About the Author
An author, writer, poet, publisher and spokesman, John Francis O’Brien, Jr. was named as one of Irish America Magazine’s Top 100 Irish Americans. He is Co-Founder, Publisher and Editor of the Ohio Irish American News, which premiered in January 2007, and is now called iIrish. Click here to view a Cleveland Plain Dealer article on John and OhioIANews / iIrish. His poem, The Vacant Chair, was awarded 1st Prize in the Irish Book, Art & Music Showcase. He was profiled in the University of Dayton’s Alumni Quarterly, and profiled by WorldIrish.com.
John O’Brien Jr.
John is Co-Founder, Publisher and Editor of iIrish (formerly the Ohio Irish American News), a monthly newsmagazine that covers news and events of interest for people of Irish descent living in and around our opportunity corridor of Cleveland to Clearwater (CLE to shining CLE). He is published extensively, writing profiles, poetry, memorials, prose and essays.
John is a founder and formerly served as Deputy Director of Cleveland Irish Cultural Festival. A first generation Irish-American whose father is Founder and Director of the festival and hails from County Roscommon, Ireland; John continues his father’s legacy, love of the Irish heritage and vision for the festival. With nine stages, twenty-eight bands, an extensive and nationally recognized cultural hall and numerous other attractions, the festival is recognized as one of the very best in the United States.
John’s love for the rich and varied Irish heritage and dedication to producing an authentic cultural event has earned the respect and trust of the performers featured in much of John’s writing, including his first book, Festival Legends: Songs & Stories, the People Who Made the Music That Defined a People, a biographical look at Irish music legends who influenced the fabric of Ireland, and Irish America. His second book, The Greater Cleveland Irish Directory, was published in March 2011 and his third, First Generation, featuring his own original poetry, was published in November 2011. Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day Book for Kids was published in 2021.
The Lyrics of Irish Freedom tells the story and the history behind rebellious bard and ballad, from the beginning of Irish time. The songs linger in our psyche, not just across generations, but across centuries. Who took the battlefields of 1798, 1803, 1916, 1981, and why? Who wrote their song, and why? Tall tales, truth stranger than fiction. Published in June 2016.
John has written content for many performer websites, including Seanachai & the Unity Squad, The Kreellers, Cleveland Irish Cultural Festival and his own website.
Irish Community
Active in the Irish community in Cleveland and with the Festival Organizers Convention, where John has been a featured speaker, he has been interviewed on over 150 radio and television programs and in print media. John developed and produced the Fine Irish Pubs of Greater Cleveland poster, which premiered in December 2010.
John developed, wrote and produced, The Legacy Project, a twenty-six minute video for the United States Library of Congress highlighting Cleveland Irish Cultural Festival as “an event of cultural significance at the turn of the century.” The production featured dozens of interviews with festival organizers, performers and volunteers.
Article Archive
- 19 Action News features John O’Brien of the Cuy. County Sheriff’s Dept.’s Public Enemy alert.
- 19 Action News features John O’Brien speaking on behalf of the Cuy. County Sheriff’s Dept.
- Cleveland Plain Dealer feature on John O’Brien.
- John O’Brien, Jr. named as one of Irish America Magazine’s 2011 Top 100 Irish Americans
- World Irish feature on John O’Brien, Junior.
- John O’Brien, Junior named Person of the Week by Sun Post-Herald.
- Cleveland delegation connecting with Mayo.
- St. Patrick’s Day Cleveland Style
- Plain Dealer Article: United Irish Societies of Greater Cleveland announce St. Patrick’s Day Parade details, honorees.
- John’s interview with Blarney in the Air DJ Shay Clarke in Chicago
Bio
Giving back is an integral part of John’s life. He serves on the board of the Irish American Charitable Foundation and the Sean Moore Irish Vocals Memorial Scholarship Fund as well as the Irish American Hall of Fame Selection Board. He also served for five years on the board of the Irish American Archives Society.
A graduate of Cleveland St. Ignatius High School and the University of Dayton, where he majored in Business Management and Communications, John has taught extensively in the areas of Leadership, Coaching and Behavior Based Interviewing as well as Microsoft Word and Excel, for audiences ranging from one to three thousand.
John enjoys traveling, attending cultural events and festivals and spending time
with his twenty-seven nieces, nephews and grand nieces and nephews.