NORTH TEXAS IRISH FESTIVAL 2003


        A late-winter renaissance festival with an Irish Keltic theme -- that's what the North Texas Irish Festival 2003 reminded me of!



        I mean there were the merchants (Photo, Above: a view of some of the merchant booths in just one of the buildings at NTIF), the music, the games and rides, the playtrons in garb. Why, they even had sausage on a stick at the usual faire prices! The only thing missing was the chainmaille bunnies!! Considering the cold weather, tho, perhaps the absence of the chainmaille bunnies was not necessarily a bad thing. All that blue gooseflesh running around NTIF would have been most definitely NOT sexy! Even so, the atmosphere of "faire" was so strong at NTIF, it made me feel downright NAKED not being Ryleh the Wanderer that weekend. As an Irish Druid, I'd've fit right in!!!





        In fact, it was interesting to me how many folks did come out in garb: Rennies, Otters, Scots/Irish Kelts in kilts, Irish Stepdancers, Civil/Revolutionary War Reenacters (Photo, Right), the SCA and many, many more. Not only did that make for some great photo opportunities during the festival, but it was also very educational for me as well. Up 'til then, you see, it hadn't quite dawned on me just how INVOLVED the Irish/Scots Kelts have been in the creation of Western Civilization. Seeing all the colorful costumes spanning several centuries of world history was a unique visual lesson in just how much my own People have contributed to and shaped historical events and cultures!













        To my delighted surprise, I did recognize a LOT of the folks there. For instance, I spotted Sharon -- the pretty young dancer/singer from Queen Anne's Lace -- as well as the spritely lass who danced at Sam's Irish Pub in Houston; not to mention a whole crowd of Dallas Otters, many of whom I've seen before at Scarby/TRF! There were familiar faire acts like The Corsairs, Wyndnwyre and the Brobadigian Bards, singing and playing hour-long sets all day long. My favorite merchants were also there: both The Magic Cauldron and the Mongolian Embassy had large booths offering lots of tempting merchandise for sale (Photo, Below). Ye Godz, but I could easily have spent several HUNDREDS of dollars that weekend!







        There were lots of swords, flags, daggers, drums, knives, jewelry, maces, books, battle axes, music, pikes, videos, spears, clothing, helms, stuffed animals, shields, fantasy tees, armor and other assorted medieval weaponry for sale. Basically, anything you can put a shamrock or the word "Irish" on was available, somewhere! As it was, I limited myself strictly to two books and a couple of bumper stickers for my truck. I especially liked the one which read "SHEEP: they give so much, they ask so little"!!!






        Quite honestly, half my time at NTIF was spent going through all the merchants' booths, inspecting their wares. The rest was spent listening to the Corsairs, Irish Rogues, Wyndnwyre, the Cathie Ryan Band and the Blarney Brothers. As usual, the Corsairs had a GOOD time singing and acting up during their set -- so I really enjoyed their show! I was also pleased to find Wyndnwyre there and to make acquaintance with the Irish Rogues and Cathie Ryan. Those latter two were new to me, but they played some really awesome Traditional tunes, just the way I like them. Ms. Ryan, I understand, was once the lead singer for the band Cherish The Ladies, while the Irish Rogues have been playing the Dallas pub scene as long as NTIF has been around: 21 years! Then, of, course, there were the Blarneys...(Photo, Below)






        Aye, they're Irish, they Rock and I DO like them a lot -- but only from a safe distance, like well beyond Ground Zero! Let me put it this way: they were playing outdoors on the Shannon Stage, at the back of a 200-foot-long circus tent. Myself, I was standing an additional fifty feet away from the tent entrance. Not only could I hear the Blarneys just fine, but even at that distance I could still feel the beat of the music literally pounding at my chest!! Don't get me wrong: I do like my own music LOUD, but at that point it was "too much of a good thing." I can't even imagine what it must've been like for those in the audience who were stitting front row center, watching the Blarneys perform!!!






        Now these were just the highlights of NTIF2003 for me. There was more -- a whole LOT more! -- going on all day, all weekend long (Photo, Left: like taking the portrait of this Rennish playtron, with her gorgeous cloak, boots and garb. Way too hot for Scarby, but just right for NTIF in the winter!). Saturday night, for example, the Glengarry Bhoys didn't start their last set 'til after 10pm, so you know the Festival must've rocked on 'til at least midnight! If that weren't enough, the Dallas Otters headed over to the Red Lion Pub in North Dallas after closing. So there was plenty of opportunity to meet'n greet all day -- and most of the night! -- long, not to mention tossing back as much ale, wine and mead as your wallet would allow!!!









        All in all, NTIF2003 was one really awesome event. Not only did it break the dreary, gray Doldrums of Winter, but it really got me pumped up and ready for a new Faire season! HUZZAH!!!


        GALLERIES


        PHOTO GALLERY -- 16 views of the North Texas Irish Festival 2003, capturing some of the Keltic "flavor" of this late winter event!


        RETURN TO RYLEH'S RENAISSANCE WORLD...


        Standard Disclaimer: This webpage is strictly an *Unofficial* look at the North Texas Irish Festival held every March in Dallas, TX since 1982. The author of these pages is in no way, shape, manner or form connected with the North Texas Irish Festival (WEBSITE: www.ntif.org) and/or any of the sponsors associated with this event. All opinions expressed are strictly this author's own. Unless noted otherwise, all photographs are copyright (c)2000-2004 by George Laking.

        This page created 4 August 2003
        This Page Updated 15 January 2004