The Cross-Border Orchestra of Ireland fosters good relations between North and South. ℘℘℘ What does it take for people to forget the past and live in the moment? According to the members of the Cross-Border Orchestra of Ireland, putting the past behind them requires no more than getting a bunch of enthusiastic kids from both sides of the border together and teaching them to … [Read more...] about United by Song
Encompassing the Celtic
When Irish America handed me half a dozen CD's to review, I promptly visualized a neat column; a paragraph each; thumbs up or down. But as each jewel box unfolded I realized there was something more complicated going on; consequently I may be inclined to ramble, for this is Celtic Music. Or World Music; Folk Rock, Irish, Scottish, English, Brittany, Acid-Croft, Afro-Celt, … [Read more...] about Encompassing the Celtic
Linen to Dine For
In the late 19th century the legendary French food writer Brillat-Savarin said: "You are what you eat." I say, "You are what you eat on." Think about it. A length of colorful oil-cloth is just the ticket for a picnic or barbecue. A fancy afternoon tea party calls for lace. Colorful whimsical tablecloths are a bright eye-opener at breakfast. But when a fine dining occasion … [Read more...] about Linen to Dine For
Jack From the Block
By Rosemary Rogers, Contributor
Kennedy was a rich man's son, a Harvard man. But when he campaigned in the Bronx, all they saw was one of their own. Back in 1960, when it seemed that the cute Irish guy might actually make it to the White House, my Irish immigrant parents were almost too superstitious to talk about the idea. Never big on assimilation, they still referred to Ireland as home, even though they … [Read more...] about Jack From the Block
A Chip Off the Old Block
This photo was taken in 1904 at my grandfather's stone cutting shop on State Street in West Philadelphia. From left to right are my father and my grandfather. My father, "Pop" Murphy, as you can see, started learning the family business as a very young boy. He went on to have his own small bricklaying business in Philadelphia. My brother and I both learned the trade from Pop … [Read more...] about A Chip Off the Old Block