April 26, 1986: At 1:23 AM an explosion in reactor number four of the Chernobyl nuclear plant spewed 190 tons of radioactive material into the atmosphere, creating a cloud that traveled over northern Ukraine, into Belarus and eastern Russia. In the weeks following the explosion, excessive levels of radiation were recorded in northern Scandinavia, Wales, Ireland, Greece and … [Read more...] about Chernobyl’s Hope
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Broadway in Their Pockets
Two years ago they were hardly known, now Séan Campion and Conleth Hill are the toast of Broadway. In a departure from the world of big-budget films and special effects, Conleth Hill, 37, and Séan Campion, 41, create a world of characters and situations on a nearly bare stage with no props, as they bring to life the story of a Hollywood film-crew's effect on a small … [Read more...] about Broadway in Their Pockets
Susan Lynch
For decades now, Irish film stardom has been an exclusively male domain – the big three of Liam Neeson, Pierce Brosnan and Gabriel Byrne recently being joined by Colin Farrell. But that could be about to change. With her commanding screen presence, natural talent and striking looks, many film critics are predicting great things for Northern Irish actress Susan Lynch. American … [Read more...] about Susan Lynch
Maeve Binchy Reflects on Her Career
No one tells stories like Irish writer Maeve Binchy. Humane, down-to-earth, funny, her novels have captured imaginations on both sides of the Atlantic in a way most authors only dream of. Millions of her fans were disappointed when she announced last year she was retiring from both novel writing and her weekly column with The Irish Times. The newly released Scarlet Feather … [Read more...] about Maeve Binchy Reflects on Her Career
A Darker Shade of Green
When Bill Clinton took the stage in Dundalk on his final presidential visit to Ireland last December, he could have had no idea how much of a welcome was waiting. In the late 1990s, the border town (population 30,000) had almost shaken off its El Paso image, a legacy from the Troubles, and was working hard at promoting itself as a center for multinational investment. … [Read more...] about A Darker Shade of Green