It’s a long way to Tipperary, but you don’t have to go far to enjoy a little bit of Irish culture this weekend, when Bellarmine University once again plays host to the Louisville Irish Fest.

The festival, which takes place Saturday and Sunday, September 10 and 11 in and around Bellarmine’s Quad, features Irish music and dancers, locally produced Irish cuisine (and imported spirits), cultural exhibits and demonstrations, and shopping. New York’s “urban Celtic fusion” rockers Finn’s Fury will headline, and more than a dozen different Irish-influenced groups and dancers from all genres will perform on five stages throughout the weekend.

Admission is $6 for adults and $4 for children ages 6-12 and seniors 65 and older. Kids 5 and under are free. On Sunday only, bring in a canned good for a dollar off admission and support Hand in Hand Ministries. Also, active military enter free with current ID, and families of deployed soldiers may present a current Blue Star ID for a dollar off each admission.

The 2011 Louisville Irish Fest is presented by the Irish Arts Foundation of Kentucky and Bellarmine University. For a full schedule of all the events, band bios and more information, visit www.louisvilleirishfest.com.

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Photo illustration: Courtesy Louisville Irish Fest