Irish America

Archives for February 2010

A Trip to the Bountiful: Mary Beth Keane

By Tara Dougherty,Music Editor
February / March 2010

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The Irish immigrant experience is no stranger to the world of fiction, but in The Walking People, Irish American Mary Beth Keane captures the nuances of one woman’s journey in this promising first novel. Protagonist Greta Cahill, cast aside early in her life as a “simple girl,” is destined to face gross underestimation not only of her intelligence but of her ability to lead a … [Read more...] about A Trip to the Bountiful: Mary Beth Keane

Miracle Worker: Helen Keller & Annie Sullivan

By Tom Deignan, Contributor
February / March 2010

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The extraordinary story of Annie Sullivan and Helen Keller, including little-known facts about a trip they made to Ireland In 1930, a visitor to Ireland wrote to a friend: “You must see Killarney…Can you imagine mountains of rhododendrons rising and massive into the bluest sky you’ve ever been under – white, crimson, scarlet, pink, buff, yellow and every shade God has painted … [Read more...] about Miracle Worker: Helen Keller & Annie Sullivan

Gettysburg: America’s Preeminent Battlefield Shrine

By Patrick Clark, Contributor
February / March 2010

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When you go to Gettysburg, you trod hallowed ground where incredible courage under fire by Union and Confederate troops enshrined them in honor, glory and history. You do much more than make a trip. You make a pilgrimage. Gettysburg is a sleepy crossroads town.  Situated in hilly Cumberland Valley fields in Pennsyl-vania, it is a musket volley or two short of 215 miles … [Read more...] about Gettysburg: America’s Preeminent Battlefield Shrine

Sláinte!: Irish Cowgirls and Award-winning Cheesemakers

By Edythe Preet, Contributor
February / March 2010

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My friend Vickie’s face blossoms with one of those secret smiles when I tell her she’s a cheesy broad. Truth of the matter is, she’s a cheese guru who, given the slightest opportunity, will launch into a lengthy monologue on the subtle differences between cow, goat and sheep cheeses, the chemistry involved in making cheese, and the why and wherefore of which cheese is best at … [Read more...] about Sláinte!: Irish Cowgirls and Award-winning Cheesemakers

Roots: The Extraordinary Crowleys

By Tara Dougherty, Contributor
February / March 2010

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Derived from the Gaelic O’Cruadhlaoich, Crowley has been a common surname in Ireland since the 11th century. Formed from the words cruadh meaning hardy and loach meaning hero, Crowley exists in many variations of the original Gaelic spelling, among them Crowley, Crowly, O’Crowley, Croaley and Croawley. The first to bear this name was Diarmuid an Cruadhlaoch, a MacDermot of … [Read more...] about Roots: The Extraordinary Crowleys