Festival Information
The Beaver Island Irish Féile was started in 2019, sponsored by the Beaver Island Chamber of Commerce as well as multiple private businesses and non-profits on Beaver Island. The Emerald Isle Irish Féile seeks to present authentic and varied Irish inspired activities at its annual festival. Its main objects are to promote economic development by extending the summer tourism season by one week; recognize, showcase, and preserve the island’s unique Irish heritage; and connect with other Irish American communities. The Féile is a showcase for the Irish heritage of Beaver Island, also known as “America’s Emerald Isle.”
Beaver Island, Michigan is the most remote inhabited island in the Great Lakes, As an unbridged island, the only way to and from travel to Beaver Island is via ferry, airplane or boat. Beaver Island is an amazing place to visit to unwind, unplug and relax. It is also a great place to attend a truly unique Irish Festival.
Thank you to everyone who purchased tickets for the 2024 Feile! The tickets have sold out for the second year in a row. For those of you who purchased tickets, you can pick up your wristbands at the registration table in front of the Community Center starting at 12:30 on Friday.
There are many opportunities to enjoy the Feile, even if you don’t have tickets!
- Enjoy three free workshops on Thursday afternoon on the Convent Green presented by our friends from Arranmore Island
- Irish Mummers Drama Class @ 12:30PM,
- Irish Dance Class @ 2PM and
- Gaelic Football Workshop @ 3:30PM.
- Shop QualityIrish Goods at Sullivan’s Irish Alley Vendor
- Walk the streets of town and visit with festival goers and soak up the outdoor music scene
- Attend the BI Irish American Hall of Fame ceremony on Saturday @ 10:30AM @ BIC Center Auditorium
- Enjoy the Currachs on the Water anytime Friday afternoon & Saturday; on Saturday the races begin @ 2PM
- Enjoy the Children’s Area for fun activities on the Convent Green @ 12:30 on Saturday.
- Attend Mass at the Grotto on Sunday @ 11 – Pub Runners will be joining the music team
Public venues that are used as festival music sites (like the Beachcomber, Shamrock, Circle M) are open to anyone, except during the times that there are festival artists performing. So, check our schedule Schedule and Program for Beaver Island’s Annual Irish Feile to see when artists are performing in these venues and plan your visits around that.
Charlevoix County Transit Bus will run a circuit from The Community Center to Holy Cross Church Corner to Whiskey Point Brewery to Circle M during some festival hours.
- Friday, September 6 from 3 – 7 PM
- Saturday, September 7 from 1- 7PM
Schedule Update:
Gavins on Friday @ 1-2:15 at Wild Strawberry Cafe
Byrne Brothers on Sat @ Noon – 1:30 at Wild Strawberry Cafe;
The groups basically switched performance spots on the schedule below.
Schedule Clarfication:
John Warstler @ 5PM Friday at Whiskey Point Brewery.
Jerry Early @ 6:30PM Friday at Whiskey Point Brewery.
2024 Program
| Venue | Type of Business | Hours and Fare | Social Media |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beachcomber | Bar & Restaurant | Friday & Saturday 2:00 pm-Close Seven Days 4-9pm kitchen hours Full regular menu | Beachcomber Facebook |
| Beaver Island Community Center | Concession Stand Drinks and light fare | Kitchen closes 6:30pm Breakfast sandwiches, cinnamon rolls Chicken strips, hot dog, and concession stand items NO Pizza | Beaver Island Community Center Facebook |
| Beaver Island Lodge & Sunset Restaurant | Fine Dining | Tuesday-Sunday 5-9pm | BI Lodge & Sunset Restaurant |
| Circle M Bar & Restaurant | Dinner & bar | Friday and Saturday Bar opens @ 2:30 dinner service starts at 5:30 | Circle M Facebook |
| Deb’s Creations | Vending Area | 24/7 Soft Drinks, Snacks, ice, ATM | |
| Féile Pub Outside Holy Cross Hall | Festival Vendor | Friday 7-11pm Saturday 7-11pm Canned Beer, Long Road Distillers Drinks, Wine, Soft Drinks | |
| Food Dept. Holy Cross Hall Kitchen | Festival Food Vendor | Friday Friday 4-8PM: Irish Mac & Beer Cheese, Colcannon Mashed potato Bowls, Irish Hand Pies, Muddy Buddies, waffle brownie on a stick, Irish Mint Muddy Buddy. Saturday 2-8PM :Boxy potato pancakes, Boxy Banger on a stick, Irish Chowder Soup, Hot Dogs, Hand Pies, Muddy Buddies and Sweets | |
| Harbour Market | Convenience Store | Serving breakfast all day coffee, soft drinks, beer & liquor | Harbor Market Facebook |
| Island Energies Gas Station | Gas Station & Convenience Store | 8am – 6pm Every Day, including groceries, beer, wine, liquor, ice, ATM | Island Energies Facebook |
| McDonough’s Market | Full Service Grocery Store | M-Sat 8am-6pm Sun 11am-1pm groceries, alcohol, ice, ATM | McDonough’s Market Facebook |
| Power’s Do It Best Hardware | Hardware Store | Friday 8am–4pm Sat 9am– 4pm Soft Drinks & Snacks | Power’s Do It Best Hardware |
| Shamrock Bar and Restaurant | Lunch, dinner, bar Full regular menu | Seven Days 11:30-9pm kitchen hours Bar open late | Shamrock Bar and Restaurant Facebook |
| Whiskey Point Brewing Co. | Brewery | Thursday – Saturday 4-8pm Beer, Seltzer Chips and Salsa Pretzels | Whiskey Point Brewing Co Facebook |
| Wild Strawberry Café | Deli Serving Breakfast and Lunch | festival hours and menu TBD lite bites when music is playing (chicken wings) | Wild Strawberry Cafe Facebook |
MAIN STREET BETWEEN BONNER AVENUE AND FOREST STREET WILL BE CLOSED TO THROUGH TRAFFIC:
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 AND SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 FROM 11AM – 11PM
- ACCESS TO BEACH PARKING LOT AND HANDICAP PARKING IS OPEN
- By permit of Charlevoix County Road Commission Permit # SPEC 24007
Sullivan’s Irish Alley (located near Holy Cross Hall) hours of operation:
- Thursday noon-3:00
- Friday noon-dusk
- Saturday 10:00-dusk
Food Dept. (located in Holy Cross Hall Kitchen) hours of operation:
- Friday 4-8PM
- Saturday 2-8PM
Charlevoix County Transit bus circuit from The Convent to Whiskey Point Brewery to Circle M hours:
- Friday September 6 from 3 – 7 PM
- Saturday, September 7 from 1- 7PM
Please note all venues have limited capacity. Plan accordingly and get to your favored events early.
If you are going to the Greene Farm on Saturday, watch for Parking Area signs on King’s Highway and follow the directions of the Parking Attendants.
If you are planning to attend Mass at the Arranmore Grotto on at 11am on Sunday, September 8th, if possible, bring your own lawn chair. There will be approximately 50 chairs set up for the elderly and those with mobility issues.
If you’re looking for information on accommodations, places to eat, car rentals, and shops please check out https://www.beaverisland.org