Philanthropist, businessman, and Irish America Hall of Fame member Brian Burns was officially announced as President Donald Trump’s appointment for ambassador to Ireland in January. He was tapped for the position in November, well before Trump’s inauguration on January 17 and must still undergo a lengthy approval process. Eighty-year-old Massachusetts-native Burns is the … [Read more...] about Brian Burns Named New Irish Ambassador
Politics Archives
Northern Ireland Undergoes Historic Election Shift
For the first time in history of Northern Ireland there will be a nationalist majority in the national assembly at Stormont. A short 10 months after the previous Northern Ireland Assembly election, the citizens went to the polls again in March. Sinn Féin, the second-largest party in the North had triggered the election in protest over a scandal involving Arlene Foster, the … [Read more...] about Northern Ireland Undergoes Historic Election Shift
After the Rising
The soaring oratory of the Easter Rising Proclamation – “In this supreme hour the Irish nation must . . . prove itself worthy of the august destiny to which it is called” – was followed by seven long years of desperate deal-making, retribution, and bloodshed. Only then did the Irish find themselves on the path to freedom.The fallout from the Rising did not end when all seven of … [Read more...] about After the Rising
2016: Reflections on a Centenary
How the 1916 commemorations helped people connect on a personal level.“Everything is repeated, in a circle. History is a master because it teaches us that it doesn’t exist. It’s the permutations that matter.”- Umberto Eco, Foucault's PendulumWe have had much to celebrate this year. Commemoration of the 1916 Easter Rising had been anticipated for so long that when it finally … [Read more...] about 2016: Reflections on a Centenary
Tim Kaine's Irish Roots
Just how Irish is the Democratic vice-presidential nominee? And what does Tim Kaine's family tree have in common with Downtown Abbey? ℘℘℘ No sooner had Hillary Clinton announced Tim Kaine as her running mate than articles on his roots began to appear – mostly about his inherent Irishness. There’s good reason for this, as he is of mostly Irish heritage – about 80 percent, with … [Read more...] about Tim Kaine's Irish Roots