Black & Irish: Legends, Trailblazers & Everyday Heroes

Featured
81T2t-6E+qL._SL1500_
Co-Authors / Illustrators
Age Range
14+
Release Date
April 30, 2024
ISBN
9781915071231
Buy This Book
      
A landmark publication in Irish history; this is a celebration of Black Irish identity. Published in collaboration with the organisation of the same name, Black & Irish, who were founded in June 2020 coinciding with the Black Lives Matter movement. Actors. Athletes. Activists. Style icons. Scientists. Influencers. Entrepreneurs. Black Irish people are blazing trails in every sphere of modern life. In the first ever book about Black Irish people, we take a look at the inspirational careers, dreams and achievements of legends, trailblazers and everyday heroes, including actor Ruth Negga, soccer player Gavin Bazunu, reality tv star Dami Hope, author Emma Dabiri, record-breaking sprinter Rhasidat Adeleke and musician Phil Lynott. Within these pages, you will find both famous and unsung Black Irish people. Black and Mixed-Race people have lived in Ireland for hundreds of years, but even now the concept of being Black and Irish is still being discovered and discussed. We hope the stories of the legends, trailblazers and everyday heroes in this book will inspire young Black Irish people, and provide insight into the Black Irish experience to people from all walks of life. With stunning colour illustrations by Jessica Louis.

Editor review

1 review
Ireland, the Melting Pot
Overall rating
 
5.0
Writing Style
 
5.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
 
5.0
Learning Value
 
5.0
I found this to be a well-researched and fascinating read, presented in an educational and approachable manner befitting of its target upper YA audience.

While visiting Ireland, I realized for the first time that it, like my native United States, is a land of immigrants; I could just as easily order kabobs as bangers and mash! Though, the books on Irish history, myth, and fictional tales only presented me with the stereotypical pale-skinned, red-haired, and feisty tempered Irish. This a wonderful example of the melting pot that Ireland truly is and includes historical and modern figures from pop culture, science, and business.

I have read negative feedback that the majority of entries represent only those of Nigerian heritage. Being neither Irish nor black I do not feel qualified to speak to this narrative, but felt I would be remiss to not mention it. I will say that it is a step in the right direction and I hope that both its 2024 nomination for a British Book Award and its US release will prove there is a high-level interest in reading these stories.

Overall, I appreciate and encourage the new voice and will recommend it to fellow librarians and readers.
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