Name: IRISH HANDS, AMERICAN WATERWAYS: THE ERIE CANAL IN SONG AND STORY
Start: 2026-02-17T19:00:00-05:00
End: 2026-02-17T21:00:00-05:00
Location: Irish American Heritage Museum

IRISH HANDS, AMERICAN WATERWAYS: THE ERIE CANAL IN SONG AND STORY

First series of 2026 events (“Echoes of Freedom: Irish Voices in America’s Story") honoring the 250 anniversary of American independence.
About this Event

The Irish American Heritage Museum (IAHM), which is dedicated to preserving and sharing the Irish experience in the United States, is proud to announce the 2026 launch of a new series of events honoring the upcoming 250th anniversary of American independence.

Titled “Echoes of Freedom: Irish Voices in America’s Story,” the multi-event performance series will explore the powerful and often overlooked role of Irish immigrants and Irish Americans in shaping the cultural, political, and social foundations of the United States. Through exhibitions, music, theater, spoken word, dance and storytelling, the series will highlight how Irish traditions and voices contributed to America’s journey toward independence and democracy, and how those traditions and voices continue to influence the nation today. This series - which will run through 2026 and will be aligned with national commemorations of America’s Semiquincentennial - will take place at IAHM and partner venues, and will also be offered as part of IAHM’s extensive outreach program to community centers, schools and senior residences, making the series accessible to audiences of all ages and backgrounds.

Echoes of Freedom: Irish Voices in America’s Story will commence with the launch of IAHM’s “America 250 Performance Series” on February 17, 2026 (7:00 PM) at the Museum, with an informance (lecture and performance) given by legendary Irish performer Derek Warfield entitled “Irish Hands, American Waterways: The Erie Canal in Song and Story.” Warfield - a founding member of the Irish band the Wolf Tones and globally recognized historian, singer, songwriter, and mandolin player - will both tell the story of the Irish and the Erie Canal and perform songs in this historical context with his band, the Young Wolf Tones.

For more information about IAHM's "America 250 Performance Series," call IAHM at (518) 427-1916.

IAHM's "Echos of Freedom: Irish Voices in America's Story" events are offered in conjunction with mutiple events similarly sponsored by the State of New York; NYS's America 250; the New York State Education Department and NYSTIA.

SPECIAL DISCOUNTS FOR THIS EVENT WILL BE GIVEN TO IAHM MEMBERS AND TO INDIVIDUALS WITH TICKETS FOR THE DEREK WARFIELD AND THE YOUNG WOLF TONES MUSICAL CONCERT FEBRUARY 19, 2026 AT THE CDIAA HALL (ONTARIO STREET).