The bars are packed on St. Paddy’s Day, and sure, cheers-ing new and old friends with green beer is always a good time. But if there are other ways to celebrate your – or anyone’s– Irish heritage in the community.
While St. Patrick’s Day is arguably their busiest time of the year, the McGing Irish Dancers offer performances and classes year round.
The McGing School of Irish Dance has offered classes since 1977. From humble beginnings, the dance company has grown to become a household name, recognized around the Greater Cincinnati area and beyond.
Of course, troupes from McGing will be performing around the city this weekend. On Saturday, they have stops at the St. Patrick’s Parade, the Madeira Branch of Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library, and Newport’s Luck of the Levee. St. Patrick’s Day, on Sunday, finds the dancers at CVG, the Cyclones Game, and bars throughout the region. (We told you they were busy!)
Registration is now open for their Summer Try It Out Camps!, along with classes for the Fall. They are also gearing up the 40th Annual Cincinnati Feis on Nov. 12. This competition brings together the best Irish dancers and teams from around the city.
But if Irish dance isn’t for you, The Irish Heritage Center (3905 Eastern Ave.) will help you explore more about the culture, traditions and story of the Irish and Irish Americans. Over St. Patrick’s Day Weekend, the IHC is offering two days of culture and camaraderie.
Irish Heritage Center of Greater Cincinnati
3905 Eastern Avenue
For a full schedule of St. Patrick’s celebration events visit www.cincyirish.org
On Saturday and Sunday, the IHC will have music and dance (McGing at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday and 1:30 p.m. on Sunday!) in the concert hall, a children’s festival, lectures on Irish history, and even St. Patrick strolling the halls. You’ll also find traditional Irish food, including Guinness stew, corned beef sandwiches, homemade scones, and soda bread.
But all year long, IHC has Pub Music Night on Thursdays, with musicians performing and, on occasion, Irish karaoke. The IHC is also home to the Irish American Theater Company, which presents works plays written by Irish authors or plays that are set in Ireland.
For those interested in exploring their Irish roots, IHC has a partnership with the “Genealogy Detective” to offer one-on-one consultations for research about your family history by special appointment.
You can make a deeper dive into your family history at the Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library. The Main Branch (800 Vine St.) houses one of the nation’s largest and oldest genealogy collections. Highlights include the U.S. federal census data, passenger lists, city directories, military histories, maps, church and cemetery records, and slave and freedmen records.
The Genealogy and Local History Department staff offers specialized reference assistance and presents monthly tours, co-sponsors programs with the Hamilton County Genealogical Society, and can help develop programs for classes and family group.
Genealogy clubs meet at local branches to help everyone, from beginners to experts, discover their family history, share tips, and learn research strategies in an informal setting.
If you’re curious about just how Irish you are, St. Patrick’s Day is a great day to learn more about – and revel in – your history.