By James Doherty

Waterford City, Ireland - From his perch as rector of the Irish College of St. Isidore in Rome, Waterford-born Franciscan Friar Luke Wadding welcomed a steady stream of refugees from the land of his birth - men forced to leave Ireland to pursue their vocations. He came to understand…

What an incredible evening. I am really finding myself to be quite possibly the luckiest writer on the circuit. After arriving in the city, I hung around Greenwich Village and visited the old haunts of my grandparents and great-grandparents at 463 Hudson Street, the saloon that was in my family from 1906 to the late 1970s. A bit nervous about the reading, I had a few drinks…

For those who cannot afford to go and check out Ireland's downright fascinating history and Ireland's other amazing enchantments for themselves, see how you can be astounded by 'Ireland's Queen Maeve' published by Amazon's CreateSpace or as an Amazon.com e-book without leaving your chair. It may make you want to get up and go there whether you can afford it or not. Here is a little snippet:

The ancient…

MÁIRT -- On January 20, 1771, Don Hugo O'Conor (left) was named Commandant Inspector of New Spain. O'Conor was born into a…

The Pats Football Club, Lordship. Co Louth

Sometimes I think I’m the oldest swinger in town. In spite of the rain and the cold there were 6 cyclists at Felda serious about going for a cycle this morning. 2 were past pupils and one was the wife of a past pupil. The others were also in the prime of life and had a gung ho look about them which depressed me. Then it…

My Boys will tell you, I am not the type of parent that pushes my children's fundraising sales on my family and friends. I make them do the work.

That being said, I know an amazingly talented thirteen year-old Western performer who is raising funds to be a part of  a …

Baile Fáilte, mo chara ... An chuid eile anois ... ag fás níos láidre ...

This is the wonderful news I received yesterday at midday..I sat at my desk, tears running down my face and a lump in my throat.. It has been a long, exhausting struggle... for Martin, his family and his friends and supporters.



Almost four years...spent in that hell they call Maghaberry...without charge...without trial... No Due Process...

Baile Fáilte, mo chara ... An chuid eile…

Next week I'll be lucky enough to spend 48 hours in Dublin!  In honor of the occasion, what great work of Irish literature shall I read on the plane ride over the lake?  What are the top spots I should hit while in Dublin? Do you have any special Dublin friends who would enjoy a visit from a Yank?   There are so many choices it's almost overwhelming!!  I'll have a full 48 hours to explore!

We cycled to the Flagstaff today. We took the easy way, up the Old Newry Road to the Sportsman's Roundabout. Then because we felt like doing a bit of work, but not too much,we went into Ravensdale Park and continued to Dromad. After the Carrickdale we turned right and were met with a sharp hill initially, but it was not impossible and we were…

I had a look at my God Bless Ireland poem and I decided to tweak it a little. I just wasn't happy with it and so I am re-posting it with a few changes.

God bless Ireland

In her patchwork dress so green

Her blue Atlantic eyes are smiling…

Today, I (Eamon Loingsigh), Malachy McCourt and the publishing team at Three Rooms Press will be on WBAI Radio-NYC at 2 pm! (Eastern Standard Time, 1 Central). 

The topic is being an Irish immigrant in New York City. Malachy McCourt compares and contrasts his own experiences as a young Irish immigrant in New York City during the 1950s to the descriptions of the young Liam Garrity in 1910s.

Check it out and give it a listen, should be fun! …

IRISH TO THE CORE

Eleanor's Aria is from the upcoming musical The Last Torch, set in Ireland 1588. Eleanor Fitzgerald Butler was an aristocratic lady who was Sir Brian O'Rourkes third wife. She is presented as pregnant in the musical although this was not the case it is included to highlight the women's plight in Ireland during the conquest by the British crown. This is for all my women ancestors who suffered and fought during this time and during the consequent years.…

Edmund Burke c. 1767/69, by Joshua Reynolds

DOMHNAIGH -- On January 12, 1729, Edmund Burke, one of the greatest political writers and orators in history, was born in…

Had a lovely spin to Clogherhead this morning. The rain threatened to be a spoilsport but it never troubled us at…