ICBlog: New-york-state-of-mind

Ground Zero ten years on (IrishCentral)

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 05:40:06 PDT

Ghosts of ground zero by Tom Peirce

It's the Sunday of Labor weekend, as I pass St Paul's Cathedral in Manhattan’s Financial District and walk briskly in the sticky afternoon air towards Ground Zero. A decade has passed since the world stood still and watched the World Trade Towers crumble, claiming thousands of lives and irrevocably changing modern day history.

The progress is striking on my most recent visit to Ground Zero. One World Trade Center (One WTC), formerly known as the Freedom Tower, is now the tallest structure in lower Manhattan. Work continues on the skyscraper which dominates the skyline that was previously occupied by the World Trade Center. Already two thirds complete, the tower's V-shaped bracing is pronounced by the September sun which glistens against the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Next to the entrance of the Path Train transport hub, tourists pause; their heads tilted gazing at the skyscraper, while locals pass purposely as they make their way into the busy Port Authority transit hub.

Ten things my Irish mammy taught me (IrishCentral)

Sat, 03 Sep 2011 04:25:05 PDT

Brenda Fricker as Mrs Brown in 'My Left Foot'

There is nothing like an Irish mammy and nothing better than their wit and wisdom. Inspired by the guys at TheLineIreland, who took to the streets of Dublin to ask people for what they learned from their mammies, I had a whip around the office and asked for some opinions.

1. “Sure who’ll be looking at ya anyway?”
There is no decency in vanity, stand tall and ignore the judgmental glare of others.

2. “Don’t leave the house without clean underwear, in case you get run over by a bus”
There were not many buses in Roscommon, but I knew what she meant. Hygiene is important and personal hygiene a must.

Are Ireland and the Catholic Church finally getting a divorce? (IrishCentral)

Fri, 29 Jul 2011 05:05:23 PDT

Rosary beads for sale in Knock County Mayo

Growing up in a small town in the west of Ireland the church was the pillar of our community.

The kindergarten was run by nuns. Church patronage governed both my national and high school. I was an alter girl. I sang in the school choir and then once I was old enough, I sang with the adult choir. I said readings at mass. I climbed Craogh Patrick during the annual pilgrimage.

Clergymen were actively involved in the community. The director of the annual pantomime, a priest. My career counselor, who offered me valuable life advice, a priest. My English teacher, whose profound words and teachings remain with me today, a priest.

Casey Anthony from PA: 'I can't change my name, ladies and gentlemen’ (IrishCentral)

Thu, 14 Jul 2011 05:05:30 PDT

Casey Anthony

A 43-year-old Pennsylvanian man named Casey Anthony has been bombarded with Facebook abuse, since the Florida criminal that shares his name, was cleared of murdering her daughter last week.

Speaking to NBC News in Philadelphia, Anthony declared: 'I can't change my name, ladies and gentlemen,’

In a case of mistaken identity, the father has been inundated with friend requests, messages and wall posts since last week’s verdict was declared.

Casey Anthony’s shamrock tattoo - a response to reader reaction (IrishCentral)

Fri, 08 Jul 2011 05:20:26 PDT

Casey Anthony

An average day in any media organization consists of several news meeting and IrishCentral is no different.

On Wednesday, we sat in our editor’s office and discussed the biggest stories of the day.

IrishCentral endeavors to report on all things Irish, if something breaks at home in Ireland we want to be the first port of call from our Irish-American readers. We aim to inform, educate, entertain and promote lively debate. Our harshest critics would say we tick few of these boxes. Regardless, every day our limited staff here put enormous effort into trying to reach that goal.

Start the weekend with a party! (IrishCentral)

Thu, 30 Jun 2011 02:50:32 PDT

Ready for some underground dance fun?

That’s exactly what Irish founder and webhost of ClubbersGuide.com Fiona Walsh is offering tomorrow night, July 1 at a destination to be - you know - announced (you have to sign up via their Facebook page or on their website to find out where it is, that’s what makes it underground) somewhere in the city.

“I’m throwing a party on the 1st of July,” Walsh tells Irish Central. “It’s a one year anniversary party for my website and I’m bringing – along with my producing partner Trilogy (famous for running amazing underground parties in New York) a DJ called Steve Rachmad over to play.”

Carry on camping in the Catskills- an Irish take on the wild outdoors (IrishCentral)

Tue, 28 Jun 2011 04:35:18 PDT

Gibson, Harris and I about to trek for our supper.

Last Saturday I found myself in unfamiliar territory. There was me, a slippery log and a river that I had to cross somewhere deep in the in the Catskills Mountains in upstate New York. How had Jennifer Grey made this look so easy?

My three friends had each skipped across the wooden log with the agility of a tight rope walker. But now I stared at the tree trunk, which to me looked like it had been coated in crude oil, my feet cemented firmly in place.

Like a parent trying to talk their child through unlocking themselves from the bathroom, one of my friends offered words of support: “Go on Molly, it’s just one foot in front of the other, it’s not that slippery, come on baby steps does it.” In a not so encouraging manner my other friend decided to capture the entire thing on video.

Leanne Wolfe was Ireland’s Phoebe Prince’s case (IrishCentral)

Fri, 22 Apr 2011 04:35:25 PDT

Timmy Regan announces defeat after he cancels Jennifer Aniston proposal- PHOTOS (IrishCentral)

Sat, 02 Apr 2011 05:05:26 PDT

Screen-grab from U.S. magazine.com

Happy April Fool's.......

When IrishCentral broke the exclusive news yesterday that a red-faced tight-rope walking, Spider-man loving Irish man was on his way to L.A. to propose to Jennifer Aniston, the Internet caught whiff of a juicy story and ran with it.

Forget the beer, celebrate St. Patrick's Day (IrishCentral)

Thu, 17 Mar 2011 05:20:27 PDT

“MULDOON, you’re up!”

I jumped up from my desk and made my way out of the classroom and down the corridor to the make-shift fitting rooms.

It was February 1997 in St. Attracta’s National School in Ballaghaderreen, Co. Roscommon. And it was time for my fitting for the school band uniform. I was 11 years old.

Emigrants should have a vote in upcoming general election (IrishCentral)

Tue, 25 Jan 2011 02:20:23 PST

General Election looms but no voice for emigrant Irish

With the General Election looming, millions of people around the globe will once again be robbed of their right to have a say in Ireland’s political destiny.

Under Irish law if you are living abroad you cannot be entered into the register of electors.

Lost in translation - Adjusting Irish lingo for New York ears (IrishCentral)

Wed, 12 Jan 2011 03:20:19 PST

For some my choice Irish phrases are a source of amusement, for others a source of confusion.

The majority of us speak the same language, but my sentences have been lost in translation on many an occasion since moving Stateside.

It occurred to me this morning when my friend emailed me concerned about where one of her guests would lay his head this coming weekend when he visits the Big Apple. “God knows where he will sleep!,” she reflected.

Women's Christmas is celebrated in Ireland today (IrishCentral)

Thu, 06 Jan 2011 02:35:20 PST

Today is a special day in Ireland when we celebrate the women who worked so tirelessly during the holiday period.

Nollaig na nBan or the Feast of the Epiphany, as it is more commonly known, marks the end of the Christmas period.

An old pub, a cold day, a warm welcome - despite all the hard times, Irish spirits still up (IrishCentral)

Wed, 08 Dec 2010 02:20:23 PST

There was sawdust on the floor when I stood in Ireland's oldest pub this past weekend.

It was four o'clock on a Sunday afternoon, amid freezing temperatures and treacherous road conditions, to my disbelief the people of Athlone has left the comfort of their surroundings to join their friends in Sean's Bar.

The bar was packed with locals, and a turf fire burned in the grate that people stopped at on their way in from the cold air. A lively trad session was in full swing in the corner and the barman, greeted me with a smile when I arrived at the bar.

Arctic bitter blast causes havoc in Ireland (IrishCentral)

Tue, 30 Nov 2010 01:35:17 PST

SEE PHOTOS - Arctic weather hits Ireland

My only outing this past weekend reminded me of three things...
Ireland is incapable of dealing with snowfall.
Driving into the eye of the storm is never a good idea.
People can and will find the funny side of things.

Despite the the worst week since the foundation of the Irish state - some people will still be giving thanks (IrishCentral)

Thu, 25 Nov 2010 02:05:20 PST

Despite the the worst week since the foundation of the Irish state - some people will still be giving thanks

It's Thursday morning in Ireland, Brian Cowen wakes up early, still in a hazy stupor from his restless nights sleep. He looks in the mirror and disappointed, he soon realizes, he wasn’t dreaming, it wasn’t a nightmare, his Government is in ruins and Ireland's future is being held together with rubber bands on loan from Europe.

Ireland's destiny held together by billions of rubber bands, anyone of which is liable to snap as a result of his Government's actions over the coming weeks.

Irish Government's acceptance of mass emigration appalling (IrishCentral)

Wed, 10 Nov 2010 01:35:18 PST

Yesterday at lunchtime my Irish cell phone rang with an unknown number flashing on the screen.

I answered with a curious tone, as a familiar voice on the other end of the phone greeted me. It was one of my college friends, John, calling after he had finished a hard days work in Gurley, Australia.

Frustration grows as severe Irish budget looms (IrishCentral)

Fri, 05 Nov 2010 02:35:16 PDT

This sign has been erected along the main N5 road from Dublin to Westport

I can imagine was going through the mind of councilor Louise Minihan last Monday when she pelted red paint at our Health Minister Mary Harney.

I can identify with the 25,000 college students who marched on the streets of Dublin on Wednesday in opposition to an increase in tuition fees.

And I can surmise one of the main reasons that caused Fianna Fail's Jim McDaid to resign his Dail (Parliament) seat on Tuesday.

American sense of pride in voting is energizing (IrishCentral)

Wed, 03 Nov 2010 03:05:20 PDT

I have a bad habit. OK I have a lot of bad habits but like many, my biggest form of procrastination takes the form of hours spent social networking, in other words time wasting on Facebook when I should be proactive.

It was on one of my latest bouts of procrastination that I had the realization of another great thing about America.

It started a week ago when one of my friends made a frantic plea via Facebook:
“Does anyone in NY have an absentee ballot they are not going to use? If so, can I tell you who I am going to vote for and you fill it in?? I'm totally serious!! Thanks!”

Craic and crowds as King of the Culchies crowned (IrishCentral)

Wed, 27 Oct 2010 03:35:19 PDT

Culchie: Country person, as in country bumpkin, or country shrewd, someone from deepest rural Ireland.

Last week I went in search of this exotic species, except I’m one myself - despite my New York life.

Back in Ireland for a spell I now know you can take the woman out of Roscommon but you can't take Roscommon out of the woman. Never were truer words spoken. Last weekend I found myself and two friends zipping through the back roads of lovely Leitrim en route to the annual Culchie Festival, in Mohill.

Into the west...why the wild Irish countryside still has no equal - SEE PHOTOS (IrishCentral)

Thu, 21 Oct 2010 02:20:18 PDT

SEE PHOTOS - click here

Back home to an Ireland utterly changed as 'For Sale' signs blanket the landscape (IrishCentral)

Thu, 14 Oct 2010 02:20:16 PDT

One year on I emerged from the arrival hall at Dublin airport to the Ireland I had left behind.

A lot had changed. Unemployment figures mirroring the eighties, high levels of emigration, and a government with few solutions, I knew what to expect but I was keen to see it with my own eyes.

As I drove into the west I had my eyes peeled for visible changes. A common theme emerged as every town and village that I drove through was branded with big bold letters of real estate agents “For Sale”. The property boom had burst and left it's stain all over the island.

DREAM act a test for the great American sense of fairness and decency (IrishCentral)

Thu, 30 Sep 2010 04:35:15 PDT

“Remember, remember always, that all of us, and you and I especially, are descended from immigrations and revolutionists.” Franklin D. Roosevelt

The people I meet love to tell me they are American but also from other places. They are proud of their heritage, drawing lineage from maybe two to three different countries stretching from disparate areas around the globe.

The strength of this country is that it is first and foremost about an idea, that we can come from all four corners of the globe, yet become one nation and live our own version of the American dream.

The stigma of my bug bites in New York (IrishCentral)

Fri, 24 Sep 2010 04:35:17 PDT

Victoria’s secret, Hollister, Abercrombie & Fitch, AMC 25 movie theatre and the Empire State Building. Apart from throngs of eager tourists, what did all of these New York businesses have in common this past summer? Bedbugs.

Last Saturday morning I woke up with seven bites, 4 on my left arm, 1 on my right and 2 on my face. I quickly established after moving to the United States that mosquitoes are big fans of Irish blood, but this really was the straw that broke the camel’s back.

I get bitten a lot, I have tried everything to stave off the nasty critters but few things seem to work. So as I strolled into my moonlighting gig as a weekend bartender on Saturday night, with an arm the size of Popeyes and a swollen face, I was none too impressed.

Making my life in America, for better for worse (IrishCentral)

Thu, 16 Sep 2010 10:20:18 PDT

One year ago today I boarded a plane in Dublin, JFK bound for what I thought was going to be a year abroad. One year to garner some experience, broaden my horizons and leave an economic storm in Ireland behind me.

Five jobs and 365 days later I’m still here with no inclination to return home. With everything this great city has to offer is it any surprise the one resounding sentiment among my Irish comrades here is our joint distaste at the prospect of returning to our great Emerald Isle.
Not because we don’t love our home, but because of the lives we have built here for ourselves that we don’t want to abandon just yet.

Bad news travels across the waters that things at home haven’t drastically improved. Our banking system remains in dire straits, as unemployment grows and every day more and more people make the decision to leave.