(First published in 2007) British filmmaker Ken Loach took time out from editing his latest film, about the exploitation of immigrants in Britain, to chat with WGT. He spoke on a range of subjects, including "The Wind That Shakes the Barley" (his second film set against the Irish War for Independence, now on screens in the U.S.), British policies in Ireland, his unusual…

Review By Kieron C. Punch / Associate Editor

Coventry, England -- Veteran British director, Ken Loach, doesn't make movies for the popcorn munching, mainstream, cinema-going public, weaned on mindless blockbusters.

Instead he makes thought provoking, abrasive films that frequently challenge the political establishment and serve as a social…

[This interview was published on The Wild Geese on Nov. 15, 2011.]

Mary…

DOMHNAIGH -- On May 5, 1981, Bobby Sands…

For more than 200 years, millions have visited Ireland and the Blarney Castle for the chance to kiss the Blarney Stone, which, according to legend grants the "Kisser" with a very special gift; the gift of gab or eloquence.

More Of The World According To 'Tracy':

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British filmmaker Ken Loach is turning his practiced muse and penetrating focus once again toward Ireland with a new film exploring the disabilities inflicted on Ireland's working classes, this time in the aftermath of Irish independence.

According to a report this week in…

William Lamport (Guillén de Lombardo) - "The Irish Zorro", who managed to strangle himself just before he was to be burned at the stake in Mexico City

ZORROFEST spices up Wexford this Bank Holiday Weekend

Wexford will be sizzling hot this May bank holiday weekend as the town gives itself…

If you've not heard of Danny O'Flaherty before now...take a read through his blog...follow along as he leads one of his tours...

He is a modern day Bard..singer..poet...story teller... and he blends all of that, along with his deep and abiding love for all things Irish...into the most unique tours one might find

Born in the west of Ireland...in Carna Co Galway...He now calls Jasper Texas Home...at least for the next little while…

We continue and complete our interview with genealogist, author, producer and speaker Megan Smolenyak, wherein we discuss her work with Unclaimed Persons, finding the family of a World War I…

Patrick McManus

By Kieron C. Punch…

(photo courtesy of Megan Smolenyak)

Genealogist,…

A Blessed Nettlemas to all our members here.

Nettlemas, the name the Irish gave to the eve prior to Féile na Neantóg or May 1. On Nettlemas night, boys walked in the streets stinging one another with nettles. We can for go that custom, I am thinking. Instead, shall we toast to the start of a new season, the half…

Susan Potts Kimura read an article in TheWildGeese.com on Tennis In Ireland by James Doherty. Her famous Waterford relative Tennis Player Joshua Pim (Right: nicknamed The Ghost) was featured with a photo.  Susan had never seen a likeness of him and…

The Curragh, County Kildare - It’s who you are. Your blood, your genes and, some would say, your personality, can be influenced by your ancestors, the family members that came before you. It should be essential knowledge for anyone to have and yet there is hesitancy by many to undertake what seems an onerous…

Established in 1985 and quickly becoming one of the premier literature festivals in all of Europe (and beyond), the Cúirt International Festival of Literature launched its 2013 programme on the 23rd of April.  This annual festival based in Galway continues to…

Update: We have reached 300 and we found our winners!

Our 300th member is Melanie Cronk! Please welcome her! Our random member winner is Charlie Brady! Congratulate him! 

Since our launch March 9th, we…

While we were not able to attend any of the Saturday events at the Cúirt International Festival of Literature due to prior obligations, the lineup certainly had great appeal.  Moreover, all the chatter on Twitter and from other sources of discussion indicates a superb…

My qualifications for reviewing modern Irish literature are limited to:

    - I live in Ireland, and,

    - I like books

With that disclaimer...

The Over the Edge Showcase was, for me, a highlight of the Cúirt International Festival of Literature.  The event was billed as giving “a platform to emerging poets and…

Beltane (“Bealtaine” in Irish) is a festival with ancient origins traditionally celebrated on May 1st, a spring time festival of optimism.  Most commonly it is held on the first day of May, or about halfway…