Maureen Murphy’s book "Compassionate Stranger" was 44 years in the birthing.  Her biography of Asenath Hatch Nicholson brings back to life a heroine of the Great Hunger, a story of the Famine little known but…

By Dr. Laura Kelley

Usually, when we speak about the Irish Diaspora in the USA, New Orleans is not among the cities that first come to mind as centers of Irish population and…

Book Review

"Belfast Days: A 1972 Teenage Diary," by Eimear O’Callaghan

Merrion Press

Copyright 2014

"Belfast Days: A 1972…

The heroes of the hour -- witnessing history as it unfolded. 

The Irish Order of the Capuchin Friars came to Ireland in 1615.  It was not until 1690, however, that their first friary was built.  Over time, they moved to Cork where they established the friary house (which…

Laura D. Kelley’s Irish roots dictated the focus of her study, and Irish luck lent a hand when she met on her first day in the Crescent City a man from “da Channel”– the Irish Channel – with an unusual accent reminiscent of New York City even though he was born and raised in New…

Thomas Fitzsimons was born at Ballikilty, County Wexford, Ireland in October of 1741 to Anthony Fitzsymons in the mid-1750s.  We know his mother's name was Jane, but we do not have a record of her maiden surname.  Fitzsimons immigrated to Philadelphia where his father…

Seán Mac Diarmada (Sean MacDermott) is yet another one of the 1916 Easter Rising leaders who has remained in the historical shadow of other prominent leaders who have enjoyed iconic status in the history books.  He has been described by some as one of the greatest of the…

By guest blogger Constance Hall

Last November, a dream came true for me when I read about a knitting and craft tour that Irish Tourism had…

Wild West Irish Tours on Irish radio, TV and newspapers!

Michael Regan-Waugh on Irish TV

We are grateful to IrishTV.ie, Clare FM radio, The Clare Champion, and  Raidio Corca Baiscinn –…

Claddagh Gifts at Totally Irish Gifts         …

The video below, which I produced, spotlights my coffee-table book on Ireland, "Ireland in Word and Image," on sale at Amazon, Rizzoli Bookstore and Rizzoli…

Bray, County Wicklow lies on the eastern seaboard of Ireland and is known as the "gateway to the garden of Ireland."  Just twelve miles south of Dublin, it offers a  range of attractions to suit all ages.

The promenade starts at the northern end near the harbour and Martello…

The shrine of St. Valentine is found at the beautiful Whitefriar Street Church, Dublin, Ireland.

Fr. John Spratt was an Irish Carmelite and a well-known preacher, who worked among the poor in the Liberties in Dublin, Ireland. He…

The law-officer, whose business was to apprehend criminals, was long- known popularly as the "catch-pole."  But few remembered that he obtained that designation due to the fact that he originally carried with him a pole fitted by a peculiar apparatus to catch a…

Seán Heuston is yet another young man who is scarcely known as one of the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising.  He does not share the historical iconic status that is accorded to James Connolly or Patrick Pearse, for example.  He was and still remains one of many leaders of the 1916…

Publisher: Merrion…

Dreaming of Ireland - This is truly our best selling tour on the market!  Our Celtic Dream Tour is a premier tour of Ireland. Right now we can offer a savings of $400 per couple with this exclusive sale!

PROMOCODE: DREAMWEB400 See the majestic Cliffs…

Not many people know about Uisneach but it really is a special place. Situated in the very centre of the island of Ireland, in County Westmeath, it has been referred to as the navel of Ireland. At its centre is Aill na Míreann (the stone of the divisions, seen above) and this…

'It’s the little things that happened quite spontaneously and unexpectedly that made this trip so special.'

By Marie Evans, Decatur TX

If you enjoy riding on a large bus with a huge group of people you…

National Museum of Ireland The flag of Dillon's Regiment, Irish Brigade of France.

DOMNAIGH -- On February 1, 1702, the…