The Irish Arts Center (IAC) of New York celebrated a stellar night and raised over $120,000 at its Gala in the New York Athletic Club on October 3. Honoree hosts Liam Neeson and Gabriel Byrne, both patrons of the center, were on hand to greet guests and participate in the auction. Lucky winners had dinner with the two stars as first prize. The IAC provides Irish cultural … [Read more...] about Irish Arts Center Gala
Issues
Farewell to Donald O’Connor
Donald O'Connor, best known for the physical and musical acumen that made him a star in the 1950s, and the mastermind behind Singin' in the Rain's famous "Make 'Em Laugh" number, died on September 27, 2003. He was 78. O'Connor had barely left the womb before embarking on his long show-business career. The son of an acrobat, Effie Irene Crane, and a circus strongman, Chuck … [Read more...] about Farewell to Donald O’Connor
The USS The Sullivans Visit Beara
As part of the chain of festivals from Leitrim to Beara in the summer of 2003, a flotilla of naval ships arrived in Glengarriff, County Cork on August 29. Chief among the ships was the Naval destroyer USS The Sullivans, which moored near Castletownbere for the 400th anniversary of O'Sullivan Beara's historic march from Beara to County Leitrim. Donal Cam, chieftain of the … [Read more...] about The USS The Sullivans Visit Beara
The Irish and Alcohol
When outspoken Irish President Mary McAleese criticized the "stupid, wasteful abuse of alcohol" in her country during the Re-Imagining Ireland conference in Virginia earlier this year, she sparked a firestorm that still smolders on the Emerald Isle. From the pubs to the polls to the pundits, McAleese was soundly thrashed for her opinions. Even those who agreed with her blasted … [Read more...] about The Irish and Alcohol
The Fearless G-Mac
At 6-foot-2, Gerry McNamara, who calls himself just "a skinny little white kid who takes pride in working hard," is a hero in the working-class town of Scranton, Pennsylvania. McNamara, or "G-Mac" as he is fondly known in his hometown, has been collecting fans since he played for a Pennsylvania State basketball championship back in eighth grade. In high school he played for … [Read more...] about The Fearless G-Mac