(Portland, OR) – Thousands of locals and visitors will celebrate their Irish heritage with live music, traditional Irish dancing, food and libations at the 27th annual Kells Irish Festival , the largest Saint Patrick’s Day Festival in the Northwest. This year’s festivities will take place March 16 through March 18 at four venues: inside the original downtown Kells Irish Pub at 112 SW 2nd Ave.; in a festival tent located in the parking lot directly behind the pub; at Kells Brewery at 210 NW 21st Ave.; and in a festival tent located in the parking lot adjacent to the brewery.
Kells Downtown
The festivities begin on March 16 with Kells renowned Corned Beef and Cabbage Luncheon. That same evening, Kells downtown will host the 8th annual Black Tie Smoker – a boxing event that matches Golden Glove boxers from Ireland against the best USA amateur fighters. There will be live entertainment with traditional Irish dancing, bagpipers and Celtic inspired bands all weekend. Family Day will be on March 18, and will include arts and crafts with volunteers from Providence Child Center , facepainting, Irish dancing from local Irish dance teams, and visits with Irish wolfhounds. Attendees can browse Celtic jewelry vendors and learn about Celtic genealogy and history, including meeting and listening to members of the Ancient Order of the Hibernian ’s Portland Chapter.
Kells Brewery
Kells Brewery in Northwest Portland will have live music, dancing, bagpipers, and Irish food specials on Friday and Saturday; plus free Family Day on Sunday, with Irish dancing, bagpipers, crafts and Irish wolfhounds (minors are welcome daily until 4pm). The brewery will also present Portland’s second annual Irish Beer Festival on Friday, March 16 and Saturday, March 17 in its tented and heated parking lot. The Irish Beer Festival will feature a variety of specialty Irish style beer and cider from 20 Northwest breweries and cidermakers, plus two from Ireland. The Irish Beer Festival will also feature Irish dancers, bagpipers, fortune tellers, and meet the brewer sessions. Attendees are welcome to travel between the Irish Beer Festival and the Kells Irish Festival inside the brewpub next door.
Irish Magic
As a family owned business, Kells is deeply connected with the community it touches. In advance of the festival, Kells collects, matches and donates all the money – dubbed Irish Magic – on the restaurant’s ceiling to The Center for Medically Fragile Children at Providence Child Center. Kells has donated more than $300,000 over the last 24 years.
ABOUT KELLS
Serving the Northwest since 1983, Kells is a locally owned establishment that is consistently voted and ranked among the top Irish pubs in the nation. With locations in Seattle, Portland and San Francisco, Kells is a touchstone of each community that stays true to its Irish roots, inspired by the Northwest. For more information, visit www.kellsportland.com and follow @KellsPortland on social media.