First Word Archives
Trailblazers Past & Present
“The Irish in Boston, as elsewhere, have an ability to see opportunity where there was…
The First Word: “People Forget So Quickly”
Patricia Harty, Editor-in-Chief. As the room fills up with the members…
U.S. Elections and N.I.
Patricia Harty, Editor-in-Chief. With the election coming up in November, Irish…
More Articles
The First Word: Now and in Time to Be
“I knew that we were Irish and I knew that Irish was the best thing to be.” – Novelist Alice McDermott ℘℘℘ When I immigrated to this country I had […]
The First Word: A Little Boy’s Cry
On a plane to San Francisco a young couple sit across from me with two boys. The younger one is kicking up a ruckus. As I reach for my ear-plugs […]
The First Word: Payback Time
The Ireland I grew up in was doubtful of its own identity. The school curriculum reflected a post-colonial lack of confidence and ignored Irish poets and prose writers in favor […]
The First Word: Celebrate With Concern
“Every human being has an obligation to help those less fortunate.” – George Mitchell ℘℘℘ Father Finucane has a warm and friendly face, and a welcoming Irish smile. And he’s […]
The First Word: In the Beginning . . .
From the time of St. Brendan, the Irish were drawn to America. Maybe it came from gazing out on the vast Atlantic Ocean and wondering what was on the other […]
The First Word: The Heritage of Hate
“I’m Serbian,” the waiter answers a little self-consciously. It’s the height of the bombing — maybe it’s not such a good thing to say. He’s young, no more than a […]