Irish Perception Series

John Boyle O'Reilly: 1844 - 1890. Visionary, poet, heart of a rebel, blood of a true-born Irishman. Persecuted, condemned and banished from Ireland to the Penal Colonies of Australia for his political beliefs and activities. The first to escape there on an American whaling ship. Musician and poet Seán Tyrrell's "Cry of the Dreamer - The Amazing Story of Irish Hero John Boyle O'Reilly" brings this forgotten nineteenth century visionary-poet to life in this stunning theatrical presentation. It is a tale woven in song, part spoken-word, part history lesson.

"If you're lucky, you come across a talent like Seán's once or twice in a lifetime. When he sings, I feel alive."
- Brenda Fricker

"'Cry of the Dreamer' is a feast of traditional Irish music. The genuine article."
- Billboard



	Dates & Venues: Available for booking October 1, 2008 through October 22, 2008 - contact Taryn Harrison for booking Seán Tyrrell Cry of the Dreamer - The Amazing Story of Irish Hero John Boyle O'Reilly	Dates & Venues: Available for booking November 17, 2008 through December 8, 2008 Dan Cassidy How the Irish Invented Slang - The Secret Language of the Crossroads
	John Boyle O'Reilly: 1844 - 1890. Visionary, poet, heart of a rebel, blood of a true-born Irishman. Persecuted, condemned and banished from Ireland to the Penal Colonies of Australia for his political beliefs and activities. The first to escape there on an American whaling ship. Musician and poet Seán Tyrrell's "*Cry of the Dreamer - The Amazing Story of Irish Hero John Boyle O'Reilly"* brings this forgotten nineteenth century visionary-poet to life in this stunning theatrical presentation. It is a tale woven in song, part spoken-word, part history lesson. "If you're lucky, you come across a talent like Seán's once or twice in a lifetime. When he sings, I feel alive." - Brenda Fricker "'Cry of the Dreamer' is a feast of traditional Irish music. The genuine article." - Billboard	Author Dan Cassidy combines elements of performance, storytelling, oral history and music in his critically acclaimed "How the Irish Invented Slang - the Secret Language of the Crossroads." Cassidy cuts through two hundred years of Anglo-Academic "baloney" and reveals the massive, hidden influence of the Irish-American language on the American vernacular and slang. From "poker" to "jazz," Irish words and phrases are scattered throughout the American language, regional and class dialects and colloquialisms. "...Daniel Cassidy makes a powerful case for the Irish influence on American slang." - Frank McNally, Irish Times "A humdinger of a project, tracing American slang back to Ireland." - The New York Times



		The Irish Perceptions Series is a nationwide lecture and performance series that travels throughout the United States. Participants include Ireland’s finest scholars, craftsmen, musicians, authors, performers, and actors. Since it’s inception, the series has brought nearly 500 Irish lecturers and performers to American audiences. Interested in bringing an Irish Perceptions Series speaker to your local community? The Irish American Cultural Institute is always in search of new hosts for the Irish Perceptions Series. The cost of hosting a speaker includes a $500 program fee (inclusive of air/train travel & honorarium). The host is responsible for pickup of speaker, venue, and overnight accommodations (home or hotel) For more information contact: Taryn Harrison - Program Coordinator - 973-605-1991 or email