New Sculpture is Unveiled in Oklahoma to Honor the Choctaw-Irish Connection

-
Photo courtesy of Choctaw Nation
'
A new sculpture memorializing the historic connections between the Choctaw Nation and Ireland was unveiled on August 30, 2024 at Choctaw Capitol Grounds in Tvshka Homma, Oklahoma.

Entitled Eternal Heart, the eight foot high sculpture created by artist Samuel Still of Choctow Nation combines a symbol of Irish trinity with a heart, facing toward Ireland.  It was a joint commission funded by the Government of Ireland and the Chahta Foundation.

The sculpture honors an extraordinary act of kindness that happened in 1847, when the Choctaw people raised more than $170 ($5000 today) to send to the people of Midleton, County Cork, during the height of the Irish Famine, a five-year potato crop failure that devastated the island. The Choctaws themselves had just endured the arduous journey known as the “Trail of Tears," where they were forcibly relocated from their homes in the eastern part of the continent to what was called Indian Territory west of the Mississippi.

At the recent ceremony to unveil the memorial, sculptor Sam Stitt said, "The Choctaw culture of giving and caring for others is passed down to each generation. The Eternal Heart is an artistic interpretation of how the Irish people and Choctaw Nation will forever be connected by that human characteristic of compassion – one people for another.”

Read full information about the Eternal Heart unveiling. 

In 1995, Ireland's President Mary Robinson traveled to Choctaw Nation to thank them for their generosity during Ireland's time of need. She was appointed an Honorary Chief of Choctaw Nation.  That meeting led to a new generation of conversations between the Choctaw and Irish people.

Kindred Spirits in County Cork, Photo courtesy of Gavin Sheridan 

In June, 2017, the people of Ireland unveiled a tribute  called Kindred Spirits to the Choctaw Nation at Bailick Park in Midleton, Cork. The 20 foot stainless steel sculpture features nine eagle feathers arranged in a circle.   It was created by artist Alex Pentack.

Learn more about visiting Ireland at Ireland.com. 








Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Declan Crowley is new Cultural Programming Manager at the Irish Cultural Centre of Greater Boston

-
Image
The Irish Cultural Centre of Greater Boston (ICC) has announced the appointment of Declan Crowley as its new Cultural Programming Manager. Declan's primary role will be to curate a diverse lineup of Irish, Irish-American, and Celtic artists to perform at the Centre throughout the year, from musicians, singers and dancers to writers, filmmakers, historians and artists, while catering to a wide audience of people who cherish Irish culture. Crowley brings a wealth of experience and artistic vision to his new role.  Originally from Burnt Hills, NY, he is an eight-time Regional, two- time National, and All-Ireland Champion Irish dancer, as well as a two-time silver and bronze medal holder at the World Championships and a NFAA youngArts™️ Silver Medalist in World Dance, Crowley began touring internationally with Michael Flatley’s “Lord of the Dance” in 2009, where he played the principal role of ‘Don Dorcha, the Dark Lord’ until 2013. While completing his B.A. in English at the College
Read more

General Edward L. Logan, Namesake of Boston's Logan International Airport

-
Image
General Edward L. Logan (1875-1939), namesake of Boston’s Logan International Airport , died on July 6 1939 from a sudden 'heart ailment.'  His brother, Reverend Leo J. Logan, presided over the funeral mass at the Gate of Heaven Church in South Boston, with tributes by leading politicians like Senator David I. Walsh , former Massachusetts Governor and Boston Mayor James M. Curley and former Mayor John F. Fitzgerald .  Logan is buried at the Calvary Cemetery in West Roxbury.  A first generation Irish-American, military leader, civic leader and municipal judge with family roots in Galway and South Boston,  Edward was the oldest of nine children of Lawrence and Catherine (O’Connor), according to Michael Cummings of Milton, an expert on the Logan Family. Edward’s father Lawrence immigrated to Boston from Ballygar, County Galway, in 1858, and became a successful businessman at a young age when he became president of the Boston Brewing Company in South Boston.  The family resided a
Read more

Damian McGinty, former Celtic Thunder Star, Performs in Hartford and Providence this Fall

-
Image
Damian McGinty , the young singing star from Derry, Northern Ireland who performed with Celtic Thunder , is returning to New England in October as part of a national tour with  Ethan Bortnick . They will be performing in Hartford, CT on October 5, followed by two shows in Providence, RI on October 12, 2014. Find details here. McGinty was part of the original Celtic Thunder ensemble for several years, and left the band in 2012 when he won a coveted spot on the television show Glee .  Since then he has embarked on a solo career that has taken him around the world.  In 2013 McGinty was Cultural Ambassador for his home city of Derry, Northern Ireland . Find year round details on Celtic and Irish cultural activities at IrishMassachusetts.com .
Read more