Thanks Ger! I am based in Midleton in Co. Cork at the minute (though I am an exiled Limerick man!). There was an Arthur Shields who woreked with John Ford I think, but I must admit I don't know too much about him!
There are four derivations of it that I know of- Shiels, Sheils, Shields and Sheilds and they appear to be the same name but with the usual split in the spelling once it began to be written down- ultimately I think we are all of the same stock no matter where our 'd' is!
I have been brought up with a sense of belonging. I come from a Canadian Ulster Scot family on my father's side. My Gran always exposed me to the culture, the language, the customs, history and the heritage of both Ireland and Scotland. I felt a sense of coming home from the first time I stepped out into the peat air in Shannon. I had a sense of "knowing" as the Ferry pulled into the dock at Cill Rónáin. It is that which I try to speak to within my photography and writings
Gerry .. Thanks for making me feel so welcome. My people are in Kilteevan, Carrowban and Ballinaboy, Roscommon. There's a well known restaurant called Regan's in Roscommon town .. any relation? (Excellent Lamb Chops!)
Thanks, Ger. I'm rather up to my ears at the moment promoting the new paperback edition of The House on an Irish Hillside and completing work on my new novel. But I'm delighted to be here, looking forward to keeping in touch, and I'll do some quick uploads now while I've time.
Hi Ger, 'Tis me, Louise Murray, & I am having quite a time trying to get a note to you? Either I hit wrong button, or don't, but either way, I have typed out 2 full messages to you, but both of them are gone! Phew, blown away!!! What would be the best way to respond to you emails to me? Sorry for being unable to send a complete one to you as yet. Moneymore is in Co. Derry, & it is where me family lives. Also, Reid, my husband and I will be leaving on 25Jun for Dublin to spend 2 months in dear Erin! Our first stay for 3 weeks. will be in an ancient stone build barn, that has been refurbished into a lovely, livable home. It is part of the O'Neill's residence. I am most excited in this upcoming stay, as through research, I have learned that my family, the Murray's are linked to the O'Neill's who were considered the High Kings in Ulster, Northern Ireland. This, and more is what I hope to learn in our stay in Ireland this year!
Looking forward to your reply, Also, I have a great many pictures taken on our multiple trips to Ireland, Would it be ok if I downloaded them on to the Wild Geese site?
Louise, thanks for elaborating on your noble Irish lineage. :-) Please share as much about Ireland and your Irish family history here as your time and energies allow. I beg you to do so, and this includes your vacation pix!
In reply to your question of the "Flynn's", I am guessing you are referring to my personal family. The surname of Flynn is ranked among 41 of the most common name in Ireland, although I am not sure if that includes the counties that are unfree in the northeast area of Ireland. My paternal great-grandfather was born in County Tyrone. My maternal grandmother was born in Donegal, and arrived in NY after 1900. My maternal grandfather arrived in Philadelphia from County Mayo after 1900. Each had a distinct Irish-American story.
Thank you for the warm welcome, Ger. I'm a second generation Irish American (Maiden name Quigley, and from a line of McCarthys and Sullivans), feeling somewhat adrift since the passing of everyone in my family from my parents generation. I'm looking forward to making new connections!
Patty, I think many of us here can relate to now being in the vanguard of family ancestry. It can be lonely at the top! ;-) We have a few Sullivans within the community, including Fionntan and at least on other. Looking forward to learning more about your 'Irish story.' Ger
Neil, maybe they know something about William Walker, a 'filibusterer' who in the 1850s raised a mercenary army to establish an American and pro-slavery foothold in Latin America. I'm sure he'd be a reviled name there, among any who knew of his history. There were some Irish involved, I think.
Thank you for the welcome. I recently discovered my Irish heritage through Ancestry.com. The Hollingsworth family was from Armagh, Ireland and immigrated to the U.S. in the late 1600s or early 1700s. And yes, we live north of Richmond, VA. We hope to visit Ireland some day.
Thanks Gerry. It took me awhile to figure out how to reply. Love my Irish genealogy. Know more about the line from Kerry (Sullivan, Fitzgerald, McDonnell). But also have a line from Tyrone (Loughran, Morrow, Mackle) Love reading all the stories. But haven't snooped much yet. Thanks again..
Thanks for the welcome! I really enjoy this website it has a wealth of information. I have been conducting a family search of the Bourke clan of Co Limerick for a few years now.
Sorry I'm not related to Ed Shevlin who has made quite a name for himself through his natural talent and personality and good works ... at least not in recent generations. My career (I'm 80) was in intelligence, security and federal law enforcement. Now I'm getting deeper into Irish history, culture and genealogy studies. My roots go back to the Ardara area of SW Donegal where the name is usually spelled Shovlin or Shovelin (originally O'Seibhleain). All my grandparents or greatgrandparents were born in Ireland (Shovelin, Breslin, McCool, Dwyer, Conway, Boylan, McLoughlin, Flanagan). I've driven all over Ireland on several trips, but at 80 I can't hire a car for myself and where I like to go there isn't much public transport. "Too soon we get old; too late we get smart!"
Gerry, thank you for your comments on Ghost of Gallipoli. As a new member of The Wild Geese I'm still getting my head around the format and finding out exactly what I can do on the site. I'm hoping to promote Ghost of Gallipoli further as soon as I get to grips with it all. Margaret
Ger, I was just listening to this TED talk about non-traditional collaboration and the benefits of working in your own space. It made me think if you guys, so I thought I'd pass it on. :)
Delighted to be a member and looking forward to contributing from here in Northern Israel.
We were at the Gathering and later traveled all over Donegal. A great and beautiful county and thank you to all the Donegalers for trying to give me Kosher food. The pratai were great. Why can't I do the fadas here? Sorry you lost the football game to Cavan but there you go, at least Donegal Creameries got good advertising.
Damian Shiels
Sep 26, 2011
Damian Shiels
Hi Ger,
There are four derivations of it that I know of- Shiels, Sheils, Shields and Sheilds and they appear to be the same name but with the usual split in the spelling once it began to be written down- ultimately I think we are all of the same stock no matter where our 'd' is!
Sep 29, 2011
Gerry Regan
Sep 29, 2011
Founding Member
Rick Grant
Ger,
This is awesome. Just flew back from San Diego, so I'll explore this more after I've rested my eyes some. Well done!
Rick.
Feb 27, 2013
Bit Devine
Gerry,
I have been brought up with a sense of belonging. I come from a Canadian Ulster Scot family on my father's side. My Gran always exposed me to the culture, the language, the customs, history and the heritage of both Ireland and Scotland. I felt a sense of coming home from the first time I stepped out into the peat air in Shannon. I had a sense of "knowing" as the Ferry pulled into the dock at Cill Rónáin. It is that which I try to speak to within my photography and writings
Mar 22, 2013
Gerry Regan
Bit, can you share with us some of your written work, as well? Where is Cill Rónáin?
Mar 25, 2013
Gaeilgeoir
Jane Sherry Gardner
Gerry .. Thanks for making me feel so welcome. My people are in Kilteevan, Carrowban and Ballinaboy, Roscommon. There's a well known restaurant called Regan's in Roscommon town .. any relation? (Excellent Lamb Chops!)
Apr 17, 2013
John Walsh
Hi Gerry,
My lucky day. Thanks for the welcome. My address is
John Walsh
Doire Press
Aille, Inverin
Co. Galway
Ireland
I look forward to rocking.
best,
John
Apr 29, 2013
Jim Curley
Talking with those Galwegians on Wednesday was fun. Thanks for hosting the event.
Jim
May 10, 2013
Felicity Hayes-McCoy
Thanks, Ger. I'm rather up to my ears at the moment promoting the new paperback edition of The House on an Irish Hillside and completing work on my new novel. But I'm delighted to be here, looking forward to keeping in touch, and I'll do some quick uploads now while I've time.
May 11, 2013
Louise Carol Rawls
Hi Ger, 'Tis me, Louise Murray, & I am having quite a time trying to get a note to you? Either I hit wrong button, or don't, but either way, I have typed out 2 full messages to you, but both of them are gone! Phew, blown away!!! What would be the best way to respond to you emails to me? Sorry for being unable to send a complete one to you as yet. Moneymore is in Co. Derry, & it is where me family lives. Also, Reid, my husband and I will be leaving on 25Jun for Dublin to spend 2 months in dear Erin! Our first stay for 3 weeks. will be in an ancient stone build barn, that has been refurbished into a lovely, livable home. It is part of the O'Neill's residence. I am most excited in this upcoming stay, as through research, I have learned that my family, the Murray's are linked to the O'Neill's who were considered the High Kings in Ulster, Northern Ireland. This, and more is what I hope to learn in our stay in Ireland this year!
Looking forward to your reply, Also, I have a great many pictures taken on our multiple trips to Ireland, Would it be ok if I downloaded them on to the Wild Geese site?
Slant'
Louise Murray
May 14, 2013
Gerry Regan
Louise, thanks for elaborating on your noble Irish lineage. :-) Please share as much about Ireland and your Irish family history here as your time and energies allow. I beg you to do so, and this includes your vacation pix!
May 15, 2013
Catherine White
Thank you. I am looking forward to participating in the trivia contest and so much more on this site.
May 17, 2013
Catherine White
No, but Galway Shawl is my favorite traditional Irish song. I liked the picture and thought it would make a good icon. I hope its ok that I used it.
May 17, 2013
Maire Flynn
Go raibh maith agat, Gerry,
In reply to your question of the "Flynn's", I am guessing you are referring to my personal family. The surname of Flynn is ranked among 41 of the most common name in Ireland, although I am not sure if that includes the counties that are unfree in the northeast area of Ireland. My paternal great-grandfather was born in County Tyrone. My maternal grandmother was born in Donegal, and arrived in NY after 1900. My maternal grandfather arrived in Philadelphia from County Mayo after 1900. Each had a distinct Irish-American story.
May 20, 2013
Patty Vickers
Thank you for the warm welcome, Ger. I'm a second generation Irish American (Maiden name Quigley, and from a line of McCarthys and Sullivans), feeling somewhat adrift since the passing of everyone in my family from my parents generation. I'm looking forward to making new connections!
May 22, 2013
Gerry Regan
Patty, I think many of us here can relate to now being in the vanguard of family ancestry. It can be lonely at the top! ;-) We have a few Sullivans within the community, including Fionntan and at least on other. Looking forward to learning more about your 'Irish story.' Ger
May 22, 2013
Neil Hanlon
down in Ecuador visiting my son for a spell. Haven't met many who know much about the Irish Brigade but spreading the word here and there
May 30, 2013
Gerry Regan
Neil, maybe they know something about William Walker, a 'filibusterer' who in the 1850s raised a mercenary army to establish an American and pro-slavery foothold in Latin America. I'm sure he'd be a reviled name there, among any who knew of his history. There were some Irish involved, I think.
Jun 3, 2013
Lane England
Thank you for the welcome. I recently discovered my Irish heritage through Ancestry.com. The Hollingsworth family was from Armagh, Ireland and immigrated to the U.S. in the late 1600s or early 1700s. And yes, we live north of Richmond, VA. We hope to visit Ireland some day.
Jun 6, 2013
Gerry Regan
Interesting, Lane. Were they Quakers? Is it clear why they emigrated?
Jun 6, 2013
Jim Curley
Ger, thanks for the tip.
Jim
Jun 26, 2013
MK Smith
Jun 26, 2013
Mary Courtney
Finally! I will have to change my profile pic soon.
All the best,
Mary
Jun 28, 2013
DAVID G BROWN
Hi Gerry
Thanks for the welcome! I really enjoy this website it has a wealth of information. I have been conducting a family search of the Bourke clan of Co Limerick for a few years now.
Thanks again!
Jun 29, 2013
Edward F. Shevlin
Hi Gerry,
Sorry I'm not related to Ed Shevlin who has made quite a name for himself through his natural talent and personality and good works ... at least not in recent generations. My career (I'm 80) was in intelligence, security and federal law enforcement. Now I'm getting deeper into Irish history, culture and genealogy studies. My roots go back to the Ardara area of SW Donegal where the name is usually spelled Shovlin or Shovelin (originally O'Seibhleain). All my grandparents or greatgrandparents were born in Ireland (Shovelin, Breslin, McCool, Dwyer, Conway, Boylan, McLoughlin, Flanagan). I've driven all over Ireland on several trips, but at 80 I can't hire a car for myself and where I like to go there isn't much public transport. "Too soon we get old; too late we get smart!"
Ed
Jun 30, 2013
Ned McGinley
Jul 10, 2013
michael hogan
Thanks, Gerry. Good to be here. Check out our page on Facebook for the Irish Soldiers of Mexico.
http://www.facebook.com/IrishMex
Jul 11, 2013
Caroline Doherty de Novoa
Thanks Gerry. Am I one of the first members in LATAM? I will spread the word amongst the "Irish Americans" on this side of the continent.
Jul 14, 2013
Margaret Whittock
Gerry, thank you for your comments on Ghost of Gallipoli. As a new member of The Wild Geese I'm still getting my head around the format and finding out exactly what I can do on the site. I'm hoping to promote Ghost of Gallipoli further as soon as I get to grips with it all. Margaret
Jul 20, 2013
Kelly O'Rourke
Ger, I was just listening to this TED talk about non-traditional collaboration and the benefits of working in your own space. It made me think if you guys, so I thought I'd pass it on. :)
Aug 2, 2013
Paula Lydon
Míle Buíochas for the Fáilte Gerry! Looking forward to joining in the conversations!
Aug 9, 2013
Julianne Ní Chonchobhair
Go raibh míle maith agat, Gerry!
Aug 14, 2013
Maerton Davis
Go raibh maith agat as an failte roimh chach.
Delighted to be a member and looking forward to contributing from here in Northern Israel.
We were at the Gathering and later traveled all over Donegal. A great and beautiful county and thank you to all the Donegalers for trying to give me Kosher food. The pratai were great. Why can't I do the fadas here? Sorry you lost the football game to Cavan but there you go, at least Donegal Creameries got good advertising.
Aug 18, 2013