By Brian McGowan In a recent issue we spoke of the cláirseach, or harp, as a musical instrument immediately and passionately identified with Ireland, and Turlough O’Carolan, the most famous of … [Read more...]
The Mysterious 23rd of June: A Goddess Gets Her Revenge
By Brian McGowan Listen to enough Irish ballads and soon enough you will run across a seemingly favorite date for songsters to reference, and that date is “The 23rd of June.” At least a few … [Read more...]
Ireland’s National Emblem, The Harp, and One of its Masters
By Brian McGowan We return again to music as our theme. The harp – cláirseach in Irish – is a musical instrument immediately and passionately identified with Ireland and the Irish as no other in … [Read more...]
Ireland’s Crucible: Easter 1916 Remembered
We just passed a milestone in Ireland’s history that probably went unnoticed by most. It didn’t escape my notice, and compelled me to display again the Irish flag outside my house, displacing only … [Read more...]