A few years back, the Irish dancing community was dealt a series of devastating losses. Four celebrated dance masters – Jimmy Erwin, Jerry Mulvihill, Michael Bergin, and Peter Smith – passed away in close succession.“All I could think,” recalls Riverdance choreographer and dancer Jean Butler, “was the steps and stories that died with them. The dances live in the … [Read more...] about Hall of Fame: Dancer, Choreographer, Teacher Jean Butler
Music
Hall of Fame: Judy Collins Singer, Songwriter, Social Activist
It is difficult to define or to encapsulate Judy Collins in under 2,000 words. Ironically though, perhaps just two words can provide an insight into this remarkable woman’s activism, career, and song choices: they are, “amazing grace.” Everything Judy has done in her long and varied life have shown ability, creativity, tenacity, and – grace. These two words also happen to be … [Read more...] about Hall of Fame: Judy Collins Singer, Songwriter, Social Activist
Green is The New Black
Tourism Ireland hosted a stellar event at The Lotte New York Palace Hotel in New York City last night, Jan. 28, to launch its 2020 marketing plan – an extension of the 2019 “Fill Your Heart With Ireland” campaign. Guests from all over the U.S., and Ireland, filled the beautiful ballroom at the Palace for a night of celebration and discussion. Alison Metcalfe, Tourism … [Read more...] about Green is The New Black
Hall of Fame 2020
℘℘℘ The 2020 Irish America Hall of Fame dinner and inductions will be held in New York City on March 12, 2020, and we are excited to celebrate and honor eight outstanding Irish American leaders and the contributions they have made in public service, the trades, business, education, and entertainment. “This year’s honorees are a wonderful mix of artists, a labor leader, an … [Read more...] about Hall of Fame 2020
We Banjo 3
The band from Galway that plays a blend of traditional Irish, old-time, and bluegrass music they call Celtgrass. ℘℘℘ The banjo has a long, contested, and even controversial history. Musicologists now generally agree that an early form of the instrument was first brought to America by enslaved people from west Africa. It was possibly an akonting, a three-stringed … [Read more...] about We Banjo 3