Pub Guide
Periscope
by Niall O'DowdRSS 
Recent Posts
- Why a brain dead immigration policy is harming America -- New York Mayor calls for more and smarter immigration, not less
- Notre Dame lawsuit on health law is a huge blow for President Obama -- Damages Obama with Catholic vote, the key one in 2012 election
- On reaching the ripe young age of 59 -- Who is that guy in the mirror I wonder
- Kennedy curse talk revived after latest tragic death of Mary Kennedy -- Huge extended families will always suffer untimely losses and tragic events
- Remembering the Famine and its impact on the US -- Voices of those who survived still live on
Archives
Why a brain dead immigration policy is harming America -- New York Mayor calls for more and smarter immigration, not less
Occasionally a politician speaks truth to power, and New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg did so on Tuesday.
He pointed out that in 1991, 18 percent of Canada’s and America’s immigrants were rated as highly skilled.
On reaching the ripe young age of 59 -- Who is that guy in the mirror I wonder
I woke up yesterday morning to discover an impostor.
I gazed in the mirror on my 59th birthday and realized I had been hijacked.
Bobby Sands death was moment when all changed in Northern Ireland -- Turning point for ‘The Troubles’ reached 31 years ago this week
It was 31 years ago yesterday that Bobby Sands died on hunger strike in Northern Ireland.
Biggest ever Irish American fundraising dinner breaks all records-- American Ireland Fund New York event one for the record books
The biggest fundraising dinner in the history of Irish America or indeed Ireland, took place last night at the Lincoln Center in New York.
The American Ireland Fund raised a staggering $4.3 million blowing away all previous records.
The Month’s Mind -- A letter to Rory, remembering a laughing boy with us no more
Read more: A tribute to Rory Staunton
Obama and Clinton attack on Romney on Bin Laden a master stroke? Forcing Romney, GOP, onto back foot on issue of terrorism, defense
Barack Obama certainly has the gloves off after the new advertisement questioning Mitt Romney on whether he would have gone after Osama Bin Laden.
It is a classic judo trick to use your opponent’s perceived strength against him.
New questions about Father Michael Kelly's guilt or innocence -- Case seen as similar to story of priest accused in the movie "Doubt"
I had occasion to speak to a person from California who is a long time friend of Father Michael Kelly, the California-based priest who flew to his native Ireland after losing a civil case against him on an abuse charge.
My few hours meeting the amazing Warren Buffett -- I found oracle of Omaha a true and modest gentleman
News that Warren Buffett has prostate cancer comes as a shock.
I had two hours with Warren Buffett back in 2008. I had been dispatched to Omaha to interview the oracle by his great friend Don Keough, former head of Coca Cola.
Australia replaces real estate as the main topic of Irish conversation -- Land Down Under beckons for a new generation as economy fails
Dublin - If you came to Ireland a few years back the topic of conversation inevitably turned to real estate, no matter whom you talked with.
Phew! A near disaster is averted on Bettystown Beach -- car set to float away on the tide until my relatives arrive
So on Wednesday afternoon I took a walk on Bettystown beach in County Meath, a wondrous place from my childhood, just six miles from my hometown of Drogheda.
I invited one of my oldest friends, Eddie Holt, along and he said he’d meet me there.
God in a time of personal crisis –how does he measure up? What I learnt from a dark night of the soul amid pain and suffering
So is there an all-loving all-seeing God or is it a convenient invention to salve the soul?
I have had major reason to consider that question over the past few weeks as my 12-year-old nephew, Rory Staunton, cruelly lost his life to a toxic infection in a New York hospital.
The final farewell as my family say goodbye to Rory Staunton -- A sad leavetaking for grieving relatives amid sodden Irish skies
On a wet and grey Easter Monday amid slanting rain, my nephew Rory Staunton was finally committed to the Irish soil, buried beside his beloved grandmother in St. Peter’s graveyard in Drogheda, 30 miles from Dublin.
The dull thwack of the soil against the coffin after it was lowered signaled the final farewell for me to the 12-year-old boy who only a few weeks earlier was the joy and hope of his parents, New York based Ciaran and Orlaith Staunton, who is my sister. He was also the beloved big brother of his sister Kathleen.
An Irish wake for Rory Staunton back home in Meath --- The families and friends gather for the timeless Irish ritual
The Irish wake for my nephew Rory Staunton began in the parlor of his Aunt Derval’s house among the rolling hills and farmland of County Meath.
The long journey home begins for 12-year-old Rory Staunton -- Taking his final trip back home to his beloved Emerald Isle
Rory Staunton, age 12 when he passed away, was always a little Irishman. He died in a New York hospital last weekend of a freak toxic infection.
Though born in Manhattan and a resident of Queens from an early age, he brought out his brightest colors where Ireland was concerned.
12-Year-Old Rory Staunton’s life is celebrated in style at New York church Over 1,000 throng to say farewell to our laughing boy in Woodside, Queens
My 12-year-old nephew Rory Staunton’s brief life was celebrated in St.Mary’s in Queens, New York yesterday and over 1,200 showed up forcing an outdoor viewing link to be set up.
When darkness comes and illness strikes a child; My flood of letters from families who live in great pain
I have been overwhelmed by e mails and letters about Rory Staunton, my 12-year-old nephew who tragically passed from a toxic bacterial infection in New York on April 1st.
Rory Staunton, a beautiful boy, leaves this earth. The hardest column I will ever have to write
This is the toughest column I will ever write and the one I least expected to.
Some Irish need not apply at Obama White House St.Patrick's Bash -- Grumblings as re-election committee grabs prime tickets
It is the most coveted ticket in Irish America, the invaluable access to the Obama White House for the annual St.Patrick’s Day event honoring the Irish Prime Minister.
This year there are many disappointed faces.
Boston Herald editorial slams Senator Brown for inaction on Irish E3 visa bill
Senator Scott Brown (R-Massachusetts) has caught a bellyful from the Boston Herald editorial writers for his deeply unimpressive performance on the E3 visa bill which would help 10,500 Irish to emigrate legally to America.
This kind of hometown broadside from a mass circulation newspaper is exactly what Brown does not want to read, but the Herald has it exactly right.
What were Nike thinking, marketing Black and Tan sneakers for St. Patrick's Day? Irish Americans surely deserved better than that
What were Nike thinking?
They have a $3 billion dollar budget worldwide for marketing and the best they can come up with for the Irish this St. Patrick's Day is the 'Black and Tan' sneaker.
Did no one at this giant company just check on Google exactly what most Irish relate the term Black and Tan to?
Archbishop Diarmuid Martin sheds tears on "60 Minutes" describing meeting victims of clerical abuse
Archbishop Diarmuid Martin shed tears on "60 Minutes" tonight as he recounted asking to see a class of eight-year old boys in a Dublin school so he could imagine what it was like for them to be abused.
He did so after meeting a man who was horrifically abused at that age by a priest in his own archdiocese.
Dublin Archbishop Diarmuid Martin sheds tears on "60 Minutes" as he discusses the impact on young children of abuse
Archbishop Diarmuid Martin shed tears on "60 Minutes" tonight as he recounted asking to see a class of eight-year old boys in a Dublin school so he could imagine what it was like for them to be abused.
He did so after meeting a man who was horrifically abused at that age by a priest in his own archdiocese.
Why Rick Santorum lost Catholic vote in both Michigan and Arizona to Romney
What to make of the fact that Rick Santorum lost the Catholic vote in both Michigan and Arizona to Romney?
Quite a lot really. Two immediate things, Catholics are clearly more moderate than Rick and secondly, many were scared off by the militant rhetoric Santorum let loose with during the past week.
Contraception controversy overshadows amazing work of Catholic hospitals --- Vital part of US healthcare in every state
Catholic hospitals have been dragged into the discussion over contraception in recent weeks, making them also a target for criticism
But it is time Catholic healthcare systems and the incredible work that Catholic hospitals do for the ill and needy in this country is recognized.
Margaret Thatcher movie 'The Iron Lady' for Best Movie pick at the Oscars - VIDEO
It is Academy Award weekend coming up, time to sit back and enjoy the best that Hollywood had to offer last year.
The Irish as always will be well represented with Glenn Close nominated for the film Albert Nobbs, set in Dublin.
Graeme McDowell an inspirational figure and not just for his golf game
Graeme McDowell is the kind of sports hero that Tiger Woods would like to be.
Affable, approachable, a dedicated worker for charities, US Open winner McDowell made it look easy at the Dublin Children's Hospital fundraiser in New York on Wednesday night.
McDowell's charity the GMAC foundation is a major underwriter of the hospital, which desperately needs funds at a time of harsh economic pressures in Ireland.
John F. Kennedy the lecherous lover at odds with Camelot image -- New book destroys the Camelot fantasy for me
The latest memoir by a former lover makes me think twice about John F.Kennedy.
The Celtic Comeback begins as President Clinton leads an Irish charge --Powerful Fortune 500 leaders show way forward for Irish economy
Mark February 9th as the day the Celtic Comeback began.
That was the day in New York that former President Bill Clinton gathered the rich and powerful in American business and delivered them on a silver platter for the Irish government leaders including Prime Minister Enda Kenny and Foreign Minster Eamon Gilmore as well as Jobs Minister Richard Bruton.
British take over Obama White House on St.Patrick's week -- Irish celebration pushed back to after St.Patrick's Day
Begorrah, the Brits are stealing St.Patrick’s week 2012 at the White House from under us.
President Obama just announced an official visit and a state dinner for British Prime Minister David Cameron and wife Samantha on March 13th and 14th on St.Patrick’s week this year.
Liam Neeson has the full right to embrace Islam if he wants -- His wife's death has led to a search for life's meaning
Liam Neeson's public embrace of Islam has certainly landed him in the middle of a steaming controversy.
The Irish Hollywood star told the London Sun that he was considering adopting the religion because of his experiences in Istanbul while filming where he found the calls to prayer and beauty of its historic mosques very moving.
I know Liam Neeson somewhat as we serve on the American Irish Historical Society board together and we often meet in Irish circles in New York.
Boston keeps its Irish roots - community’s presence felt through out Massachusetts
BOSTON – 38% of the state of Massachusetts is of Irish extraction, and every fourth face or so you see here reflects that ancestry.
- Why the Catholic church is wrong, yet again,...
- Many moderate bishops oppose anti-Obama line...
- The Irish World War II shame - Irish soldiers...
- Pope Benedict should not throw nuns under...
- Why a brain dead immigration policy is harming.
- Notre Dame lawsuit on health law is a huge...
- Barry Manilow dismayed at how his Irish roots...
- Loophole law could allow Irish priests to...
- Irish nun quits Catholic church after claiming.
- Catholic Church lift ban and allow child...
- One Direction's Zayn Malik and Little Mix's...
- Cheryl Hines tweets of new life with RFK...
- Channing Tatum shocked Rachel McAdams by...
- Despite US and Australia success One Direction.
- Lionsgate wants Robert Pattinson as star...
- Irish woman carrying her father’s child claims.
- Robin Gibb's last words saw him pay a touching.
- Pope Benedict should not throw nuns under...
- One Direction's Niall Horan discusses stardom:.
- Little known Canadian actress Holly Deveaux...
- Many moderate bishops oppose anti-Obama line...
- Want to live in a four-star luxury hotel...
- Pope Benedict should not throw nuns under...
- The Irish World War II shame - Irish soldiers...
- Ireland basks in summer sunshine as heatwave...
- Bobby Kennedy should be ashamed of himself...
- Teenage sweethearts marry after 64 years...
- Irish J1 students scammed out of $5,000 in...
- The Gathering 2013 in Ireland deserves a...
- Joining a family’s evening Rosary - a spiritual
Most Popular Blog Posts
