CHRISTMAS SHOPPING IN MY FATHER'S TIME

In rural Ireland, the Christmas shopping started on December 8, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. On that date, shops would decorate their windows with Christmas decorations and Christmas fare. I remember when I was young, a Cadbury's merchandiser would organise our Christmas display window.…

In the early 14th century, the Clan O’Malley, a great seafaring family, rose to power in Mayo. They ruled the southern shore of Clew Bay and most of the barony of Murrisk for over 300 years. They were ruthless pirates and terrorised the ships to and…

DEARDAOIN -- On Dec. 13, 1862, the Irish Brigade of the Army of the Potomac suffered horrendous casualties as they assaulted massed Confederates firing from within a sunken road beneath Marye's Heights during the Battle of…

There is a moment in "Brooklyn" -- the recently released 1950s period semi-romance -- when one naive and worried young Irishwoman turns to a slightly less naive and worried young Irishwoman and asks her what America will be like. The response is heartfelt, immediate, true and not quite true, all at once: "Like Ireland,…

With the holiday season in full swing, there’s always room for a few new or revised recipes for tasty nibbles to serve at a drinks party, family gatherings, or cozy get-togethers. If you’re hosting this year, try this classic dip-with-a-twist. You’ll find the recipe in my “Christmas Flavors of Ireland”…

My aunt Winifred Carney was present with James Connolly on Moore Street.

I live in the United States and I am now able to purchase a Bond to help purchase Moore Street.  The following video…

Wild West Irish Tours owners Michael Regan-Waugh and Trish O'Donnell Jenkins are delighted to get some feedback from Maureen Kelley-Olson, the winner of the "The Wild West of Ireland: You Won't Forget Your First Time" contest. Maureen…

Breise! Breise! Extra! Extra!

Posted on…

(HOW WE CAN HELP: http://www.1916moorestreetbond.com/eventsandgatherings)

I began to write about Saving Dublin's Moore Street and found I could not write it any better than Robin Mary Heany has, taken from this site:…

"Our past shapes us and makes us what we are" was a favorite adage of my late grand-mother. To qualify this, she would add, "My tough background gave me strength of character which enable me to cope with what life had in store for me…" For many, our past is in another country. As we live life, we experience many different…

If you're reading this, you're probably proud of your Irish Heritage and rightly so. Honoring your family's roots is nothing to laugh at. There are several ways to do this, of course. Varying from studying the Irish language, playing Irish music, listening to Irish music, and other creative…

I’ve learned some valuable life lessons from Fionn MacCuhul.

Life is short.

Love is vital.

Companionship is…

Starting today, I’ll be sharing some of my favorite holiday recipes as we countdown to one of the biggest days of the year. Christmas Pudding is first, since it takes a few hours prep and steaming time making it the one recipe you want to check off as “done.” The early prep will pay off though, because you can make it…

In October, we spent time traveling in Ireland via a tour from Wild West Irish Tours in October, a prize for winning last spring's "The Wild West of Ireland: You Won't Forget Your First…

DOMHNAIGH-- In the early morning hours of December 6, 1921, representatives of the Irish government appointed by President Eamon de Valera, and those negotiating for the Crown signed the…

My historical novel "Lieutenant and Mrs. Lockwood" is based on an actual Irish family, and I've had people ask about their story. The Lockwoods' story turns out better than that of the Fortescues, but I think I have…

The great Irish American journalist Pete Hamill will be our guest on Saturday December 5 at 12 Noon New York time. We will talk about his book Why Sinatra Matters which is being re-issued in time for the centenary of Sinatra's birth. Pete has written a new introduction for this edition.

I watched "The Bloody Irish: Songs of the 1916 Rising" on PBS Channel 21 last night.

The music -- great! The singers -- fabulous! The "history," especially the scenes in the GPO -- the less said the better. But it's the politics that really matter.

This show was made in Ireland for broadcast on PBS.…

After more years than I care to count, Kieran has resurfaced. The last time I saw him, it was raining; it was one of those gray Galway days on New Castle Road, and I’d sleuthed Kieran out, after swearing to Adrian I’d never tell who had told me where I…

Éamon de Valera: A Will to Power

By Ronan Fanning

Faber…