To call you the greatest of all the Kennedys might strike some as lofty rhetoric. But it isn’t. You gave your life to your country, as surely as those patriots of old gave theirs for the United States and your beloved Ireland. A great Irish chieftain has passed. Sure, Jack became president and Bobby became a folk hero. But they never accomplished what you did throughout your … [Read more...] about Remembering Ted Kennedy
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Frank McCourt on Frank McCourt
Editor’s Note: Frank wrote this piece for Irish America’s 20th anniversary issue. It was reprinted in memorium of Frank McCourt and his invaluable contributions to Irish American literature. Jim Sheridan came over to my table at the Lion’s Head bar and asked if I’d be interested in acting in a new play by a young man from Belfast, Terry George. Jim was artistic director at … [Read more...] about Frank McCourt on Frank McCourt
William Trevor:
A Sculptor of Words
By Frank Shouldice
Ireland's foremost writer of fiction talks to Frank Shouldice.
℘℘℘
For writer William Trevor there comes a moment when it’s time to stop. Whether drafting a novel or a short story he arrives at a moment of completion, the point at which all work is done. He will have written, rewritten and reworked elements of the story numerous times, agonized over plot, fussed with … [Read more...] about William Trevor:
A Sculptor of Words
1969: A Crazy Year for Irish America
It is fitting that the 1969 Nobel Prize for literature went to the Irish playwright and novelist Samuel Beckett. After all, in works such as Waiting for Godot and Endgame, Beckett alternated between tragedy and comedy, drama and farce. The same could be said about 1969. It has now been 40 years since that eventful year which gave us Woodstock, the moon landing, the Manson … [Read more...] about 1969: A Crazy Year for Irish America
Andrew Strong: Life After The Commitments
It is difficult to think back to the Irish film The Commitments without remembering the stunning vocals by Andrew Strong playing the character Deco Cuff, the lead singer in the film’s eccentric Dublin band. At the ripe age of sixteen, Strong began filming the drama based on a novel by Roddy Doyle. His distinct voice quickly became associated with the most memorable scenes of … [Read more...] about Andrew Strong: Life After The Commitments