The Irish Cultural Garden was originally dedicated on October 29, 1939. A massive restoration effort culminated in the rededication of the Irish Garden on October 3, 2009.
The Irish Garden Club was created to provide capital funding for the restoration of the Irish Cultural Garden.
Irish Garden Club Founders
James C. Boland Edward F. Crawford Sheila Murphy Crawford Myles C. Gallagher Robert W. Gillespie Jack Kahl, Jr. Martin J. Keane Kevin J. Kelley Kevin J. McGinty William J. O'Neill, Jr. Michael R. Shaughnessy William B. Summers, Jr. Martin J. Sweeney
The day's festivities began with a performance by the Pipes and Drums of the Cleveland Police Department.
Pipes and Drums of the Cleveland Police Department
The Celtic Cross of the Irish Garden was outlined in green ribbon held up by Murphy Irish dancers.
Edward F. Crawford, founder of the Irish Garden Club, welcomed the crowd to the ceremony.
Edward F. Crawford
The national anthem of the United States was sung, led by Mary Agnes Kennedy.
Mary Agnes Kennedy
Fr. James O'Donnell gave the invocation and blessed the crowd with water from Our Lady of Knock.
Father James O'Donnell
The video (below) includes part of the Cleveland Police Department Pipes and Drums followed by Ed Crawford's welcome and a prayer and blessing from Father Jim O'Donnell.
Ed Crawford and Sheila Murphy Crawford then cut the ribbon, officially re-opening the Irish Cultural Garden.
Sheila Murphy Crawford and Ed Crawford
Ed Crawford then gave some history of the Irish Garden and thanked the group who made the restoration possible.
Crawford donned a St. Patrick's Day cap before introducing Cleveland City Council president Martin J. Sweeney.
Cleveland City Council president Martin J. Sweeney
The video (below) includes the ribbon cutting, history of the Irish Garden and thanks to the donors.
Senator George Voinovich then spoke and told of his memories of the Cultural Gardens and how people who love their ethnic heritage "are great Americans."
Senator George Voinovich
Next, Congressman Dennis Kucinich spoke and read from a proclamation from the US House of Represenatives congratulating the Irish Cultural garden rededication.
Congressman Dennis Kucinich
Congressman Dennis Kucinich gives proclamation to Ed Crawford
Dr. William Golden, Dean of the College of Business, Public Policy and Law at Galway University spoke next. Dr. Golden gave some history of the Celtic Cross and spoke about Ireland, Cleveland, the Irish Cultural Garden and Irish-Americans in Cleveland.
Dr. William Golden of Galway University
The video (below) features snippets of speeches from Senator George Voinovich, Congressman Dennis Kucinich, Professor William Golden of NUI Galway and Ed Crawford.
Ed Crawford thanked the two women most responsible for the Garden's restoration: Char Crowley and Sheila Murphy Crawford.
Sheila Murphy Crawford, Char Crowley and Ed Crawford
Ed Crawford and Char Crowley
The ceremonies concluded with the singing of the Irish National Anthem led by Mary Agnes Kennedy.
At the conclusion of the Anthem, Ed Crawford declared the Irish Cultural Garden "open."
The attendees mixed and mingled and viewed the beautiful landscaping and new monuments.
Congratulations to the Irish Garden Club and all those involved with the beautifully restored Irish Cultural Garden.
