Celtic Fest Ohio 2026
The welcoming grasp of a sun-strewn festival. The clarion call of bagpipes invites you to experience a diverse culture that has been shared the world over. Celtic history is not limited to Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Cornwall, and the Isle of Man. Over the centuries, immigration and travel have made connections across the continents, communities, and families who trace their heritage to the lands in which they live and the ones their ancestry hails from.
Personally, I “blame” the World Cup. It’s pretty clear that beyond the sport itself, everyone has taken heart from the displays as host cities welcome teams and fans from around the globe. And, for my part, I think I heard more soccer conversations than we typically do at CFO! It shows people want this. We want to share our cultures with mutual appreciation and respect. We want to share with the world the fantastic tapestry of our heritage and celebrate when it intersects and thrives by becoming interwoven with others.
Celtic Fest, well, it does that.
Bastard Bearded Irishmen
At 11 am, getting the crowd up on their feet and ready to party is no easy task. But the Bastards kicked it off right! They brought folks to fill the newly opened space and got us pumped, not only with their music, but with their easy presence and off-the-cuff humor.
Hailing from Pittsburgh, PA with an eclectic blend of Traveler, traditional, and punk rock Celtic music, the BBI started the morning off right with a high-energy performance. Frontman Jimmy Bastard is fantastic at engaging the crowd, moving from bench to bench with practiced ease. He gives the fans a very up-close examination of his guitar skill, not to mention his kilt!
Learn More About the Bastard Bearded Irishmen at: https://www.bastardbeardedirishmen.com/
Irish American History & Stories
“Give me a word. Any word! And I will show you how the root of that word is Irish.”
Not an exact quote, but Mrs. Cathy Jo Smith certainly gave me that impression! For those unfamiliar with the depths of Irish history and folklore, this proved a unique experience. The chapel on grounds is always a calm atmosphere amid the hullabaloo, and it proved the perfect stage to hear a brief history of the Irish and what brought them from Erie to all points across the world.
Most fantastic was the story with which Mrs. Cathy Jo ended her presentation. True or not is rarely a matter of importance when it comes to folklore. The intent is known amid the whimsy and turns of the tale. So a story in which a poor Irish farmer, new to America, has to employ their wit to outsmart a ruthless landlord is well associated with the difficulties of the tenant farmers during Cogadh na Talún or the Land War that caused agitation between 1879 – 1923.
Learn More About Cathy Jo Smith at: https://irishteller.com/
Learn More About the Land War at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Land_War
Albannach
Now of course, one does not go to Celtic Fest Ohio and miss Albannach! If you’re a regular at CFO or ORF, then they hardly need an introduction. Their music is a driving force of percussion and vocals, bagpipes, and near-feral energy that makes the ground go thumping whenever they play. What brings the crowd together feels like a dome of celebration, and while you can hear their music across the grounds, being in the center of it makes you want to move your body and find that THUMP that makes your chest feel full.
Call it tribal. Call it heritage. Call it the ancestors whispering in your ears. But the way Albannach creates a focal point for the festival brings in those from all corners and asks them to dance together.
Learn More About Albannach: https://www.albannachmusic.com/
Afternoon Tea Event
In the shade of the Tea Pavilion, a lovely repast was set down in a myriad of cups and saucers, charmingly mismatched, for a chance to sample tea blends and snacks. The cherry blend was very pleasant, mildly sweet with a nice tart finish. I wasn’t as big a fan of the rosehip and hibiscus. The floral scent was pleasant, but I found the astringent aftertaste to be a touch disappointing. I didn’t get to try the green tea option, but the passionfruit was delicious! Sweet enough on its own but still very refreshing!
The presenters did a lovely job of taking care of everyone, stopping by to answer questions or offer explanations on the tea service. The food was very refreshing with cucumber sandwiches, scones with marmalade, macarons, and chicken or ham salad croissants. And the company was delightful as we chatted and got to know one another. All in all, a simple but very calming opportunity to sit and breathe as the party continues.
The Fauna of Celtic Fest
One of the best parts of CFO (along with the music, the activities, the friends, the food, the drinks, the dancing, and the everything) are the animals we get to see each year. The Midwest Falconry was there with raptors of all shapes and sizes, including this lovely baby Nyx, who seemed quite excited by everything going on.
The Cu & Craic Irish Wolfhounds are always a pleasure! These gentle beasts may be the size of a healthy pony, but they are as gentle as a spring breeze. They can come across quite intimidating, but I’m always fascinated by how calmly they present themselves and make everyone from kids to adults feel at ease in their presence.
The local Warren County Goat Club came out with a fine display of sheep and goats. Based in Lebanon, OH, this active 4-H group provides youth with experience in animal husbandry. And they must be doing this job well! These barnyard critters were exceptionally friendly, not at all fussed about getting pets and scratches as they chewed on the hay and lounged in the shade. I very nearly took a baby goat home when it came over and flopped down next to me for attention!
Learn More About Midwest Falconry: https://midwestfalconry.org/
Learn More About Cu & Craic: https://www.facebook.com/CuAndCraic/
Two people may not be able to do everything at Celtic Fest Ohio, but we gave it a pretty good run! There’s always something new to do at CFO, not to mention the returning favorites we look forward to every year. What was your favorite part of CFO 2026? Be sure to share your experience on SM and #cfo26 or #celticfestohio26 so we can take a look!