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Talks on the Irish Experience...Entertaining at any time of
year!
Raised by two Irish immigrant women who were very Irish and very
independent, I have many insights about the Irish and I have
also had my own adventures in Ireland.
Being Irish!
* In this lecture I discuss what it is to be Irish, exploring
Irish history, humor, traits and tendencies.
I draw on my own experience living with Irish immigrants,
various writings, and observations while traveling in Ireland.
(This new presentation was well received at Cape Cod Community
College.)
Being Raised Irish-American with Mrs. White
* In this talk I review my nine years living in an “Irish
ghetto” in a Catholic Charities group foster home under the
guardianship of a very strong-minded and religious Irish widow.
As “one of Mrs. White’s Boys” there were challenges and
benefits. She had fierce ideas on how to raise boys.
Johanna’s Irish Life
* This lecture tells about my granny Johanna. I knew her well,
and lived with her from age 14 to 21. She was a born storyteller
and I learned much about her personal history, her roots, and
her Irish attitudes. She was so independent she left my
grandfather and set up her own house a mile away.
Living With My Irish Granny: The High School Years
* In this lecture I tell about my “battle of wits” with Granny
when I was a freedom loving teen and she was growing old. She
called me “one o’ the brats of today.” Granny was addicted to
the radio, used old proverbs, and had extreme views on the
English, housekeeping, modern utilities, and diet.
Living With My Irish Granny: The College Years and Beyond
* This talk tells the story of the generation gap between me and
Granny when I was advancing my education and she was living in
what I called “the Dark Ages.” I explore the challenges of our
relationship, her view of modern times, her resistance to
consumerism, her habits, her religious faith.
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Traveling in Ireland (three talks with slides) |
* Solo trip
around Ireland in 36 hours! (1985) ... Back to my roots
in County Kerry.
* Father/Son: 1000 miles in Ireland (1995) ... Around
the Emerald Isle staying in B&Bs.
* A minimalist trip to Adare (Ireland’s “jewel”) (2001)
... A chance to focus and minimize confusion. |
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Talks on Other Travel Experiences (three talks with
slides) |
* Memories
of Rome ... Journalist’s perspective with “red carpet”
treatment, art, Vatican, etc.
* Memories of Jerusalem ... “The Old City,” Jesus’
steps, military presence, art, culture, etc.
* Memories of Egypt ... Living in a palace, pyramids,
ancient gods, museum, old and new ways, etc.
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