A little bit of Ireland in the Bronx

A vibrant Irish community thrives in the Woodlawn Section of the Bronx

http://url4t.com/kHR

Rest In Peace - Frank McCourt

I, like many Irish-Americans read all of Frank McCourt's books and watched the movie of Angela's Ashes and it broadened my understanding of his personal experience both in Ireland and in America. I enjoyed his writing and as I struggle to write my memoir I am inspired by him and by his writing. There is a quote by Frank McCourt that is so true not just of his life but so many of our lives especially in America. I know it is true for mine. Frank McCourt said "F. Scott Fitzgerald said there are no second acts in American lives. I think I've proven him wrong," So true. He taught English for thirty years, went on to write three books, win a Pulitzer Prize and see his book turned into a movie. What a life. I know he had more stories and books in him but he leaves us with a great legacy. Rest in Peace Frank McCourt, you will be missed but you enriched our lives by your contribution.........

Irish Central Coverage:

http://url4t.com/ddB

Sunday's Irish Music - Eddi Reader

A little Scottish flavor....

Irish Central Tribute to Frank McCourt

Here is a tribute to Frank McCourt on Irish Centra,

http://www.irishcentral.com/news/col/NOdowd/The-Frank-McCourt-I-know-51021432.html

and Frank McCourt Master Storyteller - NY Times

http://url4t.com/yDr

Watching Space Shuttle Endeavor from Aran Islands - Ireland

Saw this great story on the Friends of Ireland Group on Linkedin that I belong to:

And for generations of Irish, gazing out past the Aran Islands, westwards across the atlantic, became their vigil of hope and optimism. Last night did not disapoint!
Last night, July 15, my son David and I watched in awe as the space shuttle Endeavour passed over our house at 11.23pm, Irish time, just 20 minutes flying time from Florida to Galway Bay! Now that's the way to travel. Suddenly there it was, a brilliant bright star, hurtling along, huge really, and closely paralleled by the glowing orange fuel tank, they appeared together over the Aran Islands, rocketing eastwards towards us across a cloudless pool of midnight blue sky, a comet among stars, breath-taking! And we think we saw them jettison the boosters just after it passed us, fireworks as we turned to follow its flight path eastwards towards Dublin. What Timing! Oh boy, Endeavour was really shifting as it crossed from horizon to horizon. In just about 2 minutes flat it was gone, leaving us both open-mouthed, stunned, privileged. Whooooey!!! You had to be there! Just the two of us, dad and 10 year-old son, on our little rock out on the bog in Barna, in the silent pitch-dark night - star-gazing! Priceless!

Thank you America. Good luck Endeavour.

Brian Nolan

How the irish Took Over Cable TV

Interesting article on Irish Central

http://www.irishcentral.com/ent/How-the-Irish-took-over-cable-TV-46393292.html

Sunday's Irish Music - Corrs and Chieftains

Sunday's Irish Music - U2

Sunday Bloody Sunday U2 Dedicated to Iranian Freedom

Sunday's Irish Music - Luke Kelly - Come My Little Son

Irish Website

Here is a resource for information on Ireland

IrishTimes.com and Ireland.com has partnered with IrishCentral.com in a historic link up

In the biggest and first-of-its-kind outreach to the global Irish community - estimated at 70 million people - IrishCentral.com has partnered with IrishTimes.com and Ireland.com in an innovative plan to represent each other for advertising in their markets, and work to vastly increase the readership of all three Web sites and their related print properties.

"This is a great step forward toward reaching the Irish Diaspora," said IrishCentral.com founder Niall O'Dowd, who has published the Irish Voice newspaper and Irish America magazine for more than a quarter-century.

"We have long been the market leader in the United States, and joining with the market leader in Ireland allows a synergy and outreach that would not otherwise be possible. The combined audience will be a powerful new force to serve advertisers and readers."

"The combined strength" is very strong indeed, noted O'Dowd, adding that when IrishCentral.com's surging audience is aggregated with those of Web pioneer IrishTimes.com and its Ireland.com portal, "we are looking at an existing, vibrant audience of more than 1.5 million visits every month from just the United States -- far and away the leader in reaching the Irish world.

"And that's just where the race begins," said O'Dowd.

IrishCentral.com, which launched on St. Patrick's Day, is owned by New York City-based IrishCentral LLC, and is the leading online source for Irish news from around the world. IrishTimes.com and Ireland.com are owned by The Irish Times Limited, publishers of the prestigious, 150-year-old Irish Times newspaper. IrishTimes.com is Ireland's leading news website, and Ireland.com is a popular portal site with a vibrant pulse and audience.

www.irishcentral.com

Reprinted from Irish Central

Sunday's Irish Music - Rebel Heart

Happy Father's Day - Patrick Duffy - My Dad

In 1928 he traveled from Cookstown, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland to Ellis Island, New York City. It was a six week boat ride. He worked as a butcher in a meat plant "Plymouth Rock" in the South Bronx. He became a US citizen and in 1942 joined the US Army and left for the Philippines to serve in WW II. He married my mother weeks before leaving. He returned to the US in 1946 and went back to work in the meat plant. Ten years later he died of Pneumonia. He died too young. I didn't get to know him very well, I was turning four when I watched him die, but I know this; he was brave enough to come to America to make a better life for himself, he was brave enough to choose to join the Army and serve, and I know he was a hard working man, a good man, a salt of the earth man and I know he gave me a better life and a shot at the American Dream. And I'll always be grateful.

So I honor him this Father's Day and remember him. Thanks Pops.......

Irish Saying

"Time flies over us, but leaves its shadow behind."

Sean O'Casey

Thanks Monica from Friends of Ireland


I really like this..... makes you think what shadows have been left in my life.....

Sunday's Irish Music - Bothy Band

No Guts, No Glory

Here is an image I ran across and like from a blog. See the the link for the blog:

http://url4t.com/x03

The Celtic Tiger is Merely Dozing - Irish Central

Just read a good article in Irish Central. Check it out at their site

http://url4t.com/s6u

Sunday's Irish Music - Chieftains - irish Dancing

Happy Birthday Aunt Maggie - You Never Want to Lose Your Courage

"You Never Want to Lose Your Courage"
Maggie (O'Donnell) Quinn


Today I called my Aunt Maggie in Ireland to wish her a happy birthday. She was born in 1914 and is 95 years old today. Aunt Maggie was born the year WW II started and before Ireland achieved it's independence. The world has changed so much since she was born. She still lives on the mountain in Glanduff, Ireland where she was born.

She told me today that she would like to travel to New York to see where her deceased sister's Mary and Ann (my mother lived). She has never traveled to America but she said she wasn't afraid to make the trip.

She then said "You never want to lose your courage." What an amazing statement to hear from someone of her age. She's a mighty woman and I couldn't agree more, I never want to lose my courage.

Happy Birthday Aunt Maggie and thank you for sharing your wisdom with me......

Sunday's Irish Music # 2 - Ordinary Man

Thanks to James Hayes - FOI/ Friends of Ireland @ Linkedin

Sunday's Irish Music # 1 - THE BLACKSMITH

Thanks to Andy McDermott - FOI / Friends of Ireland @ Linkedin

Personal Ramblings - Irish Writer James Hayes

Here is a Irish writer who's writings I recommend you check out. His name is James Hayes and there are a few ways to connect with his words and him. A little disclosure: I met him online at Friends of Ireland @ Linkedin and have had the chance to enjoy his wit and his words.
So check him out at:

James Hayes's Books @ Lulu

http://stores.lulu.com/store.php?fAcctID=157971

James Hayes Fan Page @ Facebook

http://www.facebook.com/pages/James-Hayes-Books/84188757777

Join Friends of Ireland @ Linkedin

http://www.linkedin.com/

Mother's Day - In Honor of My Mother - Ann O'Donnell

My mother was a sweet soul. As a kid I listened to her stories of her childhood in Ireland and her journey to America. i especially loved the story of the banshees in the mountains of Glanduf, Ireland, She came to America in 1928 right in time for the Great Depression and worked as a live-in domestic. She later worked in factories during World War II while my dad served in the Philippines. After my dad died when I was four she raised my brother and myself and while we were very poor she found a way to give us what ever we needed. All the neighborhood kids loved her and watched out for her. She always wanted to return to Ireland but never made it home. I made the trip for her last year and met her youngest sister and walked in her childhood house. I felt like she was there with me. So this Mother's Day I honor her and will always be grateful for all she gave me and all she made me. Happy Mother's Day Mom. I know you are looking down on me and smiling.......

Sunday's Irish Music - Mary Black

Bull Runs Loose in Ballinrobe County Mayo

Here's a fun story. I was in County Mayo last year and this makes me miss Ireland.

This is not something that would happen where I live in Santa Monica. Maybe a naked homelessman running through the store but no bull........

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/escaped-bull-on-the-loose-in-supermarket-1716755.html?r=RSS

http://www.clipser.com/watch_video/1307395

Sunday's Eclectic Irish Music Videos # 1 - Celtic Woman