Irish America

Irish America

Books

Understanding Northern Ireland’s “Troubles”

By Peter Quinn
IA Newsletter, August 13, 2022

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Quarantines are not without their benefits. During the early months of the pandemic, I was able to reduce my bedside leaning tower of books before it toppled over on my head. Two of the best deal with Northern Ireland. Together they are essential to understanding the conflict. Maurice Fitzpatrick’s John Hume in America: From Derry to DC tells the story of a man who, in the face … [Read more...] about Understanding Northern Ireland’s “Troubles”

A Conversation with Patrick Radden Keefe

By Tom Deignan
IA Newsletter, August 13, 2022

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Patrick Radden Keefe’s book Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland was described as “a murder mystery political history,” when it was presented as a finalist for the 2019 National Book Critics Circle Award, which Keefe eventually won. “Shifting smoothly among scenes with explosive, thriller-like pacing and deeply engrossing psychological profiles,” … [Read more...] about A Conversation with Patrick Radden Keefe

Bloomsday 2022

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Celebrating the Centenary Celebration of the Release of James Joyce Bloomsday is celebrated on June 16th each year, the day depicted in James Joyce's Ulysses. The day is named after the central character in Ulysses, Leopold Bloom, and follows the life and thoughts of Leopold Bloom and a host of other characters – real and fictional – from 8:00 am on 16 June 1904 through to … [Read more...] about Bloomsday 2022

Summer Reading

By Darina Molloy

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Snowflake By Louise Nealon There’s been a huge buzz about Louise Nealon ever since word of her debut novel was announced, with many reviewers and critics calling her the next Sally Rooney. Maybe they should all leave the Mayo writer to be the current and next Sally Rooney, however, and come up with different descriptors for almost every other Irish female writer under 30. … [Read more...] about Summer Reading

The President’s Beloved Irish housekeeper
and Washington’s Kindness

By Niall O'Dowd

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Elizabeth Thompson is one of the most intriguing Irish characters who traveled alongside George Washington during and after the Revolutionary War. She was the elderly head of his household and oversaw about two dozen staff for five years during the war, constantly moving with the commander-in-chief as he frequently changed residences to keep the British off his trail. Little is … [Read more...] about The President’s Beloved Irish housekeeper
and Washington’s Kindness