Culture – Harp & Shamrock Society of Texas

An archive of links, documents and other resources related to Irish History & Heritage in San Antonio and beyond.

Irish Culture in San Antonio

Cultural Organizations

The Irish Cultural Society of San Antonio Promoting awareness of Irish Culture throughout the River City
Ancient Order of Hibernians America’s oldest Irish Catholic Fraternal Organization
Scottish Society of San Antonio For the local preservation of Scottish customs, traditions, and culture

Music

Blaggards Stout Irish Rock: traditional Irish music mixed with rock n’ roll
Joe Walmsley Acoustic Singer/Songwriter and a regular performer at Waxy O’Connor’s on the Riverwalk
San Antonio Pipes and Drums Traditional bagpipe band music
Black Bexar Pipe Band Not just Scottish music, but other Celtic areas such as Ireland
Celtic Texas Great Celtic Music, and they look great in Kilts
Sally’s Garden A local Celtic band featuring Irish Music, San Antonio, TX
Doc Grauzer Irish Harpist and storyteller from Austin
Gravel Walk A Celtic Band from Corpus Christi

Sports & Dance

Inishfree School of Irish Dancing Under the direction of Neill Reagan
San Antonio Gaelic Athletics Club Bringing to Gaelic Athletics, including Gaelic Football and Hurling, to Bexar County
San Antonio Highland Games Association Bagpipes and cabers in Alamo City, since 1998
Scottish Highland Dancing (Email) Instructor: May Beth Klein

Night Life

The Lion & Rose A local chain of pubs serving Irish & British fare – Proud sponsors of H+S
Waxy O’Connor’s Popular Irish Pub on the River Walk- Proud sponsors of H+S
Olmos Pharmacy Stop in for “Trad Night” to enjoy traditional Irish music every Thursday
Beethoven Maennerchor Host to many Irish cultural events for Harp + Shamrock
Francis Bogside Gastropub featuring classic cocktails, craft beer & Irish pub food.
Brigid Contemporary American fare using local ingredients. Named for the Celtic word meaning “high” or “exalted.”

News & Views

The Irish Echo Largest circulation Irish American weekly newspaper
Irish Central Irish American media site
Irish Voice From the makers of Irish Central, a weekly Irish American publication
Irish Heritage in Boston Much of what made this great American city what it is today is the influence of its Irish immigrant population.

Retail

Irish themed gifts Offering our members and friends a 20% discount. Use code IRISH when checking out to receive the discount.
Sports Kilts A man in a kilt is a man and a half!
Run Wild Sports A healthy lifestyle business, locally owned and operated.
Irish Goat MultiSport Personal Trainer and Coach. Making this the Year of the Goat. Visit www.irishgoat.com to schedule an appointment.
Soler’s Sports Local running, cycling and triathlon store since 1989
GLI Distributing Distributor of Guinness, Harp and other fine Irish beverages
Highland X Press Scottish & Irish Gifts

Tracing Your Ancestors

A project of the National Tourism Development Authority of Ireland

History of the Irish Flats

Just three blocks from the Alamo is an area known as the Irish Flats. The residential community was home to both Irish and German immigrants who came to the area between 1830 and 1860.