JOHN PATRICK SHANLEY TALKS ABOUT LOVE, LOSS, AND HIS LATEST PLAY, OUTSIDE MULLINGAR It was late afternoon in February at a bistro in New York’s East Village that playwright and screenwriter John Patrick Shanley, somberly dressed in a black coat, black suit, and thin black tie, explained that he was going to pay his respects at a wake for his close friend, actor Philip Seymour … [Read more...] about “The Gift of Conversation”
Issues
Review of Books
Recently published books of Irish and Irish-American interest. Fiction The Blessings By Elise Juska There’s a certain kind of belonging that comes with being part of a large, extended Irish-American family. But, there’s a certain kind of loneliness, too. In The Blessings, Elise Juska captures how those mirror emotions of homesickness and restlessness, intimacy and … [Read more...] about Review of Books
“The Hard Way Home”
Paddy Homan’s newest CD reflects the Irish tenor’s philosophy of life. In the tradition of a lively rambling house, Irish tenor Paddy Homan has been presiding for six years every Sunday night at the Galway Arms Pub, in Chicago, where he is often joined by a retinue of outstanding musicians and performers from the greater Chicago area. He is a regular performer on the stage at … [Read more...] about “The Hard Way Home”
Those We Lost
Dr. James J. Gallagher 1927 - 2014 Dr. James J. Gallagher, who fought tirelessly for children with special disabilities, died January 17 in Chapel Hill. He was 87. Born June 11, 1926 in Pittsburgh, Gallagher’s mother was a teacher of disabled children, and he became the chief architect of the Individualized Education Program, which became a national standard for addressing the … [Read more...] about Those We Lost
John Callahan: An Orphan Boy Who Was Fond of Horses
John J. Callahan was one of fifteen boys who arrived in Philippi, West Virginia, on an Orphan Train. It was on June 24, 1903. He was taken by C.K. Switzer, owner of a flour mill in Mansfield, now an addition of Philippi. After living with the Switzers for a time, John let it be known that he was fond of horses and wanted to live on a farm. My grandfather, Ai Cleavenger, had a … [Read more...] about John Callahan: An Orphan Boy Who Was Fond of Horses