Sun 4/14 @ 5PM
The Irish are one of the largest immigrant groups to settle in Cleveland (although not as large as you might think perusing the names of local judges!), one of many such groups who helped write the area’s rich and diverse history.
Roots of American Music, a local nonprofit that uses music to teach other subjects including history is telling the story of Irish immigrants through the lens of Johnny Kilbane, son of Irish immigrants, who held the world featherweight boxing championship from 1912-1923, back when boxing attracted the mainstream attention sports like basketball and football do today.
“Emigrate! Bound for Cleveland!,” taking place at Terrestrial Brewing Company in the Gordon Square neighborhood where Kilbane lived, will explore Kilbane’s life — and how it related to those of other first-generation Irish-Americans in Cleveland — in music and narrative, by music by Pogues tribute band The Boys from County Hell, traditional musician Ruairi Hurley and singer/songwriter Ray Flanagan. Kilbane’s great-grandson Kevin O’Toole will be a featured speaker.
It’s free and open to the public.
Cleveland, OH 44102