Visitors to Gaeltacht (Gaelic-speaking) areas on the west coast of Ireland may be in for a surprise, following a government directive on the public use of Irish language. The Placenames Order 2004 makes it a law that all Gaeltacht signposts and maps display place names only in the Irish language. Towns widely known by their Anglicized names will now be represented only in their … [Read more...] about Irish Language Confuses Tourists
August September 2005 Issue
Donleavy Archive U.S.-Bound
Author J.P. Donleavy (pictured right) is in negotiations with a U.S. university for the sale of his literary archive. The Brooklyn-born author who has been resident in Ireland since 1946 came to international prominence with publication of The Ginger Man nine years later. Donleavy did not wish to name the East Coast university but was pleased to find a purchaser for his work. … [Read more...] about Donleavy Archive U.S.-Bound
An Unforeseen Victory
No one in the boxing world thought Ireland's Kevin McBride stood a chance against Mike Tyson in the American's latest comeback fight on June 11. Prior to the Tyson fight, McBride, known in the game as the "Clones Colossus," spent his days bouting fellow no-name boxers, and confirming his reputation as a journeyman fighter. It was widely expected that Tyson would clobber him in … [Read more...] about An Unforeseen Victory
John Duddy Wins Again
June 11 was a big night for the Irish in boxing. In Washington, D.C., journeyman Kevin McBride outlasted a fading Mike Tyson to put the final nail in Iron Mike's career coffin. But Tyson-McBride was about the past. The future of boxing was on display at Madison Square Garden, where John Duddy of County Derry continued his climb through the middleweight ranks. Duddy fought … [Read more...] about John Duddy Wins Again
When Bono Met Jenna
Last May, a horde of celebrities showed up at Madison Square Garden in New York to enjoy a spectacular U2 concert (part of their Vertigo tour). Prior to launching into the song "Miracle Drag," Bono gave a shout out to one of Irish America's previous Top 100 honorees, Dr. Kevin Cahill, infectious-disease specialist and former Grand Marshal of Manhattan's St. Patrick's Day … [Read more...] about When Bono Met Jenna