First Word Archives
First Word: We Are Now 44.3 Million Strong
Founding publisher Niall O’Dowd. Good news! The 1990 U.S. Census has…
First Word: The Bishops at the Bat
Founding publisher Niall O’Dowd. There are far worse offenses for a…
First Word: Making a Difference
Patricia Harty, Editor-in-Chief. Did you ever panhandle? Ask for money on…
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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 […]