irish history
Kindred Spirits, Divided Paths
A Quiet Toast to O’Connell at 250 — and the Brewer Who Once Stood Beside Him
Mike Villa
pub culture
The Citadel of the Irish Pub: Why the Name on the Door Matters
Not just a fortress, but a refuge, a relationship, and a ritual.
behind the book
The First Full Draft Is Done
The first full draft of Pints and Power is complete—122 pages, 11 chapters, and a story that pours through history, identity, and belonging. The pint has settled. The next round begins.
Remembrance
Sinéad O’Connor and the Ritual of Truth: “There Has to Be Remembering”
On this day of remembering Sinéad O’Connor, we reflect not just on the voice she gave us—but on the silence she shattered. In Famine, she reframed the story of the Great Hunger with urgency and care. Her song wasn’t just protest. It was grief made ritual—where truth begins to heal.
irish history
The Women Behind the Guinness Name
Their names aren’t always on the brewery gates or the trust deeds. But without them, there’d be no legacy to carry.
Author Reflections
The Winged Fist and the Pint: Tracing the Untold Irish-American Thread
An unexpected thread led me from a history workshop to the Winged Fist archives—and into the story of the Irish American Athletic Club. If you have stories, artifacts, or even pub lore from Sunnyside tied to the IAAC, I’d love to hear them.
Author Reflections
The Chapter That Disappeared—So the Story Could Breathe
Some stories aren’t meant to stand alone. They’re meant to flow through everything.
irish history
A Pint Between Wars
The truce came. The guns fell quiet. But freedom was still far off. The pint was poured anyway.
John at the Bar is a Friend of Mine
Some bartenders do more than pour drinks. They remember your name, your story, your rhythm. They make the pub feel like home. This is a tribute to those everyday legends
irish identity
The Songs That Remember
A reflection on a concert by The High Kings and the emotional weight of the songs they chose—“Chasing Rainbows,” “1845,” “Grace,” and “Ride On”—as metaphors for Ireland’s grief, pride, and perseverance. A night that began in memory and ended in song.
Zero Topped
Sometimes I go for a “zero topped”—choosing Guinness 0.0 not to abstain, but to stay present. Same ritual. Same pour. Just no fog. It’s not about what’s missing, but what remains.
Writing Process
Pouring with Care: Notes from the Writing Process
I’m still writing. Still learning. Still wrestling with how to tell a story that’s not just mine—without rushing the pour. This is a reflection on the conflict between the desire to publish and the responsibility to get it right.