Newspaper editors teil you that the public never want to read the good news, but for once I think the success story that the International Fund for Ireland (IFI) has become is well worth recounting. The United States spends just one-quarter of one percent of its massive foreign aid appropriations on Ireland, according to the latest figures from Washington. That worked out to … [Read more...] about First Word: Good News from Ireland
First Word
First Word: A Point of Principle
As we go to press, the troubles of Nancy Reagan have replaced the Kennedys on the front pages of the tabloids. But boy, did the press have a field-day. A New York Post reporter interviewed in Florida while staking out the Kennedy compound was practically frothing at the mouth. "Classic tabloid stuff!" he emoted with glee, much like a shark in a feeding frenzy. So if you're … [Read more...] about First Word: A Point of Principle
First Word: Birth of a Nation
That Easter Monday, 1916, seventy-five years ago this month, was a sleepy one in Dublin. Most of the sporting set, high society and many common folk had gone to the Fairyhouse races, where the Irish Grand National was the star attraction. My own grandfather, from County Sligo, had taken the train to the races, the biggest meeting of the year. Years later he would relate how it … [Read more...] about First Word: Birth of a Nation
First Word: Step It Out Mary!
Dublin: The New Year dawned bright as a button in Ireland with the accession to office of the first woman president of the Irish Republic, Mary Robinson. Even the British, not known for their admiration of Irish politicians, were suitably impressed with Robinson, making her "Woman of the Year" in one newspaper poll. In Ireland, the press office at Aras an Uachtaran, the … [Read more...] about First Word: Step It Out Mary!