Late September marks the halfway point to St. Patrick’s Day, and in Shirlington, it also means the return of the neighborhood’s annual Celtic Festival.
The free festivities take place from noon to 7 p.m. this Saturday, Sept. 21, in and around Samuel Beckett’s Irish Gastro Pub at 2800 S. Randolph Street.
“We do our Celtic Fest at the middle to end of September as a ‘halfway to St Patrick’s’ party. It’s lovely weather and a perfect end to the summer,” Brooke McCoy, an assistant manager, told ARLnow.
Samuel Beckett’s will run an outdoor food and drink tent in addition to its usual seating. The pub — named for the Irish writer and 1969 Nobel Prize winner for literature — encourages attendees to “get your kilts ironed” and “drinking boots on” for a lively afternoon and evening.
The yearly shindig, now in its 10th year, will feature live tunes from bagpipers, fiddlers and the following musicians:
- Brandon Kennedy
- Lenny Burridge
- Mike Leverone
- The O’McPub Band
- Deadeye Stare
Irish dancers from the Morgan Legacy Irish Dance Academy and Boyle School of Irish Dance are scheduled to perform at the festival as well.
Additionally, over 30 artisans have signed up to participate in a maker’s market, selling goods ranging from handmade jewelry to 3D-printed crafts.
Road closures
A portion of Campbell Avenue will be shut down so attendees can participate in an outdoor “sip and stroll.”
On the day of the event, the Arlington County Police Department will close the road from S. Randolph Street to 28th Street S. from 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
Drivers should expect delays and take note of temporary “no parking” signage in the area.
