By Pete Hand, RCHS Class 1974 The year is 1890. On the northeast corner of Broad and Vine Streets, a new school opened. The first school of its kind not only in Philadelphia but in the U.S. The first steps… Continue Reading
By Sabina Clarke Recently, I caught up with Judge Kevin Dougherty, a candidate for one of the three vacant seats opening up on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court — the highest court in the Commonwealth and the oldest court in the… Continue Reading
We asked local residents what they thought about Pope Francis, his visit and the future of the Catholic Church in our area. 1. What is different to you about Pope Francis compared to previous popes? 2. What impact do you… Continue Reading
by Msgr. Francis A. Carbine When Pope Francis speaks on the Parkway in Philadelphia during his September visit, listen carefully! You may hear traces of an Irish lilt. In fact, the future Pope studied English for three months in Milltown,… Continue Reading
By Peter Makem There were 12 times in the year when the small town of Keady burst into serious life. In a tradition going back 200 years, that was the monthly Fair Day when local farmers brought their cattle and… Continue Reading
TOP: Kieran Jordan and Kevin Doyle dancing traditional Irish jigs, in Miltown Malbay, County Clare. Music from Michael Tubridy and James Keane. BOTTOM: A taste of Willie Clancy Summer School from County Clare. Here is a clip from the Dance… Continue Reading
Caption (above): McGregor the Irishman delivers something no other fighter can: a new audience in the nation of Ireland. By Brendan Clay I’m sitting at the bar at Tír na nÓg in center city sipping on a water and waiting… Continue Reading
Josie was born on March 28, 1930 in Manhattan, to Patrick & Margaret O’Callaghan. Her parents met in New York as immigrants from the Republic of Ireland, her father from County Monaghan and her mother from County Cavan. Josie grew… Continue Reading
By Sabina Clarke I am on a transatlantic call with former Senator George Mitchell ensconced in the Meridian Piccadilly Hotel in London’s West End near Piccadilly Circus. I want to lapse into a leisurely conversation about The Troubles and his… Continue Reading
By Barbara Nolan On the 150th anniversary of his birth, let’s pause and admit that William Butler Yeats is not the most sympathetic character to have emerged from the contentious world of Irish letters. In some ways, he is almost… Continue Reading