Too much Messi. England defeated by constant rival.
PDX HIBERNIAN INDEPENDENT - 16 July 2026
More than an email. Less than a newspaper. Weekly newsletter of the Portland Hibernian Society. Delivered every Thursday.
Rooting against England
Until very late in the match yesterday, it looked like we faced the dilemma: Cheer for England over Spain? Well, there will be no dilemma this Sunday for Irish football fans who have a hard time EVER rooting for England. Lionel Messi and his mates from Argentina put an end to the latest effort by England to win a second World Cup. (1966 was the only time England won it all.) Diehard supporters of Ireland’s team wanted Anyone But England to win the World Cup. Others think that’s silly and point out that Harry Kane and Declan Rice have solid roots in the Old Sod. So, now will you root for Spain or Argentina?
Argentina has a huge Irish diaspora and one Irish player
It’s estimated there are anywhere from half a million to a million people in Argentina who can call themselves Irish. That’s the most Irish in any non-English-speaking country; it’s the fifth biggest Irish diaspora in the world. One member is Alexis MacAllister, whose ancestor Joe moved there from Dublin in 1865. (Don’t let the Mac in his surname fool you, “It’s Irish!” Alexis said.) It’s been a good World Cup for MacAllister. He just missed a goal yesterday and he netted a goal in the quarterfinal win over Switzerland with an assist from the greatest footballer ever, Lionel Messi. The World Cup Final: Noon Sunday on FOX and Telemundo.
Alexis MacAllister of Argentina. Despite the apparent Scottishness of the spelling of his surname, “IT’S IRISH” he says.
Would a bigger World Cup be better? (If it means Ireland would qualify....)
In all the tournaments before 2026, only 32 nations qualified to send a team to the World Cup. But this year’s tournament included teams from 48 nations in competition. When it was announced there would be that big a field this year, some fans of Irish football thought the Boys in Green were a lead pipe cinch to qualify. They were wrong. But World Cup Hope springs eternal. There’s a possibility the 2030 World Cup, to be held in Spain, Portugal and Morocco, will host teams from 64 nations. FIFA czar Gianni Infantino is all for 64. Europe and Asia are opposed. If nothing else, whether to grow the World Cup field again will be an entertaining debate for the next few years. Here’s a rundown in Al Jazaara on Infantino’s expansion idea.
Serving SW Portlanders since 1947, the Leaky Roof on SW Jefferson has apparently closed its doors for good.
The Leaky Roof. Gone but not forgotten.
If the original owner of The Leaky Roof had branded it as an Irish Pub, we’d be mouring the loss of Portland’s Oldest Irish Pub. But only in its later years did “the Roof” go Green. News of the demise of the tavern on SW Jefferson in Goose Hollow came as a surprise to a former owner who’s a Portland Hibernian. Mike Heffernan was also surprised it was called an “IRISH gastropub.” Did he miss an opportunity? Read the story on the PHS website.
Mid-July means mayhem in the north of Ireland
Marching season in the Six Counties came and went last week as members of the PUL (Protestant, Unionist and Loyalist) community honored tradition. Unfortunately, there’s more than marching on July 12 to celebrate a military victory 336 years ago. Bonfires are also a big part of the festivities. Even when they feature effigies of refugees and a model of a mosque. Check this out from the PHS website for a look at the bonfires.
Thomas Shelby meets Inspector Chester Campbell of the Royal Irish Constabulary.
Sam Neill: Born in Omagh but a Kiwi all the way
You’ll never hear a more authentic Northern Irish accent than the one Sam Neill used in his portrayal of Inspector Chester Campbell of the Royal Irish Constabulary in Peaky Blinders. So zealous was he as the RIC man in pursuit of Thomas Shelby (Cillian Murphy) that you thought his inner turmoil was always about to burst. There were many other fine performances in his career, but that’s the one that came to mind with news of his passing. Sam Neill was 78 . Cillian Murphy had nothing but praise for New Zealand’s greatest actor. “I admired him and adored him in equal measure. He was one of the kindest, funniest and gentlest people, and one of the finest actors. RIP.”
Finding the Lost Children of Tuam
Liam Neeson doesn’t star in his newest film. He produced it. Lost Children of Tuam tells the story of the discovery of hundreds of dead children in an unused sewage tank in 2015. Catherine Corless, a real person, was researching the Bon Secours Mother and Baby Home in Tuam, County Galway, for a local historical society when she uncovered the possibility that as many as 796 children had been buried in unmarked graves on the property. You can read the New York Times article about Tuam that inspired Neeson to produce the film. (Paywall) Lost Children of Tuam just won the top award at the Galway Film Fleadh (Festival). There are no plans at this time to release it in the US.
Local Irish July
The Portland Hibernian Society won’t meet at Kells Restaurant again until September 18. Enjoy your summer in Western Oregon. The best summer in the world weather-wise, some say. Here are three Irish gatherings scheduled for this month.
Gaelic Athletic Association Games
Saturday,July 18 - Columbia Red Branch features one Gaelic football match and one hurling match at Montavilla Park starting at 10am. From Brian Thompson, “After the matches those that are interested will go for food and drink somewhere close to the park. Your members and other PDX HI recipients are invited to come watch and then join us for the afters.” Free.
Traditional Irish Music and Dance
Saturday, July 18 - For the fourth year, Fairsing Vineyardsin Yamhill will host a Celtic Ceili with traditional music, a live caller, step-dance lessons, food, friends, and children. Imagine the setting: high on a hilltop surrounded by forested acres and incredible views extending from the Cascades to the Coast Range. 4pm to 8 pm. Blanket picnics and outside food are welcome. Bottle service of Fairsing wines availableuntil 7:30 pm. $15.
Picnic by the Willamette
Sunday, July 26 - The annual Irish Network Portland summer bash will again be held at Foothill Park in Lake Oswego. Free for INP members $5 donation for non-members.