Mary McAleese was elected president of Ireland in October of 1997. It was an astonishing outcome. Just a few months previously, the 46-year-old law professor at Queens University in Belfast was hardly known in the Irish Republic and the notion that a Northerner could be elected president of Ireland seemed a farfetched one. Then in one of the most stunning ascents to power in … [Read more...] about A People’s President
The Music Makers
By James Fraher
May / June 1998
These photographs represent wonderful meetings and friendships with traditional Irish musicians which originated over twenty years ago when we arrived in Ireland for a two-year sabbatical in 1977. After numerous concerts, pub sessions, dances, and house parties, both in Ireland and in the States, I can only affirm that the soul of Ireland is deeply embedded in the music. That … [Read more...] about The Music Makers
Historic Times in Ireland
Every once in a lifetime or so comes an opportunity to reflect on truly historic news which affects all Irish Americans of whatever class or creed. The peace agreement signed in Northern Ireland on Good Friday after much burning of the midnight oil by all the parties concerned qualifies for the term "historic" and has been portrayed as much by the world media. There are many … [Read more...] about Historic Times in Ireland
An End to Shame?
Thomas Keneally's latest book The Great Shame should be in every Irish household, and it should be read, all 700 or so pages of it, by anyone with an interest in the history of Ireland. It is a great book, wonderfully written by the Irish Australian author of Schindler's List. Beginning with the tale of Hugh Larkin, a twenty-four-year old rebel transported for life in 1833, … [Read more...] about An End to Shame?
Roots: Phelan, Whelan, and Fallon
By James G. Ryan
April / May 1999
The origin of the names Phelan and Whelan is an excellent example of the vagaries of Anglicization of Irish names. Both of these names are derived from the same Gaelic name O'Fáolain. Although Whelan is more common, Phelan is common in areas of Kilkenny and Waterford. The O'Faoláins were Princes of the Decies, a kingdom in the area of the current County Waterford. The Fallons … [Read more...] about Roots: Phelan, Whelan, and Fallon