It was the first time that I knew the full weight of Irish America. Coming from a small country with few people, it’s difficult for an immigrant to grasp that in a place as big as America, the Irish could wield such power. I’m talking about the first Irish-American Presidential Forum in 1992. It was arranged by then-assemblyman John C. Dearie. I don’t remember the venue, but I … [Read more...] about First Word: Trailblazers Past & Present
The First Word
First Word: The Gift of Heritage
Happy Christmas to all our readers. I love this time of year. New York is abuzz with lights and window displays, and good cheer. ’Tis the season… To make time for a little reflection to go along with a lot of celebration. To look back on the year, remember the highs and let go of the lows, and look forward to what’s to come. The holidays are a time when stories get handed … [Read more...] about First Word: The Gift of Heritage
First Word: Into the Future
"As long as you have your health, you have everything,” my mother, Norrie, used to say. She said a lot of things that annoyed me when I was younger, but as the years go by I realize that she was right about everything, especially about health being your most important asset. Many of us are guilty of taking our bodies for granted. We concentrate on our careers and accumulating … [Read more...] about First Word: Into the Future
The First Word: Making the Most of
What You’ve Got
“Being Irish means being the best you can be by making the most of what you’ve got. It’s about being loyal to your friends and family, sharing with them all the joys that make life worth living.” – Wall Street 50 Honoree Sean Kelly.
In the 1980s when Kathleen Lynch was making her way to Wall Street, Irish America was in its infancy. With little money and few staff, we all … [Read more...] about The First Word: Making the Most of
What You’ve Got
The First Word: Let’s Talk About the Climate
I’m reminded as we go to press that in Ireland we always talk about the weather. “How about the weather now?” was an oft heard refrain of my childhood, one that brought the answer, “The weather is up.” The weather is up! Or should we say, something is up with the weather. It’s too darn hot – with my pale Irish skin and light eye color, I’m constantly running for cover. And … [Read more...] about The First Word: Let’s Talk About the Climate