Rabble-Rousers with a Social Conscience "Free Joe Now," the song by Black 47, the Irish American group spearheaded by Larry Kirwan and Chris Byrne in 1990, became the anthem for those seeking political asylum for Joe Doherty, the Belfastman fighting extradition to the UK. These were early days for Black 47, the gigs were mainly fundraisers for one Irish cause or another — … [Read more...] about Black ’47
Issues
The Other Emerald Isle
By Norman Mongan
September October 1993
Normal Mongan visits Monsterrat, a tiny island in the Caribbean with an Irish past. Coming down the steps of the LIAT aircraft at Blackburne Airport on Montserrat, the first thing that catches the eye is the big green shamrock that adorns the airport building. "Welcome to the Emerald Isle of the Caribbean" — the sign reflected in the puddles in the tarmac. The rain was on … [Read more...] about The Other Emerald Isle
Hibernia
By Liz Culligan
September October 1993
When Emmetsburg, a small mid-western town in lowa, undertook the task of refurbishing their statue of Irish patriot Robert Emmet, they were not prepared for the obstacles they would face and the length of time it would take. Now, after five years, the final chapter will be written with the rededication of the statue during the St. Patrick's Day celebration in March, 1994. The … [Read more...] about Hibernia
Blazes Boylan
Compiled by Emer Mullins
September October 1993
In the last issue we reported on the 26-year-old Irish American woman from Long Island, Annie McCarrick, who had mysteriously disappeared from her Dublin home on March 26. Although her parents, John and Nancy, spent weeks in Ireland looking for clues, they were unable to find any trace of their daughter despite an enormous countrywide manhunt. Subsequent reports indicate that … [Read more...] about Blazes Boylan
Sláinte! Samhain: The Celtic New Year
By Edythe Preet
September October 1993
Halloween is a night of magic, mystery and merry making. Ghosts haunt the imagination and trick-or-treaters go begging from door to door. Though the evening's colors are black and orange, they could as easily be forty shades of green because the customs of All Hallows Eve are Irish as the shamrock. The ancient Celtic year was divided by the four seasons. Samhain (November I) … [Read more...] about Sláinte! Samhain: The Celtic New Year