Forever Home By Graham Norton Living in a small town, Carol is well used to the way people know everything about you … or think they do, at least. As a divorced mother of one son, she is particularly susceptible to the sidelong glances, particularly when she starts seeing an older man. Declan’s wife left the family home years earlier, and his children really don’t like Carol … [Read more...] about Darina Molloy’s Review of Books
Winter 2022 Issue
A Child’s Christmas in Brooklyn
In the Brooklyn world of my childhood, Ireland seemed especially close at Christmas. While we kids looked forward to Santa, Mom and Dad were looking back to Ireland. Cards would arrive, and Mom would cherish each and every one, especially those from her sisters, my Aunts Una and Joan, who would include letters for her to linger over, her eyes growing all teary. My parents left … [Read more...] about A Child’s Christmas in Brooklyn
The Undisgraced Ryans
Given its status as one of the ten most numerous surnames in Ireland, the name Ryan is recognizable to most people as a telltale indicator of green in the veins. Less commonly known, however, is the fact that the great majority of these Ryans are actually O’Mulryans, an earlier form of the name that has been buried away over time. More unusual source names for Ryan are Ó … [Read more...] about The Undisgraced Ryans
Daniel O’Connell: His Legacy, His Impact, & His Home
The legacy of the statesman known as “The Liberator”, is explored over a two-day ‘school’ in his home place in Kerry.Cahersiveen, County Kerry. Population, 1041: Famous because it is the furthest point from Dublin – traveling westwards, the next parish is New York. Despite its remote location, it is a town steeped in history and surrounded by rugged beauty. And, since the … [Read more...] about Daniel O’Connell: His Legacy, His Impact, & His Home
Knocknarae: A Hitchhiker’s Guide
I had only one day for Knocknarae, and it was the worst day. In Sligo to study at the W.B. Yeats International Summer School, I had decided to take my only free Saturday to climb Knocknarae, one of the two smooth limestone sides of the town’s weather-catching bowl, the other being Ben Bulben, both eulogized at one time or another by the town’s (and the island’s) most famous … [Read more...] about Knocknarae: A Hitchhiker’s Guide