Pearl River Ancient Order of Hibernians

John Cardinal D'Alton AOH Division 3 Pearl River, NY

History

The Almighty Sent the Blight, but the English Created the Famine

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Between the years 1845 and 1851, Ireland lost at a minimum 25% of its population, with over one million dead and another million emigrating. The literal root cause being a mold Phytophthora infestans which destroyed the foundation of the Irish diet based on the potato. This period is inaccurately referred to as “the Irish Potato Famine”, but this obscures the true source and … [Read more...] about The Almighty Sent the Blight, but the English Created the Famine

St. Brendan the Navigator

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Ireland is often referred to as a land of myth and legend. The primary definition of both words describes a widely known story describing historical or natural events.   Given that for centuries Irish history, like Irish music, was an aural tradition (and during much of English rule a necessity) passed down from one generation to the other the description is … [Read more...] about St. Brendan the Navigator

Charles Byrne, The Tragic Irish Giant

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Giants are a recurring theme in classical Irish mythology.  Perhaps none is better known than Fionn mac Cumhail ("Finn McCool”) the legendary leader of the Fianna.  According to legend, Finn McCool while standing in Ulster engaged in a war of words with another giant standing in Scotland. At one-point Finn was so enraged that he grabbed a (giant sized) sod of earth … [Read more...] about Charles Byrne, The Tragic Irish Giant

Sergeant Thomas Plunkett, “Don’t let (the Flag) Fall Boys”

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Thomas Plunkett was born in County Mayo in 1840.  His parents emigrated to the United States in 1844 and settled in West Boylston, Massachusetts.  When the American Civil War broke out, young Plunkett was working in a local shoe factory.  Immediately answering the call of his adopted country, Plunkett enlisted in Company E of the 21st Massachusetts as a private. … [Read more...] about Sergeant Thomas Plunkett, “Don’t let (the Flag) Fall Boys”

The Irish Marines

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When this year’s Rockland County St. Patrick’s Day Parade proceeds down Central Avenue in Pearl River, it will be led by Marine Corps veteran Francis T. Duffy.   Frank was awarded the Silver Star for “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity” in a battle where Admiral Nimitz noted that “Uncommon Valor was a Common Virtue” indicates the high bar that Frank’s courage met … [Read more...] about The Irish Marines