In 1860, 1,400 Irishmen traveled to Italy, responding to Pope Pius IX's call for help thwarting Italian efforts to seize Papal lands. Robert Doyle relates the saga in this 3-part series.

By Robert Doyle

Up to the mid-19th century, Italy was a patchwork of small independent states, each influenced to a…

• Part 1: 'Just a Lad of 18 Summers'
• Part 2: 'An Example Has To Be Made'…

• Part 1: 'Just a Lad of 18 Summers'
• Part 2: 'An Example Has To Be Made'…

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

By Joseph E. Gannon Managing Editor…

Ten IRA volunteers, fighting for their fledgling nation, met their fate more than 80 years ago at the end of a British noose, and until this month lay buried in Mountjoy Prison. Kieron Punch relates each of their stories, starting with 18-year-old Kevin Barry.

In…

In the news this week: British embassy forced to apologise after BBQ 'celebrates' the 200th anniversary of the burning of White House during the War of 1812. The story, and our post below, recall the…

In June of 1920, as Ireland was ravaged by the excesses of the infamous "Black and Tans," a group of Irishmen far from home agonized over the harsh treatment their families were being subjected to back in Ireland. These men, Irishmen serving as soldiers in Englands' 88th Foot, the Connaught Rangers, sometimes know as the "Devil's Own," agonized over the suffering of their…

As that prison ship sailed out against the sky

Sure she'll wait and hope and pray

For her love in Botany Bay

It's so lonely round the fields of Athenry

- From "Fields of Athenry" by Pete St. John

Published by Pete St.…

By James Doherty

A British sailing ship of the "Welp" type.

A deeply unhappy king ordered an inquiry with high-ranking admiralty officials blaming the captain of…

On Dec. 3, 1154, the day after the death of Pope Anastasius IV, the freshly gathered conclave of cardinals unanimously elected the Bishop of Albano as Anastasius' successor. The bishop of this Italian see, 25 miles southwest of Rome, was not Italian, though. His name was Nicholas Breakspear. The new…

By James Doherty

Photo by James Doherty The cove where the pirates landed. Click on the image for a larger view.

On the 20th of…

Click on image to buy the book

A Review By Kieron C. Punch

On Sunday,…

By David Kincaid

In the spring of 1862, a call was made by the Federal government for more troops. The Civil War had been in progress for more than a year, and the 116th Pennsylvania, recruited principally from Philadelphia, was one of the regiments then authorized. Tipperary-born Dennis Heenan, …

The Seventh on the march in "The Valley of the Shadow" Michael Schreck.

By Robert Doyle

In 1876, as the…

"With Their Boots On: Battle of Little Big Horn" by Michael Schreck.

By Robert Doyle

By this stage, General Custer…

Giovanni Martini prepares to depart with Custer's last message to Benteen in "PS, Bring Pacs" by Michael Schreck.

By Robert Doyle…

By Robert Doyle

As the men of the 7th Cavalry rode toward their destiny in June 1876 and into the pages of history, the regiment's muster rolls listed Irishmen from 30 of…

(Above: F. Otto Becker's colorful 1896 lithograph of "Custer's Last Fight.")

Part 1: The 'Greening' of the 7th Cavalry

By Robert Doyle…

By Joseph Gannon

My country men awake! arise! our work begins anew!

Your mingled voices rend the skies, your hearts are firm and true,

You've bravely marched and nobly met, our little green isle through;

But, oh! my friends, there's something yet for Irishmen to…