We commemorate the 100th Anniversary of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby this week with Patrick O'Sullivan Greene, author of Gatsby: Death of an Irishman.

Patrick guides us through F. Scott Fitzgerald's troubled Midwest upbringing, his quest for status, his ambivalence towards his Irish heritage, the sociopolitical climate of early 20th-century America, and the careless Jazz Age excess portrayed in Gatsby.

Patrick peels back the intricate layers of Fitzgerald's character, revealing the underlying themes of identity and self-rejection in his work, his shifting views of Irish issues, and how his personal battles influenced his writing and contributed to his tragic life.

The episode also touches on Patrick’s own Irish heritage and his journey from business and finance to writing.

We end the conversation as The Great Gatsby ends, with the novel’s closing line, “So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.”

Links:

Patrick O'Sullivan Greene

• Website
• LinkedIn
• BlueSky
• X
• Instagram

Gatsby: Death of an Irishman

• Amazon
• TheBookshop.ie

Episode Details: Season 7, Episode 11; Total Episode Count: 114

In this episode of the Irish Stew Podcast, host Martin Nutty discusses his experience celebrating St. Patrick's Day at the American Irish Historical Society, meeting its executive director, Dr. Elizabeth Stack. Despite her success in revitalizing the society, news of her removal for cost-saving measures casts a shadow on its future.

The episode reissues a conversation from July 2024, when cohosts John Lee and Martin Nutty met Dr. Stack at AIHS to discuss her background, her efforts in promoting Irish American history, and the Society's then-state. The conversation also explores the importance of storytelling, historical preservation, and community involvement in sustaining cultural institutions.

Links

Irish Stew Blog Post, which will be updated as new information becomes available

• Turmoil Revists the American Irish Historical Society

Elizabeth Stack

• LinkedIn

Articles on the Latest Turmoil at the American Irish Historical Society

• Irish Echo: Firing and Resignations Rock the AIHS
• Irish Echo: AIHS Board Issues Statement After Firing, Resignations
• Irish Central: American Irish Historical Society faces new "transition"

Episode Details: Season 7, Episode 10; Total Episode Count: 113

Join us as Larry Kirwan spins us back to the vibrant, violent New York City of the 1980s and the lives of the mostly undocumented Irish who called a patch of turf there home, in his novel Rockin’ The Bronx.

Best known as the frontman for the legendary Irish-inflected rock & roll band Black 47, Larry delves into themes of immigration, Irish and Hispanic cultural intersections, the shifting fortunes of the navvies and the nannies, the unnamed scourge of AIDS, Reagan-era politics, and his creative process in writing plays, novels, and music.

“I could tell you how to write a novel, and how to write a play, basically in five minutes each,” he says. “With songwriting, I still don't understand it. It's that moment when the hammer hits the anvil, and sparks fly.”

Now the Wexford native is combining his songwriter and playwright skills in a new musical on labor organizer Elizabeth Gurley Flynn.

And stick around for Martin’s reading of a Rockin’ The Bronx passage reminiscent of the closing section of James Joyce’s “The Dead.”

Links

Book Orders:

• Fordham University Press: Rockin’ The Bronx

Larry Kirwan

• Wikipedia
• Black 47
• Celtic Crush with Larry Kirwan
• Celtic Crush Facebook
• Prior Irish Stew Episode

Episode Details: Season 7, Episode 9; Total Episode Count: 112

“St. Patrick’s Day Today, Hungover Tomorrow.”

Seeing that slogan on a St. Patrick’s Day T-shirt sent William Spencer Reilly on a mission to “reclaim the day” from negative stereotypes to what is best about Irish culture. So, he created the Sober St. Patrick’s Day® Grand Celebration, a culture-rich, family-friendly, attractively priced, alcohol-free way to enjoy the “great day for the Irish.”

We delve into Bill’s life in theater production, how it served him in developing Sober St. Patrick’s Day, the movement’s early supporters including the Consulate of Ireland in New York, the event's growing success, the dangers of binge-drinking associated with St. Patrick’s Day, the champion Irish musicians and dancers highlighting this year’s program, and his plans for future Sober St. Patrick’s Day expansion.

As Bill says, “I’m not anti-drink, I’m anti-drunk. Sober St. Patrick’s Day is about all the best things about the Irish, just without the alcohol.”

As this episode drops, tickets are still available but act soon because the event sells out every year!

Links

Sober St. Patrick's Day

• Website
• Facebook
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• YouTube

William Spencer Reilly

• LinkedIn

Episode Details: Season 7, Episode 8; Total Episode Count: 111

Join us in the Queen’s Quarter at the former derelict buildings that Anthony and Andrea Kieran transformed into Belfast’s stunning five-star boutique hotel, Regency House.

Their story intertwines personal histories with The Troubles (including when Anthony was the victim of two bombings in one day in South Armagh), their serendipitous meeting in Washington, D.C., his work for NASA, their decision to move to Belfast, their unplanned venture into the hospitality business, and the peak experience of welcoming President Bill Clinton and Senator George Mitchell to their hotel.

Bringing a platter of Belfast Baps for us, Executive Head Chef Michael O’Connor tells of his early cooking experiences in West Belfast, surviving the high-pressure kitchens of London’s top chefs, the role of locally sourced foods in driving Belfast’s restaurant renaissance, and the challenge of creating just the right menu for Regency House.

And he’s taken a shot at fast food with his signature Braised Beef Shank Burger—which takes two-and-a-half days to prepare!

With a unique blend of American and Northern Irish perspectives, a commitment to personalized hospitality and community investment, Andrea, Anthony, and Chef Michael offer an intimate look at Belfast’s past, present, and future, one that’s ever more welcoming to visitors.

So, join us in the President’s Suite of Belfast’s beguiling boutique hotel, Regency House.

Links
Regency House

• Website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• LinkedIn

Anthony Kieran

• LinkedIn

Episode Details: Season 7, Episode 7; Total Episode Count: 110

Join us for the first stop on Day 2 of our Lost in Belfast Road Trip as we visit the magnificent City Hall to meet Lord Mayor Micky Murray.

The city’s youngest and first openly gay Lord Mayor shares refreshing new perspectives on his changing city, saying “Where Belfast is now and where we're going is a lot more exciting than what's happened over the last 50 years.”
The Lord Mayor talks about his political journey, Alliance Party affiliation, priorities in office, LGBTQ+ community efforts, and favored social justice initiatives such as addressing homelessness through the innovative Complex Lives strategy.

The conversation highlights his city's growth, increasing diversity, and the exciting future he envisions for Belfast’s people.

Given that the Lord Mayor serves just one year, every hour is precious, so we much appreciate the hour he spent with us…and now with you.

Links

• Belfast City Council Page
• Facebook
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• X

Episode Details: Season 7, Episode 5; Total Episode Count: 109

The third stop on our “Lost in Belfast” series is the city’s oldest cultural organization, The Linen Hall Library, located in an 18th-century building across the street from City Hall and a reminder of Belfast’s days as “Linenopolis” when it dominated the global linen trade.

Our conversation with director Julie Andrews delves into the library's rich history since its establishment in 1788, its role as a neutral space for political and cultural dialogue, and its extensive collections, including its signature Northern Ireland Political Collection of ephemera and artifacts gathered during The Troubles. “Politically, we show no allegiance. There’s something in our collection to offend everyone,” Julie says.

She shares insights into the library's innovative projects, ongoing initiatives to ensure the organization stays relevant, challenges inherent in operating a not-for-profit institution, the library's community engagement, its diverse events, and potential future expansions.

Join us at a beacon of Belfast history, The Linen Hall Library!

Links
The Linen Hall

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• Facebook
• YouTube
• X/Twitter

Julie Andrews

• LinkedIn

Episode Details: Season 7, Episode 5; Total Episode Count: 108

For the 2nd year in a row, Irish Stew hosts Maedhbh Mc Cullagh, the director of the Capital Irish Film Festival, who discusses the festival's offerings, the audience's response, and the challenges and rewards of organizing such an event in Washington, D.C.

Eva Birthistle joins John Lee and Martin Nutty to discuss her directorial debut, Kathleen Is Here, a gripping psychological thriller. The conversation explores the ideas behind the film, along with Eva's move to the other side of the camera.

The episode continues with Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland and United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. Mary Robinson's story is brought to life in Mrs Robinson and will be the feature presentation on the first night of the film festival. Martin explores the former president's early background and her current efforts to address the climate crisis through Project Dandelion.

Film Links

• 19th Capital Irish Film Festival - (Feb 27 - Mar 2, 2025)
  
  
• Mrs Robinson
  
  
• Kathleen Is Here Preview
  
  

Mary Robinson Links

• Project Dandelion
  
  
• The Elders
  
  
• Wikipedia

Eva Birthistle Links

• Wikipedia Profile
  
  
• IMDB

Episode Details: Season 7, Episode 4; Total Episode Count: 107