iBAM! 2025 Awardees
John Mahoney
iBAM! Awardee 2014
iBAM! Awardees
Honoring Heritage. Igniting the Future.
The iBAM! Awards stand at the heart of our annual celebration, recognizing those whose creativity, talent, and service illuminate the Irish experience. Each year, we gather to honor writers, musicians, artists, performers, and community leaders who embody the spirit of Irish Books, Art & Music.
This year’s awardees carry forward traditions while inspiring new generations—whether through song and story, visual art, dance, or tireless dedication to community. From international voices who have shaped global culture to local champions whose work sustains Irish life in Chicago, these honorees reflect the richness and resilience of Irish Heritage. Together, they remind us that iBAM! is more than a festival—it is a living legacy.
Cliff Carlson
Person of the Year
Publisher of Irish American News and co-founder of iBAM!, Cliff Carlson has amplified Irish voices for decades. Through journalism and cultural leadership, he has built bridges between Ireland and Chicago, shaping and celebrating the Irish American story.
Núala Kavanagh
Volunteer of the Year
Co-chair of Chicago Galway Sister Cities International, Núala has transformed cultural, educational, and civic ties between Galway and Chicago. Twice honored for her leadership, she embodies the spirit of service and community building.
Jess Murphy
Culinary Arts
Co-founder of Galway’s acclaimed Kai Restaurant, Jess Murphy is a Michelin Green Star chef known for bold, soulful cooking and sustainable practices. Beyond the kitchen, she partners with UNHCR, using food to preserve refugee culinary traditions and foster belonging.
Dan Roan
Media/Journalism
Emmy Award–winning sportscaster and trusted voice of Chicago sports for nearly four decades. As WGN’s longtime anchor and host of Instant Replay, Roan brought integrity, authority, and heart to generations of fans while chronicling the city’s greatest athletic moments.
Liam O'Neill
Visual Arts
A self-taught painter from West Kerry, Liam O’Neill is one of Ireland’s leading contemporary artists. His bold, expressive oils capture the vitality of rural life and Atlantic landscapes, earning international recognition for their energy, color, and sense of place.
Derek Warfield
Music
Derek Warfield, founding member of the Wolfe Tones, has brought Ireland’s songs and stories to global audiences for over 60 years. Now leading Derek Warfield & The Young Wolfe Tones, he blends tradition and youthful energy. A celebrated balladeer and published historian, Warfield preserves Ireland’s legacy through music and memory.
Anne Enright
Literature
Booker Prize–winning novelist and Ireland’s first Laureate for Irish Fiction, Anne Enright is celebrated worldwide for works such as The Gathering, The Green Road, and The Wren, The Wren. Her luminous prose and fearless storytelling have made her one of the defining voices of contemporary Irish literature.
The Gardiner Brothers
Performing Arts
Michael and Matthew Gardiner, world champion Irish dancers, are global ambassadors of Irish dance. With more than 40 major titles and 800 million online views, they blend tradition with modern rhythm and flair, inspiring new generations of dancers worldwide.