Aidan MacCarthy crouched low in the air raid shelter he and the other prisoners of war had dug themselves. They had seen two American B-29 bombers flying toward the city of Nagasaki before they went into the shelter. A few POWs had stayed outside, though, wanting to see bombs fall on the Japanese for a bit of…

DOMHNAIGH -- On October 8, 1862, Irish-born Confederate General Patrick Cleburne commanded a brigade at the battle of Perryville, Kentucky. Cleburne's brigade was part of the army of General Braxton Bragg.…

This year 2017, is the 170th anniversary of the ‘great Hunger’ that befell Ireland in 1847. Otherwise known as ‘an Gorta mor’ or more commonly referred to as ‘Black ‘47’ it was a seminal turning point in the long tortuous history of Ireland.With the failure of the potato crop due to a serious blight,…

Behold, the great pumpkin, one of fall’s most iconic images. We find the large orange fruit taking center stage in breads, cakes, puddings and, of course, on doorsteps everywhere, so a few recipes using it are in order for the next few weeks. Since most cooks find it more efficient to purchase canned pumpkin…

MÁIRT -- On Oct. 3, 1691, the Treaty of Limerick was signed, ending the Williamite War in Ireland. It has been said that Irish history is something the Irish should never remember and the English should never forget, but the…

Very recently I heard a young Israeli called Yehuda Shaul being interviewed on Radio Ulster. Yehuda is the co-founder of Breaking the Silence, an organization that aims to expose the harsh realities of the Occupation to fellow Israelis. His words made such a deep impression on me that I made up my mind to put…

They have called us Rebels and Traitors,

But themselves have thrown off that name of late;

They were called it by the English Invaders,

At home—in the year of "Ninety-Eight ..."

-- from "Kelly’s Irish Brigade"

For…

The Irish green shall again be seen

     As our Irish fathers bore it,

A burning wind from the South behind,

     and the Yankee rout before it! 

              -- From the Civil War anthem 'Song for the Irish Brigade'

Since its…

It’s official — autumn arrived on Friday, September 22 — and that means apples, pears, and roast pork!  I grew up with pork chops and applesauce, pork roasts cooked with apple juice or cider and, eventually, this sophisticated peppered pork loin cooked with Irish Mist and served with apple-pear chutney that seems to scream “fall.” You’ll find this and other delicious autumn recipes in my newest cookbook Favorite Flavors of Ireland. To…

DOMHNAIGH -- On September 24, 1798, United Irishman Bartholomew Teeling was executed in Dublin. Teeling was the son of wealthy linen merchant in Lisburn, County Antrim. His father was involved in both the Defender and United Irish movement and Bartholomew and his brother joined him in the…

http://www.goveonline.com.au/irish-travellers-aboriginal-people-share-plight-modern-world/…

The others climbed down to the beach, and I had my "moment" of arrival in Ireland: "This is where it all began!"  It was so beautiful I felt the tears just well up.

On the Second Morning of our tour, we traveled to Coney Island...( and yes, Coney Island in New York is named for her!)  Our guide Martin Byrne serenaded me with Maguire's March, in honor of my Irish Language Teacher here in Richmond, Denis Maguire.…

DOMHNAIGH -- On Sept. 17, 1860, units of the Irish Battalion of St. Patrick of the Papal army fought a Piedmontese army allied with Garibaldi at…

Almost all Americans have experienced the Irish contribution to the United States, but the Irish have been instrumental to the history of many countries. The other most notable after the United States are the settlements of Australia and New Zealand, but they have also influenced many societies…

My family always called this not-too-sweet apple cake “nobby” because my mother roughly chopped the apples, a method that left the top distinctly rough and, well, nobby! While she usually made it…

DOMHNAIGH On September 10, 1602, “Red” Hugh O’Donnell died in Simancas, Spain. “Red” Hugh is one of the most romantic figures in Irish history. (Right: Donegal Castle in Donegal Town) In 1588, at about 17, Hugh was snatched away from his family and held hostage by…

When we’re lucky, the tomato season can extend well into September. Some late bloomers barely ripen at all though, staying evergreen and not too tasty on their own. A great solution to making use of green tomatoes is to fry them for a delicious southern style dish served with remoulade dressing, or use them mixed with…

Come all you gallant Irishmen, come listen for a while

I’ll sing to you the praises of the sons of Erin’s Isle

’Tis of an awful, awful ambush I’d have you to beware

That happened in Rineen, in a spot in County Clare.…