Toledo Irish: The Druids are Coming to Toledo
By Molly McHugh
It’s with great excitement I share that the award winning international folk band, The Druids, straight from County Kildare, will be coming to the Glass City for the first time in June. The Toledo Ancient Order of Hibernians, in partnership with the Toledo Irish American Club, will be hosting the band at St. Clements Hall on Thursday, June 9th at 6:00pm.
The night will consist of two parts, kicking-off with band member Mick O’Brien, hosting a half hour educational talk about Irish songs as historical artifacts. After the educational session is over, the Druids will start their performance, which energizes every crowd.
The Druids formed in 2008 and have consistently grown in popularity throughout Ireland and abroad. In 2017, they were the recipient of ‘The Best Live Act’ award at the Irish Folk Music Awards hosted in Dublin, Ireland. Throughout the pandemic, The Druids collaborated on a new album titled ‘Just Grateful to Be Here,’ which according to their website, contains fresh new sounds with powerful vocals and amazing musical arrangements and is hailed as the best music The Druids have delivered to date. Included in the brand-new album are songs such as “Go Lassie Go” and “Caladonia.”
Tickets can be purchased online through Eventbrite.com. For both the talk and the concert, tickets are $25 in advance/$30 at the door; for just the concert, tickets are $20 in advance/$25 at the door.
Of course, there will be alcohol, soda and a special performance by local Irish dancers.
Speaking of local Irish dancers, as I write this column, Toledo native Irish dancer, Rylie Young, is on her way to Ireland to compete in the World Irish Dance Championships; Best of Luck to Rylie!
It feels as if it has been ages since we have seen Irish music come to life in Toledo. Of course, the pandemic had a lot to do with that, but it warms my heart to see the Irish community here start to come alive again. Huge thank you to both the Toledo AOH and Toledo Irish American Club for joining forces to make this special night happen.
*Molly McHugh is a Toledo native and holds her MSc in Strategy, Innovation and People Management from National University of Ireland, Galway. Molly can be reached at [email protected]
