Dublin, Ireland (First published 4/23/11) - April 12, 2011 marked the 150th anniversary of the Confederate shelling of Fort Sumter, and with it the onset of America’s long and bloody Civil War. Two days later, the first recorded fatality of the five-year conflict occurred, with the death of…

(First published on 9/23/10) - On the broiling afternoon of July 2, 1863, just south of Gettysburg, Pa., a Catholic priest in a black frock coat mounted a rock and raised his right hand in the direction of a Union army unit known to history as “The Irish Brigade.” The brigade’s men were moments from marching to a…

The Curragh, County Kildare - It’s who you are. Your blood, your genes and, some would say, your personality, can be influenced by your ancestors, the family members that came before you. It should be essential knowledge for anyone to have and yet there is hesitancy by many to undertake what seems an onerous…

To thank The Wild Geese for recent a recent piece in which he was featured, author James Francis Smith is offering a copy of his Kindle book,…

Philadelphia native James Francis Smith, a graduate of LaSalle University, has an MBA from Pacific Lutheran University, an unlikely pedigree for a historical novelist. The credential served him well in his first career, in industry and finance. Putting those aside, Jim, who recently won WG's Tell Your Irish Story contest,  turned to his first love—historical novels.…

DOMHNAIGH -- On April 7, 1865, Brig. Gen. Tom Smyth was mortally wounded at the battle of Farmville, Virginia. Born in County Cork,…

The regiment that Robert E. Lee christened is going strong at 150

PART 1 IN A TWO-PART SERIES

By Lt. Col. Kenneth H. Powers, NYARNG (Ret.)…

The dust of some is Irish earth;

Among their own the rest;

and the same land that gave them birth

Has caught them to her…

By Brian C. Pohanka

Now I like Garryowen,

When I hear it at home,

But it's not half so sweet …

By Joseph E. Gannon

WGT Managing Editor

(Left: Father Corby blesses the Brigade as it steps off, in "Sons of Erin" by artist Don Troiani.)

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