It was nine o’clock on a Sunday night when Johnny Og came to collect me, and it was raining—not one of those misty, soft rains, as is often the case on the west coast of Ireland, but one of those howling, unforgiving, relentless downpours that comes from no discernable direction, save for the threatening sky overhead.…

When the actor Arthur Shields strode towards the Abbey Theatre on Easter Monday, 1916, it was with one intent -- not to rehearse or act in a play, but to collect his rifle and take part in the greater drama that was about to shake the streets of Dublin.

Pictured, Arthur Shields

Once…

Once St. Brigid's Day has passed, our thoughts turn to the arrival of Spring . . .

I was reminded of what little credit I give sometimes Ireland's forgotten writers and poets, especially those who wrote in Irish, 'as Gaeilge'. This struck home when I read again Galway's blind…

On the first day of February, somewhere in Ireland, a ewe is born and peacefully nestles at its mother’s side, warmed by her body, nourished by her milk. This is a pleasing sign of spring, as are the days which are…

LUAIN -- On February 1, 1702, the Irish Brigade of France added to its growing reputation as elements of the Brigade fought at the battle of Cremona during the War of Spanish Succession. With the city nearly overrun by Prince Eugene's Austrians, only the taking of the Po…

The above is a picture of Loftus and Mary Gray, my great-great grandparents. Jack Holt, the husband of Mrs. Billie Jo Holt (who provided the above photo) is also a descendant of Loftus Gray. Jack's maternal grandfather was Walter Gray. The picture was given to Mrs. Holt by Anne Holt and later verified…

Hello fellow Wild Geese members!

Brian Monaghan here, founder and roaster at House of Monaghan - Custom Coffee Roasters.  I'm working on getting my profile up and hope to connect with lots of folks here.  My journey to roasting my own specialty coffee actually began in Ireland!  I'll be sharing more of that…

I live in County Clare, Ireland. All my family originate from the West Of Ireland, My GGGrandad John Doherty was a pensioner in 1866. The only way he could have a pension is from the military. Does anybody know how to find this out? I know that most Irish fought for the Irish Brigade.

Regards Ray (Doherty)

Hello again, I know I am posting another great piece. This is about the Great Hunger in Ireland but its done in a totally new way - a graphic novel. I am hoping to get a copy for myself and give it a read.…

Two months after the ambush at the Burgery, on the 18th of May, the body of Pat Keating was disinterred for burial in Kilrossanty, at the request of his family.

Above: In the front, left to right, are Tommy Boyle, George Lennon, Michael Foley. In the rear…

I wasn't sure if this had been posted yet, but I saw it online and thought it would be of interest to the members. I have watched it, and it is amazing to see the different places associated with the 1916 Easter Rising. Here's the link. More info can be…

DEARDAOIN -- On January 24, 1862, Miles Byrne, United Irishman and officer in Napoleon's Irish Legion, died in Paris. He was active in the 1798 Rising in Wexford and fought all its major battles, right through the rebels' climactic defeat at Vinegar…

The West, the American West, is the place in our souls where romance and reality meet head-on. Ironically it is also the place where reality and romance have always met head-on. Ever since “the West” was that ill-defined space on the map west of the White Mountains, west of the…

In 2011, I explored the farming area of Ardsallagh in the Clashmore parish of Waterford. My Hogan ancestors farmed in this area, which overlooks the Blackwater River. We enjoyed crossing the bridge to Youghal in County Cork and doing research in the Waterford library in Dungarvan, where my Whelan ancestors lived. Would love to…

Click HERE to access the podcast from RTE 1 , Sunday 17th January . 

http://www.rte.ie/radio1/the-history-show/programmes/2016/0117/760893-the-history-show-sunday-17-january-2016/?clipid=2077794

The Irish Cultural Society has announced its annual writing contest for students in the 9^th through 12^th grades in Nassau County (NY) high schools.  The materials describing the contest have been mailed to the English Departments of the Nassau schools, public and private, and they have been posted on the…

DOMHNAIGH -- On January 17, 1860, Dr. Douglas Hyde, Gaelic scholar and first President of Ireland, was born at Castlerea, Co. Roscommon. Hyde was the son of a Protestant minister and was educated at Trinity College, Dublin. He had a great facility for languages, learning Latin, Greek, Hebrew, French and German, but…

(Above: Lt. Bourke saving bugler Elmer Snow in "Battle of the Rosebud" by Andy Thomas)

On June 17^th, on the…

Not many people in the United States or the world today know who Irish-American John Gregory Bourke was, and that is unfortunate. Few historical figures have ever had his rare combination of heroism in a major war; chronicling and participating in two decades of conflict with a fierce indigenous foe;…

I'm not hugely into sports. I watch the big soccer and rugby games when Ireland plays. I appreciate the skill in a good boxing bout and I sit in awe whenever the Olympics is on and I can watch those jaw-dropping displays the gymnasts put on. Other than that, I’m not that pushed. However, my…