Irish History · Irish identity · Palestine · Talks

Lecture: Why Do the Irish Support Palestine?

Dr. Craig Considine explores the reasons why the Irish support the Palestinian cause of freedom. Considine focuses on several historical similarities between the history of Ireland and Palestine including themes like settler colonialism, ethnic cleansing, dehumanization, and racial and religious institutionalized bigotry. The talk was given at the River Oaks Islamic Center in Houston, TX…… Continue reading Lecture: Why Do the Irish Support Palestine?

Publications · Sociology · Work

Article: What Does it Mean to Be ‘Irish’? Perceptions of Irish identity Among Young Pakistani Men

I am happy to share my new publication “What does it mean to be ‘Irish’? Perceptions of Irish identity among young Pakistani men” in Diaspora Studies (published by Routledge – Taylor & Francis). Abstract: The aim of this paper is to contribute to the discussion surrounding national identity by considering a particular set of empirical…… Continue reading Article: What Does it Mean to Be ‘Irish’? Perceptions of Irish identity Among Young Pakistani Men

Family

Journey to Our Ancestral Home in Lisdoonvarna

Here’s a video of a humble little home on the west coast of Ireland, on a plot of land called Ardeamush, which is Irish for “James’ Height.” My family lived in this home at least as far back as 1775. It’s now in ruins, but the land is still occupied by Considines. By the grace of God…… Continue reading Journey to Our Ancestral Home in Lisdoonvarna

Irish · Poems

Poem: I Pay Respect to Ireland

I pay respect to Ireland, the Emerald Isle, “the land of saints and scholars,” that tiny little island on the outskirts of Europe. Let us reflect upon her ancient glories, her yearning for knowledge, her passion for understanding the mysteries of the world. Let us never forget the conditions of those who came before us,…… Continue reading Poem: I Pay Respect to Ireland

Irish

When English Puritans Burned Down Our Irish Catholic Church

Here is a video I produced in the summer of 2014. It relates to my Irish ancestral homeland, near Lisdoonvarna, the Cliffs of Moher, and the shores of the wild Atlantic Ocean. The video shows me in Killilagh Parish speaking on the history of Killilagh. The church was probably made in the 1400s. During the 17th century a radical…… Continue reading When English Puritans Burned Down Our Irish Catholic Church

Irish · Irish America · Irish Diaspora · Irish History

The “Irish Famine” Constituted Genocide – A Discussion With Dr. Francis Boyle

Thanks to what RTE should be on YouTube for filming this discussion and writing up the following short description about Dr. Boyle’s book. *** United Ireland, Human Rights and International Law Dr Francis A. Boyle Professor of International Law, University of Illinois During the past three decades, international legal expert Francis A. Boyle has dealt with…… Continue reading The “Irish Famine” Constituted Genocide – A Discussion With Dr. Francis Boyle

Poems

Ancestor’s Poem

Your tombstone stands among the rest Neglected and alone The name and date are chiseled out On polished marble stone It reaches out to all who care It is too late to mourn You did not know that I exist You died and I was born Yet each of us are cells of you In…… Continue reading Ancestor’s Poem

Irish · Irish History

The Cliffs of Moher – Standing at the Edge of the Earth

Irish Diaspora

Boston the Most Irish City in the US

If you’re not living in Ireland, the next best place to be Irish is Boston, my home city. There are tons of Irish pubs and enough Irish citizens to give an Irish brogue and provide the craic. The latest US Census revealed that the most Irish urban area is the Boston metro area with 20% of those…… Continue reading Boston the Most Irish City in the US

Irish Diaspora

Irish Diaspora May Get the Right to Vote in Irish Elections

New legislation initiated by Jimmy Deenihan, the Junior Minister for the Irish Diaspora, will allow Irish passport holders living in diaspora to vote in Irish elections. Irish Central reports: The matter of voting rights at home for the hundreds of thousands who have left Ireland in recent years has been a constant matter of protest among…… Continue reading Irish Diaspora May Get the Right to Vote in Irish Elections

Politics

An Irish Perspective for the Palestinian People

I must say, the Irish people I have been speaking to over the last few days are so passionate about the situation in Palestine. Not sure what it is, if it’s Ireland’s history of being oppressed by a ruthless foreign invader, or if it’s just the compassion of the Irish people. Nevertheless their stance on…… Continue reading An Irish Perspective for the Palestinian People

Outreach

How Muslims of the Ottoman Empire Helped Ireland During the Great Famine

By Mehedi Islam Source: http://archiveislam.com 160 years ago, during the Great Famine in Ireland, the Ottoman Empire sent £1,000 sterling (about $1,052,000 today) and 3 shiploads of food to Drogheda, Ireland. Ireland was ridden with famine and disease between 1845 and 1849. Also known as the Great Hunger, this famine had lasting effects: at least one…… Continue reading How Muslims of the Ottoman Empire Helped Ireland During the Great Famine

Fieldwork · Outreach

Debunking the myth that Irish Muslims do not integrate

A letter recently mailed to mosques throughout Ireland has raised alarm for its racist tone and incitement of violence against Irish Muslims. The letter suggested that Irish people were willing to kill Muslims in order to prevent the “Islamization” of Ireland. The letter also suggested that Irish Muslims have not – and are not interested in -…… Continue reading Debunking the myth that Irish Muslims do not integrate

Family

Amazing photographs of Irish forefathers

Michael Francis Considine, my great-grandfather, was born on September 4th, 1884 in Ennis, County Clare (Ireland). He was born to Michael Considine (born in 1861 and died in 1936) and Bridget O’Loughlin Considine (Ni Larkin; born in 1851 and died in 1909). Michael Francis later lived with his family in Kilmoon Parish, Lisdoonvarna, which he would later…… Continue reading Amazing photographs of Irish forefathers

Pictures

Picture: Mount Branden in Éire

Poems

Poem: Homeless man in Dublin

First published in Irish Independent What is it like to be homeless? Most people never even ponder such a question. Craig is a homeless poet who writes his long poems on the pavement near the Molly Malone statue outside Trinity College’s walls. I walked by Craig about one year ago. I handed him a one-euro coin…… Continue reading Poem: Homeless man in Dublin

Politics

Irish President Calls American Tea Partier “Wanker Whipping Up Fear”

The President of Ireland Michael D Higgins eviscerated ardent US Republican radio broadcaster Michael Graham over issues like healthcare and foreign policy. Read more here.

Travels

Personal: The time my Ma and Dad went to Ireland (circa 1980)

My Ma just showed me the journal that she kept along the ride.  Notice as well some of the great pictures.  My favourite is the one of the two Irish men with the bicycle.  Interestingly, my parents visited Trinity College Dublin (where I now teach and research).  One of the pictures is where I often…… Continue reading Personal: The time my Ma and Dad went to Ireland (circa 1980)

Creativity

Sláinte Merkel

Commentary

When Being Irish Just Isn’t Enough

There was an interesting article on Fox News by Connor Grennan as it concerns his father (born in Ireland) and his Irish identity. Connor grew up in Poughkeepsie, NY and hated the fact that his father had a thick Irish accent. He wanted to hide from the world because of it.  Several times, Connor even said…… Continue reading When Being Irish Just Isn’t Enough