Irish America

Irish America

Feature

The Steward of Irish Theater

By Diana Barth

January/February 1997

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Although the brilliance of actor Donal McCann is well-known abroad – even a Dublin cabdriver praised him as a "great actor" to this writer on the trip from the airport to the city center -- McCann's name seems a well-kept secret in the U.S. That oversight should be corrected when Donal McCann opens, in the starting role, in Sebastian Barry's luminous, moving, poetic memory play … [Read more...] about The Steward of Irish Theater

The Life and Times of John O’Brien

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The movie Leaving Las Vegas, based on John O'Brien's novel, stunned audiences and had critics raving. But the coming success did not mean much to O'Brien, who took his own life soon after selling the movie rights.  His new work, finished by his sister, also reflects his dark side.  Writer John O'Brien did not live to see the phenomenal success of the movie based on his novel, … [Read more...] about The Life and Times of John O’Brien

Neil Jordan: The Man Who Made Michael Collins

By Patricia Harty, Editor-in-Chief
November/December 1996

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For years we have been waiting. Director John Ford, way back when, was interested. In the early '80s Robert Redford talked about doing it. At different times Kevin Costner and Tom Cruise were said to be scouting locations in Ireland. Even Mickey Rourke was talked about. Well, at last, almost 75 years after his death, we have our movie Michael Collins made by an Irish director … [Read more...] about Neil Jordan: The Man Who Made Michael Collins

Memoir of an Irish Childhood

By Pete Hamill

September October 1996

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Author and raconteur Frank McCourt, in his autobiography, has "examined his ferocious childhood, walked around it, relived it, and with skill and care and generosity of heart, transformed it into a triumphant work of art," writes Pete Hamill.   Frank McCourt has written a triumphant book. His memoir of an Irish childhood is in turns hilarious, heart-scalding, bitterly angry. … [Read more...] about Memoir of an Irish Childhood

Bottled Wild Geese

By Norman Mongan

September October 1996

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Norman Monagan explores the contribution the Irish have made to the French wine-growing industry. Some may find it surprising that Irishmen were involved with wine-making well before Arthur Guinness invented his famous brew. Early 18th century Dublin imbibed vast quantities of fine claret, greater than the combined total of England and Scotland. The Irish "Wild Geese" who … [Read more...] about Bottled Wild Geese