David Ervine, leader of the Northern Ireland Progressive Unionist Party, spoke to the National Committee on American Foreign Policy on April 20 in New York. The focus of his remarks was the peace process now in jeopardy, ironically because the British and Irish governments have pandered to David Trimble, Ulster Unionist leader and First Minister elect of the new Northern … [Read more...] about A Voice of Reason
Roots: The O’Neill Family
By James G. Ryan
June / July 1999
There are several different septs of the O'Neills in County Clare (where the name is also spelled O'Nihill), in Waterford and in Carlow. The most famous of the O'Neills, however, are the O'Neills of Tyrone, in the province of Ulster. The name in Gaelic means descendant of Neil or Niall, which was, and still is, a popular personal name in Ireland. In the U.S. the name is … [Read more...] about Roots: The O’Neill Family
Death of an Activist
By Nell McCafferty
June / July 1999
Two hours passed before she was officially named but most of those who heard the initial news flash knew immediately who had been killed when a bomb exploded on March 15 under the car of an unidentified woman solicitor in Lurgan, Northern Ireland. It had to be Rosemary Nelson. Women have rarely been targeted deliberately. The IRA had never done so. Loyalists had picked off … [Read more...] about Death of an Activist
The First Word: The Heritage of Hate
"I'm Serbian," the waiter answers a little self-consciously. It's the height of the bombing -- maybe it's not such a good thing to say. He's young, no more than a kid really, with short-cropped hair. My guests for lunch are visiting from Northern Ireland -- a couple -- he born and bred in Armagh, she born in London of Irish parents. They met in San Francisco where her English … [Read more...] about The First Word: The Heritage of Hate
All About Aidan
By Darina Molloy
June / July 1999
If Aidan Quinn were any more laid back he'd be horizontal. He's just lolled his way through a two-hour photo shoot, and is now sprawled on the other side of a tiny table in a charming old bar on Manhattan's lower west side. Clearly savoring the large cigar he's sucking on contentedly, he's turned sideways in his chair, lazily surveying the Friday afternoon stragglers indulging … [Read more...] about All About Aidan