Irish Days return to Long Grove
Rosalinda Barry was not Irish, her husband Paddy says, but she developed a love for all things Irish and even developed a bit of a brogue that he admits he did not recognize at first.
Barry adds people would be surprised when they walked into Paddy's on the Square in Long Grove and discovered the woman with the Irish accent they heard on the phone was Filipino.
As Rosalinda battled cancer seven years ago, Barry said, his son John suggested they should organize a festival to commemorate her. Irish Days was born, and for its sixth year continues to offer Irish music, dance, food and fun to all.
"She would love this. She would enjoy every minute of it," Barry said.
Irish Days runs Saturday, Sunday and Monday, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day, at the Fountain Square in the Long Grove historic village.
The festival is sponsored by Paddy's on the Square and the Irish Boutique.
Among the highlights each year is the Best Legs in a Kilt contest that begins at 6:20 p.m. each night. Competitors may bring their own kilt or borrow one from Paddy's on the Square.
"It has been a lot of fun," Barry said. "We pick women from the audience to do the judging. And there is no bribing allowed."
All dogs are Irish during Irish Days and also can compete. Registration to join the Irish dog contest, which includes dog prince, princess, king and queen categories, is 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day at the Dog House, 405 Robert Parker Coffin Road. Barry added the best part is children are chosen to help judge the contest.
Performances will include Gavin Coyle, Baal Tinne, Katie Sullivan Band, Three Men in Kilts, the Jeff Ward Band and Donnybrook. The Shannon Rovers Bagpipe Band will appear all three days.
"It's giving the musicians, the schools a chance they don't have otherwise to perform," Barry said.
Kevin Horton, a two-time world Irish dance medalist, will perform at the event. Originally from Mundelein, Horton has performed six years with Riverdance, the renowned Irish dance troupe and has toured with the show this year to Japan and China. Also performing is Anam Mor's Tyler Schwarz, the All Ireland dance champion.
Check out a full bounty of Irish food and drink served by Winston's, including corned beef and cabbage, meat pies and Irish sausage rolls. Barry added Guinness beer will be served, as everyone expects at an Irish festival. Long Grove restaurants, bakeries and specialty food shops will offer assorted Irish treats.
Visitors also can check out cultural tents, including an Irish travel tent, a genealogy tent, Gaelic tent and the Irish American Heritage Center of Chicago tent. The Wee Ones Activity Center will offer crafts, games and storytelling.
Admission and parking are free. For information, call the Long Grove Visitor's Information Center at (847) 634-0888.
Long Grove Irish Days
The festival is Saturday, Sunday and Monday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day, at Fountain Square in the Long Grove historic district.
SATURDAY
11 a.m. to noon: Academy of Irish music
12:20 to 12:50 p.m.: McNulty Irish Dancers
1:10 to 1:40 p.m.: Shannon Rovers Bagpipe Band
2 to 3 p.m.: Gavin Coyle
3:20 to 3:50 p.m.: Irish dog contest awards
4:10 to 4:50 p.m.: Kevin Horton and Friends Irish Dancers
5 to 6 p.m.: Baal Tinne
6:20 to 6:50 p.m.: Best looking men's legs in a kilt competition
SUNDAY
10 to 10:45 a.m.: Mass celebrated by the Rev. David Francis Ryan, St. Francis de Sales Church
11 a.m. to noon: Irish Music School of Chicago
12:20 to 12:50 p.m.: Trinity Academy of Irish Dance
1:10 to 1:40 p.m.: Shannon Rovers Bagpipe Band
2 to 3 p.m.: Katie Sullivan Band
3:20 to 3:50 p.m.: Irish dog contest awards
4:10 to 4:40 p.m.: Anam Mor Irish Dancers
5 to 6 p.m.: Three Men in Kilts
6:20 to 6:50 p.m.: Best looking men's legs in a kilt competition
MONDAY
11 a.m. to noon: Cu Roi
12:20 to 12:50 p.m.: Sheila Tully Academy of Irish Dance
1:10 to 1:40 p.m.: Shannon Rovers Bagpipe Band
2 to 3 p.m.: Jeff Ward Band
3:20 to 3:50 p.m.: Irish dog contest awards
4:10 to 4:40 p.m.: O'Hare School Champion Irish Dancers
5 to 6 p.m.: Donnybrook
6:20 to 6:50 p.m.: Best looking men's legs in a kilt competition