Terence Winch: Craic-Head Poetry

  Most readers of these posts share a common tool: the English language, which, as the authors of The Story of English (companion to the PBS series) wrote in 1986, “…has become the language of the planet, the first truly global language,” spoken by a billion or so people. They will also tell you that “the English language has been indifferent to the Celts and their influence.” In Made in America: An Informal History of the English Language in the United States , Bill Bryson echoes this well-worn notion: “The Irish came in their millions, but gave us only a handful of words, notably smithereens , lollapalooza , speakeasy , hooligan (from Gaelic uallacháa braggart), and slew ….” H.L. Mencken, in The American Language , credited the Irish with a minimal contribution to English: “Perhaps speakeasy, shillelah and smithereens exhaust the list.” Besides these examples, the one word that I remember long ago being told came from the Irish is galore . So it looked like a pretty set...

  In June of 2025, I found myself having to undergo two separate cardiac treatments at DC’s Washington Hospital Center, each visit spanning two days. Like most people, I hate being a hospital patient. The i.v.’s, the constant taking of vital signs day and night, the near-inedible food, the irritating roommate, the subarctic room temperature. Not to mention the pain and discomfort caused by whatever it is that has landed you there in the first place. The nurses were the antidote to my hospital miseries. Without exception, they were extraordinarily kind, professional, attentive. One of my nurses was a young African-American guy, another was a young white guy; all the rest were young women of color. They were all amazing, none of them ever making me feel that I was a pest or a burden. When I was discharged, I left with a feeling of profound gratitude for these dedicated young people and their empathetic souls. In the middle of the night—4.a.m., actually—on my second visit I bu...

Twelve years ago, on 17 May 2014, in the Theater at Madison Square Garden, I gave the graduate commencement address and received an honorary doctorate from my alma mater, Iona College, which has since elevated itself to Iona University.  Some have suggested I post the text of the speech, and so here it is. (There are parts of the speech I would like to re-write, but since I can't go back in time and deliver an edited version, I feel historical accuracy requires me to leave it as is.) ___________________________________________________________________________________ Thank you, Iona faculty & staff, friends & family.  It’s an honor to have this opportunity to speak to you, my fellow Gaels, this afternoon here at Madison Square Garden.   Like all of us vulnerable humans who finally finish with formal schooling, at least for now, you are about pursue a post-student life of fear, doubt, ambition, and self-delusion.  To assist you as you confront the univers...