blog

“There’s no sense of entitlement, no sense of placement, it’s all a sense of you’ve got to go out and work hard to get there. It doesn’t all break your way all the time, so you’ve got to just power through it. I think that’s deeply imbedded in the culture of the Irish.” – Brian Moynihan Chairman and CEO Bank of America. (Cover story Irish America in 2009). I am remembering a … [Read more...] about My Independence Day

July 4, 1972. The day I landed in New York

Faith of Their Fathers—The Eucharistic Congress of 1932 “The men and women of long ago … from the high place in Heaven won by their heroic piety … must have looked down upon this glorious scene with serene happiness and benediction.” Dundalk Democrat editorial 1932 The closest equivalent to Pope John Paul’s visit in 1979 was the 1932 Eucharistic Congress given to Ireland … [Read more...] about How Europe’s Most Conservative Country Became its Most Liberal

An excerpt from Niall O’Dowd’s new book.

By Tim McGrath Getting a memorial to Commodore John Barry at the U.S. Naval Academy took the patient determination of organizations, a talented sculptor, an Irish marathoner, and countless well-wishers – and the leadership of two great friends. Years ago, a writer lecturing to college students was asked what made for a good Irish story. After a long pause, he told the … [Read more...] about Honoring the Irish Father of the American Navy

There's a little Irish in everything. I drive my friends a bit crazy, with my “Just a dab will do yah,” interjections. Someone mentions Derek Jeter, and I say “his mother is Irish” (Dorothy Connor.)  Mariah Carey wins an award, I say, “I have a nice note from her on being named a Top 100 Irish American. Her mother is Patricia Hickey.” It goes on, and on.  The … [Read more...] about First Word

June 27, 2020