Eileen McDonnell, the Chairman & CEO of Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company, discusses her Irish heritage, breaking the glass ceiling, and the way forward. ℘℘℘ When parents tell their children that they can do anything, it’s all too often taken with too many grains of salt. But Eileen McDonnell believed her parents. She had no reason not to. And it served her well. … [Read more...] about Cheerleader-in-Chief
Irish Americans
Macklin’s Cross
It looks like it's trying to clear this morning, though waves of drizzle betimes pass through. Our friend Thomas says "betimes." I like it. A little while ago our neighbors Anne and Joe Kelley stopped to tell us that Joe Macklin had died during the night. The Macklins live in the small house on the crossroads at the end of our lane, where we turn to go into Roscommon. It's … [Read more...] about Macklin’s Cross
The World’s Irish Coffee Champion
The Buena Vista is Best! Drinking legend has it that in 1942, when Foynes was the foremost transit point between Europe and America, a flight to New York was returned to Ireland due to bad weather. The airport bartender, anticipating grouchy passengers, decided to add a little sweetener to their coffee, a hefty slug of whisky was sneaked into their drinks and Irish Coffee made … [Read more...] about The World’s Irish Coffee Champion
Redeeming Bing
Once considered the greatest crooner of all, the distortion of Bing Crosby's accomplishments and reputation has been as remarkable as his career. Bob Lydon debunks many of the myths that have circulated since the singer's death in 1977. ℘℘℘ Bing Crosby died on a golf course near Madrid, Spain, on October 14, 1977. He was 74 and well past his career peak years which spanned … [Read more...] about Redeeming Bing
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 … [Read more...] about The Clunes’ American Adventure