Rockaway Blue
Rockaway Blue is a novel by Larry Kirwan. When terrorists attacked on September 11, 2001, Lieutenant Brian Murphy rescued seven people from the World Trade Center. Even as steel girders buckled and groaned, Brian rushed back up the stairs of the North Tower in search of those in need. He died a hero, one of more than four hundred police officers, firefighters, and other first responders who perished that fateful day.
Three years later, Vietnam veteran and retired NYPD detective-sergeant Jimmy Murphy is on a mission to find the truth behind his son's death. Why was Brian in the tower that morning? Had he anticipated the attack? Suspecting a cover-up of a deeper truth, Jimmy must confront his family, friends, and old colleagues in the police department to discover what happened to Brian and who his eldest son really was.
Rockaway Blue is now available at Amazon, B&N, all digital platforms and, of course, at your favorite book store.
Rockaway Blue An Evening with Larry Kirwan
Since there will be no live readings for some time, here’s a reading/performance from Rockaway Blue with two new original songs and a Black 47 favorite. Filmed at the Noble Maritime Collection located at Snug Harbor, Staten Island, NY it captures some of the drama, power and poignancy of the book and its characters.
Stronger and Better
Stronger and Better is a song for NOW. It’s a tribute to our heroes, the frontline workers, a lament for those who died needlessly, and a note to those who failed to act. “We will come through this stronger and better.”
LINK to Video
IRELAND TOUR 2021
We're going to Ireland Oct. 10-16 2021. We 'll focus on Galway City and Inis Mór, the largest Aran Island. Galway is 2020 European Capital of Culture, full of street performers, bookstores, cafes & a vibrant night life throbbing to the beat of Irish traditional music.
We'll pass through The Burren in Co. Clare & into Co. Kerry & the Dingle Peninsula to Slea Head past beehive stone huts, megalithic ruins, settings from Star Wars & Ryan's Daughter. We'll stay in Dingle Town with fishing boats jigging in the harbor and the mighty craic and traditional music in its many pubs. Outward bound we'll stop for lunch in Killarney.
Then off to historic Wexford, Vikings settled there, King Henry II did penance in Selskar Abbey, Cromwell sacked it, you'll find ghosts aplenty on its narrow cobbled streets. I'll perform at the Arts Centre, and we'll party afterwards in legendary Mary's Bar with my family and friends.
We'll visit Dublin - hometown of Oscar Wilde, Phil Lynott, Luke Kelly. Savor the history of the 1916 Uprising, Kilmainham Jail, The Guinness Storehouse, and the pubs, clubs, parks, and cultural centers. See the real Ireland, meet the real people and make new friends forever.
For INFO speak to Joe or Sue 866-486-8772 or write [email protected]
For a flyer: https://www.hammondtours.com/product/larry-kirwan/
BLOOD
James Connolly, international socialist and leader of the Irish Citizen Army, disappeared from his headquarters at Liberty Hall, Dublin, on January 19, 1916. When he returned four days later his only comment was, “I have been through hell.” He had been held captive by the clandestine Irish Republican Brotherhood – a group that he had little in common with and often derided. In April 1916 he enthusiastically joined them in an unsuccessful – and some would say – suicidal attempt to overthrow British rule in Ireland...MORE
A History of Irish Music
From Medieval Wexford to Midtown Manhattan Larry Kirwan tells the story of Irish music to a backdrop of war,
social upheaval and revolution. From Viking invader to Sean O' Riada, Oliver Cromwell to Rory Gallagher,
James Connolly to Van Morrison in a clash of uilleann pipes, armalites and electric guitars. The story
moves with the Diaspora to The Pogues London, Dropkick Murphys Boston and Black 47 s New York City.
Pulsing, passionate, occasionally tragic - through the eyes of an insider. 347 pages.
LARRY KIRWAN S JOURNEY THROUGH IRISH MUSIC IS A MEMOIR, A LOVE STORY, A HISTORY OF MODERN IRELAND AND THUS
UNIQUE. A VIVID, BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN ADVENTURE... Thomas Keneally, Author of Schindler s List
$20. Pre-order now at SHOP, ships mid-March.
RISE UP
RISE UP is now available at all gigs. Larry Kirwan has compiled 15 tracks of remastered favorites and rarities recorded over
Black 47's controversial career. From their first recording of Patriot Game two months after forming to their final shot
with US OF A 2014 Black 47 show why many have hailed them as America's primary political band. 78 minutes of white hot rebellion,
resistance & redemption!
For a list of tracks and pick up a copy — shop
LAST CALL
LAST CALL is Black 47’s final album. It is available on all digital platforms. (iTunes, Amazon, etc.) You can also buy the CD or
download the 13 tracks — here.
You can find the lyrics, chord charts, a summary of the songs, pictures of the players and guests, and much more at the
Black 47 Archive.
★★★★ On "Last Call," Black 47 serves a 200 proof cocktail made with a shot of funk and two fingers of Irish malarkey thrown in for
good measure. Larry Kirwan saves the best for last, using roots, rock, and reggae to bring the final curtain down on the most influential
Irish American band in history.”
— Mike Farragher/Irish Voice
Hear The Night The Showbands Died from 'Last Call'
Hear Johnny Comes a'Courtin from 'Last Call'
Black 47 at Connolly's of Times Square
February 8th
After a sold-out show on New Year's Eve make sure you get your tickets early to one of
Black 47's last shows in their old stomping grounds at Connolly's. Tickets now on sale for
Feb. 8th at the pub or HERE.
Book early - book often!
LAST CALL! Are you aboard?
As you know by now Black 47 will disband in November 2014 exactly 25 years after our first gig.
What a long, strange and amazing trip - from the bars of the Bronx to Leno, Letterman and O'Brien. From Paddy Reilly's Pub to Farm Aid
with Neil Young and Johnny Cash.
But none of it would have been possible without you - our friends and fans who stuck with us through thick and thin. You know well
that Black 47 has always been more than a band. We've fought to get political prisoners out of jail, keep immigrant churches open
and be a voice for the voiceless - Irish and otherwise.
read more...
Larry Kirwan
BLACK 47
Hard Times to reopen at the cell from Jan. 9th to Feb. 16th
Almeria Campbell in "Hard Times" photo by Steven Simring
By the end of the evening, the audience is up, cheering and stamping. In “Hard Times,” Mr. Kirwan has not only delivered a knockout entertainment, he’s done a public service, reacquainting us with the Foster songbook and the striving, teeming America for which it was written. New York Times
Hard Times will reopen at the cell, 338 W. 23rd St., NYC from Jan. 9th to Feb. 16th. Tickets at $18 can be purchased here where dates and times of performance can also be found (mostly Thursdays through Sundays)
The Last St. Patrick's Day Show at BB Kings
Black 47 will play its 25th and last St. Patrick's Day Show in New York City on March 17th at BB Kings.
Tickets now on sale at the club and here.
SiriusXM will also broadcast our last St. Patrick's Day show live
from BB's.
In honor of the event we are playing a new song, Saint Patrick's Day from Last Call.
"I'll love you forever on St. Patrick's Day."
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
Black 47 will appear on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon on St. Patrick's Day.
Big Morning Buzz Live! with Nick Lachey
Black 47 will play two songs on Big Morning Buzz Live! with Nick Lachey on St. Patrick's Day.
Happy Holidays/Christmas/New Year's
Gift from Black 47
Download
New Year's Eve in Olde Tymes Square
MP3 (3.7M)
from the 'Last Call' recording sessions.
also available on SoundCloud
In early November 2014, exactly 25 years after our first gig, Black 47 will disband.
There are no fights, differences over musical policy, or general skulduggery, we remain as good
friends as when we first played together. We just have a simple wish to finish up at the top our
game after 25 years of relentless touring and, as always, on our own terms. The last gig we played
at the South Buffalo Irish Festival was as good as any we've ever performed. Our goal now is to play
another full year plus and dedicate all of those gigs to you who've supported us through thick and thin.
Rather than just running out the clock we will be recording "Last Call," an album of new songs in November
and as usual will be working out the material onstage. We would like to say goodbye to you all personally
and will make every effort to come play in your city, town, college, pub, club, performing arts center and
should you wish to alert your local promoter you can download booking particulars
here
(PDF 1.92MB).
Black 47 has always been more than a band, we've spoken out for the nationalist population in the North of Ireland,
against the war but for the troops in Iraq, for our gay brothers & sisters, immigrants, legal and undocumented,
as well as for the voiceless of 1845-47; but in the end it all comes down to the music, the songs, and the desire
to give audiences the time of their lives and send them home smiling and, perhaps, with a question on their lips.
We look forward to seeing you all at the upcoming gigs. Thanks for the support and the memories -
lets make many more over the next year.
Larry Kirwan's Celtic Invasion
In thousands of gigs with Black 47 and eight years of hosting Celtic Crush I've kept an ear out for great
talent and top shelf songs. I wanted to create an album that would open a gateway into the world of Celtic Rock.
Here it is! CELTIC INVASION contains songs by
The Waterboys, Peatbog Faeries, Runrig, Black 47, Hothouse Flowers,
Pat McGuire, Barleyjuice, John Spillane, Shilelagh Law, Celtic Cross, Blaggards,
and Garrahan's Ghost.
Turn up the volume, open your ears, you have a treat in store. Get your copy now!
Rocks Off Concert Cruise
Irish Night with The Mets
Black 47 played Shea Stadium more times than The Beatles. On Friday, Aug. 1st they expect to go one up at Citifield.
Come to Irish Night and see The Mets/Black 47 send The Giants on the "road to ruin." Get your limited edition Irish
Night t-shirt when you order at:
mlb.mlb.com
Smithwick's Sessions
Last Connolly's Gig
Famine Commemoration Gala
Irish Network- New Orleans (IN-NOLA) Famine Commemoration Gala | 7:00-11:00 (patron party at 6:00)
Discounted tickets have been made available to Black 47 fans. Black 47 fans can save $50 per ticket by using the code: IFCGALA when purchasing tickets. Tickets can be purchased here.The IN-NOLA black tie event at New Orleans’ historic Gallier Hall will feature New Orleans‘ cuisine and entertainment by the renowned Celtic rock band Black 47, and New York Celtic-Jazz singer Tara O’Grady with the Black Velvet Band, plus traditional Irish music and dancing.
New Orleans has been selected by the Irish Government to host the 2014 International Irish Famine Commemoration (IFC) which will honor New Orleans’ Irish and celebrate the triumph of Famine survivors in the face of tremendous adversity.
more info...
B.B. King Blues Club & Grill
Black 47 Archive Last Call
The Black 47 app for Android. Take the band wherever you go
It's music, gig alerts, videos and more. Get it now for your Android device.
It's a free download and it's programmed with love by our own Fred Parcells.
Bankers and Gangsters released in 2010
Bankers and Gangsters is
vintage Black 47 - uproarious, tuneful,
challenging, current and above all,
entertaining.
"Bankers and Gangsters is a timely echo of the
populist anger being felt around the country
towards big bailouts for everyone but the
everyman"
Staten Island Advance
"With the excellent Bankers and Gangsters, Black
47 remind us that substance and a sense of fun
are by no means mutually exclusive"
All
Music Guide
"Cinematic storytelling and an ability to shift nimbly between heavy and light subject matter. There are New York street tales, stories of Irish historical figures, outlandish adventures, and ballads steeped in sadness and loss and its own brawny and bracing brand of Celtic rock" Philadelphia Inquirer
Rockin' the Bronx: A new novel from Larry Kirwan
In
this big, passionate, colourful novel set in
1980-82, the Bronx is burning, Bobby Sands is
dying, John Lennon is being stalked, the Reagan
Revolution has begun and AIDS is about to be
identified. But life goes on in the immigrant
bars of Bainbridge Avenue as Sean arrives from
Ireland looking for his girlfriend, Mary, and
finds a lot more than he bargained for.
"This is a Bronx tale full of raucous life and
unvarnished reality. It captures a time when the
Bronx had become a synonym for urban decay and
conflict, and a new generation of Irish
immigrants struggled to get a toehold on
America.
There are no ethnic niceties in these pages, no
phony-baloney version of multicultural harmony.
This is the urban American of the 80s in all its
raw squalor and splendor. Every page sparkles
with memorable characters and lyrical accuracy."
-
Peter Quinn (Banished Children of Eve)