Issues
Sláinte! The Scottish Connection
By Edythe Preet
May/June 1995
Scattered along Northern Ireland's rugged coast, forty thousand hexagonal columns trail from a stretch of cliffs to the sea. The unique rock formation is known worldwide as The Giant's Causeway. It resulted millions of years ago when a volcanic eruption spewed molten basalt into the air. As seawater slowly cooled the red hot lava, it formed into vertical clusters of mostly … [Read more...] about Sláinte! The Scottish Connection
Roots: Doherty or O’Doherty
By James G. Ryan
May/June 1995
The Doherty or O'Doherty name has many variations, including (O) Dougherty, Daugherty, Docherty and Doharty. The name, derived from the Gaelic O'Dochartaigh, means (descended) from Dochartach. Dochartach was a descendant of the infamous "Niall of the Nine Hostages," who was king of Ireland in the fourth century. Tradition has it that Niall was responsible for bringing Saint … [Read more...] about Roots: Doherty or O’Doherty
MacLaverty Returns
By Colin Lacey
May/June 1995
Colin Lacey interviews Bernard MacLaverty (photo right) the Belfast writer who penned Cal and Lamb and who has just published a book of short stories. "Some journalists in the North of Ireland are fond of asking me what I'll write about after the Troubles are over. But although peace is absolutely necessary -- and I wish them all success -- pain and suffering and human … [Read more...] about MacLaverty Returns
Derry: The Town I Love So Well
By Mary Pat Kelly
May/June 1995
Mary Pat Kelly talks to Phil Coulter, one of Derry's most famous sons. Often during the years of the "Troubles" in Northern Ireland, when the"end of the day" brought political conversation, someone would sing PhilCoulter's "The Town I Loved So Well." And if the singer was from Derry they knew, too, "the gas yard wall" where soldiers had replaced school boys playing ball. … [Read more...] about Derry: The Town I Love So Well