Irish newcomers were treading this piece of the sod long before the infamous potato famine, historians will tell you. Mairin Petrone of the Pittsburgh Irish Festival knows that fact and wants to help celebrate all thing emerald this weekend at the Riverplex at Sandcastle in West Homestead. The incoming executive director of the 27th annual festival also has given the event a particular local emphasis with its theme: “Celebrating Pittsburgh’s Irish Roots.â€? “We’re so excited to be presenting what we feel is the perfect mix between international, national and local art at this year’s festival,â€? she says. The Irish festival is a massive collection of music, storytellers, Gaelic language classes and dancing. Of course, the festival also is a shopping center for Irish goods and a food court for Irish eats, beer and, new this year, whiskey. Two “whiskey snugsâ€? will be on the grounds offering tastings and sales of Irish whiskeys, scotch, bourbon, rye and the Irish cordial, Bailey’s. Staffers from Wigle Whiskey, headquartered in the Strip District, will offer talks on the making of whiskey as well as its local history. Petrone is taking the reins from co-founders and sisters Nan and Maura Krushinski, who are moving into advisory roles after nearly three decades. Petrone, 29, the daughter of Maura Krushinski, says she has been working informally at the festival since she was 3 and formally since 2007. “Now, if you see them around,â€? she says of her mother and her aunt, “they might be able to have a Guinness with you.â€? Bob Karlovits is a Tribune-Review contributing writer. Details Pittsburgh Irish Festival When: 4-11 p.m. Sept. 8, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Sept. 9 and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 10 Admission: $15; $10 for 60 and over, for students, public safety employees and military; free for 12 and under; weekend pass $30 Where: Riverplex at Sandcastle, West Homestead Details: 412-422-1113 or pghirishfest.com Email Newsletters TribLIVE's Daily and Weekly email newsletters deliver the news you want and information you need, right to your inbox.