In a galaxy not so far away … Ireland feels ‘The Force’

The climatic scenes in the new blockbuster movie “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” were filmed in the Skellig Islands, eight miles off the coast of Portmagee in South West Kerry. Rising majestically from the sea, Skellig Michael towers 714 feet (218 metres) above sea level. On the summit is a remarkably well- preserved sixth century monastic settlement. On the spectacular Small Skelligs, some 23,000 pairs of gannet nest on every available ledge, making it the second largest gannet colony in the world.The climatic scenes in the new blockbuster movie “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” were filmed in the Skellig Islands, eight miles off the coast of Portmagee in South West Kerry. Rising majestically from the sea, Skellig Michael towers 714 feet (218 metres) above sea level. On the summit is a remarkably well- preserved sixth century monastic settlement. On the spectacular Small Skelligs, some 23,000 pairs of gannet nest on every available ledge, making it the second largest gannet colony in the world.
An island off Ireland’s southwest coast is wowing audiences at screenings of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.” Unveiled in the film’s closing minutes, this closely guarded secret ending to Episode 7 was filmed in September 2014 on Skellig Michael Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

At Stonehill, a Holocaust lesson from an Irish citizen who was there

Tomi Reichental addresses the students.Tomi Reichental addresses the students.
Visitors came in droves Stonehill College in late October for a teaching event that explored a concept that is simple in theory, but complex in practice: forgiveness.

Tomi Reichental, a Holocaust survivor and Dublin resident, and the filmmaker Gerry Gregg talked about their experiences in making a documentary called “Close To Evil,” which details Reichental’s attempt to find and meet with former SS officer Hilde Michnia, who served as a guard at the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp where Reichental was imprisoned as a boy.

Gregg told his audience that he jumped at the chance to make the film with Reichental, as it was believed that no Holocaust survivor had ever met with an SS officer outside of a courtroom since the end of World War II.

American Ireland Fund’s gala raises $2.6m for worldwide aid

Mayor Marty Walsh; Anne Finucane, Dinner Honoree and Vice Chair of Bank of America; Governor Charlie Baker; US Senator Ed Markey. Bill Brett photoMayor Marty Walsh; Anne Finucane, Dinner Honoree and Vice Chair of Bank of America; Governor Charlie Baker; US Senator Ed Markey. Bill Brett photo
More than 1,100 guests gathered on Thurs., Nov. 12, for The American Ireland Fund’s 34th Annual Boston Dinner Gala at the Westin Boston Waterfront.

A record-breaking $2.6 million – the largest amount ever achieved at the Boston Gala -was raised for The Worldwide Ireland Funds “Promising Ireland” Campaign to support nonprofit organizations across the island of Ireland and around the world.

Listen to Haley Richardson play the fiddle, and you can almost hear the future resound

By Sean Smith
Special to the BIR

Here’s a little sampler of what New Jersey fiddler Haley Richardson has done over the past six years or so: Won Junior Fiddler of Dooney honors, plus seven Mid-Atlantic Fleadh and two All-Ireland Fleadh titles; performed on the worldwide FleadhTV webcast; was featured in Fiddler Magazine; and appeared on stage with, among others, The Chieftains, Mick Moloney, the John Whelan Band, and Paddy Keenan.

We have much to be thankful for, so think ‘Irish’ with your gift lists

By Joe Leary
Special to the BIR

December is the month of giving. Whether it is to our families under the tree, a few coins in the Salvation Army basket, or the local homeless shelter, most of us are already planning our Christmas gift list.
This column is an attempt to persuade all of its readers to consider placing Ireland on their lists this year.

‘TIS THE SEASON OF TAKING AND GIVING -Of corporate and Christmas battles

By Peter F. Stevens
BIR Staff

The issue of corporate inversion has erupted again, and again Ireland stands center stage in the controversy. The long-expected news that Pfizer Inc. will swallow Allergan Plc. in a $160-billion “merger” has drawn sharp criticism from both the political right and left – for entirely different reasons.

Hurling match draws 30,000 to Fenway Park

The event was billed as "the world's fastest field sport" in a return to Boston's Fenway Park as a team from Galway met the lads from Dublin in a "friendly" hurling match Nov. 22 on the field at Boston's own cathedral for sports.
And the game more than lived up to expectations.

Our city’s revered baseball field was transformed into a football gridiron for an American college football game between Boston College and a nationally ranked Notre Dame on Nov. 21. That Saturday night, a sold-out crowd of almost 40,000 filled Fenway for a game that ended in an unexceptedly close 19-16 win for the squad from South Bend.
The next day saw the Irish hurlers take the field for a highly competitive match in which 2015 All-Ireland finalist Galway squeezed out a 50-47 victory over the Dubliners.

A Christmas-time appreciation: Harry Clarke. an Irish stained glass master

By Judy Enright
Special to the BIR

Christmas seems like a perfect time to remind future visitors to Ireland about the wondrous works of the stained glass artist Harry Clarke. His magnificent windows can be found in numerous places around the country, and you won’t be sorry if you spend time looking for them.

Born on March 17, 1889, he left school at 14 to join his father’s stained glass and ecclesiastical decorating business. He won several scholarships and studied stained glass in London and France.

Bringing "Once" home to Boston

By R. J. Donovan
Special to the BIR

Erica Spyres – actress, singer and classical violinist – has spent her life surrounded by music. Her parents are both music teachers. Her brothers are both singers. And her family was honored as “The Most Musical Family in Missouri.” The Ozarks native relocated to Boston when her composer-husband was accepted to study at Boston Conservatory.

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