Media Coverage
Before departing Antrim last Thursday, Daniel and I met a photographer from the Antrim Guardian for a story that will appear tomorrow. Here’s a picture the photographer, Dave Pettard, captured of us walking into Randalstown.
5 Sheep, 1 Dog, 100,000 Chickens
A traditional Irish family was known for a lot of kids. Meet the Bryson’s, a traditional Irish family of 7 children ranging in age from 11-25. They were my hosts last night and this morning for breakfast. What an amazing and fun loving family. When I met Paul, the kids Dad, last night he saidContinue Reading 5 Sheep, 1 Dog, 100,000 Chickens
Air Your Linen Massachusetts
I’d like to thank the following women from across Massachusetts who responded to my public art notice for donated linens. “Northern Ireland’s Linen Biennale celebrates the past, present and future landscape of linen through the arts. The Linen Biennale stimulates new thinking about Ireland’s oldest textile products: flax and linen.” The donations of tablecloths and napkinsContinue Reading Air Your Linen Massachusetts
The Black Irish of the Carribean
The celebration of the Irish diaspora today on Monserrat is the story of a proud people whose identity over time changed. This is what led me to my next cross-cultural lesson about Ireland. When I read about the Black Irish of Montserrat, a small, mountainous, island part of the lesser Antilles chain. It is knownContinue Reading The Black Irish of the Carribean
Looking back: How my interest in Irish history and identity began
One of the questions I’m frequently asked is how did I become interested and aware of Northern Ireland’s Civil Rights struggle because few Americans are aware of this period of Irish history. Initially, when I first began researching the relationship between African Americans and the Irish for my peace walk, I believed the trans-atlantic relationship datedContinue Reading Looking back: How my interest in Irish history and identity began
“Dia dhuit a chara”
“Dia dhuit a chara” (Hello, my friend) That was the opening message I received today from my Irish language teacher, Chip Costello. I wrote him to say thank you for his going away gift. At the end of class last night, Chip presented me with a gift he knew I would need. An Irish/English pocketContinue Reading “Dia dhuit a chara”
I’m Not Ready – Yet
On this gorgeous day I decided I needed to walk. I mean really walk, walk with a fully loaded backpack, plus three to four 16 ounce bottles of water, new hiking shoes, my trademark red bandana, and a good Audibile book to drown out the sound of passing traffic. That’s my rhythm to a goodContinue Reading I’m Not Ready – Yet
Air Your Linen
Air Your Linen I’ve always loved textile art, and when I learned that Northern Ireland’s Linen Biennale is attempting to make the biggest tablecloth in NI by 2020, I asked if I could contribute. “Northern Ireland’s Linen Biennale celebrates the past, present and future landscape of linen through the arts. The Linen Biennale stimulates new thinkingContinue Reading Air Your Linen
Ireland’s Great Hunger Museum
A few pictures from my recent visit to Ireland’s Great Hunger Museum in Hamden, Connecticut. The museum is focused on the Irish Famine, 1845–1852. It opened in 2012, and the museum is part of Quinnipiac University. Exhibits focus on paintings and sculpture related to the Great Hunger.
The Black O’Connell
As I prepare for my trip to Ireland next month to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Belfast to Derry Civil Rights March, people have been recommending that I read about Fredrick Douglas’ historic four-month visit to Ireland in 1845. In Northern Ireland, I’ve been informed, I’ll discover murals of Douglas and other Civil RightsContinue Reading The Black O’Connell