Ireland Loses Two Oscars
This past July saw Ireland bury two well-loved, highly accomplished, world-renowned artists, both were celebrated in Dublin, both buried in simple wicker caskets, both in historic Irish Churches. Brenda Fricker was the first Irish woman to win an Oscar for her moving and authentic role as Christy Brown’s (Daniel Day Lewis) Ma in “My Left Foot.. Her wicker casket was draped in the flag of the City of Dublin as she was carried down Meath Street and into St. Catherines (originally built in 1185 and the site of Robert Emmett’s execution in 1803) in the Liberties neighborhood of Dublin, her home for many years.
Pastor Eoin Thynne eulogized that Brenda “did not have to act kindness, she lived kindness.” Fricker was born in the last year of the Second World War and acted in Jim Sheridan’s The Field with Richard Harris, Home Alone 2, A Time to Kill, played Mike Myers Mom in So I Married an Axe Murderer, and Aunt Maeve in Durango, amongst others as well as TV and the Stage.
Jim Sheridan, Brendan Gleeson and President Catherine Connolly’s Aide-de-Camp attended the funeral. Gleeson said “She was one of the greats. Kindness and love were central to all she did.”
Fricker overcame much suffering during her life, from sexual assault at age 8, rape at age 17, hospitalization for significant depression and six miscarriages, to persevere and touch all our lives; Fricker was 81.
Glen Hansard
Another authentic Irish artist died tragically at the age of 56 on a motorbike accident. Hansard’s funeral was held at Dublin’s St. Patrick’s National Church of Ireland (built next to a well that St. Patrick used to baptize, dedicated in 1181, stolen by Henry 8th’s “Reformation” in the 1530’s, used to stable Oliver Cromwells horses in 1651 as part of his reign of terror, Jonathan Swift dean 1713-1745 and the site of Ireland’s First President’s funeral, Douglas Hyde in 1949).
Hansard was considered by many a modern troubadour of Ireland. Glen started out busking on the streets of Dublin when he was a mere 13 years old, gained recognition playing in the music-based movie, “The Commitments” in 1990, formed the band The Frames and Swell Season. In 2007, Hansard starred in the Film “Once” and won the Oscar for Best Original Song, the soulful “Falling Slowly.”
In 2015, his solo album, “Didn’t He Ramble,” was nominated for Best Folk Album Grammy. Hansard started a Dublin tradition of busking at a homeless shelter every Christmas Eve. It became a must stop for many leading Irish musicians.
He kept a lower profile since the birth of his three-year-old son, Christy, gaining visibility leading the scrum of musicians at Shane MacGowan’s funeral. I was lucky to hear him perform at Carnegie Hall as part of a tribute concert to Shane and Sinead.
Glen was very involved in the Irish American community, living and working in Chicago for many years. The voices of many well-known musicians filled the knave of historic St. Patrick’s with the chorus of Dylan’s “Forever Young” and “Auld Triangle” as a musical tribute. Thousands gathered on the street. Glen Hansard is survived by his wife Maire and young son Christy and his millions of fans.
McFacts
Instead of starting wars, Ireland is the only country on Earth to have a continuous presence with United Nations Peace Keeping Missions since 1958. Over 86,000 Irish soldiers have served overseas, 86 soldiers have given the ultimate sacrifice, serving the cause of peace around the world, may they RIP.
September’s Limerick:
I once met a monk who could inspire, when espousing his spiritual fire.
And soon I had found, he was quite profound, In fact, you could call him a deep friar!
Pigs Were Flying
In Belfast, likely green and orange pigs. An old Scottish poem is described as the origin of the phrase to indicate something unbelievable or impossible happening. But last month well over one and a half million people gathered over eight days at the 2026 Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann, a festival sponsored by Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann (CCE), a group that promotes Traditional Irish Music, dance, language, sport and culture.
To have massive crowds descend and take over Belfast, the second largest city on the island of Ireland, the center of Loyalist tradition and identity for the celebration of Gaelic culture is akin to “When Pigs Fly.” It is truly one of the most hopeful fruits to be reaped from the historic Good Friday Agreement.
More than any political polling, election results, posturing, speechifying, flag waving, the fact that over five thousand musicians, dancers from over 22 countries and competition in 180 categories honoring Irish culture and traditions performed for hundreds of thousands of revelers is truly extraordinary. Natives of Belfast were left gobsmaked by the success.
The CCE will return next August 2027 for another round of celebration of all things Irish. Let us hope this spirit continues to lift all in the Six Counties as we move towards a possible Border vote in 2030.
Magnifica Humanitas
In Pope Leo XIV’s recent encyclical, he teaches: “A litmus test for social justice today is the treatment of migrants, refugees and those forced to move due to poverty, violence, climate change and environmental disasters. The way a society treats them reveals whether its sense of justice is driven by fear or by the spirit of fraternity.”
Mostly daughters and sons of Irish immigrants read this paper,. Recall that we are all daughters and sons of immigrants. Recall that this summer, where the Saco River meets the Atlantic Ocean, where one can get the freshest lobster, where sandy beaches welcome tourists, sits the town of Biddeford, Maine, population 22,000.
This quiet little town, whose peace and quiet was shattered by Storm Troppers (ICE agents) enforcing Pres. dTrumps ethnic cleansing blitz, shot and killed a young, unarmed 26-year-old father, on his way to work. He was, legally working here, paying into your Social Security fund, paying sales and income taxes, and contributing to his community.
And by the way, ICE pulled over the wrong guy. And by the way, Stephen Miller, a descendent of WWII Jewish refugees, has prevented ICE agents from having to carry body cameras, not wanting evidence of the illegal and negligent actions of an out-of-control group of federal street thugs. If you cannot muster any outrage over this reckless militia and its negligent actions, don’t take comfort in your pale skin or blue eyes – this mindless force may shoot ye by “mistake.”
