The sudden death five years ago of the Nobel laureate Seamus Heaney (1939-2013) evoked an unprecedented outpouring of grief around the world. Generally acknowledged as the greatest poet of the age, Seamus (as he was known to everyone) was beloved as much for his down to earth humanity as for the wisdom, honesty and lyrical beauty of his work. A rare interview with Heaney is one … [Read more...] about A Southern Celtic Christmas Concert
Arts
Weekly Comment: The Great Tate Caper
By Aidan Lonergan
April 14, 2017
April 14, 2017
On April 12, 1956, two young Irish men walked into the Tate Gallery in London with one brazen objective in mind – to seize an £8 million impressionist masterpiece in the name of their country. Dubliner Paul Hogan and his mate Billy Fogarty from Galway believed that the painting, Berthe Morisot’s Jour d’Été, was the property of Ireland and had been unjustly obtained by the … [Read more...] about Weekly Comment: The Great Tate Caper
“Long Day” Back on Broadway
Eugene O’Neill’s Irish American epic Long Day’s Journey into Night is coming back to Broadway. Oscar and Emmy winner Jessica Lange will join Irish stage and screen veteran Gabriel Byrne as well as Irish American John Gallagher Jr. for the Roundabout Theater Company production, scheduled to hit the Great White Way next spring. Irish American director and producer Ryan Murphy, … [Read more...] about “Long Day” Back on Broadway
Michael Flatley Opens Up About Cancer and His Painting
As the 20th Anniversary tour of Riverdance wraps up and Michael Flatley performed in Lord of the Dance for one last time on July 4 in Wembly Arena in London, the 57-year-old dancer spoke about his battle with skin cancer in a radio interview, saying it made him re-evaluate the important things in life and change his outlook on wealth and possessions. Flatley was diagnosed with … [Read more...] about Michael Flatley Opens Up About Cancer and His Painting
Ban on Makeup and False Eyelashes for Irish Dancers
Irish dancers under 10 years old are now forbidden to wear makeup or false eyelashes during competition but can still wear wigs. The Irish Dancing Commission’s site announced that the ban would take effect in March. The news created major ripples in the Irish dance world where there has been considerable controversy over the increasing use of makeup on young children. Debbie … [Read more...] about Ban on Makeup and False Eyelashes for Irish Dancers