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…

On December 5, 2013, The Wild Geese enjoyed a LIVE Community Chat with Sligo-based author and historian, Joe McGowan.  It…

The Wild Atlantic Way will be Ireland’s first long-distance driving route, stretching from the Inishowen Peninsula in Donegal to Kinsale in west Cork.  With a launch date of March 2014, this route consists of existing roadways, but it will offer visitors an opportunity…

National Library of Ireland. Gen. Richard Mulcahy in the uniform of the Irish Free State.

MÁIRT -- On Dec. 16, 1971, soldier and politician General Richard Mulcahy died in…

If Christmas in Killarney is anything like Christmas in the Garden City Library, then Christmas in Killarney is a grand day.

Seanchai…

On December 9, 2013, The Wild Geese enjoyed a LIVE Community Chat with Maeve O'Connell who owns the property at Jerpoint Park in County Kilkenny.  The grave of St. Nicholas (of "St. Nick" or Santa Claus fame) is purported to be…

It was a cold night in November 1983, and I was in the middle of my 12-hour night shift driving a yellow cab in NYC.

Coming down Broadway in upper Manhattan, four people flagged me down. Three jumped in the back and one into the front, never a good plan from the perspective of the driver. The passenger in the front said: “Can you hurry up and get to Times Square?” and promised to take care of me when we arrived –- a…

I’m not sure why so many people think history is boring. Sure, a dull teacher can ruin any good story, but history, in the right setting is not only intriguing, but it is alive. You’ll be amazed at the history you can discover during a driving tour of Ireland. The lens of history is…

Floyd Gibbons: Reporter/Adventurer

Find out more about interesting and fascinating members of the Irish Diaspora here

I just picked up the CD of Mise Eire / Saoirse? and wonder if any WGers saw it when it first came out in 1960 or have seen the CD more recently. What do you think?

I bought it mainly to hear the background music by Sean O'Riada, said to be the father of the traditional music revival of the 20th century, and am only…

The following is a transcript taken from the LIVE Community Chat chat hosted here at TheWildGeese.com on Tuesday, December 10, 2013.  The focus for the discussion was The Certificate of Irish Heritage.  We were joined by…

IRISH TO THE CORE

Congratulations to the winners of the three gift vouchers each redeemable for a Certificate of Irish Heritage:

Mark…