Waterford twins Katie and Amy Jones-Elliott are headed to the Guinness Book of Records after they were born 87 days apart. As reported by the Irish Mirror, Maria Jones-Elliott, went into labor after four months of pregnancy but gave birth to only one of her daughters, Amy, at a slight 1 lb. 3 oz. Katie would not arrive until three months later. The chances of survival for … [Read more...] about Irish Twins Born 87 Days Apart Set World Record
Issues
Irish Government Proposes New Abortion Legislation
Two weeks after an Irish jury concluded that poor medical care – including the refusal to perform an emergency abortion – led to the death of Indian dentist Savita Halappanavar in a Galway hospital in October, the Irish government proposed new legislation that will allow for abortions in situations where a woman’s life is in danger. The proposed legislation, titled the … [Read more...] about Irish Government Proposes New Abortion Legislation
Irish Visits in the Works for Biden and Obamas
Following his induction into the Irish America Hall of Fame (see more coverage here), it’s only fitting that Vice President Joe Biden should pay a visit to the home of his Finnegan and Blewitt ancestors. The vice president confirmed that he would be visiting Ireland some time this year at an Irish brunch he held in March for Taoiseach Enda Kenny, in honor of St. Patrick’s day. … [Read more...] about Irish Visits in the Works for Biden and Obamas
Gabrielle Giffords Honored with JFK Profile in Courage Award
Gabrielle Giffords, the former Arizona congresswoman who survived a deadly mass shooting in January 2011, was honored with the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage award on May 5, at the John F. Kennedy Library in Boston. Since resigning from Congress to focus on her recovery, Giffords has become a leading voice in the charge for gun control. She and her husband, former space … [Read more...] about Gabrielle Giffords Honored with JFK Profile in Courage Award
Breslin on Breslin
On June 10, at 8:30 p.m. (EST) readers in the tri-state area will be treated to a half-hour of veteran newspaper columnist and novelist Jimmy Breslin on what it means to be Irish, what makes him write, the responsibilities of a journalist, fiction vs. journalism, and preferring criminals to politicians. The half hour with Breslin is a preview of the highly anticipated Irish … [Read more...] about Breslin on Breslin