The new ambassador to Ireland, James Kenny, traces his family's roots to County Mayo. But the red-haired partner in Chicago's Kenny Construction Co. is not one to spend time at Mayo Association dances or Irish-American events in general. Kenny's modern-day credentials as a dependable fundraiser for Republican politicians, including President Bush and his father, appear to have … [Read more...] about James Kenny Named New Ambassador to Ireland
Issues
The Quare Fellow
As we commemorate the anniversary of the birth of Irish writer Brendan Behan in 1923 on February 9, Elizabeth Toomey writes about his time in New York. On September 3, 1960, the New York Daily News carried a photo of a beaming Irish playwright arriving at Idlewild airport was a glass of milk in his hand. It was Brendan Behan, on his first trip to America. The milk was the … [Read more...] about The Quare Fellow
A Tale of Two Henrys & Their Tractors
Henry "Harry" Ferguson was an inventor who was constantly tinkering and trying new things. In the course of his life, he helped to revolutionize the tractor, helped revive the fortunes of an American automobile company's farm implements, and his name was known worldwide. Henry Ford was the son of emigrants from Cork who revolutionized automobile manufacturing. Together, these … [Read more...] about A Tale of Two Henrys & Their Tractors
A Tale of Two Henrys & Their Tractors
Henry "Harry" Ferguson was an inventor who was constantly tinkering and trying new things. In the course of his life, he helped to revolutionize the tractor, helped revive the fortunes of an American automobile company's farm implements, and his name was known worldwide. Henry Ford was the son of emigrants from Cork who revolutionized automobile manufacturing. Together, these … [Read more...] about A Tale of Two Henrys & Their Tractors
Macklin’s Cross
It looks like it's trying to clear this morning, though waves of drizzle betimes pass through. Our friend Thomas says "betimes." I like it. A little while ago our neighbors Anne and Joe Kelley stopped to tell us that Joe Macklin had died during the night. The Macklins live in the small house on the crossroads at the end of our lane, where we turn to go into Roscommon. It's … [Read more...] about Macklin’s Cross