The name McDonnell accounts for a widespread group of individuals of Irish or Scottish heritage. Categorized as a patronymic (a name labelling by male ancestor), McDonnell is an anglicization of the Irish Mac Domhnall, meaning “son of Domhnall” (pronounced DOH-nal). Domhnall is conclusively of Scottish origin, deriving from the migration of Donald of Islay’s (d. 1423) … [Read more...] about Roots:
The Mighty McDonnells
Issues
Roots:
Stan & Ollie and the Irish
Stan & Ollie finds the legendary comedy duo at a low point in their professional lives. No longer the box-office success they once were, they attempt to reignite their careers by embarking on an extensive tour of Britain and Ireland. Directed by Jon S. Baird from a screenplay by Jeff Pope, with brilliant performances by Steve Coogan as Stan Laurel and John C. Reilly as … [Read more...] about Stan & Ollie and the Irish
Book Notes:
Being New York, Being Irish
Reflections on Twenty-Five Years of Irish America and New York University's Glucksman Ireland House.
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Terry Golway assembled Irish and Irish-American writers to give voice to Being New York, Being Irish, a tribute to Glucksman Ireland House on its 25th Anniversary. The name, Glucksman Ireland House, always seemed somewhat offbeat, as “Glucksman” and “Ireland” don’t sound … [Read more...] about Book Notes:
Being New York, Being Irish
Review of Books
Recently-published books of Irish and Irish-American interest. ℘℘℘ FICTION A Keeper By: Graham Norton As a friend commented recently, is there anything Graham Norton can’t do? He’s already got the perfect chat show, the reasonably decent wine varieties, and even added best-selling novelist to his array of talents two years ago with Holding. And now, the so-called difficult … [Read more...] about Review of Books
Sláinte! Auld Lang Syne
With the New Year in mind, Edythe Preet writes about Robert Burns: Scotland’s Immortal Bard. In case any reader has ever wondered how a gal named Preet could claim Irish ancestry, here’s my genealogy: my maiden name was Burns, my father was George Burns (mom heard many a “So are you Gracie?” wisecrack), and dad’s mom was a McCaffrey, born in County Fermanagh. Like thousands of … [Read more...] about Sláinte! Auld Lang Syne