It was the first time that I knew the full weight of Irish America. Coming from a small country with few people, it’s difficult for an immigrant to grasp that in a place as big as America, the Irish could wield such power. I’m talking about the first Irish-American Presidential Forum in 1992. It was arranged by then-assemblyman John C. Dearie. I don’t remember the venue, but I … [Read more...] about First Word: Trailblazers Past & Present
Maggie Holland
Long-Lost James Connolly Play May Be Found
In Nora Connolly’s 1935 memoir of her father, James Connolly, she mentions a play of his entitled The Agitator’s Wife, which scholars have never been able to find. A short story of the same name was recently discovered in an obscure journal in Warwick University’s library, leading University of Glasgow academics to believe it could be the long-lost work. The short story, which … [Read more...] about Long-Lost James Connolly Play May Be Found
Irish Nurses Strike for Fair Pay
Ireland’s nurses went on strike on January 30 in a dispute over pay and staff shortages. There were three separate 24-hour stoppages and a planned three-day strike set for February 12, until the strike was suspended February 11 for three weeks as part of a recommendations by the Labour Court. The strike was organized by the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organization (INMO) and the … [Read more...] about Irish Nurses Strike for Fair Pay
John Brennan Speaks to Young Leaders
Over 150 young business leaders from the U.S. and abroad gathered in New York City for The Ireland Funds’ 8th Annual Global Young Leaders Summit, hearing from many industry and government leaders. The four-day event kicked off on Thursday, January 24. The keynote speaker was John O. Brennan, former director of the CIA under President Obama. In a fireside chat with Ireland Funds … [Read more...] about John Brennan Speaks to Young Leaders
Irish in Palm Beach
Both the Ireland-U.S. Council’s 27th Annual Winter Meeting and the Ireland Funds’ 29th Annual Emerald Isle Palm Beach Dinner Dance took place in Palm Beach, Florida, over Valentine’s Day. At the Council’s meeting, Ambassador Dan Mulhall updated the members and their guests on Brexit, and Arabella Bishop and Charlie Minter from Sotheby’s spoke to the crowd on the importance of … [Read more...] about Irish in Palm Beach