Bostonians are proud of many things. They adore their sports teams, have a penchant for tipping the elbow and couldn’t be any more pleased about it’s revolutionary history. Did I mention the fact that many love that their of Irish heritage?

According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2008-2012 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, a whopping 77,555 people identified as being Irish. The population of Boston has since swelled from 619,662 when the survey was conducted to 645,966, and it’s quite possible that the Irish ancestral population did as well.

But consider: At the time the bureau compiled their data, some 12 percent of the city’s people hailed from the Emerald Isle, and some estimates are as high as 20 percent.

Because of Boston’s rich Irish roots, Rachel Kelley is bringing the largest Irish celebration to Boston on September 26th. Aptly dubbed iFest, not to be confused with a new Apple product, Kelly describes the three-day event as bringing Ireland over to Boston compete with food, drink, and of course, Riverdancing.

Perhaps most importantly, though, iFest is designed to foster collaboration between both the United States and Ireland in all facets of life but to also showcase Boston’s ability to host massive, international extravaganzas – a point Mayor Walsh has made abundantly clear he intends to do as well (Olympics, anyone?).

“It is important to celebrate heritage and diversity. Coming from a family of Irish immigrants, I am humbled by the rich history of my ancestors,” Mayor Walsh told BostInno. “As a diversified world class city, Boston is committed to strengthening dialogue with the international community and is proud to be a part of iFest.”

BostInno was able to catch up with Rachel to get a feel for the flavor and essence of iFest, which she’s been cultivating tirelessly for the past three years. The following is pared down version of our conversation.

Do you ever get any time to enjoy Boston leisurely? 

Very rarely but sometimes a meeting is canceled and it’s a joy because you might get an hour then. Boston is so beautiful; I would love to have more time to actually enjoy it. Easter was the first time I brought my family over in three years. W got to do the Duck Tour, go down to Faneuil Hall and do lots of shopping, go to Cambridge, the Science Museum, the Aquarium. We also got to eat out at different restaurants – went to the Italian District. I would love to have more time.

Do you have a favorite American Food?

I adore the American food; I think it’s amazing. I love the seafood; the chowder here is amazing. I went to Barbara’s restaurant [Barbara Lynch’s B&G Oyster] which was the best meal I’ve had so far in Boston. I had lunch at Legal Seafood yesterday, and that was stunning as well. I’ve also Been to Smith & Wollensky for steak. I’m Looking forward to having deserts and so forth; I have a terrible sweet tooth.

Where did the idea of iFest come from?

I’ve run major Irish premium food and drink festivals since 2007, so that kind of gave me the experience on the festival side. In Ireland in about 2010, we were going through the recession and everything was very bleak, very negative, a lot of bad media against Ireland because of the banking crisis and financial crisis, just a really hard time for Irish people and for our country.

In all of that I thought we really need positivity and we really need to show that we have so much to offer – a small country, we definitely punch above our weight. I thought we need to make sure we don’t forget that, and that we celebrate all we’re good for and what renowned for, and that we’re going to get out of this recession and rebrand Ireland through the talent of the people and the culture.

This seems to tie in perfectly with Mayor Walsh’s push for more outdoor festivals and events…

I know Mayor Walsh’s team is very on message – with attracting international festivals into the city – because it also generates a huge amount of revenue for the city. We’re spending millions in Boston to bring iFest here and that money is getting invested in the local community, whether it’s through staffing, contractors, service, media and advertisement. That money is staying in Boston, which is really good for the city. It’s also profiling Boston as a city that can host a large-scale international festival and that’s something that’s then promoted globally.

Paint a picture for me. Tell me about the food, performances and other activities at iFest

You’re going to be completely immersed in Irish culture so the minute you walk in the front door you’re going to see, hear, taste and feel Ireland firsthand. And, from food demonstrations and samplings to Jameson whiskey tastings and bleedings, the new Guinness 2020 bar which is the Irish pub of the future, we have three live stages throughout the venue – from the grand level the whole way up into all of the outdoor space we’ve got everything.

Paint a picture for me; tell me about the food performances and other activities at iFest

We have the GAA coming over, which is the National Irish Hurling and Football team – we’re bringing over the players, the cups, the memorabilia, we’re doing a hurling simulator so people will be able to try the Irish sports. It’s very engaging and it’s really about experiencing Ireland firsthand.

Riverdance was a huge phenomenon, a global success, and we’re bringing over the troupe again, so we’ll be putting on a live show of that. We have Paddy Moloney and the Chieftains, we have up-and-coming Irish rock bands as well. We kind of go from older, traditional, authentic to what’s new in indie rock and pop, so they’ll be performing over the three stages every single day.

Then we have a rich cultural aspect so you can do the genealogy master class and find your roots through the author and presenter of ‘Who Do You Think You Are?’ on TV, so we’re bringing him over. We’re showcasing the Irish-American heritage exhibition as well. It’s as if you were going to an Irish party; there’s going to be food, going to be drink, going to be debate, going to be philosophy, and there’s going to be laughter. Culturally it’ll be a lot of fun. And really, that’s what iFest is. It’s like we’re taking the best slice of Ireland and we’re bringing it over. It’s not making a statement, it’s about giving the best visitor experience.

 

That’s good enough for us. So be sure to grab your green garb, brush up on your brogue and we’ll see you for iFest at the Seaport’s World Trade Center on September 26.