Irish America

Irish America

Colin Lacey

The Transatlantic Cable That Changed the World

By Colin Lacey

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Colin Lacey writes about the historic underwater cable that linked Kerry’s Valentia Island to Heart’s Content, Newfoundland, and why the island deserves to be added to UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites. The connections between Ireland and Newfoundland run deep. The Irish began visiting there as far back as the 17th century, first as seasonal fishermen, and later migrating … [Read more...] about The Transatlantic Cable That Changed the World

Mother Teanga

By Colin Lacey, Contributor
June / July 2017

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The Irish language has roots stretching back at least 5,000 years and shares words with Sanskrit, the ancient classical language of India.  Almost all of us can speak a little Irish and often do. Words like “galore” and “brogue,” for example, or “smithereens” have all passed directly from Irish into English, often with little change to their original pronunciation. So the … [Read more...] about Mother Teanga

Michael Flatley

Lord of the Dance

By Colin Lacey, Contributor
October / November 2000

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Michael Flatley, star of Riverdance, Lord of the Dance, and Feet of Flames, has revolutionized Irish dance, making it relevant all over the world. ℘℘℘ I just always saw Irish dance differently. When I retired from competition I just knew the minute I was done that I would start trying new things that weren't really allowed in competitions. I actually felt very restricted in … [Read more...] about Michael Flatley

Lord of the Dance

Circle of Friends

By Colin Lacey

March/April 1995

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Scheduled for release later this month Circle of Friends the movie from the hugely popular novel of the same name by Maeve Binchy is reviewed by Colin Lacey. Near the beginning of Circle of Friends, college heartthrob Jack marvels at the forthright personality and self-awareness of fellow University College Dublin student Benny, the gauche young country girl whose life he … [Read more...] about Circle of Friends

Interview with the Vampire Maker

By Colin Lacey

January/February 1995

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With his 1992 Oscar-winning film, The Crying Game, Irish director-screenwriter Neil Jordan staked a claim as a major force in the international film industry. In 1994, Jordan's spectacular film version of Anne Rice's cult novel, Interview with the Vampire, consolidated that claim. Starring box-office heavyweights Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, and Christian Slater the movie is … [Read more...] about Interview with the Vampire Maker