All of a sudden there was this amazing middle-class emerging.”After that first visit to Cuba, McNiff returned to New York where she was raised by two Irish parents from Drumkeeran, Co Leitrim. McNiff says there has been a gradual deterioration in recent years, with increasing blackouts across the country. When Cubans require treatment for prostate cancer, the medication is often purchased for thousands of dollars in Miami and flown to Cuba. Kneecap aid convoyBelfast rap trio Kneecap announced this month that they are joining an international 'Nuesta América' aid convoy to Cuba. The 13-hour time difference and the frequent blackouts in Cuba made video calls difficult for the young couple.

Source: Irish Examiner March 17, 2026 22:28 UTC