The word “clock,” one of the oldest human inventions, is derived from the Celtic words clagan and clocca, meaning “bell” (clog in modern Irish), so it’s only fitting that the Irish are having a major impact on the world of watchmaking, traditionally dominated by the Swiss. ℘℘℘ There is a revolution happening in Ireland – a horological revolution. Horology is the study of time … [Read more...] about Ireland’s Watchmaking Revolution
December January 2018 Issue
The Golden Touch
The most surprising thing about Nigel O’Reilly is not that he looks so young (at least 10 years younger than his actual age) or that he’s creating high-end jewelry out of a small town in Mayo, but the fact that so few people have heard of him. “Yeah, I’ve kind of kept a low profile deliberately,” he laughs. But we get the feeling that’s about to change. After a few years … [Read more...] about The Golden Touch
Out of Reach:
Memories of a Distant Father
I reached for my father’s hand as he lay in his hospital bed. Sensing his unease, I quickly let go. It was my last attempt at intimacy. He died several days later, maintaining the distance between us to the end.
I arrived in my father’s life as part of a double surprise, the elder of boy twins. Nine months earlier, he lost his seat as a congressman from New York and my mother … [Read more...] about Out of Reach:
Memories of a Distant Father
Review of Books
Recently published books of Irish and Irish American interest. ℘℘℘ NONFICTION Playing with Fire: The 1968 Election and the Transformation of American Politics By Lawrence O’Donnell MSNBC pundit Lawrence O’Donnell found himself in an Irish feud a few months back with Donald Trump’s chief of staff John Kelly. O’Donnell, himself a Boston-born Irish American, blasted Kelly’s … [Read more...] about Review of Books
When Irish Eyes Are Smiling
By Thomas Hauser, Contributor
The world has been enriched by many distinctly Irish songs. “Danny Boy” and “MacNamara’s Band” are among the diverse offerings. But no song is more deeply embedded in hearts than “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling.” The history of “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling” begins with Chauncey Olcott. Olcott’s mother, Margaret Doyle, was born in Ireland. In the 1840s, when she was eight, her … [Read more...] about When Irish Eyes Are Smiling