The Irish Fest Summer School features classes that showcase the rich culture, history and traditions of Ireland and Irish America, past and present.

It is a welcoming environment, even for beginners, to learn to play the Irish fiddle, flute, tin whistle, guitar, harp, Celtic music styles, and more from master musicians.

There is also a discussion class about Irish history, Irish language, and culture!

Jeff Ksiazek, curator at the Ward Irish Music Archives was a special live guest on the CBS 58 News at 4:30 p.m.

Ksiazek shared that the school started in 1986 and was modeled after the William Clancy school, named after the renowned Irish musician from County Clare, Republic of Ireland.

Instruction is for all ages and there are many parties and musical jam sessions or sessiuns afterward.

Some this year's highlights include: 

Welcome Social and Eugene Byrne Memorial Lecture, Monday August 10th :

Location: Great Hall at the Milwaukee Irish Fest Center, 1532 N. Wauwatosa Ave., Milwaukee, WI. Meet Summer School instructors and fellow students, enjoy a cash bar, and play some tunes!  At 8pm Tom Sweeney presents the 2015 Eugene Byrne Memorial Lecture, The Songs of Tommy Makem.

Free parking available nearby.

 Nighttime sessions, Tuesday, August 11th:

General session in the Great Hall, beginning/intermediate session upstairs in the Archives Parlor, various sessions around the Milwaukee Irish Fest Center. Dance potpourri (ceili, ceilidh, barn dance, old time American) in lower level with calling by Deborah Hyland.

Milwaukee Irish Fest night at Tosa Tonight,  Wednesday, August 12th:

Socks in the Frying Pan plays at Hart Park. Jam session afterward.

For more information click here