23 United States Presidents of Irish Heritage Soldiers and Sailors Monument Cleveland's Public Square February 21, 2026
As the United States celebrates 250 years in 2026, Irish America 250 is celebrating the enduring contributions of Irish immigrants and their descendants to the fabric of American society. A special event was held at the historic Soldiers and Sailors Monument on Cleveland's Public Square. It began with members of the Jack McDonough Fife & Drum Corps from the Irish American Club East Side marching in to the monument.
Margaret Lynch, Executive Director of the Irish American Archives Society, spoke about the monument that was built to honor Civil War veterans from Cleveland and NE Ohio.
Margaret Lynch
She said that it was William J. Gleason, an Irish American from County Claire, who was greatly responsible for the monument.
William J. Gleason, Board President
History says that it was "his proposal to honor the bravery of Cuyahoga County's Union soldiers was met with enthusiasm and was unanimously approved. Gleason's leadership and vision were instrumental in the monument's creation." Margaret also told other Public Square stories and about William Gleason and others involvement in the cause of Irish nationalism, the Hibernian Guard, president of the Irish National League, an Irish American library for immigrants, the St. Patrick's Day Parade and more.
Watch a video of the Fife & Drum Corps and the Margaret Lynch's remarks.
The Jack McDonough Fife & Drum Corps also played a brief intermission and then Marilyn Madigan, Immediate Past President of the national Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians, spoke.
Marilyn Madigan
Marilyn told of the seven U.S. presidents born in Ohio and then about the 23 US presidents of Irish heritage. With current President Donald Trump being number 47 (and 45) and some other repeats, that means over half of the US presidents have had Irish heritage!
Irish History display
Irish in the American Civil War
She also told of the efforts of Irish America 250 that is celebrating the enduring contributions of Irish immigrants and their descendants to the fabric of American society as the United States celebrates 250 years. Watch the video.
Here are some other photos from the event. Note: As always, we reduced the resolution of the photos for speedy web loading so if you want high-resolution copies, let us know.
Marilyn Madigan and Margaret Lynch
Margaret Lynch and Marilyn Madigan
Greg Palumbo, Soldiers and Sailors Executive Director and Caretakers Ray Query and Madison Matuszak
Ray Query opens a secret door for a tour of the tunnels
Inside the Soldiers and Sailors Underground Tunnels
Here is a rudimentary video of the tunnels. Not the best quality but it will give you an idea. If you ever go, watch your head. Some of the passageways and arches are about 3 feet tall!
Having members of the Jack McDonough Fife & Drum Corps from the Irish American Club East Side added to the event. Here are a few pictures.
Jack McDonough Fife & Drum Corps
Warming Up
If you haven't looked at the Soldiers and Sailors Monument recently, here is a quick tour of the four bronze groupings on the esplanade that depict, in battle scenes, the Navy, Artillery, Infantry and Cavalry.
Thank you Soldiers and Sailors staff and Margaret and Marilyn for an important and interesting program.
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