Pittsburgh Irish Festival serves up food, music, heritage in 34th year

Bennett Ruemler waved a small Irish flag in celebration of a big victory Friday.

The 3-year-old from Robinson struck the pot of gold in a Leprechaun’s Landings game during the 34th annual Pittsburgh Irish Festival’s opening day.

It was a huge moment for Bennett and his mother, Natalie Ruemler, who were enjoying their first festival experience at the historic Carrie Blast Furnace in Swissvale and Rankin.

“We’ve never been before,” Ruemler said. “My sister (Kaitlyn Goerl) has come a lot and we wanted to see what it was all about and celebrate. The food was really good. It’s a very nice, family-friendly atmosphere.

”It helps support our heritage. There’s lots to do for the kids to learn about their heritage and be part of the community of Pittsburgh.”

The celebration of all things Irish continues Saturday and Sunday.

There are many food and drink vendors throughout the site, including Love, Katie Distilling. The Sharpsburg-based business served vodka, gin and other adult beverages.

Owner Katie Sirianni said they participated in a Women and Whiskey event last year run by the same folks who organize the Pittsburgh Irish Festival and became good friends with its executive director, Mairin Petrone.

Sirianni said things were going very well Friday night.

“Any time Mairin asks us to participate in anything, we’re always happy to,” Sirianni said. “This is a really awesome event. This is our first Irish Festival, and we’re really excited to be here.”

Some of the foods available include pierogies, desserts and stew-tine poutine: beef stew and french fries with shredded cheese on top.

Isla Carlson, 7, of Shady Side and her friend Rosie Smith, 8, of Wexford had a bubble battle with new toys obtained from vendor Happy Bubble. They also created a bubble arch for their parents to talk through.

Rosie’s mother, Jamie Smith, said they made the trek to spend time with friends and celebrate Irish culture.

Brief history

The festival started in 1991 at Station Square. It also took place at Sandcastle before being moved to the Carrie Blast Furnace in the Swissvale/Rankin area. The festival was canceled in 2020 because of the pandemic.

Petrone has served as festival executive director for the past nine years. She said they were able to use the historic site for the festival through partnership with Rivers of Steel Heritage Corp.

“The most Pittsburgh thing about the Irish Festival is how cool it is that so many Irish came over to Pittsburgh to work in places like the Carrie Furnace,” Petrone said. “That’s one of the reasons we have such strong Irish roots here in Pittsburgh. Over the last four years, we’ve really made it our home. (Rivers of Steel) could not be a more gracious host. As far as growth, every year we learn a little bit more how best to use the space.”

Petrone’s favorite part about the Irish Festival is its sense of community, from the festivalgoers to the volunteers.

“We consider every guest a member of the Irish Festival family, and I’m honored to have so many people show up to celebrate it every year,” Petrone said.

Organizers are expected to welcome between 20,000 and 25,000 people over three days.

People who need assistance should look for the folks in white shirts with the word “Volunteer” written around the waist.

Volunteer perspective

About 300 volunteers from across Pennsylvania and other states including Florida, North Carolina and Ohio help make the festival a success.

Among them are Connie Stewart of West Mifflin and her boyfriend, John Franko of Ross. This is their fifth year donating their time.

“We were longtime guests before we stepped up to the volunteer position,” Stewart said. “We followed it from when it was back at Highmark Stadium to Sandcastle and finally to here. It’s the camaraderie. The culture, the atmosphere is very electric even if you’re not Irish. It’s fun.”

The pair have done it all from being ticket takers to bartenders, stage hands and merchandise booth operators.

“We’ve gotten to know people,” Franko said. “We see people every year. It is kind of like an extended family. It’s something we look forward to.”

Volunteers are still wanted Saturday and Sunday.

Attractions

There are three stages, each with live music.

Bands include Gaelic Storm, The Screaming Orphans, The Drowsy Lads, Eileen Ivers and The Brigideens, Ally the Piper, Bastard Bearded Irishmen, Elias Alexander, The Fitzgeralds, The Low Kings and Donnie Irish.

There will be Celtic meditation and yoga Saturday. Members of the Pittsburgh Steelers organization will be on hand Saturday to raise awareness of the game the team will play against the Minnesota Vikings in Dublin this season.

An Irish Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Sunday.