“When I walked in this morning I was overwhelmed. I heard the siren call of books from every corner, and I didn’t know which one to answer. There’s an openness at the BookExpo, a kind of non-restrictive environment that lets you go wherever you like. No stops, no prohibitions. Maybe because it’s in L.A. Would it be the same in New York? Here everyone seems welcome and the … [Read more...] about Strong Echoes of Ireland at Book Fair
August September 2008 Issue
Review of Books
Recommended Until releasing his latest novel, Joseph O’Neill was best known for his “family history” Blood-Dark Track (about his grandfather who was an IRA soldier) and his regular, insightful contributions to The Atlantic Monthly magazine. Add two earlier novels into this mix, and this is certainly a fine résumé. But it does not quite strike you as the background of the … [Read more...] about Review of Books
Ashley Davis: Finding Herself Through Her Past
By Ian Worpole, Contributor
August / September 2008
August / September 2008
Ashley Davis has only released one CD so far, but it’s a gem, garnering her much attention in the Irish musical community. Ian: Ashley, you’re a resident of New York City, but right now you’re over in Ireland recording your new CD. Tell us all about it. Ashley: I dreamed for years about going back to Ireland to record an album. Even though I live in New York, I feel like one … [Read more...] about Ashley Davis: Finding Herself Through Her Past
The Marvelous McDonaghs
By Maeve Molloy, Editorial Assistant
McDonagh is one of the rarer surnames of Ireland, but exists also as MacDonagh, MacDonough, Donogh, and Donagh. The modern forms of the name are derived from Mac Donnchadha, which originates from the first name Donnchadh, a compound of "donn" meaning brown, plus "cath," a battle. Often translated as "brown one," Donnchadh was a common first name in ancient times. Given its … [Read more...] about The Marvelous McDonaghs
Sláinte!: Dancing at Lughnasa
Of all the months of the year, only August has no "official" holiday. That’s poor marketing if you ask me. Holidays generate more "stimulus" to the economic calendar than any paltry government "rebate" could ever engender. Granted, there’s a flurry of back-to-school buys but academic purchasing doesn’t hit full momentum until September. To fill the void, I suggest adding … [Read more...] about Sláinte!: Dancing at Lughnasa