The O’Briens are an illustrious and prominent clan that has shaped the history of Ireland. The name, also spelt O’Bryan or O’Brian, means “of Brian” indicating descendance from Brian Borumha mac Cennetig, or Brian Boru, the celebrated High King of Ireland. (The O’Briens also claim the mythological King Oilill Ollum to be their ancestor through the Dal gCais). Brian Boru … [Read more...] about Roots: O’Brien
February March 2007 Issue
Slainte: Dinner & A Movie
As many readers know, I live in Los Angeles, home to Hollywood and famous for year-round sunshine where even in winter it’s frequently warm enough to get a tan. Personally, I love the dark, cold, wet winter days of more northern locales. A pal from New Zealand – where the climate closely resembles Ireland’s – chides me for belittling LA’s “glorious weather.” Hogwash. We don’t … [Read more...] about Slainte: Dinner & A Movie
From Cork to Dublin: The New Wave
Ian Worpole looks at three albums by a fresh crop of Irish musicians A whole New Year, and a whole new crop of Irish rockers set to invade these shores. After 50-odd years of this modern stuff, the boundaries are naturally blurred between the Rock genres, with Soft Rock, Hard Rock, Folk Rock, Progressive Rock, Pop, Garage, Punk, Post-Punk, you get the picture. And when we talk … [Read more...] about From Cork to Dublin: The New Wave
Review of Books
Peter Quinn’s latest work is a revealing masterpiece that offers an insightful portrait of Irish America In an interview with Irish America last year, novelist Peter Quinn was discussing his Bronx Irish upbringing and said: “Words were what mattered in my house. My mother told my brother and me, ‘There’s nothing worth doing in life if it doesn’t leave you with a good … [Read more...] about Review of Books
Photo Album: A Brief Moment in Life
In this 1914 photograph, my mother, Katherine Gallagher, and her older siblings, Anne and Bud, pose in front of their home on West Liberty Street in Cincinnati, Ohio. My grandfather Andrew Gallagher worked at the American Oak and Leather Company for fifty years. On a tanner’s salary he raised eight children, and lived to see all of his seventeen grandchildren. His wife, my … [Read more...] about Photo Album: A Brief Moment in Life