Memorial Day is supposed to be when Americans from all walks of life commemorate the courageous men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the United States military.  Among those who deserve recognition are the Irish Americans, whose contributions and sacrifices have left an indelible mark on our nation's history.  From the battlefields of the Civil War to … [Read more...] about Can You Spare the Time to Remember Those Who Sacrificed All For Us?

In April, it is customary to see articles on what is arguably history's most famous shipwreck, the sinking of RMS Titanic after colliding with an iceberg, and the tragedy of the loss of 1500 souls, many of them Irish immigrants.  However, some sixty years prior, also in April, there was another tragic shipwreck resulting from a collision with an iceberg that also … [Read more...] about The Wreck of the Hannah

Philip Fitzpatrick was born in Aughavas, Co. Leitrim in 1892.  Like so many of his generation, he emigrated to the United States and settled in New York City. He joined the NYPD in 1926 and was assigned to Mounted Squad 1 in Manhattan.  He would serve with distinction for over 21 years as one of ‘New York’s Finest’ and would prove more than worthy of the … [Read more...] about Patrolman, Poet, and Hero; the Remarkable Life of Phillip Fitzpatrick, NYPD

On April 24, 1832, 57 Irish immigrants from the counties of Derry, Donegal and Tyrone boarded the barque John Stamp at the port of Derry to begin the eight-week sail toPhiladelphia. They had all taken different roads to arrive at this literal and emotional departure. John Ruddy was just 18 when he hugged his parents goodbye, knowing it was unlikely that he would see them again … [Read more...] about The Buried Massacre of Duffy’s Cut.