Eoin McKiernan Library
EML Director Update, May 2023
I am a bit behind on my updates thanks to another busy March and April with lots going on in our vibrant Irish Arts community!
The Eoin McKiernan Papers
Aer Lingus promotional poster circa 1960s. Eoin McKiernan Papers.
The original bequest we received from the family of Dr. Eoin McKiernan in 2016 included posters, programs, pamphlets, plaques, audio recordings, letters and other ephemera from Dr. McKiernan’s personal collection. In early 2023, we began the process of organizing this material into The Eoin McKiernan Papers–our first properly described and housed physical archival collection! With the help of volunteers Bridget Jensen, Charles Bruzzone, Ben Vanorny and others we are well on our way to creating a finding aid for this unique collection. New York University and St. Thomas University both hold archival collections of Dr. McKiernan’s papers due to his associations with those institutions. Our collection includes documentation and correspondence accompanying books sent for review in the journal Éire-Ireland, documentation of trips to Ireland, audio of speeches and Irish language learning materials, research materials relating to his 1960s television programs, a poster collection and much more. We look forward to opening these materials to researchers.
New Archival Storage
New archival boxes on our back room shelves
Our effort to organize and preserve the Eoin McKiernan Papers has been helped greatly by a generous donation received in 2022 from Fergus and Ann McKiernan. We have been able to purchase high quality archival boxes, map cabinets and other storage and tech supplies that will assure these materials are preserved for future generations. Thank you Fergus and Ann for making this possible!
New Archival Acquisitions
MacCafferty’s menu c. 1977
We recently purchased a set of menus from a local antique dealer that are from MacCafferty’s Pub on Grand Avenue circa 1977. Opened by Raymond MacCafferty, an immigrant from County Derry, MacCafferty’s is remembered by many as the focal point of Irish culture in the Twin Cities in the late ’70s.
Cover of the 1936 Festival of Nations program
We also picked up a four programs from early Festival of Nations events held in St. Paul in 1936, 1939, 1947 and 1949. My research into Irish culture in the Twin Cities has revealed that this festival was an important catalyst for local dancers and musicians to perform, get to know one another and showcase Irish arts for other Minnesotans.
Richie Piggott at Irish Arts Week
Chicago-based writer and researcher Richie Piggott visited CJAC during Irish Arts Week to give a presentation on the history of Chicago’s Irish music scene over the past century as depicted in his recent book Cry of a People Gone. Richie’s wonderful talk was illustrated by many photographs and non-commercial sound recordings of musicians in Chicago and Ireland. It will be available through the CJAC YouTube channel soon.
New Deals & 8-Hand Reels: More connections to Irish Minnesota!
I gave my own annual local history talk at this year’s Irish Arts Week as well. For my lecture titled “New Deals and Eight-Hand Reels” I explored the Irish cultural landscape of the Twin Cities in the 1930s including fiddler Mike Sullivan, Irish social clubs, and Irish participation in the early Festival of Nations events.
The ’30s were a fascinating decade here! Immigrant fiddler Mike Sullivan led a dance “orchestra” in St. Paul, Anna K. Bryant of Minneapolis led the Hibernian ladies at the national level, a champion dancer from County Kerry (Michael Dillon) was Hennepin County Attorney and the new Festival of Nations events in St. Paul gave Irish musicians and dancers the opportunity to show off their tunes and steps to broader Minnesota.
The local connections made by these projects are my favorite part! A week before I gave my talk, I spent a morning researching Robert O’Donnell of Minneapolis/Mound and the wild story behind his Robert Emmet statue. That same evening, who should I meet in the Eoin McKiernan Library but Robert’s son Mike and grandson Brian who came in to Celtic Junction for an Ancient Order of Hibernians meeting. Mike remembered the statue and the scandal vividly and it was wonderful to hear his stories and have him attend my subsequent talk.
New Book Drop Box
Though we only have library open hours on Monday and Thursday evenings at this point, the Celtic Junction Arts Center building is open (with a few exceptions) Monday-Thursday from 4:00-8:30pm. Thanks to our new book drop box outside the library door, you can return checked out books or CDs during those hours whether there is anybody in the library or not. Coming in for a concert or event on the weekend? The box is always there!
In Memoriam
We again found ourselves turning to our archival photo collection while remembering some musicians who left a lasting impact on the Twin Cities community. They all left too soon. Thanks for the music and the memories!
Fiddler Jamie Gans at a Twin Cities backyard party around 1994 (Mag McDermott in background)
Kerry singer and accordion-player Séamus Begley (standing) at the St. Paul home of Jack and Lucy Fallon in March 1976 (with Paddy Bán Ó Broin and Dennis Fallon)
Fiddler Seán Keane backstage at the Ordway before a Chieftains show in 1988 featuring the Mooncoin Ceili Dancers.