Kitty O'Kirwan's Irish Pub Slated For August Opening
The much-awaited new Irish pub is coming on. Rock got a bit of a tour of the work in progress and assures LMN readers that they are in for a treat. Conveniently located near the corner of Bauer Avenue and Frankfort Avenue in St. Matthews, it is the culmination of a lifelong dream of Martha and Gerry Ford. Perhaps the unofficial King of the Louisville Celts, Gerry is well-known as the founder of the Drowsy Maggie musical group and proprietor of the Celtic Centre and prior to that the Harp and Shamrock. The Celtic Centre has already opened its doors at 102 Bauer Avenue and soon its customers can eat and drink as well as "buy Irish" on the premises. Regular Celtic music will be a feature that will distinguish this spot from the other Irish pubs in River City.
Below the stairs to the Celtic Centre is the door to Kitty O'Kirwan's and from the street one enters into tile floored, wood paneled anteroom connected to the long bar, which then opens into a "great room" or hall which is the main dinning area and where the bandstand is also located. With now, perhaps, five "real" Irish pubs in town, how different can they be? With certain obvious common denominators a given, they can be as different as any five pubs in Ireland. Each will no doubt settle into its niche. Pioneers Siobhan and Michael Reidy have set a high standard, indeed, and it has been delightful to see others try to meet their mark. Look for Drowsy Maggie to be performing regularly along with the other local and regional acts as well as occasional visitors from Eire. With the announced redevelopment of the Galleria, a sixth pub will come on line in a few years known as McFadden's. An embarrassment of riches!
For more information on Kitty O'Kirwan's, call (502) 897-9050.
Kentucky Celtic Festival
A new festival in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, comes online this year on the weekend of August 24-26 at the Trail of Tears Park. It will feature pipe bands in performance - the Louisville Pipe Band among them - folk music performers, amateur athletics for men and women, Highland dancing demonstrations, sheep dog trials, reenactment encampments, battle ax throwing, haggis hurling, non-denominational Kirkin' O' the Tartans and Clan reunions. There will be a ceilidh on Friday night ($10) as well as a Tartan Ball on Saturday night ($25). Admission to the games is $10 adults, $8 seniors and $4 children. Sponsor packages are available for $75. The event is sponsored by Kilted Kinsmen of Kentucky. For general information call (270) 640-5027 or check out the website: http://kiltedkinsmen.tripod.com. Their email address is kycowboy41@aol.com. Head down the Pennyrile Parkway to Hoptown and have a great time!
Cincinnati Celtic Fest
Mark your calendars for September 29 and 30 for another fantastic celebration of Celtic culture at Coney Island Park. You can hear, see and taste Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Brittany! The major musical acts will be in next month's issue but make plans now, because there is always top-notch music (which gets better every year). For more information, contact Cincinnati Folk Life at cfl@fuse.net or (513)533-4822.