Irish America
“Whom the gods would destroy, they first make mad.” Maybe she had too many gifts: she was a great beauty with a quick intellect; she could act, sing and, with little effort, was “discovered” and groomed for Hollywood stardom. In the early 1950s, she was a newcomer at 20th Century Fox, deemed so promising, she landed a plum showcase – a presenter at the 1952 … [Read more...] about Constance Smith: A Hollywood Tragedy
Frank McCourt's second book, 'Tis, follows, where Angela's Ashes leaves off with the young Limerick man making his way in New York. In the following excerpt, Frank's pal Paddy McGovern takes him to an Irish dance hall. Paddy Arthur McGovern warns me that if I keep on listening to that noisy jazz music I'll wind up like the Lennon brothers so American I'll forget I’m Irish … [Read more...] about A Night to Remember
How Name Changing Hid a Heritage Barry Manilow. Yes, I know, most think of him as a Jewish fellow from Brooklyn – and he is. But he’s also a quarter Irish, and due to certain circumstances in his family, that Irish share has had a disproportionate influence on his family tree. Name Changing Though he wouldn’t have known it, when Barry changed surnames, he was the … [Read more...] about Barry Manilow is a Limerick Man
During the months of lockdown Irish America ventured into video-presenting Emma Donoghue and Timothy Egan were interviewed by Tom Deignan. We also partnered with Northwell to support its presentation of Michael Dowling discussing his new memoir, After The Roof Caved In, with Timothy Egan asking the questions. We bring you highlights from those conversations in the following … [Read more...] about Irish America Presents
The future is bright for communities along Ireland’s longest river as the Shannon Greenway is coming soon. Ireland’s majestic Shannon River is celebrated in song and story, and now plans are afoot for a Greenway that will make it more accessible to all. The proposed corridor will run on the western shore of the river from Cavan through Leitrim, Roscommon, Galway … [Read more...] about The Shannon Greenway
