Irish Festival

A slice of Ireland in Rome's Portuense district

The Irish Festival is one of the longest-running events dedicated to Gaelic culture in Rome. It takes place in the indoor spaces of Fiera Roma, located at Via Portuense 1645/1647 in the Portuense/Ponte Galeria area of the capital. Organized by 'Idee in Fiera' as part of the larger Rome Meets the World (also known as the World Festival), the venue becomes a fragment of Dublin for two consecutive weekends between late April and early May. Expect reconstructed pubs, green signage, Celtic harps, and the savory aroma of beef stew cooked in dark beer.

Live music: from traditional folk to Gaelic rock

The musical program is the heart of the event. International bands arriving directly from Ireland, Scotland, and across Europe take the stage, offering a repertoire that ranges from traditional folk—featuring fiddle, flute, bodhrán, and Celtic harp—to high-energy Gaelic rock with electrified bagpipes and tribal percussion. Concerts run throughout the day until closing time, allowing visitors to catch multiple sets without ever leaving the pavilion.

Celtic dance, workshops, and reconstructed villages

Alongside the concerts, the festival offers a rich participatory program. Free Irish dance lessons are among the most popular activities: masters and international champions teach the public the basic steps of line dancing and ceilidh, with sessions repeated throughout the day. This is complemented by seminars on the Celtic harp, talks on Druidic traditions, storytelling sessions featuring Gaelic legends, and costumed historical re-enactments.

• Reconstructed Celtic villages with huts, artisans at work, and encampments
• Traditional games open to all: tug-of-war, horseshoe throwing, and skill challenges
• Children's area featuring magic and fantasy-themed activities popular with families
• Bazaar and crafts: silver jewelry, wool products, musical instruments, and Celtic-themed items

The Irish table

Food and wine are fundamental components of the event. The menu revolves around classic Irish cuisine: beef cooked in dark beer, pork shanks, grilled meats, traditional soups, smoked salmon, and apple desserts. The bar serves classic dark stout as well as traditional red and blonde ales, while those who prefer spirits can enjoy Irish whiskey, Irish coffee, mead, and hippocras. The long communal tables, typical of the format, foster the convivial pub atmosphere that is the event's true trademark.

A festival within a festival

The Irish Festival is not a standalone visit: the ticket for Rome Meets the World grants simultaneous access to dozens of other themed festivals hosted in the same Fiera di Roma pavilions, ranging from the Orient to Latin America, Spain to Brazil, including international street food, wellness areas, and exhibition spaces. For the public in the Lazio region, this formula allows visitors to move from bagpipes to Latin drums in just a few meters.

Not to be confused

Rome also hosts the Rome Celtic Festival, a distinct event held in the Testaccio district. The Irish Festival at Fiera di Roma is a separate event with its own organization, ticketing, and spring calendar.