Niall O'Dowd: "2012," the new blockbuster movie from director Roland Emmerich about the end of the world, is clearly anti-Catholic. It stars Irish-American actor John Cusack, who is obviously along for the payday. | WITH TRAILER

Sometimes when you get chatting to a person who has emigrated from Ireland, you can catch a glimpse of the country’s own evolution over the last thirty or so years. That’s very much the case with Buncrana, County Donegal man Turlough McConnell, whose writing and music took him first to Dublin and then on to New York.

This weekend at the NY GAA, Offaly, Roscommon, Cork and Down came out on top.

Saturday 7:30 p.m.: SF Leitrim vs.

Eugne Kyne with the breakdown on all the games played in the Bronx last weekend.

Eugene Kyne gives his predictions to this upcoming weekend's hurling and football fixtures from the Bronx, as well as outlining upcoming schedule changes made by the NY GAA.

Eugene Kyne with the lowdown from last weekend's games at Gaelic Park in the Bronx.

Eugene Kyne gives the skinny on the upcoming senior football and senior hurling matches from the Bronx, as well as an intermediate football match between St. Raymond's and Roscommon.

Eugene Kyne highlights the past week's intermediate and senior football matches from the Bronx.

Eugene Kyne gives his predictions for the upcoming weekend's football and hurling fixtures from the Bronx.

Eugene Kyne's highlights the week's action from Gaelic Park between Kerry/Donegal and Na Fianna, Tyrone and Kerry, Down and Sligo and Lietrim and Donegal.

Reports from weekend fixtures from New York's Gaelic Park, where Down and Leitrim notched up good wins.

Irish Voice GAA analyst Eugene Kyne with his take on the upcoming football and hurling fixtures from the Bronx.

No matter where you go around the world, it seems there is an Irish pub which attracts imbibers and pioneers. While there are plenty of new places opening all the time, the fact is that many of the authentic country pubs in Ireland are dying out, and with them many of the old famous old publicans (owners) with them who rendered such a valuable service in keeping the culture alive on many levels. This hit home to me when I heard of the passing of Dan O’Connell, the Knocknagree publican who passed away on Sunday at the age of 88.

The annual New York Fleadh organized by the Mid-Atlantic Region of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann is coming up on the weekend of May 29-31 in Pearl River, New York.

A tribute to Paddy Reynolds, a fine musician and an even finer man.

Cork are the team to beat in the 2009 New York Senior Football Championship as the season kicks off this weekend in Gaelic Park.

IrishCentral.com is proud to introduce the Healthy Irishman, chef Gavan Murphy. Murphy, from Tralee in County Kerry, is based in L.A. and is the go-to celeb chef for healthy - and hearty - fare. All we can say is, If it's good enough for Hollywood, it's good enough for us!

If there is one thing that Irish people do really well, it's music. And what can be better than seeing a great Irish band live? So, check out this list – and go and see these bands right now. Before you die. (Or in the case of The Pogues, before Shane MacGowan dies.)

Ireland is a small country that's big on charm, wit and hospitality. And, thanks to a booming economy and the infusion of millions from multi-national companies, Ireland East and Dublin is one of the most rapidly expanding areas in Europe today. Ireland has breathtaking scenery, luxurious five-star resorts with world-class spas, gourmet cuisine and more than 400 top-notch golf courses, but the Emerald Isle is also known for its advanced networking, conferencing and exposition facilities and is a leading destination for today's mobile business traveler.

SO what are the greatest Irish books ever written? One man who should know is Des Kenny of Kenny's bookshop in Galway, which for long was a Mecca for any traveler to the west coast of Ireland. Now Kenny has written a book published by Currach Press (www.currach.

The hard-hitting recession spreading across the island of Ireland and the increase in the value of the dollar versus the euro isn't preventing Irish bargain hunters from boarding planes in their droves bound for New York.

Aer Lingus spokesperson Rosemarie Curran said "traffic to New York has held up pretty well for November and bookings are strong into December." Curran said this was in line with bookings for the same time period for 2007.

WHAT a week. Gold medals galore for Michael Phelps. Witness to the most sensational run by Usain Bolt in the 100 meter final.

Donegal 1-11 Rockland 0-9

THE first team to qualify for the Junior B championship finals by way of a semifinal win was Donegal, as they used a dominant first half to steamroll Rockland.

With the game still somewhat in the balance, a high ball into Mike Miro at full forward was pulled down and dispatched to the net by the towering full forward. It was part of a 1-6 outburst in the first half that secured the win for Donegal.

Thursday, September 11 8 p.m.:

Annie Kearney Cup Final Na Fianna vs.

Cavan 2-13

Four Provinces 0-10

CAVAN took home the Senior B title on Sunday with an excellent display of football when they took the best that Four Provinces could throw their way and reacted with all the correct moves.

Paddy Smith had the most clinical when he scored a first half goal as good as any seen at the Mecca this season or any for that matter. With the game sitting on a tightrope, 0-5 to 0-4 for Cavan, Tomo's super blast was the foundation for the win.

3 p.m.: FBD Final, New York vs.

WITH the senior divisions of both the Ladies and Men's GAA divisions finished for the year, it is again the chance of the minor Boards of both the girls and boys of New York to avail of the opportunity to use Gaelic Park. While the Minor Board will have semifinals and finals at the Mecca next weekend, the Ladies GAA and Gaelic4 Girls hosted a tremendous tournament of football this past weekend with the New York Ladies Invitational Blitz.

Despite rain on Saturday, enthusiasm was not dampened with a full slate of games before the finals went ahead on Sunday with the under-17 championship going down to the wire in a brilliant game of football.

THE New York Men's GAA selected its all-stars for 2008 this past week with teams being selected for junior football, senior hurling and football.

An annual event now in its fourth year, it rewards the premier players in all three divisions for the season gone by. While certainly the players are more than deserving for their work throughout the year, the function itself has been poorly attended in the last couple of years, and one would hope that this year's winners will embrace the function with open arms as it may be the last year of the awards if they are not a success.

On the night of their very successful annual dinner dance on Saturday, November 22, the New York Ladies GAA announced their 2009 all-stars.

On the heels of a brilliant year when the county final went to a replay before Cavan took home the championship, some brilliant individual displays were seen at the Mecca. In that final Emma Clarke scored 2-8, while Molly O'Rourke fired in 3-5.

Kerry is one of the loveliest of Ireland's counties and if you have not yet paid it a visit, it might now be time for you to undertake St. Brendan's journey in reverse. Do this illustrious saint who was known "the Navigator" the honor of visiting his beautiful home place.

A photo is a wonderful medium because it can tell a story in a thousand or ten thousand words depending on what proverb you adhere to and what kind of memories it unleashes. And photography’s ability to enhance other artistic endeavors allows for a greater appreciation by for the sympathetic and skillful lensmen who captures a certain place and time as a visual record of social importance. Traditional music feeds on such documentation of a broad community that cherishes both the roots and the preservation wherever it may be, but two of the most important are the Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy in