President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins and his wife, Sabina, visited New York in late April. The trip saw him address the United Nations General Assembly and meet with senior international officials, as well as pay visits to several of the city’s Irish cultural institutions, including the Irish Arts Center and Ireland Funds. During his U.N. address, Higgins discussed the shame … [Read more...] about Higgins Stumps for Peace and Women’s Rights in New York Visit
Michael D. Higgins
Uilleann Pipes Acknowledged by UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) approved recognition of uilleann piping as an element of the “intangible cultural heritage of humanity” in early December. After initiating the application process in March 2016, the Department of Culture, Heritage, and the Gaeltacht worked tirelessly for over a year to ensure the acceptance of … [Read more...] about Uilleann Pipes Acknowledged by UNESCO
Weekly Comment:
The Best of the Irish Diaspora Honored in Dublin
By Irish America Staff
December 1, 2017
Ten members of the global Irish diaspora, including Irish America’s own editor-in-chief Patricia Harty, received Ireland’s top honor for civilians living abroad for service to the Republic of Ireland. The ceremony, held November 30 at Áras an Uachraráin, the official residence of the president of Ireland.
In addition to Patricia Harty, three other U.S. residents received the … [Read more...] about Weekly Comment:
The Best of the Irish Diaspora Honored in Dublin
Michael D. Higgins First Leader to Light Uisneach Fire in 1,000 Years
In May, Irish President Michael D. Higgins became the first Irish leader to light the ceremonial fire on the hill of Uisneach in County Westmeath since the last High King (presumed to be Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair) nearly 1,000 years ago. Higgins follows in the footsteps of previous modern Irish leaders to make the pilgrimage to Uisneach, including Daniel O’Connell, Pádraig Pearse, … [Read more...] about Michael D. Higgins First Leader to Light Uisneach Fire in 1,000 Years
Report from Havana: Irish Latin American Conference
The annual conference of the Society for Irish Latin American Studies (SILAS), “Island Relations: Ireland, Cuba and the Latin World,” was held in Havana over four days in February. The conference coincided with the first Irish presidential visit to Cuba and the launch of novelist Joseph O’Connor’s book Star of Sea at the Havana International Book Fair. O’Connor’s book is the … [Read more...] about Report from Havana: Irish Latin American Conference