Tom Deignan examines the WWI marching tune. ℘℘℘ Fans of legendary actress Mary Tyler Moore – who died in January at the age of 80 – may recall the final episode of the groundbreaking Mary Tyler Moore Show, which aired 40 years ago, in 1977. The TV news team at the center of the show had just wrapped up their own final episode. They hug and cry but, in the final scene, walk out … [Read more...] about It’s a Long Way to Tipperary
Sons of Our Shakespeare
The tragic story of Eugene O’Neill’s sons, both of whom died by suicide. A four-time Pulitzer Prize winner and 1936 Nobel laureate, playwright Eugene O’Neill has reigned as the undisputed Irish American heavyweight champion of drama. His private life, however, was far less enviable than his career trajectory. At age 23, while living in a rooming house on Manhattan’s Fulton … [Read more...] about Sons of Our Shakespeare
The Irish and Suicide
According to a 2017 report by UNICEF, Ireland has the fourth highest rate of teen suicide of E.U. or O.E.C.D. nations. Furthermore, Ireland has Europe’s highest rate of suicide among girls. “While the overall number of people dying by suicide has declined,” James Doorley, National Youth Council of Ireland deputy director, notes, “there has been an increase among young men. … [Read more...] about The Irish and Suicide
The Time is Right for “Woody Sez”
“There never was a sound that was not music – there’s no real trick of creating words to set to music – once you realize that the word is the music and the people are the song.” – Woody Guthrie There is perhaps nothing more joyously therapeutic than lifting one’s voice in song. And in these unsettled times there is a lot of joy and one heck of a good time at the Irish … [Read more...] about The Time is Right for “Woody Sez”
How to Conquer Cravings
A new book by folk singer and author Judy Collins reveals all about her battle with food. ℘℘℘ Leonard Cohen is dead. Joni Mitchell is ailing. Judy Collins stands out in the crowd of ’60s folk artists as blooming. I recently caught her concert at the Metropolitan Museum – her skin glows, she wears high-heeled boots, she plays guitar and piano (and makes you realize what a … [Read more...] about How to Conquer Cravings