Irish America is a bi-monthly periodical that aims to cover topics relevant to the Irish in North America including a range of political, economic, social, and cultural themes.[1] The magazine’s inaugural issue was published in October 1985.[2]Irish America focuses on political and business leaders, organizations, artists, writers and community figures among the Irish in America through its annual lists, awards, and events including the Wall Street 50, Business 100, and Stars of the South.
Niall O'Dowd and Patricia Harty co-founded Irish America in 1985. Since then, it reports to have increased circulation to over 100,000 in the United States, Ireland and Northern Ireland. Its writers and correspondents aim to cover news events relevant to the Irish American community, through news stories, features, and interviews. Irish America has celebrated Irish Americans from the worlds of politics, music, movies, theater, business, dance, books and academia to appear on the covers of the magazine over the years.[12]
Awards
Many awards are given to Irish Americans by the magazine. The top Irish American people of the year are recognized in the selection of the Top 100. The annual Wall Street 50[13] highlights the accomplishments of Irish Americans in the financial community, and there has been a Guest of Honor at every Wall Street 50 event.[14] The Business 100, meanwhile, features 100 honorees and one guest of honor at a luncheon that happens annually.[15]
From 2006 to 2011, Irish America magazine also honored the southern United States with the Stars of the South award. The honorees were feted at an annual celebratory dinner in Atlanta.