Irish Culture Celebrated At Virtual iBam Awards Gala And Festival

CHICAGO — The twelfth annual Irish Books Arts and Music celebration, iBAM! returns this December celebrating the best of Irish heritage and culture. Since 2009, the festival has been held at the Irish American Heritage Center, the 2020 festival and awards gala are going virtual this year due to the pandemic. The festival brings together authors, artists, scholars and musicians from around the world to the United States for a weekend of Irish culture.

The iBAM! Awards Gala is Friday, Dec. 11, 1 p.m. Central Time for international attendees and those who like a matinée; and at 7 p.m CT. Leave your tuxedos and gowns in the closet, curl up on your couch and celebrates the outstanding contributions of the Irish. Tickets to the Gala start at $75, with group rates available, and include a link to the one-hour broadcast and an Irish Gift Box of Irish Soda Bread, Irish tea and other Irish treats. Cost of tickets is 100-percent tax-deductible.

Honoring the best in Irish heritage and culture, this year’s awardees represent a stellar class:

Music: Pete St. John
Literature: John B. Keane and son, Billy Keane
Person of the Year: Seamus Mallon
Media/Journalism: Ray O’Hanlon, Editor of Irish Echo
Visual Arts: Renowned Photographer, Chicagoan Barry Butler
Performing Arts: Betty Buckley
Volunteer of the Year: Peggy Murphy

Then drop by in Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 12 and Dec. 13, respectively, beginning around noon CT. The virtual program features Irish authors and scholars reading their work and presenting programs on Irish culture, storytellers, film screenings and music performances. There is no cost to watch the daily programming on Saturday and Sunday. Visit the iBam Chicago to access links and times. Times are still being worked out.

Presenters and performers include historian Sinead McCoole, award-winning travel writer, historian and author Turtle Bunbury, IrishmanSpeaks Conor Cunneen, former NBC Network News correspondent, Chicago filmmaker, journalist and author Mike Leonard, author, filmmaker, and Oak Park native Mary Pat Kelly, music with Orla Fallon of Celtic Women fame, entertainer Cahal Dunne and father and son music duo Joe and Declan McShane. A special montage presented by Milwaukee Irish Fest celebrates those who paved the way in Irish America, including Tommy Makem, Liam Clancy, and the High Kings, and a special Tradfest entry; Beautiful Affair!

Additional participants:

Authors: Claudia Anderson, Sharon Bossard, Monica Dougherty, Dennis Foley, Mary Kunert, Jessie McCann, Mary Beth Sammons, Christie Sever, Julia Flynn Siler, Crafters of Ireland.

Lecturers: Theresa Choske, Rosemary Feurer, Maureen Smith, Dolores Whelan.

Films: Mother Jones: March of the Mill Children and a Chicago Irish Film Festival entry.

Storytelling: Kathy O’Neill

Music: Pauline Connelly and Ger Carey, Liam and Aileen Godley, Eamonn McDonagh and Tenor Mark Piekarz

To purchase tickets for the iBAM! virtual Gala or see the weekend lineup, visit iBam Chicago or call 847-872-0700.