Game On!

PDX HIBERNIAN INDEPENDENT 26 March 2026

More than an email. Less than a newspaper. Weekly newsletter of the Portland Hibernian Society. Delivered every Thursday.

NOTE: There will be no March meeting of the Portland Hibernian Society tonight on the Third Thursday - March 26. Next Meeting: April 16.

Can Ireland do it?

Later today (Thurs. 26 March) we’ll see if Ireland’s men’s national soccer squad has what it takes to make it into this summer’s World Cup in Mexico, Canada and the U.S. It’s been years since the glory days of Irish soccer from 1986 to 1995, and the Boys in Green haven't been to the World Cup since 2002. So, this team taking the pitch in Prague today will carry the weight of a nation’s great expectations. Even If they defeat Czechia, though, they’ll have to win one more match next Tuesday to advance. Vice-captain Seamus Coleman, who’s 37, put it this way, “After the aftermath of the last two games (which Ireland won), seeing what it did to our country was incredible, how it lifted our people, how it genuinely made people happier and ⁠gave people something to talk about. Myself and all the players, as much as we want to do it for ourselves... we do want to do it for the people of our country as well." GAME TIME WEST COAST: 12:45 P.M. Thursday 26 March. You can check who’s streaming it here. Or head to T.C. O’Leary’s on NE Alberta at 30th or Kells Brewery on NW 21st to watch it. BONUS: No ties allowed. They play until one team wins, even if that means 30 minutes of extra time and then penalty kicks. Also playing at 12:45ish today: Northern Ireland v. Italy.

If your sport is baseball, An Irish Story

The 2026 Major League Baseball season is underway and while there may be plenty of players with Irish last names on the field, and plenty born outside the U.S., there won’t be a single Irish-born player on the fields this year. It wasn’t always that way. FACT: Ireland has sent more players to baseball’s big leagues than any other county in Europe: Forty nine. Of course, 47 of them played in the 19th Century. Only one made it to the bigs in the 20th century. Poor Joe Cleary. What a sad Irish story. The pitcher for the Washington Senators was put in as a reliever in August of 1945 and gave up five hits, three walks and let in seven earned runs. All in one inning. While only recording a single strike out. You can look it up.

Rom Com with an Irish accent from Corrib

The movie version of the play Outside Mullingar is called Wild Mountain Thyme. Even though it was written and directed by John Patrick Shanley, it’s pretty different from the stage version, which is being presented by Corrib Theater beginning April 2. The play ran on Broadway for a few months in 2014. Shanley made his name with the Tony-winning play Doubt and Oscar-winning movie Moonstruck. Outside Mullingar is romantic comedy a la Ireland. “Who gets the farm?’’ is the question that drives this often-loopy light comedy. (As opposed to dark comedy, Martin McDonagh’s specialty.) Holly Griffith directs. Click here for tickets.

Tommy Shelby and Michael Corleone

Fans of the Netflix series finally got their wish: Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, a full-length movie. The title is a bit of false advertising. Tommy Shelby, intense as ever as played by Cillian Murphy, proves to be very mortal. Crime family father figure Shelby has Michael Corleone issues; dealing with an unruly brother, wearing the crown heavily and reluctantly getting dragged back into the life of crime where he deals with British fascists and undead relatives.

Speaking of the undead

Even though The Immortal Man is set during World War Two, Winston Churchill doesn’t make a cameo appearance, as he did during the Peaky Blinders six-season run. But the former PM was present in spirit when Ireland’s leader politely pushed back on the Churchill-As-Hero narrative at the White House on St. Patrick’s Day. Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Micheal Martin was tapping into Irish history when he acknowledged Churchill’s leadership in World War Two but differed with Trump when it comes to his legacy in Ireland.Click here to read how that meeting went.

50 Years On: When Irish History was a best seller

In late March of 1976 a 900-page novel that covers the history of Ireland from the Penal Laws through the Famine to the Rising, started its climb up the U.S. best seller lists. Trinity, by Leon Uris, would become the best-selling novel in America through that Bicentennial Summer. There’s no question whose side it took in the centuries-old conflict between Ireland and England, Catholic and Protestant. Read how Trinity’s popularity had a big impact on Irish American readers.

Mayor Mondami mixes messages to Irish America

First thoughts upon watching a vertical video of the new Mayor of New York delivering his first St. Patrick’s Day message: This is different. Some ancient Irish history, a shout out to Saint Patrick and a plea to support Palestine. All in under three minutes. Someone on his staff knows their Irish stuff. Second thoughts: Mondami misplayed this one. He admitted on Monday (3.16) that he “had not given a lot of thought” to the issue of a United Ireland. Then on Tuesday (3.17) he asks the Irish for solidarity while hosting a breakfast for President Mary Robinson, attending Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral and marching in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. It wouldn’t be unfair to ask if his Irish awareness reaches beyond vertical videos, public appearances and talking point set pieces. Both sides now. If you’ve got a sub, here’s Liam Stack’s coverage in the NY Times. For free here’s the New York post’s piece on St. Patricks Day doings in the Big Apple.

Latest lawsuit aimed at Gerry Adams dropped

Three men injured by IRA bombings in England during The Troubles decided at the last minute to drop their case.Adams was being sued in London's High Court for allegedly being directly responsible and complicit for decisions by the Provisional IRA to detonate bombs in England in 1973 and 1996. He was being sued for a symbolic 1 pound ($1.34) in damages.(Associated Press)Adams has denied repeatedly over the years that he was ever in the IRA. Apparently, this case was dropped because lawyers for Adams could counter sue the three men who then might have to pay damages to Adams.

How much does Ireland love the World Cup (when they qualify)?

It's hard to convey the enthusiasm for World Cup qualifiers like today's in Prague. This might help. A clip from the movie The Van.

Did Trump just endorse a United Ireland?