Harps & Fiddles

NTIF 2012 is the 30th anniversary festival. We started life on March 3, 1983, when a small group of like-minded musicians created a small gathering at Nick Farrelly's Lounge (generally called the NFL Bar). The event was known as the "First Texas Ceili." Ceili (pronounced kay-lee) means a visit or gathering in Gaelic and is understood to involve musical entertainment and dance. The following year we moved home to the historical Fair Park where we have been ever since.

In addition to being our 30th festival, we also picked the theme of Harps & Fiddles, since these two instruments, probably more than any others typify the music of Ireland. There are many varieties of harp found throughout the world, the oldest originating in Egypt some 4,000 years BC. The folk harp or Celtic harp is small to medium-sized and usually designed for traditional music; it can be played solo or with small groups. It is prominent in Welsh, Breton, Irish, Scottish and other Celtic cultures within traditional or folk music and as a social and political symbol.

The medieval fiddle emerged in 10th-century Europe, deriving from the Byzantine lira, a bowed string instrument of the Byzantine Empire and ancestor of most European bowed instruments. The best-known Irish regional fiddling traditions are from Donegal, Sligo, Sliabh Luachra and Clare.

The harp is also featured on the famous Irish light beer, Harp, the flag of Leinster and, prior to joining the Euro, the Irish currency.

New for 2012 - The Culinary Stage

The Galway stage will feature a number of top Dallas chefs demonstrating how to prepare traditional Irish or "Irish with a twist" recipies. There will be a limited audience for each demonstration, on a first come first served basis, and at the end of the presentation each audience member will receive a small sample of the dish. Check out the chefs on our Culinary page.

NTIF 2012 - The Scottish Village

The Scots have for many years been welcomed as guests at the Irish Festival. Their colorful Scottish Village is the place to trace your Gaelic roots on the other side of the Irish Sea. Check out the new Scots page in the performers section. Also note the annual meeting of Clan MacDuff to be held during the festival.

Volunteer Meeting Date Set

The Volunteer meeting is set for January 29th in the main ballroom at the Doubletree Campbell Center, US75 and NW HHighway. The Managers meeting will start at 1:00pm and the volunteer signup will start around 2:00pm. The meeting is open to all who want to find out more about NTIF and join the over 400 people that make the event such a success every year.

Volunteer Orientation

Volunteer orientation sessions will be held for all Stage Managers, Drivers and Admissions staff in early February. These orientation meetings are designed to give new, and returning volunteers, more information on their specific duties. We have great volunteers, but we have learned from many people that we do tend to throw people into a job and expect them to learn things like how to operate credit card machines, how to set up a stage between bands and how to navigate vans through Fair Park and DFW airport.

So, this year we will hold an Orientation Day on February 12th at 1:00pm at our offices at 2528 Elm, Dallas. That's just one block east of I45, but it's a one way street, so use your GPS or Google Maps to locate us. We have plenty of space, so all orientation will happen at the same time.

All orientation meetings are paid for by NTIF. You just have to get there!

TABC Certification

You must hold a valid TABC Alcohol Servers license to serve beer or wine at NTIF. The license is valid for just two years, so unless you took (and passed) the test last year you will need to recertify. TABC certification is scheduled for February 19th.  Details on the Volunteer Meetings page. We do check licenses prior to the start of every shift!

NTIF Host Hotel

NTIF is moving just a couple of miles north for its 2012 hotel. Not that we have had anything but exceptional service from the Radisson, it's just that we have outgrown the space that they have available. The 2012 host hotel will be the Doubletree at Campbell Centre - the large gold towers just south of Northwest Highway, Loop 12. More details and reservation links are available here.

At this timethe hotel is SOLD OUT on Friday and Saturday nights. An alternate room block has been reserved at the Radisson hotel at Mockingbird Station. However, this hotel is also selling out fast, so you should book as soon as possible.

Special Note For Dog Owners

We have been granted special permission to have dogs at the Doubletree Hotel. This is an exception to their normal pet policy, and they are asking us to do what we can to get that word out. When you make your reservation please ensure that you are asking for the NTIF block and tell the receptionist that you will be bringing a dog. They will then place all pet owners in rooms in a dedicated pet friendly floor of the hotel.

Note also that you will be asked for a refundable pet deposit either in cash or on your credit card, and will be charged for any damage to the room or furnishings. This is a very fair requirement. If your pet behaves you will receive a full refund when you check out. Also note that dogs should not be left alone in the room for any extended time.