CelticMKE Websites

Concerts at CelticMKE

print this page Share This Page

Rory Makem: An Irish Holiday

Rory Makem

Enjoy an evening of Christmas and Irish folk music with Rory Makem.

Guinness

 

Sunday, December 14, 2025
Doors: 1:30pm / Concert: 2:00pm
CelticMKE Center


Pre-Sale: $25
Available through November 30 (unless sold out)

Regular on-sale: $35
Available December 1, 2025
 

Get Tickets


Be one of the first! ❄️ For the first 100 tickets purchased, receive a complimentary Ceol and Ól holiday-themed engraved ornament.* Thanks to our partners at Guinness for sponsoring the ornaments!

The love of song runs deep in the Makem family. Rory is the son of Tommy Makem (of Clancy Brothers fame) and continues a legacy handed down from his grandmother, the legendary source singer Sarah Makem. Rory pulls the songs of the worker, the sailor, the lovers, the fighters, and the land from the pages of history and breathes life into them. He’s an adept interpreter of folk songs, masterfully accompanying himself on guitar, banjo, mandolin, or bouzouki.


There will be a bar available with beer, wine, soda, and water. 

*If you order 4 tickets in one order and are within the first 100 tickets sold, you'll receive 4 total ornaments. You'll receive your ornament on concert day at check-in.

 

Rory Makem

A seasoned performer with over 35 years on the road, Rory has toured extensively with The Makem Brothers and the Makem and Spain Brothers and for 17 years played guitar with his father, Tommy Makem. He has played sold-out venues, festivals, and theaters throughout the United States, Canada, England, Scotland, and Ireland. At his best on stage, Rory captivates his audiences with charisma, passion for the songs, poetry, history, humor, and skilled musicianship.

The love of song runs deep in the family. Continuing a legacy handed down from his grandmother, the legendary source singer Sarah Makem, Rory pulls the songs of the worker, the sailor, the lovers, the fighters, and the land from the pages of history and breathes life into them. An adept interpreter of folk songs, he masterfully accompanies himself on guitar, banjo, mandolin, or bouzouki.

Not limiting himself to the stage, Rory has played on movie soundtracks, including A Fool and His Money and The Lightkeeper. His compositions can be heard as the backdrop for PBS series as diverse as Tommy Tang’s Modern Thai CuisineIt’s an Age Thing, and Simply Painting.

Learning from those that came before you is the essence of folk music, and Rory has had the great honor to learn from the best. Of course there were the many years at his father’s side… absorbing the master at his craft. He has also recorded with some luminaries of modern folk music: Tom Paxton, Noel Paul Stookey, Bill Staines, Eric Weissberg, Roger McGuinn, Dave Mallett, Gordon Bok, Jonathan Edwards, Rick and Ron Shaw, and Schooner Fare.

Through more than a quarter century of plying his craft, Rory has established himself as one of the leading forces in the song tradition of Irish music… And so… the tradition continues.

Get Tickets

 

CelticMKE's Official Pre-Concert Restaurant: Leff's Lucky Town

Before the show, we highly recommend starting your evening at Leff’s Lucky Town, a beloved Wauwatosa staple known for its delicious food, laid-back atmosphere, and friendly service. Located just minutes from the CelticMKE Center, this neighborhood bar and grill serves up their famous Big Ass Pretzel, award-winning burgers, wings, and other tasty food. A perfect spot to start your Tosa experience before enjoying a great night of music.

Leff's Lucky Town

 



CelticMKE's Official Post-Concert Bar: Draft and Vessel (Wauwatosa)

Keep the night going after the show with a stop at Draft and Vessel Tosa, our official post-concert bar partner.

Just a short stroll from CelticMKE Center (only a block away) and nestled within the village of Wauwatosa, Draft and Vessel brings unique beer to a unique space. It’s the perfect spot to unwind, whether with a pint of draft Guinness, craft beer, cider, seltzer, wine, or draft cocktail before heading home.

 Draft and Vessel
 


 

 

Ceol and Ol logo

Located in the village of Wauwatosa, CelticMKE's concert hall provides an unforgettable, intimate listening experience. Featuring the best in Irish, Celtic, Bluegrass, and Folk music and with no bad seat in the house, Ceol ⁊ Ól (Gaelic for music and drink) offers high-quality entertainment at an affordable price—bringing the joy of music and culture to Milwaukee and beyond.

This event is part of the Ceol and Ól Celtic Concert Series, proudly brought to you by Guinness. See more upcoming concerts below!

Guinness and Chocolate  Guinness and Chocolate  Concerts at CelticMKE   

 

Ceol ⁊ Ól Partners

Draft and Vessel  Guinness​  Leff's Lucky Town

 



CelticMKE Newsletter

SIGN UP to receive our newsletter for the latest blogs on Irish music and Celtic culture, as well as other upcoming events!

CelticMKE | 1532 Wauwatosa Avenue | Milwaukee, WI 53213-2623 | Phone: (414) 476-3378 | Email: info@celticmke.com

Miller Lite

Jameson

Aer Lingus

Sprecher

Lakefront Brewery

Celtic

McGourthy Family

Habush Habush & Rottier

© 2018 CelticMKE. All Rights Reserved.
top