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There could not have been more perfect weather for the 22nd annual Fairfield County Irish Festival on its second day on Saturday at Fairfield University. With the sun shining and barely a cloud in sight, thousands flocked from Fairfield County and beyond to gather to celebrate Irish culture.
The day was filled with Irish games, music, crafts and of course food and beer from local Irish pubs. Musical performances were provided by the band from the School of Rock in Fairfield, as well as Irish performers Eileen Ivers, Liz McNicholl and The Crickstones and more. There were also Irish dance performances by girls from the Lenhian School of Dance.
The highlight of the day was the annual Gaelic football games played on Lessing Field at the heart of the festival, with kids as young as eight playing, as well as an adult game. Gaelic football is an exhilarating mix of rugby and soccer that is distinctly Irish.
In the younger kids under-eight years old blitz tournament, a team from Rockland County, New York defeated the hometown St. Patrick's Gaelic Football club. After the match, the Rockland head coach, Michael Healy, said the sportsmanship shown by the two teams and the fun of the day was most important.
"Win or lose it doesn't really matter as long as you go out there and have fun," Healy told the two teams as they gathered to get their trophies and medals, reflecting the overall attitude of the day. "What really matters is friendships. You will play against each other for the next 10 years or more, the friendship is what will matter."
Following the kids game, adults from the St. Patrick's club and from a Hartford club took to the pitch to square off, with Hartford coming out on top. St. Patrick's will take on New York based St. Barnabus in the annual Donnelly Cup, won by St. Patrick's last year. The match will be played at 3:15 p.m.
This was the first time the event was held in the town of Fairfield, where it first started, since 2003. It has since been held in Bridgeport and Trumbull. The event is sponsored by Feile Inc., an organization started by members of the Fairfield Gaelic-American Society to promote Irish heritage and make donations to charities, including those that support Irish cultural activities.
The festival continues on Sunday, starting at noon and running until 8 p.m. There is no parking on the Fairfield University campus, but free parking and a free shuttle will run from Ludlowe High School and the train station, both on Unoquwa Road. For more information visit the festival's website.
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