Get ready to kick up your Hooley heels, because the Great Irish Hooley is returning to Raglan Road Irish Pub & Restaurant at Disney Springs for its 11th year, from September 1-4. Now you may be wondering, what exactly does “Hooley” mean? Well, it’s a Gaelic term for a lively party with music, entertainment and fun for the whole family. Now, a Raglan Road Hooley? You know you’re in for a rollicking good time! I rounded up five reasons this weekend’s Hooley is a can’t-miss event.
1. Entertainment from the Emerald Isle
Multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter and winner of several Irish music awards, Sina Theil, is one of the headliners at this year’s Hooley. She was named “Rising Star of 2022” at the American Celtic Listener Supported Music Awards, so you won’t want to miss her performance kicking off the festival! In addition you’ll also hear from Strings & Things, a fan-favorite Irish folk/trad four-piece band; The Connemara Ramblers, a duo with fresh Irish sounds; One for the Foxes, a transatlantic trio merging backgrounds in Irish and American folk music; and Oliver Havlin, hailing from County Down, Ireland, who rocks tunes on guitar, fiddle and vocals. Brunch-goers can also enjoy the musical stylings of the Byrne Brothers during the Rollicking Raglan Brunch this weekend.
2. Lovely New Libations
Raglan Road will debut its new “Stars & Hearts” Keeper’s Heart Whiskey flight, an Irish-American collaboration aged in stout barrels. The bartenders also are whipping up new cocktails for the festival including “Heart of the Hooley,” made with Keeper’s Heart Irish Bourbon and blackberry and mint shrub.
3. Authentic Irish Fare
I would be remiss to write a post about Raglan Road and not give a shout out to their incredible culinary team! Guests will be able to enjoy classics like Fish & Chips and Shepherd’s to Die for Pie, or sample all-new bites from the kitchen like the Crispy Cream Goats Cheese Salad. Some of the dishes debuting at the Hooley include Guinness & Onion soup and the Sea Board – a sharing board for two featuring a variety of savory seafood bites. These dishes will remain on the menu after the Hooley, through the fall. Looking to grab a quick bite? Don’t forget about Cookes of Dublin, also adding some new menu items during the festival including a Combo Box with Battered Cod & Shrimp, a new recipe for their Hog in a Box (Slow Roasted Pork Shoulder), Bang Bang’s Loaded: Buttermilk fried chicken with a spicy mayo sauce and loaded chips, and Cookes’ Cheesecake.
4. Complimentary Face Painting
For the young (and young at heart) party-goes, there will also be complimentary face painting. Get in the spirit of the Hooley with Celtic artistry!
5. Raglan Road Irish Dancers
And of course, Raglan Road’s very own award-winning troupe will lead guests through a lively ceili. The ceili step dances date back to the Celts and Druids who inhabited Ireland in the 1500s and are a main event of local Irish and Celtic celebrations.
There is no cover charge, and reservations are recommended. Reservations can be made through the My Disney Experience app or by calling 407-938-0300. The high-energy fun begins Friday afternoon on September 1 and continues into the night on Monday, September 4. Bring your dancing shoes, and we look forward to seeing you there!
