A selection of recently published books of Irish and Irish-American interest. Recommended Dear Mrs. Fitzsimmons: Tales of Redemption from an Irish Mailbox A couple of years ago, comedian Greg Fitzsimmons, known to me as Greg Fitz or Fitz, was honored as one of Irish America’s Top 100 and we roped him in to perform. He brought the house down with his stories of growing … [Read more...] about Review of Books
Archives for February 2011
Slainte! Alive, Alive-Oh!
Dublin's iconic Molly Malone statue Lately, I’ve been craving oysters, crab, and mussels. I could write it off to the fact that I keep seeing rafts of the succulent treats on shopping forays. Like many things I’ve written of, however, I’m sure the shellfish love affair that began in my childhood with clams, oysters, shrimp and crab, was my father’s doing. During summer … [Read more...] about Slainte! Alive, Alive-Oh!
Roots: The Joyce Family
Though not Gaelic and sometimes found in England of non-Irish origin, Joyce may certainly be regarded as a true Irish name, and more particularly a Connacht one. The first Joyce to come to Ireland of whom there is an authentic record was Thomas de Jorse a Welshman, who in 1283 married the daughter of Turiogh O’Brien, Prince of Thomond and went with her to County Galway; there … [Read more...] about Roots: The Joyce Family
February 6, 2011
Gary Moore, a world-renowned guitarist most well-known for his career with Thin Lizzy, died on this day in Spain. Moore was born in Belfast on April 5th, 1952. As a young boy listening to Elvis Presley and The Beatles, he quickly became interested in music. His ear for the blues developed in the mid-60s after seeing Hendrix in concert. It was not long before other guitarists … [Read more...] about February 6, 2011
February 4, 2011
First Minister of Northern Ireland, Peter Robinson stated that February 4 of 2011 marked a 'new era' in Belfast's history after Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall paid the first ever Royal visit to a Catholic Church in Northern Ireland. The Prince of Wales went to see the £3.5 million restoration project at St. Malachy's Church and met with churchgoers and … [Read more...] about February 4, 2011