Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Irish immigrants began coming to Texas during the Spanish colonial period, with Dublin-born Hugh O'Conor appointed governor in 1767. Many Irish settlers would join the fight for Texas independence, with 11 dying to defend the Alamo and a hundred others appearing at the Battle of San Jacinto. The North Texas Irish Festival, founded in 1983, honors this history with an annual celebration of Irish and Celtic culture in Dallas. In addition to live performances of traditional Irish music and dance, the event also features whiskey tastings and folktale storytelling sessions.
In this 1995 promotional film, festival directors Bill Foley and Mike Costigan share what makes the event special.
Watch the full video at: tinyurl.com/ys345f9v
Explore the web exhibit, Festival Season, at: bit.ly/4pUGtjE
Contributed to the Texas Moving Image Archive Program by Robert T. Burton.
#irishdancing #irishmusic
Irish immigrants began coming to Texas during the Spanish colonial period, with Dublin-born Hugh O'Conor appointed governor in 1767. Many Irish settlers would join the fight for Texas independence, with 11 dying to defend the Alamo and a hundred others appearing at the Battle of San Jacinto. The North Texas Irish Festival, founded in 1983, honors this history with an annual celebration of Irish and Celtic culture in Dallas. In addition to live performances of traditional Irish music and dance, the event also features whiskey tastings and folktale storytelling sessions.
In this 1995 promotional film, festival directors Bill Foley and Mike Costigan share what makes the event special.
Watch the full video at: tinyurl.com/ys345f9v
Explore the web exhibit, Festival Season, at: bit.ly/4pUGtjE
Contributed to the Texas Moving Image Archive Program by Robert T. Burton.
#irishdancing #irishmusic
