By John O’Brien, Jr.
@jobjr
So much to celebrate, I had to take notes to insure I didn’t miss:
Hibernian of the Year
Congratulations to our own Cleveland Irish columnist, Francis McGarry, named the 2025 Hibernian of the Year! Hibernian Brother Francis has been an iIrish columnist for more than ten years now; a confidant and counselor to me and many others, and a man in the know, who shares it readily with whoever asks for help, after doing most of the grunt-work himself. Happy Anniversary as well Francis! We are so fortunate to have you on our team, and in our community.
Irish Heritage Month
First officially proclaimed by President George H.W. Bush in 1991, Irish Heritage Month gains wider-spread recognition in word and deed each year, as we see organizations outside the immediate and dedicated Irish community that is active all year, celebrate it with us in events, spoken word presentations, and yes, even shenanigans. The shenanigans are second only to the ½ Way to St. Patrick’s Day parties ubiquitous to Irish America.
We receive a load of requests and will fulfill slightly less than a load of requests for those spoken word presentations, dance school and piper contacts and even band requests, from now until March, far too late to fit in schedules often filled months ago. We continue to try of course, helping is part of our fabric, but early birds do get the best bards.
St. Patrick Starts with St. Brigid
Locally, the often-sacred season kicks off with the Hibernian celebrations of St. Brigid held on and around February 1st. After Mass at the West Side Irish American Club, the year’s honorees are introduced and a fantastic meal, dance and celebration follow.
The honors are well-deserved in-person recognition, often for a lifetime of service to others. We mourn at too many funerals to not dance at doings that let people know in person the love and respect the community has for them, while they are still here, to hear it.
Exciting New Gaelic Athletic Association / Hibernian Collaboration
This week, The Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians (LAOH) announced a new collaboration with the Gaelic Athletic Association (USGAA in America) and our own Cleveland GAA. This collaboration to promote Irish culture, heritage, and sports across the United States brings together two influential organizations dedicated to fostering community, preserving traditions, and building a strong foundation for future generations.
The first event of these efforts locally is the U.S. Launch of the Lost Gaels Book Tour. Cleveland’s stop is on March 2nd – see Taking the Fields of Glory column on page the back cover for more info about the new partnership, promotion and the Lost Gaels book and Tour.
Cleveland St. Patrick’s Day Honorees
It is hard to combine, present and be inclusive of all the Honoree and event news around St. Patrick’s Week and Irish Heritage Month. Yet we must. Folks express criticism to us or online for things not included.
When we ask if they submitted it to us, invariably they say no, expecting us to know about it; find the info; find a good picture that we have permission to use; and write about it, without doing anything themselves to have it included. Our offerings are well-known and easily available to leaders and organizations. We can no longer exhaust countless efforts and uncountable hours trying to hunt you down.
Please be sure your honorees, congratulations to honorees ads and events are included by submitting them to us by the 8th of February for the Mighty March Irish Heritage Month issue, which hits the streets February 26th. We share your enthusiasm; share the info to us to share it with our readers here in print, and on our multiplatform digital offerings too.
What’s the Craic?
Each month, places to be and things to do are well-highlighted in listings and ads within, and the above-mentioned digital platforms, including the What’s the Craic? and Taking the Fields of Glory pages with all the craic, and the details too. There is so much more inside.
Read more of John’s Editor’s Corner or other columns, Click HERE
This Just In: Rock N Read is Back!
Rock ‘N’ Read is a nonprofit program founded in memory of former Lorain City Schools teacher, Anne Godlewski.
Rock ‘N’ Read raises funds to purchase and donate rocking chairs and children’s books to new and expectant mothers. Recipients are clients of Neighborhood Alliance and Mercy Health Resource Mothers programs – ensuring that children in our community benefit from the generosity of our sponsors and donors.
This Just In: In Celebration of St. Valentine’s Day: US Immigration Options for Couples Webinar
This is happening, be in the know
Columbus Irish: Full slate of fantastic events, Traditions to Come This Year
Info on fun St. Pat’s Day, Parade, events and traditions showcased in and around Columbus this year.
iIrish is made in America. We have always been green and are proudly Irish, all year long.
Nuair a stadann an ceol, an damhsa déanann an amhlaidh
(When the music stops, so does the dance)
John
John O'Brien, Jr.
*John is a Founder and the Publisher and Editor of iIrish; a Founder and Deputy Director of Cleveland Irish Cultural Festival for more than 35 years; an archivist, spokesman, emcee, Spoken Word presenter and author of five books, so far.
