Boston Irish Reporter’s Here & There

 A Great American Patriot Dies – Former US Ambassador to El Salvador Robert White died at age 88 on Jan. 13 after a lifetime of loyal, principled service to the truth and to his country. The Massachusetts-born White served in the Navy in the Pacific in World War II and joined the Foreign Service during the Eisenhower administration.

During his time in El Salvador, “Ambassador Bob,” as he was called, made America proud during the tragic civil war in his host country amidst the terror campaigns waged by right-wing dictatorships in Latin America during the Reagan presidential years.

A reflection on Biblical matters: Free will: God’s gift, our challenge

By James W. Dolan
Special to the Reporter

How does one reconcile two obvious facts that seem to conflict with the Bible and Christian tradition? As described in Genesis, creation and the fundamental flaw in mankind, often termed “original sin,” are inaccurate. The creative process occurred over millions of years and Adam and Eve are more representative than real.

Begorrah, you better believe it: Bostonians care about Ireland

Most Irish Americans, and certainly all those Americans who were born in Ireland and are now living in the Boston area, deeply care about their Irish Heritage. There are dozens upon dozens of serious Irish organizations in the Boston metropolitan area whose members are devoted to Ireland and our heritage. Most of them not only celebrate their heritage, but they also try to instill Irish values in their children through dance, sport, and cultural events.

‘Riverdance’ just keeps on coming

Ed Forry

Last fall, when Rachel Kelly brought the inaugural iFest to Boston, she featured a group of about thirty dancers, and another eight musicians from the Riverdance troupe. That “Riverdance” performance here last September was a huge audience favorite, and a real showstopper.

On the elaborate outdoor stage at the Seaport World Trade Center, their 25-minute condensed version of the show featured live dancing and music, synchronized with video moments from the various performances from around the world.

Minister for Diaspora talks immigration in visit to D.C. Boston

Irish Fine Gael politician James “Jimmy” Deenihan T.D., the Minister of State for the Diaspora, visited Boston last month during a four-day, two-city American visit that featured immigration talks in Washington with members of Congress, Irish American business leaders, and organizations thaty support Irish citizens.

Irish first to get beef to US market

The news has been a long time coming – nearly sixteen years. Since the Mad Cow outbreak in the late 1990s, the US had banned the import of European beef. Now, Ireland has become the first country in Europe to meet the strictures ensuring that the meat is safe for American consumers.

The US government lifted the ban last March, but Ireland has beaten its neighbors in preparing to sell to the lucrative market across the Atlantic. The news has been greeted with elation by the Irish government and its food board, Bord Bia.

Great travel deals for Americans

Americans hoping to save on European goods thanks to a falling euro shouldn’t rush to uncork that bottle of French Bordeaux. There’s very little to celebrate. Unless you like travel deals.

Not since September 2003 has the euro traded this low against the dollar. Still, German sports cars, Belgian beers and the latest fashions out of Italy aren’t going on sale anytime soon. The reason? There’s simply too much demand in the US for any markdowns.

Aer Lingus backs takeover bid by IAG, parent of British Airways

Aer Lingus planes are shown at Dublin airport, Ireland, on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2015. Aer Lingus said it supports a takeover bid by British Airways parent IAG, putting the Irish national airline with its trademark shamrock tailfins on course for foreign acquisition nine years after its privatization. AP Photo/Peter MorrisonAer Lingus planes are shown at Dublin airport, Ireland, on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2015. Aer Lingus said it supports a takeover bid by British Airways parent IAG, putting the Irish national airline with its trademark shamrock tailfins on course for foreign acquisition nine years after its privatization. AP Photo/Peter Morrison

DUBLIN — Aer Lingus said late last month that it supports a takeover bid by British
Airways parent IAG, putting the Irish national airline with its trademark shamrock tailfins on course for foreign acquisition nine years after its privatization.

The 11-member Aer Lingus board said it could recommend IAG’s latest bid of 2.55 euros ($2.85) per share, valuing the airline at 1.36 billion euros ($1.52 billion). It emphasized that the proposal required backing from the two biggest shareholders: rival Irish carrier Ryanair and the Irish government.

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