Honoring Black History Month

The Irish Cultural Center is proud to honor Black History Month this February. For a week, we shared information on our social media about the connections between African American and Irish history, identity, and expression of Irish and African American arts.

It has been estimated that approximately 38% of African Americans have some Irish ancestry (data from the African American Irish Diaspora Network). Ireland’s diaspora is indeed rich and varied, but we also firmly believe you don’t need an Irish background in order to appreciate and celebrate Ireland’s arts, dance, history, language, and culture.

Information and Resources

The African American Irish Diaspora Network

New York initiative explores links between black identity and Irishness
The Irish Times / February 2020

Haigh. I’m a black woman, and I happen to speak Irish
Black Irish Lives: Gaeilgeoir and broadcaster Ola Majekodunmi on the future of the language
The Irish Times / July 2020

A grá of Gaeilge
Ola Majekodunmi tells us all about her love of Irish and its importance in her life
RTE / March 2021

Frederick Douglass in Ireland, 1845-46 – Ambassador’s Blog
Embassy of Ireland, USA / September 2020

Black Irish Identities: The complex relationship between Irish and African Americans
Exploring the identity of the Black Irish in the US
IrishCentral / October 2021

Riverdance features its first-ever Black Irish dancer as show resumes US tour
Riverdance will be resuming its 25th Anniversary tour in the US this year, and Black Irish dancer Morgan Bullock says she’s “honored” to be a part of the cast
IrishCentral / February 2022