ABOUT THE AUTHOR

A business manager, consultant and writer by trade, the author has twenty four years experience as Assistant Director of Cleveland’s 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 on of the very best in the United States.

This love of the Irish heritage and dedication to producing an authentic cultural event has earned the respect and trust of the performers featured in Festival Legends: Songs & Stories, and an unmatched access to them and their stories.

John continues to write articles, profiles and reviews for travel, heritage and special interest publications such as the Irish American Post, where he has a byline. He also writes poetry centered on the themes of love, loss and glory. He has extensive experience in dealing with health issues related to Rheumatoid and Psoriatic arthritis, hearing loss and back pain.

Founder and Chairman of Eire Og (Young Ireland) ; John was Editor and sole writer for the monthly special interest publication for the group, which has over 4,500 members, for more than two years. The publication features profiles, interviews, book and event reviews, historical items of interest and local and national special events. Active in the Irish community in Cleveland and with the Festival Organizers Convention, where he was a featured speaker in 2005 and 2006, John has been interviewed on numerous radio and television programs and in print media. He developed, wrote and produced, “The Legacy Project,” a twenty-six minute video for the United States Library of Congress highlighting Cleveland’s Irish Cultural Festival as “an event of cultural significance,” featured dozens of interviews with festival organizers, performers and volunteers.

The author 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. He is a graduate of Cleveland St. Ignatius High School and the University of Dayton, where he majored in Business Management and Communications.

John enjoys reading, traveling, attending cultural events and festivals and spending time with his seventeen nieces and nephews.  He lives in the Westpark neighborhood of Cleveland, Ohio.