Peter McDermott

Peter McDermott joined the Irish Echo’s full-time editorial staff in 2004. Before that he was a frequent contributor to the Echo and to Newsday, and he has written also for a variety of publications in Ireland, including the Irish Times, the Sunday Press and the Irish Examiner. He is a graduate of University College Dublin (BA, MA).

Latest Stories

Renewed focus on Harris roots Renewed focus on Harris roots
The Irish Echo, it seems, was the only publication to point out in 2020 that former Vice President Joseph R. Biden, the Democratic Party’s presiden...
Outsiders make common cause Outsiders make common cause
The United States, claimed Franklin Delano Roosevelt, was “a Protestant country and the Catholics and Jews are here on sufferance.” Terry Golway wr...
Father, son artists in dialogue Father, son artists in dialogue
Upon stepping from the street into Nunu Fine Art, 381 Broome St., one can take a stroll back in time. One experiences the 1960s to the ’80s, specif...
Interviews with an Islander Interviews with an Islander
The story of Maura Gilligan’s book “The Tide is Coming” begins with an interview with John McGowan of Coney Island, Co. Sligo, on a Thursday aftern...
Early debate leads to crisis Early debate leads to crisis
Some might have heard the tale about one pious man’s reaction to an impending hurricane and flood. A kindly neighbor knocked on his door to say, “C...
Emerald Mile is bypassed by furious battle in 16th District Emerald Mile is bypassed by furious battle in 16th District
The St. Patrick’s Day Parade was late this year in Yonkers. It’s always later, but in 2024, the committee opted for the rain date, Saturday, April ...
Portrait of the artist as farmer Portrait of the artist as farmer
The farmers are happy. And so is the Irish Arts Council. Director Cara Holmes was aware that the latter was interested in ideas for documentaries m...
Geary returns to 'home town' Geary returns to 'home town'
“It’s grueling. It’s exciting. It’s brutal. And it’s absolutely amazing.” But most of all, said Mark Geary about the life of a troubadour, “It’s a ...
Faith meets politics Faith meets politics
Gov. Mario Cuomo stepped up to the mic at the University of Notre Dame on Sept. 13, 1984, just two months after he’d given an electrifying keynote ...
'A novel for our times' 'A novel for our times'
Kevin Holohan once interviewed fellow novelist Joseph O’Neill on stage. That was back in December 2015 in the old Irish Arts Center building now un...
Stand-up star Stand-up star
“I’ll just get your mother, love.” The father in Deirdre O’Kane’s stand-up routines is affectionately remembered. But there are silences as he trie...
Learning to love the system Learning to love the system
There were a couple of silver linings for Ross Barkan on election night in 2018. He was with his supporters, for one. “That was definitely great. I...

 

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