Stories, Songs Highlight Irish Famine
The Irish Potato Famine of 1845 might seem like an unusual subject for an evening of entertainment.
But in the hands of Irish singer-storyteller Mick Moloney, this theme promises to be entertaining and educational.
Moloney, a native of Limerick, Ireland, is touring the U.S. with a program of songs, commentary and stories on the 150th anniversary of the Great Famine. He will appear in a special dinner show on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at Gonzaga University’s COG. The event is sponsored by the Spokane-Limerick Sister City Society and the Gonzaga University History Department.
Moloney is a an accomplished musician who has four times been named the Best Tenor Banjo Player in America by Frets magazine. He sings from a huge repertoire of songs from the Irish and Irish-American tradition.
Yet he is also a scholar and historian, having taught at Georgetown University, George Washington University, New York University and now at the University of Pennsylvania and Villanova University.
He has collected a number of songs and tales about the famine. Readings from letters of famine immigrants will also be woven into the program.
The event costs $18.45, for dinner and the show, or $10 for the show only ($5 for students with ID). Reservations are required for the dinner; call 327-3124. Tickets for the show only will be available at the door. Dinner is at 6:30 p.m. and the show begins at 8 p.m.