Twelve years ago we published the very first copy of Irish America magazine. Many of those who attended the launch party on October 16, 1985, didn't give it a prayer. "There's no there there," or similar words, were heard. The prevailing thought of the day was that the Irish were assimilated, and cared not enough about their heritage, to support a magazine called Irish … [Read more...] about There is a There There
Hibernia
Chekechea Pryor from South Central Los Angeles left the United States for the first time last July and made her way to Belfast to study Irish history and shoot a documentary film. She met with Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams and visited the West Belfast Festival where she and Adams chatted about how great it was that she brought the Southern California weather with her. "I … [Read more...] about Hibernia
John O’Connor
John Cardinal O'Connor was installed as Archbishop of New York in March, 1984, and elevated to Cardinal in May, 1985. He was born, the fourth of five children, in a row house in a blue-collar Philadelphia neighborhood on January 15, 1920. After ordination, he worked as a diocesan priest before joining the Navy. He served as a chaplain in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars. When … [Read more...] about John O’Connor
Edna O’Brien
From the publication of her very first book, The Country Girls (1960) to her most recent books, Edna O'Brien's works have gained wide acclaim, particularly among American readers. One of Ireland's most influential writers, she is famous for her rich and sensuous prose, and her books often deal with disappointments in love. In 1986, she talked to Susan O'Grady Fox about growing … [Read more...] about Edna O’Brien
Bill Murray
Born in Wilmette, Illinois on September B21, 1950, Bill Murray grew up, one of nine children, in an Irish Catholic family (one sister is a Carmelite nun). He left home in the early '70s to join Chicago's Second City comedy group and found fame with Saturday Night Live, before conquering Hollywood and becoming one of the most highly regarded actors of the day. This interview … [Read more...] about Bill Murray