Culture

We all can probably agree that counting calories is not a holiday activity. A brisk walk after dinner or a game of touch football, sure, but declin...

December 19, 2025 by Margaret M. Johnson

Family's turkey season work was worth it

Each year Mam reared about 80 turkeys for the Christmas market and to give as gifts. The birds she sold produced a little wave of money that would ...

December 19, 2025 by Tom Phelan

O'Connor's 'The Ghosts of Rome' named Irish Book of 2025

Joseph O’Connor’s “The Ghosts of Rome,” the second in a planned World War II-set trilogy, has been named An Post Irish Book of the Year. The first ...

December 18, 2025 by Irish Echo Staff

Malachy officially recognized, again

Twinkly-eyed and chubby cheeked, Malachy McCourt was a much larger build than his brother Frank, but arguably remained in Frank’s shadow. Malachy’s...

December 17, 2025 by Orla O'Sullivan

'Junction' shows NxNW's caliber

In the media yoke this week is “Junction” from the band North by North West or NxNW. Although just their debut album, NxNW has been around for seve...

December 16, 2025 by Daniel Neely

Islander artist

Don’t call it a retrospective. Yes, the title of the exhibition that will run at the Noble Maritime Collection through Jan. 18 is “Bill Murphy: Wat...

December 11, 2025 by Peter McDermott

Mayor Mitchel, both despised and admired, still divides opinion

Not only New Yorkers, but people around the world are buzzing about New York’s mayoral elect, 34-year-old Zohran Mamdani, who will become the secon...

December 10, 2025 by Geoffrey Cobb

Egan tapped again for Burns's 'McMullen' movie follow-up

If you’ve not yet read it, I’d recommend you check out Ray O’Hanlon’s recent and lovely Echo piece about “The Family McMullen,” the just-released s...

December 09, 2025 by Daniel Neely

Opinion

2021 race showed what ranked-choice voting can do

“Ranked Choice Voting gives a strong voice to all voters in our elections, and ensures candidates with the broadest support get to govern.” So says...

December 05, 2025 by Peter McDermott

'A gift from Egypt to the world'

I just visited the stunning new Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo, Egypt. As a writer I am not supposed to be at a loss for words, but this amazing bu...

December 05, 2025 by Geoffrey Cobb

Is it real or is it magic talking?

In the “Acknowledgements” section of her latest book, Lucy McDiarmid reveals she loved showing her students “what a social occasion a poetry readin...

December 03, 2025 by Peter McDermott

Lighter, Fruity Cakes for the Holiday Table

Love it or loathe it, fruitcake is one of Christmastime’s most iconic foods. I make no apologies for being one who loves it, and over the years I’v...

December 03, 2025 by Margaret M. Johnson

Patrolman shot in 1945 honored

Patrolman Francis Garret McKeon was honored in a memorial ceremony at the 34th Precinct in Washington Heights on Monday, Nov. 17, the 80th annivers...

December 03, 2025 by Luan Rogers

Each O'Connell post is a gem

The great Robbie O’Connell needs no introduction to most readers of this column. A singer and songwriter with a fabulous voice and an unmatched sen...

December 02, 2025 by Daniel Neely

'Nollaig - A Christmas Journey' is latest from Celtic Woman

Celtic Woman, the most successful all-female group in Irish history, with a legacy of 12 Billboard number ones, over 10 million album sales and 3 b...

December 02, 2025 by Irish Echo Staff

16th PoetryFest for Dec. 5-7

The New York City/Ireland love affair is hardly a new romance, but it continues to bloom. A fine example is a great idea that began in 2009 when Ir...

November 28, 2025 by James Olwell