Irish Catholics – All Things Good

Charming Billy: Alice McDermott’s Irish American Novel

Katharine Rose Armour of Light March 18, 2015April 11, 2017Alice McDermott, Charming Billy, Danny boy, Danny boy lyrics, Irish America, Irish American culture, Irish american novel, Irish Catholics, Irish traits, Irish virtues 0 Comment

In celebration of St. Patrick’s Day 2015, ATG is exploring “All Things Irish.” Below is a book review of the Irish American novel Charming Billy by Alice McDermott.

Alcoholism. Loyalty. Generosity. Poverty. Catholicism. Redemption. And love. These are the central themes running through Alice McDermott’s award-winning Irish American novel, Charming Billy (1998), which tells the story of the life and trials of one Billy Lynch – an enigmatic Irish American man from Queens, NY who seemingly succumbed to alcoholism after “losing” the love of his life.

Full of insight into the culture, values and struggles of Irish Americans, McDermott also offers glimpses into the stereotypes associated with the Irish, such as references to “Paddy,” Irish policemen, and the song “Danny Boy”*, while sprinkling episodes of humor throughout, giving this novel a distinctly Irish American feel.

As one might expect of such a novel, faith and Catholicism – and the subsequent guilt that is so characteristic among Irish Catholics – play a prominent role as the story unfolds. “I was certain I was going to hell…”, says Billy’s love interest, Eva, during their childhood. “…don’t all children think they’re going to hell?” Read more

Irish Pride, Catholic Guilt & Not “Particularly Huggy”

Katharine Rose Rose's Ridge March 9, 2015April 5, 2017Catholic church, Catholic guilt, Ireland, Irish American, Irish American Catholics, Irish American culture, Irish American History, Irish Catholics, Irish fatalism, Irish humility, Irish humor, Irish Need Not Apply, Irish pride, Irish stereotypes, Irish virtues, Second Vatican Council, St. Paddy's Day, St. Patrick's Day, Tammany Hall 5 Comments

In celebration of St. Patrick’s Day 2015, ATG is exploring “All Things Irish” for the next couple weeks. We begin with the below feature on Irish American culture. Stay tuned for more!

“It’s amateur hour”, Mr. Bryan O’Connor* says of St. Patrick’s Day. “I mean, I don’t have to display the fact that I’m Irish – leave that for the Italians”; and then added, “See, it’s the Irish sense of humor…we have our issues, but at least we have a sense of humor.”

And humor Mr. O’Connor certainly displayed during our interview, where I sought to debunk his “Irishness” and examine what it means for him to be an “Irish American.” Read more