Martin Sheen, the star of The West Wing, is a complicated, ebullient tangle of philosophy, Catholicism, politics, altruism, and homespun wisdom. It's a disconcerting sight: The leader of the free world is, uh, combing his eyelashes with a small mascara applicator... Okay, so it's the make-believe leader of the free world. And it's not such a far-fetched notion that … [Read more...] about The Acting President
Ireland
Hibernia: South Armagh
A tourist haven? Tommy Makem thinks so and he held a festival there to prove it. ℘℘℘ June, 2000. A bus packed with American tourists pulls out of Newry and takes the road to South Armagh. On one side it passes a British army observation post, currently being dismantled. On the other, a large poster advertises the first Tommy Makem International Festival of Song, which is … [Read more...] about Hibernia: South Armagh
Ulysses S. Grant The Irish Visit, 1879
By Kelly Candaele, Contributor
March / April 1996
March / April 1996
Ulysses S. Grant, in his visit to Ireland in 1879, covered much of the same territory as President Clinton did on his visit in 1995. Ulysses S. Grant was not actually president of the United States when he arrived in Dublin from London on January 3, 1879. His tenure as a two-term Republican president had ended in March of 1877. He was succeeded by Rutherford B. Hayes, … [Read more...] about Ulysses S. Grant The Irish Visit, 1879
Hibernia
By Irish America Staff October 1991
Celebrating the Celtic New Year The eve of November 1, the most important feast in the Celtic year, marks both the beginning of the New Year and the beginning of winter. According to ancient Celtic thought, all existence arises out of the interplay between darkness and light, night and day, cold and heat, death and life, and the unfolding of the years is seen as an … [Read more...] about Hibernia
The Battle to Save the Burren
By Pat Musick September 1991
The Burren in northwest Clare, a wild region of bare limestone, vanishing lakes, and surprising wildflowers, is one of Europe's most remarkable habitats. Yet the most diverse and fragile part of it is under threat from the very government body charged with its protection. Controversy over the siting of a visitors' center has ranged from threats to a local resident's life to … [Read more...] about The Battle to Save the Burren