Siblings Agnes (29), Alice (26), and Bernard McCoy (24) huddled together on the deck of the Titanic shivering in the cold. It was about 1:15 am on April 15, 1912. They were on the port side of the doomed ship, which now was decidedly tilted toward the bow, causing everyone to lean toward the…

It was a little after 2 am on April 15, 1912. The deck of the R.M.S. Titanic was now tilted over 6 degrees toward the sinking bow. As 17-year-old Jack Thayer and 30-year-old Milton Long moved toward one of the last remaining lifeboats on the boat deck, they were moving downhill, toward the…

Ships, Real and Imaginary

It’s a piece of rock with a wonderful beginning.

A cause for marvelling in a right of its own.

Formed deep in the magma of earth.

Mainly composed of quartz, the colour of light

And feldspar carrying the…

St Patrick's Day Greetings…

A number of months ago I was approached by a gentleman who had a piece of teak wood kicking around his garage for years.  He asked me if it would be possible for me to make him some pens from this wood.  I duly obliged and made him four lovely pens, which he was delighted…

You can imagine my surprise when I saw a large piece of wood washed up on Streedagh Strand recently. (For more information on the ongoing discoveries at Streedagh Strand go to Grange Armada Development Association …

"Jack Tar" was a common English term originally used to refer to seamen of the Merchant or Royal Navy, particularly during the period of the British Empire. By World War I the term was used as a nickname for those in the U.S. Navy. Both members of the public and seafarers…

Sergeant Major Daniel Joseph Daly was born 11 November, 1873 in Glen Cove, New York to  Daniel John Daly and Ellen Donovan -- presumably both were born somewhere in Ireland?

Daly was twice awarded the Congressional Medal of…

Commodore John Barry (1745-1803) a native of County Wexford, Ireland was a Continental Navy hero of the American War for Independence.  Barry’s many victories at sea during the Revolution were important to the morale of the Patriots as well as to the…

So who the **** was Guillermo (William or Liam) Brown?

Guillermo (William or Liam) Brown (1777 - 1857) was an Irishman acknowledged as the “father of the Argentine Navy.” That’s right, an Irishman founded the Argentine Navy. The Argentine Navy Destroyer,…

It was a very exciting weekend auditioning for "The Last Torch." Both tiring and exhilarating. Casting has been a very tough job, but we have our cast -- all except Brian O'Rourke, but he will appear!

BUAGH!…

“The Last Torch” is an exciting new Irish ceoldrama being premiered in Melbourne, Australia October 1st - 4th, 2014 at the Malthouse Theatre, Southbank. It will be part of this year's Melbourne Fringe Festival. Auditions will be held in July. Please email Frances O’Neill to…

"A Captain Unafraid" will tell the story of 19th century filibuster and soldier of fortune, "Dynamite" Johnny O' Brien.  You can read more about the fascinating life of "Dynamite" Johnny …

So often do I hear my friends say: ‘I wish my father were here now to see/hear this’. Indeed many of us who have lost our parents find ourselves often, in our later years, thinking of them and wishing we could spend even…

By John Walsh

Lovers Jack Dawson (Leo DiCaprio) and Rose DeWitt Bukater (Kate Winslet) take to the floor at a hooley in steerage in James…

By John Walsh

"Titanic Sinking" by Willy Stöwer. Click on image to see a larger…

When the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) marched up Fifth Avenue in New York’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade it should have been crystal clear, if it wasn't already, that this parade is incompatible with any serious effort to support Irish freedom. The PSNI is the…

William Deans was a Dublin deep-sea docker. While talking with someone who knew him, he told me he had an 'independent streak.' Originally from Sir John Rogerson's Quay, he and his family moved to Foley Street. He liked working coal boat…