Paul Hill, who spent 15 years in jail having been falsely convicted of an IRA bombing, is concerned about the fate of three Irishmen arrested in Colombia for allegedly assisting FARC rebels in a guerrilla campaign against the state government . He spoke to Patricia Harty from Colombia in December. What are the chances of the three getting a fair trial? None. As far as I'm … [Read more...] about Last Word: Paul Hill
History
The Fenian Invasion of Canada
Irish veterans of the American Civil War launched attacks on Canada in an effort to win independence for Ireland. It was 4 a.m., but the men of the 17th Regiment were wide-awake. They'd encountered no opposition crossing the water, and they expected little trouble trouncing the enemy when they came face to face. They'd been waiting for this moment for a long, long time. … [Read more...] about The Fenian Invasion of Canada
The Clunes’ American Adventure
An Irish American family go back to 1883 to discover what's most important in the present. What could be more parental than to wish to show your children how good they have it today? To take your family into the past and give them a taste of real life, when necessity stared you straight in the face and your mettle was tested by the sometimes–cruel vicissitudes of nature? For … [Read more...] about The Clunes’ American Adventure
President Bush Honors
Robert Kennedy
On November 20th, President Bush, Ethel Kennedy, the widow of Robert Kennedy, and other members of the Kennedy clan attended a ceremony to rename the Justice Department headquarters after Robert Kennedy. Although somewhat surprising that the Republican Bush administration has chosen to honor a Democrat in this way, the impetus behind the honor came from the President himself, … [Read more...] about President Bush Honors
Robert Kennedy
Danny Boy Uncovered
In his book Danny Boy – The Beloved Irish Ballad to be published in March, well-known Irish-American writer Malachy McCourt offers an explication of the history, facts and myths surrounding the well-loved Irish air. McCourt explains that "Danny Boy" is unique in that people are willing to overlook a bad rendition if the singer is earnest and the moment is true. It is certainly … [Read more...] about Danny Boy Uncovered