John Quinn, the lawyer who funded the Irish literary renaissance by supporting Ireland’s leading writers of the day (including W.B. Yeats and James Joyce), is less well-remembered for his involvement with Irish nationalism and his friendship with Roger Casement, the Irish-born diplomat who was knighted by King George V in 1911 and executed for his role in Ireland’s Easter … [Read more...] about John Quinn: The Forgotten Irish American Nationalist
History
Paddy’s Papal Absence
It sure was big news when Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff, was chosen. And there has been talk about the prospect of having a black or Asian pope. But amid the widening papal radar, Ireland goes overlooked. Despite the nation’s overwhelming Catholic majority and hard-fought Catholic tradition, no Irishman has likely ever come close to the top position. In 2012 … [Read more...] about Paddy’s Papal Absence
Irish Film Institute Brings the Past Online
The Irish Film Institute has digitized over 1,200 minutes of Irish cinema, documentary, and public information films dating back to 1910. The free online archive (available at ifiplayer.ie) also includes a number of rare Irish-American reels. “We wanted to make sure we represented as many parts of the collection as possible,” head of the archive Kasandra O’Connell told the … [Read more...] about Irish Film Institute Brings the Past Online
California’s First Irish Hunger Memorial
The community of Eugene, California welcomed the state’s first Irish Hunger Memorial at its dedication ceremony in Saint Joseph’s Cemetery in September. It was the product of efforts by the Irish Cultural Society of Stanislaus County and the San Francisco Chapter of the Irish American Unity Conference, and about 100 locals were present to see it unveiled. The memorial’s … [Read more...] about California’s First Irish Hunger Memorial
“Mother of Orphans” Sculpture Renewed
Since July 9, 1884, a sculpture of humanitarian Margaret Haughery, otherwise known as “The Mother of Orphans” (June / July 2016 issue), has stood on the corner of Camp and Prytania Streets in New Orleans. This September, it received some long-overdue restoration work and a dedication plaque from the Monumental Task Committee, an all-volunteer organization dedicated to the … [Read more...] about “Mother of Orphans” Sculpture Renewed