Kelly is one of the most common Irish names due to the fact that it originates from at least seven different and unrelated ancient clans or septs. One of the major septs is the O’Kellys of Ui Maine or Hy Many in East Galway and South Roscommon. An authentic pedigree of this family exists from earliest times and is contained in the Book of Hy Many, which was written in the 14th … [Read more...] about Roots: The Kelly Clan
Tara Dougherty
Portraits of Irish Writers in Boston
Over the past several centuries, a number of Irish artists have produced compelling portraits of Irish writers in painting, sculpture and photography, and now for the first time, those collected works are on view in the United States. Entitled “Literary Lives: Portraits from the Crawford Art Gallery and Abbey Theatre, Ireland,” the exhibition is comprised of 49 works and runs … [Read more...] about Portraits of Irish Writers in Boston
Music Reviews
Susan McKeown and Lorin Sklamberg Saints & Tzadiks In this self-titled album, Saints & Tzadiks, Susan McKeown and Lorin Sklamberg come together on a musical endeavor which takes traditional Irish language songs and Yiddish folk songs and bridges the gap between the two rather similar genres. The pair have worked together before, memorably with the Klezmatics, which … [Read more...] about Music Reviews
The March of the Forgotten: Paddy Moloney’s San Patricio
Paddy Moloney of the Chieftains talks to Tara Dougherty about the group's newest project, San Patricio. In a moment that history books would rate as a minuscule act of defiance, famed Irish band the Chieftains found a measure of bravery and dedication they deemed worthy of a solemn memorial etched into song. Thus was born the idea for the group’s latest album, San … [Read more...] about The March of the Forgotten: Paddy Moloney’s San Patricio
Review of Books
Recommended Roddy Doyle, bestselling Irish author of The Commitments, has completed his Last Roundup trilogy about IRA rebel Henry Smart with the epic and engrossing finale The Dead Republic. The series, which includes novels A Star Called Henry and Oh! Play That Thing and spans the 20th-century history of Ireland, traces the journey of the legendary character as he passes … [Read more...] about Review of Books