One family’s journey from addiction to recovery. Casey Duffy will not be mistaken for anything but Irish – the lightly graying hair is clearly that characteristic red, and he has the prized hail-fellow-well-met manner. Long established in Pennsylvania, his family hails from both the south and west of the old country. Nor will you mistake Casey for a drunk. He got rid of that … [Read more...] about From “Giving It Up” to “Getting Rid of It”
August September 2016 Issue
Roots: Melissa McCarthy
Five Things You Didn’t Know About Melissa McCarthy’s Family Tree. Easily one of the most popular and reliable box office performers today, actress, comedian, producer, and now fashion designer Melissa McCarthy has a lot to be proud of. With a string of hits (Bridesmaids, Identity Thief, The Heat, Spy!, The Boss, etc.) that consistently deliver an enviable ROI, it’s a … [Read more...] about Roots: Melissa McCarthy
Witch or Healer? Biddy Early (1798 – 1872)
Healer, Herbalist, Clairvoyant… or Witch? Biddy Early was a true “alpha female” writes Rosemary Rogers in her latest exploration of “Wild Irish Women.” ℘℘℘ For as long as anyone can remember, herbal medicine offered a cure for the sick and a wellness regime for the healthy. Herbalists seek remedies in nature to create medicines from herbs, plants, seeds, berries, bark, … [Read more...] about Witch or Healer? Biddy Early (1798 – 1872)
Accordion Man
Billy McComiskey, who recently received a National Heritage Fellowship – the nation’s highest honor in the folk and traditional arts, talks to Kristin Cotter McGowan. ℘℘℘ I'm up in the Catskills. It’s Irish Arts Week in East Durham, New York, and master box player, All-Ireland Accordion Champion Billy McComiskey is taking a break between his scheduled workshops to talk about … [Read more...] about Accordion Man
What Are You Like? Emily O’Hare Under the Tuscan Sun
Raised in London with Irish and Scottish roots, Emily O’Hare made a name for herself as a wine buyer and head sommelier at The River Café, London. That was before she fell in love with Italy and decided to make it her home. She now runs wine and yoga retreats at Castello di Potentino, a medieval castle in Tuscany. Her longterm goal, in addition to growing her retreat business, … [Read more...] about What Are You Like? Emily O’Hare Under the Tuscan Sun