On Fathers Day we remember our own, and other special fathers. There are also special fathers in Irish history. In fact, if you examine the background of many of Ireland's patriots, you will find the strong influence of a nationalist father. But there is one, in particular, who did…

LUAIN -- On June 5, 1868, James Connolly was born of Irish immigrant parents in the Cowgate, an Edinburgh, Scotland, slum. He served in the British army but deserted to marry an Irish girl and returned to Edinburgh. Under the influence of Scottish socialist John…

John L. Sullivan, Heavyweight Champion of the World, strode into the bar in the small town of Belfast in western New York state as if he owned it. He had done the same thing in hundreds of other bars nationwide since…

Over 250 men have been awarded the Medal of Honor who list as their place of birth “Ireland”.  Though uniforms, weapons and enemies have changed, their love and devotion to their adopted country that motivated them to deeds of the highest bravery in her defense have remained…

The Dictionary of Statistics by Michael G. Mulhall, London, George Routledge and Sons, 1892

I have been browsing through the above book and found many interesting population, emigration and property statistics relating to Ireland in the 19^th century. These statistics reveal the impact the artificial famine of the 1840s had…

A Blessed Nettlemas to all our members here.

Nettlemas, the name the Irish gave to the eve prior to Féile na Neantóg or May 1. On Nettlemas night, boys walked in the streets stinging one another with nettles. We can for go that custom, I am thinking. Instead, shall we toast to the start of a new season, the half…

In 2013 our annual trek to the Ireland brought us to a pleasant small cottage in the little village of Lahardane, County Mayo. The choice had been more about it being a centrally located…

On April 11, 1878, a baby girl was born to Edward and Catherine Daly in Limerick. They named her Kathleen; she was the third daughter in a family of nine girls and one boy. The boy, Edward junior (Ned), was born in 1890, five months after the death of his father, and his 12-year old sister helped raise her…

Walt Whitman removed his wide-brimmed hat and wiped his brow with his handkerchief. The summer of 1881 was hot and humid in New York City, with 22 days hitting 80̈° or more. The 62-year-old had come downtown to see a massive work of art. It was causing a sensation in the few places it had…

You won’t find it listed in most Irish travel books and I have yet to see a travel website that mentions it. But in my book, Inishmurray Island is the greatest place in Ireland, perhaps on Earth. Because I always strive to be a traveler…