Irish America

Irish America

1999

The Greatest Irish Americans of the Century: Labor Leaders

By Irish America Staff

November 1999

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Mary Harris "Mother" Jones Miners' Angel "Pray for the dead and fight like hell for the living." Mother Jones was one of America's most effective union organizers. At a time when few women were activists, she was a fearless crusader for the rights of American workers and became the champion of child laborers. But most of all, she was the "miner's angel" often risking … [Read more...] about The Greatest Irish Americans of the Century: Labor Leaders

John Ford: The Quiet Man

By Joseph McBride

November 1999

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"If there is any single thing that explains either of us," John Ford once said to Eugene O'Neill, "it's that we're Irish." Their worlds intersected in 1940, when Ford directed his film version of O'Neill's sea trilogy, The Long Voyage Home. That dark and moody film about men on a tramp steamer perfectly captured O'Neill's Irish fatalism, and it was the playwright's favorite … [Read more...] about John Ford: The Quiet Man

The First Word: In the Beginning . . .

By Patricia Harty, Editor-in-Chief
November 1999

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From the time of St. Brendan, the Irish were drawn to America. Maybe it came from gazing out on the vast Atlantic Ocean and wondering what was on the other side. Brendan made his legendary trip in an ox-hide currach. Later the Irish reached "Inishfail" -- that "island of destiny" envisioned by the poets -- as migratory fishermen making their way to Newfoundland in the holds of … [Read more...] about The First Word: In the Beginning . . .

The Greatest Irish Americans of the Century: Law

By Irish America Staff

November 1999

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William J. Brennan, Jr. Lion of the Court "The law is not an end in itself, nor does it provide ends. It is preeminently a means to serve what we think is right. " Considered one of the most influential shapers of public policy in the nation, the late Justice William Joseph Brennan, Jr., was best known for his support of civil rights, and particularly freedom of speech. … [Read more...] about The Greatest Irish Americans of the Century: Law

The Greatest Irish Americans of the Century: Medicine

By Irish America Staff

November 1999

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Dr. Kevin Cahill Born in the Bronx, New York, Dr. Kevin Cahill is the president general of the American Irish Historical Society, as well as a distinguished doctor whose patients have included Pope John Paul II, Ronald Reagan, and several UN Secretary Generals. He was the first American ever to receive the Grand Cross Pro Merito Melitersi, a papal award. Among his many other … [Read more...] about The Greatest Irish Americans of the Century: Medicine