“An Irishman’s heart is nothing but his imagination.” – George Bernard Shaw (John Bull’s Other Island) Gabriel Byrne says that the line between reality and imagination is very thin. I concur. Perhaps it’s because my father filled my head with stories of banshees and haunted fields with gates that never stayed shut. Perhaps it’s simply the beauty of the Irish countryside – … [Read more...] about The First Word: Imagine Ireland
Arts
Launch of Imagine Ireland
A year of arts and culture in the U.S. 2011 is going to be an exciting year for the Irish arts in America. On January 7th, Culture Ireland announced its expansive project for the coming year, titled Imagine Ireland. Launched in New York City’s Lincoln Center by Cultural Ambassador and renowned actor Gabriel Byrne, Minister for Art, Sport and Tourism Mary Hanafin, and Culture … [Read more...] about Launch of Imagine Ireland
Dennehy Honors Irish American Writers and Artists
Brian Dennehy receives the 2nd annual Eugene O'Neill Lifetime Achievement Award. October 18 marked the Irish American Writers and Artists’ second annual Eugene O’Neill Lifetime Achievement Award Cocktail Reception, honoring actor Brian Dennehy. Dennehy won a Best Actor Tony in 2003 for his performance in O’Neill’s Long Day’s Journey Into Night, and has been nominated for six … [Read more...] about Dennehy Honors Irish American Writers and Artists
An Irish Tune-Up for Cuba: Una Corda, The Soft Pedal
Since 2006, many visitors traveling from Ireland to Cuba have carried slightly heavier than usual suitcases. In addition to their clothes, toiletries and other necessities, they have been carrying piano parts and tools for tuning and repair. They have transported a total of more than 500 pounds, to date, all of which has been given to Havana’s National Workshop for Musical … [Read more...] about An Irish Tune-Up for Cuba: Una Corda, The Soft Pedal
The Photo Historian of Ireland: Sean Sexton
Take an aerial view of a dreary road in Walthamstow, a soulless part of the East End of London, and you will easily spot which house Sean Sexton lives in. For there, nestled among the rows of uniform, somewhat neglected and overgrown urban back yards, you will see a garden poetically “planted” with artifacts and statues, paying homage to their owner’s passion for Greek and … [Read more...] about The Photo Historian of Ireland: Sean Sexton