House of Guinness is Open. Presidential election is set.
PDX HIBERNIAN INDEPENDENT 25 September 2025
More than an email. Less than a newspaper. Now delivered every Thursday. Published by The Portland Hibernian Society
A grateful nation thanks Ireland for Halloween
There are few traditions and rituals from Ireland more embedded in America’s calendar of celebrations than Halloween. Or Samhain, as our ancestor’s ancestors called the day that marked the end of the Celtic year, the conclusion of the harvest, the arrival of winter. Who but the Irish would celebrate “The light that loses, the night that wins”? Join us on October 16 at Kells Restaurant (112 SW 2nd) for songs from folkefire and stories from when Halloween was just an Irish immigrant thing. (Dessert too.) Thursday October 16, Six P.M. - Kells Restaurant.
folkefire will offer renditions of original, Halloween-adjacent Fenbi classics
PDX HI on Holiday
I'll be in the West of Ireland for the first two weeks of October, somewhere along the Wild Atlantic Way. Publication will resume when I return. I promise.
One of my first stops after setting down at Shannon Airport will be in a village called Doonbeg, where only Irish was spoken not too long ago These days, of course, Doonbeg is the epicenter of Trump Ireland.
Gangs of Dublin*
Now Showing: House of Guinness. The new Netflix series “dropped” at midnight here on the West Coast. I got up early and watched the first two episodes. Frankly, it’s not bad. It’s not great either. Some of the stereotypes portrayed can be grating – especially the “mad Fenian.” But I’m sure descendants of the Protestant ascendancy in Ireland will also find the portrayal of their whacky ancestors as cartoonish. That’s what Stephen Knight does. The creator of Peaky Blinders has a go at Irish history from 1868 to whenever the four great grandkids of the brewery’s founder sort out the whole succession thing. I’ll watch six more episodes to see where this goes. Obviously, Guinness is still around so they didn’t totally feck things up. *See Gangs of New York. So far, Guinness can’t match the choreographed mob violence of Scorsese’s movie set in 1864 New York, which wasn't too unlike 1868 Dublin
The Race to the White House (of Ireland) is ON!
The preliminary positioning and efforts to get on the ballot are OFF. Ireland elects its tenth President of the Republic - Uachtarán na hÉireann - in 30 days. Three people have been successful in their bid to contest the race for Áras an Uachtaráin: Catherine Connolly, Jim Gavin and Heather Humphrey. First impressions. Connolly – Left, lawyer, elected locally in Connemara. (She would do well in Portland OR) Gavin – Fianna Fail. Soldier, sportsman, manager, first election, East Coast. Humphrey – Fine Gael. Bank manager, elections veteran, Cabinet member, husband’s a farmer, Protestant. Sinn Fein did not put forth a candidate and will support Connolly. Remember - The president of Ireland acts as the head of state. It is a largely ceremonial role. But this should be fun. KEEP IT TUNED TO THE PDX HI FOR EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE FROM IRELAND OF THE RACE FOR THE ARAS. Election Day – Friday October 24.
Man who lived in White House for 8 years returns to Dublin
Barack and Michele Obama have some unfinished business in Ireland. They are there now, ready to accept a high honor. The Lord Mayor of Dublin will present the former first couple with the Freedom of Dublin Award. Kind of a Key to the City thng. This weekend Obama will be interviewed at the local arena by Irish Timesman Fintan O’Toole. You can read a rundown on the Obamas and Ireland here.
Irish woman is world class pentathlete
It’s been a banner year for Irish athletes at the highest levels of global competition. Add Kate O’Connor’s name to the list with Katie Taylor and Rory McIlroy. She won a silver medal at the World Championships in Tokyo, which are just one step below the Olympics. An Irish woman hasn’t done this well at this level of competition in years. Two things. 1. She lives and trains in the Republic but competes for Northern Ireland too. 2. Her coach is her dad. It was quite a homecoming at Dublin Airport.
How will Rory handle obnoxious New Yorkers?
The much-anticipated golf showdown between teams from Europe and the USA doesn’t tee off until Friday morning, but New York fans are already riding Rory McIlroy hard. Boos greeted McIlroy on the practice tee and didn’t let up during his practice round. There’s a reason the Irishman is so unloved and why he loves playing in the Ryder Cup. It has to do with his divided homeland. This is a good read on the subject by the guy who just published a bio of Rory
Dublin landmark welcomes Steelers and Vikings
If you follow much Irish history you’ve heard of Croke Park and the terrible deeds done there on November 21, 1920. Bloody Sunday saw British troops and the crown’s cops open fire on a packed stadium, killing 14 GAA fans and one player. Want to see what Croke Park looks like today? At 6:30 A.M. our time Sunday (2:30pm IRE time) American football will take the field. Pittsburgh Steelers vs Minnesota Vikings (based on ancient conquests home field advantage goes to the Vikes.) You can imagine all the hype accompanying the game. Historic landmarks transformed: Dublin Castle will be hosting the iconic NFL field goal kick challenge. Fans can step into history at the NFL Rings and Vince Lombardi Trophy Gallery in the Dublin City Hall Crypt. Check local listings.
Warning; Wrong way tourist driver crashes in Donegal
If you’ve ever driven in Ireland, you know the meaning of “When in Rome, drive as the Romans drive.” Vince Maertens, over from Holland on holiday with the family, was seeing the sights in Co. Donegal a couple of weeks ago. He drove his rental out of the parking lot at the Newmills Corn and Flax Mills tourist attraction into the wrong lane heading north, the right lane. (Remember – Left to Left when entering two-way traffic.) One passenger was pretty badyly banged up, his mother-in-law. Maertens hadn’t been drinking, and his insurance was paid up. Nonetheless, he was charged with dangerous driving. But he caught a break when Judge Ciaran Liddy, said he was satisfied that this was a moment of confusion for a tourist. He was fined 200 euros. Some more tips for driving in Ireland.
Robert Emmett’s Moment
This past week has seen scattered official and ad hoc gatherings in memory of Robert Emmett. He was executed 222 years ago on September 20 for leading a rebellion in Dublin. It was an overwhelming defeat that set the cause back for decades, but he made his mark on Irish history with the words of his Speech from the Dock. Here’s the story of one martyr and multiple memorials and monuments