Legendary band Black 47’s New York City shows, which have been going on for the past 20 years, have been described as “a rite of passage for all New Yorkers.”

Colum McCann says he was devastated that Ireland lost out to France in the World Cup but that winning the National Book Award "did make up in some way for the defeat.”

French soccer “star” Thierry Henry’s “hand of Gaul” go-ahead goal against Ireland in the World Cup qualifier has once again shown the need for the instant replay. American sports are no stranger to human error and bad calls that could have been solved by modern technology. Here’s a list of the ten of greatest blown calls in American sports history that could have been reversed with instant replay...

Irish-American comedian Will Ferrell has topped Forbes' annual list of the Most Overpaid Stars.

The National Book Award for fiction for 2009 has gone to Irish author Colm McCann who lives in New York for his book "Let the Great World Spin." The book is set in New York in 1974 when a French tightrope walker Philippe Petit walked between the two towers of the Twin Towers, creating a massive publicity stunt.

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.

French midfielder Lassana Diarra has issued a threat against Irish player Keith Andrews who has accused Diarra of refusing to shake hands with him and calling him "An Irish pr*** at the end of their World Cup game in Dublin.

Dana Delany has opened up about turning down the role of Carrie in “Sex and the City.” The actress and multiple Emmy winner, who first hit it big as Nurse Colleen McMurphy on “China Beach,” is enjoying currently stardom again on “Desperate Housewives.”

Sean O'Shea: Ireland will travel to France on Wednesday night knowing their World Cup hopes hang by a fingernail. Yet they can pull off a huge upset.

The former president of the High Court, Justice Richard Johnson, has called for a referendum to reintroduce the recently abolished death penalty in Ireland.

Sarah Palin releases her new book 'Going Rogue' this week, and judging by the reviews she really gets her Irish up. John McCain, the media, the Democratic Party, and the know alls in Washington all get it loud and clear from the former Alaska governor.

The 'Transformers' star says she can't stand the characters she usually plays and would far rather get down and dirty in horror movies as in her new film 'Jennifer's Body'.

There are few countries that celebrate a cozier, put-your-feet-up Christmas than Ireland. With its family-oriented culture and the legendary friendliness of its people, spending the holidays in Ireland is one of the most rewarding decisions you could ever make.

Buzz Brady: Susan Boyle has reportedly stepped up her security measures after being stalked by an American woman. Boyle has apparently received a number of letters from the ‘stalker’, but finally asked for extra protection when the fan turned up at her home

'Pirate Radio,' the immensely likeable new comedy by 'Four Weddings and A Funeral' and 'Notting Hill' writer and director Richard Curtis, features Academy Award-winning actor Philip Seymour Hoffman in a role that’s a welcome departure from the much heavier dramas he excels at.

Miami Police Chief John Timoney, an Irish man hailed as “America’s Best Cop’’ by Esquire magazine, has stepped down. Timoney resigned as Tomas Regalado was sworn into office as the city's new mayor.

Sharon Osbourne has said sorry via Facebook to Susan Boyle for her nasty remarks on the Opie and Anthony Show.

Longtime right-wing CNN anchor Lou Dobbs announced on his show Wednesday that he's leaving, effective immediately. "Some leaders in the media, politics and business have been urging me to go beyond my role here at CNN and engage in constructive problem-solving," Dobbs said.

At the tender age of 23 in 1987, Irishman Steve Conway began the adventure of a lifetime onboard a leaky ship called the Ross Revenge, the floating home of legendary “Pirate Radio” station Radio Caroline, which originally started broadcasting during the 1960s. He talks about the real life experiences that inspired the film “Pirate Radio” which opens this weekend, and his new book “Shiprocked”.

The Irish Arts Center’s inaugural Irish Poetry Festival was a standing room only event last Saturday in New York, proving that the demand for a forum for Irish verse is as strong as ever.

Certainly Irish leaders are called on to comment on everything, but Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Brian Cowen probably took it a bit too far when he answered a question about “Jedward."

This news may make his fellow “X Factor” judge, Irish music mogul Louis Walsh, jealous, but Simon Cowell is officially the highest earner on television.

Irish America magazine, our sister publication, celebrated 25 years in style last week. We started all those years ago with a cover story that featured five leading Irish Americans - Tip O’Neill, Ronald Reagan, John McEnroe, Maureen O’Hara and Ted Kennedy.

Ryan Tubridy, host of the ultra-popular Irish chat show the “Late Late Show,” sure knows how to pull the guests. Last Friday night, in addition to Russell Brand, caustic chef Gordon Ramsay was on as a guest, and as usual, he let the insults fly.

Irish-American comedian Colin Quinn will be generating laughs for charity while performing at Laugh For Sight, the annual charity benefit showcasing some of the world’s best stand-up comedians performing to raise money to combat degenerative eye diseases.

Susan Boyle and Lady Gaga will go head-to-head at this year’s People’s Choice Awards.

John Timoney, 61, the Dublin-born four star Miami chief of police may be seeking pastures new soon if the city’s newly elected Republican mayor has his way.

Niall O'Dowd: Steven Spielberg's trip to Ireland was a "life-changing experience" for the Oscar-winning director. Spielberg was transformed by his summer visit to Ireland, which included literally "hanging over the edge" of the Cliffs of Moher.

Irish TV host Pat Kenny came under fire on his new TV show this week - for the second week in a row. An audience member at "Frontline" erupted in fury as Kenny (€600,000 a year or $900,000) interviewed Government politician Mary Hanafin about the looming cuts in social welfare.

Don't miss IrishCentral's first-ever New York City networking, partying — and drinking / good times — event, the Irish "Click." We're expecting lots of New York Irish and Irish Americans — and maybe a few visitors from the Auld Sod — to join us for a $2-a-drink party at O'Neill's Bar on Thursday in Midtown Manhattan.

Everyone’s favorite Scottish singer Susan Boyle is once again stateside, this time to perform on the hit series “Dancing with the Stars.”

“Twilight” star Robert Pattinson's aversion to tabloid and fan obsession is the reason he won’t date co-star Kristen Stewart.

Susan Boyle fans are sure to be shocked and disgusted by supposed SuBo supporter Sharon Osbourne. Osbourne cruelly made fun of Susan Boyle on “The Opie & Anthony Show” on Sirius XM Radio on Tuesday.

Tadhg Kennelly returns to Australia next week to promote his autobiography amid furhter speculation that his future may lie in the red guernsey of the Sydney Swans as opposed to the green and gold jersey of Kerry.

Ireland is famous for its written word masterpieces. It’s tough to narrow down the best of the best, but IrishCentral has taken on the tricky task, identifying the top 10 examples of Irish writing.

Lauren Conrad’s former boss Kelly Cutrone has a suggestion on who should play her in “The Hills” star upcoming movie – Irish actor Jonathan Rhys Meyers.

Robert Pattinson is bothered – especially by Halloween. At least according to the “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” version of the insanely famous “Twilight” star.

Kathy Griffin visited "The Tonight Show" with Conan O'Brien on Monday night, and the conversation between the two fiery-haired, Irish-American comedians quickly turned to Griffin’s “love affair” with Levi Johnston.

“Hangover” star Bradley Cooper says that acting alongside Liam Neeson in “The A-Team” has upped his game.

A clique of rich teenage girls has been arrested in connection with the robbery at Lindsay Lohan’s Hollywood home.

The Irish twins at the center of the latest season of the “X Factor” British talent show are public enemy number one among some fans of the mega hit TV show.

Eoin Colfer has made his name – and his fortune – writing the best-selling “Artemis Fowl” series for young adults. He could have played it safe and stuck with his winning formula but instead he’s decided to write a new episode of “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy,” Douglas Adams’ revered sci-fi satire.

Recommended Leo Tolstoy famously said that all great literature is one of two stories: a man goes on a journey, or a stranger comes to town. William Trevor’s latest novel is thus great literature two times over. The Cork-born Irish master, author of fourteen novels and twelve short story collections, came forth this September with Love and Summer, which focuses on the small town of Rathmoye and its inhabitants, tracing over the stories, true or warped with time or completely imagined, that they

Two upcoming films starring Irish-American actor Mark Wahlberg: “The Lovely Bones,” based on the best-selling novel by Alice Sebold, and "The Fighter," a biopic of boxer Mickey Ward.

Tyrone boss Mickey Harte has dismissed claims that his recent revelations about Sean Cavanagh’s absence from the starting team in the All-Ireland semifinal against Cork will cause any rift with the player.

To get started with your own literary tour of Ireland here’s a list of the 10 top annual Irish literary festivals to check out. Pick any one of them and in no time you’ll be completely absorbed by Irish culture and craic.

The Irish “Brothers Grim” are so hated in Britain that went English megastar Robbie Williams sent out support to the duo during his first full concert in three years on Tuesday night, his loyal fans booed him.

Legendary Cork hurling goalkeeper Donal Og Cusack has revealed that he is gay in his new autobiography.

Irish hunk Colin Farrell may not have been a good enough singer to make it with Boyzone back in the day, but the 33-year-old is a prolific A-list actor, and stills from his latest movie “The Way Back” have just been released.

U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald could take it when he was demonized as a heartless Southern prosecutor in the movie that fictionalizes his real-life jailing of New York Times reporter Judith Miller. What he objected to — he quipped last Saturday during our “debate” over a proposed reporters’ shield law at the American Bar Association convention — was the prissy name they gave his character, played by Matt Dillon.