Recent passings in the Irish and Irish American communities. ℘℘℘ Eileen Battersby (1958 – 2018) Former literary critic and correspondent for the Irish Times Eileen Battersby died in late December 2018 in a car accident in County Meath, aged 60. Known for her incisive reviews of a wide range of literature and her enthusiasm for all subjects, Battersby was recognized four … [Read more...] about Those We Lost
Issues
Galway Girl
The Transatlantic Connection That Inspired a Tribal Anthem: An encounter in Galway 20 years ago led Steve Earle to write one of his most beloved songs. Today, the connection between this small Irish city and Americana music remains. ℘℘℘ Walking along the Claddagh Quay, I turned toward the Salthill Promenade as an onshore gust whipped my jacket to my chest. The lyrics bouncing … [Read more...] about Galway Girl
Wild Irish Women: Isadora Duncan
An American pioneer of dance and an important figure in both the arts and history, Isadora Duncan was known as the “Mother of Modern Dance.” "Sans Limites" Oh, body swayed to music, Oh, brightening glance. How can we know the dancer from the dance?" – William Butler Yeats, "Among School Children" "She was a flame sheath of flesh made for dancing." – Carl Sandburg, Breathing … [Read more...] about Wild Irish Women: Isadora Duncan
The Passion of the San Patricios
Irish America looks back at the legacy of St. Patrick’s Battalion, an honor-bound group of Irishmen that championed the cause of the smaller Mexican force against the might of the American army during the Mexican-American War. “You have to understand that we Mexicans and Irish are very sentimental,” said the slight, grandmotherly figure, leaning forward in a high-backed living … [Read more...] about The Passion of the San Patricios
The One-Armed Pitcher
A one-armed Irishman with a bat... It just sounds problematic. And baseball player Hugh “One Arm” Daily was indeed a problematic guy. His predicament made it impossible for him to succeed as a hitter, but despite his handicap, he managed to have a career as a pitcher in baseball’s major leagues. Far more than a curiosity, he was for a couple of years a top-tier pitcher whose … [Read more...] about The One-Armed Pitcher