Irish America
Irish America
Ray Kelly, New York City's recently-named Police Commissioner, talked to Brian Rohan about the trials of policing the world's most hectic city. For a long time it was common knowledge in New York City's Police Department that Ray Kelly was the Obvious Choice. A cop with a stellar record of problem-solving within one of the largest municipal policing departments in the world, … [Read more...] about The Commish
Here, then, follow my own observations of the lines by which the community in Northern Ireland is divided..... The first and most important line of division separates national identities. The two main groupings are of course those who see themselves primarily as British and those who see themselves primarily as Irish. Broadly, the first seek to maintain the union with Great … [Read more...] about Northern Ireland, Culture & Identity
Donegal: It is not necessary to compare and contrast the sheer awesome natural beauty of this ruggedly stunning Atlantic county — the northern most county in Ireland - with anywhere else because like all such things it is subjective and often illusory. Suffice to say at the outset if it's spectacular scenery you want you've come to the right place. "Inearly morning twilight, … [Read more...] about The Splendor of Donegal
The St. Patrick's Day Parade in New York is not new to controversy. 1992 and 1993 saw an all-out battle openly waged in the media between those who support the inclusion of the Irish Gays and Lesbian Organization in the parade (including Mayor Dinkins) and the AOH (backed by Cardinal O'Connor) who are determined to keep the parade strictly Catholic and heterosexual. John T. … [Read more...] about The History of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in New York
My grandfathers, George Kennedy and Peter McDonald, died before I was born. I came to know something of them through talks with my parents and other relatives, a few artifacts, death certificates and obituaries, and two photographs that defined them for me forever. Both photos are working-class portraits. The portrait of George Kennedy is with three other men who are, I … [Read more...] about Two Grandfathers
