Patricia Harty writes about Helen Gannon and the Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Convention. Storm clouds gather over St. Louis, but Helen Gannon is unfazed as the tornado warning siren blares and we move into the center of the hotel, away from the windows. After many years of living here, she has made her peace with the weather patterns that in spring can range from heavy rain to severe … [Read more...] about A Gaelic Storm Lights Up St. Louis
Issues
What Are You Like? Karen Duffy
A model, actress and author, Karen Duffy was born in New York City and raised in Park Ridge, New Jersey. She graduated from University of Colorado with a degree in recreational therapy, and in 1989 she began modeling in television commercials. She became a video jockey for MTV in the early 1990s, going by the name Duff, and went on to win small roles in films such as 1994’s … [Read more...] about What Are You Like? Karen Duffy
Roots: The Clooney Clan
In Ireland, the surname Clooney has several origins. One possible place of origin is in County Clare, where two towns, Bally-maclune and Tiermaclune, are named for the former MacClune clan of the area. Records exist of a person named Teag MacCluin living in Quin, County Clare in 1542. The Clooney surname, also recorded as Clune, O’Cloney, Cloney, Clowney, MacCluin and … [Read more...] about Roots: The Clooney Clan
Sláinte! Ireland: It’s the Berries!
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!
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