Anyone who has read Frank McCourt's Angela's Ashes -- and by now that probably takes in about half the planet -- knows that what makes McCourt's memoir of an impoverished Irish childhood so magical is the unique "voice" the author uses to tell the story. McCourt struggled for many years until he "started writing in the voice of a child, immediate, urgent and without hindsight … [Read more...] about Angela’s Ashes Loses Its Voice
Frank McCourt
Christmas Movies
IA Newsletter December 18, 2021
“It’s the holiday season…” So sings Andy Williams - as have many other crooners - in the classic Christmas song “Happy Holidays.” For many Irish Americans, that “holiday season” means it’s time for our annual trip to Macy’s in New York City where, in 1947, Irish Hollywood legend Maureen O’Hara portrayed a busy holiday parade planner, in the beloved Yuletide flick Miracle on … [Read more...] about Christmas Movies
Hibernia Happenings
Galway Guide Is a Bird in the HandVisitors to Galway and other parts of the West of Ireland are well advised to pick up a handy new magazine which contains extensive information on where to eat, dance, drink, hang out and generally just be seen.Magpie magazine, launched last year by the highly successful Galway Advertiser group, also features regular articles on a variety of … [Read more...] about Hibernia Happenings
A Night to Remember
Frank McCourt's second book, 'Tis, follows, where Angela's Ashes leaves off with the young Limerick man making his way in New York. In the following excerpt, Frank's pal Paddy McGovern takes him to an Irish dance hall.Paddy Arthur McGovern warns me that if I keep on listening to that noisy jazz music I'll wind up like the Lennon brothers so American I'll forget I’m Irish … [Read more...] about A Night to Remember
35 Years: 1985-2020
Looking back at Irish America’s premier issue we see that it set the tone for what was to come: a thorough investigation into what it means to be Irish American. Thirty-five years later, we are still answering that question and still pondering the answers. Enjoy these quotes compiled over 35 years. -The Irish America Team1986 Tip O'Neill“Growing up as a youngster in Boston, … [Read more...] about 35 Years: 1985-2020