My grandfather, John Fay, was born in Finavarra, County Clare in 1896. The youngest of twelve children, he grew up on a farm that juts out into Galway Bay. Family lore has it that he had an almost idyllic childhood - trapping lobsters and playing amongst the ruins of an abandoned fort. He also attended school until he completed his secondary education. That in itself seems … [Read more...] about Photo Album: Grandfather’s War Years
Issues
ILIR Intensify Lobbying as Immigration Reform is Addressed in the Senate
It has been a busy few months for the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform [ILIR]. Shortly after we went to press on our Top 100 issue, well over 2,000 Irish from all over the country descended on Washington, D.C. for a day of lobbying where they were addressed by Senators McCain, Kennedy, Clinton and Schumer. In what was a memorable display of solidarity, March 8 was the day … [Read more...] about ILIR Intensify Lobbying as Immigration Reform is Addressed in the Senate
Back From Iraq:
New York’s Fighting 69th and Louisiana’s Tiger Brigade Celebrates Homecoming
The 245th New York City Saint Patrick’s Day Parade was dedicated to the Fighting 69th and Louisiana’s 256th National Guard, Tiger Brigade, which, serving together as Taskforce Wolfhound, lost 19 soldiers in combat in Iraq.
During the American Civil War the Fighting 69th and the Tiger Brigade were mortal enemies. In Iraq, they fought together, and some died side by … [Read more...] about Back From Iraq:
New York’s Fighting 69th and Louisiana’s Tiger Brigade Celebrates Homecoming
The Dingle Races
The biggest of all flapper races in Ireland, Dingle attracts the best horses from all over the country, and a variety of jockeys, some as young as eleven. And they’re off! Bachelor brothers Stevie and Timmy Kelliher saunter up Heartbreak Hill, balancing buckets of paint and brushes as they go. Joe Ryle, self-styled “chief cook and bottle washer,” trots off to repair railings … [Read more...] about The Dingle Races
Too Late To Stop Now
Ian Worpole ruminates on why Van is still The Man. So I get this press release along with the new CD, Pay the Devil, and it says “For 40 years Van Morrison has continued to be an important and vibrant artist,” and I’m like, yeah, I guess he has, they sure got that right, and then I’m like, is that the best they can come up with? So herewith, my own totally subjective, totally … [Read more...] about Too Late To Stop Now