By Peter F. Stevens, special to the BIR, August 1, 2009
He had his devotees and his detractors, but as far as this reviewer is concerned, one thing about Frank McCourt is and remains indisputable. Frank McCourt could flat out write. He had battled hard against melanoma and meningitis in recent months, but his death does not silence him. Read more
By Greg O'Brien, special to the BIR, August 1, 2009
At 92, Francis Patrick Brennan, dean of Boston's banking community, a first-generation Irish American who elbowed his way into the core of the once Yankee-dominated financial world where Irish need not apply, a vigorous, brassy, high-octane individual with a street-smart quotient that would intimidate the best at Harvard, hasn't lost a step. Read more
By Jim O'Sullivan, special to the BIR, July 1, 2009
By Thursday afternoon, June 25, the capitol had grown weary of waiting for Gov. Deval Patrick to pass judgment on bills on his desk re-wiring the transportation bureaucracy, tightening ethics laws, and escalating the state sales tax by 25 percent.
Senate President Therese Murray, the governor's foil for months, professed to "have no idea" what Patrick would decree at his early-evening press conference. Months of wrangling and suspense, boiled down to an extra humid day in June. Read more
As Ireland sinks deeper into the agonies of depression, Fianna Fail government leaders are working desperately to correct the problems caused by, "the most overheated of all advanced economies," according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) report issued in late June. Read more
On a cloudy and rainy weekday morning that makes this particular corner of the city look more like Seattle than Boston, City Councillor Michael F. Flaherty arrives at the Forest Hills T Station and starts saying hello to campaign workers and greeting passersby before his feet actually hit the sidewalk on Washington Street. Read more
The daughter of an ex-nun and an Iowa farm boy, a devout young Republican in a state dominated by Democrats, the vice president for institutional advancement at the iconic all-boys Boston College High School, and a woman with a knack for fundraising acquired in childhood through asking her frugal father for money, Michele M. O'Connor gives new definition to the word eclectic. Read more
There is a lot to dislike about talk radio, but I admit to being a fan of Marjorie Egan and Jim Braude. Their blend of whimsy, self-deprecation, and just plain nonsense is a delight and a welcome relief from the two-fisted, in-your-face style of many of their compatriots. Read more
By Robert P. Connolly, special to the BIR, July 1, 2009
NEW YORK – With three decades of struggle behind them, it must be said that Gerry Adams and his republican supporters are patient and methodical. Read more
By Msgr. Thomas J. McDonnell, special to the BIR, June 9, 2009
At the time of Sputnik - first space orbit - the cosmonaut hailed as a hero by many blatantly observed that in his travels, he did not find "heaven." It would seem that technology proved that heaven was a myth. Some discussion took place. However, this largely became a footnote in the history of "progress." Read more
Despite the worldwide nature of the economic recession, Irish voters are charging their own political leaders with the responsibility for their country's problems. It is often said that perception frequently becomes reality. Ireland's leading political party has been unable to convince the voters that it is dealing with the current recession decisively and effectively. Read more
By Jim O'Sullivan, special to the BIR, June 9, 2009
A sporting equivalent of Mayor Thomas Menino's poll numbers reported May 10 in The Boston Globe would perhaps be sitting in the audience of a heavyweight fight watching the reigning champ flex and shadowbox, then realizing that you're the one due in the ring. Read more
By Robert P. Connolly, special to the BIR, June 9, 2009
Having seen peace take hold in Northern Ireland, John Cullinane, who was involved in job-creation and in the peace process in the North, believes that Northern Ireland can serve as a road map for those seeking peace in the ever-fragile, ever-volatile Middle East. Read more
What will I do without The Globe? Am I supposed to carry my computer to the kitchen table each morning to get the news "on-line"Â before going to work? What about my lifetime ritual of going to the door and picking up the paper before I put on the coffee? Read more
'Tis a Fact That Angela's Son Frank Made a Definite Mark with His Pen
By Peter F. Stevens, special to the BIR, August 1, 2009
He had his devotees and his detractors, but as far as this reviewer is concerned, one thing about Frank McCourt is and remains indisputable. Frank McCourt could flat out write. He had battled hard against melanoma and meningitis in recent months, but his death does not silence him. Read more
Call Me a Square Shooter, Says Frank Brennan; Legendary Banker, 92, Still Gets into the Office
By Greg O'Brien, special to the BIR, August 1, 2009
At 92, Francis Patrick Brennan, dean of Boston's banking community, a first-generation Irish American who elbowed his way into the core of the once Yankee-dominated financial world where Irish need not apply, a vigorous, brassy, high-octane individual with a street-smart quotient that would intimidate the best at Harvard, hasn't lost a step. Read more
Score It a Big Week for the Bully Pulpit
By Jim O'Sullivan, special to the BIR, July 1, 2009
By Thursday afternoon, June 25, the capitol had grown weary of waiting for Gov. Deval Patrick to pass judgment on bills on his desk re-wiring the transportation bureaucracy, tightening ethics laws, and escalating the state sales tax by 25 percent.
Senate President Therese Murray, the governor's foil for months, professed to "have no idea" what Patrick would decree at his early-evening press conference. Months of wrangling and suspense, boiled down to an extra humid day in June. Read more
'Hope' is Scarce in Ireland, But New Lisbon Treaty May Help Some
By Joe Leary, special to the BIR, July 1, 2009
As Ireland sinks deeper into the agonies of depression, Fianna Fail government leaders are working desperately to correct the problems caused by, "the most overheated of all advanced economies," according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) report issued in late June. Read more
On the Trail with Michael Flaherty, Who Wants Thomas Menino's Job
By Carol Beggy, special to the BIR, July 1, 2009
On a cloudy and rainy weekday morning that makes this particular corner of the city look more like Seattle than Boston, City Councillor Michael F. Flaherty arrives at the Forest Hills T Station and starts saying hello to campaign workers and greeting passersby before his feet actually hit the sidewalk on Washington Street. Read more
Meet Michele O'Connor, a VP at all-boys BC High: A fund-raiser with panache in academia and politics
By Greg O'Brien, special to the BIR, July 1, 2009
The daughter of an ex-nun and an Iowa farm boy, a devout young Republican in a state dominated by Democrats, the vice president for institutional advancement at the iconic all-boys Boston College High School, and a woman with a knack for fundraising acquired in childhood through asking her frugal father for money, Michele M. O'Connor gives new definition to the word eclectic. Read more
Duo Bring Fun, Common Sense to Airwaves
By Anonymous, July 1, 2009
There is a lot to dislike about talk radio, but I admit to being a fan of Marjorie Egan and Jim Braude. Their blend of whimsy, self-deprecation, and just plain nonsense is a delight and a welcome relief from the two-fisted, in-your-face style of many of their compatriots. Read more
An Appreciation: Just Dave
By John Philip Foley, special to the BIR, July 1, 2009
RIP, Dave Burke, A Legendary Hibernian Read more
Adams Calls Irish Unification 'Realizable, Realistic Objective;' Sees Growing Sense of Irishness in North
By Robert P. Connolly, special to the BIR, July 1, 2009
NEW YORK – With three decades of struggle behind them, it must be said that Gerry Adams and his republican supporters are patient and methodical. Read more
'He Ascended Into Heaven'
By Msgr. Thomas J. McDonnell, special to the BIR, June 9, 2009
At the time of Sputnik - first space orbit - the cosmonaut hailed as a hero by many blatantly observed that in his travels, he did not find "heaven." It would seem that technology proved that heaven was a myth. Some discussion took place. However, this largely became a footnote in the history of "progress." Read more
Election Upheaval Is Expected in Ireland; Economic Woes Blamed on Political Leaders
By Joe Leary, special to the BIR, June 9, 2009
Despite the worldwide nature of the economic recession, Irish voters are charging their own political leaders with the responsibility for their country's problems. It is often said that perception frequently becomes reality. Ireland's leading political party has been unable to convince the voters that it is dealing with the current recession decisively and effectively. Read more
At-large Contenders Are Running the Real City Council Race
By Jim O'Sullivan, special to the BIR, June 9, 2009
A sporting equivalent of Mayor Thomas Menino's poll numbers reported May 10 in The Boston Globe would perhaps be sitting in the audience of a heavyweight fight watching the reigning champ flex and shadowbox, then realizing that you're the one due in the ring. Read more
Use Northern Ireland Peace Process To Guide Mideast Talks, Says Cullinane
By Robert P. Connolly, special to the BIR, June 9, 2009
Having seen peace take hold in Northern Ireland, John Cullinane, who was involved in job-creation and in the peace process in the North, believes that Northern Ireland can serve as a road map for those seeking peace in the ever-fragile, ever-volatile Middle East. Read more
The Globe's here!
By Anonymous, May 4, 2009
What will I do without The Globe? Am I supposed to carry my computer to the kitchen table each morning to get the news "on-line"Â before going to work? What about my lifetime ritual of going to the door and picking up the paper before I put on the coffee? Read more