If you ever visit Ireland during the month of June, it’s tempting to maximize summer’s daylight hours and ramble until the sun goes down. Not a good idea. In the island’s northern latitude, sunset is a nighttime rather than evening affair. This is especially true in mid-June when the sun doesn’t set on the Emerald Isle until almost 10:00 p.m. and by that time most kitchens are … [Read more...] about Sláinte! Ireland: It’s the Berries!
Issues
Those We Lost
Recent passings in the Irish and Irish-American communities. Louis le Brocquy 1916-2012 Louis le Brocquy, one of the most important and influential Irish artists of the last century, died at age 95 in his family home in Dublin on April 25. Le Brocquy was born in Dublin on November 10, 1916, the son of Albert le Brocquy, the honorary secretary of the Irish League of Nations … [Read more...] about Those We Lost
Music Reviews
At First Light • Idir A debut release from the newly formed At First Light, Idir is a perfectly-paced, delightful addition to any Irish library. What sets Celtic music apart from most other genres is that any handful of one’s favorite artists are just a moment away from collaborating on new projects. Formerly of Lunasa, John McSherry and Michael McGoldrick have long been in … [Read more...] about Music Reviews
Review of Books
Recently published books of Irish and Irish-American interest. Recommended: The O’Briens The O’Briens is the long-awaited second novel of Canadian author Peter Behrens, whose debut, Law of Dreams, captivated readers in 2006 with the story of Irishman Fergus O’Brien’s grueling journey to escape the Great Famine. The O’Briens marks a return to the family’s saga but skips a … [Read more...] about Review of Books
Family Album: Grandma Ellen Heaney
This is a photograph of my grandmother, Ellen Heaney, who immigrated to New York City in 1900 from Drumlish, County Longford. She was a maid and from her meager salary she saved up to purchase this dress from Macy’s. She married Michael Kane from Esker, County Longford in 1908. They lived on the Westside in St. Bernard’s Parish where they raised six children, one of whom was … [Read more...] about Family Album: Grandma Ellen Heaney