Immigration into the Republic of Ireland has begun to push the troubles in the Six Counties of British-occupied Ireland off the political agenda in Dublin. It is the latest "hot button" issue. Long familiar with the economic, social and political consequences of emigration from Ireland over the centuries of English rule, the Irish body-politic now faces increasing strains and … [Read more...] about The Changing Face of Ireland
Last Word
From Sectarianism to Racism
The only sign that something happened here last night is the shower of shattered glass spread across the pavement. A few hours after a pregnant Pakistani woman and her brother-in-law moved in to this house in the Village area of south Belfast, a large plank of wood was hurled through their living room window, forcing them to flee the area. Perhaps as disturbing is the … [Read more...] about From Sectarianism to Racism
The First Word: The Irish Way
"Eoin was never afraid to aim high. He played a seminal role in creating the transatlantic scholarly conversation that is Irish studies today, and he believed in his vision at a time when almost no one shared his dreams." – James Rogers, Director, Center for Irish Studies, University of Saint Thomas. ℘℘℘ With the passing of Eoin McKiernan, 89, (see October / November 2004's … [Read more...] about The First Word: The Irish Way
In Canada,
the Irish Disappeared
I took a pilgrim's trip in September to the Irish mass graves at Grosse Íle, the quarantine station in the St. Lawrence River near Quebec City. I stood by a sunken green field where 5,424 were buried in 1847 in wooden coffins, three deep. Nearby, a small rust-colored metal sculpture garden symbolized the passage from the Ireland of shamrocks to the black shale of death. I … [Read more...] about In Canada,
the Irish Disappeared
Last Word: Press Freedoms
As Legal Affairs Reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times, I enjoy covering the courts, not being hauled into them as a defendant in an international case about press freedoms. As I wrestled with the decision of whether to write a book about American David Rupert's adventure infiltrating the Real IRA to convict its leader Michael McKevitt, my concerns were cultural. Despite the … [Read more...] about Last Word: Press Freedoms