Take a long look and it's easy to imagine yourself in the heart of some Irish Camelot. Overlooking the rolling green countryside between Gort and Galway city, Cloghan Castle is one of the finest examples of the restoration of Ireland's numerous castles and old houses. For centuries this 12th century Norman fortress stood in ruins -- like many other historic sites in Ireland. … [Read more...] about A New Life for an Old Castle
Issues
Hibernia People
Il Papa Meets Il Bono "Holy Father, this is Mr. Bono -- he's a pop singer." With these words the U2 lead singer was introduced to Pope John Paul II at the Vatican in September. Bono and former Boomtown Rats frontman Bob Geldof met with the pope as part of a campaign the two celebrities are promoting to wipe out the Third World Debt. "The pope's everyday courage amazes me," said … [Read more...] about Hibernia People
News from Ireland
Jack Lynch Dies in Dublin There were fond tributes from government officials for former Irish Taoiseach (Prime Minister) and Fianna Fáil leader Jack Lynch, who died in Dublin on October 20 following a long illness. The Dáil (Parliament) observed a minute's silence in memory of the 82-year-old former politician, and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said: "On behalf of the Fianna Fáil … [Read more...] about News from Ireland
News from Ireland:
Irish Nurses Strike for Better Pay
Hospitals in Ireland came to a standstill in late October when the country's 28,000 nurses started strike action over a long-running pay dispute. Despite last minute talks between union representatives and the government, the industrial action went ahead as scheduled, making it the first time in the history of the State that nurses had gone on strike. A spokeswoman for the … [Read more...] about News from Ireland:
Irish Nurses Strike for Better Pay
The First Word: At Home in America
It's Christmas Eve and the Brew and Burger on 47th Street where I work is crowded with last-minute shoppers and tired children brought in from the boroughs and New Jersey to see the tree at Rockefeller Center by irritated parents and young nannies with short skirts who look at their watches anxiously. I'm 21 years old, just out from Ireland a couple of months and homesick. For … [Read more...] about The First Word: At Home in America