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

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...
July 11, 2024 by Peter McDermott
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...
July 10, 2024 by Peter McDermott
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 ...
June 21, 2024 by Peter McDermott
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...
June 11, 2024 by Peter McDermott
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 ...
May 23, 2024 by Peter McDermott
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 ...
May 20, 2024 by Peter McDermott
'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...
April 24, 2024 by Peter McDermott
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...
April 18, 2024 by Peter McDermott
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...
April 16, 2024 by Peter McDermott
Uncovering history close to home Uncovering history close to home
“My grandfather, Francie, was just 14 when the Irish War of Independence broke out and played his part as a scout and messenger for his brother and...
April 10, 2024 by Peter McDermott
Healy was a 'pioneer' artist Healy was a 'pioneer' artist
Stained glass artist Michael Healy had “three transformative strokes of good fortune in his life,” according to his biographer David Caron. But bef...
April 02, 2024 by Peter McDermott
Friendship inspires a musical Friendship inspires a musical
Imagine you go into the attic to look for something in a box. Then you find a picture of somebody, which in turns reminds you of somebody else or s...
March 27, 2024 by Peter McDermott

 

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