Planning for the first Dublin Irish Festival was a cooperative effort between the Columbus Feis Committee and the 1/1000 Committee. The Festival was part of a year-long celebration of Dublin, Ohio’s, first year as a city and Dublin, Ireland’s, 1000th year as a city. There were musical performances, Irish wolfhounds, dancing and dart competitions.

Greenfields of America was the first national band to play at the Festival. Attendees circled their cars around the tennis courts and turned on their headlights so dancing could continue into the night. A mass was held in the Irish language and there were competitions in Irish language and hurling. The City of Dublin became a financial supporter. No alcohol was sold due to liability insurance regulations.

Inisheer and Greenfields of America entertained attendees. The first Ceili dancing and Ceili band competition was held. A quiet corner was introduced for harpists, storytellers and other musicians in the Dublin Municipal Building.

A full-color reproduction of the Book of Kells and an illuminated manuscript of the Four Gospels were displayed. There were demonstrations in wood carving, calligraphy, hurling and photography. An Irish baking competition was held and kids’ activities were introduced.

The City of Dublin became the lead sponsor of the Festival. Skelly the Leprechaun made his debut. The Festival added a Wee Folk area, a Cultural Corner, the Irish Café, and a pub, along with an Irish bread competition, a limerick contest, and an Irish trivia contest. De Dannan flew in from California to perform, but the airline misplaced their luggage, causing Dave Murphy and Pat Mogan to use loaned instruments in their performance.