Margaret Lynch Cleveland International Hall of Fame
Class of 2020
Since 2010, the Cleveland International Hall of Fame (CIHF) has inducted people who have made significant and lasting contributions to our multicultural society. Cleveland is home to people representing about 120 different ethnic groups. The CIHF exists not only to honor those special people but also to inspire a new generation of leaders to follow in their footsteps.
Over 150 worthy candidates were nominated for the 2020 Class of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame. The selection committee was advised by previously inducted members of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame.
Margaret Lynch
Covid-19 forced the always sold out induction ceremonies to be cancelled in 2020 and 2021. We tried to induct the 2020 class virtually but it was not the same. So once we were able to gather together again, we included the 2020 class in the induction ceremony for the 2022 class on June 7, 2022. The event at Windows on the River was a sell out and the 2020 class finally got their moment in the spotlight.
On the evening of June 7, 2022 Margaret was finally honored in person and was inducted by Gerry Quinn.
Margaret Lynch has served as Executive Director of the Irish American Archives Society since 2008. She had been a founding Board member of the Society since its inception in 1994. As Executive Director, she researches, develops, and presents talks, displays, walking tours, and other programming related to the history of the Irish in Cleveland.
She helped to spearhead the commissioning of a sculpture in Cleveland by noted Irish artist Rowan Gillespie. Titled "Fighting Heart," the sculpture group commemorates world champion boxer Johnny Kilbane, a Cleveland son of Achill Island immigrants.
She also researched and wrote a history of the Irish in Cleveland as seen through the lens of Cleveland's St. Patrick's Day Parade, which dates back to 1842. The resulting book, The Day We Celebrate: 175 Years of Cleveland's St. Patrick's Day Parade, was published by the Irish American Archives Society in collaboration with the United Irish Societies of Greater Cleveland.
Watch the video of Margaret Lynch being inducted into the Cleveland International Hall of Fame by Gerry Quinn
Enjoy these images from the Cleveland International Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
Gerry Quinn inducting Margaret Lynch
Margaret Lynch and Gerry Quinn
Gerry Quinn gives CIHF award to Margaret Lynch
Margaret Lynch Hall of Fame acceptance speech
Margaret Lynch and Mary Lynch
Margaret Lynch with Marie Leffel and Marilyn Madigan
