Working with the inimitable ‘Tip’

By Joe Leary, Special to the BIR
August 2, 2012
Joe Leary, Special to the BIR

Tip O'Neill meets with his friend, Joe LearyTip O'Neill meets with his friend, Joe Leary

In early 1990, through the intercession of two friends, the famous Dr. Tom Durant of MGH and the speaker’s nephew, Brian O’Neill, Esq., I first met the then-retired O’Neill at his office in Washington. My mission was to request that he become a spokesman for the Partnership, signing letters endorsing our work in Ireland, and joining our National Golf Tour as chairman.
I was, of course, very nervous and had practiced what I was going to say all that morning because I was about to meet the man who had served his district in Massachusetts in Congress for 35 years, the last 10 of them as manager of our national House of Representatives. He had dealt with, agreed and disagreed with, and compromised with Presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford, Carter, and Reagan. Memorably, he had called Ronald Reagan “Herbert Hoover with a smile” while fighting the Republican right and calling their possible election “a Christmas Party for the rich.” And he had challenged many tough, brilliant men and more often than not won his point with them.

Immigration Reform Not On Front Burner

By Bill O’Donnell
July 5, 2012
Bill O’Donnell

Despite the stunning rescue by President Obama of the core of the Dream Act and all that it means now to those who were bought to the US as children, the harsh reality is that there is no comprehensive immigration reform on the horizon nor is there likely to be anything doing for months. The Obama initiative, end-running the GOP, is a policy that deserves to be the law of the land and the president, who speaks often about fairness, was on solid ground, albeit he is being criticized for the politics of doing it in an election year bid to the growing Hispanic community.

Voters deserve better than debates over debates

By BY PETER F. STEVENS
July 5, 2012
BY PETER F. STEVENS

There’s no question that US Sen. Scott Brown and his Democratic challenger, Elizabeth Warren, are “debating.” The televised debate proposed by Vickie Kennedy, widow of the late senator Edward M. Kennedy, to be moderated by heavyweight Tom Brokaw fell apart after Brown’s conditions – that she not endorse either candidate and that MSNBC not be a sponsor – were not met.

Ireland targets ‘love, devotion’ of Boston’s Irish diaspora

By Joe Leary, Special to the BIR
July 5, 2012
Joe Leary, Special to the BIR

When Brian Cowan, then prime minister of Ireland, came to Boston in August 2009 to attend Ted Kennedy’s funeral, he met with reporters after Mass. Soaking wet in a rumpled suit from the rain that day and very tired from his late night flight from Ireland, he was asked rather rudely, “Why do you spend so much time caring about the Irish in the United States?”

Fleadh means satisfaction, friendships, connections

By Sean Smith
July 5, 2012
Sean Smith

The Boston/Eastern Massachusetts Irish community had every reason to take satisfaction from this year’s Mid Atlantic Fleadh competition, which was held May 18-20 in New Jersey.

It wasn’t just the fact that so many did so well – area entrants qualified in nine categories for the All-Ireland Fleadh in Cavan next month – but that the achievements represented a good cross-section of age and experience.

Becoming A Legend: Kathy St. George as Judy Garland

By R.J. Donovan
July 5, 2012
R.J. Donovan

By R. J. Donovan
Special to The BIR
Actress-singer Kathy St. George knows a little something about legends. As readers of the Reporter will recall, she is a descendant of the folks who owned historic Tyrone House in Galway. She can also trace her roots back to the owners of the St. George Hotel (originally the Conarchy Hotel) in Dublin’s Parnell Square.

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