Martin Sheen, the star of The West Wing, is a complicated, ebullient tangle of philosophy, Catholicism, politics, altruism, and homespun wisdom.It's a disconcerting sight: The leader of the free world is, uh, combing his eyelashes with a small mascara applicator... Okay, so it's the make-believe leader of the free world. And it's not such a far-fetched notion that Martin Sheen … [Read more...] about The Acting President
Feature
Two Grandfathers
William Kennedy on his unsung origins.My grandfathers, George Kennedy and Peter McDonald, died before I was born. I came to know something of them through talks with my parents and other relatives, a few artifacts, death certificates and obituaries, and two photographs that defined them for me forever. Both photos are working-class portraits.The portrait of George Kennedy is … [Read more...] about Two Grandfathers
The Player
Mark O'Meara, golf's mister nice guy, is interviewed by John Kernaghan.Some men are defined by how they win, some by their bearing in defeat. For Mark O'Meara, golf's great grandson of Ireland, his composure on a day of personal loss but team triumph fleshes out a portrait of classical sportsman.The scene at the 17th green on the last day of the Ryder Cup competition at … [Read more...] about The Player
The Greatest Irish Americans of the Century: Labor Leaders
By Irish America Staff
November 1999
Mary Harris "Mother" JonesMiners' Angel "Pray for the dead and fight like hell for the living." Mother Jones was one of America's most effective union organizers. At a time when few women were activists, she was a fearless crusader for the rights of American workers and became the champion of child laborers. But most of all, she was the "miner's angel" often risking arrest and … [Read more...] about The Greatest Irish Americans of the Century: Labor Leaders
The Greatest Irish Americans of the Century: Nationalists
By Irish America Staff
November 1999
Eamon de ValeraThe Long Fellow "I am in America as the official head of the [Irish] Republic, established by the will of the people in accordance with the principles of self-determination." Given that nobody born outside the United States can ever hope to become President of this nation, it is ironic that a humbly-born New Yorker was elected President of Ireland in 1959 and … [Read more...] about The Greatest Irish Americans of the Century: Nationalists