Billy Ireland

In Ireland's full-page color Sunday strip, he commented on everything from local politics and visiting celebrities to the trials and tribulations of the Ohio State University football team.

In September 2009, it was announced that the Ohio State University Board of Trustees approved a new name, Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum, in recognition of a $7 million gift from the Elizabeth Ireland Graves Foundation to support the renovation of the University's Sullivant Hall.

The $20.6 million project was completed in 2013, and the Sullivant Hall houses both the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library and Museum and Ohio State's Department of Dance.

While at the Dispatch, Ireland mentored notable cartoonists Dudley Fisher,[3] Milton Caniff and Ray Evans.

Some of his work is collected in Lucy Caswell's book, Billy Ireland, first published by the Museum in 1980 and expanded in a 2008 edition.

This detail from Billy Ireland's The Passing Show (September 30, 1923) color Sunday page displays a character inspired by Ohio State's school song, " Carmen Ohio ", written in 1902.
Detail from Billy Ireland's The Passing Show (January 20, 1929)