Irish tunes, step dancing and the Irish jig breathe spirit and life into the Irish Week Festival. Visitors can participate in Gaelic games, trace their own Irish history with the help of genealogists or take Irish language lessons. Cultural exhibits, demonstrations and mingling with Irish celebrities guarantee a “great craic” (Gaelic for “a great time”).

Special guests and activities this year include:

• Claddagh Irish Dancers, direct from Dublin
• Rapparee Irish Musicians with the Tara Academy Irish Dancers in traditional and contemporary Irish tunes
• A full performance roster of Irish musicians, including the Boys of Greenwood Glen, Town Cryer with Momentum Music Academy, Rose Laughlin and The Muses
• Irish dancers Baile Glass, Comerford, Fire and Ice, Gavaghan School of Irish Dance, Grafton Street and Rowan Fae, Slieveloghane
• Children's events, including the Smilingest Irish Eyes and the Most Irish-Looking Face Contests, and other activities in the Children's Activities Center
• Irish Reels Film Festival of contemporary Irish short films

Did you know? Fr. William Treacy was born in Ireland in 1919 and moved to Seattle in the 1940s to serve as a parish priest. In 1960, he became the Catholic representative on the interfaith television program, “Challenge,” which aired for 14 years on KOMO-TV. Through the program, Fr. Treacy and the Jewish representative, Rabbi Raphael Levine, became friends and together wrote a book about their relationship. The two founded Camp Brotherhood outside Mount Vernon, a 200acre “family friendly” retreat where people from different faiths and ethnic backgrounds learn from one another. Fr. Treacy still serves on its Board of Directors.

Join us at Safeco Insurance Festál 2009 and become a culture carrier (someone who contributes to cultural understanding through the sharing of stories, songs, music, food and family traditions). This festival is produced by Seattle Center in partnership with the Irish Heritage Club of Seattle. For details on the festival, click on www.irishclub.org. For information on Safeco Insurance Festál and other Seattle Center programming, click on www.seattlecenter.com.

About Safeco Insurance Festál

Safeco Insurance Festál, presented by Seattle Center in partnership with community organizations, is a year-long series of FREE events that honors the cultural richness and diversity of the Pacific Northwest. Safeco Insurance Festál plays a vital part in Seattle Center efforts to connect our dynamic and varied communities.

This collection of 22 events is presented with the generous support of Safeco Insurance, Wells Fargo, Verizon Wireless and KUOW 94.9 Public Radio. Additional support is provided by The Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, The Boeing Company, Seattle Center Fund and the City of Seattle.