Aloha to the Annapolis Irish Festival - The Shamrogues!

We arrived early to the Annopolis Irish Festival to beat the rush hour traffic.  We found a shady spot near the entrance to soak up the atmosphere as the volunteers scurried around to open the festival.  We chatted with a gentleman sitting at gate, Jim Phelan, who turned out to be the founder of The Shamrogues.  From the band's website (link), 

Jim was born in Co. Laois, Ireland. He began playing guitar at the age of twelve and two years later was playing in local pubs with his first band 'The Exploding Appletarts'.

Raised in a family steeped in tradition he was born with a love of Irish ballads and picked up the tenor banjo and mandolin at an early age. He soon got involved in Sunday ballad sessions with several of the country's top Irish musicians including his close friend Seanie Smullen, one of Ireland's most talented banjo players (The Mighty Ghosts of Erin).

After emigrating in 1996, Jim started Irish sessions in countries as far flung as Japan, Dubai and Saudi Arabia. He settled in America in 2006 and launched The ShamRogues in April of 2009.

Jim's banjo inspired the audience to join the fun!

The band played for an hour and half ...

... with a champion Irish Dancer!  

I'll share more pictures of Katie tomorrow!   Meanwhile, we look forward to seeing more of The Shamrogues at local venues as they hail from Baltimore!

Do you have an favorite Irish band from a festival or even pub?

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City