Category Archives: Uncategorized

The Celtic Yule

Posted on December 22, 2018 by Mark Aidan Bergin

As far back in history as anyone in my family knows, beginning in the hills of Ireland, on this night (December 21, or around that night) our family lights a Yule log, wrapped with holly. On the longest night of … Continue reading →

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Is Youth Wasted on the Young?

Posted on August 24, 2016 by Mark Aidan Bergin

One of my Metroland Newspapers columns from March 31, 2016 “I think morals are getting much worse….There were no such girls in my time as there are now. When I was four or five and twenty my mother would have … Continue reading →

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Jazzing it up

Posted on September 3, 2014 by Mark Aidan Bergin

One of my recent Enchanté columns Jazzing it up By Mark Bergin As America became the melting pot of cultures, jazz became a melting pot of music. Jazz and blues are different but related genres. Both grew out the American … Continue reading →

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May the Road Rise to Meet You

Posted on March 18, 2014 by Mark Aidan Bergin

My Enchanté column from EMC News this week By Mark Bergin The week of the Irish is upon us. For many, that means revelry. For others, it’s a simpler celebration of all things Irish: Brendan Behan, James Joyce and other … Continue reading →

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Brendan at the Chelsea: feckin’ brilliant

Posted on October 6, 2013 by Mark Aidan Bergin

“And in Brendan Behan’s footsteps I danced up and down the street.” (Phil Chevron/The Pogues) Brendan at the Chelsea is a masterful production. The play, in its North American debut, allows us to dance in Brendan Behan’s footsteps. It’s filled … Continue reading →

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Mysteries locked in stone

Posted on July 12, 2013 by Mark Aidan Bergin

(My EMC News column from July 11, 2013 By Mark Bergin They go by names like Cloghboola Beg, Carrigagulla, Gortanimil, Reanascreena, Derreentaggart and Ardgroom. Through the veil of time, stone circles and burial dolmens remain a mystery. There are stone … Continue reading →

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Forever Dusty

Posted on April 7, 2013 by Mark Aidan Bergin

In our disconnected world where a four-year-old computer is considered obsolete and music genres are obsessively classified into an almost infinite number of sub-genres throughout the internet, it seems remarkable that any one woman could rule the airwaves. But in … Continue reading →

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Michael Collins

Posted on March 17, 2013 by Mark Aidan Bergin

For those not familiar with Irish history…. Liam Neeson played the role of Michael Collins in the eponymous film. Great movie. Perfect day to watch it. Liam Neeson, Aidan Quinn, Stephen Rae and Alan Rickman each gave a brilliant performance.

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“Sláinte!” to Ireland

Posted on March 16, 2013 by Mark Aidan Bergin

You’ve probably seen the phrase “Erin Go Bragh” hanging in a pub somewhere in your travels. It’s the anglicized version of the Irish Éirinn go Brách. The English spelling is meaningless. The Irish Gaelic phrase Éirinn go Brách roughly means … Continue reading →

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Life’s wee bit of humor

Posted on January 14, 2013 by Mark Aidan Bergin

I do find it humorous that after writing a blog on writer’s block, I disappear for months. I’m back. I’ll soon be posting.

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