4th Annual ‘Great Irish Hooley’ to Unleash Top Bands, Dancers and Craft Beers at Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant Sept. 4-7 in Downtown Disney

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LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — The best of Irish entertainment featuring headliner Screaming Orphans will take over Raglan Road Irish Pub & Restaurant Sept. 4-7 for the 4th annual “Great Irish Hooley.”

The rockin’ long weekend, celebrating the half-way mark to St. Patrick’s Day, also will commemorate the iconic pub’s 10th year at Downtown Disney with the high-voltage energy of seven top Irish bands, authentic step dancing, and first-rate contemporary Irish cuisine by celebrity chef Kevin Dundon. In addition to its featured menu of beer, wine, spirits, and cocktails, Raglan Road will spotlight four limited-edition craft beers brewed just for the Hooley by Ireland’s Rye River Brewing Company: a Raglan Road Saison, a citrusy Raglan Road Fruit Salad Weiss Beer, a refreshing McGargles Jims CO2 Stout and a McGargles Francis Tropical American IPA.

Labor Day weekend guests can celebrate Orlando’s only boutique Irish festival with performances beginning at noon Friday through Monday, and continuing throughout each day and night. This year’s Hooley band lineup includes:

Screaming Orphans (pictured above) – Four talented sisters from Bundoran in County Donegal, Ireland, who combine original pop/rock music with the Ceili (kay-lee) traditional music of their family roots. Their dynamic show has taken the festival circuit by storm, with stops at the Great Irish Hooley between August shows at the Milwaukee Irish Fest and September appearances at the Pittsburgh Irish Festival.

The Raglan Roots Coalition — 10 years down the road, Raglan felt it was time to shake its boogie — Roots style, with this new Irish house band. Think soul-rocking Celtic bluegrass with some hip-swingin’, knee-shakin’ funky roots beats, and you’re only halfway there.

JigJam — The hottest new act on the Celtgrass music scene, this County Offaly, Ireland, trio blend the best of hard-driving American Bluegrass and Irish folk music.

The West Coast Trio — This three-man band from Ireland’s west coast plays traditional and contemporary Irish songs on accordion, flute and guitar with plenty of reels and jigs.

The Blarney Stones — Three talented musicians from Ireland with a fresh take on Irish music and a new, exciting sound for our guests. Lead singer Hannah Carr may dance a step or two, as she’s a former Raglan Road Irish Dancer!

The Blaggards —Hailing from County Clare, home of traditional Irish music, these vibrant musicians honed their skills performing on the west coast of Ireland gig scene while studying at the Irish Music Institute in the University of Limerick.

Cooney & Ryan — One of the finest traditional Irish music duos around, these accomplished, energetic musicians often invite the crowd to sing along.

The Raglan Road Irish Dancers — Plucked from the cast and stages of the world’s greatest Irish dance shows, the Raglan Road Dancers perform throughout the long Hooley weekend. You can even learn some traditional Irish dance steps — no experience necessary!

A traditional Irish social celebration, the “Hooley” combines music ranging from traditional to rock tunes with entertainment and fun for the whole family. The Hooley also will feature Celtic face-painting Saturday through Monday. Throughout the Hooley, guests can step up to one of Raglan Road’s 130-year-old imported-from-Ireland bars or grab a table for authentic fare by Irish celebrity chef Kevin Dundon. A Trip Advisor “Certificate of Excellence” 2015 Hall of Fame honoree and 2014 “Best Restaurant” Orlando magazine readers’ poll award winner, Raglan Road is known for its beer-battered fish and chips, Shepherd’s pie with a contemporary twist, delectable seafood and gluten-free entrees.

“Ten years since opening, and four years since our first Hooley — we’re still going strong, and we’re excited to share our traditions, as well as the best of Irish bands and entertainers,” says John Cooke, a Raglan Road founding partner and Dublin native. The complete entertainment schedule will be posted at www.raglanroad.com and www.greatirishhooley.com closer to the event.

Owned and operated by Irish partners John Cooke, Paul Nolan and celebrity chef Kevin Dundon — famous for his five-star hotel and cookery school in Ireland — Raglan Road features traditional Irish dishes and new creations with a Celtic twist. The restaurant’s warm interior of aged walnut and mahogany woods from old Irish bars and churches was built in Ireland and shipped to Orlando. Live entertainment nightly and during weekend brunch includes the new Irish house band Raglan Roots Coalition, plus the Raglan Road Irish Dancers. Lunch is served 11 a.m.-3 p.m.; Dinner 3-11 p.m.; Bar menu 11 p.m.-late; Saturday and Sunday Rollicking Raglan Brunch from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Raglan Road Irish Pub & Restaurant is located at Downtown Disney in the Walt Disney World Resort, 1640 E. Buena Vista Dr., Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Visit www.raglanroad.com or call 407/938-0300.

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Debra Martin Koma wrote about food, travel and lifestyle issues for a number of local and national publications before she fell in love with Walt Disney World on her first visit — when she was 34! She's returned to her Laughing Place more times than she can count in the ensuing years, and enthusiastically shares her passion with readers of AllEars.Net and AllEars®. Deb also co-authored (along with Deb Wills) PassPorter's Open Mouse for Walt Disney World and the Disney Cruise Line, a travel guide designed for all travelers to Walt Disney World who may require special attention, from special diets to mobility issues.

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