TALKING IRISHLAURA IZIBOR
What are your earliest St Patrick's Day memories?There are five kids in my house, so I'm not sure my mam ever had a chance to celebrate. But my uncle used to take us into town to see the parade, put me up on his shoulders and all of that. It was so exciting.
Of course, as you get older St Patrick’s Day becomes less about the parade and more about the pub afterwards. But it’s funny, the more I’ve travelled, the more I appreciate how much of a big deal it is. I’m in St Louis, Missouri at the moment, and even here St Patrick’s Day is a huge deal. Everyone is excited.
You once told me that, as a black girl, you feel more comfortable in New York than in Dublin. Is St Patrick's Day an inclusive celebration for all Irish people, regardless of skin colour, or could more be done to make it so?Oh, of course it is. You're taking that remark slightly out of context there, because that only applied to certain situations. What I meant was that, when I moved to New York, it was a real novelty to be able to discuss hair products, for example, with other people who had Afro hair. But when it comes to St Patrick's Day, I think every Irish person is really, really proud to be Irish.
You've met Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin. So I know you're not going to be too easily impressed. But just how excited are you about going to the White House on Wednesday?Very excited. It's a huge deal. I'm not a tough person to impress. People get that impression because I'm very laid-back. My friends couldn't believe that I was so calm meeting Stevie Wonder. But it took two or three days for the enormity of that occasion to sink in.
I’m sure it’ll be the same meeting Obama. Right now I’m thinking, “Ah, sure it’s only Barack. It’ll be grand!” By Thursday or Friday, I’m sure I’ll be thinking “Holy God, I just met the president!”
Have you decided what you'll say to him?I have no idea, but I'm definitely going to prepare something. Because if I go with something on the spur of the moment, I just know I'll say something crazy. I'm sure he'll take control. I'm sure he'll be very smooth, very cool. Michelle [Obama] and Hillary Clinton are going to be there too. And some very famous golfer too. My brother texted me telling me how jealous he is that I'm meeting him, but I can't remember his name. Pádraig something. I just hope no one tries to speak for me. "This is Laura, she's from Ireland . . . " I hate when that happens.
Finally, have you any St Patrick's Day film recommendations?Anything by Roddy Doyle. Whenever my American friends mention PS I Love You[Izibor's track Carousel appeared on the soundtrack to the 2008 movie], I always tell them, "Nah, that's nothing. You've got to see The Commitmentsor The Snapper. Those are real Irish movies." Those two always make me laugh.
