On July 17, 1950, darkness beyond that of the evening fell on the parish of Sanjeong Dong, which served as a parish and headquarters of the Columban missionaries in Chollanamdo province, Korea. Earlier in the day, the American consulate had informed Monsignor Patrick Brennan that U.N. forces could not hold the city from the advancing Communists; they advised him that all of the … [Read more...] about CHRISTI SIMUS NON NOSTRI*
History
Tomás MacCurtain
Tomás MacCurtain was born Ballyknockane, Mourne Abbey, County Cork, on 20 March 1884, the son of Patrick Curtin, a farmer, and Julia Sheehan. He attended The North Monastery school where Tomás fell in love with the Irish Language in addition to interests in Irish music, poetry, and history. MacCurtain became an active member of the Gaelic revival and joined the Blackpool, … [Read more...] about Tomás MacCurtain
“Uncommon Virtue is a Common Irish American Value”
It has been said of those that fought at the battle of Iwo Jima that “Uncommon Valor was a Common Virtue.” It could also be said of many Irish American families that “Uncommon Virtue is a Common Value”. Both are illustrated in the story of William G. Walsh. William G. Walsh was born on April 7, 1922, in Maine to a young mother who gave the child to her grandmother to … [Read more...] about “Uncommon Virtue is a Common Irish American Value”
The Sad History of “Funny” Irish Stereotypes
With the advent of every spring and the approach of St. Patrick’s Day merchandise dealing in Irish Stereotypes and tropes bloom before the first crocus. Despite the fact that in our initiation oath, we pledge to “… not countenance by my presence or support any performance that may reasonably be interpreted as caricaturing or debasing the Irish people,” too many of us pass off … [Read more...] about The Sad History of “Funny” Irish Stereotypes
John Mackay, the Forgotten “Bonanza King”
William Shakespeare observed, “The evil that men do lives after them; The good is oft interred with their bones.” It speaks to the ironic tendency for society to notarize, even glorify, the darkest aspects of humanity while ignoring the noble. Nowhere is this clearer than in the case of Irish American John Mackay, the “Bonanza King.” John Mackay (pronounced Mackee) was … [Read more...] about John Mackay, the Forgotten “Bonanza King”