The Irish Face in America

by Smith, Jim; McNamara, Julia; Hamill, Pete

• ISBN13: 9780821257463
• ISBN10: 0821257463
• Edition: Reprint
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-02-15
• Publisher: Bulfinch

Summary

This new paperback edition of THE IRISH FACE IN AMERICA will be out just in time for St. Patricks Day promotion in 2006. The book profiles a vibrant cross section of Irish Americans and their contributions to every aspect of society. Several well-known figures are included: film stars Martin Sheen, Ed Burns, and Bridget Moynahan; Riverdance founder Michael Flatley; television personality and producer Merv Griffin; and pro golfer Mark OMeara among them. The stories span all ages and walks of life, and capture the richness and heritage of the Irish-American experience in cities as diverse as Boston, Massachusetts; New Orleans, Louisiana; South Bend, Indiana; and Oahu, Hawaii. Also featured are writers, firefighters, college students, performers, politicians, astronauts, and athletes. Providing a framework for these portraits of Irish-American life are longer essays by mystery writers Mary Higgins Clark and Carol Higgins Clark, T. J. Golway (coauthor of The Irish in America), Patricia Harty (editor of Irish America magazine), and former Coca-Cola president Don Keough. These insightful essays explore the question of what it is to be an Irish Americana subculture with enormous pride in its heritage, deeply rooted in tradition and culture yet utterly modern and ever changing.

Author Biography

Julia McNamara frequently writes about international business and culture. She holds dual citizenship in the United States and Ireland.

A professional photographer with over 25 years of experience, Jim Smith has published numerous works on Irish people, landscape, and travel.

Pete Hamill is the author of seven novels and two collections of stories, and his writing has appeared in most national magazines. He has been a columnist for many years, and currently writes for New York City's Daily News. His most recent novel is Forever (Little, Brown).

Table of Contents

Introduction

Pete Hamill

PART I: CULTURE AND ENTERTAINMENT

The Irish Influence on Music, Culture, and Literature in America

Patricia Harty

PART II: PUBLIC SERVICE

The Aspiration to Serve: Irish Americans in Public Service

Terry Golway

PART III: SUCCESS

Succeeding Through Hard Work and Education

Don Keough

PART IV: GENERATIONS

The Everlasting Importance of Family

Mary Higgins Clark

Carol Higgins Clark

Afterword

Julia McNamara

Jim Smith

Acknowledgments

Contributor Biographies