"IRA, Killing 2 Policemen Cripples the Irish Peace Talks," says the front page headline in the New York Times story by Sarah Lyall, writing from London. Indeed, the recent shootings of the two RUC officers was front page news around the world, and brought outrage from all corners. But, heinous as the IRA killings are, the IRA alone is not responsible for crippling the peace … [Read more...] about The First Word: The Madness Of It All
Issues
The Scottish Irish
By Eamonn O'Neill
July/August 1997
The recent worldwide commercial and critical success of Celtic arts would lead the casual observer or consumer in the US to innocently assume that the Irish and the Scots have always been amicable, if not kissing, Celtic cousins. The theory is, as one Scots Gaelic historian said to me in Glasgow recently, "aren't we all the same people?" To a large extent that's true and … [Read more...] about The Scottish Irish
The Year of Living Famously
Frank McCourt has gone from retired New York City high school teacher to 66-year-old international celebrity in a matter of months. Almost a year after the publication of Angela's Ashes, McCourt tells Brian Rohan "it's been lovely, thank you, but I wouldn't mind a bit of peace and quiet, either...." Frank McCourt sits in the back room of the Old Town tavern, acting not at … [Read more...] about The Year of Living Famously
Sláinte! Many a Shabby Foal Makes a Fine Horse
By Edythe Preet
May/June 1997
It is Spring. The foals are being born. In their gawky long-legged honor, I give you the saga of the Irish and their horses. It is a history that stretches across centuries. It is a tale of friendships and working partners. It is a romance born of the land, nurtured by necessity and fastened by ancient bonds. It is one of the oldest love stories on earth. Horses arrived in … [Read more...] about Sláinte! Many a Shabby Foal Makes a Fine Horse
Roots: The O’Reillys
By James G. Ryan
May/June 1997
The O'Reilly family name is derived from the Gaelic "O'Raghailligh," which means descendants of Raghaillach. The O'Reillys were the most powerful sept of the old Gaelic Kingdom of Breffny, and the family is still very numerous in the area which made up this kingdom, i.e., Cavan and the surrounding counties. The name is frequently shortened to Reilly or Riley. Members of the … [Read more...] about Roots: The O’Reillys