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Kwibuka, remember, the Rwandan genocide

One million people in 100 days. That is how many ethnic Tutsis were believed to have been murdered by Hutu forces — their fellow countrymen — in the 1994 Rwandan genocide. One million people in 100 days. Try to wrap your head around what that means. In order to kill that many people in so short a period of time, thousands, tens of thousands were wiped out en masse – in churches, in basements, in hospitals, whole communities gone in an instant, dumped in mass graves. Women and children especially were targeted so that there would be no next generations.…Continue Reading

Ukrainian thoughts from Irish soil

There is a deepening sense of unease here. If I still lived in the states, I would be horrified, angry, insulted about the war in Ukraine – all of the emotions my American friends and family are feeling and perhaps more. I would not, at least not immediately, be adding to that an anxious unrest and an inkling of fear that comes from living in Europe right now. World War I, World War II, these were Europe’s wars. Yes, America was deeply involved, but the fighting was in France and England, Brussels and Italy. And even though Ireland is not…Continue Reading

Ripped from today’s headlines

I turn to current events in today’s blog. I fully get this will not be everyone’s cup of tea, but there’s a lot happening on this side of the pond right now. Perhaps most pressing is the Russian troop buildup on the border of Ukraine. It seems pretty clear that Europe is holding its collective breath at the moment. Presidents, prime ministers and high-ranking officials have been visiting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zalensky at a fair clip in recent weeks – Emmanuel Macron of France, Olaf Scholz of Germany, British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss and…Continue Reading

Crows and ravens and jackdaws, oh my!

This is a tale of the raven, the crow. For most of my life, if I may borrow liberally from Edgar Allan Poe, my feelings about these corvids and their cousins could be summed up in a single word: nevermore. Nevermore would I see anything redeeming in these bulky, black, opportunistic creatures who scatter their smaller avian brothers and sisters to grab the tastiest morsels for themselves. Oh, smart no doubt, that was obvious, but using that intelligence as a robber. And that screeching! That a group of crows is called a murder, I found not at all surprising. Nevermore!…Continue Reading

A ‘very authentically Irish’ holiday extravaganza

As an American, I feel I may be presumptuous, dare I say even brazen, to be writing this blog about a seemingly sacred Irish institution that is integral to the holiday heart of this country. No, I’m not talking about advent, not the Solstice, not midnight Mass. Ah, no. I’m talking about outrageous Christmas jumpers (that’s sweaters to the uninitiated), a cacophony of red and green. I’m talking about glitzy show numbers, one-liners to put Henny Youngman to shame, cute children running the show and running amok. I’m talking pathos and humor and tears and laughter. This, my friends from…Continue Reading

The neophyte traveler heads to the continent

I am a traveling neophyte, despite my rather advanced age. In this, I have no expectations or preconceived notions, but also not a lot of savvy. You can plan and plan in advance of a trip, visiting many websites, reading articles, looking for the best airfares and lodging to fit your budget, but in the end, unexpected surprises are bound to occur. And there was more than one for me, as I wended my way to the Algarve region of Portugal recently – my first foray to the European continent since moving to Ireland. The size and magnitude of Albufeira,…Continue Reading

Thoughts on turning 70

Because I was born on Oct. 27, 1951, I have recently had a birthday that is seen by many as one of some import. I acknowledge this, while I also choose not to allow a word, seventy, to hold sway. These decade birthdays have become anxiety-producing mileposts imposed on us all by a society that devalues age.  ‘I’m 30! Egads! I have to be an adult!’ As if maturity could not be attained at 25 or 29, as if you will turn into a slug if you’re swimming in uncertainty at 31. ‘I’m 50 today and what have I done…Continue Reading

D & T’s saoire den scoth (excellent holiday)!

I actually welcomed my first visitor from the states in September, lo these 14 months since moving to the ould sod in the middle of a pandemic! My intrepid brother TJ braved two airports and mass transportation on either end to travel from Maine to my County Clare home. We spent 10 days together, didn’t revert to childhood form, were cordial and considerate adults as well as friends. I took him to the Cliffs of Moher, the Burren, holy wells, village walks, local places I’ve written about in past blogs. It was wonderful to bring my sibling to some of…Continue Reading

Addendum: even MORE Irish books

So, around the time I published my most recent blog about Irish authors, I put out an APB to the members of my book group and asked them to list some of their favorite books/authors. I wanted to get my blog out as soon as possible, so published. Soon, though, the answers from the group started trickling in. Some of the books they recommend are repeats of mine (so will not include again), including The Spinning Heart by Donal Ryan and This is Happiness, by Niall Williams. Others are by authors I don’t know, and still others are by authors…Continue Reading

Looking for a good (Irish) book?

Greetings from Corofin, and my apologies for the long hiatus. Blame it on summer, a rather unplanned move to new digs in town, and a quick trip back to the states to meet my daughter and work on her wedding in Maine next summer. Whew! Life has a way of deciding its own route. As late summer eases into fall and the great outdoors call us less and less for the warmth of a cozy house, the written word inevitably begins to cast its magical spell. A book come autumn is often pure delight, a companion, friend and educator, a…Continue Reading