Talkin’ Irish Books tonight at Kells
PDX HIBERNIAN INDEPENDENT 20 November 2025
More than an email. Less than a newspaper. Now delivered every Thursday. Published by The Portland Hibernian Society
Irish Book Talk Tonight. First Ever Third Thursday Hibernian Book Night. Here’s the lineup of presenters, and books we’ll be talking about.
Some of the titles.....
Kells Restaurant. 112 W Second Ave. No host Dinner at Six P.M.
NOTE: TONIGHT’S PROGRAM WILL BEGIN AT 6:45 P.M.
THIS JUST IN – IRE’S NEXT OPPONENT IN WORLD CUP PLAY
Troy Parrot scored five goals in two games for Ireland.
You would think from all the celebrating in Ireland last Sunday morning that The Boys In Green had qualified for the World Cup this summer. Not quite. With a miraculous win in Budapest, the Irish side made it into a play off for a spot in World Cup Summer. This morning at 5 A.M. our time in Zurich, a lottery drawing provided Ireland’s next opponent: Czech Republic (Czechia). Ireland (ranked 59th in the world) will travel to the ancient city of Prague to take on Czechia (ranked 44th) on Thursday, March 26. Five days later Ireland will host either Denmark or North Macedonia at Aviva Stadium in Dublin. The team from the Six Counties has to go to Rome to play Italy and then either Wales or Bosnia on the road. If you'd like to follow The Boys In Green, the PDX HI will be providing weekly updates on how the team's doing leading up to March 26 and 31. Photo - Troy Parrot, Ireland's striker, scored five goals in two games to lead his country's squad to the next level of WC competition.
FASTEST WOMAN IN THE WORLD OVER 100 MILES IS IRISH
Caitriona Jennings from Letterkenny in Co. Donegal now holds the world record for running 100 miles. Last weekend she took almost five minutes off the world record for that distance as she won a 100 miler in Illinois. Her time was 12 hours 37 minutes and 14 seconds. That’s seven minutes and 34 seconds per mile for 100 miles. "I potentially have a bit of a talent for the ultra so I suppose I should embrace it – give it a proper crac," Caitriona said. She’s 45. More on her career here.
HE WROTE THE BOOK THAT BECAME SAY NOTHING
Ed Moloney ded in mid-October. His coverage of The Troubles set the stage for Say Nothing, the book and the limited series. He wasn’t a fan.
HAVE YOU EVER WANTED TO SPEAK IRISH?
Expect a focus on the Irish language during the term of Catherine Connolly as Tenth President of Ireland. To her, speaking Irish is as natural as speaking French in France, Spanish in Spain, German in Germany, etc. Interested? In December Gaelige Northwest here in Portland will be offering classes and gatherings at local pubs for Irish speakers and those who would like to be.Think you’d like to give it a try? There's a class for beginners on Nov. 29 at PCC.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE IRISH
In Ireland, members of the Taoiseach’s Cabinet are called Ministers. Neale Richmond, the Minister for the Diaspora was in San Francisco last month kicking off the process of crafting a new Diaspora Strategy. "What it means to be Irish or have an affinity for Ireland in a changing world" is a key theme of such a plan. Who’s a member of the Irish Diaspora? First, the 2 to 3 million people who are either born in Ireland and living elsewhere or those non-natives with Irish citizenship. Second, the 70 to 80 million people worldwide with some Irish blood in them. Finally, the uncountable millions who have an AFFINITY for Ireland and all things Irish. You fit in there somewhere.
SAVE THE DATE - DECEMBER 13
This is how the Cross of the Scriptures at the Oregon Potato Famine Memorial at Mt. Calvary Cemetery on SW Burnside appeared on the morning of December 13, 2008. A few hours later, President Mary McAleese of the Republic of Ireland would arrive to dedicate the work of the sculptor Brendan McGloin of Donegal. At 11 A.M. on Saturday, Dec. 13 we’ll gather at the Cross for a brief ceremony. Please plan on joining us. Lunch at Kells Restaurant (112 SW Second) to follow at Noon.
QUITE THE IRISHMAN
Have you noticed how Conan O’Brien has become Mr. Irish American? His travel shows from the old sod are popular, he swears his wit comes from being Irish and he’s got great hair. He was feted at a gala recently in New York and said this:
“I want to dedicate this to all of us Irish people… I share this gift with all of us who carry this lovely, exhilarating gift and burden of being Irish in this world today.”
When he was a writer for The Simpsons O'Brien came up with several Irish-themed episodes. Our favorite.
