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Kiss them: They're Irish

by
scribegrrrl

It's St. Patrick's Day! I'm never quite sure what to make of this particular holiday, since it immediately brings to mind losers wearing green hats and guzzling green beer — or worse, parades that won't let the gays in. But in an attempt to accentuate the positive, here are seven (that's lucky!) delightful Irish people and things:

1. Carly Smithson

I'm still not entirely sure she can live up to all the hype, but American Idol contestant Smithson was great last week. I hope she'll continue to rock out, though I really don't think the Ann Wilson comparisons are right. There can be only one Ann Wilson. But kudos to Smithson for bringing Heart to the masses.

2. Roisin Connor (Siobhan McCarthy)

If you stopped watching Bad Girls after Helen and Nikki left the show, tune back in to see Roisin and Cassie, another star-crossed couple. Sometimes they wear very nice soooots.

3. Emma Donoghue

Donoghue's novel Hood, about a lesbian whose partner has died unexpectedly, is funny, heartbreaking and unforgettable. I really enjoyed Stir-Fry and Slammerkin too. And those are just a few books in a growing body of work. Read our interview with Donoghue here.

4. Dancing at Lughnasa

This 1998 film based on the Brian Friel play has its flaws, but it also has Meryl Streep, which is good enough for me.

Here's the trailer, if you want to dance with it:



5. Rosie O'Donnell

Yeah, she's loud, she's polarizing, she's too much — but I miss her. Every time she and Chastity Bono show up at the end of The Big Gay Sketch Show, I think, "Rosie, come back to TV!"

6. Sinéad O'Connor

I've loved her since The Lion and the Cobra, and even though I've occasionally questioned her sanity, I've never questioned the brilliance of her voice. Or the beauty of her face — if I had that face, I'd have a buzz cut too.

The video for "Nothing Compares 2 U" showcases both voice and face to very fine effect:



7. Guinness

Well, that goes without saying.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

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    • Submitted by
    scribegrrrl
    on March 17, 2008 - 11:00am.
    TAGS :: 
    not a southpaw's picture

    Yes Yes Paddy's Day

    Submitted by
    not a southpaw (50 posts)
    on March 17, 2008 - 10:57am.

    Though like the cynical Irish person I am I'm not celebrating. And the next person that calls it Patty's Day gets a smack. I need a drink...

    (Don't ask and Marlene won't tell)

    SpeedyPuma's picture

    F%$k that Patty's thing

    Submitted by
    Cat (20 posts)
    on March 19, 2008 - 4:22pm.

    That annoys the heck out of me. Almost as much as the "Do you speak Gaelic?!" No. I speak Gaeilge. Gaelic is a sport with a ball. As for those Canadians who were chanting "Who's your Paddy" in the pub...Grrr....

    Allow me to explain. Paddy is short for Patrick. As in Saint Patrick. As in Padraig, the Irish for Patrick. Patty is short for Patricia. Who may have a holy day devoted to her too, so say happy Patty's Day all ye like then.

    reeceecup's picture

    I do love Carly Smithson,

    Submitted by
    reeceecup (26 posts)
    on March 17, 2008 - 11:01am.
    I do love Carly Smithson, she is so pretty
    MsWoo's picture

    Let's not forget

    Submitted by
    MsWoo, Moderator (409 posts)
    on March 17, 2008 - 11:12am.

    Maeve Quinlan

     

    and Maile Flanagan

     

    Robin91's picture

    The Corrs! Three really

    Submitted by
    Robin (99 posts)
    on March 17, 2008 - 11:14am.

    The Corrs! Three really hot girls (and one cool guy), what's not to love?! I mean, their music is amazing and they are gorgeous.

     

    Still, three girls that hot and not one of them plays for our team? SO unfair.

     

     

    IfOnly's picture

    Drummer-girl, oh drummer-girl

    Submitted by
    IfOnly (175 posts)
    on March 17, 2008 - 12:05pm.

    Oh but in my mind they do. Well, at least Sharon (left) always has. But my heart belonged to Caroline (middle girl). Ever since I was 12. Was it the drums? The aweful clothes? The often parody-ed sillyness? Ah well. Memories, memories.

    Thanks for posting a pic! Blast from the past. Must go and obsessivly listen to "Runaway".

    broadstairs's picture

    The Corrs is my favourite too!!

    Submitted by
    broadstairs (95 posts)
    on May 9, 2008 - 11:29pm.

    Andrea's so beautiful and I'm so into her lovely voice. My favourite songs are many but if I have to pick one it's gonna be "Don't say you love me" (don't say you love me unless forever, don't tell me you need me, if you not gonna stay. I'm humming this song while i'm typing)

     

    Aidan P's picture

    Irish Things

    Submitted by
    Aidan P (103 posts)
    on March 17, 2008 - 11:22am.
    Considering my 3/4 Irish heritage, one could say that I take this holiday a little too seriously perhaps. Thanks for the list. Oh, and don't forget The Cranberries. Talk about a smoking front lady who is Irish!
    carolinagrrrl's picture

    Guinness.

    Submitted by
    carolinagrrrl (212 posts)
    on March 17, 2008 - 11:32am.

    Heh. That made me laugh.

     

    http://legallyout.blogspot.com

    browne's picture

    Peter Gallagher!

    Submitted by
    browne (248 posts)
    on March 17, 2008 - 11:36am.

    Um.... OK, OK, so I'm a dirty bisexual :P

    But in an attempt to make him vaguely lesbianish, here's a picture of him at the GLAAD awards with Cynthia Nixon:

    And he's played lots of gay roles, so... yay Peter Gallagher, right?

    not a southpaw's picture

    Dammit

    Submitted by
    not a southpaw (50 posts)
    on March 17, 2008 - 12:00pm.

    Now i'm forced to join in the festivities to give a little love to Peter Gallagher too. i have an excuse: I share his surname and, unfortunately, his eyebrows (though they're from my mother's side of the family so not in my case a Gallagher trait).

    (Don't ask and Marlene won't tell)

    GertandBernie's picture

    Haha

    Submitted by
    GertandBernie (75 posts)
    on March 17, 2008 - 1:58pm.

    Same here! Both the surname AND the eyebrows. Waxing is always a pain in the ass.

    tsenski_1's picture

    Oh, Sinéad! <3 Gotta love

    Submitted by
    tsenski_1 (6 posts)
    on March 17, 2008 - 12:17pm.

    Oh, Sinéad! <3 Gotta love her.

    And Guinnes. The best beer in the world!

    exevangel's picture

    Not St. Patrick's Day

    Submitted by
    exevangel (17 posts)
    on March 17, 2008 - 12:40pm.

    It's not actually St. Patrick's Day today, due to the conflict with the liturgial calendar:

    http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/7300466.stm

    Ireland celebrated Saturday and other churches just cancelled it.

    I always liked Murphy's better than Guinness although it's true both taste better in Ireland.

    squee's picture

    Ireland did celebrate today!!!

    Submitted by
    squee (21 posts)
    on March 17, 2008 - 1:31pm.

    Counties all over Ireland celebrated St. Patricks Day today with parades etc

     http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0317/stpatricksday.html

     

    Ally_aka_Renee's picture

    La Fheile Padraig duit!!

    Submitted by
    Ally (74 posts)
    on March 17, 2008 - 2:23pm.

    We did actually celebrate Patricks day today. Celebrating on Saturday would've been a scandal if we did. But it was actually that the churches held St. Patricks Day mass on Saturday rather than today as it conflicted with Easter week!

    Anyway, best thing of that list was the Guinness! Its the best STOUT ever, not a beer contrary to popular belief. And as for the "losers in green hats" they are my heroes! lol. And I'm one of them. Oh and she's not Irish but she does the Dub accent so well that Cate Blanchett should be up there!!

    Tis a great day to be Irish. La Fheile Padraig duit! Hope you's all have a good one and some good Guinness!

    avab80's picture

    New York City is celebrating

    Submitted by
    avab80 (26 posts)
    on March 17, 2008 - 2:47pm.
    New York City is celebrating today as well, which is unfortunate for traffic on the Upper East Side. Damn parades.
    car0_'s picture

    Reason 8

    Submitted by
    car0_ (1 post)
    on March 17, 2008 - 1:12pm.

    Orla Brady from BBC's Mistresses!

    My first post,

    La Fheile Padraig shona duit! = Happy st Patrick's Day in Irish!

     

    Nancylee's picture

    and don't forget

    Submitted by
    Nancylee (40 posts)
    on March 17, 2008 - 1:35pm.

    The lovely Maeve Quinlan -- who is on the cover of Woman's World for March with Mr. Guinness. And of course the widly funny Maile Flanagan. Lots of Irish on 3Way. We are heading out today with the 3Way posse (I said posse) and we're doing a pub crawl, and taking the camera with us. Wish us luck (of the Irish)! Erin Go Braughless!

     

     

    Do what you love, with those you love.

    3WayTV.tv

    Charlottery's picture

    "Erin Go Braughless!"

    Submitted by
    Cassandra (123 posts)
    on March 17, 2008 - 2:44pm.
    "Erin Go Braughless!" *snort*
    melikeyou2's picture

    And dont forget

    Submitted by
    melikeyou2 (52 posts)
    on March 17, 2008 - 2:09pm.
    the gorgeous and funny Bridget McManus!!
    Nancylee's picture

    Of course!!

    Submitted by
    Nancylee (40 posts)
    on March 17, 2008 - 2:58pm.

    Trying to tempt that funny lass to come pub crawl with us today, too. And she behaves more than we do, good to have a DD (huh huh) on days like this.

     

    Do what you love, with those you love.

    3WayTV.tv

    prairie girl's picture

    Yay! Sinead!

    Submitted by
    Joey (10 posts)
    on March 17, 2008 - 2:30pm.
    She is one of my heroes. She makes me wanna shave my head. ^_^
    Kalel's picture

    Guinness

    Submitted by
    Veronica (18 posts)
    on March 17, 2008 - 3:07pm.

    Really? Not really to my tastes, but okay.

    And I may have to start watching Bad Girls again. I did stop after Nikki and Helen left.

    --Scio me nihil scire

    Traveler's picture

    Ryan's Hope!!!

    Submitted by
    Traveler (161 posts)
    on March 17, 2008 - 3:38pm.

    How 'bout some love for the late, great sudser "Ryan's Hope"? I had kinda a thang for Nancy Addison back in the day that I didn't really understand at the time ...

    I had a spiritual experience in the Grayity Bar at the Guinness Storehouse (my first tourist stop in Dublin). Silly me, I thought I didn't like the stuff. Turns out I didn't like the stuff that clains to be Guinness that's sold in the bottles and cans in my little corner of the world. But in Ireland ... it is liquid love ...

    It also helped save my trip as I quickly found out prices there were a lil intense for my rapidly failing, flailing, falling Yankee dollars. Instead of eating three meals a day, I used the delicious brew as a meal replacement, usually at lunch. Turns out standing on line to see the Book of Kells is soooo much better with a few pints in ya'.

    And in celebration of St. Patrick's Day, a toast:

    Here's to our wives and girlfriends:
    May they never meet!

     

     

    Pyewacket's picture

    Jillian, Siobhan, Mary.

    Submitted by
    Pyewacket (468 posts)
    on March 17, 2008 - 4:32pm.

    Had a little bit of a thing for all 3!  So let's hear it for Kate Mulgrew...since you already mentioned Nancy and there is already a blog saluting Marg as one of the women of CSI!

    queerCailin's picture

    Roisin Murphy

    Submitted by
    queerCailin (1 post)
    on March 17, 2008 - 4:14pm.
    Former front woman of Moloko. (one of my fav bands) She's gone solo now, and she's just as fab. one of the coolest and most stylish women on the planet. and she's 100% irish. If u dont know her u should cheak her out. She gives Gwene Stafini a run for her money. and i think she has a very lesbionic vibe......
    Radical Bradacal's picture

    my 7...

    Submitted by
    Pirategrrrl (875 posts)
    on March 17, 2008 - 4:21pm.

    THE CRANBERRIES!

    Maureen O'Hara movies ... or really, but Maureen O'Hara.

     

    Potatoes ... I know potatoes are not exclusively Irish, but had it not been for the potato famine, I wouldn't be here. And I do love me some good starches.

     

    MARY McDONNELL!!

     

     

     

    CATHERINE McCORMACK!

     

    Trinity, by Leon Uris

     

     

    and finally ...

    CHERISH THE LADIES!!!

     

    For whatever we lose (like a you or a me)
    It's always our self we find in the sea

     

    Kalel's picture

    Whoops

    Submitted by
    Veronica (18 posts)
    on March 17, 2008 - 4:47pm.

    i totally meant to write that Carly Smithson has some beautiful eyes. And CATHERINE McCORMACK, *sigh* too beautiful.

    Scio me nihil scire

    moviegrl's picture

    Happy St Patty's

    Submitted by
    moviegrl (27 posts)
    on March 17, 2008 - 5:35pm.
    So we like our booze a little too much. *Cheers*
    cogent53's picture

    Irish or of Irish extraction?

    Submitted by
    cogent53 (45 posts)
    on March 17, 2008 - 8:02pm.

    Quite a few mentions for people of Irish extraction here, but how about a few REAL Irish ladies..

     

    How can you have skipped the lovely Fiona Shaw! One of the family too.Fiona Shaw

     

    Or how about Jermey Irons' better half Sinead Cusack?

    sinead

     

    On the young side, but she dazzled in Atonement recently (even if people can't pronounce her name!) Saoirse Ronan

    saoirse

    And finally, a couple of "so pretty they should be girls" actors, Cillian Murphy and Jonathon Rhys-Meyers.

    cillian jonathan

    miss chatelaine's picture

    Pretty men

    Submitted by
    miss chatelaine (200 posts)
    on March 31, 2008 - 10:33pm.

    oh, I've always had a thing for pretty men. Jonathan Rhys Meyers is actually a woman, I'm sure. He's got a feminine jaw, a lithe slinky body, lips to rival Angelina Jolie, and he used to have long hair. Look out, he's the Oirish Kate Moennig!

    th1thonly's picture

    Let me just say that I think

    Submitted by
    th1thonly (26 posts)
    on March 17, 2008 - 8:55pm.
    Let me just say that I think the Irish accent is incredibly hot. That is all.
    kdub's picture

    OUTED OBSESSION

    Submitted by
    kdub (3 posts)
    on March 27, 2008 - 6:58pm.
    Fixation, murder and lust are woven together in this powerful novel of a young African American athlete who faces perilous threats to her sports career, her chosen profession and her life itself.   

    Toni St. James had all any young woman could want. She was a star basketball player and an academic superstar.  She had a childhood sweetheart Jay, a best friend, Ericka, and a wonderful, supportive mother.  

    But when long-time coach, Wanda Leigh, takes a coaching position at the University of North Georgia, Toni’s decision to follow her wreaks havoc between Toni, Jay and Ericka. Toni doesn’t understand the root of this turmoil until she finds out Wanda’s secret, initiating a whirlwind that threatens her very life.  

    Her first day at UNG she meets Parker Peterson, the typical All American, white quarterback. Parker immediately becomes attracted to Toni. Toni’s refusal of his advances causes Parker to loose grip on reality. His lust turns to Obsession which leads to a violent confrontation. Toni and Parker are both permanently injured, setting off Parker’s vow for revenge against Toni and her new and unexpected love, a woman named Alex. 

    mbb250's picture

    Love the list but...

    Submitted by
    Melinda (5 posts)
    on March 28, 2008 - 2:43pm.
    How could you miss Ireland's Best Actress, Elaine Cassidy of Fingersmith fame? She's gorgeous, talented and has an accent even more swoon-worthy than Carly Smithson's.
    miss chatelaine's picture

    I'm not a very good lesbian

    Submitted by
    miss chatelaine (200 posts)
    on March 31, 2008 - 10:39pm.
    but in terms of music you can't ignore Westloife and Boyzone. Both are Irish, both were hugely famous across UK and Asia (though Westlife was way more popular) and both later had a member who came out as gay. I can't help it, I'm a child of the '90s. And cheesy pop never fails to brighten up your day.
    stephj's picture

    I agree

    Submitted by
    steph (10 posts)
    on March 31, 2008 - 11:28pm.
    I agree with th1thonly.....the irish accent is totally hott....
    Fernandes Effie's picture

    Wonderful

    Submitted by
    Effie Fern's (24 posts)
    on May 9, 2008 - 10:38pm.

    Love Effie Ferns!

    Kisses!!@@

    Fernandes Effie's picture

    Sinead O'Connor Nothing compares to you. Beautiful.

    Submitted by
    Effie Fern's (24 posts)
    on May 9, 2008 - 10:55pm.

    Love Effie Ferns!

    Kisses!!@@ Nothing Compares to you Sinead O’Connor She is Amazing.. Really Touching song.


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