Tomás Mac Donnchadha, or Thomas MacDonagh (1 February 1878 – 3 May 1916), was born in Cloughjordan, County Tipperary, to Joseph and Mary MacDonagh (nee Parker).  Both his parents were intellectuals and…

Edward "Ned Daly" is one of the 1916 Easter Rising leaders less known for his role as Commandant in the Irish Military Brotherhood.  Out of a family of ten children, he was the only son born to Edward and Catharine Daly (nee O’Mara) in Limerick.  His father…

Liam Mac Piarais (William "Willie" Pearse) was born on the 15th of November in 1881 and was the younger brother Patrick Pearse, the well documented iconic figure of the 1916 Easter Rising.  It has been said that, to some extent, Willie lived in the shadow of his famous older…

"That's Just How It Was" is a tribute to my grandmother.  It is a true story set against the background of the Famine (1844 -1847) the 1916 Easter Rising, and the War of Independence (1919-1921).…

Mary Quaile, the Irish Trade Union Activist, was born in Dublin to parents who were themselves very active in equality for all people. Her father was secretary for the Irish Brick & Stonemasons Union. Her mother encouraged and supported him in his endeavors. The young Mary…

Tomás Séamus Ó Cléirigh (Thomas James Clarke) was born on the 11th day of March in 1858.  He was  one of the oldest members of the 1916 Rising.  Clarke was also known as Henry Wilson, an alias he used to counteract any publicity that his own name may attract in his role as…

The heroes of the hour -- witnessing history as it unfolded. 

The Irish Order of the Capuchin Friars came to Ireland in 1615.  It was not until 1690, however, that their first friary was built.  Over time, they moved to Cork where they established the friary house (which…

Seán Mac Diarmada (Sean MacDermott) is yet another one of the 1916 Easter Rising leaders who has remained in the historical shadow of other prominent leaders who have enjoyed iconic status in the history books.  He has been described by some as one of the greatest of the…

LAURA MCGLYNN SAYS she was disgusted to hear last week that Clare Daly’s bill is unlikely to pass through the Dáil. As a woman who has been through a termination for medical reasons, she fights passionately for better care for women in Ireland.

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Has Ireland still not learned the lessons of the past-with regard to  Pregnancy and supportive care 

 My story…

Bray, County Wicklow lies on the eastern seaboard of Ireland and is known as the "gateway to the garden of Ireland."  Just twelve miles south of Dublin, it offers a  range of attractions to suit all ages.

The promenade starts at the northern end near the harbour and Martello…

Seán Heuston is yet another young man who is scarcely known as one of the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising.  He does not share the historical iconic status that is accorded to James Connolly or Patrick Pearse, for example.  He was and still remains one of many leaders of the 1916…

As well as Wicklow  being the County of my birth - Glendalough is known as the home of one of the most important monistic sites in Ireland.  It is located in the Wicklow Mountains National Park. Long before it was known as a National Park- for thousands of years it had drawn visitors to its valley to view the ‘valley of the two lakes’ as well as taking part in…

Cathal Brugha [Charles William St John Burgess] Is another man who is less known for his role in the 1916 Easter Rising. He was born and raised in Fairview, Dublin, July 1874, one of 14 children of Thomas and Maryanne Burgress [née] Flynn.  His mother was a Roman Catholic and his…

Cornelius [Con] Colbert was another young man who is also less known for his role in Ireland's 1916 Easter Rising.  He was born in 1888 , one of thirteen children, into a small farming community to…

Éamonn Ceannt is a little-known leader of the 1916 Easter Rising. Born in Ballymoe in County Galway, he was one of nine children. His father was an RIC Officer…

 While there are many, many historical records that speak of the horror of the Famine ; my book -That's Just How it Was - is about an  individual  who struggled against all the odds to keep herself and her children out of the Workhouse. 

So from a very personal viewpoint- people who have emigrated from Ireland - will find the book to be an great insight into  their ancestors.   View the video below 

Youtube: …

This a a blog that will give some excerpts from my book -That's Just how It Was' ; It will also give credence to the discussions on the Famine -- on The Wild Geese .

In my book [That's Just How It Was- video below 

Youtube: http://youtu.be/oT0oOa0jx28 ]

Research for my Book , That's Just How it Was - includes this excerpt ''claimed by Francis A. Boyle , Law Professor of the University of illinois at Urbana-…

 While I was researching my Grand- mothers story ; I found it facilitating  that I had know all these things about my grand-mother ; but did not really [in my child's mind] connect them to reality. 

When she spoke about the cabins - as in ' you do not go cabin hunting'  [to her grand-children] - I honestly thought that this was just a phrase she used  to ensure that we did not stay in other peoples homes. 

What in fact she was telling us was that her life had been spent in a…

'The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.'
         -- Edmund Burke

Nollaig na mBAn ; women’s Christmas  - or Old Chrstmas Day as it later became know as .

For the lucky women who were able to participate in Nollaig na mBan  - it was considered a tradition to be a part of women’s gathering together  for a celebration of their right to a ‘day off’ if you will !.

As it was a common held thought that a women was at the hearth of the family and on beck and call for their menfolk ; being entirely responsible for the whole running of the household…