Fifteen days before Christmas 1988, "Aunt" Bridie Halpin died. At 85, she had lived a good life, but it was still sad for the Halpin family for their Bridie was the beloved matriarch of the clan in America. The first to come over, she had emigrated to New York in 1946. In turn, she…

Whether you’re studying Gaeilge as a native Irish person or as part of the Irish diaspora, the most important aspect to consider is staying motivated. It is true that there're several ways to achieve this goal, however, the best methodology to keep in mind is to maintain your…

On Thursday, March 5, 2015, Kate Cunningham from the Women's Museum of Ireland joined us for a LIVE interactive video discussion on the subject of Irish women's…

When someone picks up a pen from Peninsula Pens they aren’t just holding a writing instrument ... they’re experiencing a lovingly hand-crafted piece of art, and a pen full of history.  From his home studio in Newtownards, Northern Ireland, Terry Williams…

Patricia Horne is an Irish medical doctor who worked in Nigeria during in the 1950s at one of several medical missionary hospitals managed by Irish Catholic religious orders.

Horne came from a medical family. Her grandfather, Andrew Horne, was a founder and first…

Between the years of 1845 and 1852, Ireland’s population was reduced by about 20% due to the impacts of the Potato Famine, also known as The Great Famine or in our native language ‘An Gorta Mór.’  It is…

Much time has been devoted to analysing the Troubles in Northern Ireland. The politics, the violence and the impact this has had on the country as a whole has been extensively documented. But how often is a spotlight shone specifically on the lives of Republican women?…

Trish O'Donnell-Jenkins and Michael Regan-Waugh operate Wild West Irish Tours, based in Richmond. Photo taken Wed. Feb. 18, 2015.

BY RANDY HALLMAN Richmond Times-Dispatch

Richmond husband and wife Michael Regan-Waugh and Trish O’Donnell-Jenkins want to introduce you to some of their dear friends — their dear, talented friends — in Ireland.  …

When you come along on your mature singles adventure of a lifetime with Cupid's Crusade, you will be creating wonderful memories as you explore some of the most beautiful places on earth.  Here's what day two of…

The Kylemore Abbey Campaign in the U.S. will host a very special Irish Concert in New York City on March 16th at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in the Village.  An all-Irish concert will benefit the Benedictine Nuns at Kylemore Abbey, County Galway, hosted by the New York City…

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…

The following is a transcript of the LIVE members' chat hosted here at TheWildGeese.com on Saturday, February 21, 2015 with Dr. Laura Kelley.  Some editing has been applied for clarity.

The Wild Geese:  Hello and “fáilte” to Dr. Laura Kelley who joins us live from New Orleans,…

"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).…

Before Columbus, Europe had never tasted potatoes, tomatoes, red peppers, chocolate, pumpkins, coconuts, pineapples, strawberries, and much more.  All these food items are native to the Americas.  Although explorers brought potatoes back from the New World in the early 1500s,…

What was life like in New Orleans' Irish Channel in the early to mid 20th-century?

The Works Project Administration (WPA) conducted a series of interviews with the people of the Channel in 1941.  Many of those…

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…

by Dr. Laura Kelley

Street-fighting man, bare-knuckles, and hard-fisted: Why do the Irish like to fight? Is there more…

by Dr. Laura Kelley

At the onset of the Civil war, New Orleans was protected in part by Fort Jackson, located sixty-five miles down the Mississippi River. On April 27, 1862, confederate soldiers, a majority of whom were German and Irish immigrants mutinied…

Anne O'Brien who runs the Beloved Margaret Haughery of New Orleans was kind enough to share some additional tidbits about Margaret and her…

By Dr. Laura Kelley

“No work was too menial, no venture too unprofitable, for her.”

Without question, among the Irish…