Some of the biggest and best parades celebrating Ireland’s patron saint actually take place in America. New York may have the largest parade in the country, but it’s followed closely by Savannah, Georgia. And while the Boston parade has a long history, the Holyoke, Massachusetts parade rivals it for its sheer color and gaiety. Here’s a sampling of parades across the … [Read more...] about Celebrating St. Patrick in the United States
Dave Lewis
Fenway’s Hurling Classic
Fenway Park, the hallowed ground of the Boston Red Sox, was taken over by Irish players wielding sticks in what has been described as the world’s fastest game played on grass, on November 18. It was the third time in four years that the Park played host to the Fenway Hurling Classic. Fans of Ireland’s national game came from across the states to watch the action as four teams … [Read more...] about Fenway’s Hurling Classic
Stan & Ollie and the Irish
Stan & Ollie finds the legendary comedy duo at a low point in their professional lives. No longer the box-office success they once were, they attempt to reignite their careers by embarking on an extensive tour of Britain and Ireland. Directed by Jon S. Baird from a screenplay by Jeff Pope, with brilliant performances by Steve Coogan as Stan Laurel and John C. Reilly as … [Read more...] about Stan & Ollie and the Irish
GAA in the USA
The passion, competition, and camaraderie of supporters and players of Gaelic games were on display at the USGAA Finals in Philadelphia over Labor Day Weekend. ℘℘℘ September is traditionally the last month of the GAA season as the best of the best in Ireland play each other in the All-Ireland Finals. September is also the time of USGAA Finals, a competition that pits the best … [Read more...] about GAA in the USA
Book Notes
Anna Burns Wins Man Booker Prize Novelist Anna Burns won the 2018 Man Booker Prize for her third book, Milkman. Burns is the first writer from Northern Ireland to ever win the award, and the first woman since 2013 to do so. The experimental novel takes place in Northern Ireland during the Troubles, the armed conflict in the region in the late 20th century. It is narrated by an … [Read more...] about Book Notes