First Word Archives
The First Word: The Shamrock Chain
Founding publisher Niall O’Dowd. Half of the population born in Ireland…
Is There Any Hope?
Patricia Harty, Editor-in-Chief. The goverment press release reads: “Monday’s papers reported…
Trailblazers Past & Present
“The Irish in Boston, as elsewhere, have an ability to see opportunity where there was…
More Articles
The First Word: Field of Dreams
Looking back over the year there are few images that stand out more in my mind than that of Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa hugging after McGwire’s record-tying home run. […]
An End to Shame?
Thomas Keneally’s latest book The Great Shame should be in every Irish household, and it should be read, all 700 or so pages of it, by anyone with an interest […]
A Living Memorial
“Pray for the dead, but fight like hell for the living.” – Mother Jones This special issue on the Great Hunger is an effort to tell the story of what […]
Trailblazers Past & Present
“We are the music makers. We are the dreamers of dreams….Yet we are the movers and shakers of the world forever it seems.” – Ode by Arthur O’Shaughnessy Arthur O’Shaughnessy […]
The First Word: ‘Tis the Season of Giving
“Ireland wasn’t as wealthy as it is today. But there was always a culture of giving back, and that’s something that was ingrained in me from the time I was […]
The First Word: Profiles in Courage
“The stories of past courage can define that ingredient – they can teach, they can offer hope, they can provide inspiration.” – John F. Kennedy This magazine was created […]