — and ClanDonnell!!! It’s almost too much.

Some of our favorite bands were there – Scythian, Screaming Orphans, Willis Clan, and Socks in the Frying Pan. The Hedge School line up is as fascinating as the music. The festival is at the Riverplex at Sandcastle along the Monongahela River.

ClanDonnell did a Hedge School set – Saturday from 5:30 to 6:00 and Sunday noon to 12:30. We tried to answer the question “Why the Great Hunger” which, by the by, is how the Irish refer to the 19th Century potato famine.

Click the pdf link below for the entertainment schedule, including the Hedge School. ClanDonnell is there, misspelled name and all.

The Pittsburgh City Paper reported this:

The Pittsburgh Irish Festival turns 24 with a three-day party at the Riverplex. Attractions include beverage tastings (you don’t say), an Irish marketplace, food and dance. The musical acts, ranging from traditional to contemporary, include Scythian, Screaming Orphans, Makem & Spain and Pittsburgh’s own Bastard Bearded Irishmen. The history-themed programming includes an appearance by David McDonnell, who is touring nationally with his new book ClanDonnell, about ancestors who started as mercenaries and whose story reflects Ireland’s strife-filled history.

Fox Channel 8 in Youngstown, Ohio ran this in its community calendar:

Critically acclaimed author David McDonnell will be at the Pittsburgh Irish Festival on September 6th and 7th to discuss his book and talk about Irish history. He will discuss “Why the Great Hunger” at the festival’s Hedge School on both days. The author will be available for one-on-one sessions with patrons throughout the festival.