Gaelic Park

Rate this place

Parks

Illinois

Nearby: Convent Park El Morro Park

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Gaelic Park, located in Oak Forest, Illinois, is a cultural center that celebrates Irish heritage and offers a variety of events and activities for visitors of all ages.

°F

mph

Wind

%

Humidity

Summary

The park hosts an annual Irish Fest, which features live music, dance performances, and traditional Irish food and drinks. In addition to the festival, the park also has a pub, banquet hall, and athletic fields for soccer and Gaelic football.

One of the main attractions at Gaelic Park is the Irish American Heritage Center, which showcases the rich history of Irish culture in America. The center features exhibits on the Irish immigration experience, the role of Irish Americans in politics and the arts, and the contributions of Irish Americans to society.

Other points of interest at Gaelic Park include the outdoor amphitheater, which hosts concerts and other performances throughout the year, and the Irish Cottage Gift Shop, which sells Irish-themed gifts and souvenirs.

Interesting facts about Gaelic Park include that it was founded in 1972 by a group of Irish immigrants who wanted to create a place to celebrate their heritage and share it with others. The park has since become a popular destination for locals and tourists alike, and has been recognized as one of the top Irish cultural centers in the United States.

The best time of year to visit Gaelic Park is during the annual Irish Fest, which takes place in early September. The festival draws thousands of visitors from around the country and features live music, dance performances, and traditional Irish food and drinks. However, the park is open year-round and offers a variety of events and activities throughout the year.

Weather Forecast

Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.

Related References