PDX HIBERNIAN INDEPENDENT 13 November 2025

More than an email. Less than a newspaper. Now delivered every Thursday. Published by The Portland Hibernian Society

PHS BOOK NIGHT NEXT THURSDAY @ KELLS RESTAURANT. 7 P.M.

We’re Irish. We love to read and we love to talk. Come by Kells on SW Second on Thursday, Nov. 20 for a night of no screens, just books. Here's who has signed up to share recommendations for their best-loved books with an Irish connection: Ed Curtin, Erin Walsh, Jim Galluzzo, Pat Casey, Frank Holt, Colleen Schultz, David O'Longaigh, Tim Birr. DETAILS. DINNER THURSDAY NOV. 20 - SIX PM. PRESENTATIONS AT SEVEN. KELLS RESTAURANT. 112 SW SECOND AVE.

JACK SCHLOSSBERG GETS SERIOUS

This is not your father’s Kennedy. The son of Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg and grandson of JFK is running for Congress. He’s best known for his provocative social media presence. “I also bring two years of experience in a toxic and polluted media environment where, unlike a lot of people, I know how to breathe that air,” he told Maureen Dowd for a Sunday NYT column. "If somebody thinks I'm crazy because they saw one of my videos, that means that they saw one of my videos..." He wants to represent Manhattan in the House of Representatives. “I’m impressed that he’s thought through the different ways of doing that and is willing to take the consequences when he takes a risk that people find offensive,” his mom Caroline Kennedy said. “He certainly is not going to be a major candidate,” said Gerry Nadler, the very longtime Representative from CD 12 who's finay retiring. There are several potential candidates. The primary is scheduled for June 23 next year.

WAS THAT A LION ON THE LOOSE IN COUNTY CLARE?

The really big news from Ireland last week was a shaggy dog story. 'Lion' on the loose in Ireland was a big dog 'with a fresh haircut, read one of hundreds of headlines.

Co. Clare forest manager John O'Reilly: “The animal had been seen before by harvesters working on the site, but it was from a distance, moving through the trees. We assumed it was a deer before the video was captured." The Newfoundland imitating another animal species is Mouse. Really. This is the kind of story people will always love, featuring an animal, a friendly Garda, some Irish country people and best of all, no one gets hurt. But who owns Mouse and why the haircut?

DOG LOVER LEAVES ARAS

Ireland’s ninth President, Michael D. Higgins, had his critics but was generally well regarded by the people of Ireland. The Bernese Mountain Dogs and ther owners who lined up to say goodbye were among his fans. The breed is a favorite of Mr. Higgins. He had four – Misneach, Bród, Síoda and Shadow - during his 14 years in office. Since his election in 2011 the big dogs were often seen inside Aras, the official Presidential residence. Here’s the official statement from the President when Brod died.

NEW PRESIDENT GOES TO SCHOOL

President Catherine Connolly was sworn in as Ireland’s tenth President on Tuesday. On Wednesday the President visited Gaelscoil Inse Chór in Dublin, where she met primary school children. She declared: "Níl aon obair bhaile agaibh anocht" - no homework tonight. During a short speech, she spoke again of how the Irish language is a gift and "súil eilear an domhain". (“Another look at the world” according to Google translator.)

IRISH FOOTBALLERS IN ENGLAND JOIN POPPY PROTEST

Katie McCabe, captain of Ireland's Women's National team and star for Arsenal.

James McClean, the professional Irish soccer player who for 12 years has been protesting the British ritual of wearing the poppy around Armistice Day by not wearing one, has been a lone ranger. No other Irish players playing in England followed his lead. Until now. Read why McClean won’t wear the poppy and how four Irish women have joined his protest.

Marianne Bolger is Ireland's Ambassador to Jordan and Iraq.

FROM BAGHDAD TO BAGHDAD BY THE BAY

There will be a new Consul General in the Irish Embassy in San Francisco by this time next year. Here are the details on who’s arriving and who’s leaving.

HAVE A PINT. HOLD THE ALCOHOL.

Drink is still a problem in Ireland, as it is in the rest of the world. But a glimmer of good news can be found in the latest annual survey called Healthy Ireland 2025. “Overall alcohol consumption and harmful drinking rates have decreased for both men and women since 2015.” The Irish seem to have a healthy thirst for NA(non alcohol) options. Especially Guinness 00. Sales are up 30% year to year. The main reason 00 drinkers give is that they drink NA stout when they need to drive home. A much smaller percentage said they go NA when they need to get up early the next day and don’t want a hangover.

JFK’s goofy grandson is running for Congress

What just happened in Ireland and New York City