Lauren Byrne talks to Brendan Gleeson, one of Ireland's most prolific actors, about his varied career. In real life he’s trimmer than his oversized movie presence, but at over six feet and with his thatch of red hair, several heads turned as actor Brendan Gleeson strolled into the lounge of Jury’s Hotel in Boston, the rain beating against the windows as if to make him feel … [Read more...] about Man at Work
Issues
A Southie Homecoming
Michael Patrick MacDonald talks to Lauren Byrne about growing up in South Boston. The last time I saw Michael Patrick MacDonald an air of tension swirled about him. It was 1999 and All Souls, his wrenching memoir of life in the notorious Irish enclave of South Boston, had just been published. The book had taken off like wildfire and Hollywood was calling, but in Boston it was … [Read more...] about A Southie Homecoming
The Lion’s Head: Gone But Not Forgotten
Tom Deignan reminisces about the Lion’s Head, a legendary New York City bar that was a haven for Irish writers, musicians and artists It’s been years now since the famous Lion’s Head bar in Greenwich Village, Manhattan, closed. Long known as the watering hole for drinkers with writing problems, the Head also became a second home for a veritable “greatest generation” of … [Read more...] about The Lion’s Head: Gone But Not Forgotten
Roots: O’Brien
The O’Briens are an illustrious and prominent clan that has shaped the history of Ireland. The name, also spelt O’Bryan or O’Brian, means “of Brian” indicating descendance from Brian Borumha mac Cennetig, or Brian Boru, the celebrated High King of Ireland. (The O’Briens also claim the mythological King Oilill Ollum to be their ancestor through the Dal gCais). Brian Boru … [Read more...] about Roots: O’Brien
Slainte: Dinner & A Movie
As many readers know, I live in Los Angeles, home to Hollywood and famous for year-round sunshine where even in winter it’s frequently warm enough to get a tan. Personally, I love the dark, cold, wet winter days of more northern locales. A pal from New Zealand – where the climate closely resembles Ireland’s – chides me for belittling LA’s “glorious weather.” Hogwash. We don’t … [Read more...] about Slainte: Dinner & A Movie