Ian Worpole talks to Solas stalwarts Seamus Egan and Winifred Horan, and meets the band’s newest member, Mairéad Phelan. As I’ve mentioned in past columns, Irish-American legends Solas are probably the most lauded of all Celtic bands out there today, and quite right too. Now in their second decade, and with an exciting new singer, Mairéad Phelan, the band has a scorching new … [Read more...] about Love, Laughter and Solas
Review of Books
Recommended Dennis Lehane had already made an impressive name for himself as the author of stylish crime noirs set on the gritty streets of Boston when Hollywood came calling. First, it was Clint Eastwood, who turned Lehane’s taut psychological thriller Mystic River into a classic movie. Next up was Ben Affleck, whose directorial debut was based on Lehane’s novel Gone Baby … [Read more...] about Review of Books
Sláinte!: Penny Wise & Tasty Too
As I sit and write this during the global economic meltdown of October 2008, I admit to getting tired of listening to all the pundits predict that 2009 is going to be a humdinger of a financial challenge and families will have to cut back on just about everything that isn’t absolutely necessary. Why, I ask, is that not a good thing? I am the child of parents who really did … [Read more...] about Sláinte!: Penny Wise & Tasty Too
The Real Bill Maher
Bill Maher gets real with Kelly Carlin-McCall about life, work and religion. Smart, funny, bold, proverbial line-crosser – all of these words could be used to describe Bill Maher. They also could have been used to describe my father, the late George Carlin. Earlier this year, I got the chance to meet Bill Maher. Unfortunately it was under circumstances I could have done … [Read more...] about The Real Bill Maher
The First Word: Sharing the American Dream
This issue is a feast of Irish-Americana. There’s something to suit every taste and even the pickiest reader. Some history, some humor, some of who we are today. There’s the inspirational songbird Kelli O’Hara, whose Irish ancestors settled in Oklahoma during the Land Rushes, and Bill Maher who was born in New York to an Irish father and a Jewish mother. There’s even a salute … [Read more...] about The First Word: Sharing the American Dream