About the Burlington Irish Heritage Festival:

The Burlington Irish Heritage Festival celebrates and raises awareness of Irish and Irish-American culture in Burlington, Vermont and the surrounding region, with a special focus on the calendar period around St. Patrick’s Day. The BIHF works with local musicians, dancers, writers, historians, artists, and co-sponsors to create a core set of events during the week closest to St. Patrick’s Day.


Volunteering with BIHF:

We encourage you to consider volunteering for the Festival! Running the Festival depends on a small group of loyal volunteers, and we are  always in need of  new blood and fresh ideas. We would eagerly welcome you on board!  For more information feel free to reach out!


Contact Us:

[email protected]


2024 BIHF Committee Members:

  • Tom Corcoran
  • Denise Dean
  • Peter Keating
  • Mary Jo McCarthy
  • John Murray
  • Elizabeth O’Dowd
  • Elizabeth Hunt Schwartz
  • Mairead Shields

BIHF Mission Statement

The Burlington Irish Heritage Festival (BIHF), established in 1995, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, community-based organization. Its founding principle is to celebrate and raise awareness of Irish and Irish-American culture in Burlington, Vermont and the surrounding region, with a special focus on the calendar period around St. Patrick’s Day, March 17. The BIHF sponsors a core of events during the week closest to St. Patrick’s Day, with the Festival Ceili as its signature event; but it also co-sponsors or offers a promotional focus for other events with a common purpose. To this end, the BIHF works closely with local musicians, dancers, writers, historians and artists, together with the organizations and venues that support these Irish traditions.