Irish America

Irish America

1999

The Greatest Irish Americans of the Century: Nationalists

By Irish America Staff

November 1999

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Eamon de Valera The Long Fellow "I am in America as the official head of the [Irish] Republic, established by the will of the people in accordance with the principles of self-determination." Given that nobody born outside the United States can ever hope to become President of this nation, it is ironic that a humbly-born New Yorker was elected President of Ireland in … [Read more...] about The Greatest Irish Americans of the Century: Nationalists

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: Community

By Irish America Staff

November 1999

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Dorothy Day Heroine "Don't call me a saint. I don't want to be dismissed so easily." From time to time there comes an individual whose life exposes the limitations of the written word. Dorothy Day was such a person. Her strength, singularity and ability to nudge humankind a little further up the ladder of emotional and spiritual evolution goes beyond language. As a … [Read more...] about The Greatest Irish Americans of the Century: Community

The Greatest Irish Americans of the Century: Business

By Irish America Staff

November 1999

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Brian P. Burns Art Collector He's a man of many talents -- business executive, attorney and philanthropist -- but it is perhaps for his extensive and unequaled art collection that Brian Burns is best known. Through his efforts, the work of dozens of Irish artists is exhibited regularly at various locations throughout the U.S. In 1996, an exhibition titled "America's Eye: … [Read more...] about The Greatest Irish Americans of the Century: Business