Colm Toibin focuses on reluctant exile in “Brooklyn”

Colm Toibin’s new novel, “Brooklyn”, garnered substantial press over the weekend. The author’s sixth novel is about a reluctant emigrant from Enniscorthy who moves to the New York borough knowing “the rest of her life would be a struggle with the unfamiliar”. The book reflects on the pangs of homesickness and depicts the struggles of… Continue reading Colm Toibin focuses on reluctant exile in “Brooklyn”

Ringsend native publishes memoir on American life

Angeline Kearns Blain, a woman raised in 1950s Ringsend who today is an adjunct professor of sociology at Boise State University in Idaho, has published a memoir. “I used to be Irish” is being lauded by critics for its insight into a story too little told: the experience of Irish women emigrants. Angeline Kearns Blain… Continue reading Ringsend native publishes memoir on American life

ESRI predicts 17% unemployment next year

The Economic and Social Reseaerch Institute is predicting unemployment reaching 15% by the end of this year before peaking at 17% next year. The organisation is estimating emigration figures will be 60,000 over the next two years. The Irish Independent notes that the organisations cautions, “It would be wrong to call that a forecast. It… Continue reading ESRI predicts 17% unemployment next year

Global Irish Economic Forum to focus on growth, relationship

The government is inviting leading Irish and Irish-connected individuals from around the world to attend the inaugural Global Irish Economic Forum on September 18-20. The planned conference, which will be held at Farmleigh in Dublin, is the latest in a series of events aimed at harnessing the economic power of the global Irish community. Minister… Continue reading Global Irish Economic Forum to focus on growth, relationship

Surfing film highlights Irish role in origins of sport

The role of Irish-American George Freeth in establishing the modern sport of surf-boarding is explored in a film now playing in movie theatres. Waveriders tells the story of Freeth, who had a Hawaiian mother and an Irish father. He brought the sport of surfing from Hawaii, where it had nearly been eliminated by missionaries, to… Continue reading Surfing film highlights Irish role in origins of sport

ILIR renews campaign as Obama gives mixed signals on reform

The Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform has resumed its campaign on behalf of the undocumented in the United States with a meeting outside Boston this week. More than 350 attended the meeting, which was held in the Irish Cultural Center in Canton. ILIR President Ciaran Staunton said, “ILIR wants to make sure that this is… Continue reading ILIR renews campaign as Obama gives mixed signals on reform