Irish America
Irish America
What is Irish culture, anyway? My name is Owen O'Toole. I'm 18, and while I proudly identify as Irish-American, I need to know more about my ancestral homeland. As my high school, Regis, prepares a trip next year to Ireland ("a pilgrimage," as we members of Regis' Gaelic society affectionately call it), I want to understand what Irish culture is all about. Here's what I do … [Read more...] about In Pursuit of Irish Culture
A Journal of our Trip Through Ireland September 5, 2023: Aer Lingus JFK to Dublin, arriving the morning of the 6th. After an interesting taxi ride, during which the driver clued us in on what to expect: no guns, very safe city, no Union Jack flown anywhere in Ireland, EU (which “takes too much and gives too little”) was creating problems “forcing” Ireland to accept Ukrainians … [Read more...] about September in Ireland
"Laughter is wine for the soul – laughter soft, or loud and deep, tinged through with seriousness – the hilarious declaration made by man that life is worth living.” ~ Sean O’Casey Along with a record heat wave in July 2022, many Irish Americans came “home” to visit Ireland for some much-needed craic. Among them, was Kevin White (Irish America Hall of Fame Inductee … [Read more...] about A Celebratory Family Trip Home
I went to Ireland with my two children in March/April of 2018. This was the first time that I had ever been. I always had the impression that Ireland was similar to the U.K. The trip completely dispelled that myth. I thought Ireland and the Irish people were beautiful and I came away with the belief that Ireland and the U.K. were as different as France and the U.K. Needless … [Read more...] about Something I Did Not Know I Was Missing
Five miles outside the County Mayo town of Westport, a conically-shaped mountain looms over the surrounding countryside. This is Croagh Patrick. It’s 2,500 feet high. It’s a place of ancient history. It’s associated with Ireland’s patron saint and on a rainy day this June, I was determined to climb it. The rain was lashing from the heavens when I began my ascent. The summit … [Read more...] about The Pain and the Pleasure
