Martin Sheen, the star of The West Wing, is a complicated, ebullient tangle of philosophy, Catholicism, politics, altruism, and homespun wisdom. It's a disconcerting sight: The leader of the free world is, uh, combing his eyelashes with a small mascara applicator... Okay, so it's the make-believe leader of the free world. And it's not such a far-fetched notion that … [Read more...] about The Acting President
The First Word:
Now and in Time to Be
"I knew that we were Irish and I knew that Irish was the best thing to be."
– Novelist Alice McDermott
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When I immigrated to this country I had no idea of the history of the Irish in America – indeed, I had the idea that only someone born and raised in Ireland could call themselves Irish.
A Greyhound bus ticket at a cheap student rate that lasted three months and … [Read more...] about The First Word:
Now and in Time to Be
News From Ireland:
Irish Children Among Europe’s Poorest
According to a survey conducted by the Combat Poverty Agency, Irish children are the third poorest in the European Union, with one in four living in poverty. They are worse off than children of the majority of E.U. countries, including the poorer countries Greece and Spain.
Over two-thirds of all poor children come from out-of-work families, and children are 1.25 times more … [Read more...] about News From Ireland:
Irish Children Among Europe’s Poorest
News from Ireland: Collins’ Letters Donated to Irish State
A collection of letters between Irish freedom fighter Michael Collins and his fiancée Kitty Kiernan was donated to the Irish government in July. The 305 letters provide insights into the softer, less well-known side of Collins. Peter Barry purchased the letters at a Dublin auction five years ago for £45,000. He stated that he did not think the collection would have remained … [Read more...] about News from Ireland: Collins’ Letters Donated to Irish State
News from Ireland: Ireland to Fingerprint Asylum Seekers
In an attempt to reduce the number of illegal immigrants entering the country, Ireland will introduce mandatory fingerprinting for all asylum seekers. This step has been roundly criticized by human rights organizations and the Irish Refugee Council. Under the new program, all asylum seekers over the age of 14 will be fingerprinted and the information will be added to a … [Read more...] about News from Ireland: Ireland to Fingerprint Asylum Seekers