Irish America

Irish America

Black 47

Black ’47: The Clancy Brothers of the 90’s?

By Patrick Farrelly

February 1992

by Leave a Comment

As Larry Kirwan, the wiry lead guitarist and singer drags out this melodramatic emigration song, the eyes of the young Irish woman beside me mist over. She silently mouthes the words to herself as Chris Byre's plaintive tin whistle comes in over Kirwan's dirge. Byre, his crew-cut head bowed, dark shades hung low, continues with a slow air on the tin whistle, adding to the … [Read more...] about Black ’47: The Clancy Brothers of the 90’s?

Black ’47

By Patricia Harty, Editor-in-Chief
September October 1993

by Leave a Comment

Rabble-Rousers with a Social Conscience "Free Joe Now," the song by Black 47, the Irish American group spearheaded by Larry Kirwan and Chris Byrne in 1990, became the anthem for those seeking political asylum for Joe Doherty, the Belfastman fighting extradition to the UK. These were early days for Black 47, the gigs were mainly fundraisers for one Irish cause or another — … [Read more...] about Black ’47

The Great Famine Event

By Colin Lacey

July/August 1997

by Leave a Comment

Ireland commemorates the Famine. Colin Lacey reports. Addressing a near-capacity crowd of almost 5,000 at the opening of The Great Famine Event in Millstreet, Co. Cork, Irish President Mary Robinson said that commemoration of the Famine was a moral act that should remember the victims but also use the lessons of 150 years ago to connect with issues that are relevant … [Read more...] about The Great Famine Event

New York Rock Band: Black 47

By Aliah O'Neill
June / July 2010

by Leave a Comment

Irish America speaks to Larry Kirwan about the Irish Famine's Musical Legacy. Think of any major event in Irish history and a song or two will spring to mind that describes the emotions of a people. Except, that is, for the Great Famine, which left its sufferers at a loss for words to describe their anguish and devastation. With the exception of “Skibbereen,” the musical … [Read more...] about New York Rock Band: Black 47

From Five Points Riots and Romance to Alphabet City Punk Rockers

By Keith J. Kelly
IA Newsletter July 2, 2022

by 3 Comments

Larry Kirwan is All the Rage The East Village of the 1980s will be the setting for the next play from Larry Kirwan, a co-writer and conceiver of “Paradise Square,” whose leading lady Joaquina Kalukango recently picked up the Tony Award for best actress in a musical. “All the Rage” is the title of the new play that Kirwan, an author and the longtime frontman of Irish rock … [Read more...] about From Five Points Riots and Romance to Alphabet City Punk Rockers