Irish American Archives Society

The Irish American Archives Society (of Cleveland) will hold its 29th annual “Walks of Life” Award Dinner on Thursday, May 7, 2026, at Windows on the River at 2000 Sycamore in the Flats. The schedule of events is: 5:30 VIP Reception, 6:00 Cash Bar Reception, 6:30 Dinner, 7:30 Award Presentations. To purchase tickets online at Eventbrite, click here.

2026 Honorees
Sr. Nancy Conway, Congregational Leadership Team, Sisters of St. Joseph
Dr. Charles Garven, Chief Medical Officer, Sisters of Charity Health System
Ann Hawkins, Managing Member, Hawkins and Company, LLC
Thomas McManamon, Principal, McManamon Insurance
Al and Celine O'Leary, Traditional Irish Music, Annual Akron Hurling O'Leary Tournament

1. "Cleveland Session," a 13-minute documentary, is a "love letter" to Cleveland's traditional musicians,featuring interviews with accordion player Al O'Leary and fiddler Francis Quinn. Video was shot during traditional music sessions at Gormley's Pub, the Plank Road Tavern, and the West Side Irish American Club. "Cleveland Session" was created and narrated by music educator and Limerick native Martin Ryan in August 2025; it was commissioned by the Irish American Archives Society with the support of Cleveland Comhaltas.

Click here to watch Cleveland Session (August 2025)

2. Longtime Cleveland dancing teacher Tessie Burke (and 2005 Walks of Life Honoree) was raised in a musical family. A special event honoring her--a "session" of conversation and tunes--was held on Monday, October 28, 2024, 6:30 pm, at Il Rione Pizza, 1303 W. 65th Street. Sligo relatives, the McGuinness family of Dromore, joined Tessie Burke and Cleveland area musicians for conversation and tunes exploring the legacy of the Sligo style of playing in both Ireland and Cleveland. Tessie's granddaughter Julie Burke filmed the entire evening (1 hour, 53 minutes), which was presented by Irish American Archives Society and Brian Holleran.

Click here to watch or sample Talking with Tessie Burke: Conversation and Tunes (October 2024) While you're there, the IAAS YouTube Channel (@iAASCleveland) also features the two filmed poems by Kevin Toolis that were commissioned by IAAS in 2020/2021 and short videos filmed during the making of the Johnny Kilbane Sculpture.

"Finding Home" is a weekly podcast series produced and presented by the Irish American Archives Society of northeast Ohio. The first series presented a roughly chronological overview of that history over the course of 50 episodes, narrated by IAAS Executive Director Margaret Lynch. The second series features interviews with Clevelanders sharing information and stories about the history of the Irish in Cleveland. A third series will begin later in the fall. All of the episodes, for the first and second series, are archived and can be accessed at the link below. Listen to episodes that interest you or follow the whole series.

Click here to access to access both series. You can also listen on Spotify, iTunes, Google Podcasts and other podcast platforms.

Clevelanders have been gathering to celebrate St. Patrick's Day since 1842! The history of Cleveland's beloved St. Patrick's Day Parade is also the story of the Irish in Cleveland. Extensively researched, lavishly illustrated in full color, this handsome 200-page hard cover book pays tribute to one of the city's oldest and most vibrant public celebrations. The book is now sold out but most local libraries have lending copies. Casey's Irish Imports (19626 Center Ridge Rd #3635, Rocky River, OH 44116) has a limited number of books for purchase, as long as supplies last.

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