Two quotes to begin. The first by Parnell in 1885: “No man has the right to fix the boundary to the march of a Nation. No man has the right to say to his country: Thus far shalt thou go and no further.” The second attributed to Croesus, King of the Lydians, somewhere around 546…
Exploring the mysteries of Ireland
I am a great believer in invitations, particularly ones that take us out of our ordinary and habitual way of perceiving the world and our connection to it. Ireland — its landscape, history, people, culture, and flora and fauna — extends a particularly strong invitation that has called to me so thoroughly and repeatedly through…
Chef McBride to showcase recipes at Irish Fair
Chef Eric W. McBride is an Award winning Chef & Author, who specializes in the Cuisine of all eight Celtic Nations (Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Manx, Cornwall, Brittany, Galicia & Asturia). Chef McBride shows his audiences how various favorite Irish dishes can be found in every one of the Celtic Nations with slight variations. In addition,…
Bombs thrown at Gerry Adams, Bobby Storey homes
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) reported that bomb-like devices were found at the homes of Gerry Adams and Bobby Storey, two prominent republican leaders, causing serious dam ages to the structures. The attacks came after six successive nights of violence in Derry and other areas in the North of Ireland, marking the Twelfth…
Memories: Irish Fair in Minnesota and Irish Fest of Milwaukee
The six-hour drive on Interstate 94 between Milwaukee and the Twin Cities has become an annual road trip for Mark Minor, although it doesn’t seem that long when his favorite tunes are playing — especially when they can also be found at each end of the tour like bookends. They incorporate music he sings himself…
Ireland’s discovery of 5000 year old Megalithic Tomb making history
The unearthing of a significant passage tomb cemetery in County Meath, Ireland, is being rated as in the “top 10” world’s greatest archaeological mysteries. The current drought conditions in the Boyne river valley made it easier for aerial reconnaissance to further expose features that were captured by historian Anthony Murphy’s drone. This discovery is in…
Irish Music and Dance Presents “CrossCultural Challenge
Immigration and diversity are topics that have been receiving an increasing amount of attention recently, not all of which has been positive or progressive. From the middle of the 19th century to the early 20th century, Irish immigrants frequently encountered prejudice and discrimination as they attempted to adapt to American culture and society. Now, all…
Humanist weddings now recognized in NI
A Derry woman and her fiancé are the first couple in the North of Ireland to have a humanist wedding following a court ruling that they must be legally recognized. A court order of the Belfast Court of Appeal ruled that humanist marriages must be legally recognized in Northern Ireland. Quite simply a humanist wedding…
Michael Flatley to try his hand at the movies
While he will be forever known as the Lord of the Dance, Michael Flatley is out to make his mark in the movie business. Flatley is the writer/producer/director and star of his first full length film. Blackbird made its debut at the recent Raindance Film Festival in London. The film co-stars Eric Roberts, Patrick Bergin…
Fergal Phelan is so Irish, he gets sunburned in 1.4 minutes
Yes, it’s true that Fergal Phelan, like many Irish, is sun-challenged, yet Phelan returned to Minnesota in August for the second time in two years to teach us how to cook food the Irish way, with passion and care. And he did it mostly outside. Phelan is interested in helping Minnesotans enjoy fish, chicken and…