In this week’s Irish Echo…

All the latest ILIR campaign news — with reports from Washington D.C. and Chicago.
St. Patrick’s $pirtual gift — Even more than in past years, the political and diplomatic representatives of Ireland will be stoking the world’s good graces in the days running up to March 17, and on the big day itself, and leading the charge will be Taoiseach Bertie Ahern who will do business with the American president over a crystal bowl filled to the brim with a tiny green plant. By Ray O’Hanlon
Irish government giving U.S. bad advice, says Gerry Adams. Interview by Niall Stanage.
Sinn Fein supporters voice anger. By Ray O’Hanlon.
News Briefs: Irish Dems behind Spitzer, O’Donnell. By Ray O’Hanlon.
It’s St. Patrick’s Day in Baghdad, too. By Ray O’Hanlon.
In conversation with Podge and Rodge. Interview by Niall Stanage.
Paisley renews call for March 17 holiday. By Anne Cadwallader.
Inside File, by Ray O’Hanlon.
Readers’ letters.
Op-Eds by Sen. Edward Kennedy, Secretary of State Peter Hain, Goal’s John O’Shea, and Fr. Michael Tracey of Bay St. Louis in the Gulf Coast.
Business: Aer Lingus privatization could happen within a month, writes Niall Stanage; Echo Careers by Niall Stanage; The Ticker business briefs by Niall Stanage; Op-ed: In business, U.S. and Ireland prove a powerful coupling, says Martin Cullen, Ireland’s minister for transport.
Rooney’s Raceway — Behind his desk in a windowless office at the rear of the raceway’s campus, Tim Rooney is contemplating his own trot into history. Rooney will not only lead the 245th New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade as grand marshal. He will do so in a year that his late father’s creation, the Pittsburgh Steelers, won the Super Bowl for the fifth time. By Ray O’Hanlon.
Line of March — The 2006 New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade steps off on Friday, March 17, at 10:45 a.m. on Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue. The Irish Echo once again is providing its readers with the official line of march.
Copping out? — For the past 100 years or so, Irish police officers have been prevalent in police departments throughout New York and other cities with strong Irish-American populations such as Boston, Chicago and Philadelphia. Today, many of the key positions in American law enforcement are dominated by Irish Americans. But what about the rank and file? By Ailbhe Jordan.
Pitching an emerald — It does seem like the odds were against the Irish national baseball team. Formed in Dublin over 10 years ago by a group of friends, some of who had lived in the U.S., where the game is the national pastime, they all loved the sport and wanted to represent Ireland on the European circuit. Unfortunately there was no field, no equipment and no funds. By Fiona Walsh.
Mob rule — “Paddy Whacked: The Irish Mob” is the epic story of the rise and fall of the Irish-American gangster. Long before “The Teflon Don,” “The Sopranos” and “The Godfather,” it was “Paddy” who was pilfering and plundering the stars and stripes. The new “History Channel” documentary, based on T.J. English’s book, traces the origins of gangsterism in America and it begins with the Irish who fled during the Great Famine of the mid-19th century. By Wayne Chesler.
Alleluia, Carole! — Carole Coleman’s interview with President Bush, conducted in the White House library, made headlines around the world. The expectation was that the Irish reporter would lob softball questions at the president who would take the opportunity to throw back warm and fuzzy sentiments about Ireland and the Irish. She instead fired hardball questions and follow-ups. By Ray O’Hanlon.
Green runs through it — New Hampshire’s Irish-American scene is thriving as never before, thanks to a creative infusion of of musicians, cultural activities, pubs and restaurants and political activism that has revitalized the Granite State, writes Michael P. Quinlin.
L.A. woman — The mixing of Irish and California cuisine is nothing new to Gerri Gilliland, who first came here from Belfast, Northern Ireland, in 1975. She had worked in a kitchen in Belfast, but had no idea 30 years later she would be the owner of several popular and critically-acclaimed restaurants and known worldwide as an expert in the culinary arts. By James Bartlett.
The Patron Saint — The man himself: Patrick was more interesting than the myths that surround him, argues Philip Freeman. And Greg Tobin chronicles the “Patrick Wars” that have been raging since early Christian Ireland.
From the ground up — A new Irish-American club on Cape Cod has become so popular in its first six months that a waiting list has been created for those wishing to join. Sons of Erin — Cape Cod is a members-only social club for men and women who share an interest in promoting Irish culture, heritage and pride.
Guardian angel — The LAPD’s First Assistant Chief James P. McDonnell is leading the crusade to make the LAPD a more efficient and innovative agency “to protect and serve” the people in the city — as well as occasionally giving speeches and filling in for Chief Bratton at functions and meetings. He is the highest ranked Irish-American man in the force, and celebrating a quarter-century on duty. By James Bartlett.
Bruce Morrison interview — “While most of the illegal aliens come from Mexico and other Latin American countries, there are illegal aliens from scores of nations. The number of illegal aliens from Ireland is unknown. There is no reliable figure, but some political observers say the number is about 40,000.” 2006? Actually, no. This was written in 1986 and carried in a report on the front page of the Irish Echo. But it could have been written today. By Ray O’Hanlon
Pub grub done good — For most Irish Echo readers, Friday, March 17, will be the beginning of a long weekend of merriment. From parades and parties to grand balls and galas, socializing in all shapes and forms will be at the top of everyone’s list, and chances are a visit to a pub will be an obligatory stop along the way. By Margaret Johnson.
A homecoming — President John F. Kennedy’s rich, emotional and joyous relationship with Ireland is the focus of a new exhibit being unveiled in Boston this St. Patrick’s Day at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library. “A Journey Home — John F. Kennedy and Ireland” features the highpoints of the president’s famous three-day visit to his ancestral homeland in June 1963. By Michael Quinlin.
Into the mix — Despite their epic 19th century encounter with New Orleans, the Irish failed to dominate in ways they did in other cities, writes Michael Doorley.
An American life — Dubliner James Ryan made his mark on 19th century Brooklyn as a marble-cutter, funeral director, hotelier, and elected official. By Patricia Mansfield Phelan.
If I were a carpenter — Greaney is Local 608’s and Counry Mayo’s main man, writes Tom Costello.
From Bull Run to Baghdad — Once enemies, Louisianans, New Yorkers die as comrades. By Joseph E. Gannon.
The elusive Borrisnoe — Tipperary beckons for Brooklyn-based Australian following a visit to his grandmother’s gravesite in Victoria. By Peter Hamilton.
Waterbug — Hard as it may seem to derive athletic glory out of a drowning, that is exactly the path Manley has traveled. Now in his senior year at the University of Kentucky, he is the Southeastern Conference freestyle champion at 200 yards. His most immediate goal is an NCAA championship (March 23 to 25 in Atlanta). And many laps beyond that lies Beijing, China, site of the 2008 Summer Olympics. By John Manley.
An Inside Look — Hayek dishes on her ‘Dust’ co-star Farrell. By Karen Butler.
The Buzz: Find out what’s happening before it happens. By Eileen Murphy.
New York Insider: The essential guide to the world’s favorite city. By Eileen Murphy.
New & Noteworthy. All the gossip you need to get through this week’s endless rounds of receptions, parties and standing around waiting for your county to pass on Fifth Avenue. By Eileen Murphy.
A long day’s journey — Bars from Manhattan to Long Island will be full of single, uninhibited (some might say drunk) people — so you’ll want to be looking your best. A day of dragging yourself around from bar to bar in cold and possibly rainy weather is not exactly conductive to perfect hair and makeup. But with some early preparations and a little maintenance throughout the day, you can face the crowds head on — whether anyone will be able to keep you in focus is another matter. By Ailbhe Jordan.
Clearing the Clutter. Orla’s Diary.
An Tiogar Ceiteach. (A single girl’s adventures in Manhattan.) By Elaine Ni Bhraonain.
Ask Molly: Wedding gifts the second time around and other readers’ questions.
Ceol by Earle Hitchner. Moloney’s mosaic: Banjoist rescues 14 Harrigan/Braham songs.
“George M. Cohan, Tonight,” at the Irish Rep reviewed by Joseph Hurley.
Hibernian Chronicle by Edward T. O’Donnell. The Irish are dissed by Mayor Hewitt/118 years ago this week.
John McGahern is in the “PageTurner” hot seat this week.
Echo Listings: Tristate events; National events.
Sports Desk: Ten of thousands fly in for Cheltenham festival. By Sean Creedon
Duddy shoots for the ‘Express’ to victory. By Jay Mwamba.
Boxing roundup. By Jay Mwamba.
Soccer Scene: Johnstone, voted greatest Celt ever, dies at 61. By Joe Behan.
Into the fold: Bohs an example of inclusive sportsmanship. By Dave Hannigan.
Golf Roundup. By John Manley.
ILIR campaign gives GAA sense of purpose. By Peter Nolan.
World Cup Player Profile: USA’s Kasey Keller. By Jay Mwamba.