Thomas Fleming writes of the struggles and triumphs of an Irish-American family. ℘℘℘ My County Mayo-born grandfather, David Fleming, could not read or write. He had a brogue so thick I couldn't understand a word he said. But I knew one thing. He was Irish and proud of it. He had a favorite poem that he made me memorize and recite when I was six. It was called "Why I Named … [Read more...] about Irish Memories
Politics
Paul O’Dwyer
Civil Rights Champion
Since his childhood in Mayo during the worst of the Black and Tan atrocities, Paul O'Dwyer has been a fearless champion of human rights. During the Red Scare and the civil rights movement he stood up for the oppressed regardless of personal cost. He was an early ally of the State of Israel and helped persuade President Truman to recognize this nation's independence. His law … [Read more...] about Paul O’DwyerCivil Rights Champion
Edward Kennedy
The Senior Senator
If you ask his fellow senators – liberals or conservatives – who's on their list of the hardest-working and best senators, Edward Kennedy's name is always there. Throughout his tenure he has defended the poor, elderly, and handicapped of the country, and any significant legislation affecting these groups in the areas of education, jobs, housing, or healthcare is sure to have … [Read more...] about Edward KennedyThe Senior Senator
Sean Minihane
Immigrant Defender
In the late '80s and early '90s the Irish Immigration Reform Movement (I.I.R.M.) was a powerful lobbying group for Irish immigrants, working to change U.S. immigration law to provide equal access to all immigrants and to legalize the thousands of illegal Irish immigrants who were in the country already. The following excerpt is from an interview with Sean Minihane, then … [Read more...] about Sean MinihaneImmigrant Defender
Gerry Adams Up Close & Personal
By Anne Cadwallader
September/October 1998
History will be the ultimate jury, but Sinn Féin leader, Gerry Adams, one of the architects of the lrish peace process, is likely to emerge as one of the key Irish politicians of the 20th century. Unionists see him as a machiavellian schemer, with no commitment to peace and reconciliation with their tradition. The SDLP -- and one suspects the British government -- are also … [Read more...] about Gerry Adams Up Close & Personal