Irish America August / September 2000 by Irish America Magazine

I t

TIIE

Alrl lSl-E TOO FAR

I ltI I

I D

ili I I

Fon Axv OccASroN Wr'LL MnKE An TnE AnRANGEMENTS. ,

lxr

Ar cols F lrtc! OAST ROAD

ARn c

5l KILLIMER CAR FERR

TRA

BHEARNA

DOONYARNA COAST ROAD

o(lttt

ro 'W'hen it's time to give a gift, remember 1-800-FLO\7ERS.COM.

D00t{ -{

:i.

RECAilS CASTLE HOTEL

I tl

I \

I t

By sirnply diahng 1-8OO-FLOWERS or visiting us on our website www. 1SOOflowers.com, you can order a variety of floral & gifting products

to be deiivered anyrvhere in the world - guaranteed! And best of all, we're available any time of rhe day or night Our easy to navigate website or our friendly associates can help you select the perfect gift for an imporrant birthday, forgotten anniversary, trr special occasion. So the next time you can't ger away frorn the office or remember it's your mother's birthday at 2 a.m.,

visit us on our website, pick up the phone, or colne in to one of our retail stores.

3-$#$-florllersk*m,. flowers are just the beginning... "g t I

-ffiffiffi-s5ffi-s3??

THE LAST WORD Bv Eownno T. O'Dourueu-

V\lhen the lrish Did Apply This September 5 will mark the ll8th anniversary of the nation's first commemoration of Labor Day. On that day in 1882, thousands of New York City workers took the day off to participate in festivities honoring honest toil and the rights of labor. Its success testified to labor's rising power and growing sense of unity in the Gilded Age. It also exemplified the central role played by hish workers in the labor movement of that era. Second only to St. Patrick's Day, Labor Day is the American holiday bom out of the Irish American experience.

of several parade organizet's seemed only a few dozen workers stood confirmed

fears

milling about.

By the time the parade touched off at 10:00

a.m., McCabe had managed

assemble

some 400 men and a brass band. Initially, marchers faced ridicule from bystanders and

intenuptions in the line

of march

because

policemen refused to stop traffic at intersections. Soon, however, the jeers tumed into cheers as the spectacle of labor solidarity grew more impressive. As the parade continued north up Broadway, it swelled in size as

The hish connection to the Labor Day holiday begins with the founding of the organization that sponsored the event, the Central Labor Union. It had come into existence only months earlier, in January 1882, when kish immigrant Robert Blissert called a rally of the city's workers in support of the Irish nationalist movement known as the Land League. Toward the end of the rally they approved a motion to form a local labor federation to promote the interests of workers. Even as the Land League disintegrated in mid-1882, the CLU grew rapidly, reaching 56 member unions with 80,000 members by summer's

union after union fell into line from side

end.

Among the many dignitaries was Terence Powderly, Grand Master Workman of the

was also an kishman who first proposed the idea of establishing in early September "a festive day [for] a parade through the streets

of the city." Yet the precise identity of that kishman remains a mystery. Some accounts say it was Peter "P.J." McGuire, General Secretary of the United Brotherhood of

Carpenters and Joiners (and future cofounder of the AFL), who proposed the idea at a May meeting of the CLU. Others argue that it was machinist Matthew Maguire who deserves the title "Father of Labor Day."

Official bragging rights aside, both Irish American labor activists played crucial roles in establishing the Labor Day holiday. After months of preparation, the chosen finally anived. September 5, 1882 day

workers had -selected as the Fittingly, parade's first Grand Marshal an Irishman named

William G. McCabe,

ber of Local No.

a popular mem-

6 of

the International Typographers Union. No one knew how many workers would turn out. Few could expect their employers to grant them a day off. Indeed, in that era of anti-labor hostility, workers feared getting fired and blacklisted

for labor union activity. When McCabe arrived an hour before the parade's starl, the

110

streets.

As they walked, workers held aloft signs messages such as "Labor Built This

with

Republic. Labor Shall Rule

It";

"Less Work

and More Pay"; "To the Workers Should Belong All Wealth"; and "Strike with the Ballot." Some workers wore their traditional work uniforms and aprons, others dressed in their holiday best for the occasion. Many

craft organizations pulled wagons that displayed their handiwork.

Midway through the parade, the throng passed a reviewing stand at Union Square.

Knights of Labor, the most powerful labor organization in the nation. Powderly, the son of Irish immigrants, was not only a labor leader, but also a member of the secret revolutionary Irish nationalist organization, Clan na Gael, as well as a prominent Land League activist.

After moving up Fifth Avenue, past the opulent homes of tycoons like Vanderbilt, Morgan, and Gould (and a few of the kish upper class like dry goods millionaire A.T. Stewaft and shipping magnate William R. Grace), the grand procession of 5,000 or more

terminated at 42nd Street and Sixth Avenue There participants boarded elevated trains extra cars had been added to handle the anticipated crowds - for a short ride to Wendel's

Elm Park, at West 92nd Street and Ninth Avenue, for a massive picnic. Tickets for the event werejust 25 cents, and by late afternoon upwards of 25,000 workers and their families jammed the park to participate in the festivities and consume copious amounts of food and drink. Members of individual craft unions gathered under banners put up throughout the park. Several bands provided music, while speaker after speaker held forth from various

August / September 2000 InrsH AIr,rsnIca MncazrNs

stages and soapboxes.

With such an impressive staft, the idea of an annual "Labor Day" and parade quickly gained popularity among labor activists and organizations across the country. The New York parade and subsequent picnic caught on among workers because, unlike the traditional forms of public display by labor (such as striking and picketing), the event drew together workers for the purposes of celebra-

tion. As

P.J. McGuire later wrote of the

parade:

"No festival of martial glory or warrior's renown is this; no pageant pomp of warlike conquest. . . attend this day. . . . Itis dedicated to Peace, Civilization and the triumphs of Industry. It is a demonstration of fratemity and the harbinger of a better age

Which\nrqilrwill FIer future g$?

a more

chivalrous time, when labor shall be best honored and well rewarded."

By 1886 Labor Day had become a national event. Nearly 20,000 marched in Manhattan,

and another 10,000 in Brooklyn, while 25,000 tumed out in Chicago, 15,000 in Boston, 5,000 in Buffalo, and 4,000 in Washington, D.C. The following year five states made Labor Day an oltcial holiday for state employees as hundreds of cities and towns held festivities. Finally, in 1894 - just a dozen years after the first celebration in President Grover Cleveland New York signed into law a measure establishing Labor Day as a holiday for all federal workers.

Thus, through the efforts

Irishmen

named Maguire, McGuire, Blissert, McCabe,

and Powderly an enduring American tradition was bom. During the last century the Irish were the stalwarts of the unions with leaders such as Mary Harris "Mother" Jones, Teddy Gleason, Elizabeth Gurley Flynn, George Meany and Mike Quill. Presently, another Irishman, John Sweeney, heads America's largest labor union, the AFL-CIO. However, as Irish Americans today increasingly rise in the corporate sector, they are much more likely to be found on the side of management than union. But it is important to keep in mind that the very same issues which compelled workers in 1882 to start the Labor Day holiday persist among wage eaffiers

today. G)

Edward T. O'Donnell is author of the forthcoming book l00l Things Everyone Should Know About Irish American History (Doubleday, 2001 ).

ril.t LilAT-irlfund rn'iti.ti.t us ott llre tteb

a,t

uxtw.irlftttds.org.

Tiff Aff[RrcAN IXEIfNI} FUfn

Gift Guid.e

Whether you are looking for fine parian china, knitwear, collecUbles, or travel informaiion, here are sbme of the finest traditional lrish treasures available. August / September 2000

A FRAGILE PEACE,

MEET THE BEST Tim Russert, the host of the

Northern Ireland's Assembly is once again up and running but problems still loom ahead. Anne Cadwallader reports. 10

top-rated show Meet the Press, and one of the most influential political journalists in America talks to Niall O'Dowd. 30

Celtic Treasures I

AN ISLE TOO FAR Cut off from the westernmost tip of Ireland by three miles of treachelous seas, the Great Blasket Island lies abandoned. Cole Moreton goes in search of a lost community. 78

FROM THE EMERALD ISLE TO THE COPPER MINES A historical look at the Irish of Butte, Montana and "Copper King" Marcus Daly. By George Everett. 84

Weleature the finest gifts on this side of the Atlantic: Belleek, Royal Tara & Cre china, Galway & !/aterford Crystal, iewelry and over 2000 celtic Music Titles. Visit us online at www.celtictreasures.com or €all Toll-Free at 1 -800-583-9459

THE IRISH ON WALL STREET The movers and shakers in the financial world are profiled in our annual Wall Street 50 feature. Intelviews: Sheila Hartnett-Devlin (pg. 42), Mike Finnegan (pg. 48), and Bill McDonough (pg.12). 37

MY GUILTIEST PLEASURE: THE BEttS OF SA'A/T MARY'g, I A tribrte to a classic that humanizesCatholicism. 94

accessories, professional dance wear, gdrment bags and mcre .

Call Toll-Free lor atree Catalog 1 -888-33-CErU (1 -888-332.3454)

Shop our e-stor€ at www.Ceili.com

available, UNFRAMED at d cost of $94.95, inclusive of postage and packaging Each copy is signed by myself, the author. For your

copy please send checlg or bank draft

Dennis Curtin Knockavinnane, Ballymacelligott Iralee, Co. Kerry, lr€land or fax credit card details: (card no and expiration date to 011-5-66-7-7613

MIKE'S BACK IN TOWN Author J.P. "Mike" Donleavy, best known fbr his novel The Ginger Mon, talks to John Froude. 98

'':.

-.i

or write

A New Fraternity ACT NOW!

Become a Charter Member of the World Catholic Association.

VIP visits

HIBERNIA: Happcnings in Irish Arnerica

Drive

Klamath Falls, OR 97601 Phone: 541 -883-7640

the news from h'eland

Call the Experts 8-937-8036 or 800-874-9334

9040 Lakeshore

ular in his mostly AfiicanAmerican constituency. 88

All

Visit our web-site for the best Celtic and American Folk music: www.laughingdove.com,

Annual Members' only golf tournam€nts in both the US and select overseas locations.

Escoded Tours, Deep Discount Car Rentals

Laughing Dove

READERS RESPOND: Letters to the Editor'

: it

'./

The latest offer from Laughinc Dov€ f€atur€s Maureen Brennan on Celtic harp, and Erian Theriault on fiddie, with Kate Brubeck on two vocal trocks.

The new mayor of Baltimore is young, hip, Irish and very pop-

\./

Visit our Web-site; www.irishscribe.com

FIRST WORD: By Editor-in-Chief Patricia Harty

Travel to lreland Guaranteed low€st fares on: Aer Lingus, British Airwdys, Contin€ntdl ATA Charters, Golf Packages,

Dennis Curtin Now available, my special poem, "Thank You America". Briefly, it recognizes the tr€mendous help given to lreland by the people of the United States, from the famine times up to prus€nt day. lt measur€s 12" x 16" , and comes with a double mount (speckle over gold). It is s€t out ln beautiful calligraphy, and ts

to Catholic historic sites in conjunction with !(CGA

Celtic Connection - lrish Meals by Mail "From Erin's Shore...to Your Front Doorl"

lmported frorrr lreland and guaranteed fresh! Complete lrish Breakfasts, Tea & Scone Box, Luncheon/Party Pai<s Call now for a brochure

describing our delicious selections

Call 1-877-CELTIC-2 or visit us on th€ web at www.irishmealsbymail.com

lFoolic

Sirl

tourndm€nts.

BLAZES BOYLAN:

is pieased to offer on exciusive proCuct line for today's dancer, quality donce shoes, costume

(visa, mastercard, american exoress) )

BALTIMORE'S PIED PIPER

Grafton Travel Service

The C6ili Company

ROOTS: Joseph Silinonte explains searching fol your

CROS FOCAL: Irish America Crossword SLAINTE: Ireland: The Lace Place FOCAL SCOIR; Edward T. O'Donnell has the last

roots

. 91 108 104

word

110

1st

€vent

Sept. 2000 at the Whippoorwill Club, \festch€ster City, Ny

Membership is open to the general public with 107" of the dues donated to paticipating historic sites. Dues are $100 a yeor.

For information or to join, call: 1-800-441-9436 or write: WCGA, PO Box 76, Chappaqua, Ny 10514

e-mail: wega@msn.com

Wearable Art 2000 Quality embroidered handbags and accessories. Finest hand-made craftsmanship. New and exciting concepts. We use only naturai and synthetic rnaterials. All looiie Giri products are animal friendly. For more information, contdct us:

www.hooliegirl.com genlinfo@hooliegirl.com Phone/Fax: 51 6-889-2833

ffi ffi #F ffi %Xuryffi

ffiry $i"i

O ros

Focal

Across

By B. Young 4

Ireland 5 Large string instrument 1 Plant native to

14 1

10 Challenge 11 Pry

12Layer 13 J.M. _r87r-1909, playwright 14 Participate in an election

rll

Fail-Haughey, leader 17 Kitchen employee 18 Hale

32 34

24"-Qf

rIII

40 4Z

zkt

+4 47

the Western

F,,, tr,rrrrr gcn.:ratiol.c tL* .ltiutr L,n"* .,r,r.u*J tL*

AJanti.: t,, f,rlf;1l tl.,,,i," .1..-",,r,, ,.,f ,unLi,rg a L.r*e. 1i'{. 1i' ti,trnstl",s, rL*ir: taxrilir,. ,rrr.ll tl,,,ro*,r ro,.Lr, ,o'.r*lr} {"1|t*r,.

29 30 -Applaud Small island

Barnacle, wife James Joyce

"Extra" host

34 Michael

_Roy,

_-, Neeson

flick

Islandorpony 2 Dublin's famed theatre 3 Bookies' quotes 1

4 Dog house

39 Wood

5 Douglas

41 Outerwear 43 Small time divisions 45 Slightly open 46He captained the ark

founder -, 6 "Juno and the 7 Co. Clare attraction -" 8 Enyacomes fromthis western county 9 Nenagh is in this county

_Island, NY

50 Partner of tried 51 Former baseball player Ryan 52 Sightseeing journey 53 Knitters' tools Tralee 54 55 Popular ring

_of

28 Doctor's co-worker

36 Dusty room sight

,sF

27 Sandwich shop

Down

Destroy

33 Maureen 35

Gaelic League

34 Potato dish 38 Leave your estate

42 19 across and ilk 44 _Tiger 47 Scent 48 Gaelic

49Long,long story

nll

37 Public transportation

40 George Shaw 41 Book division

A",l

&*a

lry t'rrcLing us, too, d-,*r-lt..r0,u,,,"uJ",1 in lr:raliing

ur{',r,r,. lives l*:ftr:r'.

T-lr"tl, prtrt of

ttrr.,

Ar,,r,ri.,..r. $r*,*rr..

{tl,

iL*.., {i,,

rr,*t {io,o Ell;., Tutrr'J. lBrrr t.,.}av -.ror,'.11 ll"J i[. {rirlr*Ar,r.-"ican c*rn:*u'i{y to,L*"* tL," ,.*"J is $re;rrcst; i' ll* ,r,iJst oi tlr;ng., r:i'i*g r"1l}*rs1y ,rf rL*it tinrer, t:rl,:rrr -^ *rJ r:o'cer* -- t. ccxr:,:*:rity. Ye.r, itiu o

3.rrrq

,".L,,."r,r rreerls,i f rnrist "TLa tls tlr,,

ft'u

"o'ii},

tlatspirir il:rt,&lrrtu:rl

r1ri,,i

.-,i

Ar,,,-ri.n

of Arrr*ri.t,r s;rlutes, tlr"rrlro,,n,{ Ir.,,u.,..u.,il -[ri.LA*re:ri.:,rs.o,Lr Lrr-.",n,rrl.,

Trick

16 Birthplace of St. Patrick

20 Pop goes the

22Try for a job 23Frunk and family 25 Teenage woe 26 River in Wexford

WIN A SUBSGRIPTION

Dream

alive.

World" 27 _Paluiick Moynihan

19 Actress Roma

2I Apair

who keep the

l of Ame ri ca

Honori ng those

lei

former Fianna

Mutua

7 Saint whose day is Feb.

MuruAL oF AuERrcA ffN*

TO IBISH AMEBICA MAGAZINE!

splrrf *f &w{rrrs

Please send your completed crossword puzzleto us at432 ParkAve. South, Suite 1503, NewYork NY 10016,t0

arrivenolaterthanJuly S,l9g9.Awinnerwillbedrawnfromamongallcorrectentriesreceived.

lntheevent

thatthere are no completely correct solutions, prizes will be awarded to the completed puzzle which comes

closestintheopinionof ourstaff.Winner'snamewill bepublishedalongwithsolutioninour0ct./Nov issue. Winner: June/July Crossword: C. Hannsberry, New Yotk, NY. Yes, readers, you may send in Xerox copies of Cros Fhocal but iust one per household.

108

Inlss Aunnrce

MecazNB

August/September 2000

320 PARK AvENUE, NEw YoRK,

401(k).403(b).

10022-6839 1800 4683785 wwmuhnlofamerica.conr Muruer- or AvERrcA LrFE INSURANCE CoMpANy

A ReclsrenEo BnorsrVDear-en

457 . ANNUITIES r TDA r RETIREMENT PLANS r LIFE INSURANCE

AN QoRcA CDon ch€ qR€Ac huNqeR

IhG Mlllenn

" Those wlru governed in London at the time failed their people through standing by while a cr'op failure tutned iuto a lrassivc hunrarr tragedy. we must not forget such a dreadf rl.:ffl,l::Brirish prime Minister

Your HoRGs..'''''''. .=:;.==...

.@.

1847

Y0ur

llr

s rt

4,000 ships crrryirrg l.cls, l-,carrs, rirhlrit s saltnr''n, hrlncy ln.l [)()lat()es lcft Irclar-r.l firr Errglish porrs,

9,992 Irish r attlc

scllt t() Enqllrntl.

ry ry ToHr I iffan Gial $eeu 4

4,000 Ilrrscs rrnil Rlrit's

-l

-""'ffiry=

j'::#-:--l

.<j

s(-'lrt f() E.ngltrntl.

i:k

Approxinr:itcly

-:E(:.!

+.l

;,:.

1,000,000 qall,,r.rs of brrlter scr-rt

'':*€+;,.

trr Ingl;rtrcl.

t.t

intotlrcll..*tttG

'{iFg.'

Appn,xinratcly 1,700,000 g:rlhrtrs of graiti tlerrr,'crl

t *

*F-

nlt,rhol s('nt t() [:rrgl:rncl.

\ ,*-.

1847

!r1l

'1fiU41

400,000

Iri:;1r pcoplc

tlrer.l tluc: to st;rtr;irtion

efit AIB Bank 405 Park

York, NY 10A22 339-8001

(lrossc Isle, Qusbel; Qtrarantine station.

1O,00O

Irish [)cacl,

Plroto bv

Itit

(Member F0lC)

The only lrish bank in the U.S. that can service your needs internationally.

qlglXn ChOChlN

GRapl'ltt;s l-tb.

157

r;lrAorL;GRlr

S(Ree'(

Iirvcr

Nour r1onk. Neru c;onk t0oo7 Boo-B1o-o766

OBITUARY

The SXHSX"WoTd

lreland's Golden Tenor Passes Away

A Ltttle Boy s Cry

Frank Patterson, known around the world as "Ireland's Golden Tenor," died June 10 in New York at the age of 59. The death was caused by a brain tumor

Faith of Our Fathers, a collection of twenty great hymns.

The highlight of Patterson's career came in 1979 when he performed at a

which was diagnosed in early May following treatment for a tumor of the ethnoid sinus. Many will miss the "Irish Ambassador of Song," known

ness. His last performance was at Regis

College in Weston, Massachusetts just days before his death. He performed

Hall in New York, and the Sydney Opera House. Patterson was the first Irish artist to have his own show at New York's Radio City Music Hall, a show that sold out for six consecutive years. His performances have enter-

tained Irish and American leaders including President Clinton, Irish President Mary McAleese, and the late Cardinal O'Connor. Patterson had been scheduled to sing at the funeral

mass

for O'Connor, but the

tragic

President McAleese told the lrish Frank Patterson in his entertaining days. Independent that Patterson was "a wonderful artist who had contributed papal mass for Pope John Paul II in hugely to the world of music and who Phoenix Park, Dublin, to a live audience proudly promoted Ireland and Irish of over one million. In 1984, Pope John Paul II also conferred on Patterson the music around the world." Music was Frank Patterson's life. He Knighthood of St. Gregory the Great, the recorded more than thirty albums in six highest honor that the Vatican can

in the mil-

lions worldwide. Known for his touch-

ing rendition of "Danny Boy," he tell stories, though his repertoire included many enjoyed singing pieces that

challenging classical pieces, including opera and oratorios by Purcell, Handel,

Beethoven, and Mozart. recording success was

the

notable

1996 hit CD

106 August / September

bestow on a layman. Other accolades include an honorary doctorate of music

to Patterson by Salve Regina University in Newport, Rhode Island in 1990, and a doctorate of fine arts from awarded

Manhattan College, New York in 1996. Patterson's performing abilities carried his career to the big screen. He played the featured role of Irish tenor Bartell

InIsH Auenrca MacezNe

plane to San Francisco a young

D'Arcy in The Dead, director John Huston's film adaptation of the James Joyce short story. Patterson also appeared

and an earring. 'tsig Ian' she calls him.

in the well-known film Miller's Crossing (singing "Danny Boy"), and more

Belfast, I think to myself. The accent is that of my sister-in-law Elaine.

recently sang the love song "Macushla" in Neil Jordan's Michnel Collins, star ring Liam Neeson and Julia Roberts.

That this family is from Northern keland somehow makes the commotion the wee kid is creating more bearable. His tantrum-red face makes me smile now. Someone once said to me that a catastrophe is when a child gets hurt,

There have been many Northern catastrophes in the past 30 years.

- Richard Brinsley Sheridan

ments. The news is hopeful. The Assembly has been restored. The elected officials can concentrate once again on providing services for the people. Martin McGuinness can

developing but also a change in powerful institutions like the police."

its twinning with a school in the

Commission, spoke recently at a National Committee on American

North. Taking students outside the nalrow confines of their own school yards to interact with children from different backgrounds is surely

in Washington, D.C. honoring George Mitchell. As he often does, Mitchell referredtohis young son, Andrew, bom

children. Indeed, whenever

scholarships to study music in London

during the Good Friday Agreement

and Holland. His study with Janine Micheau, famous soprano of the Paris Opera, proved to be the vital kick-off to his long career. The years of study were followed by years of touring. In 1967, Patterson wed his beloved wife Eily O'Grady, whose skill as a classical pianist and Irish-harpist matched his vocal talent. Their son,

negotiations. For the first two years of his life Andrew shared his father with

is an accomplished

violinist who has accompanied his musical parents on tour. The family moved to Bronxville, New York in 7987, yet maintained a residence in Brittas, County Dublin.

Patterson is also survived by his mother, May; his brothers, Noel and

way

Northern politicians over the years have all stressed the welfare of the

I find

myself alarmed by something David Trimble says or does, I focus on a photograph ofhim holding his young daughter that ran on the front page of the

lrishVoice.Itrcminds

is a father as well as

me that he

politician.

daddy there when he fust rolled over?

Things are retuming to normal in the

Probably not. Most likely he was

North but there is still one more

immersed inhis role as chairman of the

change that is vital to the continued

talks. There can be no doubt that

peace. The Patten Commission on

without Mitchell's patience and commitment the outcome would have been much different. "He babysat us,'o is how a senior member of one Northern party put it. Was it worth the sacrifice? It will be, Mirchell says, if one day he can sit quietly in the back of

policing was agreed to by the two goYernments, British and Irish. Unfortunately, the police bill which the

British government is likely to put through is a watered down version of the report. ANew YorkTimes edito-

rial of May 30 said it all when it

Gerry Lynch,

member of the Patten

Foreign Policy meeting in New York. He said, "It is my fear that the legislation proposed cannot possibly lead

to the creation of a police service capable of attracting and sustaining support from the community as a whole. If that is true, then this whole peace process will, once again, come to a halt and the cost in lives and in terms of growth of the economy is simply enormous." I look down at the sturdy lad standing in the aisle beside me. Maybe little Ian will grow up to be a policeman. Maybe his job will be directing traffic and controlling crowds at soccer games, maybe the kids in the neighborhood will look up to him. Maybe riot gear and plastic bullets will be buried in some vault. Maybe...

the politicians put aside their fears and see that a properly constituted police force that respects the rights of both traditions is key. @

the Assembly with

,,1

his son and watch

Maurice; and his sister, Imelda Malone, who was present with Patterson's wife

thepoliticians argue

and son when he passed away at SloanKettering Hospital. Patterson brought the music of keland to America and the world. Despite years of musical training and traveling, he never lost his Tipperary accent. Years of fame could not deny that Patterson was still a man from Clonmel, where he now lies in peace, to end his successful joumey back

tourism, fisheries, and roads. Peace will not be talked about, it will be

began. - By Sarah Curran

make the police bill truer to the Patten recommendations. A durable peace in Northern heland will require not only the kind ofpolitical changes that are

Education. His recent visit to Harlem's Edmund Rice High School resulted in

International fame is a long way from the child who began his singing career as boy soprano in his hometown of Clonmel, County Tipperary. Patterson's talent was rewarded with

the people of the North. Was his

concluded that "Parliament needs to

focus on his role as Minister for

forward.

where it

Editor-in-Chief

"Hushed be that si gh, be dry that tear, Nor let us lose our he avenhere..."

How blessedly "normal" this cranky toddler is. How minor his "troubles." Two days before, I attended a lunch

Eanan Patterson,

news of his brain tumor came the day before the service and he was unable to perform.

languages, which have sold

couple sit across from me with two boys. The younger one is kicking up a ruckus. As I reach for my ear-plugs I hear the wife say something to her husband, a trendy fellow with glasses

Pleasure.

in sold-out shows at venues such as London's Royal Albert Hall, Carnegie

Harty

)

Patterson also ventured into television, with public television specials including Ireland in Song, Ireland's Golden Tenor, and Frank Patterson: Song of Inspiration. He even had his own Irish TV series, Frank Patterson - For Your

not only for his rich voice, but for his good heart and his love of Ireland and America. Patterson's love of performing kept him in front ofaudiences despite his ill-

Patricia

aboutissues such as r'iiri|ri ..r

i:,

Anne Cadwall-

..:tt;,;ir:tlr:r.

to date on latest

the

I !l

.!,

iri;r, ,rt

rillilliiirli,riiirj

taken for granted. ader writing in this issue brings us up

"' , .

l,ii.

,i..t;!Jl!t1.,'li!i:rii!ii1

_:r'',,*t

l,iiiii

j'i,

.i:frrii

t,!rj:

..:rti ,.:Jralii;

\!ri1! ri;r':.iitrlrrr

r,li:,rj:,,,..rirr!, ,:: r:.1 :1

t,!!b

,'i;'

It:nj::x!:r..j:t.ir"r*rr!rr rirrr.

tlJi!,

i,r,i!:!r-

rr'.

.,i

,,!,

' ji

1'r,di!,!i: :,r',tti!

{lt

r;i

ailh

.t,. i:r' li I r!!'!!r,. !rji rjr:r, ,rNrr:rrrr,i.i')r::r ir,r!liil,irr:.!,,M;.Ir i;i!r.

!!:;t -niirJ

'ii,

developInrsH ArvreRrcl

Macaznw August / September

2000

LETTERS

(1845-48), lace-making became a widespread cottage industry. No money was needed for tools, and there were thousands of willing workers. Manor house mis-

lreland's Forgotten Rebel Leader In her article on Padraic Pearse Morgan

Llywelyn states 15 men were executed in Kilmainham. Who was the 15th? I have read several books about 1916 including Piaras F. Maclochlainn's l,ast Words of the executed leaders, which I purchased at

Kilmainham. By my counting 14 were executed, they were: Padraic Pearse, Thomas

Clark, Thomas MacDonagh, Ned Daly, Willie Pearse, Michael O'Hanrahan and Mary Plunkett, Major John MacBride, Se6n Heuston, Michael Mallin, Eamon Ceant, Con Colbert, Se6n MacDermott, James Connolly.

Joseph

James C. Stundon

Burnham, Pennsylvania

Democratic

Disturbance

The results of theMay Z7 vote are both welcome and disturbing. If 53 percent of the Unionist Party chose, albeit begrudgingly, to support the overwhelming majority of voters who ratified the Good Friday Agreement two years ago, one must wonder how the remaining 47 percent of these public servants define democracy. Mdire A. Kelly Corpus Christi, Texas

had the best-researched position. George

lace-making techniques emerged. In

Bush and John McCain both adopted the English Press Office mantra of sectarian conflict between the Protestant and Catholic "paddies,"

Youghal, County Cork, Mother Mary

It is obvious from Morgan Sffong's request to five of the presidential candidates (what

help from needlecraft expert Marie Connolly. Since each family had spe! f o

chased a scrap ofVenetian needlepoint lace from a peddler. Stitch by stitch, she dis-

implying that England was a do-good observer trying to sort out an age old Irish problem.

A pretty sorry lot, the whole bunch of butlwould have likedto haveread what say.

Co. Wexford

In Blackrock, County Cork, Ursuline

.It

Ireland

Convent Sisters ornamented altar cloths and priests' vestments with lacey crochet. When famine struck the area, they shared the skill with their students and the local economy improved. From convent

6 o

and promote respect for BJU's teachings.) Assuming &at Bush was merely being polite

t9t6.

in not repudiating his host BJU by con-

The famous poem "Sixteen Men" includes Roger Casement, however, he is not usually

1916 Republicans

demning its stand on the evils of Catholicism and interracial dating, the fact that he chose to appeal to an audibnce of such adherents

executed immediately following the

is indicative enough of Bush's own per-

Rising (see Mac wdle, The lrish Republic, page 983). Casement was hanged in Pentonville Prison, London, on August 3,1916.

warant the attention of kish Catholics. Not only does BJU believe that the pope is the "Antichrist" and the Catholic Church is evil, BJU has also conferred an

to convent, the art spread south into '.rfif

Kildare where Mrs. W.C. Roberts opened

a crochet center from which teachers were sent out to other parts oflreland. Isolated families in the mountains around Clones, County Monaghan, were especially

hard hit by the famine. Mrs. Cassandra Hand, wife of the local rector and a savvy business woman, brought in a Kildare

sona to

teacher. Using bits of Spanish monastery lace as

honorary doctorate on Belfast's most notorious bigot, the Reverend Ian Paisley. BJU has also honored former British prime minister, Margaret Thatcher, well-known for her lack of faimess in all matters lrish. Bushhimself is the sonof aman who is a friend of Thatcher's, as was his

predecessor, fellow Republican Ronald Reagan, a great Anglophile

who flaunted being Irish on St. Patrick's Day, when he donned a little green hat. Irish Americans support Al Gore for many reasons, and should keep in mind one extra reason: Gore is good for the peace process in keland. I would love to see an lrishAmerican vice presidential candi-

date running with

Gore. By

nature, Irish Americans are political and rarely fail to vote, but this

would be one more incentive to make sure they all go to the polls. Dodie Hatigan Sacramento, Califurnia

August / September 2000 Iruss AlaeRrca Mecezwr

patterns, they devised a way to reproduce it in crochet. Their designs were so

extraordinary that Clones lace designs were registered to protect them from imi-

tation. Clever needleworkers mastered fraditional patterns, then went on to create their own distinctively Irish designs. In stone cottages throughout the land, flashing crochet hooks produced a cascade of shamrocks, roses, Celtic harps, butterflies, ferns and wildflowers. Lace schools initiated drawing classes. Art colleges offered lace programs. kish lace consistently earned top honors at international exhibitions.

lrish lnclusiveness Congratulations to lrish America magadne for its leadership in including Derek Jeter in its top 100 lrish Americans for 2000. And kudos as well to Pet€r Quirm's suggestion fhat 100 years from now, kish history in America might be entitled, ' How the hish Became

Brown." Both show that hish Americans in the 2lst century are recognizing their shared heritage and the changing face of ethnic identity in America. We hope that lrish America will continue to lead the way by reporting on the many hish Americans who are working to better under-

stand this common ground.

Mary Ann Matthews andTomO'Brien Affiliates Gilder Lehrman Center at Yale Trumbull, Connecticut

by one the designs were recorded: fans,

snowflakes and starbursts. When an aged villager demonstrated the thirteen

Right-wing Republicans try to explain

beliefs. (See such conservative papers

cialized in a single motif, Marie learned to make a rose here, a shamrock there. One

lilies, grapes, vines, Celtic wheels,

cerned how it had been made and taught the technique to her students. The fine work required such patience and time that itnever became popular, remaining an exclusive product of convent schools.

George W. Bush's appearance at Bob Jones University as non-indicative ofhis personal

execution was that of Thomas Kent, of Cork. He was shot by firing squad on May 9,

McDonald, former president of the kish Countrywoman's Association, sought

Ann Smith of the Presentation Conventpur-

Ernmett O'Connell

The Conservative Chronicle, which goes to great length to advance Bush as a non-bigot

happened to Mr. Keyes?) that Steve Forbes

of their genteel upbringing helped their tenants survive by opening lace centers and sellhg the product to friends and contacts abroad. During the same period, two other Irish

Mr. Keyes had to

Morgan Llywelyn responds: The fifteenth

included in the list

fided, 'You young ones certainly do add a bit of glamour to the lace'." A different situation existed in Clones. By 1989, only a few elderly lace makers remembered how to hook, twist and join thread into intricate Clones patterns. Fearing the skill would be lost, Mamo

ftesses who had leamed lace-making as part

The lrish Platform

them,

Gore 2000

tury. At one point, Sister Dolores con-

Martha Hughes. resurrectress of Garrickmacross,

Inevitably, inexpensive machi4e-made lace eroded the market for pricey hand work. Automation ushered in by the 20th century's World Wars nearly tolled the art's death knell. As the lace-makers passed on,

designs that had been closely guarded

family

secrets died as well. Just decades ago, few remembered the craft. Saint Louis Convent in Carrickmacross took over the region's lace-making center in 1888. In the early 1980's, Martha Hughes founded the fust modem kish lace co-op, and in 1988 the Convent formally turned over their lace-making operation. "The sisters were very emotional at the ceremony," notes Martha. "They had been guardians ofthe art for a hundred years, but they knew it was time to pass the

tricky maneuvers required for the mysterious joining stitch - the Clones Knot - Marie became the first 20th century woman to master the art. She and Mamo

founded the Clones Lace Guild and opened the Cassandra Hand School of Lace Design. All students are encouraged to learn every motif, but most become skilled at only one or two designs, leaving the Ask ofjoining pieces to those who have perfected the daunting Clones Knot. Though most of keland's heritage lace is now in private collections, the art of making Irish lace has been resurrected. The

Clones Lace Guild and Carrickmacross Lace Co-op fabricate to order, and Dover Books has reissued vintage pattern and instruction manuals for those who'd like to learn the skill themselves. Thanks to the

vision of a few determined women, delicate handkerchiefs, gossamer wedding veils, stunning bedcovers, and magnificent

responsibility to a new generation that

christening gowns are again being passed down to future generations. And exquisite table linens set an elegant stage for tra-

would carry the tradition into the next cen-

ditional kish hospitality. Sl6inte! @

At a time when a pair of boots cost sixty cents and a boat trip from Belfast to Liverpool cost $1.25, a small lace skirt insert sold for $18. Ironically,

was

keland's poor who provided lace collars and cuffs, table linens and bed covers for society's wealthiest fashion plates in London, Paris and New York. Many families saved enough money to buy a milk

cow, assemble a daughter's dowry, or pay for passage to America.

InlsH ANreRrcA MAGAZTNE August / September

2000

105

L -.

cessing plant in Cumbria,

slArrure

Wales. This facility has tumed the Irish Sea into one of the

Bv Eovrne PReer

most radioactive bodies of wateron theplanet. BNFL's continuing involvement in the disposal of plutonium and transuranic wastes from America's nuclear weapons laboratories is a grave matter of national security, and a threat to ourselves and our posterity. The House Energy and Power Subcommittee needs to vigorously investigate, document, and monitor BNFL's role in all

lreland - The Lace P|ace A love of lace is woven into the fabric of lrish life.

making it was a chore. In 1809, the English inventor John Heathcoat devised a loom that produced fine net yardage, and two new laces emerged: Carrickmacross

Perhaps my favorite possesslon

is my mother's trousseau chest.

Treasure chest is more apt it's filled with heirloom linens. Sheets and pillowcases since

embroidered by my grandmother whose work was so fine that the front and back are almost identical. Mother's wedding gown and

Limerick. Though both are worked on a net base, the techniques are different. and

Carrickmacross lace designs

veil.

are cut from sheer fabric, appliqu6d onto net and dec-

Crocheted bedcovers with intricate flower and butterfly designs; lace-edged tea towels and bureau scarves; doilies that adorned our sofa, armchairs and serving trays; an kish linen cloth and napkin set that only graced our dining table

orated with embroidery stitches. Limerick lace is created by weaving fine thread through a "run" of net which produces a more delicate effect. In 1816, Mrs. Grey Porter, wife of the parish rector in Donaghmoyne (a village east of Carrickmacross, County

on very special occasions.

A love of cloth embellished with lace is woven into the fabric of kish life.Its history can be traced to macramd fringe worn in 800 B.C. In the heroic tales, Cuchulain's wife, Emer, was renowned for her needle skills.

Monaghan), collected appliqud

laces while honeymooning in Italy. After refirming home,

knotted nets kept hairstyles tidy. Europe's 16th century royalty wore gold and silver lace made by Irish men! In fact, when white linen thread lace was introduced, Mrs. Richard Barry (Lord

Mayoress of Dublin 1601-1611)

o o

maid Ann Steadman deduced

how to replicate the Italian work. In 1820, they estaba lished a lace-making class o a so local women could earn o m J

denounced the fashion saying gorgeous lace veil. it looked cheap and could be blown out of shape by the wind. It was so taxing imported lace goods. The Royal easy to clean, however, that it quickly Dublin Society encouraged the craft by became the favored adornment of both holding an annual judging and issuing financial awards to those who submitSEXCS. ted the finest work. lace-making enabled The first record that Initially, lace was hand-crafted using an women to augment their meager earnings dates from April 1636 when the Earl intricate bobbin system. estate records noted that a lace

Designs were interwoven with fine

maker was paid ten shillings to teach the craftto a "poor serving girl." In 1655, the government bolstered the new industry by

threads around pins tacked onto paper pattems laid over supporting pillows or bolsters. This "pillow lace" was beautiful but

104

Britain/US Nuclear Partnership I just finished reading "A Special Relationship with Nuclear Waste" (June/July 2000 issue) about Britain's BNFL teaming up with the USA.

income. While Canickmacross lace had a philanthropic origin,

Limerick lace began as a commercial operation. In 1829, rctired clergyman

Charles Walker hired twenty-four women who made "run-lace" and opened a work-

shop. The center boasted its workers (girls aged eight to thirteen) received "safe, profitable and suitable employment, which will remove the indolence of apathy, poverty, misery, wretchedness, and

all unfortunate circumstances too long and tqg fatally entailed on our unemployed peasantry."

When Famine devastated Ireland

includes all involvement through subsidiaries, joint ventures and consoftia. When the public has been fully informed, the Department of Energy should safely dispose of all BNFL contracts.

country in the world, be snrpid enough to team up with ttrese global environmental criminals? This will be a huge mistake for our country and we must stop it. I will be e-mailing your article to every person I know and hoping they will pass it on. But what else do I do?

Jett I have been trying to trace my Irish ances-

ty My grandparents came to the United States

from Ireland many years ago. I have no when idea of the original Irish name they arrived here, the government short-

do not want my country and nuclear

ened their surname to "Jett." I have been told

waste to be under control of the UK. Allison P almer- Gleic her Deerfield Beach, Florida

that Jett is part of the original name, which was a long name, but I don't know which part. If anyone has any information that could help me, please send it to: Penny T. Boyer 3601 Jack Mann Rd Little Rock, AR 72210-1912 E-mail : wolf5 @flash.net

Writer James Mullin responds: I have wriften to every member of the House Energy and Power Subcommittee and enclosed the

article from lrish America. Here is a typical letter: The Honorable Flank Pallone U.S. House of Representatives 420 CHOB Washington, DC 20515 Dear Congressman Pallone: On May 8, U.S. Secretary of Energy Bill Richardson announced that he would terminate the $6.9 billion British Nr.rclear Fuels Limited (BNFL) contlact to clean up the Hanford (WA) Nuclear Reservation cleanup. And on March 27th, the DOE cancelled BNFL's conffact to build an incinerator for burning transuranic wastes at the 890-square-mile Idaho National Engineering and

Environmental Laboratory (INEEL). Unfortunately, these terminations do not end BNFL's pafticipation in the DOE's nuclear waste cleanup plans. BNFL and its U.S. partner', Idaho-

based Morrison Knudsen, now own Westinghouse Electric Company. the prime contractor for site management at the Waste Isolation Pilot

Piant, (WIPP) the cornerstone of the DOE's nuclear waste cleanup plan.

BNFL, which is wholly owned by the British Government, operates the Seliafield nuclear repro-

sister or sisters who were nuns, possibly Sisters of Mercy. . Patrick spoke Latin and was admitted to Trinity (in one door and out the other). . Judge Malone in Ireland was one of their relatives. . Their father or grandfather would periodically travel to N.Y.C. either for business or

family.

According to the Sisters of Mercy of Dublin, two Malone sisters founded Belfast Catholic Hospital and were descendants of Turlough O'Carolan. William Malone Coggin 124 Thomas Road McMurray, PA 15317

McFarland ANCESTRAL RESEARCH

How could America the richest, strongest

Mrs. Porter and her hand-

Saint Patrick's retinue included

three adept needleworkers. In the I lth and l2th centuries,

ofCork's

federal radioactive waste cleanup programs. That

for the students. . Paffick andEdward wereeducated by their

a laundress

Malone I am interested in finding the parents of Patrick Joseph Malone and his brother Edward and tracing the history ofthis branch of the Malone family. Patrick was from the

Mullingar area and raised in Dublin. He was bom on March l'7, 1847 or 1849 and was

involved with the Fenians. He and Edward left Ireland for New York circa March 14, 1870. Edward remained in New York City while Patrick became a miner in westem Pennsylvania. The following facts have been gleaned from various relatives: . Their father was employed in some capacity by Trinity College, their mother was

I would be interested in hearing from any descendants of a McFarland (possibly, Michael, John, James or Patrick) who settled in the U.S. after coming from the Toronto, Ontario, Canada area. The entire family immigrated there from County Tyrone around 1858-59. The parents were Michael and Ann (Hart) McFarland. The men were mainly employed as carriage builders. Todd D. McFarland

Box 27 Carmangay, Alberta, Canada TOL.ONO Tmc[a r @

lus p lan

t.ne

Ward Does anyone have information about the siblings of James Ward b. 1813, d. Dec. 18, 1869, buried in St. Margaret's Catholic Cemetery in Harvard, MI and his wife Margaret Powers Ward, b. 1822, d. June 24, 1892? They were both born in or near Ballycormick, Shanagolden, Limerick, heland and emigated with their four children around 1847-49. While still in Shanagolden I believe their lives centered around St. Senan's Catholic Church as their children's baptismal records and the burial of one child are on record there, according to the canon of the parish.

GeorgiannWard 6017 Stuble Road

Muir, Ml48860-9731

T0 THE EDIT0R

Ptease addres sto trish America,4t2Park LETTERS Ave. So., Suite 1503, New York, N.Y. 10016. Correspondence should include the writer's full name. address and home telephone, and may be edited for purposes of clarity. E-mail addresses and addresses of readers requesting research material will be printed in full. Our E-mail address is irishamag@aol.com. 0ur fax number is (212) 779-1198.

InIsH AMsRrcA MAGAZINE August / September

August / September 2000 IntsH AnrpBtce MncnzINs

2000

L,-.-

irjI

;?,-1f.

''From lreland

A Fraglle Peace

North Dublin. He's turned his raucous family novels into an industry, and readers on both sides of the Atlantic can't seem to get enough. So

The Northern lreland Assembly is back but intransigence could

now and you're looking at someone who was

counting on the peace process ending in failure and recriminations. Those with a spring in their step, a whistle on their lips and a twinkle in their eye are the indomitable ones who, despite all the dire predictions, desperately wanted it to work.

support the DUP, although it has pledged to wipe out the Ulster Unionist Pafiy (UUP) at next year's general election.

flew over Dublin Castle. But no one got

Party were outraged that the UUP would support the DUP, within days of Ian Paisley's party announcing it would begin a process of rotating its ministerial nominees to the Executive. As before, these nominees will boycott Executive meetings in protest of Sinn F6in's

thrown out for bad language. The debate on equality had the unionists

adopting their usual ostrich-position of

clerks, secretaries and researchers. Joumalists

denying the civil rights movement had any justification and out-whining the perennial nationalist complaint of discrimination, but there was no real heat in the debate.

and politicians are gossiping in the cafete-

The nearest the North has come to real sec-

Miles of conidors behind that grandiose pillared facade are bustling once again with

ria.

Sinn F6in, the SDLP and the Alliance

inclusion, while taking their full salaries. The DUP is, however, to take those salaries

Coach tours are bringing rubberneckers

and put them into a

back to watch it all happening. Eventhe souvenirshop is doing a brisk business in dark blue Assembly

which to wage an allout electoral war on

"fighting fund" with the UUP at next year's

polls. The two UUP ministers explained their

pens, key-rings, notepads

and paperweights with the golden linen-flower logo that was chosen to represent both communities, insulting neither.

no qualms the same

But although the land-

night in nominating

ings and staircases pound with hundreds of feet on Assembly business, there

Ulster Democratic

behavior by linking

Sinn F6in to

the

IRA's past violence, although they had

Pafiy (UDP) councilor Frank McCoubrey as Wilson's deputy. The

are corners where dark

plots are still being

UDP is linked to

hatched. And the smiles on the faces of the opti-

the Ulster Defense

mists'are tinged with

currently involved in

unease and concern. Politicians hardly need

a bloody feud with

reminding that we've

Association (UDA),

Bellast, 5/29/00: Northern lreland's First Minister David Trimble and his deputy Seamus Mallon address a press conference as powers are restored to the Northern lreland Assembly.

beenhere before days to be precise, between November 1999

tarian anger was over the election of Sammy

and February 11, 2000. They know the mirage of normality can disappear as quickly as a Secretary of State can sign a piece of

Wilson, a member of Ian Paisley's Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), as Lord Mayor of Belfast on a night when Alex Maskey of

-fcr12

paper.

Sinn F6in had been tipped to become the city's

June 5, the flrst day the Assembly sat, was,

first citizen.

unpredictably, almost boring. The sectarianism was tired and half-hearted. No one

All shades of unionism at City Hall united in a straight head count to keep Sinn F6in out

really broke into a sweat. They discussed budgets, while the one attempt to embanass Martin McGuinness was a damp squib.

and elect

August / September

Wilson. Two UUP ministers

(Michael McGimpsey and Reg Empey) even rushed from an Executive meeting to

IRrsH Arr,rBmcR MRcazrrve

the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF).

Similarly, in 1994,

the Ulster Unionist Party had no problems voting for a PUP candidate. The Progressive Unionist Party (PUP) is linked to the UVF which murdered 18 people the same year, including the mass murder of six people at a bar in Loughinisland, Co. Down.

Wilson is an outspoken loyalist with extreme views. After the 1991 UDA murder of Donegal Sinn F6in councilor Eddie Fullerlon(around the time the British Army Special Air Services killed an IRA man in

(

., r. t'.- .. t,l r-)t.dt.\

must confront death,

does Matt seem to be able to balance

the

ogy,followingThe Mammy and The

life's possibilities

Chisellers.

this impressive, lyrical debut. ($13 sofr

time

The Granny,Agnes is still dealing with six of her twenty-

something children, as well as a French lover. But, as the title indicates,

ent background)

final entry in

around,

Agnes

Only when another patriarch in his life (from quite a differ-

here's the third and

This

still damage the prospects for peace. Anne Cadwallader reports. Sure, the following day's debate on flags generated a bit of steam. Ian Paisley fulminated about the "extermination" of Protestants in the Republic and how no British flag

Agnes Browne tril-

Glimpse a furrowed brow or lips shut tight against gritted teeth at Stormont right

$ ilt.lr-.llrl

"no stranger to childbfth," O'Canoll

quips in his trademark'deadpan voice * is now a grandmother. Triumph and tragedy, comedy and despair follow. Three times

with its dangers, in I:iir:rcie

lJrtlrr

cover)

Irish Fiction, Colm T6ibin now releases his fourth novel in the U.S., The Blackwater Lightsftlp. Shortlisted for I999's

prestigious Booker Prtze

the

War in the headlines, it's appropriate that Irish-American New York native and superjournalist James Brady has

diverse, complex characters. He has written several well-received nonfiction books (perhaps most impressive, The Sign of the Cross: Travels in Catholic

traded his widely-

read columns in

-3&$fifr$ &m& lrY Advertising Age Itg and

$'' ENIS

Parade maga-

zine for the war novelist's chair. The Marines of Autumn is Brady's

follow-up to his

much-praised

r*&m*ffi$* memoir, *ruuruffiIfi

The Coldest War, and

plunges Captain

chosen scenes to portray the inner lives

ofhis

Europe), and The Blackwater Lightship fenls, at times, like a non-fiction report, the emotions are so genuine and resonant - further proof that T6ibin is clearly one of Ireland's

most important writers. ($24, hardcover)

centuries. In editor W.J. McCormack's

M AN

importance of the past. Set in the l990s,The Blackwater Lightship which explores AIDS, death, the young and the old. And while you wouldn't call a book which contemplates such heady stuff"bree4r," T6ibin uses precise, efficient prose and well-

rfr rtrrr,n.trrlnrt

developed over

U.K., T6ibin's latest book is a novel of modern Ireland, which also conveys the

sonality too thin for some readers. They'll be the ones watching O'Canoll's legions of new American fans grab this latest book off the shelves. ($10.95, softcover) With the 50th anniversary of the Korean

r0r rrs m

on one of the many, often contradictory strands of Irish poetry that have

Fresh from edit-

is an episodic, multi-generational novel

lrlilarrr

While Ni Dhomhnaill appears to

have been born just a bit too early to be included in Irish Poetry: An Interpretive Anthology from Before Swift to Yeats and After, her translator Medbh McGuckian is represented, to shed light

ing the impressive Penguin Book of

around may be stretching Agnes' plucky per-

"lra

need a Ph.D. to grasp all the things that are going on in The Water Horse -butthere's plenty of magic just on the surface to appreciate. ($12.95, softcover)

view there's the outsider/Gaelic strand which would eventually produce

]N'IPPRIIIVE AilTNOIOCY

McGuckian (and

FROfi SfTORT SWIFI VTAT' AND AfTTR

NiDhomhnaill), not

I ".i.iil,

tion, it's

to mention the

Anglicized, Saxon and mythic prose traditions as well. With the exception of a fine introducall poems (and a few ballads) q0:,;iJK

here. A11 the heavy hitters are represented,

though the title "interpretive" anthology could be a bit of a stretch. Nonetheless, a thor-

ough, valuable collection.

Hobby Lovers of knits and fashion as well as Celtic crafts should take a look at Debbie Bliss' Celtic Knits, a helpful, beautiful guide to knit projects for

Poetry

adults and children, ranging from socks Nuala Ni Dhomhnaill continues to stretch the boundaries oflanguage and poetry itself in her new collection The Water Horse. As

Thomas Verity, cozy in his Georgetown home

with much of her past

with his family, back into battle. Quickly, fate - and General Douglas MacArthur sends Verity to the brutal front lines. Z/ze Marines of Autumn is not only a tough,

Irish, though Medbh McGuckian and Eil6an Ni Chuilleandin are

work, The Water Horse contains poems in

to sweaters. Shopowner Debbie Bliss

debbie bliss GEI.TIG KT{ITS

(who

also

works as a designer for

Baby

Gap) takes a look

at the Irish,

on hand to provide translation. Natural and erotic imagery, as well as personal

Scottish and Welsh tradi-

ers recall what is too often known as "the

history, mark memo-

forgotten w ar." ($24.95, hardcover) A quieter piece of fiction ts A Riddle of Sfarr, a frst novel from Waterford City native Pierce Butler. Butler's protagonist Matt

rable entries in this collection's first sec-

stresses their simplicity and

- especially for an author also well known for satiric portraits of the swanky Hamptons set - it nobly helps read-

Nu:rla

llhonrhuill

engaging work

Quigley is (like the author) an expatriate in New England, and struggling with American ways. He grew up listening to dark, mythic tales told by his unsentimental grandfather off the coast of Kerry, and Matt is now struggling with love and fate in the States.

&*w*qgpry

tion, including "My Father's People," \l.nln, \1, {.rrLri,, ; llil'ir \; 1 lrrill'.rr:,rr

well as the title

tions and designs, and accessibility for knitters, while sacrificing none ofthe projects' attractiveness or accessibility. Ambitious and advanced practitioners can tackle sweaters and

poem. As The Water Horse concludes, Ni

jackets for adults, while beginners may want

Dhomhnaill seems to turn to the past, and

Along with striking photography, there are

to mythic topics

extensive and detailed instructions.

- even as her wordplay seems ultra-modern. At times it feels like you

to stick to socks or berets for the baby. ($22.95, hardcover)

IntsH AnreRrcA MAGAZTNE August / September

2000

103

$$$ffH-rlFrom lreland vowing not to walk away quietly this year,

Co. Tyrone) Wilson proposed a resolution that City Hall congratulate those who had "done good work on both sides of the bor-

BOOKSHELF

as they did last (on unwritten promises from London that they would be rewarded). Then there is the problem of David Trimble's electoral prospects. The first test could come later this month, in the South Antrim constituency, where pro- and anti-Trimble unionists will fight it out to decide who will be the UUP candidate in the upcoming

der." When a Sinn F6in candidate was elected

to City Hall in 1991, Wilson called the

A sampling of the latest lrish books on offer reviewed by Tom Deignan Non-Fiction

dling of the South Boston Irish and their

One summer day in 1948, a shy kid in short pants named John Connolly wandered into a comer drug store with a couple of pais. The boys were looking to check out the candy

at the store on the outskirts of the Old

5,000 republican voters who elected him "subhuman animals." He also once said, "Taigs

aren't rate-payers."

Anglo-hish Agreement in 1985, and 1998's

codes, a crucial aspect of this page-turner.

Good Friday Agreement. The volume per-

($26, hardcover) Meanwhile, a tabloidesque tale of murder and scandal from one hundred Years earlier is the focus of not one but two soonto-be-released books. The setting is I 895,

haps could have used a longer Introduction, rather than merely a Preface, and each document comes with just brief background information. Nevertheless, this is an excellent and

valuable reference work for any library which leans towards things Irish. ($15.95,

Harbor housing project in South Boston, where they all lived. "There's Whitey Bulger," one of the

in rural Tipperary. Twenty-six-year-old Bridget Cleary fell mysteriously ill, and then vanished. Among the local population,

Finally, with the

boys whispered. It was the first time John Connolly met the infamous South Boston gangster Whitey Bulger - but Connolly would meet up with

who were filled with what William Butler

Northem heland peace

Bulger again, almost thirty years later,

when he was an FBI agent. In an attempt to bring the Irish gangster on board as an FBI

informant, Connolly ended up unwittingly aiding and abetting Bulger as he built a New England criminal empire. This tawdry tale of Irish South Boston is colorfully reported in Blsck Mass: The Irish Moh, the FBI and q Devil's Desl

by Boston Globe joarnalists Dick Lehr

and

Gerard

O'Neill -

Pulitzer Prize winner. At this hard-

hitting book's center are two sons of Southie's Irish tene-

ments-Whitey,

the dashing, deadly criminal,

and Connolly, the ambitious, younger FBI agent. This past December, 25 years after Connolly approached Whitey to discuss the informant deal, Connolly was

was carried away by fairies. Others went flirther and thought she would return in glory

Hollywood, and this book shows why. The story is gripping, complex and suspenseful. The authors also deserve credit for their han-

IOZ

lgna

of Ireland's innocent past? No way, according to Angela Bourke,

A quaint but

sad tale

the author of The Burning of Btidget Cleary. Bourke, a University College Dublin

professor, uses this fantastic incident to show the British govemment's persistently negative attitudes towards the Irish, as well as Bridget's own comlnuniry's horrific role in what would become an international scandal, when Bridget was in fact found beaten and burned in a shallow grave.

betweenthe IRAand

British Intelligence is written by Tony Geraghty, a journalist whose research for this book led to his arrest in 1998, for exposing top secret British intelligence. ($29.95, hardcover) Meanwhile, inThe Resurrection of Ireland: The Sinn Fiin Party 1916 - 1923 Unversity

College Dublin

Lecturer Michael Laffan clearly outlines the roots of the Gerry Adamsled party, its inner conflicts, and its

($24.95, hardcover) The Cooper's Wife is Missing, by Joan Hoff and Marion Yeates, tells the same story, though in much greater detail - which can be seen as a benefit or drawback, given the minute details the qte authors dwell upon. rt ho

Go"yr"'n

ffif,

do ,?ffioodr,g

process on the mend (at least for now), two new books look back at key players in the conflict's past. The

Irish War: The Hidden Conflict

on a white horse.

looking out) there are still opportunities for inveterate anti-Agreement unionists to row back the tide. The DUP and the anti-Trimble camp in the UUP have to push backward, there is no way forward for them. Even for the pro-Agreement camp, there

are words, phrases and place-names that can wipe the smiles away as fast as a cloud can sweep over the grassy lawns of the Stormont estate. Words like "decommissioning" and "polic-

ing"; place-names like "Portadown" or "South Antrim" and phrases like "dissident republican" can be felt like cold winds whipping around the windows and whistling

Cleary family history, and the resulting trial,

pricey), the book makes up for this with the inclusion of

make for a fascinating

political cartoons and caricatures from the

under the doors. Decommissioning, or the lack of it from the IRA, could still wreck the process, if the Ulster Unionist Party leader, David Trim-

read. ($26, hardcover)

past and present. ($69.95, hardcover)

ble, faces another leadership challenge in the

Nevertheless, the

their Irish history first hand, Selected Documents in Irish History, edited by Josef L. Althoz, captures over 1,000 years of tumultuous events in just over 40 documents. They include St.

Patrick's "Confessio," Oliver Cromwell's coarse recollection of the massacre at Drogheda in 1649, and go right up to the

August / September 2000 Inrsu Arr4snIce MRceztNs

oner was elected Mayor. Cathal Crumley promptly promised to represent all the cify's people, even those who opposed him, and to usher in a new era of inclusivity. Despite the undoubted anger at Wilson's election (which will probably spur Sinn F6in to an improved electoral performance in the 2001 local government elections) pro-Agreement supporters are more hopeful about the future. People are almost afraid to whisper it just perhaps the aloud, but perhaps good a wind, with be over and, could worst fingers crossed, the peace process might be sailing into calmer waters. If you were looking out (and some will be

role in Irish politics. Occasionally

dry (and a bit

autumn.

For those who like

which he continues to fight. Whitey, meanwhile, remains on the run,

Black Mass is already a hot toPic in

lriih

Bridget Cleary's fate seemed as obvious as, today, it might sound ludicrous: the sick girl

obstruct justice, and other charges, accusations

criminals.

ltr

Yeats once called "indomitable Irishry,"

indicted on racketeering, conspiracy to

still one of the FBI's most wanted

softcover)

In November 1987 he said kish was a "lep rechaun language" and in September 1989 he said the GAA was "the sporting wing of the IRA." He called Alex Maskey 'leadbelly'' in 1988 after the Sinn F6in councilor had been shot in the stomach by loYalists. In Derry, however, a former republican pris-

Fiction Brendan O'Carroll is back. Strre, Agnes Browne, the movie that Anjelica Huston made based on O'Canoll's ultra-best-seller The Mammy, had a few detractors. But you can't really say that about O'Carroll - playwright, comedian,

youngest of eleven children from gritty

He has probably known for months now that the IRA was never going to produce its armalites for the angle-grinders still waiting under General John de Chastelain's supervision to cut them up, but his party hard-liners may still use it to trip him up.

Policing, or the stubborn refusal of the British government to make good its joint promise with Dublin on May 5 to implement the Patten Report in full, could yet wreck the

by-election. The death of Clifford Forsythe, the sitting MP, could not have come at a worse time for Trimble, with former ally and vanguard member, public relations guru David Bumside, running as an anti-Agrecmcnt candiT

date, and liberal Englishman, Orangeman and

former UDR soldier Duncan Shipley Dalton the leadilg pru-Agreetneut candidate. But the dangers do not come only from one quutr"t. The problems Gerry Adams faces d ts are too often ovetlooked and seem set to Anti-Trimhle protester outside the Ulster Unionist increase with time. The same group of Council on 5/29/lll in Belfast. dissident republicans responsible for the IRA's "confidence building measure" of Omagh tragedy are the prime suspects for allowing independent inspection of some of a bombing in London on June 1. Their target does not really seem to be the its arms dumps. Londoners they would have killed ordinary Police over the The devil is in the details Bill, still under debate in the House of if their bomb had been - in their terms "successful," but the peace process and Commons. The Patten Report, in nationalist their erstwhile comrades in the mainstream eyes, was the compromise. Republicans say republican movement. they will not tolerate any further watering It's easy to wdte offthe "Real IRA" as comhis 175 recommendations. of down prehensively compromised. As commentator The increasingly supercilious Northem IreBrian Feeney pointed out recently, "Not land Secretary, Peter Mandelson, airily told only do the Gardai andRUC know who they the House of Commons that his handling of are and where they hang out, but they seem and negotibalance about the Bill was "all to know when they're up to something ation." Gerry Adams, the Sinn F6in president, or as RIRA no doubt would say, carrying out operatlon. bluntly told him he had no business balan- an 'They seem to know because they usually cing and negotiating. His responsibility arrest them just before they do it," wrote was merely to implement what Patten had recommended and the British and Irish Feeney, his pen dripping acid. No one, including Feeney, however, would rule out governments had already promised. the "cock-up factor," and the RIRA still seems deterhowever, "Meddling Mandy," mined to persist in a personal intervention in poses a dartger to the peace process and the Adams leadership. thepolicing debate- a development that could Then there is the IRA itself, accused by yet prove damaging to republican good unnamed, RUC sources as responsenior, previous history. intentions, given his Meanwhile, July 2nd and the annual sible for the murder of drug dealer Edmund "Big Ed" McCoy in a south Belfast bar on Orangemen's Drumcree march looms. The Order is to hold two Sunday parades in May 28. Whether that leaked accusation was of Portadown this year, and every day inmalicious intent, timed to coincide with between, to stretch the RUC (Royal Ulster the debate on Patten and the future of Constabulary - police) to breaking point in policing, or not, the potential of such the run up to The Twelfth. A brave, or foolish, South Africanjudge interventions to upset the apple cart is self-evident. and human rights lawyer, Brian Currin, has So, wherever you look there are problems. taken over the mantle of potential mediator in this long-running sectarian ulcer that There always are. As Adams says, this now seeps its poison into the body politic all peace process is "a battle a day." As in the Middle East, a peace process can often year round. Few believe he can make a difference in be more unpredictable and volatile than war. @ time for "Drumcree2000," with Orangemen

IrusH AIusnIce MacRznB

August / September

2000

r':1,

i::i:,From lreland

You Can Go Home Again

One ofthe happy consequences of heland's robust economy is the reversal of its centuriesJong emi-

coulse, Ahern noted, they are

returning to

very different country. "helard is a completely dillbrent

gration trend. Now thousands of lrish citizens are retuming home, ohen to find an lreland that is quite different from the one they left.

place l.han it was

years ago maybe even less." Ahern said, when asked what returnees can expect. "[Traffic is now] as big a topic as the weather." Incentives such as lower housing prices, Ahern contends, have

To accommodate this new influx, the Irish government has published Relurning to lreland,

Re t urnin g to I re land prov ides general information, such as what

your housing options are - even if it can't tell you how to afford a decent place in the spiraling Tlish

real estate market. ("House pl'ices

in Europe are generally high, and Ireland is no exception," the book warns.) The book also lists important documents to bring back to Ireland, from medical records to

a new information book aimed at the estimated thousands of Irish across the U.S. who have decided

the Irish capital.

The prime rnotivator for

it's time to go back home. Dermot Ahern, Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs, traveled to the U.S. last

occupational leferences, and also

returnees is, in Ahern's mind, the desire lol an lrish education. "I was stuck by it," said Ahem, of the numbel' of parents who

clearly outlines how your time spent in the U.S. will affect social

May to promote the book, which will be widely available at most Irish immigration centers. Returning to Ireland, subtitled "A practical guide to accommodation, health, tax, pensions and

social welfare," is designed to make the adjustment easier. said Ahern, "[Today's returnees] are

encouraged settlement beyond

reasonably well-prepared, but not everyone is," he pointed out. No precise numbels of returning kish are available, said Ahern, but he noted that up to 15,000 newcomers are coming into Ireland annually, of which returnees are at least a substantial portion. They are t1'pically "young professionals who have good jobs

here." many of whose children havejust reached schooling age.

returned primarily because their' children had reached schooling age. When asked if the well-documented labor shortage in heland is also conn'ibuting to the upswing

in rcturnccs, Ahctn said, "I thintri it's rnainly to do with education. Although [it helps] that there are

plenty ofjobs, too."

welfare henefits Ahern also discussed another booklet on the Irish/U.S. Social

Security Agreement, struck in 1993, which allows social security payments made in the U.S. to be transferred back to Ireland. Ior niore dstails, ur [u ubtaiu a copy of Retttming to lreland, cal,I

Some

your local immigration center

set a toble.

or Irish Consulate.

The Thneat of the $upen Pub Blain Ap0logize$ t0 Guildlond Foun The small Irish lacal prrh is in danger of becoming extinct wi*r 0re increasing popularity of larger superpubs, according to a lead-

pnrticular dis*ict. Explained Dennehy: "Under the new legislation, it is possible to buv a pub license

from a small traditional pub in

ing Irish vintner. Cork vintner

somewhere like Baliydehob or

Con Dennehy warned ofthe danger of transferring licenses from

Termonfeckin or Mohill :nd transfer it into Dublin or Cork citl'." He

nral areas to larger cities. and he urged Justice Minister John

added:

O'Donoghue to change *re exist ing laws. Ur rdcr tle curert licensing 1aws. pubs are operable only under a license, and there are a finite number of licenses availaLrle in any

be a cap on the size of tlre new pub." The new legislarion. coupled wirh the clamp down on dnrnk drivrng

'We

have no problem

with

such transfers. but there should

in rural areas has made things difficult for country prrblicans. and many are selling their licenses.

Marriages Up, Births Down In Latest lrish Statistics Mariage is on the increase in

30 percent were to single women.

Ireland but birth rates are falling, according to a report by the Cen-

In other statistics, road traffic accidents continued to be the

tral Statistics Office. Almost

single biggest killer in the 15-24 age goup, while suicide accounted for 24 percent of deaths in the same age group. Over 20 percent of all deaths resulted fron'r

19,000 couples exchanged vows |1999 (up 1.700 on the previous year), while the birth late dropped

for the first time in four years. Almost half of last year's births were to flrst-time mothers, while

heart disease, while cancer accounted for 24 percent.

OtLe"t

British Prime Minister 'lbny Blair has apologized

*"h" r stetement.

to the Guildford Four who

spent 15 years in prison

before their convictions

follRAbomb

attacks werc overtumed in 1989 after it

WersnroRD

emerged that police had

-a

concocted evidence against

August / September Inrsu ArvrlRrcn Ma,cezrrvs

c n Y I tA

them.

A ietter of apology, in which Blair said he was "vety sorry," was sent to Courtney Kennedy Hill, the wif'e of Guildford Four

member Paul Hill. Said the British leader: "I believe that it is an indictment of our system of justice and a matter for the great-

est regret when anyone suffers punishment as a lesult ol a rniscariage of justice. There were miscarriages of justice in your' husband's case, and the cases of those convicted with him. I arn very sony indeed that this should have happened." I-Iiil, who is waiting for a final ser tlement from the British govemmenl told a BBC curent affairs pru

gram: "No one knows the monetary value you can put on I 5 years.

I don't think there is anybody alive who can come out of that expe-

rience and not be scarred. Those who would begrudge me my compensation. theil' rni nds are smal ier than peas. To those who say, 'Oh,

he's living well,' you have no idea." Hill, Gerry Conlon, PatrickArm-

strong and Carole Richaldson were accused of the Guildford pub bombings

in 1914.

THE MOMENT FOR AVER TVO CENTUR''ST.*=

99 tt/AtEB FOFO WEOGiVOOD UgA, lNC.

rr{

. 800.52s.0009 .

WATERFORD.USA.COM

Fa9

*:-

\Si::i Fro m rel and I

BOOKS Reuew BY Tovt HnYoeru

Racial Attack$ on the lncnea$e in lneland ol the Welcome$

Unspeakahle Acts, 0rdinary People A book about a subjectthat most of us wantto ignore. When the British govemment imposed intemment without fri aln 197 I, army penonnel at the

compensated and looked after," adding that he "penonally would have thoughtthat tlrey gotover

Castlereagh Interrogation Centre carried out an experiment known as "the five techniques" on 14 men. They covered their heads with hoods, bombarded them with "white noise," deprived tlrem offood and sleep, and forced them to lean with arms raised against awall. The eflect was to cause psychosis, but without the telltale marks of rack or whip. InUnspeakable Acts, Ordinary People: The

itby now." It is very difhcult for most people who arp saturatedin ttre etlros of Westem civilizationto imagine a rational, articulate authority figure ordering a torture session for a detained person. We are prone to believe that the accused must have done something to deserve it.

Conroy reviews the psychological literature on why so many citizens are passive towmds tor-

ture. These include studies of eyewitnesses

Dynamics ofTorture, John Conroy traces tlre story of the hooded men, connecting its themes with two other cases. One is the tale of Israeli soldien

beating, kicking and breaking the hands of

indifference to the 1964 murder of Kitty Genovese in Queens, New York, the 1960 experiments by Author John Conroy investigates the unspeakable.

Palestinian prisoners. The Israeli Defense Forces had adopted the British "five techniques" wholesale, according to Conroy. The third case was tlnt of Chicago police in the late 1960s using electrodes to burn and scar African-Americans sus-

pected of violence against police officers. In each case, the torture was carried out intentionally on individuals selected by stereotyping, not by confirmed evidence.

Conroy searches out the 14 hooded men25 years later to assess the long-term effects. Three had died between ttre ages of45 and 54. Two had

been shot by loyalists because their names appearcd in tlre papu, and shots were fired at anottr-

er's house. All had experienced theirhair turning prematurely white, had trouble sleeping, and had recurring flashbacks and hallucinations. One couldn't stand even the sound of a comb being placed on a shelf. Another was so erratic that his child suggested that family life would be better if he went back to jail. The 1976 Eunrpean Human Rights Cornrnission found the British guilty oftorture in the case of the hooded men, but the 1978 European Court of Human Rights concluded that they had only caused "intense physical and mental suffering"

which was inhuman and degrading, but not torture. This finding caused much relief, even london, where "the five techniques' were still being taught. 'Torturer" is a label which democratic societies will reject. But there are ways to circumvent the designation while still inflicting physical and psychological punishment. Decades ago, the British architect of counter-insurgency, Frank Kitson, counseled govemments against 1fie ruthless application of naked force," for obvious public relations reasons, but noted that celebrration, in

100

"conditions can be made reasonably uncomfortable

for the population as a whole." Conroy challenges the reader by choosing Britain, Israel and the United States for his case studies. We are forced into exploring the shame of our own contradictions instead of projecting the torture label onto rogue nations. We of the West are civilized people who cannot intentionally

and rationally cary out torture. Conroy's radical assertion is that we can and do. There are several stages in the social management oftorture, Conroy says, the frst being flatout denial, as in the case of the 14, when British Prime Minister Brian Faulkner declared there was "no brutality of any kind" and denounced the media for printing the "fantasies of terrorists." The next fallback is to euphemize the practice

with labels like "intenogation in depth." Or dispmage the victims, as when Lord Canington called the hooded men "thugs and murderers" (although none were ever charged with a crime). ffthe facts come out, the next stage is to blame a "few bad apples," and contain the damage by scapegoating an isolated handful.

When the facts are finally acknowledged, then justif

its "necessity." In the the authorities case of the hooded men, the British hinted that

the techniques yielded "invaluable information," although in the year after intemment, shootings increased by 605 percent and deaths by 268 percent. It is added that the "other side is worse," as in the IRA killed, therefore torture of those not in the IRA is justified. Finally, there comes a call to stop "raking up the pasf ' and move on. In 1982, Gen. Harry Tuzo, ttre Oxford-educated British Army commander, claimed ttrat the hooded men had been'lery well

August / September 2000 Irusn AunRrcA MAGAZINE

Yale psychologist Stanley Milgram in which undergraduates applied electric shocks to themselves when ordered, and interviews with indi-

viduals who helped rescue Holocaust suryivors.

Citing Milgram's conclusions, Conroy says, "even when it is patently clear that they are inflicting harm, relatively few people have the resources to resist authority." In noting the types of individuals who do help oppose torture, Conroy identifies three personality naits: (a) an inherent spirit of adventurousnqss, (b) an identification wittr a parent who sethigh standards ofmoral conduct, and (c) apersonal sense ofbeing socially marginal oneself, ttrough not necessarily from a "torturable class." He fails to ask why so many peoplehave thebravery to stand out orjoin movements to oppose torture wherepain, suffering, osnacism and isolation are the certain result ofbeing arrested. In concentrating only on the dynamics of torture, he neglects

thefortifiing dynamics of hope andhero

ism and ignores the evidence that human rights movements atleast succeeded in stigmatizing and delegitimizing the torturer class. Just this year, for example, the U.S. govemment was cited by the United Nations Committee AgainstTorture for the use of stun belts, police brutality, and chain gangs which "almostinvariably leads to breaches"

of a 1984 international treatY. The globalization ofconscience, and movements to enforce human rights standards even in societies like the U.S., Northem heland and Israel, is perhaps of no solace to the victims. But they are at least welcome signs that

plucky individuals like Conroy need not feel soalone. @ Unspeaknble Acts, Ordinary PeoPle: The Dynamics of Torture by John Conroy 304 pages. $26 Publisher Knopf

He also said there were

heland has long been famed as the land of the cdad mile failte orhundred thousand welcomes, but it may be a case of ciad mtle insults for some visitors, if recent repofis of racist attacks are anything to go by.

around 80,000 asylum seeken in the State, a claim quickly dismissed by Justice Minister

John O'Donoghue who described the true figure as being around 12,000. The tiny village of Clogheen

From increasing physical attacks in some areas of Dublin to mass

in Co. Tipperary sprang into the public eye when locals organized a mass picket outside a hotel that was preparing to house up to 30 asylum seekers. Protesters carried strongly worded signs, one of which read, "Make a stand

protests around the country, some kish people are making their feelings very clear about

the numbers of

asylum

arriving on their shores. An upsurge in human rights violations in their native counseekers

ries

now; let this bunch in and they will never, ever leave."

has led increasing numbers

of Nigerians, Congolese, Kosovars and other nationalities to seek asylum all across Europe,

series of public meetings in the town attracted hordes of

reporters, and tensions ran

including Ireland. Some are granted refugee status by the

high, with locals raising concerns about whether the asylum seekers would be tested for various diseases before

Irish government, others are deported back to their country

of origin. Last year, Ireland

being allowed stay in the

received 7,162 asylum appli-

cations, compared to 4,626 in 1998. As hostels and other

country. The owner of the Vee Valley Hotel came in

available accommodation began

for particularly sftong criticism from those living in the area, and the building itself was damaged by fire in three separate arson attacks. There has been a positive reaction to refugees and asylum seekers in at least one southem town, however, with the launch of Integrate Waterford, an initiative supported by local businesses which aims to help refugees with successful integration in areas such as housing, education, employment and health. But the news that the government was gearing up to repatriate Waterford's Kosovan community came as a blow to the scheme. recent report commissioned bY groups working with marginalized groups in Ireland reached the conclusion that media

fill

up in Dublin, many

asylum seekers were moved to other locations throughout the country. This in turn has led to outbreaks of violence and strong resistance from some

communities. Magill magazine reported fhe cover that one in five Africans living in Dublin had suffered some form of physical assault, one in four of them women, while close to 100 percent had suffered verbal abuse. It also quoted the 1999 edition of the travel bookThe Rough Guide to Ireland

which noted that Ireland is "shamefully intolerant of minority groups," and warned travelers, "If you are black you may well experience a peculiarly naive brand of ignorant racism." A Nigerian business owner who told a newspaper report€r *rat immigants would have

to start fighting back found himself the target of violence the following day when the

2000 issue.

windows were smashed in his ethnic goods store. Said Kola Oiewale: "I have tried to contribute to this economy by opening this shop. I feel our lives are not safe. There is a lot of racism but I think it is a small minority." Keny TD Jackie Healy-Rae added to the

general melee when he commented in a radio interview that all non-legitimate asylum seekers should be shown "the road out of the counffy" immediately. 'The people who aren't here at all are the ones in right rouble," he said. "They can't get the big money to get in here. Where did the people who got here get the big money?"

reports on asylum seekers and refugees tend to describe these displaced persons as "people whose primary motivation is to

freeload." @

InrsH Arr,rsntc.a, MRcezwe

August / September

2000

h€*gSffiF€*-€$&"People daring rescues on the high seas and who had Amelia Earhart for a girlfriend. Arthur Power, of Power's Model Agency. If you asked

Did you think ofyourself as being part of

him he would immediately introduce you

Not tenibly. Brendan Behan was a great pal. When you were alone with him he was a completely different person. Very quiet, almost shy. He wrote some beautiful short stories. "After the Wake" was one. He was the first to see the manusciptof The Ginger Man.He broke into my closet looking for something else, found the manuscript and started editing it. He even signed his name on it. I was absolutely furious, but in the end I incorporated nearly all of his suggestions. He was a tormented man and I felt very sorry for him in his later days.

to anyone you wanted to meet in Hollywood.

Commodore Bayliss was in charge of the New York port so you could go pretty much where

O'Brien Supports I'll eBusiness Appear, was awarded a

to. Tommy's father ran the Glen Island Casino where all the big bands such as Tommy Dorsey and Glenn Miller played. There weren't many junior members there

Guggenheim Fellowship which

butif you boxd

you wanted

Pulitzer Prize Winners Irish American journalist (and Top 100 2000 honoree) Katherine Boo won the Pulitzer gold medal forpublic service for her two-part series describing

abuse, sometimes lethal, of mentally handicapped residents of group homes in the District

of Columbia. Boo spent 13 months reporting after a visit to

a group home revealed residents sitting in complete darkness in roach-infested rooms. Boo learned that residents who

died in these circumstances were often buried in unmarked graves. In response to her coverage the city government has promised to reform the system, the head of the Mental Retar-

dation and Development Dis-

abilities Administration was

The Queen of Suspense Goes Digital Mary Higgins Clark, the #1 bestselling suspense writer in the

honors men and women who have demonstrated an excep-

U.S., recently signed a recordbreaking conffact with Simon & Schuster, making her the highest-paid female author in the world. Simon & Schuster also released all of her titles as electronic books as part of their celebration of Higgins Clark's 25th anniversary with the pub-

tional capacity for produc-

lishing house. This move to digital is the first time that a

major author's entire oeuvre has been made available electronically. Included in this backlist are all ofher novels, her collections of short stories and her very first book Aspire to the Heavens, a

fired, and the U.S. Department

biographical novel about the life of GeorgeWashington. All

of Justice and the F.B.I. launched

of the titles are priced at $9.95

investigations.

and are available for desktop and

Upon receiving the award Boo stated. "l leel that the prize is a small markerthatthePulitzer board has put down on these unmarked graves, and it says that

the people who died here and who suffered here mattered."

A fellow kish American

gar-

nered the Pulitzer for history. David M. Kennedy's one-volume work Freedom From Fear: The Ameican People in Depres-

laptop computers, electronic reading devices and personal digital assistants.

History at Stanford Universify. He is also the author of Birth Control in America: The Career

Degree at Hunter College. She was co-valedictorian of her

fit School of Business, UCD, to help upgrade the school's Internet and Intranet resources. O'Brien, who has been on the board of the school since

will become a world leader in 1998, is hopeful the school

graduating class. Her previous novel, Breakfast in Babylon,

educating eBusiness profes-

was the 1996 Irish Book of the Year. She is currently a contributing editor to Black Book magazine.

to provide Smurfit School technology-supported business

was thought to have no chance but I got accepted. I was sorry not to see active service in the war but must say I felt that if I had to die it should be with a few sfripes, perhaps admiral. I objected to dying as an able sea-

education.

man. Death requires rank.

sionals. The donation is expected

with the opportunity to move

into the emerging arena of

Actors Milo 0'Shea, Gabriel Byrne and author Malachy McGourt were iust a few of the luminaries who attended the

New York Gity-based lrish Repertory Theatre's 7th annual Btoadway benefit, Song of the Centurywhich celebrated the hest of lrish entertainment in the 2llth century. Byrne hosted the event along with actress Sin6ad Gusack who starred in the American premiere ol Our Lady ol $ligo at the lrish Repertory. Rosemary Clooney, Peter Gallagher and Eric Stoltz were also on hand for an evening of drama, humor and

Ameican Soclery, which was Novelist Emer Martin

August / September 2000 Inrss AMsnrce MacezNs

What about Anthony Cronin's bookDead Doornqils? Anthony Cronin was one of the few peo-

ple to see me in action but he's never said any-

thing about it in print. In the catacombs one night there was a typical sort of bullying drunk. I begged him to withdraw. I knocked him clean over the bed onto an orange crate. Cronin sai4 'I've seen them all, I've seen Sugar Ray Robinson, I've seen Marciano, but I've never seen a punch like that." I never had any fouble inDublin afterthat. The trickis to keep the arm and fist loose like a piece of spaghetti and the fist limp until the moment of impact.

That was always lurking about in the background. I wrote poems in the Navy and wrote letters, often love letters, for my shipmates. In the Amphibious Corps these were generally very successful. On the other hand, when I did the same thing at the Acadamy one girl wrote back to say she had never read so much rubbishinherlife andif she everreceived another goddamn letter like that. . .

coming.

Trinity College on the GI Bill was next?

Yes. I studied microbiology there. One played tennis right in front of one's rooms. That's where I met Gaynor Steven Crist, a fellow American andvery goodfriendof mine. He became the main model for The Ginger Man although he was much nicer, never

looks like Gaynor Crist?" And

it did!

anotheroccasion I was with my then wife, we had gone up to Dublin and we were walking past Trinity when I saw a man on the other side of the road who looked just like him, mannerisms and all. I walked about ten paces, stopped dead in my facks and said, 'My God, no one who ever knew him saw him dead. No one."

Md)aid's

pub?

What about writing?

photo ofhis gravestone. But later on people sent me a picture saying, 'Don't you think this

of the Bancroft Pize, and Over

finalist for the Pulitzer in 1980.

pursuing her Bachelor's

Telecom Group, has made a IR03 million donation to Smur-

glamorouspeoplewould open all sorts of doors for you. It was a paradise metropolis back then. Arthur Donham, the famous referee, trained me in the ring. I was said to have the fastest hands in the business. You would have been 18 years otd in 1945. Yes, I first joined the Amphibious Corps and then submitted myself to examination for admission to the Naval Acadamy prep school outside of Annapolis to get out of swabbing decks. My academic record was so bad I tlrese

trials and tribulations he made a point of maintaining his dignity. He apparently died years ago. I have a

Here: The First World War a

of Dublin, Martin completed her most recent novel while

Denis O'Brien, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Esat

violent or unpleasant. And through all his many

of Margaret Sanger, winner

and

tive scholarship or creative ability in the arts. A native

song at the Broadhurst Theater,

lrish Novelist Wins Guggenheim Fellowship

sion and War, I 929-45 is part of the Oxford History of the United States series. A native of Seattle, Dr. Kennedy is the Donald J.

Mclachlan Professor of

Novelist Emer Martin,

author of More Bread or

the literary circle centered arcund

you do that they won't even see it

Did you know Samuel Beckett? No, I never actually met Beckett but I wrote somewhere that he had been an outstanding cricketer atTrinity. He sentme anote back saying that it brought him great pleasure to think that he was still remembered for that.

When you tried to publish The Ginger Man in New York in the fifties it was rcjected by twenty-three publislrers in a row. The realization that I could not be published in America was terribly ftaumatic. I went back to keland, sailing out of Manhattan on the USS FranconiawithCrist. Because of this [rejec-

tionl and the litigation with the Olympia Press that went on fortwenty-two years I never really had any sense of success throughout my

career practically. Recognition and sales are

necessary on a practical basis for an author.

suppose that Girodias who owned the Olympia Press deserves some credit for publishing you? He did say that but if you look at it in another way, what he was doing was turning me into apomographer. And I couldhave disappeared off the face of the earth. That:s what I faced when hebrought The Ginger

M an

out. I swore. I remember my fist coming down, saying, 'I will rescue my book if it's the last thing I ever do.' So now you are looking at the owner of the Olympia Press in Pmis.

own the greatest, the biggest, the most famous pornographic publishing entity in the whole world. After twenty-two years. It was a horrifying revelation to Girodias when he found out. So, after you bought him out it was pretty much plain sailing?

No, I've never had plain sailing. My battles still continue on various fronts. I don't think I'll ever see a day ofplain sailing. At this point we went to look for his son who

is badminton champion of the club. As we looked J.P. Donleavy explainedto me therudiments of De Alphonse tennis, a game he invented that resembles real tennis but is more complex. In any toumament he is by courtesy always the first seed. He has written a book about it. He writes almostevery day, even whentraveling. To miss a day or two is bad for the story and he has to force himself to concentrate. On the other hand, he has nothing whatsoever to do with

the literary world. "I have been too busy with the lawyers," he says.

Running the cattle farm must bring you pleasure? Not at all. I've had cattle for quite a few yean now. Bloody things. ffthey breakthey can do a hundred thousand pounds' worth of damage in five minutes and a hundred yards. That's what I face. ffI hem one more cow bellow, I think I will be able to listen to anything. What do you think of Dublin these days? It's a very changed place. Very bustling. The hotels are jammed and the pubs are awash. There are great planeloads of people from

Manchester and Birmingham flying in for weekends.

We do not find his son so we walk down I stand in line for a cab. He waits with me, very courteously. There is a furious thunderstorm with torrential rain. We observe an altercation on the sidewalk. It occurs to me that Donleavy is coming to terms with the city. His last two books,The Lady Who Liked Ckan Re s trooms and Wrong to the lobby and

Information Is Being Given Out at Pinceton, are both set here As I get into the cab I look back at the writer who walked his own line. Is he really sick of cows? And I say goodbye to the dapper man. An

Irish American with an English goddamn accent. An observer of the human parade,

with a touch of melancholy perhaps, permitting himself the occasional wry grin or once in a while a belly laugh. The last of which we have not

heard.

ImsH ArasRrcA MAcAZTNE August / September

2000

TALKBACK

DruvE Tc YcuR LccAL SrnrP MALL

Mike's Back in Town

A{D LOIIDLY PNOCLAIM:

Bronx boy,bard and beef baron J.P. Donleavy converses with John Froude My mother came to

James Patrick Donleavy, known to his friends as Mike,

is standing in the lobby of

America on aluxury liner with her Australian uncle,

the New York Athletic Club.

not the typical picture of an

He observes. He notes with

immigrant. Something that no one prints, and that I love to

appnoval the liveried atiendant

silently holding up a placard before a new barbarian. On which is written PORTABLE PHONES ARE NOT PER.

bring up, is that sheloaned

Mike is dapper, be-tweeded

money to de Valera. He repaid it too. With interest. My father came from a farming family in County

with an understated tie and

L,ongford. He worked as a

MITTED.

florist on top of the old Riz Carltonhotel. He was the only orchid grower in New York and he kept alligators. He finished fifth

light tan wingtips. Or brogues as they would be called in heland, of which countyheis acitizen. Itis also

where he lives: Levington

in the Civil Service exams and worked as an inspector for the fire deparffnent.

Park, Mullingar, County Westmeath. He may be slender and 73 years of age, but there is something about him

that makes you feel he is

feelings aboutNew York

Do you?

That would be a true picfire. One of my routines is to go and stand on the steps of the Plaza Hotel and warch for half an hour.

You see so many dramas.

1955, selling ten million copies worldwide and uni-

These observations have to

be controlled. A writer doesn't want to pull the shades down, but if you don't it can lead to deep

picaresque masterpiece. Not to mentionhis fourteen other novels and six works of non-

fiction. Author J.P. Donleaw After finding a quiet spot Yes. It wasn't too bad although I was and ordering a drink, beer in my case, a De Alphnnse nbrs (that's soda with two cans of expelledfrom one school forbeing abadinfluWelch's grape juice), we engage in conver- ence on the student body. I didn't know anything about Ireland or the sation, fragments of which are recorded growing up, strangely. Irish below. My parents somehow lived like Europeans You were born in Brooklyn and raised in in a way. We weren't allowed Coca{ol4 white the Bronx by parents who came from bread or tinned food which made me feel quite

Ireland.

Now you can tuy authentic gooJt you iust can't {aJ in America. At Pussporta.corn we o{{"r a vast selection o{ unique iterns {to- It"lurtJ, sweaters, crystal, lirl"r,r, even r boJh.att. All J"li.."r"J .ight to your Joorstep, even i{ yo.r'r" stucL h"r" in the IJniteJ Stut"s.

So we were reasonably well off. No discomforts. The characters in your novels have ambivalent

more than capable of shaking a fist or two. He is in New York, his birthplace, for the fust time in several years to attend arevival of The Ginger M an at the Iish Arts Center. This play is loosely based on the novel of the same name which has been in print since

versally regarded as

deprived.

August / September 2000 Inrsu AlaBxrca Meceznlr

depression.

I can't complain I am the forty-second

But about my life here.

IR"Elrt", orrlin" to win r $2,000 shopping ,pr"".*

longest serving member of this club. I was a junior member aged fourteen and my friend Tommy Gill and I would entertain our lady friends in this beautiful dining room. There was a Boxing Room. People from all walks of life collected there. There was Harry Manning, Commodore of

the American Lines who was famous for

AC t,-

N,; p,rr,:

.,,'.,.ssor,". li,' g Si37i0U. llast

That's IRs,1,73o to yor,

IrJ.

Passporta.com. 18 or

" lo enter. See

I ) CA 'iJ Passp.'rta. -Ul

.isi't"

h*gffiffiffiFdf;AFilm Beckett on the Screen

IRISH ROOTS When asked about being a fint

Scripted by New York-based

time actor Flatley replied,"The only acting I've done is making deals with local producers. They think I'm the best. I get

writer Colum McCann, and starring the excellent Joan Allen as Sinead Hamilton (a thinly-dis-

Moloney have joined forces in an ambitious new project that aims to bring all 19 stage plays penned by Samuel Beckett to life on the

many Oscar nominations, mostly with George Washington on the

large and small screen. Actors set to star in the ongoing productions

Movie Briefs

missed by critics from several Dublin newspapers. The movie also features New York-based actor Jimmy Smallhome, and is due to open stateside later in the

Dublin theater direptor Mchael

Colgan and producer Alan

front."

guised Guedn), the movie was dis-

year. . ..

away, who is set to produce and direct her film on Maria Callas, is also interested in shooting in

Irelandnextspring. . . . .

A movie that is enjoying quiet success in the U.S. is East Is Eastwhrchblls the storyof aPakistani, George Khan, living in London with his long-suffering British wife, and brood of seven half-Pakistani, half-English chil-

include Julianne Moore, Kristin Scott Thomas, Jeremy kons and Mchael Gambon, while directors of the caliber of Atom Egoyan,

Anthony Minghella and Neil

gangster epic, Gangs of New

will also participate. Eight

of the 19 plays have already

York.Tlterenlusive My lzfi Foot star, who hasn't acted in over

film-makers make Ireland

attractive place to locate a movie

been filmed, and the rest are at

three years,

movement. East Is East marks the direc-

various stages of production.

konmdo D Caprio and Cameron Diaz for the movie, which will feature some of the kish American gangs rampant in New York in {he past. The film is due to start shooting in August in Rome,

set, and Roger Greene of the

torial debut of Dublin-born

Screen Commission of Ireland reports that interest is up by over 100 percent on previous years.

Damien O'Donnell, a 3Gyear- old kishman who seems destined to

Actors currently filming in

Jordan whose film The Crying

Jordan

Colgan reports that his desire is to introduce more people to the works ofBeckett. The producers

ap examining the possibility of screening the films at Lincoln Center in New York City.

In apairing likely to set the big

Up to 18 producers are cunently

fre, Daniel Day-kwis

awaiting a green light from

George tries to inculcate Pak-

is to team up with Martin Scorsese for the director's upcoming

the Irish government to begin filming in Ireland. The country's tax incentives for visiting

istani traditions into teenagers growing up in England at the

screen on

will join with

very

keland include Pierce Brosnan (The Tailor of Panama) and Dan Aykroyd (On the Nose). Other productions due to go

dren.

It's

an uphill battle as

height of the counterculture

follow in the footsteps of Neil

ing movie based on the life of

The Count of Monte Cristo;Not

Never one to shy away from publicity, Michael Flatley won

murdered kish joumalist Veronica Guerin, opened in Ireland in

Afraid, Not Afraid (starring Dianne Wiest), and Yesterday's

some laughs at this year's Cannes

May to lukewarm reviews.

Game won him an Academy Award. Like Jordan, O'Donnell is keen on reality-based films that "don't necessarily have to appeal to the lowest common denominator and the youngest possible audiences. I think it's been a long time coming," he

Children. Actress Faye Dun-

says.

Flatley on Film

and Day-Lewis is to play the

leadthug..... Whenthe

Slqt

Falls, theupcom-

Film Festival when he ioked about potential titles for an upcoming movie he's working on.

Flatley has teamed up with scriptrvriter Shane Connaughton, who won an Oscar for My Left Foot, and jokes that they "were

thinking of calling the movie adds the dancemeister, filming is

Formany people who have been infectedby the genealogy bug, knowing keland as a place

from whence our ancestors originated is not enough. Genealogists and family historians want an exact place of birth. We want to walk the same land and visit the church where those who came before us walked and worshipped. One of the most, if not the most difficult prob-

as "Domestic Servants," but women were usually not listed unless they were widows: 'Kelly, Mary - widow of John - 10 Washington St." Some women might be listed if they ran a

boarding house. Records in the U.S. are not uniform. For exam-

ple, birth, death and marriage (Vital Records) certificates differfromone city to thenext. Many

with Maria Callas," he said. "Michael, for me, is another

times you

will not find a specific place of

birth on those records. The same is ffue for Naturalization records ( I have seen specific places

Callas."

MAGAZTNE

hue up until about the mid-1920's. Until ttre first decade of the twentieth century many courts also

advice I can not impress upon readers enough do not go to keland searching for your ancestors before you do your homework here. You may have agreattime as atourist-butas afam-

ily historian, you will be greatly disappointed. Instead try to learn as much as you can about your family here in the U.S. First, begin

by speaking with older relatives: parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc. They may not know as much as you think tlrey should Some

may withhold information because they feel that

it is none of your business (don't be surprised ifthat happens). Your local public library or historical society should be helpful. Interest in genealogy has grown so rapidly in the last

two decades that it would be unusual for

library not to have something for the beginner. You may need to contact offices in the place

following names were tlp most common formen (in order): John, Patrick, James, Thomas and William. Forwomen: Mary, Margaret, Catherine, Bridget and Ann/AnndAnna. So, if you are looking for a John and Mary Kelly - good luck! As Murphys, McPaddens, O'Briens and

laborer as an occupation, thereby deleting

strategy for dealing with Flatley on set. "Don't forget, I've worked

tor's place of origin. There is one piece of

who received marriage dispensations in the Diocese ofBrooklyn between 1859 and 1866, the

laborers' names. Thousands of women worked

own when he revealed his

always the federal government's responsibil-

ity. One could become an American citizen in a federal, state, county or cify court. This was

McManus O'Neil, I asked that question myself. Unfortunately, for people searching for their ancestors prior to the 1920's there are a number of reasons for hitting the proverbial "brick wall" when searching for their family's place of origin in heland. The use of Christian names creates a problem in identi$ring your ancestor. In a sampling of 5,247 menandl,U1 women

how many John Kellys would be listed as laborer. Some cities for some time did not list

classical musicians as Wagner and Puccini, got a laugh of his

searched when trying to pinpoint your ances-

inated. As the grandson of John and Anna

any job they could find. Many men would be listed in the directory as "Laborer." Think of

Director Tony Palmer, who has helmed biopics of such

There are other sources which must be

from New York). Naturalizations were not

determining where in keland their anceston orig-

Since many of the kish were not trained in any particular occupation or trade, they took

lifted up."

of birth in pre-1840 Naturalization records

lems for Americans with Irish ancestry is

locality. Of course, not everyone is listed.

set to begin on the film this fall. 'The moviehas nothingto do with Lord of the Dance," hetoldheland's Sunday Tribune newspaper. "It's nothing to do with my life story. It's about succeeding against adversity. People will leave the cinema with theirhearts

August / September 2000 InrsH ANasnrcA

Leave No Stone Unturned

Kellys swelled America's cities after 1850, those cities if they did not have "Directories" began publishing that handy tool annually. Directories usually list name, address and occupation of the residents of that particular

My Two Feet." But seriously,

ahead lafer in the summer include

Bv JosepH M. SrlrNorure

wherc your ancestors lived many yean ago, There are reference books to help the genealogist or

family historian. Do not overlook the telephone book.

If you are on-line there are thousands of Web sites to choose from to help you in your research. For example, the National Archives have branches throughout the country. Those branch offices have Census records, NaturalThe tombstone of Joseph Silinonte's great-greatgreat-grandparents, Gharles and Anne Scott 0'Neil.

required only country ofbirth on a petition for Naturalization. Federal census records did not ask for a specific city or town, but rather country of birth for foreign born residents. This holds true for passenger arrival [sts until the end of the 19fr century ind early 20ft cenrury.

If you know the date of death of your Irish-born ancestor you might try the local newspaper for a death and,/or obituary notice. Many old newspapers have been microfilmed and some have had their births, deaths and marriages absffacted, usually for genealogical researchers. You may be surprised to read that your ancestor was a native of a particular parish and country. Another source worth examffig is the tombstone. My great-great-great-grandmother died in Brooklyn in 1861 and her tombstone listed the parish and country of her birth in heland.

ization papen, Passenger Arrivals and many other

sources to choose from. For those on-line, the address used to find the nearest office to your home is: www.NARA.gov. You can also check out the website of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-Day Saints, also known as the Mormons, at www.familysearch.com One thing genealogy teaches you is patience. It took ten yean for me to find one ance,stor. Once

you are bitten, you will develop the greatest addiction there is. Not all of your family and friend will be interested in your pursuit. Don't if people start excusing themselves from your company as soon as you start talking about your latest genealogical

be surprised

find. Pay no attention, continue your search and leave no stone unturned! G)

If you have questions for Joe Silinonte, please address them care of lrish America Magazine,432 ParkAve. Soutla Suite 1503, Nau York, NY 10016

InrsH AlaenrcA MAGAZTNE

August / September

2000

,,. i;,, i!. band, a musician (William Gargan), Patsy blurts out in one of the film's most moving frissons, "Is this my real daddy?" But the "fallen woman" stereotype is turned on its head by the tolerant O'Malley, who

clearly has known women in his life and is not in the habit ofjudging them by

rigid moralistic

standards. Nevertheless, his combative

attitude toward Sister Benedict suggests a certain residual bittemess toward the

opposite sex beneath his amiable facade.

of the nun's corporeality,

the transitory nature ofreligious life.

On a deeper level, what soon emerges is her human wlnerability. Like a Camille of

The film's climax is filmed with all the emotional intensity of a romantic love scene. Father O'Malley virtually croons as he tells her, "You know when Dr.

The great French filmmaker Jean Renoir once remarked, "McCarey understands people better perhaps than anyone else in Hollywood."

Sister Benedict, who disapproves of O'Malley's indulgence toward Patsy, exercises her unorthodox parenting skills on a scruffy parish kid named Eddie (Dickie Tyler). O'Malley's view of Eddie demonstrates that the priest's attitude toward man-

hood is much less enlightened than his views of womanhood. He thinks the nun is tuming Eddie into a "sissy" by teaching him

the Christian virtue of turning the other cheek. Not without misgivings, the sister teaches Eddie to box in a delightfully improvisatory scene. When Eddie hits her a staggering blow, it is a delicious violation of taboo as well as a sudden demonsffation

the sisterhood, she is suffering from tuberculosis, but because of the paternalism of doctors and the Church in that era, she is not told what is wrong with her or why she is being sent away from St. Mary's. Father O'Malley allows her to think he is having her banished to end their rivalry, and she directs withering looks of silent anger at the priest even while saying, "It's going to be difftcult to leave St. Mary's, but we shouldn't become too attached to any one place."

denied. The South Dublin County

tary attempts to

Council duly issued a protec-

use the Sullivans'

tion order on the house in February of this year, but in

tragedy as

April the go-ahead was given

physically.

Because, sister, you have

sibling service,

Terence Brown, Professor of Anglo-Irish Literature at Trinity

a touch of tuberculosis."

and the fact that theU.S.S. luneau

leading academics that orga-

survivors were

nized the original protest against

left to float at sea

the demolition of the house,

McKay said you were perfect, he was right, for that's what you are. But he did-

n't mean

Sister Benedict reacts with

The live Sullivan brothers on board the U.S.S. Juneau.

Fighting Sullivans Documentary

George was among the handful of survivors who floated for days

In Steven Spielberg's film of

Saving Private Ryan, a troop

World War

II soldiers

sets out

M cB ride' s bio graphy Searching for John Fordwill be published early next

brothers have been killed in bat-

temess from my heart'' and allow her to accept

year by

tle, and the military fears

to find a fellow grunt who is J os eph

Martin's Press.

Nightingale

'Top 100 Irish Americans - 2000" featured performer Rose of Tralee Festival

August 18-22,2000 Tralee, County Kerry, Ireland Recently voted a Top 100 lrish American by lrish America magazine, Ms. Brady will delight lrish festival audiences with her heartwarming rendition of Danny Boy and other popular lrish melodies as well as the true lrish classics such as "Bard of Armagh," "Shule Aroon," "Goin' Home to Mary," and her own composition, "Dearest lreland," which will be included in a recital of lrish Folk music, Ms. Brady's specialty. ln addition, she will perform during the festival at outdoor venues, and will offer religious music at Mass. For more information about upcoming tours and Master classes in the U.S. and around the world, log onto wwwpbdmusic.com. You can also contact Ms. Brady by e-mail at pbradydan@erols.com or by phone at 973-761-0041, to order her CD s.

missing. Already, several of his a

public relations nightmare if the story gets out that a Midwestem mother has lost all of her boys in

battle. Sadly, the truelife story that served as something of an inspirationfor Saving Private Ryanis actually worse. Thomas and

Alleta Sullivan, of Waterloo, Iowa, lost all five of their sons fol-

lowing a fierce battle that took place on November 13, 1943.

in shark-infested waters, until hunger, thirst and delirium took

their toll.

George announced he was "taking a bath," went into the

called the latest decision "deeply

upsetting."

cued. As the informative

newspaper: "The fact that the

experts who are

house was saved is something, but

interviewedmake quite clear, it was a tough call, but understandable given the battle conditions. Also particularly interesting are the comments of Frank Holmgren the last surviving member of the U.S.S. Junearz tragedy. All in

I very muchregretthe minimal-

all, this is a solid treatment of a

water and was quickly devoured by sharks. The Sullivans' hanowing story

dark, compelling Irish-Ameri-

is the subject of a new History

Yeats House Saved, But New

Channel documentary entitled "The True Story of the Fighting

Sullivans," which premiered Monday, May 29 at 8 p.m. to rave reviews. It will be rebroadcast Tuesday, August 29 at 8 p.m. Eastern and Pacific time-

The hour-long documentary, hosted by joumalist Arthur Kent,

can story.

Apartments to Occupy Grounds Thanks to an intensive campaign by some of Ireland's leading writers and academics, a stay

of execution was obtained on

efficiently tells the Sullivans' story, with a worthy focus on the boys' parents, who threw

William Butler Yeats resided

when fighting broke out in

themselves into the war effort on the home front, almost as a way

until his death in 1939.Located in Rathfarnham, Co. Dublin, Riversdale was Yeats' last home after the death ofhis friend Lady Gregory, and it was there he completed his New Poems and Last Poems and worked on the Oxford Book of Modern Verse.

Joseph, Francis, Albert, Madison

and George Sullivan were all serving on the U.S.S. Juneau Guadalcanal. Though Navy pol-

of coping with their loss. But

icy discouraged siblings from

when they finally retumed home,

serving together, there were no actual restrictions, and the Sullivans requested they serve as a group. "We would like to stick

grief set in.

together," eldest brother George wrote when the boys enlisted.

"As a bunch, there is nobody

The Sullivans were a thoroughly Irish Catholic clan - the documentary even unearths a recording ol the boys singing "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling." At a christening of one of the

the elegant 18th century farm-

house in Dublin where poet

Brown told the lrish Times

ist nature of the decision. The grounds are absolutely an integral part of the home that Yeats expe-

rienced and was inspired by." After Yeats moved to the house

with his wife Georgie, daughter Anne and son Michael, he wrote

two poems about Riversdale "An Acre of Grass" and "What Then?" In the second ofthese, he composed the following lines: All his happier dreams come true

small house, wtfe, dnugh-

ter, son./Grounds where plum and cabbage grew,/Poets and

Wits about him drew;/'What then?' sang Plato's ghost, 'Wfuit

then?' Rivendale is also historic in that

it was the setting for Yeats's last meeting with his long-time muse, Maud Gonne. That tete-e-terc

took place in the summer of 1938, a year before the poet passed away.

A Dublin developer applied for planning permission to demolish the house and build 28 apartments on the four-acre site, but after strenuous protests from all

They were, however, planning to split up. But they hadn't by the

battleships that later bore the boys' name, Alleta announces, "May the luck of the Irish be

time two Japanese torpedoes

with you and your crew." A

for Arts Sile de Valera (a grand-

tore through their ship that fateful November day. Four of the Sullivans died almost instantly.

solemn memorial to the boys in the small factory town even bears a shamrock.

daughter of former President

that can beat us."

College Dublin, and one of the 18

than quickly res-

There is a revealing footrote to this scene.

for a retake. Crosby said his lines again, and this time Bergman threw her arms around him and gave him a passionate kiss on the mouth. The priest serving as a consultant to the film came running up, objecting in horror as the subtext of The Bells of St. Mary's erupted into full, glorious view. @

for 28 two-bedroom apartments to be built on the three-and-a-half acre site surrounding the house.

for days, rather

After shooting it, Bergman asked McCarey

Privately, in some of the most beautiful close-ups of Bergman's career, Sister Benedict prays to God to "remove all bit-

August / September 2000 Inrsn AueRtca MacazIus

iStOry

springboard into two larger issues - the fact that the U.S. military still has not banned

Patricia Bra dy The Irish

The documen-

an unexpectedly radiant smile. 'Thank you, father," she says. "Thank you. You've made me very happy."

St.

g,$; F*t *i..,.$ *&H

.' ..* !*{

over the world, Irish Minister

Eamon de Valera) recommended that the planning application be

Wiiliam Butler Yeats

InIsH Arunnrca MacazrNs August / September

2000 l7

.1.

lj i Ft:!: :j-'

..;:r.,:l1

l' :l,,,':

ffl gCatiOn

of the cloth. The drama revolves around Adams invite, students seemed to appreciate the speech. Graduate Brandon Holly admitted he

Seamus Heaney at

was "kind of surprised" at Adams'

the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia

selection, but after hearing the speech, told the Lowell Sun he sees Adams as "an advocate for positive change."

"You stand at a boundary.

Emory Acquires Edna O'Brien Archive

Behind you is your natural habitat, as it were, the ground of

your creaturely being, the old haunts where you were nurtured; in front of you is a less knowable

prospect

of invitation

The Robert W. Woodruff Library of Emory University

and

challenge, the testing ground

in Atlanta, Georgia has acquired the archive of the Irish novelist

of your possibilities. You stand

between whatever binds you

ttl your past and

and short story writer Edna O'Brien. O'Brien is the author

wltatcvcr

might be unbounded in your

of more than

future."

include House of Splendid Isolation, Down by the River and most recently Wild Septem-

"John Gardner put it best when he wrote: 'An excellent plumber is infinitely more

bers. She has also written numerous short stories, screenplays, plays, and a biography

admirable than an incompetent

of James Joyce, with whom

philosopher. The society rvhich scorns excellence in

she shares the dubious honor of being the most well-known

plumbing because plumbing is a humble activity, and tolerates

shoddiness because

stirred, she has

it is an exalted

ity, will

plumbing nor good philosophy.

Neither theories

banned Irish writers. Aside from the controversy her writing has

philosophy

activhave neither good

its pipes nor

"We need more doctors and fewer medical programs. We

numerous awards and has a wide Gerry Adams receives his honorary degree lrom the University of

following.

Massachusetts-[owell.

using your head. There's no reason why education should be incompatible with crafts-

decades he was a feisty and

manship."

brother of infamous South Boston gangster James "Whitey" Bulger.

Gerry Adams Honored at Umass

need more mechanics and fewer

Sinn F6in leader Gerry Adams

car salesmen. We need more good television programs and

was invited t-o give the commencement address, and was awarded an honorary pl-<jgree by

fewer commercials. "Someone has to make some-

mean, who's going to rebuild those 250 houses that burned down last week in Los Alamos? An interactive communications network? A virtual meeting? I don't think so. It's going to take carpenters, plumbers

and electricians. "Don't rule out working with your hands. It does not preclude

received

its

will hold water."'

Andy Rooney at the University of Virginia, Charlottesville

thing.

dozen acclaimed

novels including her groundbreaking work in 1960, The Country Glrls. Recent titles

@p@

George Mitchellat Washington & Jefferson College, Washington, PA

the University of Massachusetts-

Lowell, in May. Adams told the 1,700 graduates and roughly 6,500 people in attendance that "One person in this class of2000 can make a difference for human-

ity, for his counfiy, for the world." Adams was invited to speak by University president Billy Bulger, a controversial figure in his own right. For more than three

August / September 2000 Inrsn AnEnrcA MAGAZINE

fiery

politician in the Massachusetts State Senate. He is also the

B.C. Appoints New

Director of lrish Studies

Marquette University Dean and History Professor Dr. Thomas

tarian killings, while Adams'

sible for B.C.'s Irish Studies

brother-inlaw died in combat, and that Adams himself was shot by Loyalists in 1984.

progr€rm, kish Institute, and

machine worked overtime to blacken (Adams') reputation," 'Although there me those who would work to deny him proper credit, Gerry Adams is a prime architect of the Northern peace process." And while some criticized the added Bulger.

ing the doddering old pastor, Father Fitzgibbon (Bauy Fitzgerald), into retirement. The scene of Fitzgibbon's ancient

mother (Adeline De Walt Reynolds)

arriving from Ireland is one of the all-time great tearjerking moments in movies, and the emotion is fully earned. After Going My Way,McCarey recalled, "I received letters from all over the country saying that sinbe I had made priests so human and popular, I should do as much for the good sisters." One reason Bells is that rara avis, a sequel that surpasses the original, is its finely crafted

tage, trying to score philosophical and emotional points, alternating between flirtation and asperity. Sister Benedict is aworking woman with aposition of author-

by the way in

which the sisters hound an old nabob into beneficence." I've had an aversion to Agee's criticism ever since reading his complaint in The Nation about Ford's 1948 Western Fort Apache, that "there is enough kish comedy to make me wish Cromwell had done a more

thorough job." Perhaps it's the difference in our religious and cultural backgrounds, but what Agee finds scandalous aboutThe Bells of St. Mary's is what I value most about

style ("Every timethey doitthe dialogue is ffierent" O'Malley

observes), is magical in its simplicity. McCarey's great love of mrrsic (he always kept a piano on the set for noodling

between takes) shines forth in ajoyous song SisterBenedict

sings to the other nuns in her

native Swedish.

When O'Malley asks what it means, she replies hesitantly, "It's

-o

spring." In fact, the song is about young lovers in springtime, another instance of the

The education ol a troubled child. Patsy hecomes a battleground between Sister Benedict (lngrid Bergman) and Father 0'Malley (Bing Grosby) in The Bells of St. Mary's.

ual impulses. This time, Father O'Malley's role as a clan-

Hachey has edited or author-

for their new school. When O'Malley

kish

seemingly irreconcilable confl ict. Undemeath that power stuggle is the subtext of sexual tension. The two are constantly sizing each other up, jockeying for advan-

I am just plain honified

filmed in an improvisatory

initiatives of the John J. Burns Library.

programs. Hachey will be respon-

as their power struggle brings them into

boys how not to lead with the other cheek.

by McCarey, Bells has a more rigorous structure than Going My Way, but as always in the director's work, some of the most memorable scenes are self-contained set pieces. The children's Nativity play,

destine diocesan troubleshooter places him in conflict with the sisters' somewhat unworldly idealism. Unlike the eminently practical priest, they have little trouble believing that they can persuade a crotchety o1d businessman (Henry Travers, who later played the angel Clarence in Capra's It's aWonderful Lifu)to donate abuilding

E. Hachey to be its first executive director of Irish

toward her subordinate status in the church hierarchy. But she is strong-willed and more than a match for the smugly complacent O'Malley. She grows in his respect even

screenplay by Dudley Nichols, best known for his work with John Ford. Based on a story

film's oblique acknowledgment of sex-

Boston College has named

"It has never been easy to be an hish Republican," President Bulger told the crowd. before going on to recall that Adanis' cousin and nephew were victims of sec-

"An elaborate propaganda

Father O'Malley diplomatically maneuver-

ity, but one that is severely circumscribed, as is her body by the black habit and starchy white wimple she wears. The abstraction of her figure (which Bergman found liberating, because she didn't have

to worry about her weight during the filming) throws all the attention on her luminous facial expressions. Bergman is rapturously lit by George Barnes, one of

Hollywood's greatest glamour cine-

the

film. I find refreshing

McCarey's

frank exploration ofthe notion that priests and nuns are human beings with feelings and frailties, and I am amused by the filmmaker's unsentimental recognition that a large part of running a religious institution

is raising money, sometimes even in unscrupulous ways. Fittingly, the fiercest battleground between Father O'Malley and Sister Benedict in their "marriage of opposites" is over the raising of children. With pleasing asymmetry,

lecturing at Trinity College and

Bergman's multifaceted performance

matographers. Reviewing the film in The Nation, James Agee found much to fake offense at, including the way Bergman'tomes painfirlly close to twittering her eyes in scenes with Crosby. . . . I find very objectionable the movie's

the School of Irish Studies. He's also taught at King's

blends a desperate gaiety with an overly sffict

increasing recognition of the romantic-

Gallagher, the troubled teenager mentored

approach toward pedagogy, minoring her own emotional repression. She displays a powerful struggle to repress her anger

commercial values of celibacy.

by O'Malley. When the priest reunites

hardly better a little boxing lesson in which Mother Bergman shows one of the school-

Patsy's mother (the delectable, aptly named Martha Sleeper) with her long-estranged hus-

ed seven books on

Irish and European history, and spends summers in Dublin

College, London and Queens University, Belfast.

tells Sister Benedict late in the film that she has to face facts, she responds with a small laugh, 'TVe've tried so hard nor to face facts."

the script gives the priest a surrogate "daughter" and the nun a surrogate "son." Joan Carroll is startlingly real in her

rawly emotional performance as Patsy

Izusn AupRrcA MAGAZTNE August / September

2000

FILM FORUM

WWW.CETTIC.COM

Bv Josepu McBnroe

Thg Spiral Gatewa!":'i::i:

My Guiltiest Pleasure The Bells

of St. Mary's; a tribute to a ofhuman nature and plunged headlong into a fanatical anti-communism that all but destroyed both his art and his career. A prominent member of

the right-wing Motion Picture Alliance for the Preservation of American Ideals, McCarey became one of the ringleaders of the Hollywood blacklist. In a bizane exchange while McCarey was serving as a friendly witness in 1947

mixed emotions. One of Holly-

wood's most popular religious movies, a Christmas perennial on television like McCarey's earlier Going My Way, this 1945 comedydrama nevertheless is far from being

a simple, heartwarming affirma-

tion of all things holy. With surprisingly astringent honesty, Bells addresses such still-vexing Director Leo McGarey (left) relaxes with lngrid Bergman and Bing Ctosby during the filming ol The Bells ol St. Mary's.

education, and the omnipresent role of money in religion. I have to admit, somewhat shamefacedly, that the principal reason I have always been so fascinated with The Bells of St. Mary's is that it is a barely repressed, unconsummated love story between a nun

(Ingrid Bergman) and a priest (Bing Crosby). The radio ads for the film brought those undertones right out into the open: "Ingrid Bergman has never been lovelier, hubba hubba hubbar.' InThe Book of Movie Lists (1998),I put Bergman at the top of my list entitled "Sister Superior: The 10 Sexiest

Nuns in Movies." But there is nothing off-color or indelicate about this mature love story, fraught with believable tensions of all kinds, starting with the formidable bar-

rier of enforced celibacy. Romantic comedies traditionally employ powerful social obstacles to keep their lovers apart until the issues separating them are resolved. But here we know there can be no such formulaic "happy ending" and the outcome of the love-hate relationship between Father Chuck O'Malley and Sister Mary Benedict remains in suspense until *re breathtakingly emotional final scene. That relationship takes precedence

over the film's flimsy plot, which revolves

around the nuns' attempt to save their decrepit school through the combined power of prayer and emotional blackmail.

As in all of McCarey's work, the real interest lies in the director's wonderfully subtle and naturalistic depiction ofpeople. The great French filmmaker Jean Renoir once remarked, "McCarey understands people

- better

perhaps than anyone else in

Hollywood." And yet this Irish-American filmmaker has never received the sustained critical attention paid to such peers as John Ford and Frank Capra. McCarey's films include several classics that remain mint-fresh today. He directed the best silent films of Laurel and Hardy, as well as the Marx Brothers' masterpiece, the anarchic antiwar farce Duck Soup.McCarey's The AwfulTruthis among the mostimitated of all romantic comedies, as arehis Love

Affair and its remake, An Affair

to Remember. Along with Yasujiro Ozu's Tolqo Story, McCarey's little-known 1937 drama Make Way for Tomorrow is one of the two best movies ever made about old age.

Unfortunately, in mid-life McCarey abandoned his fascination with the nuances

August / September 2000 Inrsu Arraenrca MacnzrNc

Celtic Greetings: The largest selection of Celtic eCards on the Internet!

Anyone who has survived Catholic schooling - in my case, eight years of torture by Dominican nuns, then four years ofmore refined sadism at the hands ofJesuit priests - cannot help watching Leo McCarey'sThe Bells of St. Mary's with deeply

conflicting philosophies of parochial

::'

Celtic Mail: Choose from 1000 free Irish and Celtic heritage email domains!

classic that humanizes Catholicism

issues as celibacy, the churchls sexist attitudes toward women,

:::::::

before the House Committee on Un-American Activities, HUAC's

F chief investigator Robert E. Sfiipling, E asked him how Going My Way and E The Betts of St. Mary's performed at 3 the box-office in the Soviet Union. 6 "We haven't received one ruble

from Russia on either picture," McCarey replied. "What is the trouble?" "Well, I think I have a character in there

that they do not like."

"Bing Crosby?" "No; God." The pre-1947 McCarcy would have understood the absurdity of that scene. His best work stems from his very Irish appreciation of the thin line between the tragic and the ridiculous aspects of life, from his blending of the mundane and the sublime. Orson Welles said that Make Way for Tomotow wot:ILd make a stone cry. What's

most remarkable about that film is that it does so largely through the use ofcomedy, such as when the elderly couple (Beulah Bondi and Victor Moore) relive their hon-

eymoon before being forced to separate forever. Loosely structured to a fault, Going My Way was a surprise box-office hit and won seven Academy Awards, including the Oscar for best picture. The character of the suave, worldly, straw-hatted priest played by Crosby captivated audiences ofall persuasions. Like Make Way for Tomorrow, Going My Way is essentially a film about aging, with an added level ofpoignancy in dealing with the declining years of a man

?4,))) Aiev/ 1d

ffewbeYV {(lirr.{.tJtr r*nr|!t htaar-itttaL.it|id*a$4*-*EofllrtEGat,ffiarfrsat stru{EdrFfl E.a- ntlrAai.Erg.-r

-:< .;::". ir+r |^r-P,i+i

Cbl#gxsft l't,.:sr r.4tc

r:.a:,

{:rr

**y

d*t r rbJr lclb

f*wtmlLlof*Eont

{la

EIEigf tsifi l;+*"gggffi ,6--hn* llrlf,ila i;;;;;--*'f cjdc$n

*nry

b&rnndoesllcsr

Celtic Screensaver: Awesome Celtic Mandalas depicting the 8 nations!

celtic Store: coming Soon -A superstore of Irish and celtic produg.ts! ::,,, :,:,.::::::;;,:i: ::::i , Celtic Sites: The most comprehensive collection of Celtic interest sites on the web! Celtic Club: 35,000 new members arc akeady sharing their common interests! Celtic Forums: Join in the hundreds of new Celtic interest discussion groups we offer! Celtic Genealogy: Meet people sharing your family name from all around the world! Celtic.com Inc.

Visit Celtic.com now!

19 Railroad Avenue East Hampton NY 11937

Email: info@celtic.com Voice: (631) 329-0946 Fax: (631) 329-9621

$"-g fjis:4 $;:.r.,1,

i..,r,li:

,i,Events

Smithsonian's lrish Tour

Travel

have plenty of company or they can go off in small groups and explore good surf spots that may never have been surfed."

will

Music legend Mick MoloneY will lead an 1l-day bus tour of western Ireland being offered through the Smithsonian Institution this September. Ennis, Galway, Clifden and Westport are among the destinations of this cultural tour, which will include concerts, lectures, poetry readings, castle tonrs and visits to a steP dancing school as well as cultural centers. Also scheduled is a look at the workshop of Eugene Lamb,

Morlarty Clan Gathering Moriartys from all corners of the world are invited to Dublin on Saturday, October 7 for a9day reunion. Some ofthe reunion events will be a clan reception in Dublin, a bus tour of the west of Ireland and a clan rally in Killarney, County Kerry. For fuither information contact

www.corkj azzfestival.com.

Butler Yeats' grave, in West-

Avenue, Stickney, Illinois 60402'

port, is also on tap, before the tour winds its way back to Dublin. The tour - one of manY studY tours offered by the Smithsonian

4413. Telephone: (708) 484-

is slated to begin

September 7. For more information call 1-877-388-8687, or

go to http://www.SmithsonianStudyTours.org.

It seems

unlikely choice, but

west and northwest coasttne are

proving highly popular with members of the surhng fratemify these days, who are fairly flock-

ing to ride the waves in such counties as Donegal, Clare, Sligo and Waterford.

and entry to the ceremonial awards dinner, which features an open bar. Individual entry fee is $150 ($600 for foursome). The golf club is located at 95 North Seir Hill Road. Mail checks

details call 201-599 -235 l.

IRISH FESTIVAL ROUNDUP

certs, seisuns and ceilis are held

The week ends with a day-long traditional music festival.

Mary Bergin, National Heritage Award flutist Jack Coen, guitarist Gel Foley, uilleann piper Jerry

O'Sullivan and

step

dancer Patrick O'Dea.

The Albany Ancient Order of Hibemians have set Sept. 23 for the fourth annual hish 2000 Festival at Altamount Fairgrounds.

comes to the Match-

fiom September I through October 5, under the knowing eye

doonvarna, Co. Clare each year. This year's love fest takes place

2000

InrsH ArraBRIcA MAGAZINE

Colorado Govemor Bill Owens will join country music superstar Michael Martin Murphey to offi-

Detail from Rococo Ceiling in The Merrion Hotel.

Detail from Breton Girl (1902) by Roderic O'Connor in The Merrion Art collection.

cially kick offthe festival Saturday at 11 a.m.

Other attractions will include storytellers. drama, fiddlers. PiPe bands, weaving and lace making. Proceeds from the festival will

go to a building fund for the Colorado kish Community Center. Organizers say the center will preserve Irish culture for more than 600,000 Coloradans of hish descent. For more details call 303 -629 -87 1 7, ext. 1 08.

The walls of The Merrion are known for their gre at art, and even our doors are collectors' items. The Merrion Hotel's extraordinary collection of 18th century and contemporary Irish att has drawn many an admiring glance since we opened our doors. The magnificent plasterwork has been appreciated for a bit longer - about 200 years in fact.

The Merrion is Ireland's finest five star hotel created from four beautiful listed Georgian townhouses, enhanced by a distinguished collection of Irish art, where you'll experience standards

excellence and service rarely encountered in this day and age.

long festival and enjoyed

ditional and Rock Music.

Wadsworth Boulevard in Lakewood, CO. Sponsored by the Colorado United kish Societies, the event will feature Irish steP dancing competitions, traditional and contemporary lrtsh music. food, arts and crafts oflreland.

people attended the day

The art of matchmaking is still alive and well in keland, at least

when

and 20, at the Lakewood Heritage Center, 797 South

Last year more than 8,000

a tremendous selection of Live Irish Folk, Tra-

here have better choices. TheY can

AugusUseptember

to students of all levels. Con-

lreland

making Festival held in Lis-

dance, song, language andhistory

This year's roster includes tin whistler

ter quality because we have a rocky coastline which allows for plenty of reef surfing. Surfers surf on main beaches where theY

East Durham, the Catskills Irish Arls Weekfeahres workshoPs led

toumament will include breakfast served before tee-off, lunch,

tuming up to try outthe waves for

is quieter ttran the rest of Europe," he remmks, ''and the sur{ is of bet-

The Michael J. Quill Irish Cultural & Sports Center in East

in various pubs each evening.

Croi, P.O. Box 513, Oradell, New Jersey 07649. For more

it's hardly surprising. "Ireland

New York

Connecticut, on Monday, August 21, at9 a.m. In association with Temple Bar, in Stamford, the

and Australiahave named heland as one of the best places in the

kish surfer Richard Fizgerald says

}II-3fi -2f -27 891 9 or visit

by master artists in folk music,

ync.net.

payable to Croi, and a sheet listing the names of the players to:

themselves. According to The Surfer's Patl't,belarrd has "surf to rival any country in the world."

praise for the Leeside music exff avaElanza. Information from

Croi, the West of Ireland Cardiology Foundation, is present-

Surf magazines in the U.S.

world for the sport, and board enthusiasts from all over are

'2 1-30)

Croi's Golf Tournament

Email:jfmoriarty

Tournament and Auction at Silverrnine Golf Club, inNorwalk,

apparently areas of Ireland's

Uctober

Durham, NY will sponsor one of the foremost Irish musical gatherings in the United States from Sunday, July 16 to SaturdaY, Jily 22. Held annually in the village of

795 1, Fax: (240) 331-1 455.

ing its fourth annual Golfing

Everybody Go Surfing, Surfing Donegal

Colorado Gelts Colorado's lnsh corrunurdly

Parish, 4314 South Oak Park

annually

val (running this year from

www.hiberrrians.com. To order tickets call 1-888-41-IFEST

celebrates its heritage at the sixth annual Colorado kish Festival Saturday and Sunday, August 19

Fr. Jim Moriarty, St. Pius X.

stop

with activities for children. For more information visit

be an unmissable event. Such living legends as Thelonious Monk and B.B. King are Past attendees, and both had high

atWilliam

an Irish theaffe competition along

has come to

the foremost maker of uilleann pipes, inEnnis.

of local matchmaker Willie Daly. Details from 011-353-6574005 or www.whiteshotelireland. com/indexfestival.htm. For all that jazz and more, the well-respected Cork Jazz Festi-

MBRRIoN

This year's lineup includes

Tommy Makem, Altan, Solas and Hair of the

Dog. Along with live

will be performances by local pipe

music

bands and dance schools,

@ DUBLIN'S FINEST HOTEL Upper Merrion Street, Dublin ?, heland. Tel: 353 1 6030600 Fax: 353 1 6030700 email: info@merrionhotel.com htcp://www.merrionhotel.com

ffi*ffiffiffiruK&Happenings MUSIC

LeBrocquy Fetches tl Million

Bv Tov DurupnY

New lrish Releases Sinead 0'Connor; Faith and Gourage

Atlantic Records In music, as in affairs of the heart,

the

opposite of love isn't hate, it's indifference. And indifference is largely how the

music-buying public viewed Sinead O'Connor in the latter part of the nineties. 1997's Gospel Oak and 1994's Universal Mother were largely forgettable. Am I Not

like Paul Brady, Van Morrison, and Richard Thompson. She's built a low-key solo career that's been marked by integrity some even call her the "Voice of Ireland." That's why it's at once both interesting and refreshing to listen to There Was a Maid, a recent Claddagh Records reissue of her 1978 solo debut. The album has the overall

Your Girl was O'Connor's last strong

tinged rebel songs. But this L.A.-based septet, fronted by Dub Keith Roberts, owes as much to Pearl Jam as it does to Planxty.

That's not to say Roberts and company have turned their backs on their Irish roots - fiddles, whistles and mandolins punctuate

the entire affair. But the album rocks, too. There's "Stop Me," with its insistent beat and Hammond organ swells. The laid back

of "Don't You Worry"

frames

Roberts' warm voice with the band building

ago.

musical tension beneath. And "Red," a collaboration with longtime Elton John lyricist Bernie Taupin, is a feather in the

Her new release, Faith and Courage, has rekindled the love affair. It is a mesmerizing, if uneven, effort. O'Connor's sexuality is worn on her sleeve and is all over this

In "No Man's Woman," she rails against "man-trolling" and decrees that "a man can fake you/Take your soul and make

band's cap. A cover of the Waterboys' "Fisherman's Blues" is unnecessary, but Red is still an intriguing effort. The band should get major airplay with several of these songs.

you/Miserable and in so much pain." The song's intro strongly echoes Lauryn Hill's

Mary Black, Speaking with the Angel

album.

"Everything Is Everything," and evolves into a catchy trip-hop groove, as O'Connor gleefully skewers the male gender. Yet on the autobiographical "Daddy I'm Fine," O'Connor boasts "I stand up tall with

Curb Records/Dara From her solo debut Without the Fanfare

in 1987 and throughout the nineties, Mary Black has recorded thoughtful, quietly

my pride upright/And feel real hot when my every man makeup's nice/Like I wanna in sight" as a wall of distorted guitars growls behind her. She's lived life on her own terms - "I've had myself some big fat fun" - and cares not a whit what the world

thinks. There are some sonic treats in Faith and Courage: the low-whistle-meets-low-rider funk of "Til I Whisper U Something," the chilly electronica of "The Healing Room," the ethereal vocals of "Kyrie Eleison." Songs are painted with sheets of sound,

all the right But it wouldn't be a Sinead

and then peeled back at moments. O'Connor album

if there wasn't a moment or two that makes you cringe. Like this line from "What Doesn't Belong to Me": "I'm

Irish, I'm English, I'm Moslem,/I'm Jewish/ I'm a girUl'm a boy/And the goddess meant for me only joy." Argh! This lyrical overkill aside, Faith and Courage counts as a real comeback for Sinead O'Connor. You may love it, or hate it, but you'll not be indifferent.

Dolores Keane, There Was a Maid Claddagh Records Dolores Keane has sung with Clannad, DeDanaan, and the Chieftains. She has interpreted the songs of stellar songwriters

92 August

/ September 2000

feel of an intimate living room session. The instrumentation is sparse; the Reel Union duo of Peadear Mercier and Mairtin Bymes

provides lively and tasteful accompaniment. Keane's voice is younger, fresher, and less trained but it's easy to hear the talent that would later blossom. The sean n6s style ballads, "There Was a

Maid in Her Father's Garden" and "The Generous Lover," are plaintive and touching. Mercier and Bymes provide a steady backdrop on "Johnny and Molly" and "The Bantry Girl's Lament." The two also take a turn of their own with the instrumentals

"The Shaskeen Reel" and "The Laurel Bush."

But it's Keane who's the focus here. Her voice is a pure delight. There Was a Maid is a mustlisten for traditional fans, and a fine entry into Irish music for all others. Young Dubliners, Red Higher 0ctave Records Given a name like the Young Dubliners,

InrsH Atrlsnrca MacazINe

nation." Guerin was just 37 when she was shot dead in her car. Two men are serving life sentences for her murder.

Louis le Brocquy's painting Traveling Woman with News-

you'd certainly expect to hear whiskey-

groove

effort. That was recorded nearly a decade

angered organized crime figures and led to her eventual assassi-

paper was sold at an auction of Irish Art at Sotheby's in l-ondon for fl.158 sterling, making the painting, executed in 1941, the mostexpensive ever sold by a living Irish artist. The work was

A Bit of lreland in Los Gatoso GA

hailed by Sotheby's as 'hndoubt-

Nestled in the foothills of Santa

edly the greatest work by le

Cruz just south of San Jose in downtown Los Gatos is an Irish

Brocquy and certainly the most important Irish Modernist paint-

ffeasure

"a masterpiece by the

man acknowledged as the greatest painter working in keland today." Widely accepted as Treland's

elegant Irish wares as Belleeck Parian China, Tipperary Crystal,

greatest living artist, le Broc-

Nicholas Mosse Pottery, Irish linens, books, music and genuine Aran sweaters. Four Green Fields's collec-

quy is a native of Dublin who lived in France for several years. He told The lrishTimes thathe was "utterly and totally flabber-

tion of Waterford Crystal is one of the largest collections on the West Coast featuring vases, stemware and giftware. It also has an extensive line of Waterford

gasted" when told of the price the painting earned. He then went on

to express the hope that "it will raise the profile ofkish art gen-

erally." Le Brocquy himself has cited the painting as one of the

compelling music for adults. Speaking with the Angel, her latest, is no exception. Her voice is always clear, sharp, and soaring and Black has a canny

four early works that would

Louis le Brocquy's painting Traveling Woman with Newspaper

define his legacy.

entries as "Half a Bed to Let,"

knack for selecting quality songs.

The

by the artist after encountering a

Dougie Mclean-penned "Turning Away" is an edgy ballad of alienation, punctuated

group of travelers in County

by a Duane Eddyish twang guitar riff from Donal Lunny. Steve Cooney's "Message of Love" evokes the brassy sixties pop of

completely Irish in reference

Petula Clark and Dusty Springfield, and fuses it with tin whistles and uilleann

Traveling Woman is one of a series of traveler pictures painted

Offaly. Painted in London, but

Her take on "Fall at Your Feet"- written by Neil Finn, one half of Crowded House - is at once yearning and pessimistic, the mood underpinned by mournful cellos. But the high point of this album may well be Black's treatment of Sting's "Fields of Gold." She strips the song down to its barest bones - nylon-string guitar

and harmonica

and reveals

its

raw

essence. Rarely can an artist take a song

that's been burned into the collective unconscious and make does

it her own. Black

just that.

It's oddly prescient that the title of Mary Black's solo debut was Without the Fanfare. Though well respected in keland and pockets of the U.S. and UK, Black's work has gone under-noticed. Here's hoping Speaking with the Angel changes that. @

"IrarningMyksson"and"Jig fHgfO' HOnOf fOf

Saw Syndrome." There is also a special electrical section in the contest, for humorous verse with an electrical theme. Cash prizes total around f2,000 for the com-

Slain Journalist Murdered Irish journalist Veronica Guerin, shot dead in Dublin four years ago, was

point, the paintings drew heavily ontheworkof Picasso, exhibiting a bright palette and strong

petition.

like this may be right up your street? Then

named a press freedom hero in Boston recently at the 50th

cubism.

send your original entry (which

birthday

should be suitable for family audiences), of between 200

assembly

pipes.

Laughter and Verse It doesn't necessarily have to rhyme, but it definitely has to be funny. And that, in a nutshell, is the guiding principle behind The Bard of Armagh contest. Billed as "Ireland's Unique Festival of Humorous Verse: A

Sounds

and 400 words in length, along with an entry fee of f2 for each poem to: The Patrick Kavanagh Center, Inniskeen,

Co.

Monaghan

Sean

her "leadership, brav-

Boylan, 6 Dunlargue Road,

ery and dedication

Keady, Co. Armagh, Norttrcmke-

in the name of

land. The closing date for entries is October 2, 2000

and open press." The

For more information, contact

(800) 443-9372 or visit

www.4greenfields.com.

free

IPI's magazine paid tribute to Guerin,

Tradition," the annual contest seeks to create "a platform for

form at the Patrick Kavanagh weekend, held in honor of the late poet, in November. For information about the contest

describing her

or the Kavanagh weekend, call oo1-353-42-75860.

coverage of

audience." Previous winners include the authors of such eclectically titled

Four Green Fields is located at 29 North Santa Cruz in downtown Los Gatos and 1107 Burlingame Avenue in downtown Burlingame.

International Press Institute. Washington Post publisher Katharine Graham was also cited for

and finalists will be invited to per-

energies to an appreciative

lighting, including chandeliers, wall sconces and table lamps.

general of the

Reawakening of the GreatBardic

versifi ers to unleash their creative

tove. Four Green Fields,

just opcned this spring, a fine lrish home and gift store is reminiscent of the shops on Grafton Street and sells such

ing cvcr to appcar at auction" ond

"a fearless inves-

tigative

reporter daring

[whose]

Dublin's

criminal underworld exposed comrption, Veronica Guerin

Inrsn Avrnnrcl Mac-aznve August / September

2000 2l

HIBERNlAProfib

Enin's Ouun Bnoclrouich The Julia Roberts hil Erin Brockovich has many similarities to an ongoing case in Louisiana, only this time it's an lrish nun who is fighting for justice. Garry O'Sullivan reports. The problems in Grand Bois,

dred people

70 miles from New Orleans,

munity brought a lawsuit against the oil company and the dumping facilify. Exxon won the bat-

began in the late 1980s when oil

tle. Sr. Miriam sounds perplexed

Grand Bois

a small Louisiana community

giant Exxon started using the local Campbell Wells facility

oil field waste. The pits resemble gialt swiuuling puulu, uurJ ilro stench from them not only to dump millions of banels of

at the outcome.

'Even though rep

resentatives ofExxon said they knew that what they had brought

in was environmentally haz-

urtluuu, rurd they klol it cuuld be detrimental to human life,

Three hun-

from

the

areahave filed

lawsuits

charging that the chemicals

from

ths

dump have

offends the sense of smell, but causes the locals to have difficulty breathing and children to have

the bottom line was they didn't

damagedtheir

break the law. So who cared

health, but

what happened to the people?"

this fight isn't about money, Sr.

dumping in Louisiana was cost

constant nosebleeds.

The Campbell Wells facility

Miriam stresses. "They just said they wanted the facility

effective. Disposing of toxic waste in Alabama would have

closed down and their children

cost them 100 dollars a barrel; transport and disposal of it in Louisiana cost as little as seven to nine dollars a barrel, but the environmental cost is immea-

Clarice Friloux, one of the residents who tried to do something about the dump, says that

with few resources, the small French-speaking Native American community's protests fell on deaf ears. Friloux remembers that when she first heard of Sr. Miriam Mitchell she thought, "What can anun do except what I've been doing already - pray?" It took her two weeks to call her, she remembers, adding, "I thought I was probably wasting her time."

Sr. Miriam, a Holy Spirit nun from County Galway, was working for the Catholic Social

Services

in the Diocese of

Houma-Thibodaux, Louisiana when she heard of the problem in Grand Bois. "It became clear to me that they needed support beyond their own community. I brought the backing ofthe diocese," she recalls.

Sr. Miriam began with candlelight vigils, and her letterwriting campaign and lobbying efforts were eventually enough to pressure the Louisiana gov-

ernor into intervening. Exxon was stopped from bringing in additional waste. But the poisonous chemicals were still inthepis andinthe air. Thecom-

August/September

decided to setfle out ofcourt and the community, more concemed

with the health of their children than financial gain, settled for Campbell Wells' assurance that they would close the four pits closest to the community. However, this has not been done. Two years on, the pits are still open.

"The people of Grand Bois need to go to court again or the

treated." She cites the report of a toxicologist at Louisiana State University who monitored the blood of the town's children and adults for abnormalities caused by toxic chemicals. '"The findings at this point," says Sr. Miriam, "is they may be too damaged to ever live a healthy life."

surable. "It was a community that was

incredibly beautiful in terms of environment," Sr. Miriam families living in this community;

they are of Native American

"Even though representatives of Exxon said they knew that what they had brought in was environmentally hazardous...the bottom line was they didn't break the law. So who cared

what happened to the people?"

descent from the Houma tribe. They had wonderful fishing and trapping these people lived off the land. And as you know, the Native American people have tremendous respect for the land and for the whole of creation," she points out. "I think the only way to get some kind of reso-

lution is by the courts mandating that the place be closed down and cleaned. Or that the people get a settlement andmove

facility will go ahead and fill the pits in before they get to " says Sr. Miriam. '"They're not going to clean out any of the contamination or deadly chemicals but fill in some of the large pits from what they court

call

a re-use

pile

dried-up mud

from oil fields which is also highly contaminated."

2000

IntsH AivtsRlca MacazrNe

The people of Grand Bois have been living there for over 100 yean but their homss are now

worthless. "They can't go to the bank and use their land or home as collateral, no one is going to buy their homes, and these people are mostly poor, so moving is not an option." From Exxon's point of view,

IRI$H AMERIGA

recalls. "There's over 100

away." The fight continues, and Sr. Miriam was recently awarded the Harry Fagan Award for social action. The citation singled

out the nun's "dedication to social justice, particularly to

6&/rwr,u'/5/earwf @ .{sah"n ilztVa*gf frb6r.A?z%zt,

g"b

,%E e This special commemorative issue will include contributions from writers such as Pete Hamill, Frank McCourt and William Kennedy and highlight past interviews with prominent Irish Americans.

Join us for an evening of festivities with special honorees, guest speakers and good friends as we celebrate our 15th Anniversary at a gala celebration.

October/November 2000

Thursday, December 7, 2000 Pbza Hotel, New York City

Ad ClosingJuly30

BlackTie

people who are poor and denied respect for their human

dignity." @

lnlonmation For advertising information or to reserve a table please contact Patricia Daly at 2L2-725-2993, ext. 15

place with his own compositions, including "Song for Justice," an ode to lives claimed

studied the mayoral race, said O'Malley scored big points with city residents for standing up to the imperial judiciary. "He makes you want to stand and cheer," Arscott

in Northern Ireland's centuries of struggle. Yet much like in the political arena, O'Malley can shifthis musical mood from stomy to compassionate, dnrpping into awhispery tribute to St. Mary's light, the blue glow atop a South Baltimore church that once guided sailors into harbor. In March, the six-member band with uilleann pipes and harp completed its second CD, Wall for Me. Locally.the recording is outselling Grammy

said. The mayor's chief setback so far, however, has been the quick resignation ofhis police chief, Ronald L. Daniel. Daniel stepped down after just 57 days, refusing to endorse

O'Malley'

crime-fighting plan.

Shortly after winning the election, O'Malley convinced city business

A man ol the people.

leaders to hire former New

York Deputy

doing it," O'Malley said. "I played a full weekend

to help revamp the Baltimore

department. Maple had become a national legend after rising from New York subway cop to developing

this past weekend and felt

the computerized crime-

much

better

afterward."

fighting strategy that helped

City residents enjoy it too. The mayor and his

New York cut its annual murder rate from2,200 fwe

band were recently invited to play with the Baltimore

tojust under 700.

Symphony Orchestra, where patrons filled two

The model, which also requires aggressive track-

nights with

ing of violent fugitives, has

applause.

recently come under fire

Unwinding with guitar

"l lhink it's

rousing

a wonder-

due to the New York police shootings of three

ful thing for music and the city," said sym-

unarmed African-American men in the last l8 months. Daniel's resignation over what he called his lack of input on the crime plan left O'Malley elevating the department's second in command, newly hired former New York Deputy Commissioner Ed Nonis. O'Malley's African-American polit-

phony trumpeter Langston Fitzgerald. O'Malley's musical talent recenfly atffacted the interest of the President of lreland, Mary McAleese. Ireland's second consecutive female president made a special trip to Baltimore during her recent five-day tour to

ical opponents criticized the choice, holding protests over Norris, who is white. Yet the mayor took to the streets to defuse the tensions, holding three weeks of town meetings - some lasting as long as six hours - where he pledged to equally "police the police." "Baltimore is going to be the biggest law enforcement win in America," said Maple, who helped New Orleans, Newark and Philadelphia dramatically reduce their murder rate. "They have the necessary ingredient to succeed: a mayor with the political will to get it done." Despite the long, gruelling days in the offrce, O'Malley continues keeping a rigorous band schedule. Where others might curl up with a book or jog six miles a day to relieve stress, the mayor rocks into the wee hours of the morni4g atplaces like Mick O'Shea's

meet O'Malley.

McAleese lauded the mayor for resur-

0'Malley

recting interest in the land ofhis grandfather that made Baltimore one of the largest kish immigration intake centers of America during the 19th century. McAleese noted that many of those residents leftliom a small hish port in County Cork of the same name

approach.

Baltimore.

Six months into his mayoral tenure, O'Malley is gaining high marks for the reforms he has already initiated in the city court system and police department. And because of his youth, political analysts 42 miles south in Washington, D.C. are already talking about O'Malley as a possible presidential candidate down the road.

"He'll hit some high notes and he'll sing the blues," said Maryland

Baltimore. Wearing a black muscle shirt with cut-off sleeves, O'Malley pounds out Irish rebel classics such as "Black and Tans" on his acoustic guitar with jackhammer force, peppering the

"It's exciting to come to a city where the mayor is named O'Malley," McAleese said. "When the kish do well in America, it energizes us at home."

Irish Pub and Restaurant in downtown

IIXIVtrRSITY

Award-winning Santana. "I do it because I enjoy

Police

Commissioner Jack Maple

years ago

INNIPIAC

The mayor

tows

August / September 2000 Inrsn AruBnIca MRcRzlrue

season.

U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski. "But we're all ready to get behind O'Malley's march." @

takes great pride in announcing the opening of the

LcxDER FAIVIILY SppcrAL CoTLECTToN RooM AN Qonca CDon che qncAc huNq€R featuring the most extensive collection of art and literature in Amerrca devoted to Ireland's Great Famine, one of the worst tragedies in human history and the single worst catastrophe in 19th-century Europe Guest speaker: Christine Kinealy, renowned Irish historian and author of the criti cally acclaimed book Th is Great Calam xty: Tlte Irisb Famine, 1 845-1 I 52.

F€Hffiffiffiru$&Passings Ireland on a fact-finding mission to investigate human rights

violations and urge Britain to find a political solution to "The Troubles." The following year he earned

needed."

the ire of both the Irish and British governments when he

Bridgeport, Connecticut, to be Cardinal O'Connor's successor.

refused to boycott ftre St. Panick's

Day Parade after Peter King,

then comptroller of Nassau County and a supporter of Sinn

F6in and Noraid, was elected grand marshal. As he pointed out to our magazine in 1986,

'My

responsibility as Archbishop of New York is towards the peo-

ple of New York. . . . my obligation as an American citizen is toward Amencan citrzens and I try to carry out these obligations. "I try to the best of my ability to gather all the information that I can from all sources. I talk with people I trust, think about il pray about it, and then present to the hish American community in New York what seems to me to bethe mostmorally responsible

position."

Cardinal John O'Connor, the

church's opposition to abortion, and was savvy in his use of the media as a means of communicating church teaching to the public at large In a 1986 interview with this

Archbishop of the New York

magazine, he described his appre-

Archdiocese, died onMay 3 atthe

ciation of his Irish heritage: "I think that in my student years I was very conscious of my Irish

John Cardinal O'Gonnor (1e20-2000)

age of 80 at his residence in New York City. The cause was cardiopulmonary arrest, a result of his battle with brain cancer. With his passing, the Vatican lost a powerful spokesman and

Irish America lost a valuable ally.

Cardinal O'Connor was appointed to the post of Archbishop of the 10-county diocese of New York in 1984 (he was elevated to cardinal the following year) and didn't hesitate

to inject church teaching into civic debate. He would carefully study both sides of an issue, but when it came to church teaching, he was unequivocal, and forcefully so, and was not afraid to express a challenging or unpop-

heritage. I became an avid reader

of the Irish literary renaissance writen. Ibecame immersed in the works ofPatrick Pearse, Joseph Mary Plunkett, Padraic Colum, the Irish poets of the day and the essayists of the day. That

O'Connor who secured his retum to New York City. And his support for the social services established New York as the quickest to respond to the plight of illegal Irish immigrants. Under his leadership, the archdiocese estab-

lished Project hish Outreach

ing about the country." Intensity of feeling would be an apt characterization for much

1985 to provide such needed social services as

The Vatican has appointed another Irish American, Bishop

Edward Michael Egan of Rest in peace, good shepherd.

William Francis Gallagher William Francis Gallagher - an advocate for the blind and a former lrish America Top 100 honoree - died last April, after a long illness, at the age of 77 .

A retired president of the American Foundation fbr the Blind, Massachusetts native Gallagher lost his own sight at a

young age, andjoined the foun-

dation's stalf in 1972. He was named associate director for advocacy

1978, overseeing

publications, conferences and

"My father always made a big point of telling us, 'See those votes coming in? You were involved in that,"' O'Malley recalls. Gaining his first taste of campaigning at the Jesuit-based Gonzaga High School, where he ran for student council on a recycling program, O'Malley won a seat on the Baltimore City Council when he was 28 and former Mayor Kurt L. Schmoke. With

tough crime-fighting pledge, even starring in a campaign television commercial where she told fellow Baltimore African-Americans that O'Malley had the vision necessary to turn the city around. "I don't care ifhe's blue, green, black or pink," Vaughn said. 'As long as he gets the job done." O'Malley wasted little time making an impact. Of his first critical cabinet picks,

starched pressed shirt and stiff white collar

four were African-Americans, including

giving him the look of Michael Collins, O'Malley fostered the image with tighr fisted, impassioned council floor diatribes decrying the

the police chief.

quickly emerged

as the

political nemesis of

O'Malley credits his knowledge of kish

city's soaring crime rate, rampant political patronage and

"He's like a pit bull," said

found him to be extremely responsive, caring and sincerely intercsted in making sure that the charge he received fromcitizens

is coming about."

measly seven percent support.

Massachusetts, and then from Holy Cross in 1948, with a degree

Political analysts viewed his candidacy as hopeless in a city with a 65 percent black

in sociology. He received

population.

O'Malley's first six months in office hasn't been all smooth sailing. City judges balked at the mayor's request for them to work nights and weekends by siaffing a city jail courtroom to help reduce the caseload. Two

Baltimore murder suspects walked free after

Yet the tireless O'Malley

in 1950.

hit the streets vigorously, rais-

Gallagher's wife, Catherine O'Brien Gallagher, died in 1990. William Gallagher is survivedby a sister, Mary Langan.

ing more than $1 million in

a timely fashion. Appearing before a panel of state legislators reviewing the problem, O'Malley told them he wanted to'throw up" atjudges'

Baltimore's most traditionally active voters - African-

American woman over55 -to take a chance on his pledge to

contentions that the city courts

were improving. The battle escalated a week later when

dramatically reduce the 300

yearly murders plaguing

the chiefjudge complained that

Baltimore.

O'Malley didn't fully explain

"I knew being white was a Baltimore's mayor leads a city cleanup. handicap," said the father of three whose wife, Katie, is a dynamo in history with helping him

his courtroom plan. The outaged mayor, a former

grants.

ing intellect and wonderful sense of humor, all of which he brought

with his viewpoints, few

ment."

could argue his integrity. The late Irish American

Retired schoolteacher Wilhelmena Vaughn was one of the black women who threw her support toward O'Malley. Vaughn's daugh-

ter was murdered several years ago, the killer never convicted. The West Baltimore community activist backed O'Malley's

poverty and oppression." Wittrin days of stepping into office, the new

to play in the debate about

larly vocal about the Catholic

priests to travel to Northern

2000

InrsH Ar,reRrca

MaclzNe

her own right as a state prosecutor. "But to

not run because of the color of my skin

care to illegal lrish immi-

would have been to sell folks short. Because nobody, not black, white, green or blue, has low expectations for their city govern-

human rights advocate Paul O'Dwyer, a well-known New

York liberal, once said of the cardinal, 'The snength of

judge ruled

three months and convincing

free counseling and medical

And while many differed

their case had not been tried

Archbishop of the New York Archdiocese, along with a sear-

of O'Connor's career as

mmplainS surfaced that ttrey were taking up coveted downtown slots. And Baltimore's 47th mayor helped save 350 jobs shortly after he took office by

critical. "He has the energy of three people," said William L. Jews, CareFirst president. "I have

graduated from Perkins School

Master's Degree in social work

- to tum in free on-street parking

Gary Mclhinney, president of the Baltimore Fraternal Order of Police. "If he gets a hold ofyou, he's not going to let go until you give up. The more you fight, the harder he bites." When Schmoke stepped

for the Blind in Watertown, a

school pal passes after

parking deal that ownen viewed

side

Born in Maynard, just outof Boston, Gallagher

trash trucks, leading an army of public works employees in a major sweep of Baltimore's main thoroughfares. Within three months, he ordered 1,800 city workers - including his deputy mayor and high

helped negotiate a long-term

wasteful spending.

down last year after al2-year tenure, a field of 27 mayoral candidates formed to succeed him. O'Malley jumped in with polls showing him carrying u Mayor 0'Malley. his wile and two daughters.

govemment relations. He became Executive Director in 1980, and president in 1989.

mayor showed that he knew how to be the city maestro voters sought. He donned an orange jump suit and rode the back of city

convincing CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield to drop its plans to move to the suburbs. O'Malley

empathize with the plight of Baltimore blacks. O'Malley said he understands the need for City Hall to reach out to blacks, who suffer the highest share of poverty, joblessness, drug abuse and murder in Baltimore, much like kish Catholics persecuted under centuries of British rule, 'There is more thatunites us than divides us," O'Malley said. 'No matterhow successfirl the hishhavebecome in Americ4 we're only

ular position. He was particu-

AugusUSeptember

Cardinal O'Connor also sided with the Irish American communify on the extradition of Joe Doherty. A member of the IRA Doherty was arrested in New York and held on an extradition warrant. When Doherty was transferred to a remote prison in upstate New York, away from his family and lawyers, it was

gave me a certain intensity of feel-

Northern Ireland and in his service to lrish Americans. In 1984, he was one of four

his leadership so freely given in freedom's name was never more

a few generations and a boat ride from

state prosecutor, responded by sending some of the state's highest-ranking jurists elementary stick figure drawings illustrating the arrest and court process. The graphics found their way into the press, and within weeks, the judges acquiesced. "It may appear to be flip, but he is fully aware of what he's doing," said Baltimore

City Councilwoman Helen Holton. "When he believes in something, he is very passionate

and he will convey the message in a way best understood by the most amount of people."

Carol Arscott, a political consultant who

InrsH ANlsRrca M.q.cazNe August / September

2000

F'S

hLLp'//,,rt,w.ida

n d,.Cg*v1

e-bu(rvre(( I;FIEI

ta, + € & & B € G 'i Eack Forvard

:$ at*'"t

w ltctuts

-u 5

o o o o

a o @

o L

o o o l

a o o o

Mayor 0'Malley performing

with

his celtic rock band O'Malley's March.

20-year-old field director for former Colorado

New Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley is renewing this harbor city's long Irish ties not only by his stunning election in a predominantly African-American city but also as leader of the area's most popular Celtic rock band, O'Malley's March. Brimming with knowledge of Irish history

Sen. Gary Hart's Iowa presidential campaign and has since entwined music and politics. Armed in America's heartland with

lawyer and City Councilman was inaugurated

in December after capturing 54 percent of the city vote. With his brash, confrontational style, biting wit and trademark impatience, O'Malley Catholic University graduate

Baltimore has

Irish-American homes, the O'Malley clan

laced two popular CDs of Irish-American

posted the commensurate John F. Kennedy

songs, many of which O'Malley wrote

portrait. But O'Malley's attorney father, Thomas, taught his son and five other children political science from the front row. He had Martin handing out political leaflets by age seven and more imporlantly, watching the returns.

masses

with a crisp tenor voice that

himself.

"He's the Pied Piper of Baltimore," said Wendy Royalty, former Baltimore deputy health commissioner.

O'Malley started in politics in 1983

as the

ffi

t#w ffi ft tr

lnd$striel D*vel*pment Agency _

_ _ _ -

Si$p

r*gts! rtlf ia.s

f*cTs

sltE MsP

WF*Y?

tlD*l lRSLAlttD

w$Yl*f!.*i!s

ts(Anoil+or{"{r} vrrAr$$rEn6

AOL

csilnf,r3)l

Dell

E-ClDr,lt$InCE

does all lts European Ooee +

merfter billing in

IRELAHD

million dollars a day of oriine sales in

DoubleClick

does all

its inlernalional bifiing in

IHELAHD

IFELAHD

EMC tuesdlilsweb hosting in IRELAHD

gEtn€t

Gatew4t Novel

does all its web

salesin

IRELAHD

I does all its European web sales in I RE

Oracle

does all ils web hosling in

LAH D

IFELAND

O'Malley's mother, Barbara, nurtured her son's political passion in the Washington, D.C. suburbs, where she has worked for the last 13 years as a state senator's aide. Like most

has already ruffled everyone from police chiefs

has also grabbed the attention of

€

Prinl

lf\t*t gtftY E{n€gti,gsilr to{.A'Ionr3

only aphone, congressional district maps and voter lists, O'Malley wooed farmers to pharmacists with his movie star looks, an acoustic guitar slung over his shoulder and a penny whistle in his pocket. "The kid galvanized people," former Hart deputy campaign manager Doug Wilson said. "You could see the fire in his eyes."

and rebel song, the 37-year-old former

to judges. The

Refresh Honre SEarch lftages

Baltimore's mayor at

August / September 2000 Intss AvpnIc.q, M.qc,qztNs

.tIDA IREIAND INDUSTRIAT DEVELOPMENT AGENCY

(770)351-8474. BoSIoN (617) 482-8225 cHrcAGo (312) 236-0222. LOS ANGELES (310) 829-0081 NEW Y0RK (212) 750-4300. SAN JoSE (408) 294-9903

ATLANTA

WEBSITE: WWWIDAIRELAND,C0M

inela^d

e-budneff

i i1:;t ::,,,r r-i,'ii:itll=i HiStOry Children leam step dancing at the Knights of Columbus Hall and show off their skills in parades and performances accompanied by local Irish musicians. Three of these musicians - Tom Powers, Mick Cavanaugh and Kevin McGreevy make up the acoustical trio Dublin Gulch. Tom

A Ship Apart: The Jeanie Johnston It's human nature to look for inspiring stories in larger narratives of suffering and tragedy, whelher it's the one about the band aboard the Titanic playing to the bitter end or the story of Oskar Schindler scheming to save the lives of Jews during the Holocaust. And so it is wirh the ship Jeanie Johnston, the latest in a series of

projects to commemorate Ireland's darkest hour, the Great Falriue.

The Jeanie Johnston

life-size replica of a ship used to bring Famine emigrants to America. It was constructed in

ease or accident at sea

during

Powers organized the group to encourage others to learn about their own Irish heritage. "I want others to leam Irish history through its music as I did," said Powers. "ffwe have been successfi.rl, it is because we as purveyors

its many voyages between 1848 and 1858. Sadly, most Famine era ships

did not fare as well. Indeed,

of the information are adequate to the task. The body ol lrish music is very entertain-

many of the vessels that carried

Irish Famine refugees to the Americas were'simply known

ing; it is a good story and it's fun to do." They

as "coffin ships." During the Famine' s wors t y em Black' 47 - out of approximately 20,000 -100,000 emigrants perished at sea. Must were cardetl away by the diseases that ran freely in the reeking holds of the ships. Dr. J. Custis, a physician who

play in the bars on St. Patrick's Day where the crowds are packed so tight they can barely dance. Later, the

wrote that although he had

ment, the European Union,

heland, "it was not half so shock-

witnessed the devastation of the

famine in the workhouses of

the Elan Corporation

and individual donors in Ireland, the United States, and Canada). When completed, the 150-foot ship is both a working sailing

lhe Jeanie Johnston

was built in Quebec

way (left).

ing as what I subsequently witnessed on board the very first emigrant ship I ever sailed on."

184'7, the

worst year of the Famine. It was purchased by a wealthy Tralee (Co. Kerry) merchant named Nicholas Donovan. Originally he intended the

As one priest observed, '1t would be better to spend one's entire life in a hospital than to spend just a few hours in the hold ofone of these vessels." Even if they survived the perilous 25-50 day voyage to North

triple-masted ship to carry wood and other cargo, but quickly converted it to transport cargoes of up to 220 souls. Forthe next ten years (1848-1858) the Jeanie Johnston made regular runs from Tralee (an area that eventually lost

America, thousands of Irish famine refugees perished in port hospitals and quarantine stations. The most notorious of the latter was Grosse lle. a quarantine station and makeshift hospital on an island in the St. Lawrence River near Quebec. Beginning in the

half its population during the Famine) to pots in America and Canada. It carried passenger$ on the voyage out and retumed with timber and other goods. On at

spring of 1847, thousands of sick and weakened famine immi-

least one occasion, the ship

grants began to arrive and by year's end more than 17,000 of them lay buried in mass graves.

returned with Famine relief supplies. In the winter of 1848, at the height of the Famine, the Jeanie Johnston arrived in Tralee bearing tons of Indian corn, 1lour, yellow meal and wheat seed. The ship's greatest distinction is that it never lost a passenger or

crewmember

2000

of traditional Irish songs he learned in Ireland and Butte and in between. He is a quiet man who prefers to speak through the instrument that seems to be an extension of his hands when he plays. The Yank has played the squeezebox for more than 80 years and his fingers still deftly ply the buttons on his accordion. He clearly remembers the snowy November day in 1911 he arrived in Butte as an eight-yearold with his parents. In a soft voice

recalls, 'There were cobblestones on the sffeet

and red bricks and no automobiles."

"Butte was a really Irish town when I

first came here," said Harrington. "As a boy I remember listening to Irish tunes at shindigs, as they called them in the boardinghouses. Like many miners, Harrington's father died

young, in 1916, and his mother died in 1918. A year later, the young orphan was shipped east to Montreal to catch a ship for

Ireland where he lived with his grandmother in County Cork for seven years. That's where he got his nickname "The Yank." He returned to America in 1921 and worked in New Yorkbuilding roads and the New York City subway before moving Scenes lrom St. Patrick's Day Parade

1997

Butte landscape today.

back to Butte

1932. He has remained

there ever since, rctuming to keland only once

for a visit in 1910. Folklorist and storyteller Kevin Shannon recalls his own memories of Butte as a boy and preserves Butte's Irish character through his many stories andjokes. Meanwhile, the documents of Butte's history are gathered and stored by his daughter Ellen who manages the Butte-Silver Bow Archives.

After several years away from Butte, Jerry Sullivan returned to his hometown to open a new bank, the Granite Mountain Bank. Like other Irish Americans in Butte through the years, he keeps an eye on developments in Ireland and he spends a lot of energy on Project Children, a program that brings children from Northern Ireland to the United States to explore their differences and common interests. Of course, the ultimate expression and celebration of Butte's Irishness is the St. Patrick's Day celebration that now draws about 30,000 revelers each March 17 to its historic uptown district to enjoy the parade

There is frequent traffic between Ireland and Butte as residents renew family ties in Ireland and Irish come to visit a place that feels like home in the wilds of Montana. Marcus Daly is notforgotten in Butte, where there is a statue of him by Augustus St. Gaudens. He made loyal friends and was beloved by the thousands of kish who came to work in his mines. He died in 1900, in the

Netherlands Hotel in New York City from complications of diabetes and a bad heart.

He was 58 years old. He is buried in Greenwood Cemetery in Brooklyn. At his death the Butte Miners Union acknowledged Daly's role as "an honored friend and neighbor, whose loss this union sincerely

bewails." Margaret continued to live in Montana until her death in l941.She too, is buried in the

family mausoleum in Brooklyn. @

is open to the Fultic. Tel: 406. details.The Wcrld Mueorn'| ot

led by the Ancient Order.of Hibernians

aefes.

and celebrate in bars such as Maloney's, the

M&M, and the Irish Times, where Tom Wilde has recreated an Irish pub complete with booths made from church pews imported

from keland.

Disease was not to leave threat

to human life aboard the coffin ships. Many Irish immigrants died in the more than sixty shipwrecks which occuned

dring

the

Famine years. The Exmouth,

either to dis-

AugusUSeptember

under construc-

tion (abovel. Jeanie Johnston on her

vessel and floating museum. The original Jeanie Johnston

perform at a local

tlance. They are joined there by John '"The Yank" Harrington and his button accordion. At 96 years of age, The Yank has just released his first CD of tunes culled from the hundreds

traveled aboard six famine ships,

Blennerville near Tralee, County Kerry at a cost of $10 million (donated by the Irish Govern-

tio

hotel to allow young and old to listen and

for example, foundered in 1847

Intss AuenrcA

MAGAZTNE

;

-_ IntsH Alasnlca M.q,cazrue August / September

2000

f ','" f

),'. ? j

Counties Mayo and Donegal. They shaped

the city, settling in strong communities called Corktown and Dublin Gulch, close to the mines on the Hill. Gaelic was commonly heard on the streets and understood by most who heard it. According to David Emmons' book Zfte Butte lrish, by 1900 Butte had 12,000 residents of Irish descent in a population of 47 ,635. A quarter of the population was kish,

a higher percentage than American city at the tum of the century, including

in any other

Jeremiah J. Lynch was a district court judge with the more important role of leader of the

Irish community in Butte. Born in Ballycrovane in County Cork, he came to Butte and worked a short while in the mines and then as a bartender. He was elected as judge in the state district court in 1906 and he often used his chambers to host committee meetings of various hish associations of which

he was a leading member. These included

"-*r

a t

Republic of Ireland. He died in Dublin within a month of taking his post there.

Cork but large numbers also came from

just off the coast of Scotland,

'\ I

Scenes from Bufte's St. Patrick's Day

also filled the ranks of judges, doctors, priests, flremen, policemen, lawyers, newspaper reporters and editors. From muckers in the mines to mayors and millionaires, they often belonged to ttre same kish fiatemal associations that allowed them to mingle freely.

taking with it all but three of its 251 passengers. A few months

later, the St. John fared only

prisingly early

ship had received far more humane treatment than the

only ten years

people.

achusetts. Hundreds came to see the wreck, including Henry David Thoreau. "I sought many marble feet and matted heads as the cloths were raised," he wrote, "and one livid, swollen and

mangled body of a drowned girl, who probably had intended to

-go out to [domestic]

service in

serve to emphasize the extraor-

ber-laden ship

dinary record of the Jeanie

sank. Inkeeping with its unblemished record, its crew of 17 was

begin a 2}-city

community in what was ostensibly

threat: abuse and misffeafinent by

tour of America and Canada

callous crewmen. This took

accompanied the Jeanie Johwton

sometime this

many forms, from overcrowding to violence, and occurred mainly

on its maiden voyage in April 1848. On that occasion he not

on the shorter trips of Ireland to England. The worst incident occurred aboard the steamer Londonderry in the winter of

only faced the challenge of

will surely draw

protecting the lives of the pas-

1848. toaded with cargo and 174

delivered a baby boy to Daniel and Margaret Ryal of Tralee.

large crowds, especially of Glonlert Gathedral's unique doorway is to be restored. Irish Americans. They'll be Express's l0-year $10 million drawn to the Jeanie Johnston commitment to preserve the bothasapieceoflrishheritage world's endangered sites and

immigrant passengers, the ship

sengers, but of bringing a new one into the world. He

summer. When does arrive

larger prompted more giving flom local story of immeasurable loss. and national governments, corporations, Edwqrd T. foundations as well as O'Donnell and as a symbol of life in a

for Butte, which explains

why in 1908 there were 1,200 Sullivans there.

lrish Cathedfal On

Butte was so Irish that de Valera stopped there twice on fundraising tours. If Irish miners dug the ore below ground, they were also well represented

LiSt

GOnSefVatiOn

rheworrdMonumenrwatcr program, created by the World Monuments Fund serves to protect cultural landmarks all over the world that are in immediate

at the top of Butte society.

Cornelius "Con" Kelley, the son of Marcus Daly's lifelong friend Jeremiah Kelley, became a brilliant

danger due to neglect,

lawyer who eventually rose to lead the Anaconda

Company through labor Local Butte bar circa 1900 where miners stopped in lor a popular "Sean 0'Fanel," a shot ol whiskey with a beer chaser uffest, strikes, slumps in Butte once boasted seven kish parishes and the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Robert copper prices, the Great Depression and has supplied the faith wi*r more ttran its share two world wars until he retired in 1955. Of Emmett Literary Association, the Irish him abiographer wrote, "He made Anaconda an industrial Gibraltar around which the

National Alliance, the Gaelic Athletic Association, the Hibernian Rifles, the

business storms that dismayed others played

Friends of Irish Freedom, and the American Association for the Recognition of the Irish

William McDowell came to Butte to

Republic. He was a co-founder of the

manage the general office of the Anaconda

Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, a fraternal

Company for Marcus Daly and became successful in state politics serving twice

organization that endures in Butte today. In fact, from the 1880s on, the Irish were represented in every level of Butte's soci-

iStOry

Jeanie

doctor and a recent graduate from Edinburgh University,

Sullivan families left Castletownbere in Cork

of the House and two terms as lieutenant governor. In 1934 he was appointed the U.S. Ambassador to the

The

hassett, son of a prominent Tralee

who left the parish of

i?j,?.H

Johnstonrcphca

immigrants faced still a third

camp.

i:;Tr

is slated to cross the Atlantic and

Eyeries in County Cork between 1870 and 1915, 1,138 ended up in Butte. Members of 77 different

as the Speaker

board. Dr. Richard Blenner-

boom

Fj:i

passing ship.

some American family." On top ol disease and disaster,

Boston. Of 1,700 people

in vain."

rescued

These associations and the Catholic Church along with strong family ties were the keys to the building of an enduring a

*:#

after its maiden voyage, thetim-

converted ships that transported the thousands to the Americas, to keep a full-time physician on

age. In 1858,

Experiences such as these

Johnston. Surely one of the reasons the ship boasted such a remarkable record was due to the owner's decision, rare among the hastily

doom at a sur-

and crew guilty of manslaughter noted that the cattle aboard the

slightly better, losing at least 99 passengers when it smashed on the rocks near Cohasset, Mass-

of priests and nuns from the city's youth. That most of the miners were Irish and Catholic is testified to by the fact that waste rock was

commonly referred to in the mines

ety. They worked as miners and shift bosses,

"Protestant ore." Morc than one hundred years later, the kish still dominate this modem city ofjust under 35,000. A glance in the local telephone directory reveals about 100 Sullivan families alone, 43 listings for Sheas, and 32

boilermakers and hoist engineers, but they

O'Neills.

August / September 2000 Inrsu ArrasntcR MecRztNB

Gonstruction ol lhe Jeanie Johnston was a cross-border effort employing youth lrom lreland North and South

encountered a storm just off The couple promptly named the coast of Donegal. While him Nicholas Johnston Ryal most of the passengers were after the ship and its owner. expected to make the journey Tragically, Dr. Blennerhassett on deck, the captain ordered laterdiedofcholerawhileservthem herded into one of the ingonadifferentship. Evidence ship's three cabins. The next also suggests that the Jeanie morning brought to light a hor- Johnston's success was attribrifying scene: 3l women,23 utable to its experienced and men, and 18 children had been humane captain, James Attridge crushed or suffocated to death. of Cork. The jury that found the captain The Jeanie Johnston met its

suburban

individuals. FoundedbySt.Brendan"The Navigator," the monastery at Clonlert was an important seat

3#trff,Hil,:,tii"i,trxi'"r]; site since 557 A.D. The present

cathedral built in the HibernoRomanesque style demonstrates the interest in multiple gbometric and natural designs that was

sprawl,flood,fire,earthquakeand popular in the twelfth century sometimes war. Sites range from along with zoomorphic carvancientricetenacesinthePhilip- ings. Added to these are the pines to an eighteenth-century Celtic trademarks of continupalace in Ethiopia. ous, swirling lines and a denThanks to the efforts of the sity of carving unique to Celtic St. Brendan the Navigator art. The cathedral's west portal Restoration and Education Foun- epitomizes such workmanship. dation, the first Irish site is For more information about featured on this list. St. Brendan's the St. Brendan the Navigator

now

County Restoration and Education Galway will receive $70,000 Foundation,contactBrianConCathedral in Clonfert,

from American Express for conservation of its unique

the

stone

doorway which dates back

nolly atQl2)801-8511 orE-mail

BJJC@aol.com

For more information about

themiddleofthetwelfthcentury. World Monuments Watch and Thedoorway's elaboratedesign World Monuments Fund conis threatened by erosion. This tactcall (2I2)511-9367 orvisit

grant is part of American www.worldmonuments.org. InrsH Arr,renrcA MAGAZINE August / September

2000

.1i

; $.;ii +j; il:.li

i:i;,:,.' AftS

improvements around Butte. He built power plants and irrigation stations, railroads and lumber mills. He built a town and one of the world's tallest ore

lnish Ants Extrauaganta

lr'

{8s

smelters and named them after his

Kennedy, John McGahern,

Compared to cities like New Yorlg Chicago and Boston, which all boast a sffong kish presence, Washington D.C. can hardly lay claim

Jennifer Johnston and Frank McCourt read from their work, as did Irish poets Michael Lon-

to being the heart of Irish America, but for two weeks in May, that's exactly what it was. And one would be hard pressed to find a more appropriate setting anywhere outside oflreland than the John F. Kennedy Center for the

Sgl€,EJ

gley, Nuala Ni Dhomhnaill,

i-:---r: r€=:-+--

EEEF-

Eavan Boland and Paul Durcan. Seamus Heaney also did a read-

memorial to our 35th president, the Kennedy

piper Liam O'Flynn. The kish contribution to drama

Center gave renewed meaning to this

was well represented with three

mission as artists and scholars from all over Ireland and the U.S. descended upon our nation's capital to celebrate Irish An in all its lururs. The brainchild of Jean Kennedy Smith, former U.S. Ambassador to Ireland, the festival explored the continuity and evolution of Irish Arts as it

American premieres: Catalpa,

'::':...,, ,i

g_:l

t-'4 q

Irq

I' la

$ r. l;

John

,:-.,::.j

:;"

sion boasts 24 bedrooms, 15 bathrooms and 7 fireplaces. Daly raised thoroughbred horses. He

also dabbled in politics.

lllt ,*i

rrrri*;r ._. - ,'i"

F. Kennedy

tiu*, the Performing Arts

Beckett along with a treasure trove

of manuscripts, original writing and first editions by writers like James Joyce and Seamus Heaney. Meanwhile, the Phillips Collection hosted an exhibition of the work of contemporary artist Tony

-h

llr

: *-$!3

strong Democrat, he contributed heavily to the 1896 ualrpaigu uf Pupulist Willitun Jennings Bryan while simultaneously trying to quash the political aspirations of

Marina Carr and Pentecost, set

The festival kicked off with a lavish gala concert

of State Madeleine

€a

most exciting young playwrights,

can still be heard in country and bluegrass music.

McAleese, Secretory

l::.,.

Donal O'Kelly's one-man show about the daring rescue of Irish prisuucrs frulr Australia, Oz Raftery's Hillby one of keland's

emigrants. Its influence

Mary

_n:i

naveled the world with its

of Ireland

sion on 22,000 acres of land in the Bitterroot Valley across the mountains and away from the industrial chaos in Butte. The 24,213-square-foot man-

ing to the accompaniment of

Performing Arts. Conceived as a living

attended by President

mine, Anaconda, which was also known as the "Never Sweat" mine because of its good ventilation. (Tourists can stay in the Marcus Daly Hotel in Anaconda today). Daly also built a beautiful man-

f:ra

F_.? ry *".|il'

his rival in the copper mines William Andrews Clark, who was married to his

wife's sister. Word of Daly's fame and fortune

"Dublin Gulch"

7 housed most ol the lrish immigrant miners that worked at the Anaconda Mine

(background).

drew other kish to Montana. Despite the

bitterly cold winters and the remoteness of the location, Butte presented a rare

- a place to start anew where work could be found and at high wages, too. Daly paid $3.50 a day, almost twice what opportunity

industrial workers made in other parls of the country. The Irish were joined by other immigrants drawn by the promise of work, but even as others arrived the Irish dominated

the town. One story describes how an Arab

rug merchant named Mohammed Akara legally changed his last name to Murphy "for business reasons."

Most of Butte's Irish were from County

O'Malley.

And in its ongoing efforts to make 'ib for Arls and Culture Sile the arts available to everyone, the Kennedy 1 de Valera and Kennedy also hosted several free events on its Smith herself. Millennium Stage. Here audiences could Under the direction of enjoy the musical storytelling of Frank musical virtuoso Donal Harte or the captivating voice of Karan Lunney and backed by Donal Lunny {left} iams with Sharon Shannon (center} and Nollaig Gasey (tight}. g4ssy. the band Coolfin, such During her stay in Washington, Presrenowned performers as Ricky Skaggs, during the Ulster Workers Strike in 1914. ident McAleese also launched the Emmylou Harris, Mary Black, Sharon Shan- Meanwhile Irish drama critic Fintan O'Toole academic conference that ran in conjunction non, Steve Earle, Galician piper Carlos moderatedatheatersymposiumthatbrought with the festival and was sponsored by Nunez and Elvis Costello held sway. The together Irish actors, playwrights and the Irish Department of Education. Entievent was emceed by none other than Frank directors like the Druid Theatre's own Garry tled Ireland: Politics, Culture, and Identity, McCourt who described the concert as a jour- Hynes for a day of dramatic readings and this interdisciplinary conference brought ney through the history of Irish music. And a discussion of contemporary theatre in together students and scholars from all over what celebration of Irish art would be com- Ireland. Ireland and the U.S. to explore such issues plete without a number from Riverdance? A frhn festival showcasing the work of film- as cultural change in contemporary Ireland, The joumey through Irish music continued makers from Ireland and Northem Ireland unionism and the future of the union, and the over the next two weeks as Mick Moloney and was hosted at the American Film Institute The- Irish Diaspora. The Green Fields of America explored the atre at the Kennedy Center. The festival All in all it was a wonderfully compreevolution of Irish music in America, while featured the much anticipated American hensive festival that had all corners of the Tommy Makem and Jean Ritchie focused premiere of Nora,based on the life of James Center pulsing with excitement. Of all the on the musical tradition in Northern Joyce's wife, and WildAbout Harry, starring events hosted by the Kennedy Center, this heland. The hish Chamber Orchestra was on Brendan Gleason. was perhaps the most fitting tribute to the hand to perform the world premiere of a The center also featured an exhibition of man the building commemorates. As a new work by Bill Whelan of Riverdance Irish paintings from the collection of Brian fellow journalist overheard one audience Albright, Irish Minister

.::

fame, as was the chamber orchestra P. Burns including the work of Jack B. memberobserve,"Irishmusicintheopera Camerata lreland, led by Barry

Douglas. Yeats, Roderic O'Conor and Paul Henry. It William also included letters from Samuel

In the field of letters, authors

August/September

2000

IRtsH AvTBRIcR Mac.qzrNe

hall

...

after

I guess Kennedy finally got his way

all." @ InrsH Anaenrca, Ma,c,q.zrNe August / September

2000

FROM THE EMERALD ISLE TO THE COPPER MINES

, --,.F-t

frr: _

-a,_: _,-

EIIA,hIfD .c$vvr

}-l *f =ri-.--T*

' .j

f---.-

€ -cl

7 .

,#'t'

'€ fE:; 1; '---:a

r,i

r el

?-'rt

rt\r

4G,-"i

An h istorica[ [ook at the lrish of Butte, Montana BY GEORGE EVERETT Butte, Montana: Mining cottages in evening light.

Marcus Daly, who became one of the richest men in the West, was bom in 1841, in Ballyjamesduff, County Cavan, the

in Ophir. A son Marcus and

youngest of eleven children of a farm family. At l5 he arrived in New York City

the Alice Silver Mine.

third daugh-

1876 the Walkers sent Daly to investigate

The young Irishman not only recom-

with very little money and limited education. It took him five years to save enough money to buy passage to San Francisco where he had a sister. From there he headed to Nevada

to work the Comstock Lode mine. By 1871, Daly was in Ophir, Utah, working as a foreman for the Walker Brothers, amine owning, banking rymdicate in Saltt ake City. In 1872 while Daly was inspecting a

mine in Ophir with a Mr. Evans and his daughter Margaret, the young lady lost her

footing and tumbled into Daly's arms. Later that year they were married. Margaret was 18 and Daly was 30. The couple's first two children, Margaret and Mary, were born

ter Harriet were bom in Butle, Montana where

August / September 2000 Inrsn AIvteRrce M,q.cazINB

mended purchase, he invested $5,000 of his own savings. He later sold out his interest for $30,000 and bought the Anaconda Silver Mine which geologists thought to be nearing exhaustion. The silver soon ran out but Daly sank a shaft into an unlikely spot and struck a vein ofcopper 50 feet wide. At first disappointed, Daly soon realized his luck and set about buying up the mineral rights around the area. Thomas Edison had just completed the world's frst electric light power plant in New York City and copper was just coming into use for electricity and telegraph wire. Soon there was such a demand for copper that Daly built his own smelter. Previous to this the ore had been shipped to England for smelting. Soon he was rich beyond measure and was dubbed the Copper King.

Daly used his fortune to make vast

tbe Best, of Tve[and on[wle Haven't been home in awhile? Visit virtualireland.com and get a taste of what you've -Whether been missing. you're looking for the latest Dublin business news or a good recipe for Dublin Coddle, Virtual Ireland's got something for you. \fle've got 24-how news, entertainment and travel tips, plus penpal listings, chat rooms and free virtual -We'll even get you a free email account and daily postcards you can email to your friends. sweepstakes chances to win rental cars, free trips to Ireland and other goodies. Best of all, let your voice be heard in some of the busiest and hottest Forums on the web, contributed to daily by the Irish and their friends from around the globe. Meeting people, exchanging ideas and having a laugh-experience it all today at Virtual Ireland.

hTe'rcrs

Ttawet

Gerrlealog.y Brasiraess rbe

C;raie!

www. vi rtualireland. co m @2000

vcx

en? 4

4,. *

t €

* E.

lz,

'*.

\l r\

\l'

i'l

,'/

h tr

Tim Russert ffif fWffiC's Meet the Press.

t 8.

Tim Russert is the most influential political journalist in America. As host of top-rated Meet the Press he can make and break careers, but his own success story is a highly unusual one. NIALL O'DOWD interviewed him in Washington D"C. "He is absohrtely the best, he does the most homework. In an era where everyone in the rnedia is ahistorical and nobody knows anything, he knows evelything. He's very Irish i,r thn corrcp

thrt

he hnc nn n,'ptpncinnc

Fulsome praise indeed from acid-tongued Mattteen Dowd,Tlrc New YorkTintes colttn'rnist. Hel colnrnents about NBC's Meet the Przss host Tim Russert clearly show hel regard

fbl his work. Tin.r Russelt blushes when he hears thosc

wolds lead back. We are sitting in his mod-

office in the Washington NBC afliliate plior to onr interview when I read the quote that Maureen Dowd gave n're. Unlike so many of his television countelparts who

genuinely self--effacing.

nlnipnt

/l^,'ar.l

est

ill

folca,.'^.1o"r..

Prr.carr'a.ll.,

.^^"'.

at ease with any pelsonal comrnencla-

400 million customers. One way to reach them.

Every week the great and the good and the

not so goocl vie to appear on the ploglam. Duling onl intervicw he took a call from a^l;'r

D,'.',all'r

rnrrrornrrtotir;n

tion.

Sholtly after, it was Michael Joldan's man who called about a possible spot on a futule

Despite the tact that he is host of the most influential political pl'oglaln on lelevision, the one that ontscoles his rivals by tl.u'ee to one in auclience figures, ancl is the rnost quotcd show in television histoly, Russert is

show. DLrling the irnpeachment battle Meet tlte Prr.i.r became the show of choice fbl millions of Arncricans becanse Russelt, almost alone anrong leporters, nevel pontificatecl like so

European operations from there. Your base of operations is only as good, however, as your communications partner. As lreland's leading communications provider, e-rrcorn (formerly Telecom lreland) provides fast, reliable access to European customers via a state-of the-art $5 billion infrastructure. So whether you're setting up ,.,.r:i ,: ;j,:. ., -:,,:: :,.: r,r.:i: an e-commerce site, shared services center or manufacturing/distribution operations, eircom provides www.eircomus.com a customized solutions to meet your evolving business needs.

lreland rormertvretecom tretand

ReachinsTheworldr}roush

million European customers the right way. From lreland. Through eircom. Reach 400

r\usust

-Scrifr-+rhel"

2000

IRrsrr AunirtcA M.r.G.qzrr.rri

400 million new European customers could bring your company's global business strategy to new heights. To reach them effectively, do so from the right location. With its technology-rich infrastructure, educated, skilled work force, competitive labor costs, and low corporate tax rate, lreland is the perfect choice. ln fact, many of the world's leading companies already direct

Pacifi.Care E NtC'

E-+g:':

j.:i. Radisson

Just some of the world-class companies that seNe Europe from lreland.

ing and where you should bring the boat in, that's if there was a swell or it was rough," said his

brother. "And when Dunquin people would be fishing for mack-

erel they'd come to the island." Every morning at opening time Muiris wandered a couple of hundred yards down the S6an and

road for a glass of stout at Kruger's, where they settled on stalls in the corner of the bar. When there was a crowd, the youngcr villagcrs asscmblcd in a

protective circle around them, instinctively. Muiris told me that

they used to have to walk five miles into the next village of Ballyferriter for a barrel of porter, then carry it down to the boats on their shoulders. He tried to convince me that there was litale

lslanders in the mid-1930s. The currachs motorized launch.

have

a tow

with

tle alcohol on the island. "We

experience of anywhere else." Still, life on the island was never easy. '.As you would say,

wouldn't feel any hardship until the winter.

drankonly water from the spring," he said. "Better than whiskey or porter, the

But from Chrisfiias tinre on, it wasn't too good

water there."

lot of work followed it. Hard work: going to sea and fishing and then going to Dunquin in winter for messages when there was bad when wgather. There was another thing you would be sowing potatoes and -oats and the like, there was no plough there, save for the spade, shovel and a fork. That was the plough we had.

all." To entertain themselves through the

At one point I noticed them glancing

winter nights, the islanders played chess or draughts, and card games like high-low jack, which had been brought back from America. Then there was poirini. "There

across to the television at the far end of the

bar. "You would be happy with that all right," said S6an. "It would depend on the programs. Life has improved greatly if you have the money. The money is a lot more plentiful now

"You couldn't do anything on yourown. If you were going to get

than it was." After spending all

food, for example, you'd need somebody else to help you put a canoe

day with them, I

down on the water. We were very dependent on each other, yes we were. If a sheep went down a cliff you'd have to depend on me to go with you, and the same the other

through the valley

walked

Dunquin in the rain.

The island

moon to shine on

The brothers were two of the four signatories who wrote to the lrish Independent in 1952 appealing for the people on the Great Blasket to

ruined houses. You could feel it, though.

llom our island forlress." An lsland group circa 1925. Author Peig Sayers is first from the left. First ltom the right is They had known for a long time Thomas Savage, the lsland schoolmaster. that their only hope of a secure chickens. Muiris would future was to persuade the govemment to help were five small rounded pebbles and they'd be "released

them resettle on the mainland. None-theless, be on the ground," said S6an. "You'd have when it did finally happen they felt an unex- to take one, tll'ow it up in the air and try and pick up the other four. There was great pected sadness. "We had one consolation: sport involved in that. Ana, they had a lot of was very close, the island. You could go games, if you'd call them games." the gate every moming and see it." They The islanders had maintained a close relalooked west every morning without tionship with the people of Dunquin, sorne although age and infirmity meant they

it to still fail,

would S6an.

of whom were their relatives. "When you'd

you

"They'd tell you where the tide was break-

"You'd feel it," said Muiris. "Lonely. comeoutontheboats,thepeopleofDunquin When you'd think of the great times we would be on the cliff-edge," said Muiris. had in there during our youth. Back then,

was

invisible in the darkness: there were no lights out there, no

way."

never return. "That was the end," said

back of

August/September 2000 IRtsu AventcA MAGAZINE

thought of the

island at its peak, crowded with chil-

dren and dogs and have been a gawky boy then: shy, awkward, in awe of his handsome elder brother. They had long lives ahead of them, but the friends they loved would all disappear in time. Somewhere out at sea in the night was the O Ceama home,

half-fallen to the ground. @) From Hungry for Home by Cole Moreton @ Cole Moreton 2000. Reprinted by arrangement with Viking Penguin, a division of Penguin Putnam lnc. To order book, please call'l -800-253-6476.

many other journalists on air, but let the two sides do the talking for themselves. In an era ofhectoring hosts who delight in shouting down guests even when they know little or nothing about the topic under discussion, Russert's polite but probing style, backed up by exhaustive research, has

proven extraordinarily popular. His office contains no inkling ofthe superstar status he has attained in network land.

Family pictures of his wife, the writer Maureen Orth, and his 14-year-old son

Luke dominate. The only concession to celebrity is a Parade magazine cover of himself with Luke in which he discusses

of hot air and pretensions Russert

fatherhood. Little wonder our art department had great difficulty tracking down good publicity photos of the Me et the Press host. They simply don't exist. Tim Russert gives the impression that he wants to stay grounded as the kid from South Buffalo, the working-class Irish neighborhood that he grew up in and that informs his every thinking moment. In a business full

His hero is not Edward R. Murrow but his 76-year-old dad Tim "Big Russ," a former sanitation worker, still hale and hearty, who

those feet

keeps

firmly grounded in South Buffalo

soil.

he calls up every Monday morning lo go over the previous day's show. One gets the sense

that his dad's opinion counts more than that of the network executives. "He quit school in 10th grade to go fight in World War II. He came back, worked two

August / September 2000 IRIsri AnasntcA

MAGAZTNE 31

bers. "When the results came in, the excitement was at fever pitch. I mean

fit for a heavy smoker

ner

people went out on their porches celebrating

lightly as though on tiptoe, with rounded shoulders. He shook

dow we had tried to peer through. Opposite was a formica dining table with wooden chairs, and above it on a shelf a plaster statue of the Virgin Maly. A curled print of the Sacred Heaft was nearby, and under it a small candle burning in a red glass. S6an sat back down on the left of the hearlh in an old armchair with a black metal frame. Muiris was on the right, on a wooden stool. Both men wore cloth caps that were darkened and shiny with use, islandjerseys with a zip at the neck, and straight flannel

of 19, and walked

and saying, 'We won, we won.' "He was kish Catholic and one of us. For me it was so important because I now

my hand, then shook his head at my clumsy

realized we could do anything. There were no more obstacles, no more limits."

Irish,

Just three years later Russert also remembers llc saddest day uf his yuung life. Tlnt was when Sister Mary Lucille came down the hallway in his school sobbing uncontrollably because Kennedy had been shot. " It was just devastating," he remembers.

transferring the stub of

copies to President Johnson and to Robert

from one shovel handto the other. He was a big man, with a big, broad

a filterless cigarette

Sister Lucille played a large role in

with his sistet Ttish.

jobs for 37 years, raised four kids and never complained a day in his life. He was a truck driver for the Buffalo News and a foreman

men,

in the sanitation t

onweekendsn".,,l',1#;

Born in 1950, Russert grew up in a neighborhood where the biggest excitement by far

worked at St. Michael's Rectory,

Neili Ui Gearna, mother ol ten children, with her youngest daugher M6irin.

ln a bUSineSS fU[t Of hOt aif and

Russert's mom, dad an< sisters, Trish, Kathy and he needs a reality check h a visit. Then there are Diapr

firm[y grounded in South Buffa[o soi[.

Bottles Riordan, Shiny Faced Collins, Fuzzy Coughlin and a host of other South Buffalo characters who keep an eye on the Russert kid every week and make sure he's not too big for his boots. Little wonder Russert stays grounded in that loamy soil. It is fertile Irish country too.

was when John Kennedy was running for pres-

ident. "Everybody in the neighborhood had Kennedy posters on their house," he remem-

Tens of thousands of Irish

church in downtown that caters to the poor and the homeless," he remembers. His affection for the church and his deep religious convictions continue to this day. He ranks his meeting with Pope John Paul II as one of the great highlights ofhis life. After high school Russeft went to another Jesuit institution, John

Carroll University in Maryland. To pay tuition he worked every summer back in his old neighborhood. "I was a garbage man and also threw papers off the

moved to northern New York State following the railroads

and the Erie Canal. Six of Russert's eight great-grand-

pareuts were Irish. He is descended from Gilhooleys

Buffalo News frttck. A hopper they call it. You jump offthe touck and throw the papen. I also drove a taxi andmadepizzas. All my college

and Rings and takes great pride

fiiends backpacked through Europe but I never

in the fact that he is related to Christy Ring, the legendary Irish sports star whose skill at the ancient game of hurling for his native Cork matched Babe Ruth's at baseball. The

did any ofthat. On spring breaks I'd teach in the Catholic grammar school for a couple of bucks - it worked for me." Between college and law school Russert worked as a full-time teacher and also had his first introduction to politics when he

Russert name comes from the

took a job with the City Comptroller of

Alsace region on French/German border.

Muiris must have been naughty, nippy, a bit of a rogue, but S6an

plumbing. That is the way it

s'f'rriveinBurral'*'"'-ii'fr:

face and a tar-deep voice. In his youth,

Russert's childhood. Despite his workingclass background she urged him to take the entrance exam for the Jesuit-run Canisius High School in affluent Nofth Buffalo. He earned a half scholarship and worked to pay the rest of his tuition.

was ;1, pretensions Russert keeps those feet storm windows and did

the Russert and his wile Maureen Orth at lzsfi America'sTop awards.

August/ September 2000 IntsH AruenicA MAGAZINE

100

was editor of the school newspaper and we wrote a special edition and sent Kennedy."

A visit to Santa

grin splitting

sitting by a peat fire. S6an rose to greet us,

face dusted with white stubble, Muiris led us into the main room of the house, where his brother was

Buffalo, George D. O'Connell. O'Connell was

legendary character who

write about a remote island that is inaccessible for great swathes of the year, you can't really be surprised when the ferryman won't take you there. S6an and Muiris O Guithin had been born on the Great Blasket when the settlement was

full and the life relatively comfortable, and had stayed until it became unbearable. They

was five years older, and very much the big brother. Not slow, but

solid. When their father died, S6an was just 12. He became the man of the house. Authority lived in the many folds of his face, and warmth too. The room was large, with a stone floor and

a high ceiling from which the blistered, nicotine-yellow paint was peeling. In the halflight I could see that it was like all the old island homes, but for a small stove in the cor-

with a gas bottle. A long wooden bench ran along one wall, underneath the win-

trousers with heavy leather boot. Their hands made shapes in the air as they told us about the games they used to play on the island as children, and their smiles were accompanied

by wheezy giggles. Life had been hard for these two, who had stayed until the very end and never married, but they knew how to laugh.

Through the window behind S6an I could just see the island in the distance. On the wall behind Muiris was a map of it, with the place-names in Irish, based on information they had supplied. Their portrait was on the map, a popular seller in the tourist shops of Dingle. Listening to them talk as we sat by the fre, I knew that many visitors had been there before me exchanging whiskey and cig-

arettes for a few tales about the old life. S6an insisted that they never tired of the subject. "I love telling stories about the island," he said. "We thought at that time, when we

were growing up, that it was the nicest place in the world, because we didn't have

had known S6ain(n, and been educated with his brothen, but after the evacuation they chose to stay close by unlike so many of the other islanders who crossed the Atlantic in search

of the mythical Land of Youth they

had

heard of from the storytellers. They were the

last of the brood, the ones who did not change; and when they died, the last traces of their world would be gone for good. Behind the blooms was a simple cottage, with a curl of smoke coming from the chimney. A black-and-white cat slunk out ofthe bushes, padded up the path and waited by the door. The key was in the lock, but it didn't seem right to walk straight in. Fionn6n, a young man from the parish who knew the brothers well and had agreed to act as trans-

lator, tapped on the window. The room inside was dark, and impossible to see through the old net curtains.

The door opened, "Conas td tu?" The speaker was a small, thin man with a long, bulbous nose and startled eyes. "Go maith, " said Fionndn. "Conas td tu f4in?" Muiris was as well as could be expected, and glad of company. He seemed

Blasket children on the White Strand. Miche6l 0 Cearna stands on the left, while his brothers Team, M6irtin and P6draig sit. Their ltiend Muiris 0 Guithin, who never left lreland, stands on the lar right.

Inrsu AvrERrcA MAGAZTNE August/ September

2000

stopped their game to examine the bus for familiar faces. The map on my knees showed a finger of

land pointing out into the Atlantic from Tralee Bay. The Dingle Peninsula, otherwise known as Corkaguiney, was 30 miles long,

with the Slieve Mish mountains running down its center. The knuckle in the finger was Mount Brandon, named after the saint who sailed west in search of a mythical Land of Promise. The mountain range followed Saint Brendan westward to the very tip of the peninsula. On

the way, the northern slopes were sprinkled with villages and solitary cottages, as they fanned out into

the headland of Drin M6r, the last flourish

of the Slieve Mish mountains before they plunged down into the sea, their black heels kicking up foam as they disappeared into the Blasket Sound. And then there it was, the sight I had traveled so far to see. Three miles out, the Slieve Mish range came back up from the depths, returning to the surface in the mountainous shape of the Great Blasket. The village was in ruins, barely visible, but the impervious island stood as it always had, frst and largest in a group ofsix. "Seen from above you would think them sea-monsters of an

1953, after five-and-a-half years of government deliberation and repeated pleas from the islanders themselves, the Great Blasket was evacuated. But not forgotten. It was remembered, in keland at least, for its strange people, and for their ways of living and talking which had remained unchanged for centuries, right until the end. There have been other isolated communities in remote places of course, each capable ofinspiring horror at the hardships and longing for the simplicity of such a life. There was something special about the people ofthe Great Blasket, though, before they dispersed to the mainland and, in most cases, America. They

never missed a wake or tailed to extend a helping hand to a family in need. In return he got their votes and ran an Irish machine, which was the envy of his opponents. Russert does

not hold the fashionable view that all such machines were comrpt and in need of reform. "In the end it came down to a simple notion," he says. "If someone plowed your streets,

someone hired your son for a summer job,

someone came to your father's wake,

people remembered it and they should remember it, and it's all very honorable." ln 1976 fresh out of Cleveland-Marshall College of Law and bitten by the political bug,

kish

Russeft volunteered to work on the Daniel Patrick Moynihan campaign and became upstate coordinator. He was so successful that Moynihan andhis wifeLiz askedhimto work

Back across the

as it had been in

peaks, the southern glens provided a

medieval times, before

with them in Washington, D.C. As part of his responsibilities with the

the wide sweep

antique world languidly lifting time-worn

lived on an island of

stories. They spoke

Smerwick Harbor.

the language was driven

westandintothe gound by plantation, famine and oppression; and in

glorious backdrop

for the town of Dingle, once a fishing community but now a tourist trap.

We stopped for

the early part of the 20th century Gaelic

scholars had flocked to

moment at the quay, which was crowded

the islands. This in tum

had inspired

three islanders - Tomas O Criomhthain, Muiris O

with trawlers and old fishing boats

Suilleabhain and Peig Sayers - to give written form to an oral tradition that had prompted the classical

adapted to take par-

ties out to

see

Fungie, the dolphin

who lived in the bay. His image was

painted on pubs, caf6s, shops and anywhere else a stranger might be

parted from his money. But those

S6an 0 Guithin makes his way downhill back to the village at dusk after cutting turf. S6an would live out his lile on the mainland, in sight ol his abandoned home.

in search of wilder beauty stayed on the bus as it traveled still furlher west, a dozen miles in the shadow of the mountains, through the landscap e described by National Geographic Traveler as "the most beautiful place on earth." The

fields

the Great Blasket among its neighbors to a whale nursing her young.

the Atlantic lashing against the windows, through a stream that crossed the road, and rest of the shoreline was made up of high and past the sudden, shocking sight of a life-sized dangerous rocks, except for An T16 Bhan, the crucifixion scene by the passing point at White Strand, a long beach that led away from Slea Head. The Christ figure was a weather- the village, below the only fields on the blasted white, with painted blood flowing from island that were wofih cultivating. Nobody had lived here for more than 40 his hands and feet. Around the next bend, rising up between years. The death ofSe6inin O Cearna broke twovalleysattheendofthepeninsula,was the community's will, and in November

AugusUSeptember

2000 Inrsn AvBRtcA MAGAZINE

'I'm

come

alive." On the pages of their three books, I

rhyttrms of the sea and the seasons meant more than the ticking of the clock. Their stories had

drawn me to the island.

in Europe, where the locals and others seeking remoteness found refuge from the blinding rain. After days of waiting for the sea to calm, I was frustrated and angry. This was

I told myself,

watching

the waves blow huge wet kisses at the edge

of the Great Blasket.

with this puss it

you're going to

Nantucket island, which also featured President Clinton. Back in the U.S. after his kish trip, Russert

left Moynihan and Washington D.C. to move back to his roots in New York State. He worked for then New York Governor Mario Cuomo for 22 months before he made

was

by the idea so I went to see David Burke, a friend who became the number two at ABC, and he said, 'It's a great business. All the skills you learned in government and politics are very applicable to what you will be doing."' For four years Russert was the executive in charge of the Today show in New York before moving back to Washington to run the bureau there, which is the biggest in the nation. Every day he would conference call with the news division and the anchors of Today and Tom Brokaw of the Nightly News.

His knowledge of what

surprising

Later in the visit

was going on in Washington - from the White House to the

took a long bus ride from

Pentagon to Congress

Belfast to Dublin. "I loved it, just loved it. I had my face pressed

so impressive that Michael he was learning more from

against the glass the

Russert's one phone call than

whole way watching and

all the other news sources combined. "You ought to go on the air," Gartner told him, and suggested that Russert

seeing

stant sight of the island that was once their home. The advice came from my fellow patrons at Kruger's, the most westerly bar

Thlee generations: Big Russ, Tim and his son [uke.

Ireland Fund honored him at their event on

American,' but they

Homer had

where time moved slowly, and where the

totally irrational,

kept saying,

G-

{;"

Ilaughs]."

na Rdtha in the valley of Dunquin, within con-

passedfortheislandharbor,asmallandpartially sheltered cove where a canoe, or naomb6g, could be brought ashore. The

told to open the trunk.

hardly

stillstood.Thesunbrokethrough,reflected wind. The village was just above what

fuchsia

I was scrutinized, told to get out of the car,

George Thomson to write: "It was as though

by countless raindrops in the

hedgerows.Onwewent,alongthecoastwith

at an army checkpoint. " It was such an awakening for an American.

looked at me like I was one ofthe locals. I guess

ffyou want to know what it was really like, people said, talk to S6an and Muiris. The elderly brothers lived in a cottage behind hydrangea bushes at the crossroads of Maile

There was hardly any level ground on houses separated, bounded by flinty where no ffee could grow, but where dry stone the steep mountain slope where the houses shelters built by pilgrims 1,000 years before were built, but it was protected from the west

was an experience he will never forget. When he landed in Belfast Russert says he "felt real trepidation." John Hume had sent an associate to pick him up, but they were hardly on the road when they were stopped

scholar and Marxist

had discovered a place

backs above the restless and transitory waves," wrote the scholar Robin Flower in The Western Island. Others had compared

senator, Russert became involved in the Northern Irish issue and came to know SDLP leader John Hume. In 1980 he made his first trip to Ireland, North and South. It

Gartrer, the head of news, said

everything.

Then in Dublin I met with the Taoiseach [prime minister]. It was an interesting time." His fascination with Irish affairs dates from that period. In recent

- was

be a panelist on Meet the

Russert

Press. When the moderator's job on Meet the Press opened

with Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan in 1977

times he has had Sinn F6in's chief negotiator, Martin McGuinness, on Meet the Press.

The interest is also a family one: wife Maureen wrote a definitive profile of Sinn F6in leader Gerry Adams for Vanity Fair. Russert has kept a weather eye on developments in Ireland and discusses them knowledgeably. Last summer the American

up, Gartner insisted that

the transition to television in 1984. "I was going to go on and practice law but Leonard Garment, who was the counsel for Richard Nixon and a good friend of mine, asked me to have lunch with Larry Grossman who had just gone to NBC News. We got along very well and he said, 'You know, you ought to come work for NBC.' I was intrigued

Russert put his name forward, and so in December l99l a4}-year-old on-air rookie commenced his new career. With his ruddy Irish face and blue-collar background, Russert was certainly not a "pretty boy" in looks or

affectation and his lack of on-air experiif he was the right

ence made many wonder

choice.

Intss AvszucA MAGAZTNE August/September

2000

buried ABC's This Week and Face the Nationinthe ratings. In addition, Russert's weekly show on CNBC, also an interview format, enjoys a huge following. As for the legendary Russert cool,

he can only remember one time when he lost it. That was in a debate on his show between Edwin Edwards and former Klansman David Duke who were both running for the gov-

ernorship of Louisiana. Russert asked Duke about his Nazi past and Duke got very upset. "Then I asked

him to name the three biggest employers in the state of Louisiana, because he said he wanted to be an economic development govemor. He couldn't name any, and then I said,

'Well, give me one. Give me one, Buster.' I saw blood and I was going in for the hll. I watched the tape later that day and I said, 'Oh, I wasn't being a moderator. I was being a

Meeting the Pope was one ol Bussert's biggest moments.

He approached the job with typical thor- something is funny, laugh. Don't be afraid oughness. The first call he made was to to laugh." Lawrence Spival! the founder of the

program,

the

longest running on national tele-

vision. " I asked him what hc saw as the mission

for

the program. He told me to 'learn as much as you

prosecutor.' was talking to my dad the next day and I told him that I had made amistake. He sai4

for the legendary Russert cool, he can only remember one time when he [ost it.

That was in a debate on his show between Edwin

'Right, you made

mistake, but if you're going to make a mis-

take, make Nazi."'

it with

ComingfromaWorld

Edwards and former Klansman David Duke who

War II veteran, that was

were running for Governor of Louisiana.

Coming from a South Buffalo man meant it

can about your guest.' If there is a way to sum up the way I approach the show, it is exactly that. Preparation."

The blue-collar approach has paid off in spades. Meet the Press extended to an hour in 1992 and under Russert's leadership has

good enough for Russert.

played okay in the neigh-

borhood too. Nothing else would have been as important to Tim Russert. @

Maureen Dowd and others attest to Russert's dedication to getting his home-

work in. He will often leave functions early on Friday to go home and bone up on his guests for Sunday's show. He will spend endless hours going through politicians' positions, often surprising them

with a long-ago quote or different position they took on an issue.

past three decades. The remaining islanders

visit every day, offering such help

Russert sticks to a simple formula- " Every

Sunday I will sit across from someone and I wiil think of my dad and what he wants

to know from this guy.

I view myself

very much as a surrogate for people who work all week and raise their families or are retired and don't have the access or the exposure to all the information that I do. But ifI can gather it all together and on a Sunday morning talk to the nation's leaders in away thatpeople understand and that is meaningful to their lives, then I have accomplished it. Oh, and I will tell you, if

August / September

George W. Bush meets the Moderator.

2000 Irusu AtrrnRrce. MecnzNs

and

stroking Sedinin's forehead, and speaks fast, under her breath: "O my God, I am

advice as they can. He is cared for by his sister C6it, not yet 30 but already the woman of the house since her mother's own premature death. On the afternoon of the twelfth day of Sedinin's suffering she enters the bedroom to check on him, but hears no breathing. Her brother is lying on his back, face up to the ceiling, mouth wide open in ayawn that never ends. Her fingers touch cold lips. There is no priest on the island, and none can be sent for, so there are no last rites.

heartily sorry for having offended Thee and I detest my sins above every other evil. . . ." And so the young man goes into the next world without the comfort of a priest, with his aunt whispering the Act of Contrition into

Instead, an aunt kneels by the bedside,

late August 1998. We passed a

a dead ear.

The old bus gave a smoky cough, shook

itself, and eased forward out of the station at Tralee, the county town of Keny, in the southwest of Ireland. It was a warm day in

windmill and

a steam train on the edge of town, and crossed flat lands with a mountain range rising up ahead. The driver let his passengers

off wherever they wanted, without having to be told. A young mother in a tracksuit and her baby were deposited at a village pub, and the single-decker wheezed to a halt on the open road for an elder$ maninblack suit and cloth cap, who gave a flick of the hand in thanks as he began the long, slow walk

along an uphill path to his bungalow. A bend in the road revealed a wide beach with a bright white beard of surf. Boys kicking a ball in the center of a crossroads

Inrss AuenrcA MAGAZTNE August / September

2000

Isl L-a

Beautiful, haunting, and cut off from the westernmost tip of lreland by three miles of treacherous sea, the Great Blasket lsland lies abandoned since the last remaining islanders were evacuated in 1953. COLE MORETON goes in search of the lost community and finds a few survivors still living. This is the end of the world. The air is full of aterrible wailing. A gale scalps the waves,

spilling foam. Gulls shriek

they tumble, caught between the spray, the rain and the low, dark clouds. A mountain stands alone in the sea, its back breaking the wind so that the invisible forces scatter over its slopes as raiders from the north once did, howling and running down from all directions on to as

the shuttered buildings of a settlement. A dozen decaying cottages huddle into the

hillside, each long and low and built of with abolted door. The wind worries at the roofs, ripping back felt, stone upon stone, each

Time forYour Business. Smart. Young. Available. And affordable. You'll find Europe's best-educated workforce in Northern Ireland You'll also find an excensive network of services and suppliers, a supportive, pro-business environment and a fiber optic telecommunications infrastructure with broadband capabilities.

and animals sheltering in outhouses bellow. This is a wild and lonely place for any living creature, and tonight there is no escape. The Great Blasket Island is surrounded, blinded by a wall ofgrey cloud, half a mile out in every direction. Behind it,

is no electricity, no source ofheat but the cut

somewhere through the rain and snow, is the mainland, the coast of Corkaguiney, the most westerly tip of Europe. The End of the World, the maps used to say. Beyond be dragons and sea monsters. It is January 1947. Elsewhere they have split the atom, but on the Great Blasket life is much as it has been for a century or more. There

land, but the radiotelephone is broken, and

78 August/September 2000 IrusH AIraBnrcR

MacazrNs

turi

and the only water comes from the wells. A 24-year-old islander called Seriinin Team O Cearna lies dying in his family home, from a mystery illness, and noMy can help him. The nearest doctor is on the mainthe sea tco rough for anyone to cross. The only

medicine available is a traditional remedy: a sack of flour warmed through and placed on the forehead to ease his pain. Se6inin is popular; one of the few young men left on an island whose population has dwindled from 150 to fewer than 50 over the

A Northern Ireland location will benefit your performance and your bottom line.

It's time for your business in Northern Ireland. Just ask DuPont, Ford, Liberty Murual, Nortel Networks, Raytheon, Seagate, Segue Software, Stream International and Teleflex' For more information contact as at:

1-800-432-6022

www. INVEST:North ernl re land. com

IDB

Northern lreland

.'' t'!:: ./,

.1 ,i t4f

Prudential congratulates Kathleen Carney DeVito Robert Charles Golden Richard F. Lynch t!

Michael J. Rice Stephen J. Shine

and the other Wall Street 50 Honorees on their Business Achievements and their Contributions to the Irish Community

Prudential @2000 The Prudenliol lnsuronce Compony of Americo

r 75 I

Brood Streel o Nework, NJ 02102

AerUngusq3

Tue Wnll SrnrET 50 E. St*rn lV ArnroDrnrcron . Srrcnusrs, [[C

AerLingus&

HuHrun

M,qunorruo

Alfred E. Smith lV is a managing director of Hunter Specialists, LLC, a specialist and member firm ol the New York Stock Exchange. He began his Wall Street career as an independent floor broker of the New York Stock Exchange. Smith's considerable civic involvement includes chairing both the Government Relations Committee for the New York Stock Exchange and the Wall Street Division of the Cardinal's Committee of the Laity. The great-grandson of Governor Alfred E. Smith, he serves as secretary, dinner chairman, and director for the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation as well as acting as master of ceremonies at the Foundation's annual dinner. He is also the founder and chairman of Hackers for Hope, a foundation dedicated to raising funds for cancer research and cancer care. His numerous honors include his recent appointment as chairman of ICCUSA (the lreland Chamber of Commerce USA). Smith traces his lrish roots back to County Cork. He and his wife live in Connecticut and they have two

WnLLS TREET A Tribute

to lrish Americans in Investment and Banking

r€

children.

ANNe

M. Tnruocr

PnrgoeNr & CEO o Froucnnv Tnusr ComplNv lnrenrunnorual

As President and CEO of Fiduciary Trust lnternational Anne Tatlock has overall respdhsibility for the firm's investment decisions and is a member of Fiduciary's Global lnvestment Committee and the lnvestment Policy Committee. A graduate of Vassar College and New York University with a master's degree in economics, Tatlock has 37 years of experience as a money manager and still manages a number of private accounts that she has had since the 1 960s. Prior to joining Fiduciary in 1 984, she worked at Smith & Barney for 22 yearc, where she rose to become a first vice president and manager of the Capital Management Group. Tatlock sits on several corporate boards and investment committees of endowments and foundations, including the Vassar College Endowment Fund, the Cultural lnstitutions Retirement System and the American Ballet Theatre Foundation. Tatlock (n6e McNiff) is a first-generation lrish American. Her father is from Enniskilleen in County Fermanagh and

her mother is from Ballyragett in County Kilkenny.

JonN J. Twomrv o MaNlorNc Drnrcron

Cnror Sussr Fnsr BosroN

John Twomey is a managing director in charge of technology trading for Credit Suisse First Boston's NASDAQ trading desk. ln this position he oversees ten technology traders in trading 200 stocks. Prior to joining Credit Suisse First Boston in 1994, he worked as a senior trader at Goldman Sachs. He launched his career as a bond broker with Cantor Fitzgerald in 1987. his father's family is from Counties Kerry and Cork and his Twomey is a second-generation lrish American mother's family from Belfast. A native of Brooklyn, he earned a B.B.A, from lona College. He is married with three children.

,rc k€ * ft,^r

A. Wnsn Drvro .

CEO

lXrurr

IPC

David A. Walsh founded lXnet, a financial industry global extranet in 1993 and serued as President and Director

until he was appointed Chief Executive Officer two years ago. The company was purchased for $3.7 billion as part of Global Crossings $3.85 billion purchase of both lXnet and IPC Communications, lnc. this past February. ln March, Walsh was appointed Chief Executive 0fficer of IPC where he had been seruing as director since 1998. With the closing of the Global Crossing's acquisition, Walsh will serue as Executive Vice President for Sales and Marketing for Global Crossing. Walsh also co-founded Voyager Networks, an lnternet and data communications company in 1993, seruing as President and CEO until 1995. Walsh earned his B.B,A. from Valdosta State College and an M.P.S. Degree in Telecommunications from New York University. A second-generation lrish American with roots in counties Cork and Wexford, he is married with three children, and takes great pride in the fact that he is closing in on 50,000 running miles. @

The Geltic

liger$ ol Wall $tncet

IRISH AMERICA MAGAZINE'S 76

Inrss Amenrce MacezIruB August / September 2000

THIRD ANNUAL WALL STREET

Aerllngus q3

THE

The

WnII STREET 50

= .4t&'*

As president of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, and vice chairman of the Federal Reserve Board, Bill McDonough has been one of the key people who have ensured the greatest economic expansion in American history. He talks to Niall O'Dowd. times. "We were hugely successful in the '94 -'95 period when we tightened

Bill McDonough (65) is not as well known as

'-7

"l believe strongly that the purpose of having meeting is to share views with one's colleagues, and then decide on the right course of

action. I get very good preparation from my staff,

who do in-depth studies of the economy and what the markets are telling us." His job, he the difference? For one thing, we recognize that when you're traveling to Europe on business, you don't

have any time to waste. So, we provide same-terminal connections to more than 30 destinations in Europe. We also

spare you the hassle

of Immigration lines by pre-clearing you before you return to the U.S. Of course, since

the only real way to cater to your needs is on a one-on-one basis, you'll just have to fly us to truly appreciate what we mean. And discover why so many people who never thought of us for business travel now don't think

of anyone else. For reservations, call l-800-IRISH AIR or call your travel agent.

NOW, FLY WITH US AND EARN AMERICAN AIRLINESs AADVANTAGEi MILES

Aer Lingus

www.aerlingus. ie

Federal Reserve and in July '93 he became President of the Federal Reserve Bank of New

"We have the longest economic expansion in American history, lowest unemployment rate in

Wnu,',

think we have to keep inflation at bay in order to

Reserve Bank of New York and Vice Chairman of

beforehand.

says, is to help guide the economy by "creating a monetary policy to bring about sustainable economic growth through the instrument of price stability. That's why we tend to concentrate so much on avoiding outbursts of inflation." ln answer to the counter viewpoint that infla-

tion is overemphasized by the Fed, McDonough is adamant that that is not so. "lnflation is extremely injurious to the well-being of people, especially those in low-income jobs who cannot

keep up with the increase in prices," he says. "l argue very strongly that sustaining economic growth, that is, to avoid inflation, is very much in the interest of the American people in general, the less fortunate in pafticular. So

years, largest participation in the labor force by adults since the Second World War. I keep the growth continuing, and that's very much our intent," he says emphatically. This son of immigrants, whose parents died when he was very young, has come a long way.

McDonough's Roscommon,

father was from

County

his mother from County

Mayo.

They met in Chicago where his father settled after fighting with the U.S. Army in the First World War. The couple had five children; the eldest, a son, died as a baby, then came three girls, and finally Bill. Tragically, when Bill was ten, his mother died. Thirteen months later his father also died. McDonough remembers his childhood before his parents' deaths as happy and "intellectually rich." His mother was an expert in literature, and his father, an insurance executive, was keenly interested in politics and economics. After their deaths young Bill was sent to boarding school where Dominican nuns helped raise him. A frequent visitor to lreland, McDonough has taken time out to visit his relatives, and found it a moving experience to reconnect with an elder-

ly aunt, his mothe/s youngest sister, and his fathe/s first cousin. His fine tenor voice, which he uses to good effect on family occasions, is inherited from his father. He has six children and two stepdaughters, and is about to have his tenth grandchild. McDonough credits the Dominican nuns and the Jesuits with giving him a good educational

start in life. He attended Holy Cross College and

He is proud of the Fed's record in recent

then took an M.A. from Georgetown. A Navy R0TC scholarship allowed him to have the education he dreamed of. After five years in the

have difficulty believing that you can exaggerate

the dangers of inflation."

Department,

thifi

ated.

powerful men in the United States. What McDonough, Greenspan and the rest of the Fed board members decide on monetary policy has the ability to move markets more than any other single element in the economy. While Greenspan is the public face, McDonough, the Chicago-born son of lrish immigrants, is a very important player. Getting McDonough to describe those crucial and closely watched Fed board meetings is akin to trying to break into Fofi Knox. He is simply impenetrable on the topic. He does talk, however, of the vast amount of groundwork he puts into each meeting

After leaving the State

McDonough moved into banking, eventually rising through the ranks at First Chicago to become Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer in 1986. ln January 1992 he joined the

Alan Greenspan, but the President of the Federal

the Federal Reserve Board is also one the most

{

monetary policy. We avoided inflation, and the economy's growth rate in fact acceler-

NaW, he spent six years in the State Depaftment, from 1961 to 1967, where he became an expert on Latin America.

York, one of twelve district banks that along with the Federal Reserve Board constitute the Federal Reserue system. Apart from monetary policy, the Fed oversees banking regulations and, more importantly for McDonough, seeks to inspire banks to become

involved in their communities by helping the private sector to participate in community development.

McDonough is deeply proud of his lrish heritage. He has been keeping an eye on Northern lreland since his State Department days (he's on the board of the Council on Foreign Relations), and is very lamiliar with the peace

process. He visits lreland when he can and is a great admirer of the management that brought about the economic boom there.

McDonough believes

the Irish have

tremendous competitive advantage because the labor force is so flexible. People are willing to change jobs, to move from one part of the coun-

try to another, and now we have the wonderful thing known as the reverse diaspora with many skilled native lrish returning home." He cautions, however, that recent inflation figures of over five percent may spell trouble for

lreland. "They're beginning to be legitimately wonied about whether the economy is a bit on the overheated side." Given his own stellar reputation as an inflation fighter on this side of the Atlantic, it is advice they should follow in lreland. Bill McDonough has been one ofthe key people who have ensured the greatest economic expansion in American history. When he talks, we should all listen. @

InIsH AnaeRrca MecazrNB August / September

2000

'! il

1::: ..

:J :. ir, i: i''

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE

WnLL STREET 50 HONOREES

ZDO

AND

NOEL JENNINGS

CREATING THE NETWORK Peter Lynch, the

50 used the trip to intro-

guru of Wall Street,

duce members of their

was recently in keland where he keeps a large

#_ d*&

ment opportunities there; still others just took a vacation. Thanks again to the

against the backdrop of good tidings from keland. The Celtic Tiger continues to roar and

a donkey and cart, one

generosity

of Ireland's oldest

Lingus, this yem's nom-

Ireland now has the highest economic growth in the European

from Shannon Airyort. During his visit Lynch decided to try a ride on

"&.

Aer

and Peter ended up with

The oppornrnity to inffoduce the Wall Street Irish to Ireland has become a particular highlight for this magazine since we first intro-

:t_

sent with accounts

ofhis brush

ILLUSTRATION Kamil Kubik

Union. Meanwhile, Northern heland's long and often tortuous road to peace has finally taken a turn for the better and prospects

PROFILES BY: Sarah Buscher Garry O'Sullivan

have improved over the last yeaf.

Nicole Dillon DESIGN: Liz Roberts

Of course, American involve-

duced the Wall Street 50 three

ment is still key. American

years ago. When we first began compiling the list we were unsure of the

companies drive the economic boom in the Republic, and the White House plays a key role in helping to secure a peaceful

fi,

l o

with danger. Wall Street often meets rural Ireland these days, not quite in the way that Peter Lynch did, but

is not noted for ethnic pride, and there had hardly been a

settlement.

it is undeniable that Ireland has become a favorite vacation and,

flood of articles about the Irish on Wall Street prior to our list-

indeed, investment spot for those

ing. We were more than gratified

on Wall Street.

with the response, however. After the first year we were

American investment will also play a role in reviving the long moribund economy in the Norlh ,ADDITIOI{AL SPOI{SORS: and ensuring a brighter future for America

:{ o

x = g

We take pride in our small

Morgan $tanley Dean Witter 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New Yorkn NY 1O1O5 Phone: 2l,2-903-764t-

inees will once again enjoy a visit to the land of their forefathers.

severely injured ankle as a result.

established customs. All did not go well. The donkey ran off with the caft

Nothing daunted, he showed up soon afterwards at his beloved Boston College's annual New York dinner, regaling those pre-

{'{

Aer Lingus

competitive business. This year's issue goes to press

family farm not far

family to Ireland, others looked at invest-

SPOilSORED BY:

women than ever on our list, a reflection of the growing role women are playing in a very

role in he$ing that process along. Thanks to the generosity of Aer Lingus, each of our Wall Street awardees enjoys a premier class trip to heland courlesy of the air-

line. This has worked to the benefit of both Ireland and the awardees, many of whom visited

Ireland for the first time. While some of the Wall Street

response. After all, Wall Street

In the future,

hopefully,

everyone.

inundated with names to add to our list, many of whom were nominated by the Wall Street 50 themselves. What had effec-

A special word of thanks to our sponsors, Aer Lingus, Mutual of America, MBNA America Bank,

tively been an informal network of Irish contacts on the Street is now in the open, and each year those connections have grown. This year we are particularly pleased that there are more

Waterford Crystal, The American keland Fund, 1 -800-Flowers.com

N.A., Eircom (U.S.) Limited,

Mutual of MBNA America Bank, N.A. Eircom (USA) limited Waterford Crystal The American lreland Fund

and Thelrishplace.com.

Niall ODowd Founding Publisher

InrsH AuBRtcA MAGAZTNE August

-800-Flowers.com

Thelrishplace.com I September

2000

iiiE'.tfiAlL srneer 5o Josrpn J.

BERRY

CnarnmN & Co-CEO o

KEEFE,

Bnuvrnr & Wooos, lr.rc.

Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, lnc. is an institutionally-oriented securities broker/dealer and a full-service investment bank, specializing in financial services. Established in '1962 with only eight employees, KBW has grown into one of the giants on Wall Street with offices in New York, Hartford, Chicago, Boston and Columbus. As Chairman and Co-CE0 of Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, lnc. Joseph J. Berry oversees all of the firm's equity and fixed income sales and trading. Prior to this position, he serued KBW as president and chief operating officer. He joined the firm as an institutional salesperson in 1972 and has also served as vice president, senior vice presi-

Congratulattons

dent, executive vice president and vice chairman. He was elected to the board of directors in 1987. Berry holds a B.A. in math and economics from Queens College and an M.B.A. from St. John's University. Afourthgeneration lrish American, he is a member of The lreland - U.S. Councilfor Gommerce & lndustry. He is manied with three children.

to the

BTNoAN BoYrr .

SrNron Vrcr Pnrsrorxr

PnrNrWessrn

Honorees of 2000

Brendan D. Boyle is Senior Vice President of PaineWebber, lncorporated and Director of Mutual Funds and lnsurance & Annuities. Since last year's inception of Yasuda PaineWebber, a joint venture in Tokyo, he has overseen the

sales and marketing efforts and sits on the company's Board of Directors. Prior to this appointment, Boyle was Executive Vice President, Director of Sales and Marketing, for Prudential Mutual Funds. Before joining Prudential, Boyle served as Managing Director for Smith Barney where he was Director of Marketing and Sales for mutual funds and unit trusts. After earning his B.A. from Marist College in 1 976, Boyle launched his career with Connecticut General Lile lnsurance. A first-generation lrish American with roots in County Donegal and Kinsale, County Cork, he is a member of The American lreland Fund. Boyle is manied with four children.

JoHN J. Bnowx o MnrunorNc Drnrcron

SG CowEN

SEcuRtTtEs Conp.

John Brown has been an equity market specialist for his entire career. Prior to joining SG Cowen, he was a managing director in charge of global convertible products at UBS Securities. He launched his career at Menill Lynch, where he rose to managing director with responsibility for the global convertible securities group. Brown is active in several civic and charitable causes. He serves on the principal's cabinet for St. Francis Preparatory School, and is the founder of the Wall Street Friends for St. Christopher-Ottilie, a Catholic charity in Long lsland. He is also active in the All-Stars, a charity for inner-city children, The American lreland Fund Dinner Committee, and coaches for the Catholic Youth 0rganization. A firstgeneration lrish American, he recently purchased the house where his mother was born in Enniscorlhy, Co. Wexford. His father's family is from Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo. Brown is a member of the lreland United States Council. Born in Brooklyn, New York, Brown earned his B.S. degree from St. John's University. Manied for sixteen years, he is the father of five.

God Bless America and

Ireland Forever

JrnrmhH M. CnrnoHAN o Mlnaorxo Drnrcron

Wlrr Srnrrr

Access

Jeremiah Callaghan joined Wall Street Access as Managing Director in June. Prior to that he was Managing Director at Lehman Brothers, lnc. where he was responsible for the lirm's Trading Services Group, which supported Lehman's Global Core Businesses from 1993 to 1998. Callaghan oversaw several areas, including Systems Development & Technology, 0penations Processing, Commodity & Futures 0perations and Security Operations.

was also a member of the firm's 0perating Committee. Throughout his career, Callaghan has worked for such financial powerhouses as Shearson Lehman Brothers, American Express and Bear Sterns, taking a year off in 1988, to work full-time for Covenant House, a non-profit organization for homeless youth. Callaghan has a B.B.A. in Accounting from lona College, Both of Callaghan's parents are from Dingle, County Kerry and Callaghan himself nurtures his ties to lreland through his membership in The American lreland Fund. He and his wife Karen live in New York City. He

40lnrss Arsruca MlcazrNs Aug. / Sept. 2000

CURRAN CAPITAL MANAGEMENT 237 PARK AVENUE . NINTH FLOOR NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10017 2r2-808-2400

Aer Ungus

THr Wnll Srnerr 50 T. Trtuornv RYIN, JR. MlrunorNc Drnrcron. J.P. MononH

Timothy Ryan's responsibilities with J.P. Morgan include managing thc global rcal cstate, government institutions and Central Bank groups. Prior to joining J.P. Morgan in 1 993, he was director of the office of thrift supervision at the U.S. Depaftment of the Treasury. ln this capacity, he was the banking and securities regulator for the nation's approximately two thousand thrifts. He was also the principal manager of the savings and loan cleanup which involved closing approximately 700 insolvent institutions, improving capital bases and selling over $300 billion of assets. He was a director of both the Resolution Trust Corporation and the Federal Deposit lnsurance Corporation. A native of Washington, D.C., Ryan graduated from Villanova University and American University Law School. From 1 967 to 1 970, he was an officer in the U.S. Army. A third-generation lrish American, he seryes on the board of directors of the American lrish Historical Society. He is manied with two children.

SrNton Vrcr PnesorNr/Assocnrr GrHrmt Couttstt Pnuorxrnr Secunlnts lNconponnrro

lill*

TnE Wnll SrnErr 50

Eorn Cnssov .

MaNRorruo Drnrcron

U.S. Tnusr CompnNy oF Nrw Yonr

U.S. Trust Company of New York is the principal subsidiary of U.S. Trust Corporation, and as Managing Director Edith Cassidy manages individual client assets totaling $800 million while overseeing the management of $3.5 billion dollars of the wealthiest Americans. After earning her undergraduate degree from Goucher College, Cassidy launched her career as a marketing manager for lBM. She joined U.S. Trust as manager of the equity research division in 1989 and was appointed investment division manager in 1996. A third-generation lrish American, Cassidy traces her lrish roots back to Counties Donegal, Fermanagh and Galway. She has spent a great deal of time in her ancestral homeland, as an exchange student and as a newlywed. Back home in New York City, Cassidy serves as a board member of Learning Leaders, a program that

tutors over 100,000 New York city public school children.

CnrusroPHER Cot toRoN

SrrpnrN J. SHtNr

*l*t

Aer Llngus

As Senior Vice President and Associate General Counsel for Prudential Securities, Stephen J. Shine supervises the regulatory group within the law department. He is both a former state and federal prosecutor who was responsible for the prosecution of significant securities and commodities fraud cases nationwide and served as the Department of Justice representative to the lnvestment Fraud Task Force in the Central District of California. A frequent public speaker, he has lectured, moderated and chaired programs at numerous banking and securities industry conferences and seminars for law enforcement agencies on regulatory and money laundering issues. He is a member of the editorial board of the lnternational Journal of Banking Regulation. Shine is a first-generation lrish American - his mother is from Portmagee, Cahirciveen, Coun$ Kerry and his father is from Kilgarvin, County Kerry. Fiercely proud of his heritage, Shine is a member of the Brehon Law

CnarnmlN mo CEO o Tnr DnrvFUs CoRpoRATloN PnrsrorNr & COO o MEUoN BnNr ConpoRATtoN Christopher M. "Kip" Condron is president and chief operating officer of Mellon Financial Corporation and chairman and chief executive officer of The Dreyfus Corporation. He was named Executive Vice President of Mellon when it acquired The Boston Company in 1993 and vice chairman one year later. He took over responsibility for The Dreyfus Corporation in 1995. A native of Scranton, Condron received a bachelofs degree in business from University of Scranton where he is a trustee. He also serves on the lnvestment Company lnstitute's Board of Governors and Executive Committee, and the Financial Services Roundtable. A second-generation lrish American with roots in Kilkenny, Mayo, Clare and Cork, he is proud to be a director of The American lreland Fund. He is manied with three children. We are

proud to have Mr. Condron as the Keynote Speaker at our annual Wall Street 50 awards ceremony.

Society and the Kerryman's Association.

DrNs CunnnN Dnecron/PREsTDENT

ns to

Michael McCooey & The Wall Street 50 TheGriswoldCompany MEMBER NE\T YORK STOCK EXCFIANGE

111 Broadwav - 1,3 rh fl oor New York,'NY 1 0006

IRrsu Ave,nrcn MacnztruB August / September 2000

lxrrnxanoNAt

BANK oF IREIAND

Assrr Mnrunormrur

As Director and President lnternational ol Bank of lreland Asset Management (BIAM), Denis Curran is responsible for BIAM's international operations. Prior to assuming his cunent position in 1999, Curran was President of BIAM's North American operation, Bank of lreland Asset Management (U.S.) Limited. A wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of lreland, BIAM manages over $50 billion in global securities for a wide variety of clients throughout the world. BIAM (U.S.) has over $25 billion under management. Cunan began his career in 1974 with the lrish Development Authority (lDA), a branch of the lrish Government. His initial assignment was Project Executive based in Dublin. He progressed through the IDA to become Director of its New York office responsible for inward investment by North American companies into lreland. He resides in Cos Cob, Connecticut with his wile Helen and their three daughters. He is a native of Belfast and has a degree in Economics from 0ueens University, Belfast.

KarnrEEN Cnnurv

Drvro

Vrcr PnrsloENT - GovERNMENT Rrnnorus o

PRUDENTTAT SEcuRrTrEs

lNconpontro

As a vice president of Prudential Securities lncorporated, Kathleen Carney Devito administers and budgets the Corporate Political Action Committee in the Government Relations area of the company. ln addition, Devito also interacts with the Washington office of Prudential and deals with legislative issues relevant to the securities industry. Devito joined Prudential in 1988 and went into the department of Government Relations in 1 990. 0rganizations that count Devito as a member are the Bond Market Association, the Government Representatives Committee of the Securities lndustry Association and the lnvestment Company lnstitute. Devito is a native of Brooklyn and majored in English at St. John's University. She is second-generation lrish American; her fathe/s family hails from County Mayo and her mother's is from Strokestown, Roscommon. Devito and her husband Michael live in Brooklyn and have two children, Amy and Tara. They are proud to be spon-

sors of the lrish Repertory Theatre.

InrsH AvERrc,q. MacaztNe August

/ September 2000

Aer tlngus

THe Wnll Srneer 50

i"iiElif^Ll srREEr 50

The

A Gtobal

a urc ks: A Family Success Story

Cnnrsropnrn C . Qutcr o Fun SRecnusr, lNc.

PnegorNr

As Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Fleet Specialist, lnc., Christopher C. 0uick presides over one of the largest specialist operations on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. Fleot Specialist, fnc. is part of FleetBostcn Financial Corporation, one of the nation's largest and most successful financial services firms. Ouick has presided over Fleet

Lrsur C. Qurcr l.ll

Pnrsnem, Fuer Secunmrs, lNc. PnrspeNr & CEO, U.5. CumrNe

Leslie C. Ouick lll is President ol Fleet Securities, lnc. and President and Chief Executive Ofiieer of U.S. Clearing, one ol the nation's largest securities clearing companies and a division ol Fleet Secudties, lnc. He was appointed President of U.S, Clearing in 1994. Previously, he

had been President

Specialist, lnc. since 1986.

Sheila Hartnett-Devlin, executive vice president and chair of the global investment committee at Fiduciary Trust lnternational, divulges the secret of her success to Sarah Buscher. Thinking globally comes easily to Sheila Hartnett-Devlin. "l like not having boundaries," she explains. "lf you're just thinking about U.S.

investments, you forget the fact that each

Fair.field University. He is a member

day: the Financial Times,

lhe I nvesto r's Busi ness Daily,Ihe Wall Street

her recent marriage (only five weeks old at

may explain in some paft her drive and ability

great oppofiunities that are occurring outside in the world." The view from her office in the World Trade Center matches her outlook. Ninety-four floors above the streets 0f New York City it seems

our meeting) could justifiably have her walking on air, it doesn't. Hartnett-Devlin is at all times

to focus on what she wants. She joined the world she wasfresh outof high school. "l kind of knew

limitless. An appropriate setting for a global equi-

very much a woman of the world. She credits her summer vacations spent in lreland for contributing to her broad vision. Her parents emigrated from County Kerry in the

ties strategist. As executive vice president and

late 50's, eventually settling in Queens, NY. Each

chair of the global investment committee of

summer they would take her and her

Fiduciary Trust lnternational, Hartnett-Devlin over-

sees nearly $11 billion of overseas equity

sister back to lreland to spend their vacation at their grandparents'farm in Kerry. Straddling the

investments and identifies emerging economic trends and changes to determine the direction

world between lreland and New York City gave Hartnett-Devlin an appreciation of and

of Fiduciary's global investments, Under her leadership, Fiduciary's global institutional assets dou-

curiosity about cultural differences. "l think

York Times. And while

of finance as an intern with J.P. Morgan when

I wanted to do finance." She pauses and reconsiders, "l wasn't really sure what lwanted to do. All I knew was I didn't really want to go to school full-time during the day. I wanted to broaden my horizons a little bit." lnstead, she worked during the day and took classes at Pace University at night. lt proved to be a valuable experience. "When

Jockey Club.

having grown up in New York City, but having had the summers in lreland, which were so different from being in the city, made me more comfortable about thinking about alternatives," she explains. "lt wasn't just one right way. So seeing alternatives very early on made

One image that often crops up in her conversation is the notion of broadening one's

me very open to thinking about different

you're going to school at night and working during the day in the same industry, everything is a lot more relevant. lt gave me a tremendous amount of oppoftunity and essentially I ended up being ahead of some people with the same amount of education just by having that handson experience." She went on to earn her master's at Pace and later her CFA. She spent four years with J.P. Morgan, joining Fiduciary

alternatives for investments as well. I haven't

in 1981

horizons, an image that has informed much of her career and put her in the mid-eighties at the cutting edge of introducing global investing to the U.S. Now she is a firmly established leader in the field, appearing on CNBC's Market Week and quoted regulady in The Wall Street Journa[ Barron's and Business Week. She seems to live and breathe her work: a typical day stafts at around 6:30 a.m. and ends at 7 p.m. As soon as she gets up in the morning she tunes in to the financial news 0n the radio and she reads

been afraid to go places. That's probably the best

thing lreland taught me

if you have an open

mind about different cultures you can travel pretty

easily and see things in a very positive way." "0ne of the things that I think makes me pretty good at what I do is a love of reading, and I know that came from my father because he used to read to us every night when he came home from work and go through our homework with us.

"l take after my father," she

continues, "and my father was a very strong man." This

IRtss Arraenrca Me,cazrNp August / September 2000

She could make finance sound fascinating

to even the most checkbook-balancing challenged individual. That's always the way they make you like it too. When asked what she likes the most about her job she replies, "That you never stop learning and you can learn from everybody. That's the great thing about

with people who love what they do

this business . . . the learning curue is constantly

upward." Just like her career.

one

the

nation's largest and most suc-

Hospital Board and the Executive

cessful linancial

Committee

firms.

ol the Cardinal's

Corporation,

in a very narrow frame you're going to miss these

equity accounts include California's State

Corporation,

Executive Committee, St. Vincent's

B-A.

degree in finance fmm St. Bonaventure Universig where

NYSE

Floor Govemor, and a member of the Board of Directors of 0uick & The family lirm. From left to right Leslie lll. Leslie Jr., Thomas and Christogher. Reilly/Fleet Securities, lnc.

lesur C. Qum,

services

Ouick received a

Committee of the Laity of the Archdiocese of New York. He is also a Director of the Specialist

four newspapers each

Journal and the A/ew

Teachers Retirement Fund and the Hong Kong

(dtt&

of the New York Stock Exchange, the Boston Stock Exchange, the NYSE Arbitration Board, the ITS

region has comparative advantages. People develop specialties and if you're only thinking

bled over the past six years, expanding all over the world, including to lreland. Their global

and Chief Operating 0ffieer of The Quick & Reilly Group, lnc. ln 1998, U.S. Clearing bocame part ol Fleet Financial Broup, now FleetBoston Financial

Ouick received a Bachelor of Science degree in finance from

JR.

CrwnmrN & CEO Qurcr & Rrruv/trEfl SEcuRmEs, lNc. Leslie C. Quick, Jr., Wall Street visionary, founded 0uick & Reilly, lnc. Reilly and its related businesses were organized under a new subsidiary, Ouick & Reilly/Fleet Securities, lnc., a fully integrated financial services company that is a major operating unit of Fleet Financial Group, lnc. with Ouick serving as Chairman & CE0. ln the civic realm, he serves on the board of directors of the Alfred E. Smith Foundation, the Dana Farber Hospital; the School Choice Scholarship Foundation in New York City and the Gregorian University in Bome, ltaly. Quick graduated from Pennsylvania Military College, now Widener University, in 1 959 and serves as chairman of its board of trustees. A second-generation American with roots in Galway, 0uick and his wife, Regina, have seven children and twenty{our grandchildren. Three of his sons work in the family firm. A fourth, Peter, is President of the American Stock Exchange.

in 1974. ln 1998, Ouick &

he cunently chairc the Board

of Trustees. He is a member of fte Board of Govemors of the Chicago Stock Exchange,

the Board of Direetors for the Securities lndusty/Regulatory Council on Continuing Education and the Hearing Board of the New York Stock Exchange.

A third-generation lrish American, he was awarded the Ellis lsland Medal of Honor.

Tnomas C. Qurcr

Pnrsoem & COO Qurcr & REuvlFuer Srcunmrs, lNc. Thomas Ouick is president and C00 of Quick &

Reilly/Fleet Securities. He also serves as a member ol the board of director:s of Flee8oston Financial Corp and as trustee for the Securities lndustry Foundation for Economic Education. 0utside the corporate world, Ouick is very active with St. Jude's Children's Hospital in Memphis, TN, serving as a member of the board of trustees, the investment advisory board and the endowment committee. He is a graduate of Fairfield University.

Prrrn Qurcr

PnrsrorNr o Tnr AmrntcAN STocK Excnlruor Peter Ouick was appointed President and Chief 0perating Officer of the American Stock Exchange on May 23, 2000. ln this role he also serves on the Amex Board of Governors. Prior to his appointment, he senred as Prdsident and Chief Executive at his family's firm, Ouick & Reilly, lnc. A graduate of University of Virginia with a degree in Engineering, he is very active with his alma mater, serving on the University's National Selection Committee for the Jefferson Scholar Program and on the Board of Managers of the their Alumni Association. Quick also attended Stanford University's Graduate School of Petroleum Engineering and he currently sits on the Board of Directors of Help for the Poor. He served four years active duty as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy. He is manied with seven children.

IRrsH AnasRrcn

MncrzrxB August / September

2000 7l

Aer Llngus 93

THr Wnll SrnErr 50

J. Christopher Donqhue Pnrsrorrur

M.J. MEEHAN 8. Co., LLC

& CEO

Frormtro lruvrsrons, lttc.

Federated lnvestors is one of the nation's largest management and financial seruices companies with over $124 billion in assets in more than 175 mutual funds and separate accounts. As President and CE0, J. Christopher Donahue develops the firm's long-term strategies and goals and directly oversees the investment management and research, sales and marketing, and administrative functions. He is also president and director of most of Federation's 129 global, international and domestic equity mutualfunds and international and domestic fixed-income funds. He joined Federatedin 1972 as a law clerk. Donahue earned his B.A. from Princeton Universi$ and his J.D. from University of Pittsburgh School of Law, A seventh-generation lrish American with roots in County Kerry, he is a member of The American lreland Fund. He is also active in the Young Presidents Organization, the Saint Vincent College Board of Directors, and the Allegheny Conference on Community Development. He is married with eight children.

John G. Duffu

Proud New York Stock Exchange Specialists for

Allied Irish Bank PLC

Pnrsrorxr & Co-CHtrr Exrcut-tvt Orrtcrn Krrrr, Bnuvrnr & Wooos, lnc. John Duffy has more than 20 years of experience involving bank and thrift mergers and capital-raising activity. 0fficer of Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, lnc. in July, 1999. Prior to his

He was named president and co-Chief Executive

appointment he served for nine years as Executive Vice President and Director of Corporate Finance. Duffy has been a member of KBW's board of directors since 1990. '1978, he was the Vice President at Standard & Poor's Corporation in charge of all Bond Prior to joining KBW in and Commercial Paper Ratings for all financial institutions. Duffy is a first-generation lrish American his father is from from Culleens, Co. Sligo and his mother is from Newtowngore, Co. Lietrim. He holds a B.A. in Economics from the City College of New York and attended the M.B.A. program at Bernard Baruch College, City University of New York. He is manied with five children.

and Eircom PLC

mt te

Signed and Numbered Print on Museum Paper by Renowned

Kamil Kubik

Irish Americ a Ma gazine's Wall Street 50 Honorees

To 0rder €all: 888-ARF0706 or 2t2-755- 1805

Art Felt, lnc. 65 Bank Street New York, NY 10014

For additional prints, visit our website: NYSE SPECIALISTS

www.artfelt.net InrsH AMeRIce

Mecaawr August / September 2000

Aerttngus;3

Tne Wnu- STnEET 50 Pnrrucn C. DUNN

Gtosat Cnrrr

ExecuTlvE

o Bancnys Groslr lxvrsrons

Dubbed one of Fortune magazine's "50 Most Powerful Women," Patricia Dunn oversees BGI's global business and chairs the firm's Global Management Committee. She is also a member of the Executive Committee of Barclays PLC where she directs the overall strategy and development of BGI's regional businesses throughout the

world and its major global product businesses covering indexing, securities lending and advanced active strategies. ln addition, she oversees the firm's global functions: technology, finance and risk management. Dunn earned her B.A. in journalism and economics from the University of California at Berkeley. She is a Director and Chairman of the Finance & lnvestment Committee of the Hewlett-Packard Company, and is a member of the Advisory Board of the Hass Graduate School of Business at UC Berkeley. The author of several afticles on investment management, she frequently appears at industry seminars on quantitative investing. Dunn is a second-generation lrish American with roots in County Mayo. She is manied with four stepchildren.

Aommr WlruAM FnNIGAN . Srxron MmuorHo Drnecron

CANToR Fnzornnl-o

William J. "Bud" Flanagan's career melds management experience at the highest levels of government with expertise in high technology and emerging markets on Wall Street. Since 1997, he has served as Senior Managing Director at Cantor Fitzgerald following his retirement as a 4-star Admiral after 29 years service in the U.S. Navy. His responsibilities include the creation of new marketplaces for the firm through government deregulation and priviatization. ln addition, he consults as a strategic advisor to a portfolio of U.S. technology firms, creating innovative business development oppoftunities and linancial strategies in support of mergers, acquisitions and new technology ventures.

A native of Massachusetts, Flanagan is a graduate of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy and American University with a B.S. in Maritime Transpoftation and an M.A. in Political Science. He also graduated from the Harvard Business School Executive Training Program. Athird-generation lrish American, Flanagan traces his roots backto

Limerick. He and his wife Barbara have three daughters, Catherine, Elizabeth and Margaret.

RosE-Manrr Fox

MnunorNo Dnrcron/Co-FouNorn o Conxrnsroxr FrNaxcnr Co. ILC Rose-Marie Fox founded Cornerstone Financial Co. LLC in 1 990. The New York based private investment bank focuses on raising equity capitalfor mid-cap private companies as well as providing merger and acquisition advisory services. A signilicant pottion of Cornerstone's business is involved in telecommunications. Cornerstone was founded along-

side Edelson Technology Pafiners, a venture capital firm that manages funds for AT&T, 3M and several other large corporations. Fox serues on the advisory board of Edelson Technology Partners. Prior to founding Cornerstone Financial, Fox was a senior vice president in corporate finance at Lehman Brothers where she specialized in financing and mergers and acquisitions. She is a graduate of Manhattanville College and has an M.B.A. from the Wharton School of Business. Fox has served on a number of charitable boards in New York, including Roundabout Theatre and United Neighborhood Housing. She is a second-generation lrish American her fathe/s family is from Leitrim and her mother's from Cavan. Her maternal great-uncle, Fr. Michael McGivney, founded the Knights of Columbus.

Rosrnr Cnnnms GoprN

Extcunvr Vrcr PnrsroENT o

THE

PnuorNrnr lrusunnxcr Company oF AMERIcA

As executive vice president of The Prudential lnsurance Company of America, Robert Charles Golden manages all operations and systems at Prudential. He also serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Prudential Securities Group, lnc. which he joined in 1976, and has held the positions of executive vice president and chief administrative officer. A thirdleneration lrish American with roots in County Mayo, Golden takes his heritage seriously, as evidenced by his affiliation with the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, the Ancient 0rder of Hibernians and the Emerald Association. He also serves as Corporate Secretary and Director of HeartShare Human Services of New York, a non-profit organization that helps children and families in need. Golden was honored in 1 999 by Minority lnterchange and was awarded the Ellis lsland Medal of Honor this past May. He resides in Staten lsland with his wife and two children.

IRtss Alrenrca MacazrNe August / September 2000

fiiElif^Ll

srREEr 50

O'Nnn FrxlNcnr

J. JosrpH . Pnrsrorrur

Pnooucrs oF rHE Bomo

or Tnaor FoR THE Cry or NY lNc.

Joseph J. O'Neill serues as president of Financial Products of the Board of Trade for the City of New York which includes the New York Futures Exchange, Finex and Cantor Exchange. Prior to taking this position in 1998, he served for fourleen years as president of the New York Cotton Exchange. Among his many achievements during his tenure there, this second-generation lrish American took great personal pride in the establishment of a subsidiary in Dublin, lreland. 0'Neill serves on the board of directors of the Swiss Commodities Futures & Options Associations and the National Futures Association. He is also a member of the National Futures Association A native New Yorker, 0'Neill earned his B.A. from Manhattan College and M.B.A. from Adelphi University. He is manied with five children and traces his roots back to counties Galway and Roscommon.

MrcnaEr SrNron Vrcr

RETLLY

PnrsroENT o AttANcE CAplrAL MlNncrmeNT L.P.

Michael Reilly joined Alliance Capital large cap growth office in Minneapolis in 1992. Five years later, he moved back to his native Chicago to open an lnstitutional Money Management office for the large cap groMh team. One of the leading global investment management firms, Alliance Capital Management has a subsidiary in Dublin, lreland. Prior to joining Alliance Capital, Reilly was a research analyst for Piper Jaffray & Hopwood lncorporated where he worked first as a generalist and then specialized in the retail sector. Reilly is a firslgeneration lrish American his fathe/s family is from County Cavan and his mothefs from County Clare. He has a B.A. from the University of lllinois, an M.B.A. from Nofthwestern University and was a recipient of the Evans Scholarship. Fiercely proud of his heritage, Reilly is a member of Gaelic Park, St. Patrick's Missionary and the Clare Association. He is married with two children.

SrnN RrvNoLDs

Drnroon, Grosat CoHvrnilslE SAtEs .

DEUTScHE

BaNc

Aux

Bnowru

Sean Reynolds' career on Wall Street has focused almost exclusively on convertible securities. As the market for these products exploded in the 90's, opportunities for convertible market specialists grew exponentially. ln his current position he has Deutsche Banc's responsibility for distribution of the global product into the U.S. marketplace. He launched his financial career with Merrill Lynch's convedible operation at the company's WFC headquafters. Reynolds emigrated from lreland in June 1989 and he traces his background in trading to several generations of beef traders on his mother's side of the family. Sean is an active supporter of several civic and charitable causes, including Fonivard Face, Save the Children and The American lreland Fund. He is a graduate of the Engineering School at Trinity College Dublin and has an MBA from the Wharton Business School. He is married with three children and lives in Harrison, NY.

MrcnaEL

RIcE

Exrcurvr Vrcr Pnrs oENT/C H EF Aotvt t{tsrRATvE OFFIcER Pnrvrrr Currur Gnoup o PRUDENTTAT. Srcunmes lHconpourco r

Michael Rice is an Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative 0fficer for the Private Client Group of Prudential

Securities lncorporated with responsibility for training and professional development, Finance, Branch Administration, Retail Risk Management, Retail Recruiting and Branch Real Estate. Rice joined Prudential Securities in 1997 as Senior Vice President and Director of Strategic Business lnitiatives. He was responsible for the overall strategic development of Prudential Securities' retail arm, and chaired the Consumer Markets Strategic lnitiatives Committee. Prior to joining Prudential Securities, he was a Vice President and Branch Manager for Smith Barney. A graduate of Georgetown University and the Wharton School of Business, Rice launched his financial career in 1989 as a Financial Consultant at Merrill Lynch. A second-generation lrish American, he is a member of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick.

68 Inusu AIvmRrcA M-q,cRzrNe August/September 2000

We Congratulate

Denis P. Kelleher Ghief Executive Officer, Wall Street Access and

IRISHAMERICA N4AGAZINE

Jerry Gallaghan Managing Director, Wall Street Access

IrVall Street

Gongratulations on being honored by

lrish America magazine

Honorees

t'Your dedication is unsurpassed" From the employees and friends of

Wall Street Access

@ L

ccess.

Member New York Stock Exchonge

We fight. You

win.

Fleet Speciolist

)lHleet

Member New York Stock Exchonge, lnc.

aHK"Kg,*F.lLLY' "Click with Quick" at:

www. quickandreilly. com

securities MemberNYSE/SIPC

Aer Llngus

Aer Lingus qG

THe Wnu STREET 50

THr WnII STNEET 50

Bnnnv MunpHv

Cnrrr ExrcuTtvE .

Amrnlcm Expnrss Bnorrnnoe Srxron Vrcr PnrslorNr o Altrnlcnx Expnrss Flrunrucnt Aovlsons

As senior vice president with American Express Financial Advisors, Barry Murphy oversees client service for the mutual funds, insurance annuity and brokerage businesses distributed by American Express Financial Advisors. He is also head of the American Express Brokerage business, a member of the Senior Leadership Team of AEFA and the chair of its Executive Committee. Murphy joined American Express in 1983 as a senior attorney and subsequently held a series of senior legal and general management positions lor American Express in the United States and abroad. He was born in 0akland, California and earned his B.A. from Haruard University. He also has a Master's and Law degree from the University of California, Berkeley. A second-generation lrish American who traces his roots back to Cork and Kerry, Murphy maintains, "My grandfather's immigration to the U.S. remains a source of pride in our lrish ancestry for me and my family." He is married with three children.

O'BnaDAtGH CunN S. Pntvltr CurNr Srnvcrs . LrnMH

Vrcr Pnesrorrut,

Mnnr Hrntv MlNlortro

Dtnecron, Ftttlrucr & OprunoNs o TD Srcunllrs (USA), lNc.

As Managing Director of Finance and 0perations for the USA Division of TD Securities, Mark Healy has responsibilities for the areas of finance, regulatory, risk monitoring and operations for the firm's US investment banking presence. The firm is an investment dealer in high yield, investment grade debt and equity, corporate lending and advisory seruices. Prior to this position, Healy was Chief Financial 0fficer of TD Securities (USA), lnc. Before joining TD, he was VP, Director of Finance at Swiss Bank Corporation lor five years. Healy serves on the Board of Directors of TD Securities (USA), lnc. and is a member of the SIA and Bond Market Association. He is a native of Queens County, NY, and holds a B.S. in Public Accounting from C.W. Post, Long lsland University. A second-generation lrish American, he traces his lrish roots back to County Kerry. He is manied with six-year-old triplets.

Eowano D. Hrnunv Bnornrns

A native of Dublin, lreland, Cillian 0'Bradaigh has played an active role in establishing a Lehman Brothers franchise in lreland by helping lrish technology companies who are exploring raising capital on the NASDAO market. He was part of the team that raised $200 million for Baltimore Technologies, when they floated the NASDAQ last year. 0'Bradaigh joined the firm in 1990 and cunently serves as an investment representative in the private client group where he manages $1 billion for families in lreland and the U.S. He is currently working with an lrish eRelationship Management Company based in Dublin who are planning their initial public offering in the near future. A graduate of Trinity College Dublin, with a bachelor's in business studies, 0'Bradaigh is a native lrish speaker and fbrmer marathon runner, having competed in marathons in both Dublin and Belfast. He is also a member of

Plnrurn

WACHTELI, LlproN,

Rosru & Knrz

While not a financier himself, Ed Herlihy is a powerful player on Wall Street, having firmly established himself as one of the most sought-after lawyers in the world of banking mergers & acquisitions. ln 1998 alone, he represented principals in four of the six biggest banking deals of the year. ln all he represented five of the top 20 deals of the year with a combined value of $158 billion' Herlihy began his career as a staff attorney with the Securities and Exchange Commission after earning his J.D. from Gebrge Washington University Law School. He worked his way up to assistant director with the SEC before joining Wachtell Lipton in the early eighties. A thiid-generation lrish American, with roots in Counties Kerry and Cork, he was born in Great Falls, NY and earned his B.A. from Hobart College. He is manied with two children'

The lreland - U.S. Council for lndustry and Commerce.

DlNrrL A. O'BvnNr .

Vrcr PnrsrorNr & PntNclpru

Rovcr & AssocnrEs, lNc.

Daniel A. 0'Byrne is one of your typical lrish immigrant success stories. After immigrating to the U.S. from Dublin, lreland, Daniel 0'Byrne did what many young lrish immigrants in New York city do - tended bar. ln fact he cites as one of his most notable achievements, "successfully transitioned from the New York bar business (which I love) to

Wall Street (which I love even more!)" After bartending at The Old Stand for several months, 0'Byrne joined Royce & Associates, lnc. as a trading associate. 0ver the next ten years, he worked his way up until in 1996, he was appointed Vice President and Assistant Secretary of Royce Capital Fund, a variable annuity. 0'Byrne earned a B.Com from University College Dublin. He is manied with three children, and, ever loyal to his homeland, he is a member of the Ancient 0rder of Hibernians.

O'CoNNoR H. TomrcNs lvhnlotNo Dlnrcron . ALANTIc Mrolclt Carrnt, [P

GrNenru PlnrNrn &

H. Tomkins [om) O'Connor is a general partner and co-founder of Atlantic Medical Capital LP, a venture capital fund that invests exclusively in healthcare companies, targeting mid-stage and late-stage businesses specializing in healthcare seruices, products, financing, distribution information systems and the internet. Prior to founding AMC in 1993, O'Connor was the senior officer responsible for investments in GE Capital's $750 million healthcare LBO portfolio (1989-1993). He launched his career at Citicorp where he served on the corporate staff for the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors. 0'Connor earned a B.A. from Union College and an M.B.A. from Columbia University and he serves on the Alumni Associations at both institutions. He also serues on the boards of Heallhcare Capital Resources, lnc., Alignis, lnc.,

Advica Health Resources, lnc. and A.J. Mafiini, lnc. A second-generation lrish American, 0'Connor traces his roots back to Counties Roscommon and Donegal on his father's side. He is married with two children.

66 husn Aurnrca MecazNB August / September 2000

MrcHnrr P. HrcolNs

MlxlorNo Dtnrcron o CIBC Wonp Mlnrrrs Michael P. Higgins' motto is, "Hard work does not hurt anybody." And indeed hard work mixed with a healthy dose of talent has established Higgins as one of the most innovative real estate finance professionals in the industry. ln the four years since Higgins joined CIBC as Managing Director and Head of its World Markets' Real Estate Finance Group, the group has originated, securitized and/or syndicated more than $10 billion of commercial mortgages. Some of Higgins' notable transactions include serving as co-lead manager of a $1 billion commercial mortgage securitization to lead manager/lender on a $390 million regional mall in New York State. CIBC has a subsidiary in lreland. A native of County Mayo, lreland, Higgins earned his B.A. in Commerce at University College, Galway and a master's degree in Real Estate Development. He is married with a son and a daughter.

THomas

J. HuoHrs

MlNaotruo Dlnrcron/HEAD oF Gtoglt Sscunrlrs FrrunHcrNo Gnoup o Mrnruu. Lvncn As head of the global securities financing group at Merrill Lynch, Thomas Hughes' responsibilities include all lending in its $200 plus billion institutional loan portfolio to broker dealers and hedge funds across all products which include real estate, mortgages, asset backs, high grade, high yield and emerging markets. A native of New York City, Hughes earned a B.S. in Marine Engineering and Naval Architecture from the United States Merchant Marine Academy. Hughes serves on the board of trustees of the Hospital for Special Surgery, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and the board of trustees of the United States Merchant Marine Academy. He also serues as co-chair for the Wall Street Charity Golf Classic, which has raised over $5 million for cystic fibrosis research. Hughes resides in Greenwich, Connecticut with his wife Virginia and their three daughters. He holds an lrish passport and traces his roots to Kilkenny, Dublin and Cork.

Inrss Alrasntce MacaztNs August / September

2000

Aerllngusf,

THe Wnu- STREET 50

Finnegan's

Hke

on her knees saying the rosary when she heard of JFK's death. He has the map of lreland on his face. Laugh lines frame his eyes, giving him the

appearance of someone just suppressing a smile. For all of his accomplishments and friends in high places, he is remarkably infor-

mal-

in aranging this interuiew he asked, "Are

you sure you don't want to do this over a pint of Guinness?"

on the Bond Act gave him a keen

understanding of the importance

of financing in realizing longterm environmental objectives. Now as Managing Director ol Environmental

Finnegan is a second-generalion lrish American his mother's father was from Galway and his

"Mike has a sharp intellect that helped me forge somc of thc most significant achievsrnsrt$

in New York history." Those achievements include such landmark initiatives as the State lncome Tax Cut legisla-

tion, the Farmland Preservation Act and the Deadbeat Dads' Statute. Finnegan also suc-

-father's grandfather

from County Mayo. The

uldesl of six, hc grcw up ln Peel$l{ll, NY, a snull town in the Hudson Valley. During his childhood, his family lived with several other relatives in his

grandfather's house. "Great-aunts and greatuncles and uncles and first cousins once removed and a grandfather and, of course, all

cessfully negotiated the New York City Watershed

our family, all living in a rambling Victorian

Agreement, ending a bitter conflict that divided New Yorkers for years. He also mediated an historic Adirondacks tmber agreement between lum-

house," he recalls. He describes those years as

ber interests and environmentalists. But the real feather in his cap was the passage of his brainchild, the $1.75 billion Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act, the centerpiece of New York

ffisw

Administrators. The leap from government to Wall Street was not as great as one might ft ink. Finnegan's work

"Don't be fooled by the smile and the beard," warns Pataki, a friend of almost twenty years.

IS &:-r-

American Academy of Public

George Pataki and later his chiel counsel, he has proven he can play fte political game and win.

campaign managcr lor Ncw York Governor

l&lrus

Finance for J.P. Morgan he's on the other side of the coin, scouting out environmental pmjects to finance, including some in lreland. And while he misses the opportunities politics provide to effect real change, he enjoys having more time with his three children.

Yet he admits he can be ruthless and as the

SF''

Michacl Finnegan, Managing Director of Environmental Finance at J,P. Morgan talks to Sarah Buscher, Mike Finnegan is a paradox. Thoughtful and soft-spoken, he has to blink back tears at the childhood recollection of a nun

a ax*l

F!l'll-

"idyllic."

"l remember saying to her [his mother] as we were standing in the kitchen of this house we harl rented in England, that lreland meant nothing to me, that lwas an American. And lthought all of the crazy firislr] nruuit; ulru was playing was

ludicrous, this romantic attachment to lreland was ludicrous. Needless to say, that broke her heart. " After a two or three month battle, his parents won out and Finnegan finally agreed to a fourday bicyule trip back to the tamily farm. "0ne of my cousins took me up to see fte stone house that my grandfather had lived in as a kid.

0f course the sod roof had collapsed in by that time, But as I walked around it . . ." he pauses, his voice grows soft with the recollection and "l remember it so vividly even today . . . the notion that on this particular piece of land McCormacks had he stares down at his clasped hands.

"lt exposed us to a lot of difterent things," he points out. "My grandfather had been a Triple

farmed and fought for and toiled over and

A ball playerforfie Yankees, so I grew up aYankee fan. My great-aunt was a poet and an historian.

"lt was tre realization of fie connection to some of the stories that my grandlather had told me

She kept original newspaper clippings from

pained for centuries.

State's environ mental program. Flnnegan's success at resolving contentious issues can be traced backto his modus operandi:

things like the Hindenberg tragedv. So I grew up with a living understanding of history."

about the place, and seeing, actually seeing a bridge that he had told me about, where lre had fought in a skirmish with the Black and Tans.

An understanding of family history seems

It was a connection, not just across 3,000

"To try and build a bridge somehow across

to pervade much of his awareness, And he

miles but across time and across philosophies

the divides, understanding that on some issues,

maintains thatthis history, passed down through

there's just no way to build a bridge, in which case the second M.0. islo respectfullydisagree."

that convinced me that no matter what my

his maternal grandfather's stories, changed him forever. .

views were, I was an lrishman. lt couldn't be denied."

His

wok in public

seruice has eamed him many

Finnegan was nineteen and still had never been

honors including the 1 997 Rockefeller lnstitute

to lreland. He was living with his family

Award for Distinguished Public Service; the Conspicuous Service Medal, New York's highest award for civilian service, and the Ellis

London anrl his parents wanted him to use this opportunity to travel throughout Europe, strongly

lslanrl Medal of Honor. He was also recognized twice for his work in state government by the

48 Inrsn Aunnrca.

encouraging him to visit their relatives' farm in Galway, At first he refused, choosing lreland ao the focal pointfor his teenage rebellion.

MacezrNs August / Septeurller 2000

"That was 1976, and l've been back to lreland 23 times since," he points out. This sense of being part of a larger history

shapes his primary motivation, which he describes as "providing the next genemtion, my

kido, even morc opportunities than I had in the hopes that they do even befter than I did."

Aertlngus;3

THE

WnII

Aer Llngus

THE Wnl-l

STnEET 50

Mrcnnrr P. McCooEY . CHrrr Oprnqrrruo

Orncrn

Norr M. JrNNlNoso

Tnr Gnrswoto Cotvtplxv

Vrcr

Michael Pierce McOooey founded The Griswold Company with his five siblings over ten years ago and it has grown into one of the largest independent brokerage firms on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. The firm also has a seat on the lrish Stock Exchange. Yet Mc0ooey's greatest passion remains his relief work. For the past ten years he has worked with the international relief group AmeriCares as a full{ime Project Director and more recently, a volunteer. AmeriCares provides immediate medical disaster relief as well as support for long term projects throughout the world. His relief missions have brought him to such global hot spots as Rwanda, the former Yugoslavia, Romania and Congo. ln 1999 he traveled to Kosovo to work with war refugees and Haiti, where he helped build a school. This fourth-generation lrish American also spends a few weeks each summer working at a camp in upstate New York for inner-city children with HIV/AIDS. He was recently honored by The American lreland Fund.

Mrcnnrr

Wlu Srntrr Accrss

After Denis Kelleher emigrated to the U.S. from County Kerry in 1958, he quickly found work as a messenger with Merrill Lynch. A combination of ambition and sheer talent marked him out to his superiors and fueled his rise through the company ranks and he gained considerable expeftise in operating the business. Wall Street Access which he cunently By 1980, the dynamic Kelleher had founded his own company heads up as CEO. The company is a diversified financial seruices organization with expertise in management and bank brokerage programs. lt processes billions of dollars annually and is listed on the U.S. Stock

Exchange.

Kelleher graduated from St. John's University, New York with a B.S. degree. He serves as a board member with the lrish lnvestment Fund and with his old alma mater, St. John's University. He is a 1995 recipientof the Ellis lsland Medal of Honor. Kelleher is married with three children.

Congratulations to

LLC

Founded in 1918, M.J. Meehan & Co., LLC has been guided by three generations of Meehans. Terry was

Wnrn

P. KrnrHrn

Fouruorn & CEO o

Bnornrns

Fermanagh and Cork.

M.J. MrrrnH & Co.,

Drnru

0rganization.

Michael McKeever is head of Lehman Brothers Global Private Equity business. Additionally, he is a member of Lehman Brothers' Executive Committee, 0perating Committee and Co-Chairman of the firm's lnvestment Committee. Prior to this position he was Co-Head of the firm's lnvestment Banking Divison with responsibility for the division's global industry, product and geographic groups. From 1991 to 1996, he was a Sector Head in the lnvestment Banking Division, responsible for the firm's businesses involving telecommunications, media, technology, merchandising and consumer products, as well as for all investment banking activities in the Midwest region. McKeever joined Lehman Brothers in 1979 as an Associate in the lnvestment Banking Division. He holds a B.A. and M.B.A. from Tulane University and traces his lrish lineage on both sides of his family back to Counties

Cnrrr ExrcuTrvE OFFrcER

MonolN Snnuv

Drus

MlNlorxc Drnrcron, Pntvnr Eouw Dvgoru o lenmru

CurHr Gnoup

"lf you can't define what you do in this business in one line, you're not in business" says Noel Jennings. as Vice President for Morgan Stanley Dean Wittef s Private Client Group And he practices what he preaches he is responsible for providing investment and estate planning advice to high net worth individuals and religious institutions in the U.S. and abroad. Some of his notable achievements during his tenure with the firm are winning the 1996 National Sales Award and the 1998 and 1999 Directors Club Award. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter has a subsidiary in lreland. A native of Castlebar, County Mayo, Jennings earned a degree in hotel management from the Regional Technical College in Galway. He is a member of The lreland - United States Council and the lrish Business

F. McKTEVER

TrnrNcr S. Mrrnau .

PnrsroENT, PRvATE

Srnrrr 50

admil

Admiral William J. (Bud) Fla,nagan, Jr. (Rtd.)

ted as a General Partner in 1970, appointed Managing Paftner in 1985 and now serves as the firm's Chief Executive 0fficer. ln 1990, Meehan founded The SpecialistAssociation and served as its President until 1995. He is cunently Chairman Emeritus. A Senior Floor 0fficial of the NYSE, he served as a Floor Governorfrom 1989 - 1995 and he is a member of the Board of Securities lndustry Foundation for Economic Education. Meehan is also Chairman of the Board of the Environmental Action Coalition, a member of the Young Presidents 0rganization and a Catholic Big Brother. Meehan holds an undergraduate degree from Georgetown University and a graduate degree from MlT. A second-generation lrish American with roots in County Mayo, he is a member of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick and ICCUSA. He lives in New York City with his wife, Emily, and their young son, Luke.

Se'nior Ma,na gi,nrg Di,re:ctol

Cantor Fitzgerald and to all the 2000 Wal,l Street 50 Honorees

NrcnoLAs Moonr

CnnnmH o Pnrcr Wmrnnousr Cooptns As chairman of Price Waterhouse Coopers, Nick Moore heads up one of the largest professional service companies in the world and provides leadership to over 140,000 employees in 1 52 countries. As Chairman of Coopers & Lybrand lnternationaland Chairman and C.E.O of the U.S. firm, he spearheaded the 1998 merger between Price Waterhouse and Coopers Lybrand lnternational. A native of the San Francisco area, he is a second-generation lrish American. His paternal grandparents were from Kerry, while his mother's parents hailed from Counties Cork and Down. Moore himself is the father of two girls

cws

and two boys.

Mogre's civic involvement is considerable. He is chairman of Cooperation lreland, a Board Member of the Business Council of New York State and a trustee of the Committee lor Economic Development. Moore received a B.S. in Accounting from St. Mary's College and a J.D. from Hastings College of Law, the

The Engine of The New Market..

University of California at Berkeley.

64 Irusu AMERICA

MncaztNs August / September 2000

InrsH AMsnrca. MRcazrNe Aug. / Sept.

2000

t"liElifoll

Aer Lingus 93

Continued from page 50

srREEr so

THe

Wnll Srneer 50

DoNnp R. Krouon Bomo . Aueu & CotvtplNv

Tnomns E.o lvxcn

When Donald Keough was elected chairman of Allen & Company in 1993 he was seruing as president of the Coca-Cola Company. He retired from Coca-Cola later that same year, after more than 40 years of service to the company. Keough also serues on several corporate boards, including The Washington Posfand H.J. Heinz Co. Born in lowa, Keough is a graduate of Creighton University and a navy veteran. His stature in the business and philanthropic realms and his active involvement in lreland have been recognized with honorary doctorates from

Thomas Lynch joined Lazard Fr6res in 1997 as a Managing Director. Before joining Lazard, Lynch was a Managing Director at Blackstone Capital Partners, one of the largest private equity funds in the United States. He was one of approximately 10 professionals who invested and managed the portfolio of Blackstone Capital

CnnrnmlH oF

MlNlorxo Drnrcron

THE

Creighton University, Trinity College Dublin and the University of Notre Dame where he and his wife, Marilyn, endowed a chair of lrish Studies. Last year the Keough-Notre Dame study center was opened at Newman House in Dublin. Keough has worked tirelessly to promote American involvement in lrish affairs. He serues on the lrish government's economic advisory board and led several U.S. delegations to lreland to promote economic development.

Cnlrnmau & CEO

PnrsrorNr AND

Mrnnrn lvnctr & Co., luc.

David Komansky began his career at Merrill Lynch in 1968 as a Financial Consultant. He ascended through Sales Management and regional management of the Private Client Group until he was appointed President and Chief Executive 0fficer of Menill Lynch Realty and later Merrill Lynch Realty/Fine Homes lnternational. ln 1988 he was appointed Director of National Sales for the Private Client Group. Throughout the early 90's Komansky served as executive vice president and was instrumental in building the company's leading capital markets franchise. Prior to his cunent position, he served as president and chief operating officer. Komansky also serves on the board of trustees of the New York City Police Foundation, the American Museum of Natural History and the board of directors of the New York City lnvestment Fund. Komansky traces his lrish roots back to County Cork. He attended the University of Miami and completed the Advanced Management Program at Haruard. He and his wife, Phyllis, live in Connecticut with their two daughters.

Prrrn

LYNcrr . FrDEury MnHnormrNT

Vrcr CnnnmnN

SrHron Vrcr

PRUDENTTAT

OpprHnnMERFuNDs, lNc.

Heading up one of the country's leading money management companies, Bridget Macaskill is a leader in the world of finance. The daughter of a County Louth native, she was born in London, England and earned her undergraduate degree at Edinburgh University in Scotland and her postgraduate degree at Edinburgh College of Commerce. Macaskill joined 0ppenheimer in 1983 and was appointed president in 1990. Her appointment to chief executive officer followed five years later. Listed in Fortune magazine as one of the "50 Most Powerful Women in Business," Macaskill serues on the Board of the Oppenheimer Funds and is on the Board of Trustees of the Governor's Committee on Scholastic Achievement. She was the guiding force behind 0ppenheimer Funds' Women & lnvesting program, which is dedicated to educating American women about the need to take charge of their personal finances. She lives in New York City with her husband and two children.

Senron Vrcr PnesroENT

Lynch retired from the Magellan Fund in 1990 to spend more time with his family. He now devotes half his time to assisting several charities and serves Fidelity part{ime as vice chairman to help the firm's younger analysts. He is also the author of three books: 1ne Up on Wall Street and Beating the Streetwhich both sold over one million copies, and Learn to Earn, abookfor novice investors. A leading philanthropist and treasurer of The American lreland Fund, Lynch and his wife, Carolyn, made the largest individual gift to Boston College with a donation of more than $1 0 million. A 1 965 graduate of the College, Lynch also serves on its Board of Trustees. His great-grandparents on both sides hail from County Kerry.

PnrsroENT

A.Exrcurvr MncnsKrrL Orncrn o

CHIEF

GrnnrD T. Maroxr o

AND Rrsrnncn Compnnv

Peter Lynch is the most successful money manager in the history of Wall Street. Under his leadership, the Fidelity Magellan Fund grew an astonishing 2,800 percent over 13 years to become the world's biggest and best pedorming fund with over $14 billion under management.

Rcnnno F. lvxcn o

Partners Funds I and ll. Prior to working with Blackstone, Lynch was a Senior Engagement Manager at The Monitor Company, a strategy consulting firm founded by Harvard Business School professor Michael Pofter. A second-generation lrish American with roots in Counties Sligo and Galway, Lynch holds a B.A. from Williams College, an M.B.A. from Stanford University and an M.Phil from 0xford University where he was a Weaver Fellow and graduated first in his class.

BruooET

Dnvro KomnNsKY o

Lqzrno Fnfnrs & Co., [[C

ALLANCE CApTTAL

MnulormrNT

Gerald T. Malone acts as the Vice President of Alliance Capital Management L.P. where he manages sever-

al of the firm's hedge and mutual funds, including the Alliance Technology Fund, the ACM lnternational Technology Fund, Alliance Variable Product Tech Portfolio, and the 0yster Tech Fund. ln addition to the New York office, Alliance also has a subsidiary in Dublin. A native of Yonkers, Malone earned his B.A. from Manhattan College and an M.B.A. from New York University. He is a member of The New York Society of Security Analysts and the Computer lndustry Analysts Group of New York. A Chartered Financial Analyst, Malone was also made a member of the lnstitutional lnvestor Best of the Buy-side All Star Team in 1 991 . Malone is third-generation lrish American. His mother's family hails from Waterford and his father's is from Mayo. He is married with two children, Erin and Ryan.

JonN J. McCnNN MRNnorNo Drnrcron/CHTEF

Srcunrrrrs, lnc.

Richard (Dick) Lynch is a Senior Vice President and Director of Equity and lnternational Trading at Prudential Securities lncorporated, the investment and brokerage firm. He is also a member of the firm's 0perating Council. '1989 He joined Prudential Securities as Senior Vice President of the Equity Group in when the firm acquired the retail assets of Thomson McKinnon Securities. Prior to the acquisition, Lynch was Executive Vice President of Capital Markets at Thomson. Lynch's involvement in the financial world is considerable. Some of the positions he holds are Governor of the New York Stock Exchange, member of the New York Stock Exchange Market Performance Committee, Director of the Boston Stock Exchange, and member of the Securities lndustry Association Trading and Rules Committee. A second-generation lrish American with roots in Limerick and Galway, Lynch is a member of the lrish American Partnership. He and his wife, Viola, live in New Jersey with their two children.

L.P.

OIERATTNG OFFrcER

o LyNcH, Jours & Rnru

"Where else but Wall Street can a poor lrish kid from Brooklyn do so well?" asks John McCann. He began his career as a margin trainee with Menill Lynch and has risen to the post of Managing Director and Chief 0perating 0fficer for Lynch, Jones & Ryan, lnc. LJR, an lnstinet company (a subsidiary of Reuters Group PLC) is the leading provider of institutional brokerage services specializing in commission recapture. McCann is also Managing Director and a member of the Board of Directors ol Harboruiew, LLC. A graduate of Thomas A. Edison State College in Trenton, New Jersey, where he is currently Foundation Director and Chairman of the Foundation's Corporate Development Committee, McCann has more than 40 years experience in the brokerage industry. He is a member of the SIA Operations Committee, President of the SIA Credit Division and an NASD arbitrator. A third-generation lrish American with roots in County Armagh, he and his wife, Valerie, have three children: Karen Lynn, Marianne and John Joseph.

Continued on page 63

IRIsH AvrsRtca

Ma.ceztNs August / September 2000

InIss Aunnrce MecazrNe August / September

2000

Locsl lrelsnd - lrelsnd on the lnternet

ITEilEI a

I a .-* .t

t-t

H* t:f

tl a

* t)

0tg

eart wtl

eat

Local lreland - Dubtin & New York Catt 212 358 1775 ar emai[: ny@tccat.ie for more infsrmation

*x-

:iprrrlll

Spcr:tal'lirrtrltrt c)u;rplr;ntcnt

J?,lrrD11,

qrl4rir,rrrirr

@ tris*tburist Board

@ trisnfourist Board

! f.

T It

is a great pleasure for me to introduce this third and last part of our travel series to be published in lrish Americamagazine. This installment offers information about travel in the Midlands of lreland, one of the Emerald Isle's most interesting areas.

It is always a pleasure to be involved in spreading the good word about the outstanding quality of vacation products which modern Ireland has to offer. Through the excellent medium of lrish America magazine, we are so pleased to be a part of this series which provides an important and valuable service to readers and subscribers. The Midlands region of Ireland, with its world-renowned abbeys and rivers, market towns and golf courses, is truly a jewel. It is the heartland of the island stretching from the walled and ancient city of Kilkenny to the vital and thriving town of Athlone. Through the years, many Americans who have visited heland have fallen in love with the beauty of the counties such as Tipperary, the majesty of the wonderful villages in Roscommon, and the friendliness of people in places like Meath and Offaly.

All the counties of this region, which also include Westmeath and Longford, have a special place in the hearts of many Americans because they hold the birthright of the ancestral heritage of so many of their forefathers. It is a part of keland that is rich in the history of emigration. There are strong bonds in the heart of Ireland to the new lands of America toward which so many Irish people turned in ages past. From outdoor pursuits on rivers or on horseback, with a golf stick or fishing rod, with a history book or a walking trail guide, this part of Ireland has much to offer. And, when at the close of the day you retum to the hearth, you can be assured that there will be the warm welcome and good food and good cheer. An Irish welcome is guaranteed.

John DullY

Midland counties of Ireland-Meath, Westmeath, Roscommon, Offaly, Tipperary and Kilkennymay not be as well-known as those of Dublin or Galway but they havejust as spectacular scenery, picturesque lakes and lively market towns. Known as the cradle of Irish civilization, this region is the Celts' spiritual home and contains some of the country's most sacred and symbolic sites. Here you'll find historical castles, abbeys

AugusUseptember 2000 InIsu AunnrcA MAcAZINE

t-r

and monasteries-each with history more

l-.t

rich than the next. Whether it's the pas-

sage graves of Newgrange in Meath, the

Rock of Cashel in Tipperary or the magnificent Boyle Abbey in Roscommon, there's no shortage of stunning monuments in Ireland's heartland. But that's not all you can expect. Fancy a round of golf on a challenging 1 8-hole course? You can do that. How about biking or hiking, or even horseback riding past charming thatched roofed cottages?You can do that too. Or slow down the pace by strolling through formal gardens or renting a pleathe scenic Shannon River, stopping in cruiser along sure along the way. There's also plenty of welsmall villages pubs, crafts shops, and friendly locals B&Bs, coming to share their unspoiled counthan happy be more who'll you can't do here-except, you. much There isn't with ties perhaps, wait in line. So on your next visit to the Emerald Isle, add a driving trip through the Midlands to your itinerary.

Chief Executive,

IrishTourist Board

Fergus

v .rJ

Naturally, a grand castle dominates the town. Kilkenny Castle dates from the 12th century and was remodeled in Victorian times. Situated on the River Nore, it was the principal seat of the Butler family; in 1967 the descendants donated it to the nation. Highlights include the wood-paneled dining room and the Chinese bedroom but the most striking space is the Long Gallery with a hammerbeam and glass ceiling and turquoise painted walls adorned with

gilt-

framed family portraits and tapestries. On Parliament Street stop by the Rothe House, a Tudor home constructed irr 1594 for wealthy merchant John Rothe and his family. Over the years, the house was enlarged to three stone buildings centered around two cobblestone courtyards to accommodate his 12 children. A small museum inside displays

period furniture, accessories, and a costume collection. At

the far end of Parliament, perched on a hilltop, sits the imposing St. Canice's Cathedral, dating ftom the l3th century. The interior contains

Kyteler, a 14th century witch who once lived in the building. Like most pubs in Kilkenny, they both sell Smithwick's beer, which has been brewed here since 1710 (the brewery is on Parliament Street). Bennetsbridge is famous for Nicholas Mosse pottery. Visit his workshop in an old

mill on the River Nore (four miles south of Kilkenny)

where you can purchase handmade creations covered with various patterns, painstakingly applied with small sponges. The adjoining Caf6 is nice for a pick-me-up tea or coffee.

down by pottery, head to Thomastown, noted for Jerpoint, a famed Cistercian abbey founded in the 12th century with unique stone carvings on the walls and pillars. Thomastown is also home to one of Ireland's premier hotels, the Mount Juliet Estate (353-56-73-000). Located high above the Nore River in a lavish 19th country house, Mount Juliet offers guests a peaceful getaway. The grounds, spread over 1,500 acres include walled gardens and clusters of oak and chestnut trees.

If you

tombs, stained-glass windows, and walls fashioned from black limestone, for which

Kilkenny is famous. t'

There is no shorlage of fine hotels in Kilkenny

town. Just a few to choose from are the Butler House (353-56-65-707) on Patrick Street and two upscale newcomers, the Rivercourt Hotel (353-56-23-388) on John Street and the Kilkenny Ormonde (353-56-23-900) on Ormonde Street. There are also some excellent pubs. Kick back at Marble City Bar on High Street or Kyteler's Inn on St. Kieran's Street, a medieval coaching tavern named after Alice

Mill

If you're not too weighed

This supplement was produced & designed by Irish Ameica magazine with the support of the lrishTburist Board. Supplement Publisher: Patricia Daly Written by: JilI Fergus Designed by: Pamela Kageyama Photography couttesy of The. Irish Tburist Board

are so inclined, there are a host of sporting activities to keep you busy including a Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course, tennis, croquet,

clay target shooting, archery and horseback riding. The Iris Kellet Equestrian Center located at the hotel offers riders 16 miles of groomed bri-

if you're not staying, stop by for lunch or dinner, for at Mount Juliet you can truly be lord of the manor. dle paths. Even

Whether you're enjoying the many splendors

For f urther information, you can contact the lrish Tourist Board aI 1-800-223-647O.

Kilkenny, Westmeath, Roscommon or any of the Midland counties, there's no doubt you'Il be enchanted enough to return year after year.

InIsH AiraunrcA MAGAZINE August/September

2000 6l

Sp{lcial Tour rsilr Stil)})lcnlotrl

@ tri*rfouristBoard

[Go Raibh

the seat of the kings of Munster and in its heyday rivaled Tara as Ireland's center of power. Later, St. Patrick is known to have preached here. Cashel is a fine place to overnight and you can't do better than the Cashel Palace Hotel (353-62-62-707) on Main Street. Set in an 18th century townhouse, some of the 23 rooms overlook the rock. Just minutes away is the Dundrum House Hotel (353-62-71-116), a Georgian manor house reached by a sweeping

drive flanked on either side by the manicured fairway of the hotel's championship l8-hole golf course. There's also a large indoor pool, sauna and steam room-the perfect remedy for achy legs after climbing all those steep stone stairways at Cashel. Just outside Cashel is one of Ireland's most famous monasteries, Holycross, located on the banks of the River Suir. Built by Cistercian monks in 1 128, it stood abandoned for 400 years until renovations in 1971. Today the abbey serves as a parish church. If you are interested in a self-catering holiday, you can rent a thatched cottage at Holycross.

You'Il need your comfortable shoes when you visit Cahir

and Canadawill tour the Emerald Isle. And in every case, we will follow the grand Irish tradition of offering each one of them c1ad mile finlteone hundred thousand welcomes. This multitude of American tourists makes a big difference for Ireland.

well,

Consider these facts: Over the past five years; tourism from North America

in the country; director John Boorman used it in his f/'m Excalibur. Roam in and out of the spacious rooms; one of the most interesting is the Banqueting Hall adorned with a huge set of Irish deer antlers.

to Ireland has more than doubled, And because of it, tourism now

For an architectural change of pace, check out the thatched roofed Swiss Cottage, a former hunting lodge with trellised walls and dormer windows, designed by Regency architect John Nash in the 1800s for Richard Butler, the first earl ofGlengall. Inside, the music room has antique instruments and the dining room is decorat-

of our GM is derived from tourism. And atl of Ireland benefits from this

the week and an Irish greyhound racing track, and Carrick-on-Suir, tucked in the southeast corner of the county, with the l4th century Ormonde Castle and Tipperary Crystal Designs, a company selling handmade vases, candlesticks and other delicate pieces (tours are available). The final leg of the tour is Kilkenny, a delightful place to end a visit to the Midlands. You'll forget all about modern life in this ancient, walled Norman city with narrow passageways called slips, stone arches and historic townhouses.

August / September 2000 IntsH Anrentce MRcezINe

more than one million visitors from the united states

since it's known for a magnificent 13th century castle on an island in the River Suir. The castle is one of the largest and best preserved

ed with Persian wallpaper. Other areas of note in Tipperary are Clonmel, a bustling town with live music just about every night

%yea!

accounts for one of every twelve jobs in Ireland, The bottom line? A f1r[,7%

wonderful source of wealth. Most important, we salute all those Irish-Americans who serve as our ongoing "ambassadors of tourisml' Your good word serves

immeasurably in making Ireland the most welcoming place on earth'

For your free Ireland v^cntion kit, just call:1-800-223-6470

see us on the web at: www.irelandvacations.com

IrishTrurist Board

Special Toui8m Supplement

Special Touism.Supplement

@ m*rforrlst Board

IddrTrutst Boad

Gibson. On the westeln edge of town are the Buttetstream Gardens. Described by House & Gatden as the most imaginative garden in Ireland, Butterstream is a fragrant oasis with hedges of beech and thorn, wild roses, a water lily pond and small bridges. From Trim, it's a shorl drive to Kells in the northwest corner of the county. It was in this sleepy little hamlet that the beautifully illuminated Book of

Kells-now

on display at Trinity College,

Dublin-

was written in the

Kells Monastery founded in the 6th century by St. Columbia. There is little left of the monastery today, though there are some fine High Crosses in the churchyald including the South Cr.oss.

While Meath is certainly packed with historical sights, there are plenty ofother activities that will keep you busy. There are twelve golf courses to choose from, as well as horseback riding at the 200-acre Bachelors Lodge Equestrian Centel in Navan. Beginners are welcome and there is a stable of ponies for the children. The center can even anange week-long riding holidays with stays in nearby cottages.

Places Tc Visit ..

: '

Gounty

Maln Genter

Meath

Kells

Ancient kingdom and great centre of prehistoric and early Christian activity. Hill of Tara - seat of the high kings of lreland. Fantastic stone age tomb at Newgrange. Celtic crosses in Kells. Medieval castle at Tiim.

Westmeath

Athlone

Centre of lreland. Hodson Bay lakeside hotel. Tullynally stately home.

Longford

Goldsmith country. Carriglass Manor.

Roscommon

Roscommon town with Castle. Boyle Abbey. Strokestown House: famine museum.

Offaly

Birr

Birr Castle Gardens and telescope - biggest in the world for 70 years. Clonmacnoise: superb monastic site by River Shannon.

Tipperary

Cashel

Magnificent Rock ofCashel with splendid ruined cathedral; Cashel Palace Hotel in 18th centurytown house. Holycross abbey; Cahir castle.

Kilkenny

Castle and cathedral. Bennetsbridge: riverside and pottery. Thomastown: Jerpoint Abbey. Mount.Juliet: superb hotel in early 19th century country house.

Lodging options include the Newgrange Hotel (353-46-74- 100) and the Ardboyne HoIel (353-46-23-1 l9), both in Navan.

Fl-{

cd ()

(1 H

If you're setting out from Dublin (where you can rent

r*l{-

+J CS

point-it's just a thirty-minute drive from the capital. It also gives you the opportunity to jump right into hish history, as Meath (known as the Royal County) is filled with significant car'), County Meath is a logical starting

Celtic sites. As you drive along the N3 toward Navan, follow signs for the Hill of Tara. Tara was the seat of the High Kings of h'eland until the I lth cenruly; the advent of Ch|istianity diminished its importance. Climb up the hill for a look at the remains of prehistoric hill forts and views of the verdant Boyne Valley below Even in recent times,

Tara remains a special place. When h'ish patriot Daniel O'Connell held a rally there in 1 843, nearly one million people turned up.

Nearby is Newgrange, the most impressive Neolithic tornb in the country, locatedjust outside of Slane. Deep inside this circulaq grasscovered structure dating frorn 3200 B.C. (making it older than Stonehenge) are passage graves and huge stone slabs engraved with tri-spiral designs. Celtic lore says the great Irish wanior Cuchulainn was conceived here.

Drive on to Trim, a pleasant little market town on the Boyne River where you can have lunch (Boyne Bistro on Market Street does good soups and sandwiches). Don't leave town without exploring the medieval Anglo-Norman castle dating from 1173. The structure is one of the largest in Ireland and yor.r might recognize it from the novie Bravehearl stailing Mel

August/September 2000 IRrsH Arr,rpnrcA MAGAZTNE

H FJ

As you drive along quaint winding roads from Meath into Westmeath, (known for its many pristine lakes), make a pitstop at the Tullynally House in Castlepollard village. This splendid Gothic Revival home was formerly the res! dence of the Pakenham family. Thomas Pakenham, son of the present Earl of Longford, now manages the estate. Take a tour of the various rooms containing antique Irish furniture and oil porlraits, as well as an 8,000-volume library and a large Victorian kitchen with brass crockery. After taking some time to roam the grounds (don't miss the Chinese garden complete with pagoda), continue on to

Mullingar. /44

Ireland

,rg:' *+ffi:,

Mullingar is a prosperous market town visited by James Joyce in his teens (his father worked there for a time). You could easily spend a few hours walking around-don't be surprised if you see people in riding clothes, for the Mullingar Equestdan Center is nearby. Run by the Fagan family, it's one of the conntry's premier horse centers, spe-

. Athlone, Westmeath

cializing in showjumping and foxhunting. If you plan on staying overnight, a good choice is the luxurious Greville Ar.ms Hotels (353-44-48-563) on Pearse Stleet, which in fact, Joyce mentions in an

early work. Just outside of Mullingar is Belvedere House and Gardens, a 160-acre Palladian villa on the shores ofLough Ennell built by the first Earl of Belvedere in 1740. Unfortunately, the house is in the process of being restored so there are no tours but yon can check out the gardens and the Gothic-style Jealous Wall, a stone folly erected by the earl to block the view of his brother who lived across the lake in a more opulent mansion

^rGr&.-.**

Visitors'Centre, a craft studio where you can watch artisans create intricately designed pewter bowls and cups. The gilt shop is stocked with pewter clocks and figulines, Celtic jewelry and pottery.

Longford

Birr Castle o

Bir

. Shannon Tipperary

Before heading off to Athlone, stop by the Mullingar Bronze & Pewter

Roscommon

Athlons

Strokestown

Kllkenny

Cashel

o Cahi?

Mount Juliet Golf Club, Kilkenny

For further information, you can contact the

lrish Tourist Board at 1-800-223-6470.

IRtsH Arr,renrcA MAGAZTNE August/September

2000

Specral Tourism Supplement

S fi*tfqrist

Board

The town's major site is Bin Castle and Demesne. The award-winning gardens feature 30-foot box hedges, waterfalls and a collection of 2,000 species of rare trees and shrubs. Also on the grounds is the newly restored Great Ross Telescope. Built in 1845 by the third earl of Ross, it was once the largest in the world.

A comfortable inn to spend the night is Dooley's Hotel (353-509-20032) on Emmet Square, housed in an historic building (its restaurant, the Emmet has a good reputation). One of the most atmospheric hotels in Offaly is Kinnitty Castle (353-509-37-318), a 37-room Gothic Revival castle in the foothills of the Slieve Bloom Mountain!, a 1ow range rising from the bogs and plains and extending into County Laois. You can walk the lS-mile Slieve Bloom Way, a circular trail

through wooden glens and isolated river valleys affording tenific vistas of the midlands. While a trek in sunny weather is ideal, it can be just as beautiful when the fog swirls and the winds blow. Another don't miss site is Clonmacnoise, a walled medieval monastic settlement near the Shannon River founded by St. Ciaran in 545. The remaining monuments include stone temples and towers, three High Crosses, and dozens of gravestones-many of the kings of Tara were buried here. It has long been a pilgrimage spot and even Pope John Paul II visited in 19'79. Not far from Clonmacnoise in Shannonbridge village you can join a six-

>. I-r CS

t-r

At-1

F ?

mile railway tour, which provides a fascinating insight into the history and development of the expansive Blackwater Bog. There's also a demonslt'ation of lurf-cutting by hand using the traditional tool called a slane. Head back down to Birr where you can pick up the N62 to Tipperary, Ireland's largest inland county. Known for having the country's most fertile farmland, Tipperary is also rich in archeological wonders-the splendid Rock of Cashel being one of them. The rock, an outcrop of limestone with ancient fortifications atop, is visible from miles away. Within the stone walls lies a Romanesque chapel, remains of an abbey and a round tower. Cashel was used as

Athlone, the largest town on the Shannon River, is a major boating hub. Cruising the river for a few days or a week has become very popular with families, anglers, and groups of friends looking for an affordable vacation. Rent with Athlone Cruisers at the Jolly Mariner Marina (353-902-'72-892). Boats come equipped with beds, kitchen and dining area and can hold up to eight people, though the average group size is four to six (the cost is roughly $1,200 per week). For a one-day excursion on the water, inquire about boat trips to

Longford isn't very big, there's a lot to do-whether it's golfing or angling or swimming. Rent a boat in Lanesborough, a charming vi1lage on the Shannon, where you can spend the day ftying to catch bream and,

if the weather cooperates, perhaps

some rays as

well.

Clondra on the Rivel Shannon, Longfotd

Clonmacnoise, a monastic graveyard in neighboring County Offaly. Athlone's castle, which dominates the town, dates from 1210 and provides commanding views of both the Shannon and Lough Ree' After a day of touring, unwind with a pint of ale at Canton Casey's cozy pub' The best place to stay is Hodson Bay Hotel (353-902-92-444), on the shore of Lough Ree, with an excellent restaurant seruing seafood and game dishes. Golfers will love the fact that the hotel borders a fine course (Westmeath has six courses in all) and cyclists that one of lreland's most scenic trails begins here.

LI 11

t-.'l 58

AugusVseptember 2000 IRtsu AIraBnrcA MAGAZINE

will appreciate

Taking the trail from Athlone, ride no(hwest along the N55 (the route is signposted), through Goldsmith Country so named because of the associations with writer Oliver Goldsmith. Pedal past fields dotted with haystacks and tiny villages like Glasson and Tubberclair; the route eventually finishes in Longford, Ireland's smallest county.

Goldsmith (atthor of The \hcar of Wakefield and She Stoops to Conquer) was born in Longford, near Ballymahon. Longford has had other famous folk on its soil. St. Patrick preached here and for centuries it was the center of power for the O'Farrell clan, who arrived in the I l th century. After the Great Famine of the 1 840s and 50s many members emigrated to Argentina where they rose in

social stature. One of their descendants, Edel Miro O'Fane1l even became president in 1914. Though

IRrsn AMentcA MAGAZINE AugusVseptember

2000

.:i:ipccrar

l.l!rjs[t

Sultplerrtr:Dt

IrisilrTourist Board

l-{

c?1 )ri

l-{ (1

H H

cU (n c &

Laid-back Longford town is a great spot to have a cup of tea and a slice of soda bread. Try the Longford Arrns Hotel (35343-46-296) on Main Strcet. When you're ready to start sightseeing again, head to Carriglass Manor, a ronantic Gothic Revival house built in I 837 for Thomas Lefroy, who became the Lord Chief Justice ofh'eland. The interiors have been restored and it's well wofth taking the tour to observe the olnately decorated drawing

room with gilded mirrols, plasterwork ceilings and porcelain vases. There are also Victorian cos{utnes lnd lace items on display. Frorn there, it's ajust a fifteen rrinute drive into Roscornmon. Though often overshadowed by Mayo and Galway, on whicli Roscommon borders, visitors will be pleasantly surprised by the county's offerings. One of the most

impressive sights is Boyle Abbey, an imnense stone cor.npound dating frorn I160. You'll be awestruck by the sturdy Gothic arches, soaring towers, and massive chimney, still intact. There are rarely any crowds, so you can practically have the whole place to yourself. Another high-

light of Roscomrnon is the Famine Museurn in Strokestown (part of the Strokestown Park House complex). Spread out over ten rooms, the museum traces the origins ofthe Great Irish Famine ofthe 1840s and how it conelates to world poverty today. There is a great little cafe on premises with scones and salads, as well as sorne delightful formal gardens.

Roscommon town is a lovely place to overnight. Window shop along Main Street lined with boutiques selling Irish pottery, jewelry and

Celtic recoldings. Stay at Gleesonis Guesrhouse (353-903-26-954),a 22-roont B&B, in the center of town or Abbey Hotel (353-903-26240) an l8th century manor set on four acres. Be sure to visit Roscommon Castle built in 1269 by Robert de Ufford, a Norman Chief Justice. Located down a nanow lane, it's easy to ntiss the turnoff but once you lay your eyes on this massive stl'ucture, it's hard to forget. Though in

Eanx fpar6r THe EASy \[fty.

partial ruin, the thick stone walls and bastions are still imposing some 700 years later. You can easily imagine yourself presiding over a glorious feast with platters of mutton and goblets of mead.

From Roscommon backtrack toward Athlone on the N61, then follow signs for Offaly, the next spot on your

Midlands tour. Offaly is known for its flat, boggy landscape and its phenomenal monastic compound, Clonmacnoise. The first town you'll hit is Tullamore, with an attractive market square. Stay at Bridge House

tntRttD ItnflllUlrt P{!9

Hotel

(353-506-22-000) witl'tT2luxurious rooms and an extensive leisure complex including an indoor pool, Jactzzi,fit-

two 18-hole golf courses. Nearby is the 300-acre Annaharvey Horse Farm, run by the Deverall ness center, and

Use the EmeroldMosterCord'credit cord to eom PIus RewardsMiles with every purchose you moke.

family. The N52 will take you into the Georgian town of Bin, lined with gracious terraces from the 18th and 19th centuries.

Youll automatically earn one Plus Retuards Mile for every dollar in purchases charged ro your No-Annual-Fee Emerald credit cardJ Simply redeem your Miles with one toll-free phone call to enjoy car rentals and hotel accommodations, or fly worldwide on major airlineswith no blackout dates.'

Enjoy a high credit line, a low introductory Annual Percentage Rate on cash advance checks and balance transfers, 24-hour Customer service, a host of useful travel-related benefits, and much more-all with No Annual Fee. Request the Emerald Platinum Pluf, credit card with Plus Rewards Miles now.

Coll Toll-Free Todoy! 1-800-523-7 666 l

To toke

odvontoge ofthis offe4, use priority code E9TR. (TfY usen coll 1-800-833-6262)

/flBNA. N

August/September 2000 Inrsn AlasRrca, M,qcRzrr.rB