2-Day Irish Festival Coming to Murrieta's Town Square Park

There is no need to wait until St. Patrick’s Day to celebrate like the Irish, at least not in Murrieta.

That is because The Shamrock Irish Pub & Eatery and Murrieta Chamber of Commerce have partnered together for their first annual two-day Get Shamrocked Irish Festival, to be held Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 21-22, at Town Square Park in Murrieta.

Described in an event announcement as the new player on Southern California’s Irish festival scene, "Get Shamrocked is bringing top Irish and Celtic bands/musicians together to create a weekend of pure Irish magic."

Headlining bands for the event include, on Saturday, Sept. 21: The Tossers, Young Dubliners and local band, Brick Top Blaggers. On Sunday, Sept. 22, headlining bands will be The Fenians, Ireland’s biggest folk group, Dublin City Ramblers, and San Diego-based Lexington Field and Sligo Rags.

According to Patrick Ellis, CEO and president of Murrieta Chamber of Commerce, the festival is something he and Paul Little, owner of The Shamrock, began dreaming up several months ago.

“(Little) approached me back in the beginning of the year and told me that back in England he used to put on these big festivals,” Ellis said. “He wanted to do something here because he had the experience and expertise as far as booking the bands and dealing with those aspects.”

Ellis, who has Irish roots himself as well as at least a decade of experience in planning large events, said it didn’t take too much prodding from Little before he agreed.

“So we talked more and more and this is what came out of it," Ellis said.

Make no mistake, there is sound reasoning behind holding the festival in September, Ellis went on to say. One major plus is that it allows them to book bands that closer to St. Patrick’s Day would have already been booked. The event was also planned on a weekend that did not interfere with any other major ones in southwest Riverside County, he said.

“The Chamber is all about promoting the community, and one of the best ways to do that is draw residents into the city but also offer something for the residents of city,” Ellis said.

The festival was further designed to offer Saturday, Sept. 21 as a day for guests 21 and older, akin to what one might experience on St. Patrick’s Day; whereas Sunday, Sept. 22 is Family Fun Day geared toward children, with activities such as face painting and other family- and kid-friendly attractions planned.

There will be food and alcohol vendors both days at Town Square Park, 24701 Jefferson Ave., Murrieta.

Ticket prices are as follows: Saturday (21 and over only),  $20; Sunday Family Fun Day, $15 (kids 12 and under $1); or Adult Weekend Ticket, $30.

Tickets can be purchased at: Murrieta Chamber of Commerce, The Shamrock Irish Pub, J Carters, Aces Comedy Club, The Vault, or online at GetShamrocked.com.