On this day in 2008, 26-year-old Irish-American Danica Patrick became the first woman to win the Indy Japan 300. This made her the first female winner in IndyCar racing history. Just three years prior, she had made her Indy 500 debut in 2005, where she finished in fourth place. Only the fourth woman to compete in the Indy 500, she became the first woman ever to lead a lap (she … [Read more...] about April 20, 2008
Archives for April 2008
Irish American of the Year: Thomas Moran
The name Moran is a derivative of the Irish word mór meaning big. Tom Moran, our somewhat reluctant Irish American of the Year (I suspect he agreed to accept the honor in the hopes that it would draw attention to Concern Worldwide), is big by name and big by nature. He looks like a linebacker – the kind of guy you would want in your first line of defense. And for many people, … [Read more...] about Irish American of the Year: Thomas Moran
The First Word: America’s Gung-ho Spirit
Niall O’Dowd first introduced to me the idea that it was time for peace in Northern Ireland. I was living in San Francisco at the time and working for The Irishman (a newspaper Niall had founded). Frankly, I was doubtful. I had gone to the demonstrations outside the British Consulate during that terrible spring and summer of 1981. Bobby Sands, who had begun his hunger strike in … [Read more...] about The First Word: America’s Gung-ho Spirit
Top Honors for Sir James Galway and Lady Jeanne
Sir James Galway and Lady Jeanne Galway received Irish America’s “Artistic Achievement Award” at this year’s Top 100 Awards ceremony. The presentation came at the end of the Galways’ six-week tour of the U.S. which began in February and was highlighted by performances with the San Antonio Symphony, the Buffalo Philharmonic, and a recital at the Kennedy Center in Washington, … [Read more...] about Top Honors for Sir James Galway and Lady Jeanne
The High Kings are Stepping Out
April / May 2008
Celtic Woman took the world by storm when they debuted in 2004, topping the charts and touring to standing-room-only audiences. Now it’s the boys’ turn. Meet the High Kings, a quartet of ultra-talented Irish musicians who hope to match the smashing success of their corporate sisters. The group was created last year by Celtic Woman’s producer Dave Kavanagh and composer/musical … [Read more...] about The High Kings are Stepping Out