CelticMKE - Irish Music and Celtic Culture in Milwaukee, WI

CelticMKE

If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to play a bodhrán – or what the heck one is – you’re in the right place. CelticMKE, the home of Milwaukee Irish Fest, is about sharing our love of Irish music, Celtic history, and culture with people in the Midwest, and all over the world! You’ll find programs for the whole family, lectures by leading experts in Celtic culture, classes in traditional language, music and crafts, and our signature event, Milwaukee Irish Fest. Whether you want to reconnect with your roots, or explore a culture that’s new to you, CelticMKE is here to help.

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Featured

Rent Our Space

Host your next event in our beautiful, historic building, located in the village of Wauwatosa!

Irish and Celtic Book Club

Love to read? Join our monthly Irish & Celtic book club where we read books from Irish and Scottish authors.

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Upcoming Events

Rory Makem: An Irish Holiday

Sunday, December 14: Enjoy an evening of Christmas and Irish folk music with Rory Makem.

Chuck Ward Memorial Blood Drives

December 16: 3-7pm. Appointments are strongly encouraged. In partnership with Versiti Blood Center of Wisconsin.

Guinness and Chocolate

February 14: Celebrate Valentine's Day in Wauwatosa with Irish beers, artisan chocolate samplings, and Celtic music from On the Lash.

Irish Fest School of Music

School of Music at the Milwaukee Irish Fest Center. Our dedicated faculty of musicians has come together to offer instruction in instrumental Irish traditional dance music to students of all ages. Music lessons, group classes, and workshops are offered for Irish music students of varying ability levels.

Irish Family Day - Passport to Ireland

March 8: The family-friendly way to celebrate St. Patrick's Day in Milwaukee! Crafts, activities, music, food, dance, and more.

CelticMKE Céilí Dances

CANCELLED: Join us at our CelticMKE Center in the Village of Wauwatosa for monthly céilí dance gatherings. All ages welcome. Instruction always offered.

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Discover

The Victorians and White Christmas

The Ward Irish Music Archives takes a look at the evolution of Christmas music from the Victorian Era through the end of Tin Pan Alley.

Rory Makem - A Childhood Christmas Memory

Rory Makem reminisces on a childhood memory - 1975, when he went to the television station with his father, Tommy Makem to record a Christmas special.

Bing and Burl: Irish Americans' contributions to our Christmas Music Repertoire

Irish Americans Bing Crosby and Burl Ives both contributed to our modern Christmas music repertoire.

Tips for Practicing Irish Music

To help make the most of your Irish music (or any style of music) practice time, we've compiled a few tips to help make getting started less daunting...

5 Irish Tin Whistle Players You Need To Hear

The tin whistle is a humble instrument but can sound amazing in the hands of an expert musician. Listen and learn about 5 influential Irish whistle players.

5 Irish Christmas Songs to Listen To

The Irish have left their mark on Christmas across the world with their unique and catchy tunes. Listen to 5 holiday songs that range from 15th Century Ireland to the 21st Century.

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Fáilte to Irish and Celtic Culture!

Fáilte (that means “welcome” in Gaelic) to CelticMKE, your go-to resource for all things Irish and Celtic in the Milwaukee area and around the globe! You’re probably familiar with our signature event, Milwaukee Irish Fest, but maybe you haven’t listened to historic recordings from our Ward Irish Music Archives, learned Celtic music and culture face-to-face with leading experts during the Milwaukee Irish Fest Summer School, or learned the tin whistle or Irish fiddle with faculty from the Milwaukee Irish Fest School of Music. Start exploring your Irish and Celtic heritage - or discovering your own unique love for it – with CelticMKE today!