Community Features & Events
CHICAGO CALLING: Shout-out for Charlie Carey and the Southside Irish
“You can take the kid out of the Southside, but you’ll never get the Southside out of that kid!” That’s an ancient Chicago epigram that celebrates ...
September 30, 2022
by Mike Houlihan
Community Features & Events
Chicago Calling: Chief O'Neill's, the pub you've been practicing for
Almost 24 years ago an elegant Irish pub took up residence in the Avondale neighborhood on Chicago’s Elston Avenue, in the former home of the infam...
September 15, 2022
by Mike Houlihan
News
CHICAGO CALLING: Mike McCarthy brings Babe Ruth swagger to Windy City baseball network
It all started in Louisburgh, sez Mike McCarthy, “Mayo, that’s where my roots are.” McCarthy’s late father Johnny was the legendary grounds crew ch...
August 18, 2022
by Mike Houlihan
News
Chicago Calling: Irish Queen policing mean streets of Windy City
Chicago cops are an endangered species. They’re overworked and under-staffed. This city is a cauldron of violence. Nobody seems to be on your side,...
July 26, 2022
by Mike Houlihan
News
Chicago Calling: The Filipino piper leading the police band
Irish Elvis was born on The West Side of Chicago. Diane Short emigrated to America from New Castle, County Down, Ireland, working in a beauty shop ...
June 30, 2022
by Mike Houlihan
News
CHICAGO CALLING: Skinny - the Windy City's Irish fixer who gets things done
He’s known by many names in the toddlin’ town: Jim, Skinny, Skin, Doctor, or The Thin Man. A native of that southside of Chicago duchy of Irish Cat...
June 05, 2022
by Mike Houlihan
News
New chapter for Chicago cancer sufferer after Knock pilgrimage
Back in 2017 I was leading a tour group of Chicago characters to Ireland and the Westport Hotel gave me a complimentary massage for booking the gro...
May 16, 2022
by Mike Houlihan
Homepage
Mike 'Pickle' Joyce: In Chicago's toughest streets, this boxing club coach has Ali's daughter in his corner
There is only one “Pickle”. Growing up on the south side of Chicago you don’t get to pick your own nickname. Still, there is only one “Pickle”. Eve...
April 18, 2022
by Mike Houlihan
News
'Temper Maggie': The Chicago Paramedic Chief 'just washing the feet of sinners'
Hollywood would have to bring a young Maureen O’Hara back from the past to play Chicago Fire Department Ambulance Commander Margaret Murphy. She’s ...
April 02, 2022
by Mike Houlihan
Homepage
CHICAGO CALLING: His career at a dead end, Irish centre dynamo 'Geno' Cooney found a new life as a funeral director
“Ya can’t get to heaven, unless you go to Cooney’s!” So they said about Cooney Funeral Home in the old Chicago Irish neighborhood of St. Andrew’s p...
March 03, 2022
by Mike Houlihan
Culture
Rose shows frightening resolve
Ann Skelly in "Rose Plays Julie." By Mike Houlihan For those looking for artistic descendants of Alfred Hitchcock and his unique style, building su...
March 30, 2021
by Mike Houlihan
