With an estimated 450,000 Irish and counting living in Arizona, it’s suitable that the Irish Cultural Center of Phoenix’s expansion plans were celebrated with an exhibit of one of the largest and finest private Irish art collections in the world, which opened with a black tie dinner preview at the Phoenix Art Museum this past March. Proceeds from the event benefited the … [Read more...] about Stars of the Southwest
Arts
The First Word: The Grip of Mother Ireland
“Like Joyce she has lived in exile but never forgotten a single thing.” – Professor Declan Kiberd, UCD School of English and Drama, speaking about Edna O’Brien. UCD awarded O’Brien the Ulysses Medal in 2006. To start the New Year off right, we bring you our “Arts Special” issue, featuring a plethora of interviews (and feathers in the case of hatter Philip Treacy), books, … [Read more...] about The First Word: The Grip of Mother Ireland
The Master Hatter
Philip Treacy, whose beautiful hats are works of art, draws inspiration from his Irish country childhood As bells pealed out over the village of Ahascragh in County Galway, Father McManus stood under the eaves of his church, awaiting the bride. It was business as usual for the priest whose parish kept him busy most Saturdays with their weddings. And, as usual, unbeknownst to … [Read more...] about The Master Hatter
The Abbey’s Rejuvenation
With artistic flair, business acumen, and oodles of courage, Fiach MacConghail is set to rejuvenate Ireland's national theatre It was in January 2005 when Fiach MacConghail, knee deep in a muddy football field in west Dublin, got the call. It was from the chairwoman of the Abbey offering Fiach that much cherished post – director of the oldest and most famous theatre in … [Read more...] about The Abbey’s Rejuvenation
2006 Features Variety of Innovative Artists
For two weeks each summer the streets of West Ireland’s capital city, Galway, come alive with music and performances. From July 17-31, over 400 writers, artists, performers and musicians from Australia, Europe and North America, as well as Ireland, invade the city for the Galway Arts Festival. The 28-year-old festival – Ireland’s largest and most prestigious arts festival – is … [Read more...] about 2006 Features Variety of Innovative Artists