Paradise Square co-writer Larry Kirwan will receive this year's Eugene O'Neill Lifetime Achievement Award from Irish American Writers & Artists at Rosie O'Grady's Skylight Room October 24.
Kirwan recently received a Tony nomination for co-writing the book for Paradise Square, which follows the frequenters of a Five Points neighborhood saloon in Manhattan during the American Civil War, including the Black woman who owns it, a conflicted newly arrived Irish immigrant, a freedom seeker, and a once-great songwriter. He has written and collaborated on 19 plays and musicals.
Born in County Wexford, Ireland, Kirwan has also released 16 albums and co-founded the political rock band Black 47, in which he performs as lead singer and guitarist. He has published three novels and a memoir, Green Suede Shoes, in addition to his work as a political activist.
"Having served on the Board during Larry's five-year tenure as president of Irish American Writers & Artists, I have been lucky to experience first-hand his genial leadership and prodigious creativity," says Maria Deasy, current president of the Irish American Writers & Artists.
Other distinguished recipients of the Eugene O’Neill Lifetime Achievement Award include William Kennedy, John Patrick Shanley, Judy Collins, Pete Hamill, Malachy McCourt, Joanie Madden, Peter Quinn, and Kate Mulgrew. The award is named for the famous Nobel Prize- and Pulitzer–winning Irish American playwright.
Irish American Writers & Aritsts was founded in 2008 to serve as a community for supporting Irish Americans active in the arts with online and in-person salons and events.
