[caption id="attachment_5977" align="alignleft" width="282" caption="Irish recording artist Harry O&#39;Donoghue entertains the crowd with traditional Irish folk music Saturday during the fifth annual Beaufort Irish Festival."]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/IF-cover.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-5977" title="IF cover" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/IF-cover-282x300.jpg" alt="" width="282" height="300" /></a>[/caption]

It is said there are two types of people in the world: Those who are Irish and those who want to be Irish. At Friday night’s Gala Opening for the 5th Beaufort Irish Festival, everything was green and Gaelic. The capacity crowd was treated to a wonderful evening at the Dolphin Room of the Best Western. Sumptuous Irish food was provided by Panini’s, washed down with Irish libations by Diageo Group. Ireland’s own Harry O’Donoghue entertained the crowd with songs and humor. The Weekend in Ireland theme continued into Saturday at the Quality Inn ballroom with Irish dancing, several Irish entertainers, then Pub Night at Luther’s with The Dady Brothers, and a final Jam Session at Luther’s on Sunday noon. Special mention goes to the hardworking 2012 committee members: Brenda Hill, chair; Sheila Saunders, Dot McKay, Meg Godley, Fred Leyda, Noel Tillman, Mike Falvey, Susan Kelly, Tom Kelly, Wade Bishop and the countless volunteers who have offered their time and talents to make this festival such a success!. All proceeds from the weekend benefit Habitat for Humanity.

[caption id="attachment_5979" align="aligncenter" width="150" caption="Cpl. Alex Balley, a volunteer from Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, gets into the spirit Saturday during the fifth annual Beauafort Irish Festival."]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/IF2.jpg"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-5979" title="Irish Fest" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/IF2-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a>[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_5980" align="alignright" width="150" caption="John and Joe Dady of the Dady Brothers Irish band, warm up with traditional Bodhran drum and Villean pipes before thier performance last Saturday during the fifth annual Beaufort Irish Festival."]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/IF3.jpg"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-5980" title="IF3" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/IF3-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a>[/caption]

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[caption id="attachment_5978" align="alignleft" width="150" caption="Delaney Hassell, 16, of Erie, Pennsylvania, entertains an enthusiastic crowed with a traditional Irish folk dance on Saturday during the fifth annual Beaufort Irish Festival."]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/IF1.jpg"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-5978" title="IF1" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/IF1-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a>[/caption]

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