Irish Cultural Garden New Monuments Dedicated October 8, 2011
Four new monuments were dedicated at a special ceremony at the Irish Cultural Garden on Saturday October 8, 2011. The Garden was lush with greenery and flowers thanks to Charlene Crowley and her team of volunteers. The Lennon fountain was flowing and the weather couldn't have been better.
Cleveland City Council President Martin Sweeney introduced Father Jim O'Donnell who gave the opening prayer and blessing to begin the ceremony.
Cleveland City Council President Martin Sweeney
Father Jim O'Donnell
Katie Cooper sang the Irish National Anthem in Gaelic followed by the US National Anthem.
Katie Cooper
Next Austin Francis O'Malley, the Chairman of Mayo County Council, spoke to the group. This was his first visit to Cleveland.
Austin Francis O'Malley
Ed Crawford, leader of the Irish Garden Committee, spoke about the progress and goals for the Cleveland Irish Cultural Garden.
Ed Crawford
Charlene Crowley acknowledged the families who bought trees for the Garden.
Charlene Crowley
Then Ed Crawford recognized the Irish Garden Club members for their work to revitalize the Irish Cultural Garden.
Ed Crawford
Cleveland Irish Garden Club members in attendance Front row (l-r): Charlene Crowley, Ed Crawford, Jack Kahl and Sheila Murphy Crawford Back row: Martin Keane, Bill Summers, Martin Sweeney and Jim Boland
Before the formal ceremony ended and people wandered the Garden to view the monument, Ed Crawford told of the 2nd goal of the Irish Cultural Garden. Charlene Crowley talked about Thomas Moore and May 28 1933.
Katie Cooper sang the Last Rose of Summer to conclude the program.
Fr. Jim O'Donnell, Katie Cooper and Martin Sweeney
Enjoy these images from the Irish Cultural Garden ceremony
Ann & John Garvey from Long Island with Gerry Quinn
Ohio State Senator Tom Patton with Austin Francis O'Malley, Chairman of Mayo County Council and Peter Hynes, Mayo County Manager
Regina Costello and John Sweeney
Jerry Crawford and Father Jim O'Donnell
Martin Sweeney and Char Crowley
Maureen and Tom McCauley in front of Padraig Pearse
Ed Crawford with Councilman Jeff Johnson
Kevin Cronin and mom in front of Yeats
Irish Garden Club members Bill Summers, Jack Kahl, Jim Boland and Ed Crawford
Sheila and Bob Crawford family members
Austin Francis O'Malley, Tom Patton, Peter Hynes and Colleen Corrigan Day
Ed Crawford and Ohio State Senator Tom Patton
Jack Kahl and Regina Costello
Martin Sweeney, Martin Keane, Tom Patton, Jeff Johnson and Ed Crawford
Father Jim O'Donnell in front of Brendan Behan monument
