RECOMMENDED Roddy Doyle -- already acclaimed for memorable portraits of Dublin such as The Commitments and Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha -- turned Irish historical fiction on its ear in 1999 with his novel A Star Called Henry. The setting was Ireland at the beginning of the 20(th) Century, a time of upheaval, betrayal and bloodshed. Not surprisingly, most authors have treated this … [Read more...] about A Sampling of the Latest Irish Books
Issues
Roots: O’Muimhneachain, Moynihan, Moynahan, Minihan
O'Muimhneachain is the old Irish form of the name Moynihan. The name originally came from the province of Munster and actually means "Munster man." Today different branches of the clan are still to be found in Munster, mainly in West Cork and Kerry, where the name is among the most popular in the county, and has been that way since the 17(th) century. The first record of a … [Read more...] about Roots: O’Muimhneachain, Moynihan, Moynahan, Minihan
The Thrills
Five lads from Dublin took the rock world by storm in 2003 when they released their first album So Much for the City. The Thrills, who got their name from the Michael Jackson album Thriller, were already playing huge summer festivals in Europe and topping the charts in the U.K. and Ireland before they invaded America. Lead singer and lyricist Conor Deasy, guitarist Daniel Ryan, … [Read more...] about The Thrills
Music Roundup
Critic's Pick Eleanor McEvoy Early Hours Eleanor McEvoy is best known for the lovely ballad "A Woman's Heart" from over a decade ago, but her finest work has just arrived. The thirteen songs on Early Hours wrap the listener up in graceful acoustic guitar strums, soft trumpets and piano, all led expertly by this Irishwoman's strong and clear voice. One of the best songs, … [Read more...] about Music Roundup
Enjoy the Holiday Feast
For eleven months of the year, you may calculate carbs, foreswear fat for fiber, pick protein over pasta, consume skinny-conscious salads, and dutifully deny yearnings for the taste of something sweet. That's a good thing, because from Thanksgiving until the beginning of January, we will encounter a continuous parade of tables piled high with succulent turkeys and hams, … [Read more...] about Enjoy the Holiday Feast