Ireland, West Virginia is the best name for a place hosting an Irish Spring Festival. And 2024 marks its 42nd year of celebrating all things Irish. This one-of-a-kind festival in the highlands of West Virginia takes place from March 10-19, with contests, food, arts and crafts, music, unicorns, a parade, and some interesting games. One of the best parts of this celebration is the house-decorating contest that turns the town into a lovelier place.

Ireland, West Virginia is a unique little unincorporated community in Lewis County where magic things happen, especially in March.
Ireland, West Virginia
Ireland, WV 26376, USA
Irish Spring Festival/Facebook
The town has an official flag that points to its location in the state so we can find it.
Community of Ireland, West Virginia (Original) Digitalized and Vectorized flag by TheVexillologistofKingwood, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
It is proudly flown in public places around the town along with the other important flags.
Ireland, West Virginia
Irish Spring Festival / Facebook
The festival is always held in March and always spans several days leading up to spring.
Ireland, West Virginia
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr
The fun begins with a flag-raising ceremony at noon on March 10 and ends several days later on March 19 at 11:06 p.m. with an official Declaration of Spring on the vernal equinox. This is one of two moments in the year when the sun is exactly above the equator, and day and night are of equal length.
The folks here have all sorts of fun during the festival days celebrating the miracle and the magic of a West Virginia spring.
Irish Spring Festival / Facebook
The busy schedule includes eating at the Pot 'O' Luck covered-dish dinner on March 10 at 1 p.m. and an Irish Jig at 7 p.m.
Have you ever tried your hand at road bowling?
West Virginia Irish Road Bowling
It's your chance to participate on March 16 at 2:30 p.m. and March 17 at 1:30 p.m.

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And you're not alone out there feeling vulnerable.
Ireland, West Virginia
West Virginia Irish Road Bowling
The crowd will cheer you on!
Named after the old country and settled by Irishman Andrew Wilson, Ireland, West Virginia is one of the most magical spots in the Mountain State.
Ireland, West Virginia
Irish Spring Festival / Facebook
Andrew Wilson, a.k.a. Old Ireland, reached the ripe old age of 114 when most of his peers didn't even reach 40.
When members of the community realized just how miraculous their founder's lifespan was, they became convinced that the area around Ireland, West Virginia contained a magical ingredient that lent itself to long life.
Irish Spring Festival / Facebook
And they decided that the best way to celebrate such magic was with a festival that also celebrated the coming of the most magical season of the year: spring, the season of life.
Irish Spring Festival / Facebook
And so, the Irish Spring Festival began.
On March 15, the Strings & Things workshop and presentation, which is new to the event this year, will take place at Ireland United Methodist Church.
Ireland United Methodist Church, 31 Community Dr, Ireland, WV 26376, USA
United Methodist Church
The workshop begins at 10 a.m. and the performance will take place at 2 p.m. at this church which was founded in 1841.
Other events include a gospel sing, a King and Queen crowning, vendors, Irish harp lessons and music, costumes, house decorations, a duck race, bingo, a bike tour, a parade, a 5K, a pet show, a hike up to Blarney Rock, and so much more.
Irish Spring Festival / Facebook
Make the trip to Ireland for this unforgettable Irish Festival in West Virginia!

Ireland, West Virginia is bringing a party, and you don’t want to miss out! Discover more details on the Irish Spring Festival Facebook page. Have you ever attended this unique, magical spring event? Tell us about it in the comments below.

And while you’re there, take this day trip to nine of West Virginia’s covered bridges, including the one in Walkersville which is only about five minutes away. Make it a vacation and reserve a rental nearby on the Expedia website.

This Day Trip Takes You To 9 Of West Virginia’s Covered Bridges And It’s Perfect For A Scenic Drive

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More to Explore

Spring Festivals In West Virginia

Carolyn Harmon | February 27, 2024

What are some of the annual spring festivals in West Virginia?

  • Malden Salt Fest (Malden): The 6th Annual Malden Salt Fest will take place on Saturday, May 18, 2024. The gates open at 11 a.m. and close at 5 p.m. when you can expect live music all day, food and drink vendors, craft beer, artisan products from all over Appalachia, and exciting tours of the J. Q. Dickinson Salt Works every half hour. This event is free.
  • West Virginia Wildflower Pilgrimage (Davis): This year marks the 62nd year of this annual event. It takes place May 9-12, 2024 taking participants through some of the most beautiful landscapes in the state at Blackwater Falls State Park, including Canaan Valley, Seneca Rocks, Dolly Sods, Germany Valley, Cathedral State Park,  Fernow Forest, Sinks of Gandy, Otter Creek, and many others.
  • Spring Nature Fling (southern West Virginia): Taking place late March through May, this celebration of Appalachian ecology offers celebrations in various places, such as New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, Babcock State Park, Bluestone State Park, Beckley Art Center, Love Hope Gallery, Fayetteville, Hinton, and Oak Hill, with several other places hosting events.

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