'Oiche na Gaoithe Moire' - The night of the big wind! That phrase usually refers to one of the most devastating hurricanes that ever hit Ireland, which made land during the night of Little Christmas, on the 6th of January 1839, almost 174 years ago, just before the outbreak of the…

The traditions on the 26th of December in Ireland have not largely carried over to most sectors of the worldwide Irish diaspora.  Known as St. Stephen's Day or Wren Day in Ireland, this is a brief crash course on the traditions of this day for those outside Ireland who are…

IRISH TO THE CORE

(Left, left to right, Brendan Barry and new recruit and County Meath native Conall Finn with County Kildare native Emmet Gallagher, owner of McMahons Irish pub in Warrenton, Virginia.)

NEW YORK – Just prior to a recent reception for the soon-to-launch Dingle Distillery at the Irish Consulate General in…

Eight-year-old Virginia O'Hanlon wrote a letter to the editor of New York's Sun, and the quick response was printed as an unsigned editorial on September 21, 1897. The response by Francis Pharcellus Church, a former Civil War correspondent, has since become history's most…

The following is a transcript taken from the LIVE Community Chat chat hosted here at TheWildGeese.com on Friday, December 20, 2013.  The focus for the discussion was the tradition of the mummers in Ireland.  We were joined by…

The Wild Geese's Gerry Regan, right, brings gifts Monday to a family in need on behalf of The Wild Geese's 1,500+ members, Heritage Partners, and just good ol' friends. On the left is Órla Kelleher. executive director of Aisling Irish Community…

We hope you enjoy the above video which was broadcast LIVE here at TheWildGeese.com on the evening of Monday, December 23rd, 2013 with recording artist and County Kerry native Mary Courtney.

Our…

IRISH TO THE CORE

Linen Hall Library A 17th century portrait of Hugh O'Neill, Earl of Tyrone.

MÁIRT -- On December 24, 1601,…

(First published in 1998) Joseph Gannon's review of Terry Golway's book

Revolution has usually been a young man's game. John Devoy was definitely an exception to this rule; -- a man who lived to a very old age, through times…

Hello Folks! If you're in New York City on January 16th, come and see the famous writer and Irish/New York City personality Malachy McCourt (brother of Frank McCourt who wrote Angela's Ashes) read from Light of the Diddicoy!…

A.D. 2013 has been a big year for The Wild Geese.  It was just nine months ago that the new and improved version of TheWildGeese.com was launched.  As 2013 winds down to a close, we thought it would be interesting to compile the most popular blog posts and discussions…

December 18, 2013, marked the 135^th anniversary of the execution of John Kehoe at Pottsville, Pennsylvania. On that day in 1878, newspapers country-wide reported the scheduled death of the “King of…

Over most of Western Europe, particularly in those areas connected with the ancient Celts, December 21, the shortest day of the year fell during the Druidic festival of 'Yule'. Today it is better known as the festival of the ‘Winter Solstice’.

‘Thoul’, an ancient word for…

For 13 years I had been looking for "The Cross of Ballysheen" County Wexford in historical records and on my journeys with Google streetview.  Finally I was here at 'The Lobster Pot' at Carnsore Point which sits right on the crossroads dividing the old townlands of Ballysheen and Ballyfane.  I had quickly set up a…

On Friday, December 20, 2013, we'll be joined by folklorist / entertainer (and fellow Wild Geese member) Jim Ledwith for a LIVE Community Chat on the mummering tradition in…

IRISH TO THE CORE

Looking to land an Irish lad or lassie like they do in the movies? Planning a trip for your honeymoon in Ireland?  Researching…

While yet a teenager, I collected most of these clay pipes around Loughrea, in county Galway, some from the lake shore, some from under the water using a snorkel and mask, the smallest ones from the bottom of a hole I was digging in Elephant and Castle, while working as a student in…