Monday night, world renowned singer/song writer Tom Sweeney opened the Irish Fest Summer School. 

Sweeney who has played at the White House for President Clinton joined Ed Ward of the Irish Music Archives for a special lecture on the late Tommy Makem who was a favorite at Irish Fest for decades.

Makem  passed away in 2007. He was an internationally celebrated folk artist, poet and storyteller who loved Milwaukee Irish Fest and was an advocate and supporter for 30 years.

As a tribute to this friend of Milwaukee Irish Fest, we have established the Tommy Makem Cultural Legacy Fund to award an annual grant or scholarship that promotes a living legacy of Irish Music and Culture.

Milwaukee Irish Fest has provided a $25,000 challenge match to get the fund started. For every dollar donated to the fund, Milwaukee Irish Fest will match it with a dollar up to a $25,000 maximum. In addition, Irish Fest Founder Ed Ward and his wife Cathy have provided a $5,000 challenge match that will match $1 for every $2 donated to the fund. A gift of $1,000 will result in a $1,500 match from Irish Fest and the Ward pledge.

$2 donated to the fund. A gift of $1,000 will result in a $1,500 match from Irish Fest and the Ward pledge.

For more information on the fund click here

For the next several days, the Irish Fest Center in Wauwatosa is hosting a series of classes on everything from basket weaving to the Irish language.

There is still time to register. For information click here