Celtic Festival Returns to Shirlington

A bit of Ireland is coming to Campbell Avenue in Shirlington with the return of the annual Beckett’s Celtic Festival this Saturday, Sept. 19.

“The Beckett’s Celtic Festival is a celebration of Celtic food, drink and culture. It is an opportunity for the community to come together, enjoy themselves and take in the very best of Irish music, dance, food, drink and all around ‘craic,'” said Daniel Perranzas, a manger at festival host Samuel Beckett’s Irish Gastro Pub (2800 S. Randolph Street).

The festival runs from noon to 7 p.m. and there will be about 20 vendors lining Campbell Avenue, selling beer and food. Samuel Beckett’s will have a vendor stand and will sell Irish delicacies like shepherd’s pie, bangers and mash, corned beef reuben’s, Irish sausage rolls and bratwurst, Perranzas said.

Vendors will sell Irish draft beers, including Guinness, Smithwicks and Harp, along with Magner’s Cider and wine, he said.

There will also be live music and Irish dancing, both outside and inside the pub.

“The Celtic Festival was started three years ago as a way to connect with a community that has shown us such great warmth and hospitality and also to emphasize the deep connection that Irish heritage and culture holds within the many residents of this and every community,” Perranzas said. 

The Arlington County Police Department will close Campbell Avenue from S. Randolph Street to the parking garage at the Harris Teeter in Shirlington (4250 Campbell Ave.) from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday for the festival.