An Irish Immigrant’s Song: The Celtic Influx

An Irish Immigrant’s Song: The Celtic Influx will be presented by local performer Barry Cloyd at the Brimfield Public Library (located at 111 S. Galena Ave. in Brimfield) beginning at 6:30 pm.  Admission is free.  For more information, visit https://brimfieldlibrary.org

In the mid 1800’s, at the time of the “Great Hunger”, sometimes known as the Irish Potato Famine, the Mid-West was the western frontier of America. The influx of Celtic/Irish people in those times literally changed the face of America, as they arrived seeking freedom and work on the great construction projects of the era. Their presence and stories still have an impact on our lives today. Through ancient myth and song, as well as some original pieces, Cloyd presents the history and heart of the Celtic people who came to the Mid-West in search of liberty and opportunity. Barry Cloyd is a Midwestern based, award-winning, touring singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist, who typically performs more than 125 shows of all types per year. In addition to a concert schedule, he was the resident stringed instrumentalist/vocalist/historian on The Spirit of Peoria Paddlewheel Riverboat for 22 years, traveling the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers, prior to its sale and departure from Peoria. Barry also has created and toured dozens of edu-tainment programs which focus on our own history with music.