Kelly's Corner

Posted by Kelly Fincham at 3/25/2009 6:38 PM EDT

The story coming out of Philadelphia today sounds as if it might reveal more than the remains of Irish immigrants. It also reveals the depth of the anti-Irish and anti-Catholic sentiment at the time. Niall O'Dowd reflects on the fate of the doomed Irish immigrants. And IrishCentral assistant editor Meghan Sweeney found a great video which discusses the abandoned immigrants

Posted by Kelly Fincham at 3/22/2009 6:21 PM EDT

So, the Economist reckons the Irish economy has gone over the edge of a cliff. Not hard to disagree with them. I've just heard that the second "social" phases of two huuuuge developments in my home town have been put on hold. Surely it doesn't take an English magazine to see that the numbers never added up. Drogheda has added literally thousands of houses with no concurrent increase in any sort of infrastructure. The Lourdes hospital is stretched to its breaking point, there are waiting lists for every school and public spending is at a standstill. The problems are many and the solutions are few.

Posted by Kelly Fincham at 3/20/2009 6:07 PM EDT

So, there I was, off to the White House with my notebook and pen when web maven Elizabeth Osder thrust a Flipcam in my hand. Take this she said and see if you can get some pictures. So I did! See what you think of Obama here.

Posted by Kelly Fincham at 3/19/2009 9:56 AM EDT

We launched Irish Central this week with a gltzy event at the American Historical Society on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. Liam Neeson had been invited but couldn't make it so he asked his mother-in-law Vanessa Redgrave to come along instead. It beggars belief that less than a week later Ms Redgrave would be attending the wake of her daughter, Natasha Richardson, there. Natasha just exuded life. It seems barely believable that she has died. Our hearts, thoughts and prayers are with Neeson, their children and all their friends and family.

Posted by Kelly Fincham at 3/18/2009 9:49 PM EDT

The past week has been a complete blur. So much so that when my neighbor asked me, "So, what was it like?" I had no idea what she was talking about. She meant the White House. Hmm. What was it like? Well, the Obamas are fantastic, the house itself is fantastic and it was incredible to just be there but I have to admit to being a little underwhelmed by the attendance. There didn't seem to be that many Irish Americans there. However, I did see plenty of people who have piggybacked Irish affairs to further their own careers. More on them anon!

Posted by Kelly Fincham at 3/17/2009 9:44 PM EDT

Really, when you think of it, it's got to be someone's idea of hell. Throwing your house open to 400+ Irish people and giving them unlimited quantities of free drink. Especially when the house in question is the White House. But that's the funny thing about being Irish in America. We don't drink at functions.

And yes, it's true. The Obamas look as good in real life as they do on the TV. The rest of us tried to stand taller (there was a group intake of breath) and we vowed to get fit - soon - some day. Just as soon as I've stopped eating the scallops wrapped in bacon.

Posted by Kelly Fincham at 3/15/2009 2:50 PM EDT