To understand futility, hope, dashed hopes, what does this say about an author. Colm Tóibín is remarkable in Brooklyn, where he speaks as a young Irish girl of the 50s who finds herself in America as if by accident. How will she answer when Ireland calls her back?

The Celtic Cross, a powerful symbol of Christianity in Ireland, is seen in churchyards and by roadsides, but curiously enough, these ancient symbols predate Christianity.

Irish traditional music has never gone out of style. It enjoys a great following of ardent fans who are "Mad for Trad." Not just for St. Patrick's Day, Irish music is played every day in venues high and low around the globe.

Many readers have asked for the recipe for Irish Brown Bread. It´s not so long ago that I wouldn´t have been able to help them, as the flour was hard to get outside of Ireland. Now it´s easily acquired in the U.S.

Corned beef and cabbage is classic St. Patrick's Day food. Come to think of it, it's a fine meal any day of the year.

Stopping at Shannon Airport at 8:00 AM after a night-long flight makes the mixing of coffee, cream, and Irish whiskey a perfectly natural thing to do. Irish Coffee is made to be savored, and St. Patrick's Day is another perfectly natural time to enjoy a sip or so.