It is hard to overstate the way Irish step dancing has exploded onto the scene in mainstream media. The once-niche sport will be the topic of a new show to air on TLC called Irish Dancing Tweens. TLC, formerly The Learning Channel, has begun production on a documentary series which will follow several competitive Irish dance schools chronicling everything from choreography to … [Read more...] about The Reality of Irish Dance
Film & Television
Move to Restore Quiet Man Cottage
Locals and fans from around the world are rallying on the Facebook social network to renew the dream of seeing “The Quiet Man Cottage” restored to its former cinematic glory as it appeared in the 1951 movie The Quiet Man. Today, the structure is barely recognizable as it lies in shambles. For Paddy McCormick, from Belfast, this dream began in 1998. As an ardent fan of the … [Read more...] about Move to Restore Quiet Man Cottage
John Ford: The Man, the Icon
As Clint Eastwood receives the first John Ford Award, IA takes a brief look at the Ford's legacy. John Ford garnered many superlatives to describe his lifetime of works. In a career that spanned 57 years, he directed 136 films and received a total of 26 Oscar nominations. To this day, he holds the record for winning the most Oscars for Best Director. His How Green Was My … [Read more...] about John Ford: The Man, the Icon
The Directors: Clint Eastwood Receives First John Ford Award
“I’d love to make a movie in Ireland sometime,” Clint Eastwood said when I caught up with him at a recent Hollywood Irish event. “The best part of me is the Irish part – Egans on my mother’s side – she had roots in Monaghan and I’ve been there many times. It’s one of my favorite places to golf.” Eastwood was being presented with the inaugural John Ford Award at a special … [Read more...] about The Directors: Clint Eastwood Receives First John Ford Award
Jack Foley and the Art of Sound
Jack Donovan Foley, the American grandson of Irish immigrants, invented “foley art,” a sound-effects technique still used in films today – so subtle and perfect that viewers don’t notice anything has been added. Something was not quite right on the stage of Alice Tully Hall at New York City’s Lincoln Center one night last September. It was the U.S. premiere of the recently … [Read more...] about Jack Foley and the Art of Sound