‘When Irish eyes are smiling, sure ‘tis like a morn in spring’, is one of the many tunes you may hear at Savannah’s Emmet Park during the City of Savannah’s Tara Feis Irish Celebration, taking place Mar. 12 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Topping the line-up will be the acclaimed Andy Cooney and his ‘Forever Irish’ variety show.

Organized by Bernadette Winters and Harry O’Donoghue, the family-friendly feis (pronounced “fesh”) — or festival — will be a feast for the eyes, ears and palate, with live performances, food, art activities, crafts and games hosted with Irish ceremony, tradition and hospitality. Now in its 20th year, Tara Feis is a free, non-alcoholic event geared towards families and children.

Festivities begin at 11 a.m. with an official Irish opening ceremony. The main stage will feature plenty of traditional Irish dancing, as well as a live performance by local folksinger Harry O’Donoghue. Two performances by Andy Cooney will highlight this year’s feis.
Cooney, christened as “Irish America’s Favorite Son” by the New York Times, began his career at the age of 19 with the well-known Irish bandleader, Paddy Noonan. Touring on his own since 1994, Cooney performed for a sold out crowd at Carnegie Hall in December of 2009.

The Tara Feis children’s stage will feature a full day of entertainment, including performances from magician Magic Marc, the puppets of Conrad Hartz, and traditional Irish dancing performances from Glor na h’Eireann Irish Dance School and the Irish Dancers of Savannah.

For a performance schedule or more information, contact (912) 651-6417 or visit www.savannahga.gov/arts.

Tara Feis is free and open to the public.  Emmet Park is located in downtown Savannah at the east end of Bay Street.