The descendants of Irish people sold into slavery in the 1600s live in a close-knit community beset by poverty and ill health. During the winter of 1636, a ship bearing a consignment of 61 men and women destined to be slaves on the plantations of Barbados slipped quietly out of Kinsale Harbor on Ireland’s rugged southern coast. By the time Captain Joseph West’s ship arrived in … [Read more...] about The Irish of Barbados (Photos)
Issues
What Are You Like?
T.J. English
T.J. English is a noted journalist, screenwriter, and author of the New York Times bestsellers Havana Nocturne, Paddy Whacked, The Savage City, The Westies, and Born to Kill, which was nominated for an Edgar Award. He has written for Vanity Fair, Esquire, and Playboy, among other publications. His screenwriting credits include episodes for the television crime dramas NYPD Blue … [Read more...] about What Are You Like?
T.J. English
On the Prowl for Springsteen’s
Irish Roots
Roots detective Megan Smolenyak explores the National Library of Ireland’s online collection of Catholic parish registers, uncovers entries for ancestors of a few well-know Irish Americans, including Bruce Springsteen, and offers a guide to finding yours.
Ancestors of Irish American Celebrities in New Online Catholic Parish Registers
The last few years have been kind to those … [Read more...] about On the Prowl for Springsteen’s
Irish Roots
What’s So Funny?
Three comedic performers with Irish roots share how they get to the laughter. Is it the collective painful history as a people? The tendency not to take themselves too seriously? The influence of Irish hospitality? Or maybe they were just born that way. The larger-than-life Malachy McCourt, the sardonic Kevin Brennan, and the sophisticated, witty Maureen Langan shed some light … [Read more...] about What’s So Funny?
The Girsa Girls of Irish Trad
With their melodious voices, masterful musicianship and enthusiasm, the Irish American women’s group Girsa has captured the hearts of audiences everywhere by bringing a creative mix of vocals, fiddle, accordion, banjo, tin whistle, bodhran, guitar, and piano to their shows. Kristin Cotter McGowan stops by a Girsa rehearsal. ℘℘℘ “Cup of tea? Of course you’ll have one!” My … [Read more...] about The Girsa Girls of Irish Trad