The political process gets underway in Northern Ireland. 12/14/99: A "day unlike any other" was how Taoiseach Bertie Ahern described his feelings at the history-making first meeting of the North-South Ministerial Council in Armagh City on Monday (December 13). While the media gave massive coverage to the event - it was broadcast live on BBC Northern Ireland Television - the … [Read more...] about When Hope and History Rhymed: The New North
2000
A New Dawn
"The question before the House, in view of the apathy, neglect, and lack of understanding, which in this House has shown to these people in Ulster, whom it claims to represent, is how in the shortest space it can make up for fifty years of neglect, apathy, and a lack of understanding...""If British troops are sent in, I should not like to be either the mother or sister of an … [Read more...] about A New Dawn
Film Forum: A Late Encounter with the Enemy
Few things are sadder than a missed opportunity. The story of the San Patricios, the Irish emigrants and their comrades of other ethnic groups who fought for Mexico during the U.S.-Mexican War of 1846-48, is rich and underexplored dramatic material. Complex and stirring issues of loyalty and heroism resound throughout the saga of the Saint Patrick's Battalion, which consisted … [Read more...] about Film Forum: A Late Encounter with the Enemy
‘Tis Frank
Frank McCourt is on an exhaustive book tour and won't get a break until the middle of December when he gets back to New York for the premiere of the movie Angela's Ashes. Towards the end of October, Irish America Editor-in-Chief Patricia Harty caught up with Frank on the phone from Palo Alto, California. How are you? Running, running, running from place to place, signing … [Read more...] about ‘Tis Frank
Endurance: A compelling story of survival that hinged on the leadership of one man
Frank Wild, the second in command, made his way through the ship as its planks buckled and heaved against the mounting pressure. Occasionally a loud crack rang out like a gunshot as the timber snapped under the strain. He worked his way from the crew's quarters to the engine room and down to the propeller shaftway where two crewmembers were trying to reinforce a cofferdam that … [Read more...] about Endurance: A compelling story of survival that hinged on the leadership of one man