Ian Paisley, deathly ill at 85, did much harm; but healing has begun

By Joe Leary, Special to the BIR
March 6, 2012
Joe Leary, Special to the BIR

One of Northern Ireland’s most fearful sectarian agitators is coming to the end of his life at the age of 85. Ian Paisley, minister, politician, bigot, and one-time leader of anti-Catholic sentiment in its most virulent forms, lies in a Belfast hospital with an ailing heart and other undisclosed medical problems, and with his family gathered around him, waiting.

Of the Church and contraception

By James W. Dolan, Special to the Reporter
March 6, 2012
James W. Dolan, Special to the Reporter

The Catholic Church’s stance on contraceptive birth control is wrong and as a result is largely ignored by practicing Catholics.

There are two realistic methods to limit the size of families – now a matter of necessity not just for health concerns but also for family and economic stability: contraception and abortion. To suggest the two are the same is nonsense.

Brown’s immigration stance on shaky ground: His GOP colleagues hold key to fate of E3 visa bill in Senate

By Peter F. Stevens
March 6, 2012
Peter F. Stevens

It came as no surprise that on Taoiseach Enda Kenny’s recent swing through Boston, he met with a politician named Kennedy. In this case it was the new Kennedy on the political block, Joseph P. Kennedy III, who is running for Congress.

Chieftains hail 50th with Symphony Hall concert

By Staff
March 6, 2012

The remarkable Chieftains, now marking their 50th year of bringing traditional Irish music to venues around the world with an extensive tour of Europe and North America, will be performing for the 24th time in Boston when they gather at Symphony Hall on Wed., March 14, for an 8 p.m. show entitled, “Voice of Ages” with Paddy Moloney & The Chieftains and Special Guests [one of whom is former member Seán Keane].

For Matthew Power, risk is often its own reward

By Greg O’Brien, Special to the Reporter
March 6, 2012
Greg O’Brien, Special to the Reporter

Matthew Power is a study in risk and redemption. The 49-year-old Boston insurance man – he is executive vice president of Lexington Insurance Company, the nation’s premier excess and surplus carrier— has been well acquainted with the concept since his days as a youth on the streets of West Roxbury during Boston’s bruising busing crisis.

Addergoole Parish remembers a ‘very sad human story’

By BostonIrish.com... (not verified)
March 5, 2012

14 from its pews boarded the Titanic, only 3 survived; Memorial Week is April 8-15

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Catherine Bourke, Nora Fleming, Delia Mahon, Annie McGowan, John Bourke, Annie Kate Kelly, Pat Canavan, Delia McDermott, Mary Mangan, Kate McGowan, James Flynn, Bridget Donohue, Mary Bourke, and Mary Canavan.

The names don’t mean much to most of us but they bring tears to the eyes of many in the North Mayo parish of Addergoole. The Addergoole Fourteen, as the group is known, struck out from the hills and valleys around Nephin Mountain 100 years ago next month – some in jaunting carts, others on foot – and crossed the Windy Gap into Castlebar where they took the first of several trains to Queenstown (now Cobh.) There they settled into steerage (third class) on the RMS Titanic to laugh, chat, dance, and sing as they prepared for the long ride to America and their bright new lives.

13th Annual Irish Film Festival, Boston is Underway

Ed Forry
By Ed Forry
March 5, 2012

By Ed Forry
An Academy Award-winning short film made in Northern Ireland, a new feature film made in County Tip starring American favorite Martin Sheen and supporting actor Stephen Rea, and a documentary about Barack Obama’s Irish cousins and his mother’s roots in Moneygall, Co. Offaly, are among the lead attractions at this month’s annual Irish Film Festival, Boston.

Obama Proclaims it's Irish American Heritage Month

By Ed Forry
March 5, 2012

Proclamation

IRISH-AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH, 2012
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION

For centuries, America and Ireland have built a proud and enduring partnership cemented by mutual values and a common history. Generations of Irish have crossed the Atlantic in pursuit of prosperity, and today nearly 40 million of their proud descendants continue to make their indelible mark on the United States of America. Their stories, as varied as our Nation's people, humble us and inspire our children to reach for the opportunities dreamed about by our forebears

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