Dropkick Murphys Announce Shamrock-N-Roll Festival

The Irish-American Celtic punk band will be joined on the road by Street Dogs, Chuck Ragan, The Mahones, The Parkington Sisters and local bands. Two yet-to-be-announced national acts will also perform on two alternating stages.

Boxer “Irish” Micky Ward (who was the inspiration behind the film “The Fighter”) will be there to sign autographs and put on a boxing demonstration. Ward is the subject of the title song of the Dropkick Murphys’ 2005 album The Warrior’s Code. He is also featured on the album’s cover.

The traveling festival begins with two previously announced, sold-out shows Sept. 8-9 in Boston at Fenway Park.

Additional stops include Bangor, Maine, at Downtown Bangor/Bangor Waterfront (Sept. 10); Altamont Fairgrounds in New York (Sept. 11); Trib Total Media Amphitheatre in Pittsburgh (Sept. 12); Columbus, Ohio, at Lifestyle Communities Pavilion (Sept. 13); Portsmouth, Va., at Ntelos Wireless Pavilion (Sept. 15) and Rochester, N.Y., at Main Street Armory (Sept. 17).

The Shamrock-N-Roll Festival wraps up Sept. 18 in Philadelphia at Electric Factory.

“We wanted to put a different spin on the idea of an Irish music festival – instead of focusing on the Old World folk tradition, we’re showcasing the ways that tradition has woven itself into newer music – while still maintaining a family-friendly environment and Irish cultural perspective,” bassist/vocalist Ken Casey said in a statement.

“Our fans cross so many generations, and not all of them want to see a Dropkick Murphys show in a punk rock venue. The Shamrock-N-Roll Festival will give more fans an opportunity to experience our live show, and to hear the unique ways that the other bands on the festival bring that Irish influence into their modern music.”

Dropkick Murphys have also announced an Australian tour with Lucero scheduled Oct. 19-25.

Tickets to the Bangor and Portsmouth shows went on sale today. Tickets to the Philadelphia stop go on sale July 23. All of the other Shamrock-N-Roll Festival shows (with the exception of the sold-out Boston gigs) go on sale Saturday.

The band is donating $1 from every Shamrock-N-Roll Festival ticket sold to its charity, The Claddagh Fund. In addition, $1 from every ticket sold for the Sept. 11 Altamont, N.Y., show will be donated to 9/11 charities.

For more information, click here for Dropkick Murphys’ website.