Eugene O'Neill was one of those Irish-Americans who never set foot on Irish soil. And yet a good measure of his identity as an artist was defined by his Irishness -- something he freely admitted: "One thing that explains more than anything about me is the fact that I'm Irish. And, strangely enough, it is something that all the writers who have attempted to explain me and my … [Read more...] about Eugene O’Neill: America’s Playwright
Issues
The Manly Mr. Crowe
Russell Crowe is clad in a black jersey with a shamrock and bulldog embroidered on the left breast, and the name Jim Braddock, Crowe's character in Cinderella Man, emblazoned on the right ("Something I designed for the crew," he says briskly). His face is roughly shaven, and his short bicycle shorts show off the scope of his muscles. Crowe exudes a raw masculinity. His body, … [Read more...] about The Manly Mr. Crowe
First Word: Survivors
It is one thing to see the Depression in photographs -- black-and-whites of men in suits and hats lining up for food. It's another when it is recreated on screen by good actors, and a director who made his first film -- a documentary about the Depression -- when he was in 11th grade. There is a scene in Cinderella Man that for me completely captures the reality of what it must … [Read more...] about First Word: Survivors
Clinton Launches Suicide Prevention Program
Former U.S. President Bill Clinton launched a major new suicide prevention program in Dublin. The program being run by RehabCare is aimed at tackling a growing number of suicides in Ireland, particularly among young men. Figures for 2003 show that 444 people took their own lives, with 11,2000 attempted suicides also recorded. "We want to change the culture where young men find … [Read more...] about Clinton Launches Suicide Prevention Program
Government Favors EU Poll
The Irish Government is likely to press ahead with a referendum on the EU Constitution despite consecutive rejections of the treaty in France and Holland. Britain postponed holding a referendum following the setback in northern Europe but Ireland aligned with Poland and Denmark saying the constitution should be put to a national vote in each member state regardless. The … [Read more...] about Government Favors EU Poll