Much has been written about fire-fighters since 9/11, and while no film could do justice to the heroism of the country's "bravest," Ladder 49 does a good job of exploring the everyday lives of firefighters, the dangers involved, and the emotional impact on families. Starting Joaquin Phoenix (fire-fighter Jack Morrison) and John Travolta (Chief Mike Kennedy), and directed by … [Read more...] about Ladder 49: A Film with Heart
Hibernia
The Met’s New Pres
Irish-American Emily Kernan Rafferty will become the next president of The Metropolitan Museum of Art. A 28-year employee of the Metropolitan, Rafferty will take over on the retirement of David E. McKinney on January 15, 2005. A native of New York City, Kernan Rafferty earned her B.A. degree cum laude from Boston University in 1971 and began her professional career that year … [Read more...] about The Met’s New Pres
New Book Celebrates Irish Americans
The Irish Face in America, a stunning book of photographs and text, by writer Julia McNamara and photographer Jim Smith, delves beneath the surface to show us who we are today. Here is the introduction by Pete Hamill. ℘℘℘ Of one thing I'm certain: there is no such thing as an Irish face, yet I know one when I see one. In physiognomy, Seamus Heaney does not resemble James Joyce, … [Read more...] about New Book Celebrates Irish Americans
Kansas City Celebrates Its Heritage
The Celtic heritage of Kansas City runs deep, as immigrants from Ireland were first brought to the new city in the late 1850s to dig streets through the river bluffs and to work on the railroads and in the stockyards and packing houses. Indeed, Kansas City to this day boasts one of the largest St. Patrick's Day parades in the country. To celebrate its heritage Kansas City … [Read more...] about Kansas City Celebrates Its Heritage
Irish Eye on Hollywood
Brendan Gleeson is turning into Hollywood's go-to-guy, at least when it comes to supporting characters. Gleeson's credits, in the last few years, are a tour through A-list Hollywood, from his role in Martin Scorsese's Irish warrior flick Gangs of New York to more recent turns in Troy and the creepy summer blockbuster The Village (directed by Sixth Sense creator M. Night … [Read more...] about Irish Eye on Hollywood