Irish America

Interview

Des Bishop’s Mia Mamma Hits New York

By Tom Deignan
IA Newsletter January 8, 2022

by Leave a Comment

If “home” is a special but complicated word for most Irish people, this is doubly true for Des Bishop. Born in New York, Bishop went off to Ireland at the tender of age of 14. But what began as a kind of lark to make sure Bishop stayed focused on school turned into a calling as a popular comedian, performer, and TV personality. For years, Bishop has been doing the thankless … [Read more...] about Des Bishop’s Mia Mamma Hits New York

Larry Kirwan’s “Paradise Square” is
Broadway-Bound

By Tom Deignan
IA Newsletter October 30, 2021

by 4 Comments

For over 30 years, Larry Kirwan’s voice provided the soundtrack for Irish American and Irish immigrant life.  As the frontman for legendary Celtic rockers Black 47, Kirwan went from playing punky jigs and reels in small clubs in the Bronx, to gigs on network TV and packed festivals and stadiums.  The Wexford native rode the wave of 1980s and 1990s immigration from … [Read more...] about Larry Kirwan’s “Paradise Square” is
Broadway-Bound

Peter Quinn’s Novel Redux

by 1 Comment

"Quinn has a way of making ordinary things, the ordinary or wise or inadequate thoughts of many persons in many circumstances not only convincing but merely actual: an ability that can remind a reader of James Joyce in stories like The Dead and in Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man." – John Crowley (from a new addendum to his original review in the New York Times 27 … [Read more...] about Peter Quinn’s Novel Redux

Tom Deignan Interviews…

by Leave a Comment

Tom Deignan is a teacher, author, and columnist. Tom has been a contributor to Irish America for 25 years on arts and entertainment, history and current affairs. He is currently working on a book about America during the Ellis Island years. His writing has appeared in newspapers such as The New York Times, Washington Post, Star-Ledger, and National Catholic Reporter, as well as … [Read more...] about Tom Deignan Interviews…

The Crisis in the
Catholic Church

by 9 Comments

Please join in the conversation about this important topic; we welcome your comments, thoughts, and feedback. James Carroll's newest book, The Truth at the Heart of the Lie is available at Barnes and Noble and Amazon. View Tom's previous interviews for Irish America with Emma Donoghue, Timothy Egan, John Feerick, and James Nesbitt. Tom Deignan is a teacher, author, and … [Read more...] about The Crisis in the
Catholic Church