Irish America
Irish America
"If there is any single thing that explains either of us," John Ford once said to Eugene O'Neill, "it's that we're Irish." Their worlds intersected in 1940, when Ford directed his film version of O'Neill's sea trilogy, The Long Voyage Home. That dark and moody film about men on a tramp steamer perfectly captured O'Neill's Irish fatalism, and it was the playwright's favorite … [Read more...] about John Ford: The Quiet Man
From the time of St. Brendan, the Irish were drawn to America. Maybe it came from gazing out on the vast Atlantic Ocean and wondering what was on the other side. Brendan made his legendary trip in an ox-hide currach. Later the Irish reached "Inishfail" -- that "island of destiny" envisioned by the poets -- as migratory fishermen making their way to Newfoundland in the holds of … [Read more...] about The First Word: In the Beginning . . .
Bill ClintonPresident "The [Irish] people want peace; the people will have peace." It is unparalleled in the history of the American presidency to have an occupant of the Oval Office who has worked so hard and so long to bring peace to Ireland. Soon after entering office, Bill Clinton took a calculated risk for peace when he granted a visa to Gerry Adams, the leader of Sinn … [Read more...] about The Greatest Irish Americans of the Century: Politics
The Dorsey BrothersSultans of SwingTo fans of jazz and swing, the Dorsey brothers need no introduction. As musicians, composers and dance band leaders, they are inextricably linked with the swing craze during the big-band era of the 1930s and 1940s. Their numerous hits include "I'm Getting Sentimental Over You," "I'll Never Smile Again," and "Boogie-Woogie." In all, they sold a … [Read more...] about The Greatest Irish Americans of the Century: Song and Dance
Maureen ConnollyLittle MoShe was the first woman and the youngest tennis player ever to win the Grand Slam -- the four-in-a-row Australian Open, the French Open, Wimbledon and the U.S. Open -- and one of only five players to do so. Her name was Maureen Connolly, but to adoring fans she was "Little Mo." Born in San Diego on September 14, 1934, Connolly was just 18 years old … [Read more...] about The Greatest Irish Americans of the Century: Sports
