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Let t er from t he Publisher
Dear Readers,
Anew year isuponus!! We wish all of our advertisers, friends and readersa truly wonderful and HAPPY NEW YEAR! 2025 wasalso an exceptional Christmas Season for all of us as well and it did not end till January 6th, so we ended up delaying thisissue for almost two weeks We may do that from now on asthe Holiday Season has alwaysbeen a wonderful time to enjoy but a terrible time to work!
At any rate, the waning days of our publication focusing on Southern California are now upon usas well as a new year that too!
As we have mentioned before, 2025 wasalso a rough year in many ways The political turmoil in Ireland and the US continuesand both of these nationsthat we cherish have some seriousproblems that need to be addressed I think it is our DNA as Irish Americansto have a streak of faith in usthat believes that we can cope and succeed, Also, asmentioned before, that isthe horse that I am backing These are the times when our attitude and gratitude cardsmust be played Bearing this in mind, let's all try to focus on what isreally good and positive and embrace and appreciate all that is good and positive The echo chambersof both the left and right, constantly heralding doom and gloom are foolish Sometimes reality bitesand we need to sow seeds of a better future and problem solving instead of embracing misery
Certainly, "our world ischanging drastically and at a pace that is both amazing and unsettling" and I certainly stand by that statement in our November issue and I wassurprised by the response that I got from a few of our readers It is nice to know that our readers agree that the "Irish Community isimportant because it can help create a reality and sense of belonging. We all strive to make our coverage and features both entertaining and relevant. Our writershelp make thishappen and we are honored to have them help us As we have been saying, we are expanding our reach The Irish themed content that we offer has a wide audience; far beyond SoCal so we are confident that we have a market around the US We already have readersand subscribersin 6 countriesand in 15 plus states Our mission isto continue to deliver a digital magazine that isfun, interesting. readable and true to the cause. Thecausebeing our shared love of Ireland and All ThingsIrish! Any ideas from you on what else we should cover would be appreciated
As we move ahead; we will keep offering a fantastic value to our subscribers. Right now we are offering our readersa $5. per year discount on our one year subscription
St. Patrick?sDay in Ireland
March 11-17
Experience the best of Ireland as the explosive sound of bodhrán, fiddles, uilleann pipes, guitar and dancing feet roar through the theatre This treat for the whole family features multi- instrumentalistsfrom the Kerry Traditional Band, aswell assingersand dancers in an unforgettable Irish night? Be ready to leave the theatre with a jig in your step!
In the true spirit of Ireland you can Sing Your Heart out with the band on some great Irish songsincluding: The WildRover, Ireland?sCall, RaglanRoad, Leavingof Limerick andBlack Velvet Band.
The presenter of this amazing Irish extravaganza is Kerry Irish Productions. It isan Irish-owned production company based in Los Angeles, founded by Irish native
Margaret O?Carroll. The company isdedicated to promoting Irish culture through music, song, dance, and storytelling, and iswell-known for itsnational toursand PBSspecials, including AnIrishChristmasand CelticWings.
St. Patrick'sDay In Ireland:
The 2026 California Tour featuresa seriesof shows acrossGolden State!
Delighted audience experience a treat for the whole family that features world champion Irish dancers, the Kerry Irish Traditional Band and a company of talented Irish Singers!
Daily Lunch Specials Click
Kerry Traditional Band Members(2026)
The Kerry Traditional Band provides the live, explosive score for the production showcasing traditional instruments like the uilleann pipes, fiddles, bodhrán, and guitar
For the 2026 tour, the band isled by:
Jesse Langen: Guitar and flutes (Band Leader)
Evelyn Thom: Fiddle
Steve Morrow: Bodhrán and vocals
The ensemble isoften joined by the Kerry Voice Squad, a trio of vocalists(including Koral Aakre) who perform traditional balladssuch as"Danny Boy" and "The Wild Rover "
Principal Irish Dancers(2026)
The 2026 tour featureshigh-profile principal dancerswith backgroundsin major productionslike Riverdance and Lord of the Dance:
Ryan McCaffrey: A former Riverdance principal dancer known as"The Legend," who is a featured headliner for the March 2026 concerts.
Connor Reider: A veteran principal dancer for Kerry Irish Productionswho hasalso performed with The Chieftainsand Celtic Fyre
The production also frequently collaborateswith local schools for guest appearances, such asthe Kennelly School of Irish Dance and the Celtic Irish Dance Academy (directed by Maeve Croke)
" St. Patr ick?s Day in Ir eland deliver s a night of r ip- r oar ing m usic, song and dance!?
March 11, 7:30pm
HarrisCenter for the Arts
10 College Parkway, Folsom CA 95640
Box Office: 916 608-6888
March 13, at 7:30pm
Vacaville Performing ArtsTheatre
1010 Ulatis Drive, Vacaville CA 95687
Box Office: 707.469.4013
March 14 at 7:30pm Fox Theatre Visalia. CA
March 15 at 2:00pm
Clark Center for the Performing Arts
487 Fair Oaks Avenue, Arroyo Grand, CA
Box Office: 805.489.9444
March 16 at 7:30pm
Veterans Memorial Clovis/Fresno
March 17 at 7:30pm Lobero Theatre
33 ECanon Perdido St
Box Office: 805 963-0761
Santa Barbara, CA
Banner year for the Ir ish at the Golden Globes!
Thispast Sunday, January 11, 2026, the 83rd Annual Golden Globe Awardsfelt almost like a homecoming for Irish talent, dominated by the successof the film Hamnet.
Here are the highlightsof the Irish winsand nominations:
The Big Winner: Jessie Buckley
The standout moment of the night was Jessie Buckley winning Best Actressin a Motion Picture ? Drama for her role as AgnesHathaway in Hamnet
Buckley, a Killarney native, gave a charming and emotional speech where she joked about the "extraordinary" feeling of the win. She also shared a sweet moment praising her fellow nominees, including calling Julia Robertsa "hero to us all." She wore a stunning Dior gown designed by fellow Irishman Jonathan Anderson (creative director of Loewe).
Hamnet?sMajor Sweep
The film, which isbased on Maggie O'Farrell's novel and directed by Chloé Zhao, was the night'sbig drama winner. During her heartfelt acceptance speech, Buckley highlighted the international nature of the production, specifically mentioning the "lot of Irish" crew memberswho helped bring the 16th-century story to life.
Paul Mescal
While he didn't take home an individual trophy thistime, he was nominated for Best Supporting Actor for hisperformance asWilliam Shakespeare in the film. He was seen celebrating enthusiastically with Buckley and the rest of the cast.
GOLDEN GLOBESContinued
One of the most significant Irish winsat the 2026 Golden Globesbelonged to Jonathan RhysMeyers who wasvoted Best Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television for his portrayal of Elvis Presley in the CBSminiseries Elvis. During his acceptance speech, the Cork-born actor thanked the Hollywood Foreign Pressand his family back in Ireland.
Irish GGWinner: Jonathan Rhys Meyers
Irish Nominees
Several other Irish actorsreceived high-profile nominationsfor their work that year included:
Cillian Murphy: Nominated for Best Actor in a Motion Picture ? Musical or Comedy for his performance as Patrick/Patricia "Kitten" Braden in Breakfast on Pluto. The award went to Joaquin Phoenix for Walk the Line)
Pierce Brosnan
Nominated for Best Actor in a Motion Picture ? Musical or Comedy for his role in The Matador.
Belfast born Kenneth Branagh
Nominated for Best Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television (competing in the same category asRhysMeyers) for his role asFranklin D. Roosevelt in Warm Springs
Adolescence:
Thislimited series, which features a strong Irish creative presence, was a big winner in the television categories, further cementing the "Irish Wave" acrossboth big and small The "Irish Wave" in Hollywood is no longer just a trend? it?s a full-blown takeover. This surge of talent has reached a fever pitch in early 2026, driven by a tight-knit community of actorsand filmmakerswho are dominating the global awardscircuit
With the Academy Award nominationsset to be announced on January 22, 2026, the "Green Wave" isexpected to result in a historic number of nominationsfor Irish talent
"Irish Wave" Continued
In our February issue, we will continue the Irish Film and personalitiestheme with a section on the Oscars, (assuming we are correct in our assumption that it will be a good year for us!)
Peaky Blinders
Over the past year, we followed the production of the sequel to the Netflix seriesPeaky Blinders film; The Immortal Man starring Cillian Murphy. Irish Talent in the Cast
Beyond Cillian Murphy, the film featuresa significant amount of Irish talent, both returning and new:. Barry Keoghan isthe biggest new addition to the cast, the Dublin-born star of Saltburn and The Banshees of Inisherin. While his specific role isstill being kept under wraps, first-look images show him in the classic "Peaky" attire.
Netflix is handling the distribution, and they have opted for a hybrid release strategy The film will have a limited run in select theatersstarting March 6, 2026 This allows fansto see the scale of the war-torn Birmingham on the big screen.
Streaming Release: It will premiere globally on Netflix on March 20, 2026.
Cillian Murphy and Barry Keoghan
You can find the Irish Stew podcast on all major streaming platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and YouTube. It is also hosted on their website: irishstewpodcast.com
The show ishosted by two Irish-Americans based in New York:
John Lee: A communicationsand PR professional who isdeeply involved in the Irish-American community, having served asthe president of the Irish BusinessOrganization of New York
Martin Nutty: Originally from Dublin, Martin moved to the U.S. on an athletic scholarship. He now worksin the financial technology sector and bringsthe perspective of an Irish-born immigrant
The podcast issubtitled "Conversation for the Global Irish Nation " It focuses on the "Irish Edge"? the unique qualities, resilience, and creativity of the Irish diaspora and those at home.
Ireland and the United States Existing in the Age of " uncertain stability"
Re-Shaping the Alliance
By theIrishArtsEditorial Board
The relationship between the Republic of Ireland and the United States is currently in a state of "uncertain stability." While the deep-seated cultural and political ties remain, the economic landscape hasbecome significantly more complex due to new trade policies since the Trump administration.
Tariffsand Trade Resolution
There is no total resolution yet, but a partial ceiling has been established. Following Executive Orders in early 2025, a baseline tariff of 10%was applied to most global importsinto the US Then the EU-USDeal was made in mid-2025, the EU and the USreached an agreement that capped tariffson most EU goods(including Irish products) at 15%
At that time and crucially for Ireland, pharmaceutical products? the backbone of Irish exports were mostly exempted from these additional tariffs, provided they meet certain criteria. However, there isongoing pressure from the USadministration for pharma companiesto "reshore" manufacturing to American soil
Irish Whiskey Sales
Whiskey salesto the USremain under pressure Exportsto the USfell by roughly 3 5% over the last year While the global market for Irish whiskey isstill growing (especially in India and Japan), the US? itslargest market? is softening.
The "Tariff Border": A unique issue hasemerged where whiskey from the Republic of Ireland faces a 15%tariff (under the EU deal), while whiskey from Northern Ireland (like Bushmills) faces a 10%tariff (under the UK-USdeal)
Price Hikes: Analystsestimate these tariffscould add $6 to $10 to the price of a bottle on USshelves, leading the Irish Whiskey Association to warn that some distillersmay pivot their focus away from the UStoward easier markets.
Visas and Travel
While Ireland isnot on the list of "high-risk" countries subject to full travel bans, the sector hasseen indirect impacts:
Increased Scrutiny: The administration hasintensified vetting for all legal immigration categories. This hasled to reportsof delays in processing employment visasand family reunifications.
Business Travel is also down
Most Irish business travelers still utilize the Visa Waiver Program (ESTA), which remains functional. However, the ending of "de minimis" exemptionsfor small shipmentshas complicated logisticsfor smaller Irish businesses selling directly to USconsumers.
Overall Relationship: Working Well or Unresolved?
The relationship isbest described as pragmatic but strained
ThePositiveSide:
Ireland remains the only country with a standing annual meeting with the USPresident every March (St Patrick?s Day), and USmultinationals still view Ireland astheir primary gateway to the European market
The Unresolved:
The primary "friction point" isthe USadministration's stance on trade deficitsand corporate tax There isa fundamental disagreement between the USpush for protectionism and Ireland?s reliance on being an open, export-led economy
Ireland is under a lot of pressure at thispoint in time. The EU also dictatesa lot of policy that hinders the ability and freedom for the Irish to negotiate in their own best interest.
Sou th er n Cali f or n i a M i dw i f e H on or ed by Roy al College of Su r geon s i n I r elan d
DUBLIN ? Sally McNally, widely regarded as Southern California?sbeloved Irish midwife, wasformally conferred asa Fellow of the Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (FFNMRCSI) on December 8, in recognition of her commitment to lifelong learning, professional excellence, and research in nursing and midwifery, that advancesclinical practice and health systemsimprovement.
The RCSI wasfounded by a charter granted by King George III in 1784, and today isacknowledged asan innovative world-leading international health sciences university and research institution The RCSI Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery wasfounded by Mary FrancesCrowley and colleaguesin 1974. Miss Crowley served asfirst Dean of the Faculty, which hasbecome a leading force in nursing/midwifery education, research, leadership and professional standards, celebrating its50th anniversary in 2024
Unique perhaps, in the context of the prevailing socio-political background of 1974, wasCrowley?s vision that the Faculty embrace the entire island of Ireland, with two founding members being from the Joint Nursing and Midwives Council of Northern Ireland.
The conferral ceremony took place at RCSI?shistoric Dublin campusand wasfollowed by a Christmas reception held in the boardroomsof the RCSI historic building The venue?s rich history wason full display, including many preserved bullet holesfrom the Easter Rising? an artifact not lost on McNally?shusband, John McNally, an avid history enthusiast
The RCSI building wasa pivotal location during the 1916 Rising, when Irish Volunteers including Constance Markievicz, occupied the college building which became the scene of fierce exchangeswith British forcespositioned in the Shelbourne Hotel across St Stephen?s Green A statue of Markievicz the RCSI hallway commemoratesthat chapter of Irish history? made all the more vivid by the reminder that the treesin the Green were far shorter a century ago, offering little cover during the fighting
The Fellowship of the Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery RCSI (FFNMRCSI) isone of the most prestigious professional qualificationsawarded to nurses, and the honor placesMcNally among an esteemed group of Fellows recognized for their lasting contributions to healthcare and education.
SALLY McNALLY:
"The honor places McNally among an esteemed group of Fellows recognized for their lasting contributions to healthcare and education"
Irish Folk Band, ISHNA, Has Released Their First Album
'SLI AMACH?: Way Out
?Slí Amach: Way Out?isthe debut album of Boston-based Ishna, a contemporary Irish folk band. Ishna explorestraditional repertoire within the context of a global setting, bringing the band members?diverse backgrounds into each of their carefully crafted arrangements.
The album startswith a darkly humorous tale of a murderouswife, continuing on through exhilarating instrumentals, heart-tugging ballads, and rousing rebel songs, before finally leaving the listener in the familiar setting of an Irish pub ?Slí Amach?isenergetic and uplifting, weaving Ishna?sunexpected twistsinto the beloved music of Ireland.
Ishna was founded in Dublin Ireland by husband-and-wife team Ciaran Nagle and Tara Novak. After moving to Boston in 2012, they put this group of musicians together in 2015. Oddly enough, they met all of the playersseparately, and none of them through playing Irish music (jazz, musical theater, classical, and Italian folk music)!
Over the past decade, the group has evolved, honing in specifically on the acoustic traditional music of Ireland, while finding waysto allow each band member to bring their unique musical vocabulary into the overall sound
?Slí Amach?wasrecorded June 29 -July 2, 2025, at Cold Comfort Farm - an 18 th Century barn in Peterborough NH, which is a small town in the rural Monadnock region It wasrecorded, mixed, and mastered by Robert L Smith at Defy Recordings, an Oscar-and-Grammy-award-winning producer and personal friend of Ciaran and Tara Robert brought all of the studio equipment up from NYC, the cameras were donated by Ben Davisat Studio Lab in Derry NH, and the band were housed by another friend in a 1700s farmhouse in Jaffrey NH. Ishna spent the week not only making music, but also hiking, cooking elaborate meals, comparing specialty cocktail recipes, staying up late around the fire pit, and enjoying thisuniquely immersive recording experience. The result is an album that isinfused with the camaraderie of the musicians: an album that invites the listener to step into the fold of this community and to experience Irish music in a new way
For more information go to: https://ishnamusic.com
Ishna is made up of 6 members, all of whom hail originally from different partsof world:
- Ciarán Nagle: vocals, spoons (Dublin Ireland)
- Tara Novak: fiddle, vocals (Omaha NE)
- Dan Meyers: Irish whistle, flute, uilleann pipes, and bodhrán (Spokane WA)
- David McGrory: piano, accordion, viola (Belfast Northern Ireland)
- Björn Wenn?s: guitar, chitarra battente (Uppsala Sweden)
- Brian O?Neill: bodhrán, cajón, riq, additional percussion (Phoenix AZ)
"Slí Amach" (the way out/exit) in Irish and ispronounced roughly as, shlee a-mokh
The Adventur es Retur n Hom e In Tr ium phant Belfast Em pir e Show
By Paul Watter s
There was a chill and rain in the air asBelfast queued patiently for one of the city?smost cherished bands ? The Adventures. The crowd gathered in anticipation to see their childhood heroes, a band whose roots stretch back to 1984 and whose core members remain Terry Sharpe, Pat Gribben, and Eileen Gribben.
Over four decades, The Adventures have built a legacy that extendsfar beyond their Belfast origins, earning a place on the world stage ? a stage they continue to call home. Their annual return to the iconic Belfast Empire has become a tradition, bringing together fans, family, and friendsto celebrate the start of a new year
The band arrived armed with new material from their latest album, Once More With Feeling, released more than thirty yearsafter their early success. It isa record rich in elegance, emotion, and passion ? a confident reminder of the band?s enduring creative strength
Asthe lightswent down, the Empire erupted. The Adventuresopened with I Feel the Raindrops from their 1985 debut album Theodore and Friends, instantly confirming that thiswould be a night of warmth,
nostalgia, and musical excellence.
Frontman Terry Sharpe commanded the stage with the energy and charisma that have long earned him comparisons to a Belfast-born Bruce Springsteen Pat Gribben?selectric, pulsating guitar lines drove the sound forward, while Eileen Gribben brought charm, confidence, and vocal power that completed the band?s unmistakable chemistry
The audience was firmly in the band?shands, dancing and singing along with the genius Conor McHigh on keyboardslegendary Nicky Scott on bass guitar Iggy Ward?saccomplished guitar work and Mark Toman?s solid, heartbeat rhythm carried the performance
The night reached a high point with the band?s biggest hit, BrokenLand, a song that continuesto receive worldwide radio airplay from their 1988 album The Sea of Love.
Sharing warmth, gratitude, and genuine respect for their audience, The Adventures delivered a performance that reaffirmed their place in Belfast?smusical heart ? a night that will not be forgotten anytime soon.
Pict ured here are, Eileen Gribben, Terry Sharpe and Pat Gribben
TheView FromIreland All Hail Uber
By Maurice Fitzpatrick
On the evening of December 9th, I was due to land in Dublin Airport and braced myself for the worst in my bid to get into town. Taxi driversunder the aegisof the National Transport Authority, the statutory regulatory body of the taxi industry, had planned to stage a strike at the airport that would have disrupted traffic flow considerably. In the event, the strike waspostponed in favour of talks with government ? but a storm that hit Ireland prevented my flight, and hundredsof others, from taking off, rendering my worries misplaced
The taxi drivers?strike isfar from over, but they were sufficiently placated by the prospect of talks to pull back from paralysing the key points of the Irish capital ? the airport, government buildings? asthreatened in the strike manifesto. They want the government to prohibit Uber from flooding the market and undercutting them Dublin?staxi drivers, like their counterpartsin most places, work hard during unsociable hours, sometimes putting themselvesat risk, for their pay They are entitled to protect their jobsand to take industrial action
Aswith many great ideas, Uber seems so obviousan initiative that it is surprising it only emerged 15 years ago. In cities replete with driving vehicles, Uber isby turnsa method of ridesharing and a means of allowing driversto take on casual work whenever it suitsthem While there are a few hoopsto jump through, in many countries, a suitable vehicle, a smart phone and maybe some additional liability coverage are sufficient to become an Uber driver. In Ireland, a Dublin Airport rank permit alone costsabout $400 per year You can see why a Dublin taxi driver might take umbrage at the prospect of Uber driverspulling up alongside them for
nothing and subsequently undercutting them (having less overheadsto service)
The disputescan be vicious. National and regional governmentsare often dragged in to adjudicate, sometimes with contradictory and confusing results For example, it ispossible to take an Uber from northwest Portugal across the border into Spain; it is impossible to return the same way Uber?s operation in Galicia islegally contested in the north-westernmost region of Spain, Galicia
On the evening of December 9th, I was due to land in Dublin Airport and braced myself for the worst in my bid to get into town Taxi driversunder the aegis of the National Transport Authority, the statutory regulatory body of the taxi industry, had planned to stage a strike at the airport that would have disrupted traffic flow considerably In the event, the strike waspostponed in favour of talks with government ? but a storm that hit Ireland prevented my flight, and hundredsof others, from taking off, rendering my worriesmisplaced
The taxi drivers?strike is far from over, but they were sufficiently placated by the prospect of talks to pull back from paralysing the key points of the Irish capital ? the airport, government buildings? as threatened in the strike manifesto They want the government to prohibit Uber from flooding the market and undercutting them Dublin?staxi drivers, like their counterpartsin most places, work hard during unsociable hours, sometimes putting themselves at risk, for their pay. They are entitled to protect their jobsand to take industrial action As with many great ideas, Uber seems so obviousan initiative that it is surprising it only emerged 15 years ago
Our regular cont ribut or, Maurice Fit zpat rick is an Irish w rit er and film m aker w ho w as educat ed at Trinit y College Dublin.
Fit zpat rick aut hored t he book, John Hume in America: From Derry to DC and w rot e, direct ed, and produced t he docum ent ary film , John Hume in America. CLICK t o buy or m ore INFO
In cities replete with driving vehicles, Uber isby turns a method of ridesharing and a means of allowing driversto take on casual work whenever it suitsthem While there are a few hoopsto jump through, in many countries, a suitable vehicle, a smart phone and maybe some additional liability coverage are sufficient to become an Uber driver. In Ireland, a Dublin Airport rank permit alone costs about $400 per year. You can see why a Dublin taxi driver might take umbrage at the prospect of Uber driverspulling up alongside them for nothing and subsequently undercutting them (having less overheadsto service).
View Continuedfrompage15
The disputescan be vicious National and regional governmentsare often dragged in to adjudicate, sometimeswith contradictory and confusing results. For example, it ispossible to take an Uber from northwest Portugal across the border into Spain; it isimpossible to return the same way. Uber?s operation in Galicia islegally contested in the north-westernmost region of Spain, Galicia.
This isall very cruel on working people who want to earn their living by driving taxis, but so are most huge transitions. The transference from a strictly regulated industry to a casualised gig economy and then to roboticsisa parable of the post-industrial age we are living through. The zeal to resist the change from the first to the second phase risks losing sight of the third stage and deepening the shock when its finality hits. We can sympathise with Uber eatsor Deliveroo deliverers asthey wade through our cities on dark, wet winter evenings. Their livelihoodscould hardly be more vulnerable: in many territoriesthose companiesexit when employee statusismandated. Yet the future iseven more threatening to those members of the gig economy whose jobs will be swallowed up by robotsand drones. It hashappened before ? as they say, every ATM is the ghost of a bank teller ? but it is accelerating exponentially now.
So, what to do?In recognition that one of the hardest waysto earn a living isthrough the arts, the Irish government launched what it called Basic Income for the Arts, a small pilot scheme, in 2022. It guaranteed about 2,000 artistsa basic income for three years. Yet there wasmore to it. The government regularly surveysparticipants, and the resultsof the pilot were analysed by social scientistsacross several countries. The pilot scheme isabout to conclude, but because it proved a success? for artists, for productivity, and for the state ? it will be
2
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TheGreenIslandvs. TheEU'sRedTape:
Why Rural Ireland is at a Breaking Point
The tranquility of Ireland has been shattered and replaced by waves of protesters! Throughout all of last year and already carried into the new year; the Irish are upset and protesting!
It started in cities in recent yearsover mostly the housing and immigration problemsand now Farmers and rural countiesand villagesare joining them against the Coalition Government!
Now the farmer protestsin Ireland have reached a boiling point in the past two weeksdriven by a deep-seated feeling among them and the rural population that their way of life is being traded away for EU industrial interests.
The long ssimmering discontent is over an EU and South American trade deal called MERCOSUR
So what is MERCOSUR?
MERCOSUR (officially the Southern Common Market) isa South American trade bloc consisting of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay
The EU-MERCOSUR trade deal isa massive free-trade agreement that hasbeen in negotiation for over 25 years
The plan isto create one of the world's largest free-trade zonesby removing tariffs on goods. The EU wants easier access to South American marketsfor itscars, machinery, and pharmaceuticals In exchange for accessto those markets, the EU would allow significantly more South American agricultural products? specifically 99,000 tonnes of beef? into Europe at much lower tariff rates
Why are Irish FarmersProtesting?
Irish farmers, supported by hauliersand rural business owners, view the MERCOSUR deal as an existential threat. Their grievancescenter on three main points:
Unfair Competition: South American beef ischeaper because those countriesdon't have the same strict labor, environmental, or animal welfare regulations asIreland Farmersargue they cannot compete with a "flood" of cheap importswhile they are being forced to meet higher EU standards
Environmental Hypocrisy: Farmerspoint out that the EU is asking them to cut herd sizes and rewet land to save the planet, while simultaneously signing a deal that
encouragesbeef production in countrieslinked to Amazonian deforestation
The "German Cars" Trade-off: A popular slogan at recent protestsin Athlone and Dublin hasbeen "Don't sacrifice family farms for German cars."
There isa strong perception that the EU (led by industrial powerslike Germany) iswilling to destroy the Irish beef industry to help sell Volkswagens and BMWsin South America
The political landscape in Ireland hasshifted dramatically in just the last two weeks!
Support for the farmers is becoming very high in small townsand rural areas, where the local economy dependson the "multiplier effect" of agricultural income. Groupslike the Irish Road Haulage Association have officially joined the protests, framing the issue asa fight for "Rural Ireland" against "Brussels Elites."
The Government?sStance:
For a long time, the Irish government "dithered," trying to balance itsrole as a "good European" with domestic pressure However, in a major turning point on January 9, 2026, the Irish government officially confirmed it would vote against the MERCOSUR deal
The "Side" They Chose: Despite pressure from the European Commission, the Irish government has? at least for now? sided with the farmers This ispartly due to the massive scale of the tractor protests and the looming threat of upcoming elections, where "Independent Ireland" and other rural-focused partiesare gaining ground
While Ireland and France are leading the opposition, the EU Commission isstill pushing for the deal'sratification. The battle has moved to the European Parliament which isgoing to vote on the Trade Deal on January 20th.
Ireland'sChef Paul'sWattersPresents:
Her bed Chicken filet with tender stem br occoli aspar agus kale and a m atcha cr eam sauce
Ser ves 2
You will need
HerbedChicken
2 free-rangechickenbreastsor fillets
1 tbsprapeseedor oliveoil
1 tbspunsaltedbutter
1 tspfreshthyme, finely chopped
1 tspfreshrosemary, finely chopped
1 small garlicclove, crushed
Zest of ½lemon
Sea salt andfreshly crackedblack pepper
The
Greens
2 handfulscurly kale, stems removed
6?8 tenderstem broccoli
6?8 asparagusspears
Small knob of butter or drizzle of olive oil
ABOUTCHEFPAUL
Chef Paul Wattersis an international chef from Belfast, Northern Ireland, with nearly 30 years of experience in the culinary industry.
Hiscareer began at 17, and after formal training, he worked in several prestigious kitchens around the world, including The Savoy Hotel in London and the Sydney Opera House in Australia
After traveling and gaining extensive international experience, Wattershasreturned to his hometown of Belfast He is focused on making cooking accessible to home cooks by sharing his expertise
FoodColumn&OnlineWork
Food Column: In addition to his regular feature in thispublication, he writesa regular food column called "PLATINGUP" for Belfast Media belfastmedia.com
The column's goal is to "take the fear out of cooking" by providing easy-to-follow, accessible recipesfor home cooks
Online Presence: Asyou noted, he is active on Facebook, where he runsa page and blog called "Simple, Tasty, Healthy by PW . " Through this platform, he shares recipes, tips, and inspiration, often focusing on using local Northern Irish ingredientsand helping people cook delicious meals on a budget
Remove chicken from the fridge 10 minutes before cooking.
Season generously with salt, pepper, thyme, rosemary, garlic, and lemon zest.
Heat oil and butter in a pan over medium heat
Sear chicken for 4?5 minutesper side until golden and cooked through (or 68?70°Cinternal)
Rest the chicken under foil while you finish the sauce
Cook the Greens
Bring a pan of salted water to the boil
Blanch tenderstem broccoli and asparagusfor 2?3 minutes, then add kale for the final 30 seconds
Drain and toss with butter or olive oil. Season lightly.
Tip: For extra depth, finish the greens in the chicken pan with a splash of stock
Matcha Cream Sauce
In a small saucepan, gently heat the stock and cream
Whisk matcha powder with a tablespoon of warm liquid first to remove lumps, then add to the pan.
Stir in Dijon, honey (if using), and simmer gently for 3?4 minutes until lightly thickened
Finish with lemon juice and adjust seasoning.
The sauce should be pale green, silky, and subtle ? matcha should whisper, not shout
To Serve
Slice the rested chicken.
Spoon matcha cream sauce around the plate
Arrange kale, tenderstem broccoli, and asparagus in the centre of the plate
Finish with chicken, on top of the Greensa drizzle of olive oil a pinch of fresh herbs or cracked pepper.
TheIrishLiteraryShowcase LastofFourParts
Guising for Soul Cakes ---
By GregPatrick
"Shadows of a thousand years rise again unseen, Voiceswhisper in the trees, Tonight isHalloween!"
---Dexter Kozen
"Every partinggivesa foretasteof death, every reuniona hint of theresurrection."
---Arthur Schopenhauer.
Part 4
Ireland
Dark Ages
Meanwhile Amergrin landed painfully after sensation of falling "Where am I?"
Amergrin rose swaying staggering the night felt colder. He could see the stars
Amergin blinked. He knew where he was then among warriors marching on the hillfort The chieftain set his crazed eyeson the rival chief'spregnant daughter
"Bring me her head!" the rogue chieftain commanded. Amergrin held them at bay "Hold!"
Amergrin wasimmediately encircled by ranksof warriorsbearing Ornate bronze oblong shieldsscrawled with swirling spiral patterns. The moonbeamsgleamed off varnished bronze helms and brandished swordsand spears Their faces were streaked with blue warpaint.
"You'll ever be unsung I'll mount your head on a pike and parade it traitor!" The chieftain growled Their bladessparked at the ferocity of the clash, trading two-handed sword strokes. The clash of swords resounded echoing in the confinesof the hillfort warriorscheered the chieftain on
Amergrin slid into fighting stance baring his teeth in a battle cry
He evaded two spear casts parrying one mid-flight. The second spear struck a shield the shaft quivering from impact. The duel reached a crescendo Asif anticipating the climax of a sacrificial ritual the warriors quickened the drumming tempo of the swordsbeating their shields. Amergrin clenched and bared histeeth ashe glared into the eyesof the the chieftain over locked bladesbefore he waselbowed back and lost ground before the superior swordsmanship of his adversary. Their shadowswere cast gigantically and the clang of swordsechoed in the confinesof the the hillfort
Meanwhile the princessurged the cornered people of the hillfort to abandon the possessionsand furtively guided them to escape through a postern gate. Asthe last of them fled into the night under the cover of darkness and mist to the sanctuary of the forest, her hair was grabbed from behind and she was dragged back
About the Author
A dual citizen of Ireland and the US, Greg Patrick isan Irish/Armenian traveler, poet and writer
Greg Patrick, pictured here with an Australian friend
He now writes and travels. His writing has appeared in several international publications including Celtic Nations Magazine, Lothlorien Press, Irish Arts and Entertainment, and Cannery Row Press
Heritage-wise, Patrick isthe son of a Navy man and a son of the Traveling People. His work experiencesare also quite interesting; he isa former Humanitarian aid worker who hasseen and helped in famine and war. In hisearlier life in Ireland, he worked with great horses for many years For inspiration, he dwellsin and loves the wildsof Connemara and Galway especially in the rain where he has written many stories Greg spent his youth in the South Pacific and Europe. He currently resides in Galway, Krakow, and sometimes the states
"If we blame her death and ravishment on the enemy chief who would be the wiser?" a warrior smiled leaning for her with breath reeking of stale mead The chieftain saw and called Amergrin'sattention to it mockingly, pointing with his sword before turning to look back at his adversary His perspective changed strangely He felt a sharp pain and heard a sickening chop The severed head of the chieftain rolled leaving a trail of blood a final expression of shock Amergrin struck with grim finality impaling hisenemy to the hilt through historso before drawing out the red blade and gripping his sword He swung the great sword in a gory arc beheading his rival Amergrin suddenly appeared to tower gigantically above him He meant to raise his sword but couldn't raise hisarms nor feel them He blinked in bewilderment
The brandished blade seemed ignited by the moon in spectral fury asAmergrin severed the renegade chieftain's head and raised it by his locks
Amergrin raised a boar spear, and hiscast wasso powerful it could have felled a wild boar Instead, it impaled a man as he dropped his hauberk reaching for the princess
The warrior looked in shock at the spear shaft skewering him and lifted his handsto the shaft to draw it out before he shuddered spasmodically and fell to hiskneesand
toppled over Her other assailant tried to use her asa shield and raise a blade to her throat only to fall back with a javelin jutting out of hisnaval cavity
Amergrin raised the Chieftain's severed head
"It'sover," another warrior said There wasthe clang of shields, spears, and shields asthe warriorsyielded. The severed head of the chieftain still was consciousasa raven perched in front landed in front of the head with a flourish of dark wings It cocked itshead curiously before waddling closer. Suddenly it gouged at the eyesand plucked it out as a delicacy before a crow appeared too to dispute the prize Other carrion birds closed in to fight over the eyesand tongue.
"Rise!" Amergrin commanded the kneeling warriors The warriorsraised their swordsin unison hailing Amergrin "Stand down! Make way!" he commanded.
The warriorsparted ranksfor the women children and elderly to pass He met Aoife'seyesthen then their lips For one who had been dead for centuries he almost forgot what it wasto be alive again.
Suddenly Amergrin looked up A portal wasopening like a midnight sun or reopened wound He heard sharp sounds "What vexes thee love?"
"I must go to my friend'said I shall return "Howling with rage the two clown masked shootersfollowed Michael outside and into heavy rain. Thunder grumbled almost shaking the school to itsfoundations and jagged streaksof lighting blazed
"A storm?I don't remember a storm that night..." Michael thought.
Rain fell in a shockingly cold torrent Lightning lit everything in an eerie spectral glow, blindingly. Another presence appeared clad in his armour. Amergrin was terrible to behold.
He raised his sword in salute to Michael before his sword shimmered an eerie glow as his swung it in a shimmering arc beheading the first shooter. The clown masked head splashed into the rain forming a spreading red puddle followed by the decapitated corpse. Meanwhile Toby broke free and pointed his gun at Michael?sforehead.
?Hold!?a baritoned voice demanded.
Asif he wasbringing down a boar in the ancient oak forests of old Ireland Amergrin widened his stance and drew back the iron-forged boar spear. The blade caught the moonlight asif ignited in spectral flame. The spear cast struck through historso pinning him to the wall the shaft shuddering from impact. The clown masked shooter wassilent asa mime then shuddered spasmodically before his corpse went limp.
Amergrin strode over the body and grasped Toby pulling him into the portal Lightning flashed again and the portal glowed intensely and disappeared.
Sorcha ran outside to Michael, and they kissed passionately in the rain before dancing against itssilvery background till he laughed and escorted back inside
Meanwhile Toby landed with a grunt after sensation of falling "Where am I?" He then rose swaying staggering the night felt colder He could see the stars
Amergrin returned astride a horse leading Toby by a rope noosed to his neck Toby shuffled behind asthe horse approached a distant bonfire Robed and hooded figures awaited them chanting and singing; their sacrificial daggers and sicklessmoldered red in the firelight
Amergrin dismounted and pulled Toby along as he struggled futilely as he wassplayed on a slab of stone
"So, you primitive savagesare just going to sacrifice me?" Toby demanded
"Sacrifice?You?No Thisis a criminal execution," Amergrin replied
He wasritually mutilated before being bound and dragged
Hisold pig mask wasput back over his head and for once it did not make him feel powerful He wasprodded along by spearsalong with a herd of pigsand goatstowards a looming wicker giant looming in the darkness
A Druidesspointed an overgrown finger hooked like a raven?stalon at Toby and said ?Bring him hither!?She caressed his face with the ?claw?pricking my cheek with it A trickle of blood began
Druidessesheavily tattooed by serpentine symbols danced along the torch-lined way They each lifted a torch and cast it on the wooden structure wicker giant Toby wasforced into a compartment along with the swine, abattoir was enveloped in flames
Swine squealed, and Toby screamed in tortured agony as he wasburned alive
March is t he host m ont h
t o St . Pat rick's Day!
It is also an im port ant t im e t o celebrat e t he Great Saint 's Great Day and t o honor t he am azing celebrat ions and cont ribut ions of Irish people everyw here!
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May 15th., 2025
Celt ic Art ist Loreena McKennit t Induct ed
Int o Canadian Music Hall of Fam e
In front of a live audience t hat included her friends and fam ily, Loreena w as induct ed int o t he Canadian Music Hall of Fam e during a cerem ony in Calgary, Albert a on May 15t h at t he Nat ional Music Cent re
Accom panied by long-t im e m usical com panions Brian Hughes, Caroline Lavelle and Hugh Marsh; Loreena perform ed ?The Lady of Shalot t ? at t he event ,
In 2023, she w as induct ed int o t he Songw rit ers Hall of Fam e, so she is now one of only a few select art ist s t o be induct ed int o m ult iple halls of fam e!
t ish Fest Was A Sensat ion at t he OCFairgrounds & Event s Cent er Over Memorial Day Weekend. May 24 & 25
KNEECAP
2025 Year In Review
The Irish rap band Kneecap drew a full-capacity crowd at Glastonbury 2025, where they opened with a video addressing media scrutiny. They also delivered a landmark performance on the Main Stage at Electric Picnic. The trio also released a new single titled "Say?nara," a collaboration with Orbital?sPaul Hartnoll, and they just confirmed that a second album is in the works following the successof Fine Art.
Legal & Political Battles:
Much of the year was defined by a legal case against member Mo Chara (Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh) regarding a "terror-related charge" following the display of a flag at a 2024 concert In September 2025, the court ruled that the chargescould not proceed, effectively throwing out
On the right, L to R: Mo Chara, Móglaí
Bap and DJ
Próvaí
The Irish language, or Gaeilge, has been making headlinesover the past two years thanksin no small part to the film KNEECAP
The film isa semi-biographical comedy-drama about a rowdy Irish rap trio who have become the modern face of a growing movement to revive and support their native tongue which is deeply connected to their identity and culture
the case. The case was appealed just thisweek so we will keep our readers informed. Aswe reported last year because of the to the court case, the band was forced to cancel their sold-out 15-date UStour in October 2025 They also faced bansfrom entering Hungary and Canada during the summer and autumn months
2026 USTour Schedule
As of late 2025, Kneecap has not yet released any UStour datesfor 2026
While they promised fansan "even bigger tour" once their legal case wasresolved (which it was in September 2025), their current confirmed 2026 schedule is focused on Japan and Europe.
June of 2025 Was An Excit ing
Mont h for TRAD MUSIC, CELTIC
ROCK & IRISH DANCE FANS
SINA
ABOVE Sally McNally in Dublin as she receivers her degree from t e venerable RCS, See feat ure on page 11 LEFT At THE HARP INN, A New Line of
Irish Art s & Ent ert ainm ent cont ribut or and w rit er, John McNally and Cait lín Higgins Ní Chinnéide, t he new ly appoint ed Consul General of Ireland t o t he Sout hw est ern US
Thom MacNam ara and Ken O'Malley at t he Christ m as Part y host ed by t he Irish Consulat e in Los Angeles, Decem ber, 2025
A Revisit t o t he Irish Spot light at t he New port Beach Film Fest
Oct ober 19, 2025
The Irish Spotlight that night was a major highlight of the festival, featuring several North American premieres Here are three of the standout filmsfrom that specific evening Interestingly, the films shown have gone on to win other awards and lookslike to be a component of ongoing Irish Wave surging ahead into 2026. The Irish Wave was already in full force last year!
Báite (Irish for "Drowned")
Thiswas a major highlight of the night, winning the Jury Award for Best Irish Feature Directed by Ruán Magan, it isa gripping Irish-language murder mystery The story followsPeggy Casey, a pub owner whose life isthrown into turmoil when a body isdiscovered in a nearby lake, bringing a Dublin detective to her small community and unearthing long-buried family secrets.
Christy
A deeply emotional family drama directed by Brendan Canty, Christy took home the Festival Honor for Outstanding Irish Feature Set in Cork City, it followsthe story of two estranged brotherswho grew up in the foster care system The film explorestheir attempt to reconcile and find a sense of belonging over the course of one summer, featuring an authentic look at working-classIrish life.
A Sip of Irish
For those looking for something lighter, this humorousdocumentary directed by Frank Mannion was a crowd favorite It explores Ireland's massive global footprint in the world of wine and spirits? from the
"Wine Geese" of Bordeaux to the history of Jameson and Guinness It features a star-studded lineup of appearances, including Sam Neill, Russell Crowe, and even Prince Albert II of Monaco
Every screening that night was preceded by the animated short Retirement Plan, which featured the voice of Domhnall Gleeson as a man hilariously obsessed with his future "free time."
PARTII
A Follow Up Since the Irish Spotlight
The filmsshowcased that night didn't just end their journey in California; they have become some of the most discussed Irish titlesaround the world snce then!
Báite (The Drowned)
After winning Best Irish Feature at Newport Beach, this Irish-language thriller hasbeen on a massive run
The Galway Success: It actually arrived in Newport Beach fresh off a win for Best Irish Language Feature at the 2025 Galway Film Fleadh.
IFTA 2026 Buzz
Now in early 2026, Báite iscurrently a front-runner for the 2026 IFTA (Irish Film & Television Academy) Awards. It islisted as a "For Your Consideration" title in major categories, particularly for Eleanor O?Brien?s performance as Peggy Casey and Ruán Magan?s direction
Christy
Thisfilm hasgone on to becoming the "indie darling" of the year At the Newport Beach Film Festival, it took home the Jury Award for Best Feature Narrative (a huge cross-category win) and the Festival Honor for Outstanding Irish Feature.
Beyond the US, Christy wasselected for the prestigiousLUX Audience Award 2026 by the European Parliament, which means it?scurrently touring cinemasall across Europe to be voted on by the public
Criticsare calling it the next big "working-classmasterpiece" in the vein of The Quiet Girl, and it won a Best Irish Film at the 2025 Galway Film Fleadh.
A Sip of Irish
Documentaries usually have a quieter awards life but thisone hasbecome a massive commercial success After its sold-out premiere at Newport Beach, it hasbecome a favorite at international food and film festivals
A Sip of Irish focused on the "Wine Geese" and the global history of Irish spirits which led to it being highly praised by The Mail as "poured to perfection." It?scurrently being eyed for a Best Documentary nomination at the 2026 IFTAs
Finally, a quick note on the short film which Newport audiences loved, The animated short Retirement Plan (starring Domhnall Gleeson); it also got an Outstanding Animated Short honor at Newport Beach. Since then it too hasbeen acclaimed in Europe and it isalso a strong contender for the animation categories in the upcoming awards season
Our December of 2025 was a magical Christmasissue!
We covered the Holiday Season in many ways including ChristmasMarketsin Ireland, Concerts, Eventsand Holiday shows from Coast to Coast in the US! One of the absolutebest wasthe Kerry Irish Productions' California Tour of
AN IRISH CHRISTMAS!
The talent of the cast and the stagecraft presented were spectacular!
Here isa pictorial spread from the show at the Balboa theatre in San Diego with all photos by Michael Prine
The Kerry Voice Trio
Sarah Dillon
Conor Reider & Cian Port er
On-Going Links & List ings: Every Week
Sundays st art ing @ 4:pm
Irish Music Session Tradit ional m usic / No Cover
Auld Dubliner Irish Pub . Long Beach
w w w.aulddubliner.com
EVERY MONDAY
CELTIC ARTS CENTER
Open Session, Irish Language
Classes & Socials Full Bar
CAC @ The Mayflow er Club 11110 Vict ory Blvd., Nort h Hollyw ood, CA
w w w celt icart s cent er com
Every Monday
st art s @ 7:PM Orange Count y Celt ic Jam
Players invit ed!
St . Paul's Episcopal Church 1221 Wass St ., Tust in Doors open at 6:30 pm . Music at 7:00 pm
$3 donat ion for use of t he room .
w w w facebook com / groups/ OCCelt icJam
You're invit ed. Join t he craic and get t oget her w it h a great bunch of folks and share your love of Ireland and all t hings Irish. Breakfast s are very good t oo! Breakfast at 9.30 am Kenos Rest aurant 2661 West La Palm a Anaheim More info & t o get on t he m ailing list : PETE WALSH pbeireanua@at t net 1 714-200-7365 TRIVIA FANS. w e have a few list ings for w eekly Trivia Cont est s at pubs in SoCal on page 36. We are expanding t he list ings so if your favorit e cont est is not t here, please send us t he inform at ion t o us: jim @pubguide.com Com ing t o Sant a Barbara on St Pat rick's Day!!!
FIRST TUESDAY of every month!
FRIENDS Of IRELAND
Breakfast
Saturdays@9:00pm
The Harp Inn Irish presentstop local bands
Check online! Orange County's Most Authentic Irish Pub! Weekly Live Music & SportsDaily Serving OCfor 30+ years HARP INN IRISH PUB & RESTAURANT 130 E17th St, Costa Mesa, www.harpinn.com
CRAICHAUSare back with their original genre of Shamrockabilly!!
The Back Abbey Lively gastropub offerscreative burgers& Belgian brewsin a rustic dining room or on the patio www.thebackabbey.com
The Back Abbey Upland, 1902 CampusAve. Upland. CA
Michael Kelly at MacallansPublic House CeltHickMiusic! Michael Kelly (fiddle & vocals) performs Brea, CA
CIACLA Creative Network
Saturday 24 January - 2:00pm ? 4:00pm
Thismonth'smeet up at the Auld Fella in Culver City, 9375 Culver Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232
MRNEnFQV9A
Please RSVP using this link: forms.gle/6hK9vrw
Creative Speed Networking! Thismonth?s meet-up will feature fast-paced, one-to-one networking roundsdesigned to help everyone connect You?ll rotate through short, timed conversations, a fun, relaxed way to introduce yourself, share what you do, and spark new collaborations.
The CIACLA Creative Network isan informal space to meet fellow creatives, plot and devise ideas, laugh, debate, chat, and build community all with a drink and nibbles on hand to keep the conversations flowing.
January 30 to February 22
An Irish Hook to this play! The Greenway ArtsAlliance will Present The World Premiere of THECIRCLE, a TragiComic Play, written by Stacey Martino Rivera. In THECIRCLEthree generations of Medina?s and Mahoney?s come together over one absurd weekend in Texas as Chaos ensues.
GREENWAY COURT THEATRE
544 North Fairfax Avenue (at Melrose Avenue), Hollywood, CA
greenw at court t heat re.org
--------------------------------------------
SEND LINKS & LISTINGS TO US BY 1/ 27/ 26 for t he February Calendar: irishm issive@gm ail.com
The Consulate General of Ireland and International House at the University of Chicago
invite you to their third annual St Brigid?s Day event, taking place from 12.00pm to 2.00pm on January 30 2026. Thisyear?s event is being presented in partnership with the Keough-Naughton Institute for Irish Studies at the University of Notre Dame
Irish Community members are invited to Lá Fhéile Bríde with a poetry reading and conversation with Irish poet Annemarie Ní Churreáin and University of Chicago Professor Rachel Galvin, followed by book sales and signing. A light lunch will be served during the event.
Annemarie Ní Churreáin isa poet from the Donegal Gaeltacht in north-west Ireland. Her latest book isHymn to All the Restless Girls(The Gallery Press, 2025). Ní Churreáin is a former literary fellow of Akademie Schloss Solitude (GR). Her awards include the Irish Arts Council?s Next Generation Artist Award, The Markievicz Award, The Kavanagh Fellowship and a Hawthornden Foundation (NYC) Residency Award. Asa
librettist she iscurrently working on The Curing Line, a new Straymaker opera which has been awarded The Fedora Prize Ní Churreáin isthe poetry editor at The Stinging Fly Magazine
Rachel Galvin isa poet, translator, and scholar She is Professor of English and Comparative Literature at the University of Chicago, where she isDirector of Translation Studies She isthe author of a work of criticism, News of War: Civilian Poetry 1936?1945, and three poetry collections, most recently Uterotopia, published in 2023 Her translation of Raymond Queneau?sHitting the Streetswon the Scott Moncrieff Prize for Translation and was named one of the year?s best poetry books by the Boston Globe Her co-translation of Decals: Complete Early Poetry of Oliverio Girondo wasa finalist for the National Translation Award Rachel isa founding member of the international creative translation collective called the Outranspo
This event is free t o at t end, but regist rat ion is required Please be sure t o RSVP at t he link below t o at t end t his year 's event
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World Fam ous & Guinness Record
Holders
Dave Rooney & Friends
(Half of The Black Donnelly's) are at RiRa in Las Vegas Details online:
theblackdonnellys1.bandcamp.com ht t ps:/ / rira.com / las-vegas/
T h e I r i sh H er i tage Cen ter of Gr eater
Ci n ci n n ati (I H C) was established to promote the culture, traditionsand artsof Ireland. The IHCisa culture center that has a pub, library, museum, theater and concert hall. The venue boasts lots of space and rooms to rent for weddings, parties, concerts &more. Pub night isevery Thursday beginning at 6pm.
TICKETS&INFO
The CrossroadsConcertsseriesis an acclaimed world music program hosted by the New York Irish Center. The concertsare curated by ethnomusicologist Colin Harte, the seriesfocuses on "Irish Fusion," blending traditional Irish folk music with diverse global musical traditions. The 2026 season featuressix distinct fusion concerts, all held at the New York Irish Center in Long Island City. Concert Date s~ Fusion Theme and Featured Performers
Friday, January 29, Irish & Southern Italian-Sicilian Jerry O?Sullivan, Colin Harte, David Marker
Mar 26,Irish & Sene-Gambian Salieu Suso, Ebrima Jassey, Eilidh McRae, Dylan James ALL SHOWSSTARTS@7:00PM Click here for tickets
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IRISH LANGUAGE An Ghaeilge
The View From Ireland Feat ure last year about t he Irish Language by our great friend and Irish Art s and Ent ert ainm ent colum nist Maurice Fit zpat rick really resonat ed w it h us. We use t he m ont hs of t he year in each issue but our collect ive Irish is very lim it ed.
In fact , w orking on t he folio (t he t op of each page) recent ly, I forgot t he w ord for Oct ober in Irish and had t o look it up. I found t his really int erest ing YouTube video and share t he link below.
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