Irish America

Irish America

In This Issue 1995

Roots: Land Records in Irish Family History

By James G. Ryan

January/February 1995

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In a previous article, we discussed the use of church records in researching family history. However, to access church records you will usually need to know where in Ireland an ancestor lived. Making this connection is often the main problem faced by Irish-Americans attempting to trace their roots back to Ireland. Whereas many root-seekers will know that their ancestor was from … [Read more...] about Roots: Land Records in Irish Family History

Sláinte!: The Night of the Big Portion

By Edythe Preet

January/February 1995

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In Ireland the last night of the year was called Oiche na Cada Moire, The Night of the Big Portion. It was common practice to have a big supper that night to ensure a full cupboard and plenty to eat in the twelve months to come. Of course, the custom dated back to a time when crop success meant the difference between feast and famine. Spells and incantations were invoked to … [Read more...] about Sláinte!: The Night of the Big Portion

The State of the Irish Lobby

By Eamon Lynch

January/February 1995

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Will the political events of November effect a change in the American role in the Northern Ireland peace process? The mid-term election in the United States produced a Republican landslide, and cost some noted Irish-Americans their seats, but the results are not as worrying for the Irish government and Sinn Féin in terms of the peace process as one might expect.  However … [Read more...] about The State of the Irish Lobby

Interview with the Vampire Maker

By Colin Lacey

January/February 1995

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With his 1992 Oscar-winning film, The Crying Game, Irish director-screenwriter Neil Jordan staked a claim as a major force in the international film industry. In 1994, Jordan's spectacular film version of Anne Rice's cult novel, Interview with the Vampire, consolidated that claim. Starring box-office heavyweights Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, and Christian Slater the movie is … [Read more...] about Interview with the Vampire Maker

Sacred Mysteries

By Patricia Harty, Editor-in-Chief
January/February 1995

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There are few men of the cloth world-wide who arouse the passion and interest that Chicago's Andrew Greeley does. Priest, sociologist, Irish historian, and best-selling novelist, Greeley is always controversial. In New York recently to promote his latest novel, Irish Gold, a romance mystery with historical overtones, he talked to Patricia Harty.  "The Irish are the most … [Read more...] about Sacred Mysteries