Finding Jews in Ireland is not an easy task. Of Ireland’s 4.4 million people, only 2,000 or so are Jewish. But finding a menorah, the eight branched candle that celebrates Hanukkah – that’s a cinch.

When it rains it pours for the Irish. The country is facing a multi-million euro clean-up bill after some of the worst flooding in living memory.

Ireland's meteorologists are warning people to brace themselves for a long weekend of miserable weather.

Father Francis Markey, 81, an elderly Irish priest based in Indiana, was released from jail on bail on Tuesday pending an extradition hearing later this week.

Travel to Ireland is on a downward curve this year. Tourism Ireland reports that “the first 10 months of 2009 have proven to be a very tough period for tourism to the island of Ireland, and for tourism worldwide.”

Actor John Cusack says he’s proud of his Irish roots. The Illinois native was asked about his background, and he replied that he always “felt” Irish.

Ireland could be hit by a tsunami, according to top university professors. And it wouldn't be the first time it has happened, either!

News from the 32: Antrim, Armagh, Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Cork, Derry, Donegal, Down, Dublin, Fermanagh, Galway, Kerry, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Leitrim, Limerick, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, Tipperary, Tyrone, Waterford, Westmeath, Wexford, Wicklow

Bill Murray is making the media rounds promoting the new animation film “Fantastic Mr. Fox,” and last week he made his way to Ireland.

Dublin was brought to a standstill today as up to 70,000 people took to the streets as part of a national day of protest. The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) organized eight rallies across

Enda Walsh is securing his reputation as the most provocative Irish playwright of his generation. In his new play “The New Electric Ballroom”, now playing at St. Ann’s Warehouse in Brooklyn, he has written his best work yet.

Ireland has a long and bloody history, which means that naturally, haunted places can be found all over the country. We’ve done our research here at IrishCentral and come up with what we think are the 10 most haunted places in all of the Emerald Isle.

He’s king of the box office yet again with his latest hit “Couples Retreat,” and Vince Vaughn is doing the rounds on a promotional victory lap in Europe. Dublin, it appears, was easily his favorite stop.

Did you know that Dublin has more gay men and women per capita than San Francisco? Or that in recent years Ireland’s become a go-to destination for gay and lesbian travelers? Recent banner attractions for the GLTB visitor have included the Bingham Cup – sometimes referred to as the gay Rugby World Cup – which was held in Dublin in 2008.

The famous Irish manor that director John Huston once owned has been put back on the market.

News from the 32: Antrim, Armagh, Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Cork, Derry, Donegal, Down, Dublin, Fermanagh, Galway, Kerry, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Leitrim, Limerick, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, Tipperary, Tyrone, Waterford, Westmeath, Wexford, Wicklow

Ireland is the perfect place to take a Spa Resort vacation. Offering five star luxury and legendary hospitality you’ll renew your mind and body in one of the most ancient and venerable countries in the world. What are you waiting for? Here’s a list of 10 Essential Irish Spas and Getaways.

The name Connolly is derived from several different roots. In Connaught and Monaghan it derives from the Gaelic O'Coingeallaigh. Both are anglicized to Connolly although the spelling form Connelly is often found in Galway.

In “Turning Green,” an American-born teenager growing up in Ireland finds a novel way to finance his return to the freedom of New York -- by selling soft core girlie mags on the black market to the local men queuing up to buy them. The new film stars Academy Award winner Timothy Hutton and Colm Meaney, and features the debut of Irish newcomer Donal Gallery. We talk to the film’s writer and its young breakout star.

After receiving the call from God when he was just 16, Christopher Heanue, the youngest child of Irish immigrants based in New York took his first class at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome on Monday, October 12 on the long road to becoming a priest.

News from the 32: Antrim, Armagh, Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Cork, Derry, Donegal, Down, Dublin, Fermanagh, Galway, Kerry, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Leitrim, Limerick, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, Tipperary, Tyrone, Waterford, Westmeath, Wexford, Wicklow

I was in Galway speaking at a media conference, and the anger that welled up when the discussion turned to what has happened to Ireland in the past 12 months was palpable.

News from the 32: Antrim, Armagh, Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Cork, Derry, Donegal, Down, Dublin, Fermanagh, Galway, Kerry, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Leitrim, Limerick, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, Tipperary, Tyrone, Waterford, Westmeath, Wexford, Wicklow

It is 30 years to the day since Pope John Paul II visited Ireland in a three-day visit that brought the country to a standstill. Nearly 3 million people turned out to welcome the Pontiff at five venues; Dublin, Drogheda, Galway, Limerick and Knock. The numbers were phenomenal when you consider that the population of the Republic was 3,368,217 in 1979.

  Introduction Ireland is an island on the western fringe of Europe between latitude 51 1/2 and 55 1/2 degrees north, and longitude 5 1/2 to 10 1/2 degrees west. Its greatest length, from Malin Head in the north to Mizen Head in the south, is 486 km and its greatest width from east to west is approximately 275

The name Fahy is O'Fathaigh in Gaelic, and probably originates from the word fothadh which means base or foundation. Another rarer English version of the name is Vahey and occasionally Fay, which has a different root except for occasional instances in Galway.

News from the 32: Antrim, Armagh, Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Cork, Derry, Donegal, Down, Dublin, Fermanagh, Galway, Kerry, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Leitrim, Limerick, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, Tipperary, Tyrone, Waterford, Westmeath, Wexford, Wicklow

The McCain family name originated in the Gaelic as O'Cathain, and is derived from Cathain, who was a ninth century ancestor of the King of Tara. Conchobar, son of Fergal Mac Mael Duin of the O'Neills, formed the O'Cahan sept, which came to be known as the "Warrior Clan of Ulster." The O'Cahan clan served as subordinate kings to the O'Neills who granted them the titles "King of Kianaght, King of Limavaday, and King of Fir-na-Creabh.

The name Logan has complicated origins. The Logans of the Northern counties are generally of Scottish stock. Many of them came to Ireland during the Plantation of Ulster in the early 17th century.

EXCLUSIVE: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has announced that Irish native Declan Kelly, 41, will be the Obama administration's economic envoy to Northern Ireland, a position first created for Sen. George Mitchell during the Clinton administration.

Dinosaurs were the only things on the mind of four-year-old Patrick Dillon as he waited patiently with his parents, sister and grandfather for the door of his new school to open at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, September 8.

Irish-American actor John Cusack recently took a three-week vacation to Ireland to celebrate his mom’s 80th birthday, and luckily for his fans, he Tweeted his thoughts and pictures along the way.

News from the 32: Antrim, Armagh, Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Cork, Derry, Donegal, Down, Dublin, Fermanagh, Galway, Kerry, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Leitrim, Limerick, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, Tipperary, Tyrone, Waterford, Westmeath, Wexford, Wicklow

The latest news from around the country

Irish American actor John Cusack has pronounced himself bowled over by Ireland's beauty. Cusack, whose movies include Con Air, Grosse Point Blank,

Sheep in Ireland usually wind up as hardy, handsome sweaters — or, if they're truly unlucky, as tasty lamb chops. But for those few special Irish sheep willing to undergo advanced training, and who are fleet of hoof and have the proverbial "eye of the tiger," there is another way of life — a way of being something of a "black sheep," of living on the wold side.

Irish and Irish-Americans alike tend to be immensely proud of their surnames. But which last names win in the battle of Irishness? Here are the top 10 most popular Irish last names.

The origin of the names Phelan and Whelan is an excellent example of the vagaries of Anglicization of Irish names. Both of these names are derived from the same Gaelic name O'Fáolain. Although Whelan is more common, Phelan is common in areas of Kilkenny and Waterford.

Brivant Medical, a company that speicalizes in medical devices and products, has been acquired by Lake Region Medical, Ltd., which is a subsidiary of MInnesota-based Lake Region Medical.

This year, over a century and a half past the end of An Ghorta Mór (the great starvation) that claimed over one million lives between 1845 and 1851, Ireland at long last declared May 17, 2009 the first National Famine Memorial Day.

The name Caulfield is one about which much confusion arises. A name of several origins, few patronymics have acquired so many anglicized versions, the more common being MacCaul and MacCawell. Other variations include MacCall, MacHall, MacCarvill, MacCowhill, Callwell, Howell, Campbell and Gaffney.

The Irish government designated May 17, 2009 as the first National Famine Memorial Day. On that day, Irish people throughout the world remembered and honored the victims of Ireland’s Great Hunger

The talent, skill and heart displayed by 25 lads from Ireland last weekend earned the New York Irish soccer team a place in the semifinals of the prestigious Copa soccer tournament this coming Saturday.

When you’re knee deep at the races and the horse you’ve just bet on is coming around the home stretch, it doesn’t matter who you are, you’ll be yelling with the best of them. That’s why the weeklong Galway Races in Ireland are renowned worldwide for atmosphere, pulse pounding racing and an irresistible Irish sense of fun.

Ireland was today bracing for a new "shocking and horrifying" report into clerical child abuse. Dublin Archbishop Diarmuid Martin - who is trying to reform the Irish church - said the report would name up to 15 priests who abused at least 450 children over a 35-year period in Dublin. In addition, the report will also reveal - in detail - how Irish church authorities responded to the original allegations.

For the singers competing at the Rockland County Feis, performing at the feis helps them connect with their culture. Whether it takes the form of a clattering dance, a piping whistle, or a casual song, we Irish have clearly held onto our traditional love of song and dance.

Senator Chris Dodd's Irish cottage made it onto Fox TV at the weekend courtesy of Connecticut State GOP chief Chris Healy and his vacation camcorder. Turns out that Healy spent his summer vacation in Ireland and must have just stumbled upon Dodd's Irish hideaway on the tiny island of Inishnee in County Galway.

Our second week in the west Connemara Gaeltacht of An Cheathrú Rua (Carraroe) has been a busy one, punctuated with two turas (field trips) and lots-o-vocabulary as Gaeilge.

She spent a good chunk of her childhood in Galway, so it was fitting that Oscar winning actress Anjelica Huston returned there last week as the special guest of honor at the annual Galway Film Fleadh.

IN FOCUS: JESSICA SWEENEY. Occupation: Associate research manager at the Keller Fay Group, a word of mouth marketing research and consulting company located in New Brunswick, New Jersey.