On Friday February 24, musician, writer, and playwright Larry Kirwan received the Irish American Business Chamber & Network (IABCN) 2023 Uachtarán (President) Award in Philadelphia from Irish Ambassador to the USA, Geraldine Byrne Nason at a Union League luncheon. (Photo Tom Keenan)
Kirwan, a Wexford native who emigrated to New York at the age of 21, may be best known for being the front man of the rock band Black 47 and a political activist. But in recent years he’s turned his attention to writing. He’s published three novels and one memoir, Green Suede Shoes, and was nominated for a Tony Award for writing the the musical, Paradise Square, set in New York during the Civil War draft riots. Kirwan was also chosen to receive the 2022 Eugene O’Neill Lifetime Achievement Award from the Irish American Writers & Artists.
The following is the acceptance speech Kirwan gave at Friday’s Chamber event:
Thank you for this wonderful award, Madame Ambassador, and to the IABCN, in particular Lisa Maloney, Alanna Barry and the inimitable Bill McLaughlin.
I’ve always held the view that an artist’s work is less to do with entertaining, and more to do with effecting change. When Chris Byrne and I formed Black 47 in 1989, it was a bad time for the civil rights struggle in the North of Ireland. The war had been going on for 20 years and it seemed like there was no solution.
We looked to Irish America for a solution, and saw a great big slumbering giant badly in need of an awakening. And we did that through playing to Irish-American youth in their pubs, clubs, and festivals across the country, and reintroducing heroes like James Connolly, but less of the patriot, more of the social agitator for fair wages, and equal rights for women, Michael Collins in the song “Big Fellah,” Countess Markievicz in “Touched By Fire,” and even “Danny Boy,” but with Danny recast as a tough as nails, gay Irish construction worker who would take your head off if he felt you harbored even an ounce of homophobia. We put Hip-Hop, Reggae, and Funk beats beneath the songs, and shot it all full of undiluted Rock ‘n’ Roll, because every generation needs its own music to dance to.
And it worked. We helped rekindle the radical heart of Irish America, and together we all played our part in supporting the peace process that led to a just peace in 1998.
So, I’d like to dedicate this award to Irish-American youth, and also Irish America in general, for there would not have been a peace process without Irish America. Charles Stewart Parnell knew that, as did Michael Collins and other 20th Century leaders.
On a personal note, I’d like to dedicate the award to a very old and dear friend, who was the best guitarist in my hometown of Wexford. He emigrated to the U.S. and settled in the greater Philadelphia area. His name was Robbie Furlong and I had hoped he’d be here for this event, but he passed away some weeks back. Here’s to you, Robbie, smiling down on us, your Stratocaster strapped to your shoulders, you picked a great area to live in. And here’s to you, Philadelphia, thank you for all your support, friendship, and hospitality down the years. Long life to the IABCN!
