tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-128420552024-03-07T18:28:02.338-06:00Tir na BlogYour Guide to the 17th Annual Kansas City Irish Fest at Crown Center. www.KCIrishFest.com
Danny Reganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05901028079747038331noreply@blogger.comBlogger4103125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12842055.post-62992540880648149012019-05-31T11:04:00.001-05:002019-05-31T11:04:14.066-05:00Summer Is Coming
Tomorrow is the first of June, an auspicious day for a lot of reasons. It's Canadian Independence Day of course. Dwight Eisenhower's 103rd wedding anniversary. And as you all know, tomorrow we celebrate the 262nd birthday of Austrian composer Ignaz J. Pleyel. Happy birthday, Iggy!
But even more important than those events is this: tomorrow at 8:00am you can volunteer to work at Danny Reganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05901028079747038331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12842055.post-67631557783457490002019-05-17T10:11:00.001-05:002019-05-21T10:45:14.292-05:00Ireland FailsSo for the 5th time in 6 years, Ireland has failed to advance in the Eurovision song contest and frankly, with this year's entry, I'm not shocked. Dreadful shite. Why in the world with an island bursting at the seams with great trad singers and players they don't go that route more often is beyond me. Or maybe it's time to go back to singing turkey puppets.
Anyway, there'll be amazing music and Danny Reganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05901028079747038331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12842055.post-44153597873491507622019-05-16T09:06:00.002-05:002019-05-17T09:35:10.542-05:00Irish Ambassador in CowtownLast night a bevy of Irish Fest staffers, including myself, attended a very nice reception at the Kansas City Irish Center in honor of H.E. Daniel Mulhall, the Irish Ambassador to the US. Got to meet the ambassador and he is a lovely fella. He said he's hoping to attend Irish Fest in 2020, so fingers crossed on that.
Turns out he lived in Kansas City for 10 weeks in 1974 and worked at Danny Reganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05901028079747038331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12842055.post-42948707041168054072019-05-09T10:43:00.001-05:002019-05-09T10:43:47.862-05:00The Apocalypse Is Upon UsTomorrow in Dublin's fair city, a new pub will open its doors: The Virgin Mary. Odd name for a pub, yes. But there's an odder oddity. The Virgin Mary will be an alcohol-free pub. Ireland's first. They aim to offer all the ambiance and vibe of a traditional pub, but sans hooch.
“When I mention this concept to friends, the first thing they do is laugh and ask why I’d do this in one of the bar Danny Reganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05901028079747038331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12842055.post-60700705375655790172019-05-06T09:43:00.001-05:002019-05-06T09:43:07.755-05:00We Have A WinnerThe 1st annual Battle of The Bands last Friday night was a smashing success. If you weren't there, you have my sympathies. It was a great night. Four great acts competed. Our winner, The Irish Aires from St. Louis will play Irish Fest this year and if I were you I'd make plans to be there for the debut.
Irish Fest, now with 100% more Irish Aires and roughly the same number of derrieres, opens inDanny Reganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05901028079747038331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12842055.post-51144271884082640792019-05-04T09:33:00.002-05:002019-05-04T09:33:40.292-05:00Five Years TodaySometimes five years can seem like 5 days and 500 years at the same time. Still miss you, brother.
Danny Reganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05901028079747038331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12842055.post-84092939842691086932019-05-03T09:39:00.002-05:002019-05-03T09:39:50.174-05:00False AdvertisingOkay, well, I confess to be a little disappointed.
I was under the impression that tonight's Irish Fest Battle Of The Bands would involve angry musicians fencing with jagged, snapped-off guitar necks, bludgeoning each other with banjos, and deflecting fiddle bow blows with bodhran shields until only one band was left standing. You know, an actual battle of the bands. Turns out they're just goingDanny Reganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05901028079747038331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12842055.post-76355417841794289822019-04-29T11:03:00.001-05:002019-05-03T09:48:17.995-05:00Battle of The Bands! Friday!I think probably one of the most coveted jobs here at Irish Fest HQ is the one that me aul pal David Shaughnessy holds. He's the guy who books the bands that play at the fest. Oh sure, we have a lively and knowledgeable entertainment committee who provide input and Dave reports to a member of our board of directors who keep him honest. But ultimately, Dave's the man who either puts you on stage Danny Reganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05901028079747038331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12842055.post-40811685309940645472019-03-15T09:24:00.004-05:002019-03-16T08:53:50.806-05:00But Number 1 In Your HeartWe'll be rolling out our soon-to-be-prize-winning float tomorrow at the beautiful Brookside parade and you should come see this thing. It's going to make you swell up with Irish pride or gas or something. We will be number 31 in the warm up parade. Then on Sunday, we're back at it as number 28 in the venerable Kansas City St. Patrick's Day parade. The weather both days looks lovely and lots of Danny Reganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05901028079747038331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12842055.post-86809385885717793032019-03-15T09:16:00.000-05:002019-03-16T08:47:52.803-05:00Irish Pride?So in my duties as St. Patrick's Day float designer, I had to stop in at a local party goods store Wednesday to get a couple last minute things for our soon-to-be-prize-winning entry in Sunday's parade. And I saw these items for sale.
I'm not easily offended, I swear. But come on. Seriously? Don't we deserve better than this shite?
Danny Reganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05901028079747038331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12842055.post-80463455074967543732019-03-07T14:20:00.001-06:002019-03-07T14:20:43.611-06:00Mucho March MarchesWe get downright giddy around here at Irish Fest HQ this time of year. Maybe it's all the alcohol. But with so many great events, great music, drinking and laughing with friends...it's like Irish Fest but with super crappy weather. Best of all though are the parades. This year you'll have a chance to see representatives of the best west in the Midwest in two parades on two consecutive days. Our Danny Reganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05901028079747038331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12842055.post-77230826842680583322019-03-06T15:05:00.003-06:002019-03-06T15:05:49.140-06:00Get Your Socks OnYou have a chance to see a trio of Irish Fest alums next week as you start St. Patrick's Day weekend. All the way from The Banner County come the great Socks In The Frying Pan, arguably the silliest-named band we've ever put on stage in our 16 years. (They're likely to hold that title until we book a Galway band we saw at Trad Fest in Dublin a few years ago called My Fellow Sponges.)
But I Danny Reganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05901028079747038331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12842055.post-61658928096928110122019-03-05T09:28:00.002-06:002019-03-05T09:28:41.164-06:00Yawn...Good Morning! Wait, What Year Is It?!!??So, what did I miss?
Hello again, blog-ka-teers! Yes, I've been away. For 4 years. Sorry.
So here's what happened: I kinda got busy with other fest stuff and life stuff, let the blog go fallow. About the time I put Tir na Blog on mothballs, I returned to the Irish Fest board of directors for another 5 year term, which is a great gig but is also a huge time suck. My second term ended on January Danny Reganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05901028079747038331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12842055.post-45509417080392186982015-08-30T13:00:00.000-05:002015-08-30T13:00:02.064-05:00Rules ReviewedIrish Fest 2015 opens on Friday! I bet you're as ready as we are to light the fuse on our Funlucky 13th annual party. But first, just so we're all on the same page, let's have our annual review of the rules, shall we?
1. I have a big, dumb dog named Dugan. You know where Dugan will spending Irish Fest weekend? Elsewhere. Not even us bigwigs can bring our furry best friends on to the Irish Fest Danny Reganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05901028079747038331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12842055.post-45747028360865488222015-08-29T16:13:00.000-05:002015-08-29T16:13:08.923-05:00Rip Van ReganWell, hi! How the time do fly.
As the 3 of you (hi Mom!) who check this blog on a regular basis might have noticed, I'm been on hiatus. All summer. I don't know why. Boredom, burn out, busy, baseball, all of the above. I've also been coerced into moving over the Irish Fest Facebook page where I've been providing content for the past few weeks. But as my buddy Laren "Newlywed" Mahoney, Irish Danny Reganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05901028079747038331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12842055.post-26601218089675808242015-05-14T09:12:00.002-05:002015-05-14T09:12:56.169-05:00Whiskey Saves LivesSure we knew that already, didn't we? Another good reason to sign up for one of our whiskey tastings at Irish Fest. Tickets on sale soon. We open in 113 days!
Danny Reganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05901028079747038331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12842055.post-33870300911672959212015-05-12T09:02:00.004-05:002015-05-12T09:02:32.517-05:00This KidWhy haven't we booked him already?
Danny Reganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05901028079747038331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12842055.post-15486204476184663282015-05-04T09:42:00.002-05:002015-05-04T09:42:45.804-05:00Celebrate Because Why Not?You may or may not know that outside of Irish Fest I am an employee of a major greeting card concern, which shall remain nameless except to say that it rhymes with Ballpark. That company is in fact Irish Fest's landlord, the owners of the beautiful Crown Center complex we call home. "Ballpark", the company I work for is often accused of inventing holidays so we can subsequently sell cards and Danny Reganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05901028079747038331noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12842055.post-68101566987890774642015-04-08T11:50:00.001-05:002015-04-08T11:50:02.811-05:00TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW!Sorry for shouting at you. I'm a little excited.
Advance tickets are on sale now for the 13th and greatest Irish Fest yet!Danny Reganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05901028079747038331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12842055.post-76245430235050968742015-04-08T10:10:00.000-05:002015-04-08T11:47:48.805-05:00Big News For Kids and Their Employees...I Mean ParentsI'm a veteran parent myself. I've been in that crazy business for 22 years. So I'm excited for all my brothers and sisters in the Mom and Dad Club as Irish Fest announces some very good news.
Beginning this year, mom and dad will no longer be pulling out the wallet every time young Colm or wee Aoife want to bounce in the jump house, climb the rock wall, or careen down the slide like a lunatic. Danny Reganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05901028079747038331noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12842055.post-55788167314329697032015-04-01T09:33:00.001-05:002015-04-01T09:33:33.251-05:00New For Mass In 2015The Catholic Mass at Irish Fest has become one of the most beloved part of our annual event. But like everything in our business, things can get stale and in need of a little refreshing now and again. We think we have just the thing.
You thought changing water into wine and raising the dead were cool? Wait until you see Father Horan celebrating Mass at Irish Fest this year.
Danny Reganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05901028079747038331noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12842055.post-42304668510251328192015-03-16T09:35:00.002-05:002015-03-16T09:35:58.567-05:00Gaelic Storm Brewing ThursdayDon't forget, your St. Patrick's Day celebration doesn't end at last call tomorrow night. Irish Fest Gaelic Storm blows through town on Thursday night at Harrah's Casino. If you miss this show, I'm really not sure we can be friends any more.
Get tickets here. Danny Reganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05901028079747038331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12842055.post-46525029038705171112015-03-16T09:31:00.001-05:002015-03-16T09:31:39.578-05:00The Week, 6Okay, now pretend it's Sunday. We'll be caught up shortly, promise.
So, how was Mass? Dinner with Ma tonight? Lovely. Happy Sunday.
SOCKS IN THE FRYING PAN!
The KC Irish Fest band with arguably the silliest name ever (nipping at your heels, We Banjo 3), Socks In the Frying Pan make a return trip to KC this year. SITFP is another band we found at TradFest last year and they built themselves a Danny Reganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05901028079747038331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12842055.post-14483910335533066022015-03-15T10:57:00.003-05:002015-03-15T10:57:33.097-05:00The Week, 5Pretend it's Saturday.
Hi! Happy Saturday! Let's meet another 2015 Irish Fest preformer, shall we?
Today's pick, a man who has quickly become a local favorite. You know him, you love him, he rejoins us in September:
Mundy.
The Offaly man has earned a big fan base here in Cowtwon, and with good reason. He's an engaging performer, a talented singer-songwriter, and an all around good fella. Danny Reganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05901028079747038331noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12842055.post-49229215044377927902015-03-15T10:28:00.001-05:002015-03-16T09:48:30.859-05:00The Week, 4Sorry! I'm behind! I was all caught up in parade prep the last couple days as well having a glorious day yesterday as Irish Fest marched in the great Brookside St. Patrick's Day Warm Up Parade. But I'm back with some rapid fire band announcements to get all caught up. Pretend it's Friday.
Today's band is a newcomer to our stages, but we're confident that you're going to add them quickly to your Danny Reganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05901028079747038331noreply@blogger.com0