My father died in 1958, when I was very young. His company put out a memorial newsletter at the time.
I am going to share/steal a line from that memorial and apply it to "the Father of Irish Fest" if I may.
It said "Death comes to us all, but achievements raise a monument."
There are so many achievements in your Monument Ed. First, an amazing family... No man can ask for a greater tribute and legacy.. Then of course, there is Irish Fest!
If your original committee laid the foundation for 40 years of Irish Fest, then you are the cornerstone! So much great music, culture and heritage have been built on top of that foundation, as well as so many careers, other festivals and lifetime friendships. You and your family have touched so many people over the years, and the Milwaukee Irish Fest Foundation and Celtic MKE are just a small part of the footprints you have made in the Irish Cultural and Irish American Heritage sands...
You have touched this old leprechaun and I am a much better person because of our friendship. Thank you for everything... From me, my family, the Sparta Celtic Festival family and the countless others you have helped over all of these years...
Ed, you are a special guy your vision and passion has been past on to many. I was so lucky to be able to develop the IF Youth Choir's over 30 years. with you. Your idea of getting young people to learn about Irish music was brilliant and has changed so many lives on many levels. I will always remember the impact you have made on me and so many of us. Thanks
It has been so interesting and special to be reading your memories of the start and early years of Irish Fest. I so remember planning our summers around that always fabulous weekend in Milwaukee and still do-it's a non negotiable!!
I remember the first time I was going to meet you when you were coming to the station to dlo a show about the upcoming fest. I was so very nervous to be meeting "Mr. Milwaukee Irish Fest"! Your warm manner, humor, and evident love for the music and musicians put me at ease, and from that day I have treasured you as a friend.
I have always truly enjoyed any time we have had together. I have known I can come to your with questions, for help, and to push for a band I'd like to see there.
I have enjoyed getting to know your wonderful family-such great people!
You have enriched my life, and are, and always will be in my heart!
Love you❤
Ed,
It was apparent that you had a great passion for the Irish culture and heritage, and for the
music. Forty years ago you decided to share your passion with others and so you started
Milwaukee Irish Fest. From what I have been able to gather, you did this to provide an
opportunity for local musicians to grow their art and entertain others. You reached out to
allow emerging artist, from across the globe, to develop their art and to have a venue to share it. You brought in seasoned entertainers, like Tommy Makem, to help teach these emerging artist how to grow their art. You created a venue for people to enjoy both the seasoned artist and the emerging artist, both locally and internationally. However, it was not just about the music, you also built a festival inside the festival, where people could learn about the Irish and Celtic cultures. A place where they could study their ancestry or enjoy other arts such as Gaelic speech or theater. You created an Irish cultural and heritage experience. You went
on to share your experience of presenting the culture and heritage to others across the
country through the creation of the AICF (The Association of Irish & Celtic Festivals). You
helped many other festivals get their start and embraced their growth. You looked at every
person and every organization for what they had to offer and not what their short fallings
were. You looked past peoples short fallings and accentuated their strengths. Better said,
you never spoke poorly of anyone, even if they wronged you, you spoke of what they had to
offer and their successes. Who would had known how many people you would impact over the next forty years? Not the 5 paid staff members of CelticMKE. Not the 15 other Board Members. Not the 150 year round volunteers. Not the 4500 volunteers that make Milwaukee Irish Fest happen. Not even the over 100,000 guest who came and enjoyed the fest each year, for the past 39 years. No, your desire to share the culture and heritage and to provide for the music to be heard made a huge impact on the over 1,000,000 people who attend any one of
the many Irish Festival throughout North America each year. You have shared your passion for the culture and heritage with millions each year. That, my friend, is a legacy.
Thank you for your support and confidence and thank you for entrusting your legacy to our fabulous team.
I have lost count of how many times I have traveled from Maine to come to Irish Fest. Thanks so much for the opportunity to join in with my friends and lend a hand. We have all been blessed for having known you and worked with you. Thanks Ed.
That early group of volunteers was near and dear to my mom's heart and so also to mine. It was a fantastic community to be a part of as a kid; with adults who cared about us, watched out for us, and provided incredible examples for how to live life . I wish I had been able to be involved as an adult, but life has taken me elsewhere. I proudly speak of Milwaukee's Fest whenever the opportunity arises and encourage everyone I can to attend. You all worked very hard to make an incredible thing happen....and the world is better for it
Ed, I have never met you, but I am grateful to you for all that is Irish Fest. From the first time I attended (to see the Barra MacNeils and Leahy) to these last ten years as a drummer with Celtic Nations, you have given me many memories.
These include hearing and playing great music, getting to learn and speak Gaelige, and learning all I have about Irish culture, music, and history. Because of Irish Fest, I found my *Scottish* ancestors, connected with UWM, and finally made my visit to Ireland. I believe in thanking those who have made a difference in my life, and, so, THANK YOU for all that Irish Fest means to me.
Thank you Ed for your vision and for making it become a force of nature for the City of Milwaukee - you will always be a part of the festival. Much love and prayers to you and your family
I am going to share/steal a line from that memorial and apply it to "the Father of Irish Fest" if I may.
It said "Death comes to us all, but achievements raise a monument."
There are so many achievements in your Monument Ed. First, an amazing family... No man can ask for a greater tribute and legacy.. Then of course, there is Irish Fest!
If your original committee laid the foundation for 40 years of Irish Fest, then you are the cornerstone! So much great music, culture and heritage have been built on top of that foundation, as well as so many careers, other festivals and lifetime friendships. You and your family have touched so many people over the years, and the Milwaukee Irish Fest Foundation and Celtic MKE are just a small part of the footprints you have made in the Irish Cultural and Irish American Heritage sands...
You have touched this old leprechaun and I am a much better person because of our friendship. Thank you for everything... From me, my family, the Sparta Celtic Festival family and the countless others you have helped over all of these years...
Bill (aka Liam the extra large Leprechaun,) Lynch