Before he was president, Barack Obama was an ambitious young politician who learned a valuable lesson thanks to the Chicago Irish. The year was 1999. Obama, a state senator, announced he was going to challenge Congressman Bobby L. Rush, a legend in the working-class African-American wards of Chicago’s South Side. Decades earlier, the South Side was heavily Irish. It was the … [Read more...] about Chicago and the Irish
2008
A Flying Javelin: Marjorie Larney
When I competed for the U.S. in my first Olympics in Helsinki in 1952, I was only 15, the youngest javelin thrower ever and that record still stands today. But the most wonderful part about participating in the games was the reception from the Finnish people and a very special gift to me from a Finnish Olympic champion of the past, the first great “Flying Finn.” In Helsinki … [Read more...] about A Flying Javelin: Marjorie Larney
Strong Echoes of Ireland at Book Fair
“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
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